Vol. 767 No. 2
12 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that he has made in relation to improving access to export markets for small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27517/12]
Driving export growth is central to our economic recovery and it is a key focus of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs. Enterprise Ireland (EI) has established a new Potential Exporters Division, a key measure in the Action Plan for Jobs. Its role is to stimulate greater activity within companies across all regions and to reorient those demonstrating real growth potential from the domestic to the international market place. The new unit provides assistance designed to aid client companies investigate, prepare and execute an international strategy including:
Practical business advice, information and market intelligence,
Targeted funding supports where appropriate,
Suitable training and development.
So far this year EI has held six Export Awareness Events around the country with the next one taking place on 12th June. Approximately 200 companies have attended these events with more than 1,200 companies contacted and invited. EI has commenced a number of two day "Exploring Exporting" workshops with over 40 companies participating. Further events and workshops will continue to be rolled out during the year.
Enterprise Ireland's 29 overseas offices and international networks have an important role to play in the internationalisation of EI's established and start-up client companies, through positioning them to meet the needs of specific international market and guiding them in the right direction regarding market contacts and introductions to potential buyers. Through this network, EI clients have secured 294 new buyers this year, while 316 buyers have been attracted to engage with indigenous companies on international business opportunities.
Another essential support to underpin the export ambitions of SMEs is developing a wider network of EU Free Trade Agreements. These agreements increase market access for our exporters by reducing barriers to trade and investment, encourage the mutual recognition of EU standards so that technical barriers to trade are removed and generally make it easier and less costly for our exporters to trade. We are coming up to the first anniversary, on 1 July, when the first major FTA with Korea came into effect to improve market access to this powerful Asian economy. Other agreements are being negotiated with Canada, Singapore and Malaysia while talks about improving market access to Vietnam have just started. All these are markets that have been identified as priority markets in our Trade, Tourism and Investment strategy.
13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of small and medium enterprises that he hopes to target with the recently released guidelines on cloud computing, entitled, SWiFT 10: Adopting the Cloud — decision support for Cloud computing. [27307/12]
"SWiFT 10 Adopting the Cloud — decision support for Cloud computing" is designed to provide guidance toall organisations, both large and small, on the various issues that need to be considered when moving to the Cloud. Cloud computing is a key sector identified in the Action Plan for Jobs 2012 and the development of this SWiFT by National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) marks the delivery of a Q2 measure under the Action Plan.
"SWiFT 10:" was launched on 21 May 2012. The Irish Internet Association disseminated information on the SWiFT to the 6,500 subscribers of their Newsletter and 12,500 followers on Twitter. Both mainstream and IT specialist media reported on the Launch.
It is intended for use as a means of assessing Cloud adoption prioritisation and suitability. The SWiFT guidance will support organisations to thoroughly assess the practical suitability of Cloud computing across the gamut of their business operations. It includes a thorough review of all legal, security, maturity and cost/benefit considerations.
SMEs in particular will be receptive to this SWiFT, as they are looking to reduce costs, increase efficiencies, increase agility and open up new avenues.
Recent research indicates that while SMEs are convinced of the merits of the Cloud, they are hesitant to take those first steps. SWiFT 10 will guide business owners and managers through the process and assist them in making the appropriate decisions and setting the right course for their Cloud adoption strategy.
SWiFT 10 helps organisations determine whether Cloud is a right fit for them or not. It provides not only a starting point for businesses considering Cloud, it guides them through all the features that need to be considered when adopting Cloud and helps organisations large and small assess the risks and more importantly the benefits for their business at a small cost of less than €20.
In this regard this SWiFT will clear some of the confusion which may be hampering Cloud adoption and provide a means of promoting and encouraging greater adoption among Irish SMEs. It is not possible at this stage to put a number on the SMEs that will avail of the SWiFT 10 guidance.
14 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions he has taken to improve credit conditions for small and medium enterprise; his views on the success or otherwise of these actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27537/12]
19 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the level of support being offered to small and medium enterprises by the major banks; and the additional supports he believes this sector requires. [27327/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 19 together.
As the House is aware, the Government has imposed SME lending targets on the two domestic pillar banks for the three calendar years, 2011 to 2013. Both banks were required to sanction lending, including lending for working capital purposes, of at least €3 billion in 2011, €3.5 billion this year and €4 billion in 2013 for new or increased credit facilities to SMEs. Both banks achieved their 2011 targets. The progress on their lending plans is closely monitored each month.
Notwithstanding this close monitoring, access to finance in the current risk averse lending environment remains restricted for certain sectors. Mr. John Trethowan stated on Tuesday in his latest report that although the pillar banks are being supportive of medium and low risk new lending to well established SMEs and farms, there is little evidence of support for "enterprise risk taking" on new and increased lending in the banks' lending policies. The Deputy will be aware that I am introducing two targeted initiatives to support an additional flow of credit into the economy. I am currently finalising primary legislation to establish both a MicroEnterprise Loan Fund and a Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme, thereby supporting micro enterprises and specific categories of SMEs with commercially viable proposals that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by banks.
Further work with the banks is continuing to ensure that they meet the needs of non-traditional sectors, such as the technology and other emerging sectors. Enterprise Ireland is working with the banks to develop propositions for exporters and technology companies that are suited to different stages of growth and encouraging them to adopt cashflow lending as opposed to the asset backed approach that has been the norm in recent years. Knowledge sharing between EI and the pillar banks is on-going, including reciprocal secondments, sector briefings, and trade mission involvement.
Furthermore, the Development Capital Fund Scheme announced as a central recommendation in the Action Plan for Jobs will assist in increasing the availability of risk capital and closing the ‘equity gap' experienced by SMEs seeking risk capital in excess of €2m. This Fund was launched in March and a competitive call for expressions of interest was launched on 12 April 2012.
15 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is considering amendments to the Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill; and if so, the scope of these amendments. [27310/12]
24 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason for the delay in the processing of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill. [27309/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 24 together.
On 8 May last, the Government approved a number of amendments to the Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011. It should be remembered that the main purpose of the Bill is to implement reform proposals in line with the commitment in the Government's Programme for National Recovery to reform the JLC system to make them more flexible and responsive to the needs of the economy and to provide for the more comprehensive measures required to strengthen the legal framework for the Employment Regulation Order and Registered Employment Agreement sectoral wage mechanisms.
These reforms, and this Bill, is all the more important in the light of deficiencies in the original legislation identified in the judgment of the High Court in John Grace Fried Chicken Limited and Others -v- The Catering Joint Labour Committee and Others delivered on 7 July 2011 which struck down the whole ERO/REA system of wage settlements. So, this Bill is not just reforming the ERO/REA system it is actually rebuilding them and replacing a system that wasn't legally robust with a system that is better designed to meet the challenges of the Irish economy in the 21st century.
The legal and technical challenges to bring forward this legislation, on foot of that High Court ruling, were many and varied but I am satisfied that the Bill as presented, with the amendments that improve it arising from engagement at political, legal and Troika level, strikes a good balance between the dual ambitions of providing protection for a particular group of workers and having a system of wage settlements that is reflective of the modern, dynamic and changing economy we operate in today.
The amendments I shall be presenting cover a number of issues including:
The timeframe for the variation of REAs,
The provisions regarding the granting of temporary exemptions from the obligation to pay the terms prescribed under EROs and REAs,
The basis on which comparisons would be made with wage rates elsewhere,
The basis on which up to two higher hourly wage rates might be set to include standards and skills as well as length of service,
The principles and policies that need to be considered in setting orders,
The role of the LRC in preparing a code of practice on Sunday working,
The issues to be considered in setting orders in an inability to pay situation and,
Measures required to strengthen the legal framework for the EROs and REAs.
The precise wording of the amendments is currently being finalised by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and will be forwarded to the Bills Office for publication in advance of the Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann which is scheduled for 19 June.
16 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the financial oversight that he provides to county enterprise boards; and his assessment of the budget process of CEBs. [27333/12]
An annual Exchequer allocation is provided under the Estimates process for the CEBs. The 2012 allocation is €26.4m of which €15m is for the provision of direct grant aid and the provision of training, mentoring and advisory services to micro-enterprises.
Individual CEB allocations are determined by the CEB Central Coordination Unit within Enterprise Ireland (CCU). In determining these allocations a systematic approach is adopted to ensure the maximum degree of objectivity and equity of treatment. Individual allocations are done on the basis of a standard allocation to each CEB (i.e. 70% of the overall grant allocation is divided between 35 CEBs) together with an additional allocation that is determined mainly by population but which, particularly in relation to the allocation for direct grant aid, also takes account of local unemployment trends, capacity to spend, existing commitments and regional considerations.
It is a matter in the first instance for individual CEBs to determine how they will use allocated funds in the most effective manner possible. Some Boards might commit funding as eligible projects present themselves while others might reserve funding until later in the year so as to support eligible projects that emerge at that time. Importantly not all grants approved (or "committed") are drawn down for a variety of company specific reasons.
The CCU works closely with the CEBs throughout the year to monitor the draw downs of funds by CEBs and the level of commitments being entered into. The CCU has advised that it is currently conducting a mid-year review of CEB finances to measure demand to year-end and to identify any situations where a Board might not fully utilise their allocation which could then be re-allocated to another Board.
In addition to this ongoing oversight and monitoring of budget spend it should be noted that within the CEBs all recommendations on whether or not projects should be grant-aided are made by an Evaluation Committee whose membership is external to the Board and executive of the CEB. I would also point out that all CEBs are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General on an annual basis.
In light of the recent Government Decision to dissolve the CEBs in their current format and to deliver enterprise supports from within the Local Authorities via the new LEOs the existing funding mechanisms will be reviewed as part of that restructuring.
17 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to reduce the number of workplace fatalities. [27324/12]
The Health and Safety Authority — an Agency of my Department — is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated statutory provisions.
To date this year, 17 workplace deaths have been reported to the Authority. 54 workplace fatalities were reported for the whole of 2011.
Every workplace fatality is a tragedy. In that context, there is an obligation on everybody — Government, employers and employees alike — to play their part in helping to reduce the numbers of these tragedies.
The agriculture sector continues to have a disproportionately high number of fatalities. In 2011, of the 54 fatalities reported to the Authority, 22 occurred in agriculture and the Authority has again identified this as a high-risk sector in its 2012 Programme of Work where 3,000 farm inspections are planned this year. The construction sector will also remain a strong focus of attention.
The data so far this year shows a reduction of 32% in fatal incidents compared to the same period last year and a 23% reduction in non-fatal incidents. Hopefully, this improvement can be maintained.
The HSA's Programme of Work also outlines a comprehensive range of activities to make workplaces safer and strikes a balance between prevention, advice and enforcement activity, at a period of tighter resource constraints.
To promote smarter compliance, the Authority publishes Guidelines, Codes of Practice, web based compliance tools and other advice on workplace safety on a regular basis as well as organising sectoral seminars or conferences to promote the occupational safety and health message, as part of its advocacy role. These activities, together with the information on the Authority's website, are of critical importance to all those in the workplace as we work to improve workplace safety generally.
It is, however, important to stress that day-to-day responsibility for workplace safety rests with those in the workplace in the first instance. Safe workplaces can ultimately only be delivered by those who control and work in them, that is, by employers and employees working together. Even in these challenging economic times, it is important that we all maintain a strong focus on workplace safety.
18 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the numbers of jobs lost or created in foreign direct investment companies since 2008; and the number lost in the domestic economy over the same period. [27332/12]
The total number of jobs created in IDA Ireland client companies over the period 2008 to 2011 is 34,579. Over the same period 44,650 jobs were lost in the agency's client companies. At the end of 2011 there were 145,878 people employed in 1,004 IDA client companies. The following tabular statement shows the yearly movements.
2011 saw a strong performance in the level of FDI won by Ireland. IDA Ireland client companies created over 13,000 new jobs despite the current global economic situation and a strong increase in international competition. In accordance with the Government's Action Plan for Jobs, IDA Ireland is working to target another 144 new FDI investment projects in 2012, which will create 12,500 new jobs with an associated 8,750 in the wider economy, giving a total impact of 21,250. Up to the end of May 2012, there have been 44 IDA announcements with in excess of 5,000 jobs.
The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State and is compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Changes in the level of employment are a function of both jobs lost and jobs created over the period in question. The most recent figures available for employment levels are for the fourth quarter of 2011. These showed an estimated 1,807,800 people in employment in the State, a fall of 331,000 from the corresponding level at the end of 2007. It can be noted that the annual rate of decline in employment peaked during 2009 at over 8%. Since then, the rate of decline has been slowing and, as of the fourth quarter of 2011, an annual employment reduction of 0.8% or 15,400 was recorded.
|
Employment Data |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
No. of IDA Client Companies |
1,043 |
1,019 |
1,014 |
1,004 |
|
Total Jobs in IDA Client Companies |
152,514 |
138,171 |
139,760 |
145,878 |
|
Total New Jobs Created in IDA Client Companies |
6,719 |
3,568 |
11,224 |
13,068 |
|
Job Losses in IDA Client Companies |
-10,154 |
-17,911 |
-9,635 |
-6,950 |
20 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has begun publishing summary data regarding the export of controlled products committed to in the annual report under the Control of Exports Act 2008, covering the period 2008 to 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27302/12]
Summary information in respect of Dual Use and Military export licences issued by my Department for 2011 is available on my Department's website at the following address:
www.djei.ie/trade/export/Export_Licences_2011.pdf
This information shows the number and value of licences issued by my Department. In the interests of improving transparency on the issue of export licences, similar information in respect of the first six months of 2012 will be published on my Department's website in early July.
Transparency and an understanding of how export control operates are important for both business and civil society alike. That was foremost in my mind when I published the first annual report under the Control of Exports Act, 2008. This contained a detailed description of how the system operates and how export control policy is developed.
It is also for transparency reasons that I am providing a greater level of information about my Department's licensing operations than has been available previously, including the provision of six monthly data on licence volume and values.
21 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the number of new jobs that were announced in the past 12 months; the dates on which they were announced; the cost to the State of funding or grant aiding these companies in green field set ups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27305/12]
The figures in respect of jobs in Enterprise Development agency-supported companies and those supported by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) are compiled in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey and the CEB Annual Employment Survey respectively on an annualised basis. The figures in respect of jobs created in 2011 are set out in Table 1 accompanying this reply.
In 2011, IDA Ireland made approximately 62 announcements with the potential to create a total of 7,047 jobs. The total amount of employment grants paid for New Name companies in 2011 was €3,856,077. So far this year, IDA Ireland has announced 44 investments for Ireland, 36 of which have the potential to create over 5,000 new jobs. It should be noted however that jobs announced are typically created over a period of up to three to five years approximately. Due to the volume of detail involved it is not possible to furnish in this reply full details of investments announced by IDA. However, the Deputy may wish to access them directly on the agency's websitehttp://www.idaireland.com.
IDA's primary responsibility is to attract foreign direct investment to Ireland and to grow and expand those companies once they have established operations in Ireland. IDA Ireland's Strategy, Horizon 2020, sets out its national targets to 2014 for direct job creation in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) sector. These targets include the creation of 62,000 direct jobs in 640 investment projects over the period, which could result in an additional 105,000 jobs overall in the economy. 50% of those investments will be targeted for locations outside of Dublin and Cork.
Enterprise Ireland's objective is to drive the growth of client companies in overseas markets which in turn will support existing jobs and job creation in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland (EI) partners with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland's international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness. The ultimate goal is increased exports, employment and prosperity in Ireland. Details of funding to client companies is set out in the agency's annual report which will be published later this month.
EI actively works with viable companies to help them to both sustain and create jobs. A total of more than 162,000 people (full and part-time) directly rely on Enterprise Ireland client companies for their employment. Where a client company wishes to publicly announce new jobs created, Enterprise Ireland can facilitate this announcement by issuing a press release on the development. Table 2 provides information on the jobs announcements made by Enterprise Ireland between May 2011 and end of May 2012.
The role of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) is to develop indigenous potential and stimulate economic activity at a local level through the provision of financial and technical support to small and micro-enterprises. Priority is given to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector.
CEBs are funded through an Exchequer Allocation each year. In 2011 the allocation for Capital expenditure (direct grants and "soft supports" to micro-enterprises) was €15m. This Allocation has been maintained for 2012.
|
Number of Jobs Created in 2011 in Companies supported by the Enterprise Development agencies and the County and City Enterprise Boards |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Enterprise Ireland |
IDA Ireland |
Shannon Development |
County and City Enterprise Boards |
|
9,038 |
11,594 |
406 |
7,253 |
|
Job Announcements/Enterprise Ireland Press Releases: May 2011-End of May 2012 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Month |
Number of jobs |
Company name |
|
12/05/2011 |
50 |
Rockboro Analytics, Cork |
|
09/06/2011 |
150 |
Southwestern, Clonakilty, Co. Cork |
|
15/07/2011 |
145 |
C&F Green Energy, Athenry, Co. Galway |
|
29/08/2011 |
25 |
Solanotech, Athlone, Co. Westmeath |
|
02/09/2011 |
10 |
Fort Technologies, Dublin |
|
07/10/2011 |
25 |
Sureskills, Dublin |
|
24/10/2011 |
79 |
Vistamed, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co Leitrim |
|
21/11/2011 |
92 |
AIB Start-up Accelerator Fund invests in five companies |
|
19/12/2011 |
91 |
Bord na Mona, Newbridge, Co.Kildare |
|
13/01/2012 |
250 |
Eishtec, Waterford |
|
16/01/2012 |
30 |
Sysnet Global Solutions, Dublin |
|
16/01/2012 |
45 |
Openjaw, Dublin |
|
10/01/2012 |
12 |
Blueface, Dublin |
|
29/02/2012 |
1,600 |
Total jobs associated with total HPSU approvals in 2011 |
|
17/05/2012 |
37 |
Copperfasten, Co Galway |
|
25/05/2012 |
40 |
Technopath, Ballina, Co. Tipperary |
22 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the target set by him for the increase in patents submitted by Irish companies. [27315/12]
29 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions taken by him and agencies to increase the number of patents submitted by Irish companies in the coming year. [27316/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 29 together.
My Department, through the Patents Office, Enterprise Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards offer a range of supports to assist and enable entrepreneurs and enterprises to exploit the value of Intellectual Property (IP) and to engage in the optimal exploitation of research and development, and specifically in applying for patents.
Reflecting Enterprise Ireland's enterprise development mission, the agency supports companies to be more competitive through innovation. An output from this can be the creation of patented Intellectual Property (IP), however, measuring the resultant number of patent applications is not an effective metric to assess the output from these supports. This is because there are many alternative and often more appropriate ways for companies to capture and exploit their intellectual property. For example, in the software sector patenting may be prohibited by patent law, therefore, copyright is a more common means of securing a company's intellectual assets. Enterprise Ireland therefore does not set targets for the number of patents filed or for increases in the number of patents filed by its client companies. Enterprise Ireland's focus is on supporting businesses to be innovative and where this produces IP, the business is supported to use the most appropriate process to protect it, which can include patenting.
Intellectual Property supports are integrated with the broader range of innovation supports provided by EI. Under the R&D Fund companies, including HPSUs, can receive support for the costs of the early stages of patenting. However, companies may determine that patenting is not the optimal means of protecting any new Intellectual Property and may rely, instead, on copyright, or non-disclosure and/or first mover advantage, depending on circumstances and sector.
Considering the diversity of needs that the client base represents Enterprise Ireland also provides a number of non-financial supports to help companies to make the best Intellectual Property protection decisions based on their specific situation. In some circumstances the most effective way for a company to secure key IP (including patents) is not to develop it themselves but rather to licence or acquire it from another company or college. Enterprise Ireland's Technology Transfer Executives working with the Enterprise Europe Network provide access to IP from a range of sources and support companies to transfer targeted IP into their companies.
In terms of building the capability of Irish companies a joint exercise between Enterprise Ireland (with the Enterprise-Europe Network) and the Irish Patent Office ran a very successful campaign of events, under the heading "Building a Business on your ideas". With support from the County Enterprise Boards and Institutes of Technology this initiative addressed an Innovation Task Force recommendation that, "An understanding of the importance of IP, its value and commercial potential should be strongly cultivated in the business community and Irish society at large".
Recently Enterprise Ireland appointed an Intellectual Property Manager to strengthen the agency's resources dedicated to the promotion and use of intellectual property.
In addition, the Patents Office provides a range of information supports to prospective patent applicants through the Office's websitewww.patentsoffice.ie including a detailed Patent Application Guide for applicants who wish to file a patent application without using the services of a patent agent. To reduce patenting costs for applicants for Irish 20 year patents, the statutory fee for the search which is required in order to establish novelty and non-obviousness has been reduced from €361 to €200.
The report of the IP Implementation Group is due to be published very shortly which will spell out a new national protocol aimed at encouraging the transfer of more IP into Irish companies from the third level sector. Enterprise Ireland will play a central role in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report.
I am satisfied that national supports directed at Irish companies engaged in research, development and innovation will continue to result in new inventions that are patented adding further to economic growth and development.
23 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on whether Forfás having pay costs that are more than four times greater than the county enterprise boards represents value for money. [27323/12]
Forfás has responsibility for the pension costs of retired staff of Forfás, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and certain other former agencies under the Industrial Development Acts 1993 to 2003. The 2012 Revised Estimates for Public Services makes provision for an allocation of €47.349 million to Forfás this year for Pay and Pensions under Subhead A3 of my Department's Vote. The detailed Agency Statement for Forfás in the Revised Estimates Volume shows that only €6.769 million of this allocation is for pay purposes, while €40.58 million is for pension purposes. The City and County Enterprise Boards have a pay allocation of €7.143 million for 2012, and an additional pension allocation of €414,000.
In total, Forfás is responsible for paying the pension entitlements of approximately 1,200 retired agency staff and so any comparison of their costs with the pay and pensions costs of the City and County Enterprise Boards is inappropriate.
25 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs publically announced by the Industrial Development Agency in 2010 and 2011; and the number of persons that have been recruited for each of these years. [27311/12]
Details of IDA Ireland's job and investment announcements are available on the Agency's website and show that, in 2010 and 2011 combined, there were 157 such announcements, with the potential to create almost 13,000 jobs.
It is important to point out that there is always a time lag, in the region of 3 to 5 years, between the announcement of jobs and their creation. That time is required for such activities as locating and requiring a suitable site for the company's operations, constructing a facility, installing machinery and recruiting and training staff.
In the same two year period, there were a total of 24,292 jobs created in IDA client companies. Of course, many of these jobs related to projects announced prior to the period in question or not announced at all.
26 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he discussed the Europe China Trading Hub suggested for Athlone, County Westmeath, with the Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping during his recent visit here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23749/12]
The proposed Europe-China Trade Hub was not discussed during my meetings with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping during his visit to Ireland earlier this year. This initiative is entirely a private sector venture with no official Chinese Government involvement. Therefore all aspects of its development are a matter for the promoters, i.e. the Chinese/Irish consortium.
Although not qualifying for grant-aid from IDA Ireland, that Agency would assist the company where possible by way of direction in the marketplace and support locally, should they require it.
27 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific programmes he has to promote employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24036/12]
77 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will set out the various employment creation incentives put in place since March 2011; the extent of the uptake in terms of jobs created or protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27681/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 77 together.
The Action Plan for Jobs contains over 270 actions to be implemented by all 15 Government Departments as well as 36 State agencies, and is intended to improve supports for job-creating businesses and remove barriers to employment-creation across the economy. The Plan aims to deliver on the Taoiseach's commitment to make Ireland the best small country in the world in which to do business, and increase the number of people at work in Ireland by 100,000 — from 1.8m to 1.9m — by 2016. The Action Plan for Jobs has also set the following established ambitions:
To get Ireland back to a top-five ranking in international competitiveness,
To build world-class clusters in key sectors of opportunity,
To build an indigenous engine of growth that drives up the export market share of Irish companies,
To get the number of people at work in the Irish economy back to 2m by 2020.
Enterprise Ireland's objective on behalf of Government is to drive the growth of Irish companies in overseas markets which in turn will support job creation in Ireland and develop Ireland's international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness. The ultimate goal is increased exports, employment and prosperity in Ireland. The agency has a number of programmes in place to achieve this goal, including direct financial support to industry for capability development, support for the Seed and Venture Capital sector in Ireland to promote availability of equity financing and support for Entrepreneurship and High Potential Start-Ups.
EI actively works with viable companies to help them to both sustain and create jobs. More than 162,000 people directly rely on Enterprise Ireland client companies for their employment. In 2011 alone, 9,038 new jobs were created in EI client companies.
The 35 County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) have primary responsibility for the delivery of State support to the indigenous micro-enterprise sector i.e. businesses which employ 10 or less workers. Through the provision of both financial and non-financial support, the CEBs are central in assisting many micro-enterprises in developing into strong export entities where they have sufficient mass to access the services of Enterprise Ireland. In 2011, 7,253 jobs were created in CEB-assisted companies.
In accordance with its Horizon 2020 Strategy, IDA Ireland is aiming to create 62,000 direct jobs in 640 investments over the period 2010 to 2014, with 50% of these investments located outside of Dublin and Cork. In implementing its strategy, IDA Ireland is also working with existing client companies in Ireland in order to transform the existing foreign direct investment (FDI) base with a view to developing, retaining and growing employment opportunities in these companies.
In 2011, IDA Ireland client companies created 11,594 new jobs despite the current global economic situation and a strong increase in international competition. In accordance with the Government's Action Plan for Jobs, IDA Ireland is working to target another 144 new FDI investment projects in 2012, which will create 12,500 new jobs.
28 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of differing supports that are available for research and development across his Department and agencies and in other Departments. [27319/12]
A number of agencies under the remit of my Department provide supports for research and development including Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.
Science Foundation Ireland operates a range of programmes designed to deliver a world class standard of research activity in third level institutions and linked to Irish enterprises. Their Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology and Strategic Research Clusters help link scientists and engineers in partnerships across academia and industry. Their Principal Investigator Programme supports those fields of science and engineering that underpin biotechnology, ICT and energy and their Research Frontiers Programme supports research in framework or integrative fields of science, engineering and mathematics that contribute educational benefit that will advance national scientific progress.
Enterprise Ireland operates a suite of programmes to expand research capacity in companies, to increase collaboration between enterprise and the research sector and to maximise the commercialisation of the State's research investment. They offer 14 main initiatives for supporting research and development in businesses. Ireland's strengthened national research ecosystem has enhanced IDA's capacity to attract increased levels of high-value R&D projects and new RD&I investment approvals are playing a strategic role in embedding existing employment in FDI companies and setting the groundwork for increased future employment.
The work of the enterprise agencies is underpinned by investments under the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions which is aimed at strengthening national research capabilities in human and physical infrastructure.
There are a number of other programmes providing research and development supports delivered by other state agencies, funding for which is channelled through a number of other Government Departments, full details of which are outlined in the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators Report published in December 2011 which is available on my Department's website.
30 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his proposals to reduce the administrative burden on small and medium sized enterprises. [27320/12]
My Department and its Agencies continue to focus on reducing administrative burdens on business, with a reduction of 24.8% already having been achieved; this amounts to annual savings for business of over €207 million. Details of all the initiatives making up this total are available on my Department's website.
Successful initiatives resulting in significant savings include:
In Company Law, savings of €82 million per annum have already been realised, more than €33 million of which are due to the work of the Companies Registration Office (CRO), as companies can submit their annual returns online via the CRO website and can now use digital signatures for the B1 Form and Accounts.
The audit exemption threshold has been increased to the maximum level permitted under EU law and the draft regulations are with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for finalisation. This will achieve potential savings for Irish SMEs of approximately €2.8 million annually.
In Health and Safety Law, a total of €123 million in annual administrative savings for business has been delivered by the HSA via two key projects: the BeSMART online tool for preparing the Risk Assessment and Safety Statement (€59m), and the SMP20 Guidelines (€64m), which assist construction firms with fewer than 20 employees in establishing and maintaining an effective safety management system.
The reform of the State's Workplace Relations Services, that I set in train last year, will, among other matters, deliver a simplified two-tiered structure comprising a single body of first instance, the Workplace Relations Commission, and a single body of appeal, in effect an enhanced Labour Court. This new structure will provide a better service for both employees and employers, with fewer delays and reduced administrative burdens. Already there has been some significant early progress, including the development of a single complaint form for all workplace relations complaints, the establishment of a single contact portal, Workplace Relations Customer Services, to handle all complaints and enquiries, the launch of a single website,www.workplacerelations.ie, containing all relevant information on employment rights and industrial relations and the commencement of a Pilot Early Resolution Service which will seek to resolve disputes without recourse to adjudication or inspection. Work has commenced on the drafting of a Workplace Relations Bill to give effect to this new structure.
My officials are currently using the Standard Cost Model to estimate the likely savings for business that will be delivered by the Workplace Relations Reform Programme, and will report on these later in the year. Estimates of the administrative burden savings that will arise from some of the simplified approaches within the Consolidated Companies Bill will also be produced.
My Department also coordinates the cross-Government measurement and reduction of administrative burdens towards the 25% target by the end of 2012. A project to measure the burden imposed by regulation under the responsibility of seven Departments and Revenue was initiated in September 2011. Following completion of its measurement exercise, each participating Department must then immediately begin planning how it will achieve the remaining reductions necessary to reach the target. The first cluster of Departments should report to Government with Simplification Plans by the end of the second quarter and the remaining Departments should report by the end of the third quarter.
Work is continuing to identify new areas where administrative burdens on business can be reduced and in this regard the High Level Group on Business Regulation has prioritised a number of areas for attention in its Work Programme for 2012.
31 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the full extent of job opportunities created to date in the past 14 months and arising from various jobs initiatives; the number that were part or full time; the extent to which he expects to facilitate an expansion of such or other schemes in the current year; the likely benefit in terms of extra job creation arising over the next four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27299/12]
The figures in respect of jobs in Enterprise Development agency-supported companies and those supported by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) are compiled in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey and the CEB Annual Employment Survey respectively. As the information is compiled on an annualised basis, the figures in respect of 2011 as a whole are set out in the following table and are recorded on a full time equivalent basis.
Job creation is at the top of the Government's agenda. Since we came into office, we have been working hard to create the improved economic conditions which will support the maintenance of existing jobs and the creation of new ones. Our objective is to put the country back on the road to economic recovery and full employment. The Action Plan for Jobs, which was launched on 13 February, outlines the Government's plan to rebuild the economy and create jobs.
The first quarterly Progress Report on the implementation of the Action Plan was published on 20 April, and is available on my Department's website,www.djei.ie. It shows that 80 of the 83 measures due to be delivered in the first Quarter of 2012 have been completed. Some important deliverables already achieved under the Action Plan include the development of the Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme and the publication of legislation to bring it into effect, the launch of the “Succeed in Ireland”initiative, the design and launch of Enterprise Ireland’s Development Capital scheme, the enactment of pro-jobs measures in the Finance Bill, and the establishment of a new Education and Training Fund. IDA Ireland’s Strategy, Horizon 2020, sets out its national targets to 2014 for direct job creation in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) sector. These targets include the creation of 62,000 direct jobs in 640 investment projects over the period, which could result in an additional 105,000 jobs overall in the economy. 50% of those investments will be targeted for locations outside of Dublin and Cork.
This year, Enterprise Ireland has continued to drive the growth of client companies in overseas markets which in turn will support existing jobs and job creation in Ireland. The ultimate objective is increased exports, employment and prosperity in Ireland. The County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) have continued to develop the potential of small and micro-enterprises through the provision of financial and technical support. The CEBs give priority to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector. The jobs created with agency and CEB assistance contribute greatly to the development of local economies throughout the country and, in addition, the agencies and CEBs work closely with their clients both in the early start-up stages of businesses and also to ensure the sustainability of those businesses through on-going support, advice and mentoring.
I am confident that the measures outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs together with the other initiatives being pursued will bring about the employment and investment opportunities necessary for economic growth.
|
Enterprise Ireland |
IDA Ireland |
Shannon Development |
County and City Enterprise Boards |
|
9,038 |
11,594 |
406 |
7,253 |
32 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans in relation to improving employment in the digital, apps and on-line games sector; the liaisons that he has had with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27526/12]
A study published in October 2011 by Forfás entitled "The Games Sector in Ireland: An Action Plan for Growth” states that employment in the games sector had increased five fold to 2,500 since 2004. The report estimates that employment in the sector could double by the end of 2014 if appropriate action is taken to support the sector in Ireland. The actions that Forfás has set out are critical enablers, not only for the games sector, but also have a much broader application across all enterprises operating in the wider digital economy. The analysis also reveals a number of challenges that remind us that while potential is there, growth is not assured, and we need to take actions to ensure that this sector will continue to thrive here.
In order to build upon the Forfás study, the whole of Government has committed, through its Action Plan for Jobs, to exploit the opportunities offered by the digital games sector and to address the challenges posed in this regard. The Action Plan outlines a number of Actions that will be implemented in the latter half of this year. These include providing a clear commitment to:
Establish, by mid year, a Clustering Development Team to support the implementation of actions called for in the Forfás Games Strategy. The membership of this team is currently being finalised and it is intended that the Team will hold their first meeting shortly;
Convene an R&D supports workshop to promote awareness about available R&D supports and issue an enterprise friendly guide on R&D tax credits to include examples of relevance to games companies;
Support industry in working with third level institutions to introduce a pilot game development/publishing "hothouse" initiative for undergraduate and Post Leaving Certificate courses. The initiative will bring together, in multi disciplinary teams, students from games, multimedia and animation courses (from a range of participating PLC and third level colleges) to work together on a game development project for a defined period. Each of the teams will receive mentor support from industry practitioners;
Undertake a feasibility study to examine what structures and policies could be developed to make Ireland a world centre for managing and trading in intellectual property;
Compilation of the report of the Copyright Review Committee on barriers to innovation;
Assess the case for a new financial instrument/relief to incentivise creative content development; and,
Progress measures in relation to Next Generation Broadband.
Progress in implementing these actions will be monitored on a quarterly basis.
33 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he will take to increase spending in research and development to achieve the 3% of GDP set out in European Commission Horizon 20/20. [27314/12]
37 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline spending on research and development as a percentage of GDP; and the way that this fits with the target of 3% as outlined in the European Commission Horizon 20/20. [27313/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 37 together.
Under the Europe 2020 Strategy, the European Council adopted a number of headline targets, including improving the conditions for research and development, in particular with the aim of raising combined public and private investment levels to 3% of GDP. In accordance with the Strategy, Member States have adopted national targets on the basis of these headline targets, as set out in their National Reform Programmes, taking account of their relative starting positions and national circumstances. Ireland's National Reform Programme, transmitted to the European Commission on 29 April 2011, specified that Ireland's 2020 target in relation to R&D is to improve the conditions for research and development, in particular with the aim of raising combined public and private investment levels to 2.5% of GNP (approximately equivalent to 2.0% of GDP).
The latest available data on total research and development expenditure in the State, known as Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD), relates to the year 2010, and indicates that GERD as a percentage of GNP was 2.16% or 1.77% of GDP. Approximately two thirds of this expenditure is by the private sector. The National Reform Programme outlined a number of assumptions to reach the target for expenditure on R&D by 2020, in relation to the period up to and including 2014, in the context of the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support, and subsequently on the basis of a return to sustainable growth domestically and a recovered global economy. This growth will be driven through a continuation of a supportive fiscal environment for R&D investment as well as supports for higher education R&D, industry linkages with higher education researchers, commercialisation of research results, in-company R&D and start-up companies.
34 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the process by which the performance of Enterprise Ireland is assessed. [27334/12]
Enterprise Ireland receives budgetary funding from the Exchequer reflecting national priorities in the support of indigenous industry and the development of the knowledge economy. Value for Money and generating economic return are key principles in the work of the Agency, necessarily supported by effective targeting and performance monitoring.
Enterprise Ireland's performance is assessed at a number of levels:
Oireachtas level: Oireachtas oversight of the activities of the agency, Comptroller and Auditor General audit of financial statements in Annual Report and Accounts, attendance at a range of Oireachtas committees including the Committee of Public Accounts, and Joint Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education, targets/deliverables in line with national strategies, e.g. Food Harvest 2020, and the Action Plan for Jobs 2012 for which quarterly deliverables are reported upon.
Departmental level: reviews of agency outputs by the Minister and Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in a variety of fora, including formal liaison meetings, monthly reporting and performance budgeting.
Organisational level: the Board (and Executive Committee) of Enterprise Ireland has established clear processes related to the measurement and oversight of agency performance including the development of strategic, corporate and operational plans with associated performance metrics and targets.
This process of performance monitoring will be strengthened with the introduction of a detailed Service Level Agreement between the Department and the Agency which is currently being drafted.
35 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way he intends to increase compliance rates by employers relating to adjudications by employment rights bodies as part of the Blueprint to Deliver a World-Class Workplace Relations Service. [27317/12]
I acknowledge that difficulties have been experienced by some successful claimants before the various employment rights adjudication bodies in enforcing awards made by those bodies.
There are no statistics available by which I can gauge the level of unimplemented determinations of employment rights bodies. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation currently has discretion to pursue enforcement proceedings on behalf of claimants under certain employment rights enactments. This role is carried out by NERA on my behalf. Likewise, the Minister for Justice and Equality has similar discretion under equality legislation and family protective leave enactments. Alternatively, individual claimants can take enforcement proceedings themselves or through their trade union. In cases that NERA has pursued the success rate has been poor.
In order to have credibility a system of employment rights adjudication must be backed up by an efficient and effective enforcement regime. Therefore there is a need for a robust method of enforcement of awards. TheBlueprint document which the Deputy refers to highlighted that fact that there is a general consensus that enforcement is becoming increasingly difficult and ineffective and that a faster, more robust, and cheaper method of enforcement of determinations of the employment rights bodies is required. Respondents to the Blueprint again confirmed the need for an effective and user-friendly system of enforcement of awards under employment legislation.
It is my intention, having considered the difficulties inherent in the current enforcement system and having given due regard to the observations and suggestions of interested parties in both sets of consultations to date, to design and legislate for a revised system for the enforcement of all determinations made under the reformed adjudication structures. I will be outlining my proposals in this regard in the coming weeks in a Policy Paper which is being prepared in order to inform the members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education in relation to the Workplace Relations Reform Programme. It is my intention to engage in a dialogue with the Committee so that the views of the Committee can inform the detailed design of the reform and the subsequent drafting of the Workplace Relations Bill that will give statutory effect to the reforms including strengthening of the enforcement of awards.
36 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline his discussions with the relevant Ministers in the Northern Executive to promote economic development along the Border corridor. [27322/12]
North South economic co-operation is and will remain a priority for myself and the Government. To this effect, there is ongoing dialogue between relevant Ministers, North and South, in all areas to promote economic development in the border region.
From my own perspective, I attend meetings in the trade and business development sectoral format of the North South Ministerial Council which are held twice a year. I also attend two meetings each year of the North South Plenary which are hosted by either the Taoiseach or the First and Deputy First Ministers. At these meetings there is full engagement with Northern Ministers, particularly at the sectoral meetings where I have face-to-face discussions with my NI counterpart on issues around cross-border trade and the work of InterTradeIreland, the North/South Implementation Body whose remit is to ‘exchange information and co-ordinate work on trade, business development and related matters in areas where the two administrations specifically agree it would be in their mutual interest’. InterTrade Ireland is co-funded by my Department and its counterpart in Northern Ireland.
My officials engage in ongoing dialogue with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) and keep me informed of all key North/South related issues including the North/South activities of the enterprise development agencies. In fact, there is a long history of co-operative action between North/South enterprise agencies to achieve mutual benefits. The enterprise development agencies, North and South of the border, have for many years co-operated where this has added value to their activities, and this collaboration has greatly increased in recent years. Enterprise Ireland, which stimulates the development of indigenous enterprise, has extensive contact with its Northern counterparts and works with them on a range of programmes. IDA Ireland collaborates with Invest Northern Ireland, for example, in the Northwest Now initiative. More recently, there have been very positive developments where a wide range of agencies and institutions now co-operate on science and technology issues, including participation in the EU Research Framework Programme.
In addition, my Department provides funding support for enterprise-themed Interreg projects jointly approved with DETI. Through Interreg, my Department has supported a number of North/South projects, including enterprise networking for the border counties and Northern Ireland. The process of assessing further Interreg projects for joint funding is ongoing. The Government, along with the enterprise development agencies, will continue to work diligently with the Northern Ireland Executive and its agencies to increase the economic benefits accruing from cross-border co-operation and the work of the North South Bodies, particularly in the border region.
38 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline his consideration of the recent research published by the Centre for Cross Border Studies entitled Cross-Border Economic Renewal and its proposals to promote economic growth among the border communities. [27321/12]
The Cross-Border Economic Renewal Report is a very comprehensive report published by the Centre for Cross Border Studies. The report represents a comprehensive assessment of a wide range of factors that could be pursued in relation to cross border regeneration. It provides a good historical background and a strategic framework within which a competitive future for the border region of the island could be developed. This is worth considering in the wider all-island approach to economic development, especially in the border counties. The report also provides a useful insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the cross-border regional economy, focusing in particular on the manufacturing sector and the potential for manufacturing in the border region. My Department is currently considering the contents of the Cross Border Studies Report and its proposals, including the proposal regarding a new development strategy for the border region referred to as a ‘Border Development Zone'.
39 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his assessment of the way the increased focus on commercialisation by Science Foundation Ireland may impact on research. [27326/12]
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) was established in 2000 with a mission to build and strengthen Ireland's scientific and engineering research capacity and human capital in the areas of greatest strategic value to Ireland's long-term competitiveness and enterprise development. This was one of a range of key industrial policy initiatives taken to grow our employment value chain as decades of relative under-funding had left Ireland lacking internationally competitive research and development capability and human capital in areas of strategic national interest. This was deemed to be an impediment to attracting large-scale international R&D-based firms and to building knowledge-based, internationally competitive indigenous firms.
Since 2000, SFI, along with significant research investments supported through Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Higher Education Authority amongst others, Ireland has developed an internationally recognised and credible research base. Following the Government's approval of the Research Prioritisation report, the next phase of Ireland's research system evolution places the emphasis on areas with the greatest potential for economic return. Since its establishment SFI has managed a portfolio of award programmes to support scientific and engineering research ranging from early career researchers to large research centres with multiple industry collaborations. The overriding criteria in determining what investments SFI supports are research excellence allied to relevance to Ireland's enterprise base.
Through its various programmes SFI now supports over 500 research groups, comprising approximately 3,000 team members, located across Ireland's higher education institutions. Many of these research groups have established very significant collaborations with industry and this is strong evidence of the maturing of the SFI investment.
To build on this level of engagement with industry and ensure further economic impact for Ireland, SFI recently called for proposals under the newly developed SFI Research Centres programme. The programme builds upon the success of the SFI Centres for Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) and Strategic Research Clusters (SRC) programmes. Successful SFI Research Centres will have to achieve and maintain at least 30% of their overall centre budget in industry contributions. There is a requirement that 10% of this be a cash contribution. Not only does this ensure that the Exchequer gets best value for its investment, it will ensure that the needs and opportunities of industry are well represented and are reflected in the research programme. SFI, in devising the new Research Centres programme, has placed a greater emphasis on flexibility and responsiveness to industry-related opportunities, and researchers will be in a position to embrace additional targeted projects and extend their outreach with commercial stakeholders. SFI is currently assessing pre-proposal applications under the new Centres programme. The initial call has demonstrated a clear demand from industry for this focused engagement — over 450 companies are involved in the 35 pre-proposals submitted to SFI.
SFI has put in place a balanced portfolio of award programmes that supports excellent research while ensuring that funded research groups are in a position to convert and commercialise this research in collaboration with industry. As part of the enterprise development system in Ireland, SFI will continue to fund top-class research with impact and train people that will play a critical role in attracting, retaining, growing and forming companies in Ireland.
40 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied with the actions of Enterprise Ireland that have delivered a net increase of six jobs over the past year; and the role that he intends them to play in delivering his target of 100,000 net new jobs by 2016. [27312/12]
Enterprise Ireland actively works with viable companies to help them to both sustain and create jobs. A total of more than 162,000 people (full and part-time) directly rely on Enterprise Ireland client companies for their employment.
It is important to note that Enterprise Ireland created 9,038 jobs in 2011 in what was a challenging economic environment, both here and in our overseas markets. While I accept that there was a net loss, it should be noted that the number of full time jobs lost in Enterprise Ireland assisted companies reached their lowest level in 10 years. These results represent a critical stabilisation of employment among EI client companies. A significant proportion of the losses sustained in employment over the last three years is linked to the impacts of a construction sector downturn which has also impacted a large number of companies providing products, services and materials for use by that sector. Among the sectors reporting a net increase in full time employment in 2011 were Food; Machinery and Equipment; Electronics (Electrical Equipment); Engineering (Basic and Fabricated Metal Products); Transport Equipment; Mining and Quarrying; Medical instruments and supplies; Computer programming, consultancy and related activities; and Other Information/Communication Services.
The Action Plan for Jobs contains over 270 actions to be implemented by all 15 Government Departments as well as 36 State agencies, and is intended to improve supports for job-creating businesses and remove barriers to employment-creation across the economy. A significant element of the Plan falls to Enterprise Ireland for implementation and key actions on which EI has already delivered include:
The launch of the newPotential Exporters Division in Enterprise Ireland to support more indigenous companies to trade in foreign markets, and a new programme of supports, “Get Export Ready” tailored specifically for pre-export and early stage exporting companies.
Design and launch of a new Development Capital Scheme, aimed at addressing a funding gap for mid-sized, high-growth, indigenous companies with significant prospects for jobs and export growth.
Issuing of a global second call under Innovation Fund Ireland to top venture capitalists to signal their interest in establishing a presence in Ireland, with investment by Government of more than €60 million in venture capital funds which establish a presence in Ireland.
Establishment of a new Enterprise Ireland/IDA Ireland Senior Management Team to drive effective collaboration on key priorities.
As we continue the step-by-step process of rebuilding the economy, Enterprise Ireland, as the lead agency responsible for driving growth of Irish companies in overseas markets, will play a significant role in delivering real progress in job creation.
Question No. 41 answered with Question No. 8.
42 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to provide support for those in the banking sector who have been made or are in the process of being made unemployed. [27329/12]
It is an inevitable, but unfortunate, consequence that as a result of the reorganisation of the banking sector, redundancies will arise in that sector. Essentially, our banks need to adjust their operations downwards in order to service the present real economy.
The Deputy will be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Finance, has primary responsibility for the banking sector and has taken the lead in terms of the Government's approach to the announcement of major redundancy programmes in the banking sector. The Departments of Education and Skills and Social Protection also have important roles to play, in addition to my own Department.
In terms of my Department's role, the Labour Relations Commission was actively involved with the parties in a number of the covered institutions, facilitating agreement between them as to the detail and terms of the very significant redundancy programmes in those financial institutions. The achievement of agreement on such matters contributes to a positive transition in these very difficult circumstances for those employees who volunteer to leave those organisations. The services of the State's Industrial Relations bodies remain available to the banking sector as required.
In addition, the services of the Enterprise Development Agencies — Enterprise Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards will also be readily available to those who may be interested in starting new businesses and to help them to make informed decisions as they consider their options for the future. Additionally, IDA Ireland will keep a particular focus on marketing the skills which are coming on stream as a result of redundancies in the financial sector, to potential investors in Ireland.
43 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he will take to ensure that the bodies and processes to be developed under the, Blueprint to Deliver a World-Class Workplace Relations Service are fully consistent with EU anti-discrimination directives and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. [27318/12]
I am committed to delivering a world-class workplace relations service. I am determined that the new structures and systems that are designed and implemented will be ones that we and future generations can be proud of. The reform I am proposing will bring about major improvements while incorporating the best practice elements of existing dispute resolution bodies. My aim is to provide a simple, independent, effective, impartial, and workable means of redress and enforcement, within a reasonable period of time. The system will operate to the highest standards and earn the confidence of employers, employees and all who will use it.
Ireland has an excellent record in relation to equality matters. Ireland was in fact one of the first countries to give effect to the European Equality Directives. The Employment Equality Act 1998 not alone transposed the Directives in place at that time but also anticipated future Directives. The reforms I am now proposing will modernise and enhance the redress mechanisms available to those who believe they have not been treated equally in the workplace on the grounds set out in the Equality Acts.
In addition to enhancing the equality redress mechanisms, I am committed to putting in place reformed Workplace Relations structures and processes that fully embody the spirit of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. To achieve this, detailed design and drafting of the legislation will be proofed against the requirements of the Charter.
44 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he has taken to ensure that small and medium enterprises across rural Ireland can benefit from cloud computing. [27308/12]
The Government's Action Plan for Jobs outlines a number of actions to ensure that Ireland can reap substantial benefits in terms of jobs and growth from the global expansion of cloud computing. It recognises the opportunity for Ireland to promote the growth of cloud computing by supporting the emergence of start-up companies providing technology solutions and services in cloud computing and by simulating its take up and use by small businesses.
I am pleased to confirm that two of the actions in the Action Plan, which are designed to ensure that SMEs across Ireland can exploit the opportunities offered by cloud computing, have been implemented. In April I announced details of the €1.2 million industry led Cloud Computing Research Centre which is being funded by Government. This centre brings together a team of researchers from DCU, UCC and Athlone Institute of Technology with a cohort of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland companies to establish ways to generate business from cloud computing. One of the priority objectives for the team is to conduct research on maintaining and managing cloud based applications for businesses of all sizes.
On 22 May I launched new standards which were developed by the National Standards Authority of Ireland in partnership with the Irish Internet Association (IIA) to help increase the number of Irish enterprises to successfully provide and procure cloud computing services. The new standards are designed to provide guidance to enterprises of all sizes on the various issues that need to be considered when moving to cloud computing. They are intended for use as a means of assessing cloud adoption prioritisation and suitability as they provide a comprehensive roadmap for businesses to encompass all cloud delivery and deployment models.
A number of other actions, which will assist micro enterprise and SMEs provide cloud computing services and avail of the opportunities offered by cloud computing, are being progressed this year in accordance with the Action Plan. These include:
providing support to industry groups, such as the Irish Software Association, to develop and deliver a practical tool kit to assist SMEs in assessing the adoption of cloud computing for their business;
examining the potential for demonstration projects in cloud computing to promote Ireland as a centre of excellence for this technology, and, to provide a reference site for Irish companies, while potentially lowering costs and improving services; and,
supporting research groups in areas of relevance to exploitation of cloud computing, such as semantic web and financial stock analysis, through, for example, support for the Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI). In other areas, such as middleware, information security and distributed computing, researchers are furthering research in this area with direct application in the cloud computing context.
Progress reports on all of these actions will be provided on a quarterly basis throughout the year.
45 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which initiatives to date have been successful in attracting new enterprises here; if innovation technology has played a part in this process; if he expects this country to maximise the potential in this regard; if he intends to take further initiatives to encourage more enterprise to locate here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27513/12]
A range of initiatives have been put in place over the last thirty years to enhance Ireland's competitive strengths in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). These include competitive tax offerings, a commitment to increase levels of R&D activity, investment in higher education to produce a suitably skilled workforce and the provision of high quality, tailored property solutions for inward investors. This policy has been successfully implemented with the result that the FDI sector that is supported by IDA Ireland accounts for around 250,000 jobs (1 in every 7 jobs) in the economy. FDI is a key stimulator and driver of the economy through its contribution to exchequer finances, exports and R&D, generating over 70% of corporation tax, €110bn in exports and expenditure of €19bn in the Irish economy.
Historically, manufacturing has been a significant segment of IDA's investment portfolio and it will continue to remain so into the future. Higher technological investment and higher value products are the hallmark of future manufacturing operations in Ireland. These operations are knowledge, capital and skills intensive, typified by a participative innovative culture where management and staff continuously collaborate to drive innovation, productivity, agility, learning and adaptability. The Government's Action Plan for Jobs recognises the potential offered by high valued added manufacturing and, in accordance with the Plan, IDA Ireland will continue to attract new investment into high value added activities manufacturing.
Innovation Technology will continue to be a key driver of economic recovery. IDA Ireland is working with Enterprise Ireland to support an industry consortium approach on a range of applied research initiatives through the Technology Centres Programme. Nine Technology Centres have been established where research is being conducted in the following areas:
Food for Health
International Energy Research Centre
Biorefining and Bioenergy
IT Innovation
Applied Nanotechnology
Composite Materials
Microelectronics
Manufacturing Research
Energy Efficiency
Three further Technology Centres are due to be established shortly to focus on Learning Technologies, Financial Services and Cloud Computing. In addition, four centres, addressing the themes of Medical Device Technologies, Drug Production Technologies, Connected Health and Data Analytics are under active exploration with industry partners with a view to establishing what an effective and desirable research collaboration agenda would consist of. Services activities are now the prime drivers of growth in the developed and developing economies of the world creating over 60% of global employment. Ireland is now a successful services economy with two-thirds of the workforce engaged in services and ranks as the 10th highest exporter of services in the world. Ireland provides a low-risk, quick start-up, high-performance, knowledge economy for service companies. Services companies in Ireland have delivered better customer service, provided innovative business solutions and reduced costs enabling increased shareholder value.
Ireland has earned the reputation as one of Europe's leading locations for shared service centres. With its abundant, high quality IT, financial and HR skills, Ireland continues to attract shared services operations to serve European and global markets. Companies operating in the internationally traded services sector have located and expanded here because of Ireland's knowledgeable/innovative workforce, low risk environment, excellent infrastructure and favourable corporate tax rate.
The Government's Action Plan for Jobs has set a target of supporting the creation of 100,000 net new jobs over the period 2012 to 2016, with the longer term objective of having 2 million people at work by 2020. Our ability to attract new FDI will play a key role in this regard. For that reason, the Government has tasked IDA Ireland with the target of winning another 144 new FDI investment projects in 2012, which will create 12,500 new jobs with an associated 8,750 in the wider economy, giving a total impact of 21,250. Good progress is being made as, at end of May 2012, there had been 44 IDA announcements to date in 2012 with in excess of 5,000 jobs.
46 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his assessment of the way recent changes by Science Foundation Ireland with regard to the pre-selection commercialisation test will impact on the quality and diversity of research. [27325/12]
On March 1st 2012 the Government published the Report of the Research Prioritisation Steering Group, which is now Government policy and a key pillar of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs.
As a consequence of the prioritisation process the changes to Science Foundation Ireland's (SFI) pre-selection procedure have only been recently introduced and therefore we should be cautious in making conclusions at this early stage. The objective of the change is to further increase the quality and diversity as well as the impact of the research supported by SFI.
SFI has responded very quickly in using impact and the alignment of the Government's new research priority areas to help assess its major research funding decisions in the months ahead.
In February 2012 SFI issued a call for proposals under the new SFI Research Centres Programme. This centres based programme builds upon the success of the SFI Centres for Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) and Strategic Research Clusters (SRC) programmes, while taking on board all that SFI has learned in the past 12 years since establishment.
The new programme will address the needs of industry by ensuring that, up-front, the research programmes of each Research Centre will be aligned with one or more of the prioritisation areas identified by the Research Prioritisation Steering Group. In addition to the rigorous scientific evaluation for which SFI is already very well regarded, proposals received by SFI under the 2012 call will receive a thorough and rigorous evaluation of the potential impact that the Research Centre may deliver to the industry sector, as well as the Irish economy as a whole.
As part of the Research Centres Programme call process, SFI has used an impact panel of leading investors in science, leaders of industry and internationally competitive research centres to help it assess the strategic value of the research projects it is considering at the pre-proposal state. Overall, having some assessment based on impact and commercialisation criteria can provide a very useful mechanism, but only when made in the context of research excellence. This will ensure that the SFI Research Centres that are established have demonstrated their relevance and potential to contribute to the success of industry based in Ireland. In undertaking this strategic pre-proposal review SFI was mindful to ensure that research with less obvious or immediate impact is not ignored. These changes will build on SFI's established and well regarded independent international review process.
It is anticipated that the actual awards arising from the 2012 Research Centres Programme call process will be announced early in Quarter 1, 2013.
47 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs that have been created and the number of jobs that have been lost since he was appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27300/12]
The figures in respect of jobs in Enterprise Development agency-supported companies and those supported by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) are compiled in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey and the CEB Annual Employment Survey respectively on an annualised basis. The figures in respect of jobs created and lost in Enterprise Development agency-supported companies in 2011 are set out in the table below. The figure for jobs created in CEB-supported companies is also included, however a figure in respect of jobs lost in these companies is not available at this time.
The Deputy may wish to consult with the Central Statistics Office as regards jobs created and lost in the economy as a whole.
|
2011 |
Jobs Created |
Jobs Lost |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
9,038 |
9,069 |
|
IDA Ireland |
11,594 |
6,950 |
|
Shannon Development |
406 |
580 |
|
County and City Enterprise Boards |
7,253 |
Not available at time of reply |
48 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views regarding the recommendations made in the recently published 363rd report of the Committee on Freedom of Association of the International Labour Organisation in response to complaints brought to that organisation by a number of trade unions here regarding the anti-union practices of a company (details supplied). [27301/12]
In 2010, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (and IMPACT acting on behalf of their airline pilot members in Ryanair) submitted a complaint to the Committee on Freedom of Association of the International Labour Organisation that Ireland was not in conformity with the provisions of ILO Convention No. 98 — Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949.
The complaint involved allegations of anti-union discrimination and the refusal to engage in good faith collective bargaining on the part of Ryanair, as well as the failure of labour legislation to provide adequate protection against acts of anti-union discrimination and promote collective bargaining.
The ICTU complaint arises as a result of the 2007 Supreme Court decision in the Ryanair case.
The ILO Committee on Freedom of Association considered the submissions during the March session of the ILO Governing Body. The Committee's findings were
1) As the information available to the ILO Committee is insufficient to determine whether the alleged offer by Ryanair of conditional benefits to employees provided that the company would not be required to enter into a collective bargaining relationship with the union, the Committee requests the Government to ensure that the protection available against anti-union discrimination would adequately cover such acts, including through a thorough review of the protective measures with the social partners concerned.
2) The Committee requests the Government to carry out an independent inquiry without delay into the alleged acts of employer interference in order to establish the facts of this specific case and, if necessary, to take the necessary measures to ensure full respects of the principles of freedom of association.
3) Noting the commitment on collective bargaining in the Programme for Government, the Committee invites the Government, in full consultation with the social partners, to review the existing framework and consider any appropriate measures, including legislative, so as to ensure respect for the freedom of association and collective bargaining principles set out in its conclusions, including through the review of the mechanisms available with a view to promoting machinery for voluntary negotiation between employers' and workers' organisations for the determination of terms and conditions of employment.
I welcome the fact that the ILO report did not find Ireland to be in breach of its obligations under ILO Conventions in respect of collective bargaining rights. Neither did the ILO find that a resolution of the difficulties arising over the Ryanair judgement would require the introduction of a legal regime of mandatory trade union recognition.
The ILO's formal request for the Government's response to the Committees' findings was received on 25 May. The preparation of a formal response to the recommendations made to the Government is currently receiving attention.
49 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support full humanitarian access to the people of South Kordofan in Sudan as a matter of urgency. [27638/12]
The Government remains seriously concerned about the situation in Sudan and South Sudan. We are working with our EU partners to ensure that, in addition to a focus on the political and security situation, priority is given by the international community to the vital issue of humanitarian access to people and communities affected by the conflict and the tension in the region. We will continue to use all available opportunities, within the EU and internationally, to raise these issues. The situation in Sudan and South Sudan, including the humanitarian crisis in Southern Kordofan, has been discussed by EU Foreign Ministers at their meetings over recent weeks and months. In January, with Ireland's encouragement, the EU urged the Government of Sudan to allow safe and unhindered access for international humanitarian workers to all civilians, and reiterated its readiness to provide humanitarian assistance. The EU also emphasised that the ongoing conflicts in Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur remain obstacles to progress in providing the full range of support that we would like to provide to Sudan, and in the region. In April, the EU called on the Government of Sudan and the SPLM North to engage in an inclusive political process to resolve the ongoing conflict.
The UN Security Council on 2 May and 17 May adopted Resolutions demanding that both Sudan and South Sudan fulfil their obligations under international law to allow access by humanitarian agencies to civilian populations in need of assistance. Through Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Government has provided substantial assistance for those affected by the conflict in this region. Earlier this year, we allocated €2 million for the UN-managed Common Humanitarian Funds for both the Republic of Sudan and South Sudan. On 24 May, we announced an allocation of a further €3m in funding. These funds are being provided to help UN agencies and NGOs target the most critical humanitarian needs across both countries, including in areas affected by conflict and by displacement of populations from the Blue Nile and South Kordofan areas. We have made available a further €1.22 million to Irish NGOs for programmes in Sudan and South Sudan under the annual Irish Aid Humanitarian Programme Planning funding scheme.
Ireland's emergency humanitarian assistance to Sudan and South Sudan is saving lives daily. The Government will continue to monitor closely the situation in South Kordofan, the Blue Nile, and other areas facing critical need across the Horn and Sahel regions of Africa. Along with our EU partners, we will continue to press for unrestricted humanitarian access to affected civilians.
50 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will deal with the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 regarding mental health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27642/12]
The position is that tax relief for health expenses is provided for in section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. For the purposes of the relief "health expenses" means expenses in relation to the provision of health care, being expenses representing, among other items, the cost of the services of a practitioner. The legislation defines a "practitioner" as a person who is:
(a) registered in the register established under section 43 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007,
(b) registered in the register established under section 26 of the Dentists Act, 1985, or,
(c) in relation to health care provided outside the State, entitled under the laws of the country in which the care is provided to practice medicine or dentistry there.
Expenses incurred for services by a person who is not a "practitioner" as defined above do not qualify for health expenses relief.
I do not intend changing the policy in relation to this matter at this time.
51 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if 90% relief will be made applicable to sons and daughters inheriting property from parents who were making their sole living as landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27569/12]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that for the purposes of Capital Acquisitions Tax (Gift and Inheritance Tax), the relationship between the person who provided the gift or inheritance (the disponer) and the person who received the gift or inheritance (the beneficiary) determines the maximum tax-free threshold, known as the Group threshold, below which gift or inheritance tax does not arise. There are three separate Group tax-free thresholds based on the relationship of the beneficiary to the disponer. For gifts and inheritances from parents to children, which is the subject of the Deputy's question, the threshold is €250,000.
When calculating whether a beneficiary has received benefits in excess of his or her group tax-free threshold, any other gifts and inheritances received by that beneficiary since 5 December 1991 from within the same group are also taken into account.
If the total value of all inheritances and gifts received by the beneficiary since this date from within the same group exceeds the group tax-free threshold, a 30% rate of Capital Acquisitions Tax will apply on the difference.
Apart from the group tax-free thresholds available to a beneficiary, the Capital Acquisitions Tax code contains significant reliefs and exemptions such as the Dwelling House Exemption, Business Relief and Agricultural Relief.
Where a gift or inheritance consists of business property, the value of the business may be reduced by 90% provided certain conditions are met.
Business property relief applies only to trading activities. Businesses consisting of the owning and letting of properties are excluded from business relief because the rental earning aspect is an investment activity rather than a trading activity. Investment activities are specifically excluded from business relief.
Therefore, the position is that children inheriting property from parents, who were making their sole living as landlords, would not be in a position to reduce the value of those properties by 90% for the purposes of calculating Capital Acquisitions Tax. They can claim the Group A tax-free threshold of €250,000 and may be able to claim other reliefs, depending on their circumstances.
I have no plans to extend CAT business property relief to cover investment properties.
52 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners will disregard the sum in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry due to the fact that the Revenue Commissioners made the mistake in the first place and the financial difficulty that this will cause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27583/12]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that this matter, in respect of the same persons, was the subject of a previous question, reference 25688/12, for reply on May 23rd, 2012. Due to an administrative error, underpayments of Income Tax arose in respect of the persons who are the subject of this question, for the years 2010 and 2011. This resulted in the issue of incorrect tax credit certificates to their employers. These certificates granted the individuals additional tax credits that they were not in fact entitled to.
Revenue have apologised for this error, and agreed to spread the collection of the underpayment over three years commencing from January 2013 in recognition of their error.
53 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on credit rating for mortgage holders who switch to interest only repayments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27592/12]
As Minister for Finance, I have no responsibility for the credit rating awarded to mortgage holders and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on an individual's rating. Factors other than the repayment of interest only on a mortgage may affect an individual's credit rating.
54 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the avenues that exist for persons who feel aggrieved by their treatment at the hands of the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27593/12]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there are a number of options available to an individual who feels aggrieved with their treatment by Revenue. In the first instance, the individual should contact the Revenue Office dealing with their tax affairs and make that Office aware of the particular complaint so that the matter can be investigated. Additionally, an aggrieved taxpayer can ask for an internal review to be carried out either: by a senior Revenue official who was not involved in the original decision, or jointly by an External Reviewer and the Revenue official mentioned above.
Requests for an internal review can be made to: Revenue Commissioners, Internal Review Unit, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. Furthermore, there is a right of appeal to the Appeal Commissioners where a taxpayer is dissatisfied with an assessment or determination by the Revenue Commissioners.
A person can also contact the Office of the Ombudsman if they are unhappy about the way in which Revenue have handled any aspect of their tax affairs. The Ombudsman's staff examine complaints about the administrative actions of Government Departments and Offices, including the Revenue Commissioners. Contact details are as follows: Office of the Ombudsman, 18 Lower Leeson St., Dublin 2.
Lastly, the Commissioners advise that the complaints procedures are explained in detail in their Customer Service leaflet CS 4, which is available on the Revenue website.
55 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Finance his views regarding bank charges (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27604/12]
Section 149(1) of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995 (as amended) requires Credit Institutions to submit a notification to the Central Bank of Ireland of their intention to introduce a new charge or increase an existing charge imposed on customers for a service. Furthermore Section 149A of the Act extends this notification requirement to the ‘holders of an authorisation'; namely bureaux de change. Following submission, the Central Bank considers these requests assessing each under the following criteria, as set out in the legislation: the promotion of fair competition, the commercial justification submitted in respect of the proposal, the impact new charges or increases in existing charges will have on customers, passing on costs to customers.
Having analysed the proposed charge(s) under the assessment criteria as set out under the legislation and referred to above, the options open to the Central Bank are that the proposed charges are:
approved in full,
approved at lower levels than requested by the entity or,
rejected.
Approvals are issued in the form of a ‘Letter of Direction' which sets out the maximum amount a credit institution can charge. It is important to note that: it is an offence under the Act for credit institutions to impose charges that have not been notified to the Central Bank and subsequently been approved, where approval has been granted to a credit institution, it may introduce these charges up to that maximum approved limit. However, an institution may choose not to apply charges immediately for which it has approval for commercial or competitive reasons but may later apply such charges at its own discretion.
I have no plans to amend the current legislation in this area.
56 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding haulage contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27633/12]
As the Deputy is aware, a working group was set up between officials of my Department, the Irish Road Haulage Association and some Members of the Oireachtas. The working group has had a serious of meetings to discuss issues of concern to the haulage industry. I understand a submission is being finalised.
57 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if he will make extra provision available at once to ensure that washed down diesel is not being sold in garages in the Lanesborough area, County Longford, in view of the fact that it is causing financial distress to other garages in the area who are abiding by the law and selling the correct diesel. [27639/12]
The Revenue Commissioners are aware of the threat that oil laundering and the sale of laundered fuel pose to the Exchequer and to legitimate businesses, and accord a high priority to action to combat these illegal activities. Revenue is addressing the problem on a number of fronts, including robust enforcement action against those involved in these activities. To date in 2012, Revenue's enforcement officers have seized five oil laundries and 95,050 litres of laundered fuel, together with two oil tankers and five other vehicles. Two people were arrested during the course of these operations, which play a crucial role in cutting off the supply of laundered fuel. Following the strengthening last year of the conditions governing the sale of road fuel, Revenue has implemented a programme of action against filling stations operating without a licence or in breach of licence conditions. These compliance measures, which resulted in the closure of 32 filling stations in 2011 and a further 12 to date in 2012, are continuing. Revenue will maintain its approach of seizing illicit fuel and closing down retail outlets that do not have the required licence or fail to comply with licence requirements.
In the case of County Longford, a number of outlets in the Lanesborough area have been visited in recent months and two have had product seized from them. Revenue officers are continuing to monitor retail activity in that area and, indeed, throughout the State. If the Deputy or a member of the public has any information in this regard it should be conveyed to the appropriate authorities. This important work that Revenue is undertaking against criminal activity in the fuel market will be assisted by the measures I included in the Finance Act 2012 to enhance the control and supervision of the supply chain for fuels.
There will be a new requirement for anyone dealing in marked fuel to have a licence for the purpose and fuel traders will have to submit a detailed electronic return to Revenue each month giving information on oil receipts and sales. Action is being taken in conjunction with HM Revenue and Customs in the UK to identify a more effective marker for fuels. I understand it is expected that an invitation to make submissions in relation to the provision of a new marker will be issued shortly.
58 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the increase in mortgage interest relief for houses purchased between 2004 and 2008, consideration will be given to persons who purchased in 2008 but were unable to finalise the deals until 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27646/12]
In my Budget speech, I stated that a new 30% rate of tax relief on interest paid would apply "for first time buyers who took out their first mortgage" in the period 2004 to 2008. The legislation to give effect to this was introduced by way of Section 9 Finance Act 2012 and provides that the new 30% rate of tax relief applies to qualifying interest paid on a qualifying loan taken out on or after 1 January 2004 and on or before 31 December 2008. In addition, I have sought to be as flexible as possible within the constraints pertaining. A mortgage holder will qualify for the increased rate if they made their first mortgage interest payment in the period 2004 to 2008 or if they drew down their mortgage in that period. I do not intend to extend the parameters of the measure any further as it would become less targeted and more costly.
59 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Finance in view of the recent developments and issues that have arisen in the financial services, stockbroking and banking industry, if he is satisfied that the rules, procedures, consequences and penalties governing auditors and audit practice is robust enough; if he will introduce an external, independent regulatory regime for auditors and those engaged in audit practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27668/12]
My colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, has responsibility for company law including the legislative regime relating to auditing and accounting. The Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 provides for the establishment of the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority. Its functions include supervising how the prescribed accountancy bodies regulate and monitor their members and promoting adherence to high professional standards in the auditing and accountancy professions. I understand the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is working on the implementation of the European Commission's recommendation on the external quality assurance of statutory auditors and audit firms of public interest entities. The practical implementation of the recommendation will include direct inspections of relevant audit files by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority. In addition, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is involved in EU negotiations on two proposals in the audit area, in which there is a focus on the provision of specific requirements regarding the statutory audit of public-interest entities. The definition of "public-interest entities" will include a wider range of financial service providers than heretofore.
In so far as my own Department is concerned, the Central Bank of Ireland has issued an Auditor Protocol which provides a framework to allow the Central Bank and the auditing profession to exchange relevant information on a timely basis with the aim of enhancing the regulatory and statutory audit processes. The framework governs communication between the Central Bank and auditors, providing a structure for bilateral meetings between the Central Bank and auditors and trilateral meetings between the Central Bank, auditors and the audit committee or independent non-executive director of regulated entities. The Auditor Protocol came into effect this year and will apply, in the first instance, to those firms which are rated high impact under the Central Bank's new regulatory risk model, PRISM. The implementation of this protocol follows on from the Nyberg report, which recommended that auditors should have a regular, compulsory dialogue with its clients' senior management and boards on the business model, strategy and implementation risks. The report also recommended that the result of such discussions should, at least when clearly relevant, be communicated to the Central Bank. The Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011 is to be amended to make provision to support this closer engagement between auditors and the Central Bank.
60 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children in primary schools here with literacy and numeracy issues; his plans to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27570/12]
Rigorously constructed surveys of attainment in English reading and mathematics have been carried out since the 1970s. The 2009 National Assessments of Mathematics and English Reading, which are the most recent in this series of national assessments, provide baseline data for future national assessments in mathematics and English reading at second and sixth class but are not directly comparable with previous assessments. In 2009, test scores were grouped into four proficiency levels, or clusters of skill sets and competencies describing what pupils are likely to be able to do. Those proficiency levels are described in the report of the 2009 National Assessments, which is available on the website of the Educational Research Centre,www.erc.ie. To facilitate comparability across classes and subjects, the cutpoints used to create each proficiency scale were based on pre-defined percentages of pupils. Thus, 10% of pupils were classified as at Level 4; 25% at Level 3; 30% at Level 2; and 25% at Level 1, with 10% of pupils described as failing to reach Level 1. The next national assessments in 2014 will facilitate direct comparison with the 2009 results. The National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, which I launched in July 2011, contains a range of actions to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of children and young people up to 2020. These actions are being implemented.
61 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to issue a circular on the teaching of the English language in Gaeltacht schools; the reason one has not been issued up to now; the form the circular will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27574/12]
I do not have any plans at present to issue a circular on the teaching of English in Gaeltacht schools specifically. My Department issued a Circular (56/2011) to primary schools regarding the implementation of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy in November 2011 and this may be accessed on the website of my Department. This circular to primary schools covered issues relating to time for the teaching of literacy (in English and Irish), assessment and a number of other related issues. The Department will issue a similar Circular to post-primary schools in the near future. The Circular to primary schools applied to all primary schools, both within and outside the Gaeltacht. The Circular to post-primary schools will also apply to all schools.
62 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will deal the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 regarding a student grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27585/12]
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority.
In order for an applicant whose reckonable income is from self employment/farming to be assessed for a student grant, Article 22 (1) of the Student Grant Scheme 2011 stipulates that the following documentary evidence listed in Schedule 5 is required:
1. Copy of accounts (that is, trading account, profit and loss account, capital account and balance sheet) for each business for the year ending between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2010. The accounts extracts pages from the applicant's Return of Income do not satisfy this accounts requirement;
2. Adjusted Profit Computation for income tax for the 2010 tax year;
3. Notice of Assessment for 2010 or its foreign equivalent;
4. If it applies a current letter from the Revenue Commissioners exempting the relevant person from filing tax returns or equivalent from another state;
5. If the accounts contain a wage or remuneration expense, a detailed breakdown of wages paid to the following as outlined in Article 22 (1)(d) must be provided:
wages or payments made without applying the PAYE and PRSI regulations or equivalent regulations;
wages or payments to dependent children;
wages or payments to non-dependent children where the payment is above the norm for the work undertaken.
For Revenue purposes certain expenditure is allowable in arriving at taxable profit/loss but may not be allowable in computing reckonable income for grant purposes. Therefore, a set of accounts must be submitted to allow for the accurate calculation of reckonable income for a student grant. An applicant shall not be eligible for a grant if the reckonable income for the purpose of the means testing is over the prescribed income limits or if there is insufficient supporting documentation for the application to be assessed.
63 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria in place regarding waivers and exemptions for persons with learning difficulties with dyslexia, when sitting the Leaving Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27634/12]
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. They have in place criteria for reasonable accommodation including an independent appeals system. All applications for reasonable accommodations are considered in light of a published Framework of Principles as set out by the Expert Advisory Group on examinations.
The State Examinations Commission provides a range of measures to facilitate candidates with particular needs. These include the provision of readers and scribes, the production of modified papers; brailed and enlarged papers; use of tape recorders and personal computers; and exemption of waivers in respect of particular components. Some of these measures require the establishment of special examination centres. In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
64 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding mediations at a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27645/12]
School management authorities and the INTO have developed a specific procedure to address staff relations difficulties or conflicts which is contained in a booklet entitled Working Together. This procedure includes a mediation facility whereby a trained mediator from the INTO/management panel may work with a staff in order to achieve a framework to address and resolve the issues of difficulty or controversy. My Department is not a party to this procedure and so is not in a position to comment on the case referred to by the Deputy.
65 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans in place to build a secondary school in Carrigtwohill, County Cork, to meet the educational requirements of the village’s population that has expanded over recent years. [27648/12]
As the Deputy is aware, in June of last year I announced that 20 new post-primary schools are to be established up to 2017 across a number of locations to cater for increasing demographics. This announcement included a proposal to establish a new post-primary school to serve the area referred to by the Deputy. In that regard, my Department is working with the Local Authority to identify a suitable site for such a school. The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue its analysis of enrolments and demographics in the area concerned to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet any projected future demands.
66 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an up to date report on plans for new school accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27665/12]
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has been in contact with the school authority regarding the matter to which he refers and is awaiting a response from the school on the queries raised.
67 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will take a proactive approach to improving County Kerry’s status for attracting foreign direct investment, through changes to grant aid available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27608/12]
Grant limits are applied under the Regional Guidelines 2007 to 2013. The Regional Aid Guidelines govern the areas in which Member States may grant regional aid, more commonly known as investment aid. Investment aid is intended to promote the economic development of certain disadvantaged areas within the European Union in order to redress regional disparities. The current Regional Aid Map for 2007-13 was drawn up in accordance with the Commission's Regional Aid Guidelines. The details of the support in terms of aid intensity for each county are available on my Departments website.
Under the approved map, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, North Tipperary and the Cork Urban Regeneration Area retained entitlement to Regional Aid from 2007-2013 for small and medium sized firms at the higher aid rates permitted for such firms under the Regional Aid Guidelines.
The process of Member States agreeing the 2014-2021 Regional Aid Guidelines has begun. The Commission are due to forward proposals to Member States in the coming months documenting the structure and provisions that will form the basis of the revised Guidelines. My Department is leading an interagency group that is currently examining issues around the new guidelines, including which counties could be included in the next map. The group will be examining all counties without prejudice as to their status in the revised map.
68 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation following on from the Forfás action plan for the South East in December 2011, the number of times he has met with bodies in the South East in order to identify progress that has been made in respect of this action plan. [27620/12]
The South East Action Plan contains specific actions to address the unemployment problems affecting the South East region. Following the launch of the Plan on 2 December 2011, I have been kept informed on the progress made by the stakeholders and the state enterprise development agencies on the implementation of the plan in the region.
I had met with representatives of all the enterprise agencies, local authorities, CEBs, education institutions and other local representative groups on 24 November last year. That meeting was the first time that a group of that nature had met collectively with the focus solely on what can be done to improve the fortunes of the South East region. What has become clear from consultation with these stakeholders and agencies is the need for greater co-ordination of effort from all those with an interest in improving the enterprise potential of the region.
I also held a Business Forum in Waterford as part of the regional launch of the Action Plan for Jobs in March this year where I had wide ranging discussions involving the enterprise agencies at local level and regional business representatives. I will again meet with key representatives from the agencies and stakeholders within the coming weeks and it is my intention to maintain this engagement into the future as a means of monitoring the implementation of the proposals in this report. I look forward greater co-operation and collaboration between all the various stakeholders across the South East region to pursue the Action Plan recommendations.
69 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications received for new start-ups in the South East Region for the €20,000 fund per project as announced in the Forfás action plan for the South East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27622/12]
Minister Bruton announced the establishment of Enterprise Ireland's Pilot Competitive Feasibility Fund in January 2012.
The Fund was outlined in theSouth-East Employment Action Plan which was published in late 2011. Companies in the ICT, industrial and food sectors based in the South East were eligible to apply.
The purpose of the Pilot Competitive Feasibility Fund for the South East Region is to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capability to succeed in global markets. The fund is designed to assist a new start-up company or individual entrepreneur to investigate the viability of a new growth orientated business or proposition.
The Pilot Competitive Feasibility Fund for the South East Region managed by Enterprise Ireland established a fund of €200,000 with each successful applicant receiving a maximum grant of €25,000 to cover 50% of eligible expenditure.
By the end of the close date, 45 applications were received. Applications were then assessed on the basis of eligibility and on the merits of the project. 14 were approved for funding support under the Pilot Fund.
70 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of businesses and persons who have participated the Enterprise Platform Programme since it recommenced in Quarter 1 of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27623/12]
The recently announced New Frontiers Programme replaces the Enterprise Platform Programme and aims to raise the number of business start-ups and to increase the pipeline of HPSUs and other sustainable businesses. This new programme forms part of one of the action points set out in the Government's recently announced Action Plan for Jobs.
The programme is currently being phased in across the country. Ten institutes have commenced/completed Phase 1 of the Programme with over 300 participants taking part in this 6-8 week introductory course. The first interviews for Phase 2 began in mid-May and four institutes have completed the recruitment process with 48 places offered on the 6 month courses taking place in their incubation centres.
Eight Institutes of Technology (IoTs) have partnered to form four collaborative programmes to deliver the New Frontiers Programme while individual programmes are also being offered from a number of IoTs as follows:
|
Collaborative Programmes |
Individual Programmes |
|
IT Carlow/Waterford IT |
Dublin IT |
|
Limerick IT/IT Tralee |
Dundalk IT (partnered with CIT) |
|
IT Tallaght/IT Blanchardstown |
Cork IT (partnered with DkIT) |
|
IT Sligo/Letterkenny IT |
Galway-Mayo IT (partnered with AIT) |
|
Athlone IT (partnered with GMIT) |
71 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the full cost of his Department’s new website including hosting, designing, building and posting; the company or companies engaged to carry out the work; where the site is hosted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27654/12]
Work on the Department's new website (www.enterprise.gov.ie) and a new associated content management system (CMS) is still under way so the final cost of development work is yet to be determined. The new website will, over time, replace the existing Departmental website which has remained substantially unchanged for over ten years. Design and development work is being carried out by pTools Software, who were selected under an open tendering process in a very competitive market. The site is hosted in SunGard Availability Services. The work being undertaken includes the delivery of a new web content management system which gives the Department a modern and flexible tool for managing web content and opens up options for consolidating existing diverse website platforms. This incremental approach minimises risk and optimises the use of constrained personnel resources. The new website platform presents a much more sophisticated tool than the existing website to draw data from the Department’s diverse Offices and Agencies in real time to provide a holistic view of the enterprise agenda. As a first step in maximising the value of the new web content management system, the new platform will also be used to host a separate website which delivers guidance and support for businesses in understanding the regulations which apply to them and which will be available shortly.
72 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the full extent of foreign direct investment in terms of jobs arising as a result in each of the past five years to date in 2012; the countries from which such investment came; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27675/12]
The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are clients of the industrial development agencies. Information is collected annually and aggregated at county level. The survey shows that in the 5 year period 2007 to 2011, there were a total of 45,512 jobs created in IDA supported companies. Figures for 2012 will not be available until the end of the year.
Over 50% of the investment came from the United States. The remaining investment came in the main from Europe, mainly Germany, the United Kingdom and France, Japan, China, India Canada and the rest of the world. The attached tabular statement lists all the countries of origin of IDA supported companies.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been hugely important for the Irish economy and job creation over the last 30 years. The IDA supported FDI sector alone accounts for around 250,000 jobs (1 in every 7 jobs ) in the economy. FDI is a key stimulator and driver of the economy through its contribution to exchequer finances, exports and R&D generating over 70% of corporation tax, €110bn in exports and an expenditure of €19bn in the Irish Economy.
|
Alphabetical List of countries of origin of IDA supported companies |
|
|
AustraliaAustriaBelgiumBermudaCanadaChinaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceIndiaIsraelItalyJapanLiechtensteinLuxembourg |
MexicoNetherlandsNew ZealandNigeriaNorwayPortugalRussiaSingaporeSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTaiwanTurkeyUnited KingdomUnited States |
73 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied regarding this country’s competitiveness in the manufacturing and service sectors; the extent to which our main rivals in this regard have been identified; the emerging trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27677/12]
The Government has an ambition to make Ireland the best small country in the world in which to do business by 2016. To achieve this objective, we must improve our international competitiveness and the competitiveness of companies based here.
The Action Plan for Jobs, which was launched on 13th February, aims to transform the operating environment for business in order to improve competitiveness and support enterprise growth and job creation. The Government has also identified, in the Action Plan, a number of key sectors where Ireland can gain competitive advantage in global markets, including in manufacturing and a number of services sectors.
The National Competitiveness Council, in its annual Competitiveness Scorecard report, benchmarks Ireland's competitiveness performance against many of its closest trading partners and competitors. The Council has identified an improvement in Ireland's competitiveness in recent years. This improvement is reflected in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2012, published in recent weeks by the Institute for Management Development (IMD). Of the 59 countries benchmarked by the IMD for 2012, Ireland ranked 20th overall, up from 24th in 2011, and 8th out of the 24 EU countries featured. Ireland was ranked first in a number of areas, including in relation to investment incentives, skilled labour and attitudes towards globalisation.
This is a very positive and encouraging performance. However, more must be done to ensure that the improvements we have achieved are structural in nature and sustained in the longer-term. One of the key actions to be undertaken by my Department and Forfás this year under the Action Plan for Jobs is to identify a set of competitiveness indicators where Ireland's international performance can be improved through domestic policy action. In the areas identified, we will quantify the level of improvement necessary and we will set out the policy actions required to achieve this goal.
74 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which industry here remains alert to the need to upgrade using modern technology; if particular emphasis is placed on such meeds by the statutory agencies; the success of such efforts over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27678/12]
The use of technology and innovation has a crucial role to play in supporting economic recovery and in driving sustainable employment in the current environment. Enterprise Ireland in particular, employs a range of supports to encourage and facilitate Irish companies to adapt to, purchase and use new technologies. Amongst these supports are:
E-Business Initiative — under which companies are supported in making effective use of computer-based services including internet, customer relationship management, finance and general business administration. Since 2005, almost 400 such supports have been offered.
Over 250 projects have been initiated under the Lean Start or Lean Plus programmes which provide companies with the Lean tools and techniques to help companies to address competitiveness issues within their businesses by building their capability to identify problems and improve operations.
A range of grant schemes have been offered particularly to support capital equipment investment for improved productivity, competitiveness and growth, including: Productivity Improvement Fund; Job Expansion Fund; Growth Fund; Company Expansions; Dairy Process Investment Initiative; Beef and Sheepmeat Fund; Scaling including R&D; HPSU Package.
In addition, Enterprise Ireland leverages private sector investment in companies through its various Seed and Venture Capital supports which provide valuable investment capital to companies requiring major capital for growth.
The competitive advantage created by the use of technology and innovation will be a key driver in achieving Irish economic recovery. Companies that undertake Research and Development and capitalise on innovation have shown a level of growth in trade and exports during recent years that demonstrates the value of technology, high calibre research and innovation activity. A wide range of programmes are being delivered by the Enterprise Agencies —Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland, to promote innovation and cost efficiency and give Irish enterprise a competitive edge in the global market place.
Among the numerous measures that have been taken to help companies to achieve internationally high levels of innovation are:
R&D Funding through Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.
Technology Centres have been established in strategically important sectoral areas like nanotechnology, bioenergy, IT Innovation, manufacturing technology, energy efficiency and food. These centres are designed to allow groups of multinational and indigenous firms to work together with academics to undertake cutting edge, industry led research. The intention is to establish 16 centres in total by 2013.
The Innovation Voucher Scheme is facilitating and encouraging enterprises, particularly small enterprises, to engage in research or development by availing of the services available in research institutions. 453 Innovation Vouchers were redeemed in 2011. The total number of Innovation Vouchers redeemed since the scheme opened in 2007 is over 1,800.
In 2011, 52 companies were given support under the Innovation Partnership programme which provided funding of €9.9m to Higher Education Institutes to collaborate with companies.
The recently announced New Frontiers Programme aims to raise the number of business start-ups and to increase the pipeline of HPSUs and other sustainable businesses. This new programme forms part of one of the action points set out in the Government's recently announced Action Plan for Jobs. The programme is currently being phased in across the country. Ten institutes have commenced/completed Phase 1 of the Programme with over 300 participants taking part in this 6 — 8 week introductory course. The first interviews for Phase 2 began in mid-May and four institutes have completed the recruitment process with 48 places offered on the 6 month courses taking place in their incubation centres.
Collaboration between SFI funded researchers and industry has also increased significantly in recent years largely through the SFI Centres for Science Engineering Technology (CSETs), Strategic Research Clusters (SRCs) and the Principal Investigator (PI) teams. At present SFI is supporting 28 top-class research centres (9 CSETs and 19 SRCs) and SFI funded researchers are involved in 1,305 industry collaborations with 583 distinct industry partners, both multinational and indigenous.
Both in 2010 and 2011, IDA investments of over €500m and €700m respectively were in research, development and innovation, and these investments are central to productivity and new business development in the multinational sector.
The initiatives being delivered by the enterprise agencies are supporting enterprise and are ultimately geared towards driving growth, sustainability, exports and job creation. Our objective is to continue to use research and innovation to build competitive advantage and to build on the strengths that have emerged from the investment to date in Science Technology and Innovation.
75 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which new markets for Irish manufactured goods and services have been identified in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27679/12]
Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, the Government’s Trade Strategy and Action Plan for the integrated promotion of overseas trade, tourism and investment, seeks to build on our strengths in existing markets and also to develop exports in emerging economies. This strategy has set a number of ambitious targets and its overall objective is to marshal and coordinate the resources of the State in a way that best supports companies which are trying to trade and grow their business overseas.
Implementation of the Strategy is driven by the Export Trade Council which has ensured that trade, tourism and investment teams, comprising Irish diplomatic and agency representatives have, through a joined-up approach, developed and are implementing market plans to support Ireland's trade objectives in many key export markets.
The UK, USA and our Eurozone partners continue to be key markets for Ireland, given our strong knowledge and understanding of these markets and our shared historical and cultural linkages. But we are also fully committed to developing and expanding engagement with key high potential markets such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, the Gulf States, South Korea and South Africa. Each of these has been designated a key priority market and in the five years between 2006 and 2010, the last year for which full export data is available, Irish exports to these countries have risen by 56% with merchandise exports rising by 37% and services exports by 72%.
Key instruments to pursue trade expansion are, of course, Trade Missions. In 2012 a total of 19 Ministerial-led Trade Missions are planned, including missions between now and the end of the year, to the USA, India, UK, Russia, France, Brazil, Italy, China, Japan, Canada (plus Seattle USA), South Africa and three Gulf States.
Enterprise Ireland is focused on helping its Irish client companies to maintain and win new sales from customers in international markets and has identified and targeted a number of priority sectors and sub-sectors in each individual market which offer clear opportunities. Enterprise Ireland is working with those clients which have the expertise and experience to win sales and grow exports in each market. The agency's overseas network of 29 offices is taking a highly sector-focused approach to markets which is yielding strong results in terms of export growth rates in priority high growth markets.
76 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of posts created by way of various employment initiatives on a monthly basis over the past 18 months; the extent of the permanency of such positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27680/12]
The figures in respect of jobs in Enterprise Development agency-supported companies and those supported by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) are compiled in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey and the CEB Annual Employment Survey respectively on an annualised basis. The figures in respect of jobs created in Enterprise Development agency-supported companies and those in companies assisted by the CEBs are set out in Table 1 accompanying this reply. As there are no figures available in respect of jobs created in CEB-supported companies prior to 2011, details of jobs existing in those companies in 2010 are set out in Table 2. The figures in both tables represent permanent full time equivalent positions.
The jobs created with agency and CEB assistance contribute greatly to the development of local economies throughout the country and, in addition, the agencies and CEBs work closely with their clients both in the early start-up stages of businesses and also to ensure the sustainability of those businesses through on-going support, advice and mentoring.
|
No. of Jobs Created between 2010 and 2011 in Companies supported by the Enterprise Development agencies and the County and City Enterprise Boards |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Enterprise Ireland |
IDA Ireland |
Shannon Development |
County and City Enterprise Boards |
|
2010 |
10,966 |
9,075 |
347 |
— |
|
2011 |
9,038 |
11,594 |
406 |
7,253 |
|
Year |
2010 |
|
Jobs existing in CEB-supported companies. Based on CEB Annual Employment Survey |
32,910 |
78 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which Irish industry has availed of science, innovation and technology assistance supported by the EU commission in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27682/12]
The Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7), with a budget of €55 billion for the period 2007 to 2013, is the EU's main instrument for funding research and development in Europe. FP7 offers Ireland's SMEs, multinationals, and research institutions valuable opportunities to participate in high-calibre research collaborations with our European counterparts. The Framework Programme enables companies to work with academic research groups and other industry players across Europe and derive the benefits associated with collaborative research. This enables them to gain benefits such as access to knowledge networks, access to specialist equipment, sharing of costs and risks and, in particular for industry, the possibility of opening up commercial opportunities.
The total funding secured by companies based in Ireland since the commencement of the Seventh Framework Programme in 2007 to November 2011, the latest figures available, is €87.8 million. The figure for 2011 was €25 million and the corresponding target for 2012 is €30 million. Of the €87.8 million secured by companies based in Ireland, €66.4 million went to SMEs and €21.4 million went to multinationals based in Ireland.
The European Commission, in its Fourth Monitoring Report on FP7, covering the years 2007 to 2010 and published in August 2011, states that, in one of the main funding programmes within FP7, Ireland has the highest participation rate of SMEs of the EU 27. This is the rate of SME participation in FP7 compared to the population of SME's in the country. EU support for innovation is also provided through the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) which runs from 2007 to 2013, and which has a budget of €3.6 billion. Unlike FP7, funding under the CIP does not go directly to companies; almost 50% of the funding is via European Investment Fund (EIF) Guarantees which are provided to financial intermediaries, and the remainder is used to fund actions such as best practice exchanges and provision of information networks through the Enterprise Europe Network.
79 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the action she will take to reduce the processing time of applications for carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27568/12]
The Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. The average time taken to award a carers allowance application is 28 weeks at present, however individual cases may vary. Some will be processed more quickly, others will take longer. In particular, where a customer requests a review of an initial decision to refuse an application, this will take additional time.
In determining entitlement to the allowance, in certain cases unavoidable time lags are involved in making the necessary investigations and inquiries to enable accurate decisions to be made. Delays can also arise if those applying for the allowance are not in a position to supply all the necessary information in support of their claim at original claim stage.
A major service delivery modernisation project is underway to address the large increase in the claim-load and to improve the efficiency of administration of the carer's allowance scheme. This involves the development of information technology functions and associated business process re-organisation. It is anticipated that the new system will introduce significant processing efficiencies and a quicker and more responsive service to the customer. Accordingly, the project is being given high priority and involves a significant level of time and commitment from the relevant staff in the Department. In addition to the deployment of new systems, the Department is allocating additional resources in the form of overtime working and temporary staff to help reduce backlogs that have built up. However, it is expected to be a number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level. The staff and other resources available to the Department are regularly reviewed with a view to ensuring claims are processed as quickly as possible. I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer's allowance claims is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that the Department is taking appropriate steps to resolve the situation. In the meantime, if a person's means are insufficient to meet their needs while awaiting a decision on an application, he/she may apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance payment.
80 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27578/12]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer having fully considered all the available evidence disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
81 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal for invalidity pension will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27587/12]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 5th March 2012. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
83 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline in tabular form the contributory pension that is paid to existing pension recipients based on contributions beginning with 10 contributions and incrementing contributions each time and the corresponding pension that will be paid to new entrants will be paid for the same number of contributions when the changes take effect in September 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27597/12]
The details requested by the Deputy relate to the State pension (contributory) and are outlined below. I have also outlined details on the State pension (transition) for the Deputy's information.
In relation to the pension reform measure being introduced in September 2012, currently a person with an average of 20-47 PRSI contributions per year over their working life receives a weekly State pension of only €4.50 less than a person with a yearly average of 48 or more PRSI contributions. This is neither fair nor equitable. A lower pension will be payable to new applicants for State pension who have a yearly average of less than 48 PRSI contributions which better relates to their PRSI record. This measure introduces additional rates bands for State pension (transition) and State pension (contributory) to more fairly reflect the attachment to the workforce by the claimant.
The maximum rate will remain unchanged which is currently €230.30 per week. The rate payable to people with an average of between 40 and 47 contributions per year will also remain unchanged. However, those who have fewer contributions will receive a lower rate of pension. This change moves somewhat closer to the total contribution approach outlined below where those who pay more, benefit more.
There is an important context to the proposed changes to State pension provision. Given the scale of the fiscal crisis and because spending on social protection accounts for nearly 40% of current Government expenditure, you will appreciate that savings have to be found in the social welfare system.
There is also an important long-term policy context for the proposed changes to State pension, including the forthcoming change to pension rate bands being introduced for new customers from September 2012, which is that the challenges facing the Irish pension system are significant. There are currently six people of working age for every pensioner and this ratio is expected to decrease to approximately two to one by 2050. People aged 65 years and over will account for a greater proportion of the population while the proportion of working age is expected to decline. People are living longer with healthier lives and growing numbers of people want to work, or may need to work beyond State pension age. Therefore, the task of financing increasing pensions will fall to a diminishing share of the population. This has obvious and significant implications in relation to the future costs of State pension provision.
Taking all of these factors into consideration, I introduced legislation in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2011 to abolish the State pension (transition) with effect from January 2014 which will standardise State pension age at 66. State pension (contributory) age will be increased to 67 years in 2021 and to 68 with effect from 2028.
In the future, a ‘total contributions approach' to State pension will be adopted to replace the current averaging system. The current proposed date for its introduction is 2020. Under this system, the level of pension paid will be directly proportionate to the number of social insurance contributions made by a person over his or her working life.
The State pension is the bedrock of the Irish pension system, and these reforms are essential in order to address the challenges of increasing life expectancy and to ensure its sustainability.
|
Yearly average contributions |
Personal Rate per week |
Increase for Qualified Adult aged under 66 years Rate per week |
Increase for Qualified Adult aged over 66 years Rate per week |
|
48 or over |
€230.30 |
€153.50 |
€206.30 |
|
20-47 |
€225.80 |
€153.50 |
€206.30 |
|
15-19 |
€172.70 |
€115.10 |
€154.70 |
|
10-14 |
€115.20 |
€76.80 |
€103.20 |
|
Yearly average contributions |
Personal Rate per week |
Increase for Qualified Adult aged under 66 years Rate per week |
Increase for Qualified Adult aged over 66 years Rate per week |
|
48 or over |
€230.30 |
€153.50 |
€206.30 |
|
40-47 |
€225.80 |
€146.00 |
€196.00 |
|
30-39 |
€207.00 |
€139.00 |
€186.00 |
|
20-29 |
€196.00 |
€130.00 |
€175.00 |
|
15-19 |
€150.00 |
€100.00 |
€134.00 |
|
10-14 |
€92.00 |
€61.00 |
€83.00 |
|
Yearly average contributions |
Personal Rate per week |
Increase for Qualified Adult aged under 66 years Rate per week |
Increase for Qualified Adult aged over 66 years Rate per week |
|
48 or over |
€230.30 |
€153.50 |
€206.30 |
|
24-47 |
€225.80 |
€153.50 |
€206.30 |
|
Yearly average contributions |
Personal Rate per week |
Increase for Qualified Adult aged under 66 years Rate per week |
Increase for Qualified Adult aged over 66 years Rate per week |
|
48 or over |
€230.30 |
€153.50 |
€206.30 |
|
40-47 |
€225.80 |
€146.00 |
€196.00 |
|
30-39 |
€207.00 |
€139.00 |
€186.00 |
|
24-29 |
€196.00 |
€130.00 |
€175.00 |
84 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection the date on which her Department received an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in processing the application; the progression of the application; the steps that will be taken to expedite the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27615/12]
I confirm that an application for carer's allowance was received from the person in question on 15 November 2011. In the interest of fairness and equity all applications are dealt with in order of date of receipt in the department.
On completion of the necessary investigations a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The average time taken to process a claim for carer's allowance through to completion is circa 28 weeks at present.
85 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the way FÁS make decisions regarding ring fenced community childcare community employment places; if a community childcare service has historically received ring fenced childcare places through their local CE scheme for the past eight years and approved by FÁS are these places specifically for this community not for profit group still ring fenced in 2012/2013; where two or more community services operate within a CE scheme area and both have ring fenced places, that is the numbers in 2011/2012 that each childcare service had. [27617/12]
Childcare provision is a major government priority and one to which the Department of Social protection has made a significant response through the development and provision of a range of quality training and qualification measures on Community Employment. There are 2,200 places ring-fenced for childcare on Community Employment programmes. These places are delivered through dedicated CE childcare projects and through the allocation of places to childcare services as part of mainstream CE schemes.
Nationally there are 276 schemes with ring-fenced places for childcare. There is no decrease in the number of Community Employment ringfenced places allocated in 2012.
Forty-one per cent of ring-fenced places are located in the Dublin Region. The South West and the North East Region are the largest providers of childcare ring-fenced places outside of the Dublin region.
A key element in the approval of all CE programmes, including childcare ring-fenced places, is the requirement that such programmes do not displace current jobs or employees or that they are not used to fill vacancies. All applications for CE must be accompanied by letters from local Union representatives that such displacement or replacement is not occurring. In addition there is a National Monitoring Committee that meets at regular intervals to review all CE applications to ensure that the above criteria are being met. The programme is managed within this context at a regional and local level, subject to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community.
It should be noted that the Department has a significant role to play in ensuring progress in the area of quality childcare training through Community Employment; providing quality childcare services to local communities through the continued provision of ring-fenced childcare places on CE; and providing progression options into further education/training or employment in the sector.
86 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons from Waterford that have taken part in the JobBridge scheme to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27618/12]
87 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of businesses and organisations in County Waterford that have participated in the JobBridge scheme to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27619/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.
The National Internship Scheme was launched on 1st July 2011. The Scheme has made significant progress to-date. As at 31st May 2012, 7,495 internship placements have commenced since the launch of the Scheme. There are currently 4,872 interns undertaking internship placements. In addition, there are in excess of 1,800 internship posts currently advertised on the JobBridge websitewww.jobbridge.ie.
The number of internships that have commenced to-date in Co. Waterford is 255. The number of companies based in Co. Waterford who have participated in the Scheme is 150. In addition, there are currently 61 internship vacancies advertised in Co. Waterford.
88 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27625/12]
The person in question was advised that the care recipient does not satisfy the medical criteria for receipt of carer's allowance based on the evidence submitted with the application form. Additional medical evidence was provided in support of the case in April 2012. This information was forwarded to the medical assessor for further consideration.
On completion of the necessary investigations a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
89 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for an invalidity pension, which was submitted over 18 months ago, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27626/12]
Invalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions. This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned on 10 February 2011. The person concerned attended for a medical assessment with a medical assessor of the Department. On the basis of this assessment, the medical assessor was of the opinion that the person concerned was not eligible for invalidity pension as he does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was, accordingly, disallowed by a deciding officer. The person in question was notified of this decision and the reason for it. Further medical evidence was subsequently submitted by the claimant. This additional evidence, along with the original information, was evaluated by a different medical assessor who expressed the opinion that the person concerned does not satisfy the medical criteria. The deciding officer found that there were no grounds to overturn the original decision to disallow invalidity pension and the person concerned was notified of the outcome of this review. He was notified of his right to lodge an appeal with the social welfare appeals office however no appeal of this decision was received.
This department received a subsequent claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned on 12 January 2012. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of this claim was examined by a medical assessor who expressed the opinion that the person concerned was not eligible for invalidity pension as he does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was, accordingly, disallowed by a deciding officer. The person in question was notified of this decision and the reason for it. He was notified of his right to request a review and of his right to lodge an appeal. To date no further correspondence has been received from the applicant.
90 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a TESG FÁS training allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27656/12]
The person concerned was not refused a TESG grant. He applied for a grant to attend a training course run by a private sector training provider. He was advised by the Employment Services Officer that the training provider was not accredited and that a grant cannot be paid unless accreditation is in place. An accreditation of provider form was sent to the provider but this was not returned to the employment service office. The person in question completed the course and then contacted the Employment Service Officer again but was informed that without the necessary accreditation a TESG grant could not be approved. Retrospective approval of a TESG grant is prohibited under the procedures for TESG.
91 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for supplementary welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; when the claim will be granted and arrears issue; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27667/12]
The person concerned has been in receipt of a basic SWA payment payable from 15th May. He received his first payment on 24th May by cheque and thereafter by postdraft.
92 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; when the claim will go into payment and arrears will issue; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27669/12]
Payment of illness benefit, to the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that he was capable of work. An appeal was registered on 16th May 2012 and the Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
93 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27670/12]
The person concerned was refused carer's allowance on the grounds that the care recipient is under 16 years of age and not in receipt of domiciliary care allowance as required under the governing legislation. On 15 May 2012, she was notified of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review/appeal within 21 days.
94 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27671/12]
An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received on 20th June 2011. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for DCA. A letter issued on 21st September 2011 refusing the allowance. The person concerned subsequently lodged an appeal against this decision and she was informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 5th May 2012 that the appeal had been disallowed.
The decision/appeal process for this application is now complete. If the person concerned has additional information which was not made available to the deciding and appeals officers when they made their decisions, it is open to her to re-apply for the payment.
96 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to re-open the hen harrier scheme or a similar scheme to new applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27649/12]
My Department's Farm Plan Scheme for the hen harrier is currently closed to new applicants. Further access to the scheme will be subject to the availability of funding during 2012 and beyond. Any decision to invite new applications will be publicly announced. In such an event, applications to join the scheme will be assessed on the basis of conservation priorities, biodiversity added value and value for money.
97 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has or will consult with Bord Gáis with a view to putting in place a leak assessment service for those customers who live in homes who are affected or may be affected by pyrite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27564/12]
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the statutorily independent body charged with all aspects of the regulation of the natural gas market. A key responsibility of the CER is to promote the safety of natural gas for customers and the public generally.
The CER's remit now also includes specific responsibility for natural gas safety. The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 empowered the CER to regulate from a safety perspective undertakings involved in gas transmission, distribution, storage, supply and shipping. The CER has established a natural gas safety regulatory framework, including a system for the audit and inspection of natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline safety systems.
The CER places obligations on undertakings to ensure that any safety risks associated with their operations are reduced to as low as reasonably practicable. Bord Gáis Éireann's (BGÉ) transmission and distribution operations are subjected to ongoing audit and inspection by the CER. Additionally, BGÉ reports quarterly to the CER on a comprehensive range of safety performance indicators to verify that all operations are in compliance with the overall natural gas regulatory framework.
Safety is BGÉ's first priority and the company is committed to ongoing development and maintenance of the gas networks and systems to ensure safety and to deliver continuous safety improvement and performance. Systems are in place to deal with gas leaks and to advise the public and all gas customers on the steps to be taken in the event that they smell gas. BGÉ's continuous programme of safety promotion also includes the Gas Efficiency Service, the Dial before you Dig Service, promotion of Registered Gas Installers and public awareness of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide. Since its establishment BGÉ has developed and modernised a national gas distribution pipeline network of nearly 11,000 kilometres and a gas transmission pipeline network of over 2,000 kilometres as well as the two Interconnectors with Scotland. There are over 640,000 gas users in Ireland. BGÉ operates the Networks in compliance with recognised Irish and international quality and safety standards.
In this context, Bord Gais Networks (BGN) has been liaising with the Pyrite Action Group and the Pyrite Panel over the last number of months. BGN continues to monitor the performance and reliability of its Network associated with the supply of Natural Gas to all currently identified ‘Pyrite-affected' housing estates. To date BGN has seen no increase in leakage occurrences associated with these estates.
BGE advised that the internal gas pipework in a domestic house will have been installed by an installer engaged by the house builder/owner. Since June 2009 such installers must, by law, be registered with the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland. BGN requires the provision of a ‘Certificate of Conformance' signed by the installer before a gas meter can be fitted and natural gas supplied to the premises.
Maintenance of the gas installation is the responsibility of the premises owner. BGN in its safety advice to customers recommends the annual servicing of gas appliances and in particular that regular safety checks of the gas installation are carried out by a Registered GasInstaller.
I have every confidence in BGÉ's priority commitment to safety and its safety and emergency response service. There is never room for complacency however, and BGÉ itself is engaged in a constant process of safety review and enhancement working with CER.
98 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the review from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has been received by him on the adequacy, or otherwise, of the funding of public service broadcasters; the main findings that are in this document; if he has reached any decisions based on this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27566/12]
Under Section 124 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is required to undertake an annual review in regard to the extent to which RTÉ and TG4 have met their public service commitments in the previous year.
I am currently considering this report for 2010 in the context of the provisions of the 2009 Act which require the Minister to publish a response to the recommendation made in the report by the Authority as to the adequacy or otherwise of public funding of the public service broadcasters. I can confirm that in accordance with the legislation, I will be arranging for copies of the report to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and that, accordingly, the information referred to by the Deputy will be available at that time.
99 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding wind and gas energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27616/12]
Ireland's energy policy priorities are framed in the context of the European Union. Policy is based on pursuing the objective of a sustainable, competitive and secure supply of energy. Natural gas is the predominant fuel for power generation in Ireland accounting for over 60 per cent of electricity generation. Overall, it continues to be an important fuel for power generation, and remains the fuel of choice for new thermal power station projects. The predominant future fuel mix for power generation over the medium term is projected to be gas and renewable energy. This policy approach is an approach that is complementary. The planned ‘merchant' Shannon LNG terminal near Ballylongford in the Shannon Estuary is supported by the Government as a means of providing additional security of supply for Ireland in that it would bring diversity to gas supply sources and give connectivity to the global LNG market.
EU policy has focused in recent years on bringing about change in Europe's electricity and gas markets, for example, as regards industry structure, the extent of competition, security of gas supply and greater EU energy market integration. EU targets have been set for 2020 in relation to both energy efficiency and renewable energy. These EU developments recognise Member States' subsidiarity in relation to the fuel mix. The successful implementation of these policies should contribute to a lesser dependence on fossil fuels, including gas, and therefore a lower vulnerability to global price increases in such fuels.
Directive 2009/28/EC imposes a legally binding target on Ireland for a 16% share of renewable energy in all energy consumed by 2020, with a minimum of 10% in the transport sector. Ireland has set targets of 40% renewable electricity, 12% renewable heating and 10% renewable transport by 2020. The combined effect of these sectoral targets is commensurate with the achievement of the overall 16% target. In 2011 around 17% of Ireland's electricity was generated by renewable technologies.
The latest modelling undertaken by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) indicates that capacity of around 4000MW of renewable generation will be required on the system to deliver the 40% renewable electricity target by 2020. Ireland's National Renewable Energy Action Plan, available on the Department's website, indicates that of the 40% renewable electricity required, approximately 36% is expected to be from wind generation.
EirGrid's latest data, which is available on their website, shows that at the end of 2011, Ireland had 1900MW of renewable generation on the grid. This includes 1630MW of connected wind, 234MW of hydro and 46MW of additional other renewable generation.
In addition to projects already connected, there is around 1000MW from the Gate 1 and Gate 2 rounds which have contracted and are scheduled to be built out and connected over the next few years. Around 4,000MW of additional renewable capacity is provided for in the Gate 3 process. Policy and regulatory interventions designed to facilitate and encourage renewable electricity include REFIT as a price support mechanism and priority dispatch.
EirGrid's Grid 25 strategy and implementation plans are designed to deliver the necessary grid developments and grid reinforcements to underpin the new renewable generating capacity, as well as to support regional economic development.
EirGrid has also developed a programme to manage the integration of high levels of renewable electricity on the system from a grid operations perspective over the coming years. The East-West Interconnector and the planned North-South Interconnector will play a key role in integrating large amounts of intermittent generation into the electrical system. EirGrid's programme, known as DS3, includes enhancing generation portfolio performance, developing new operational policies and systems to efficiently use the generation portfolio to the best of its capabilities and regularly reviewing the needs of the system as the portfolio capability evolves. Further information is available on EirGrid's website at:
http://www.eirgrid.com/operations/ds3/.
100 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made to date to extend the existing MAN to meet enterprise needs at the Industrial Development Agency strategic site at Belview and the port area, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27621/12]
The Metropolitan Area Networks (MANS) including the MAN in Waterford City are managed, maintained and operated by the Managed Service Entity (e|net) on behalf of the State under a Concession Agreement.
While there are no specific plans to extend existing MANS, including the MAN in Waterford City, the Government accepts that the widespread availability of high speed broadband is a key requirement in delivering future economic and social development. With basic broadband services now widely available across Ireland, the challenge is to accelerate the roll out of high speed services. The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce (NGBT), has had an important role to play in this regard.
The Taskforce report has now been published. The report notes that by 2015, over 50% of the population will have access to high speed broadband services with speeds in excess of 70 Mbps. The report also highlights areas where Government and industry can work together to facilitate the roll out of high speed services across Ireland, and particularly in areas where the case for commercial investment is marginal.
Following on the work of the Taskforce, I will shortly be bringing proposals for a National Broadband Plan to Government, with a view to agreeing a comprehensive set of policy actions to underpin the provision of high speed broadband services on a national basis. This is a key priority. A particular challenge will be the source of funding to address gaps in high speed coverage in areas that the market may deem to be commercially unviable.
101 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the remediation done by Dublin City Council in respect of Ballymun Regeneration Limited extended to the public spaces; if sewers, water mains and other utilities were impacted; if so, the action he will take in respect of other estates with proven pyrite in respect of the public spaces that may ultimately become the charge of local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27573/12]
Funding provided by my Department to Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) related to pyrite remediation works on houses and apartments. I understand it may have been necessary in some instances to excavate footpaths and access areas and to remove services connections temporarily in order to undertake the necessary remediation works. My Department is not aware of any pyrite-related problems with regard to infrastructure or public spaces.
102 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the buildings regulation advisory body has been asked to recommend more specific standards for aggregates which are currently considered very vague; if the quality of stone is considered to be a factor in the extent of the pyrite problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27575/12]
The independent Pyrite Panel which I set up in September, 2011 is due to report to me shortly. On receipt of the Panel's report I will give careful consideration to any recommendations it may contain in relation to the adequacy of the existing specification, Standard Recommendation (SR21), for aggregates for use under concrete floors or the need for a new standard for hardcore.
103 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the guidance he has given to local authorities in respect of retaining or calling in bonds in locations where pyrite is proven; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27577/12]
Section 34(4)(g) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000-11 allows a local authority to impose a condition on a planning permission requiring the giving of adequate security for the satisfactory completion of the development. The legislation does not specify the type of security required.
However, guidance issued to planning authorities stresses that, in the case of residential development, planning conditions must require the giving of sufficient security prior to commencement of development, and that the authorities must ensure that they are in a position to draw down the security in cases where a developer fails to satisfactorily complete a residential development, or phase of a development, within the specified period.
Section 34 (4) (g) bonds are to ensure that the infrastructure (including roads, footpaths, water mains, sewers, lighting and open spaces) of a development is completed satisfactorily. Where building defects occur, their remediation is a matter for the parties concerned, namely the building owner, the relevant builder and the builder's insurers, in line with any contractual arrangements agreed between the parties. In order to identify solutions for a resolution to the pyrite problem I set up an Independent Pyrite Panel in September, 2011. I look forward to receiving its report shortly.
104 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total annual remuneration of each county manager of every local authority in the State in 2010, 2011 and in 2012; the total annual remuneration of each assistant county manager of every local authority in the State in 2010, 2011 and in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27599/12]
The salaries for City and County Managers are set out in the following table. The rates were last amended in January 2010 to take account of the reduction in remuneration rates on foot of the relevant Government decision.
|
Local Authority Manager |
Salary |
|
Dublin City Council |
€189,301 |
|
Dublin City Council Assistant Manager |
€132,511 |
|
Cork County Council |
€162,062 |
|
Fingal County Council |
|
|
South Dublin County Council |
|
|
Cork City Council |
€153,260 |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
|
|
Kildare County Council |
|
|
Meath County Council |
|
|
Limerick City Council |
€142,469 |
|
Clare County Council |
|
|
Donegal County Council |
|
|
Galway County Council |
|
|
Kerry County Council |
|
|
Kilkenny County Council |
|
|
Limerick County Council |
|
|
Louth County Council |
|
|
Mayo County Council |
|
|
South Tipperary County Council |
|
|
Westmeath County Council |
|
|
Wexford County Council |
|
|
Wicklow County Council |
|
|
Galway City Council |
€132,511 |
|
Waterford City Council |
|
|
Carlow County Council |
|
|
Cavan County Council |
|
|
Laois County Council |
|
|
Leitrim County Council |
|
|
Longford County Council |
|
|
Monaghan County Council |
|
|
Offaly County Council |
|
|
Roscommon County Council |
|
|
Sligo County Council |
|
|
North Tipperary County Council |
|
|
Waterford County Council |
|
|
Director of Services |
€94,565 to €106,900 |
105 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the assistance available to householders who find asbestos in their homes; if his Department can offer any help to householders who cannot afford to take the asbestos from their homes; if the only assistance available is made through the local authority housing aid grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27601/12]
106 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27586/12]
It is the Government's intention to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure that all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are being met. As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland does not become party to treaties until it is first in a position to comply with the obligations imposed by the treaty in question, including by amending domestic law as necessary.
The ongoing implementation of our National Disability Strategy in many respects comprehends many of the provisions of the Convention. In addition, the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Convention monitors the remaining legislative and administrative actions required to enable ratification. At the Committee's request, the National Disability Authority, the lead statutory agency for the sector, are in the process of assisting the Committee to assess the remaining requirements for ratification so as to ensure conclusively that all such issues will be addressed.
One of the key requirements in this regard is the enactment of mental capacity legislation. The Government's Legislation Programme as announced on 11 January 2012, indicates that the Mental Capacity Bill is expected to be published in the current Dáil session. The Bill will replace the Wards of Court system with a modern statutory framework governing decision-making on behalf of adults who lack capacity. The passage of this Bill will add substantially to the overall progress on implementation of the requirements towards ratification of the Convention.
107 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if savings will be achieved through a measure in relation to the Courts Service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27591/12]
I wish to inform the Deputy that I have no plans, at this time, to reduce the number of persons required to form a jury. It is important to bear in mind that the current jury system is a fundamental part of our legal framework. There are advantages to retaining a larger jury as that formation can include a greater mix of jurors in terms of, for example, gender, ethnicity and experience. I do not believe that any reform of this nature should be undertaken solely based on cost considerations.
I have made enquiries and the Courts Service has informed me that expenditure on accommodation, meals and transport for jurors in the period from 2008 to 2011 was as follows:
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
€575,656 |
€441,659 |
€339,160 |
€318,196 |
Considerable savings have been achieved in this area since the new Criminal Courts of Justice Complex was opened in November 2009 as refreshments for juries are now provided on site.
In addition, as the Deputy may be aware, the Law Reform Commission is in the process of undertaking a detailed examination of jury service, although this particular matter does not form part of the current process, which includes qualification, eligibility, selection process and related matters. A consultation paper was published in 2010 and the Commission is currently engaged in extensive consultations with relevant parties with a view to finalising its report. I understand that the report including its recommendations is to be published in Autumn 2012 and I look forward to considering the matter when that is to hand.
108 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an asylum appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27627/12]
Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 5 January, 2005, that the then Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
109 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is possible for a man who is now aged 36 and is working in the Irish Prison Service to transfer to the Garda when the moratorium on recruitment in the public service is lifted, even though they will be above the upper age limit at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27644/12]
There is no provision for Prison Service staff to transfer directly to An Garda Síochána.
Recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by statutory regulations, namely the Garda Síochána (Admission and Appointments) Regulations 1988/2005. The maximum recruitment age as set out in those regulations is 35 years of age.
110 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there was a breakdown on anti-social activity during the recent warm weather on the beaches at Portmarnock and Malahide, County Dublin. [27685/12]
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.
111 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the asylum process (details supplied). [27686/12]
As previously outlined to the House, I intend to re-introduce the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 later this year which will comprehensively reform and simplify the current refugee status determination process by the introduction of a single procedure system.
In the interim, I have no plans to introduce the proposals outlined in the correspondence supplied with the Deputies question.
112 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the assistance that can be given to a person (details supplied); and if he is satisfied that there was no cover-up in this case. [27687/12]
As I have previously advised the Deputy, I am informed by the Garda authorities that following an investigation of the incident referred to, a person was arrested, charged with assault and convicted following a plea of guilty. The court ordered compensation to be paid to the injured party, and I understand this was done. I am also informed that subsequently civil proceedings instituted by the injured party were settled before coming to court.
Where an offence is disclosed, the matter is investigated by An Garda Síochána and, where appropriate, an investigation file prepared for the law officers, who, in the exercise of their independent role, determine the matter of criminal charges against any person. The incident referred to was fully investigated and brought before the criminal courts, where a conviction was secured. As the Deputy is aware, the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, and it is not open to me to comment on or intervene in any way in the conduct of, or decision in, any individual court case.
In light of the above, there is no further assistance I can offer the Deputy on this matter.
113 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason half of the land applied for under a forestry scheme was deemed ineligible in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27647/12]
The application by the person named was initially stated to be in respect of 3.53 ha. When maps were submitted in support of the application and subsequently digitized, this reduced the area to 1.58 ha. A letter of approval for this reduced area issued to the person named on 1 June 2012.
114 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the derogation from stocking density in the disadvantage area scheme areas that will apply to agri-environment options scheme participants; when the EU Commission approval will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27607/12]
The budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is being reduced to from €220 million to €190 million. In order to make the necessary savings it is proposed to make technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria to ensure that the aid payment is focused on farmers whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in DAS areas and who are making a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the Scheme, which are defined in the governing EU legislation as follows:
To ensure continued agricultural land use and thereby contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community;
To maintain the countryside;
To maintain and promote sustainable farming systems which, in particular, take account of environmental protection measures.
All applicants, whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, will be written formally and given the opportunity to apply for a derogation on the grounds that his or her participation in one of the above measures resulted in the lower stocking density. The principles of force majeure/exceptional circumstances will also be provided for in the process and provision will also be made for new entrants to farming.
It is widely recognised that the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is a very important one for this country, especially from an economic perspective, as it contributes to the support of in excess of 100,000 Irish farm families. Therefore, in proposing the changes in question, the intention is to better focus the Scheme, which is to the benefit of the majority of those farming in areas with recognised constraints, while at the same time attempting to cater for those genuinely prevented from achieving the revised minimums. Furthermore, every effort will be made to accommodate all active farmers who may find themselves otherwise adversely affected by the changes introduced for the 2012 Scheme.
EU Commission approval has not been received to date and the proposed changes may be subject to change.
115 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the derogation that will be available to agri-environment options scheme farmers under the disadvantaged area scheme regarding stocking levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27609/12]
The budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is being reduced from €220 million to €190 million. In order to make the necessary savings it is proposed to make technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria to ensure that the aid payment is focused on farmers whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in DAS areas and who are making a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the Scheme, which are defined in the governing EU legislation as follows:
To ensure continued agricultural land use and thereby contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community;
To maintain the countryside;
To maintain and promote sustainable farming systems which, in particular, take account of environmental protection measures.
Rather than simply apply an across the board cut to the rates payable or reduce the maximum payable area as a means to achieving these savings, I decided that real efforts should be made to focus the Scheme on those farmers who are most actively contributing to achieving the aims of the Scheme, namely, ensuring continued agricultural land use, thereby contributing to the maintenance of viable rural communities, maintaining the countryside and maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems, which take account of environmental protection measures.
While changes are being introduced in respect of the minimum stocking density requirements, specific provision is being made for those farmers who had a stocking density less than 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, where that lower stocking density was as a result of adherence to an agri-environmental measure, such as a Commonage Framework De-stocking Plans, Rural Environmental Protection Schemes (REPS) or Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS).
All applicants, whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, will be written to formally and given the opportunity to apply for a derogation on the grounds that his or her participation in one of the above measures resulted in the lower stocking density. The principles of force majeure/exceptional circumstances will also be provided for in the process and provision will also be made for new entrants to farming.
116 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) can make a further appeal to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27614/12]
In the case in question, the herdowner concerned had requested that he be compensated by the Department for the loss of an animal which was injured when presented for a TB test on 11 November 2011. The animal was not removed by my Department under the TB Eradication Scheme but was condemned by the factory when presented for slaughter by the herdowner some days later.
There is no provision for compensation for an animal injured during the course of a TB test. The herdowner, when registering for a herd number had signed a document which clearly states that "it is expressly agreed and understood that the carrying out of any tests or inspections under the official Department Schemes is without liability of any kind on the part of the Veterinary Surgeon or the Minister". The herdowner was advised in writing on 29 November 2011 that, in line with the foregoing, he is not entitled to compensation for the animal concerned. As provided for under this scheme, the herdowner appealed the decision to the Regional Assistant Principal Officer and to the Agriculture Appeals Office who have both found in favour of the original decision. The herdowner has been advised of the option to raise the issue with the Office of the Ombudsman.
117 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that a letter issued to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal dated 27 January 2006 and signed by a person in his Department was a truthful and honest position at that time; if he stands over the contents of the letter; if there was a number of breaches of said lease at that time; if there were any rental arrears at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27631/12]
The Deputy has requested personal information in relation to a third party which the Department cannot release in accordance with the Data Protection Acts 1988-2003.
118 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on an agri-environment options scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [27662/12]
The person named has been informed in writing that he was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. This process is under way with a view to commencing payments as soon as possible. In the event of any queries arising from these checks my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.
119 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to address the increase in child poverty here which will increase further with additional austerity measures over the coming months and years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27563/12]
Tackling child poverty is a priority for Government and a goal of the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007- 2016, coordinated by the Department of Social Protection. Children are more likely to be poor if they are living in lone parent households with low labour market participation and dependent on income support. The departments of Social Protection, Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Education and Skills, are working to deliver a range of measures aimed at getting people back to work.
My Department works closely with the Department of Social Protection in a ‘whole of Government approach' to tackling poverty in the population. The Department is represented on the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare established by the Minister for Social Protection to examine issues to do with the interactions of the tax and welfare systems so that they provide good incentives for parents to take up and remain in work and thereby contribute to the reduction of poverty and child poverty, in particular.
As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, improving children's outcomes is my primary objective. The development of the Children and Young People's Policy Framework, 2012 -2017, as the overarching framework under which policy and services for children and young people will be developed and implemented in the State, is an important initiative for cross departmental collaboration to secure this objective. Early childhood care and education programmes, in particular those that are aimed at low income families, are priorities to enhance children's opportunities for social and educational development and to support parents undertaking training and participating in employment. The network of 107 family resource centres that are funded by the Family Support Agency, under the remit of my Department have an important role in this regard. These programmes and the results of pilot projects to enhance children's development in Tallaght, Northside and Ballymun, which are jointly funded by my Department with a philanthropic organisation, will inform the Government's plans to develop a new area based approach to child poverty.
My priority, as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, is to enhance the role of early intervention and support programmes for the most vulnerable children and their families in the context of the new Child and Family Support Agency.
120 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the 2011 Health Service Executive inspection report on private and voluntary children’s homes; her plans to ensure that in future children are better informed of their rights and supports in order that they are aware when they are failed by the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27576/12]
All children's residential centres are inspected to ensure that the children living in the centre are receiving the care and protection that they require. TheNational Standards for Children’s Residential Centres,provide a basis for consistently promoting quality of care in children’s residential centres. They provide inter-alia for consultation with children, procedures for making a complaint and access to information by a child. The HSE registers and inspects non-statutory voluntary and private children’s residential centres against these standards. A copy of the standards is available on my Department’s website at www.dcya.ie.
The process of assessing standards of care in the centres is undertaken by a HSE inspector who visits the centre and gathers information through interviews and meetings with the centre management, staff members and young people, analysis of case files and centre records and contact with guardians, social workers and other professionals as appropriate. Centres are thoroughly inspected and where an inspection report identifies non-compliance with a regulation, the centre will not be registered and re-registered again until compliance has been achieved.
My Department led a major consultation exercise with children and young people in the care of the State over the course of 2010. Over 200 children and young people took part in consultation sessions. The aims and objectives of the consultations were to get the views of children and young people in the care of the State on the issues that really matter to them and on which they would like to be heard; to explore existing mechanisms for children and young people to express their views and to make recommendations on future structures to be established for children and young people to express their views.
The Report of the consultation, entitled ‘Listen To Our Voices' was launched by me last July, when I indicated that I would be establishing an Implementation Group. The Voice of Children in Care Implementation Group was established in May 2012 and is being facilitated by my Department. The Group will meet over a nine month period, to consider the recommendations from the ‘Listen to Our Voices' consultations and work on implementation of recommendations relevant to ensuring that their voices are heard.
121 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on negotiations with the Ethiopian authorities in respect of inter-country adoptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27598/12]
Adoptions from Ethiopia, effected under the transitional arrangements provided for in the Adoption Act 2010, are ongoing and are currently being examined, and recognised, by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). These transitional arrangements may lead to adoptions from Ethiopia taking place up to the end of October 2012. The Adoption Act 2010 also contains provision for a one year extension to declarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt which may lead to a one year extension to this date.
Ethiopia is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. In these circumstances, adoptions from Ethiopia which are not covered by the transitional arrangements referred to above would require a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Ethiopia. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on inter-country adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010 which states that "the Authority, with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into discussions with any non-contracting state concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement with that State.” Any bilateral arrangements which might be entered into would be required by law to meet the minimum standards set out in the Hague Convention.
A delegation from the Adoption Authority visited Ethiopia in April and held exploratory meetings with the Ethiopian authorities regarding the system of adoption which operates in that country. The delegation, in the course of its visit, held preliminary discussions with the Ethiopian authorities around the potential for a bilateral agreement on inter-country adoption. The Authority submitted its initial report which summarises the conclusions and recommendations of the delegation's visit on the 21st of May. In addition, the Embassy in Ethiopia recently submitted a detailed background note on inter-country adoption in Ethiopia, which officials in my Department are considering in conjunction with the AAI report. The AAI has stated that it is seeking further legal advice in Ethiopia on whether adoptions there are full or simple adoptions. The Authority indicated that it will contact me again once it has received this legal advice and has completed its consideration of the matter.
122 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress that has been made to date in respect of advancing the possibility of inter-country adoptions between Ireland and Kazakhstan; if the Adoption Authority of Ireland has reached any agreement with Kazakhstan authorities to advance this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27632/12]
With effect from 1 November 2010, inter-country adoptions can be effected with other countries which have ratified the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption (the Hague Adoption Convention) or with countries with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. Kazakhstan has ratified the Convention.
Over the past 18 months the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) has written to its counterpart Central Authority in Kazakhstan on three separate occasions to begin the process of developing an administrative agreement for inter-country adoption. To date there has been no reply from the Kazakhstani authorities to any of the contacts made by the AAI. The Authority continues to indicate that it is open to discussing the issue of inter-country adoptions with its Kazakhstani counterparts at any time, and the most recent correspondence from the AAI was in March of this year. I understand that an official of the Irish Embassy in Moscow has now presented the copy correspondence to, and raised the issue of inter-country adoption with, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kazakhstan. I understand the Kazakhstani authorities hosted a meeting on inter-country adoption on the 11th of May. I would like to point out that at no stage were the AAI, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs or the Embassy contacted by the Kazakhstani authorities regarding the meeting. While it is, of course, a matter for each country to decide with whom it co-operates, as soon as the issue came to the attention of my Department, official contact was made with the Embassy in Moscow in this regard. The Embassy officials in Moscow are endeavouring to secure feedback from this meeting to assess its relevance for progress towards an administrative agreement on inter-country adoption between Ireland and Kazakhstan
The Embassy has been asked to request information from the relevant authorities on the position for Irish couples hoping to adopt from Kazakhstan as soon as possible. In the interim the AAI is currently completing a review of Kazakhstan's adoption legislation.
123 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when regular respite will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27565/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
124 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the remit of the Irish Medicines Board to cover the regulation of distributors in situations where implants are involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27579/12]
Implants are regulated as medical devices. The regulatory framework for medical devices is set down in EU legislation which has been transposed into Irish law. Under the EU regulatory framework, medical devices may be placed on the market anywhere in the EU following certification by a notified body.
While the EU regulatory framework does not make specific provision regarding the regulation of distributors, there are obligations on manufacturers to have systems in place to ensure traceability of medical devices.
The regulatory framework for medical devices is currently being reviewed by the EU Commission. I understand that the revision, due to be published in September, will contain proposals in relation to the regulation of distributors. My Department, in conjunction with the Irish Medicines Board, has undertaken work on this issue and is currently awaiting publication of the EU proposals to ensure that any national legislation put in place is consistent with future EU regulation of medical device distributors.
125 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if the test strips that are used along with the CoaguChek XS machine to test for blood coagulation levels can be made available on the general medical card and drugs payments scheme in view of the fact that they have to be bought weekly by persons with blood coagulation problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27580/12]
The HSE is assessing the potential of new technologies for the management of blood coagulation levels which may impact upon the requirement for regular testing of the kind referred to by the Deputy.
126 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be transferred to a hospital for medical treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27582/12]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including the management of referrals from GPs by hospitals. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.
127 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be issued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [27589/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
128 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reasons behind the decision to locate the National Ambulance Control Centre in a new building in Tallaght, Dublin, as opposed to using an existing site, such as that in Tullamore; if the Tullamore, County Offaly site was considered in the decision making process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27594/12]
129 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the costs associated with the opening of the National Ambulance Control Centre in Tallaght, County Dublin; the extent to which equipment available from existing control centres has and will be used; the cost savings associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27595/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
130 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times in respect of ear, nose and throat appointments for children at a hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27596/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
131 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Health the legislative proposals he is working on in respect of improving standards in the level of care in the home care sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27600/12]
All relevant implications arising from this proposal will obviously have to be taken into account including for example, The Law Reform Commission's recent report, entitledLegal Aspects of Professional Home Care, which in itself is a follow up to its 2009 consultation paper Legal Aspects of Carers.
Primary legislation and resources will be required for the introduction of a statutory regulation system for home care services. The question of possible changes to legislation, including regulation and inspection, for Home Care services for older people is at present under consideration. The Department is examining this matter in the overall context of the licensing of Health Care providers. Legislation is currently being prepared and various options are being considered, including the complex legal issues involved, and the need to prioritise legislation across the Social Care area overall.
I wish to emphasise that statutory regulation or licensing is only one way of improving the safety and quality of services and that other measures have or are being taken to improve the standards of Home Support services delivered by, or on behalf of, the Health Service Executive (HSE). This approach is reflected in the agreed HSE Service Plan 2012, and includes a new publicProcurement Framework for Home Care services (with quality and screening requirements); new National Quality Guidelines for Home Care Support Services, and new National Home Help Guidelines.
These various measures, taken together, have been designed to improve relevant aspects of HSE Home Care provision nationally, pending progression of the legislative proposals raised by the Deputy.
132 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reason the decision was taken to refuse a full medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) if he will review this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27624/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
133 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a mobility allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27628/12]
I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) replied to the Deputy on 23rd May 2012 in response to the Deputy's earlier question. As this is a service matter. have requested that the HSE provide a further update directly to the Deputy.
134 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if under clinical care and chronic illness programme a paediatric clinic nurse specialist for children with diabetes can be funded for Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, in view of the fact that the number accessing the service are in excess of the recommended number there for such a position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27630/12]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
135 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the proposed children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27657/12]
As you will be aware, I have established an independent Review Group to consider the implications of the decision of An Bórd Pleanála, received on 23 February 2012, to reject the planning application for the proposed construction of a national paediatric hospital on the site of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. The aim of the Review is to consider all the possible options for the earliest possible delivery of a new children's hospital and the Group will present its findings on each of the possible options for my consideration. I will await the completion of the Group's work before making any further comment on the matter.
136 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if home help hours will be increased in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will investigate this matter and insist on a response from the Health Service Executive; if he will confirm if it is his policy to remove such supports from patients who require them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27658/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
137 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27661/12]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
138 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health if a doctor whose patient is in a nursing home receives extra money for that patient; if so, the amount of same; in that case, should they be required to attend to that person on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27663/12]
In accordance with the Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to General Practitioners) Regulations 2010 (Statutory strument No. 638 of 2010), a General Practitioner (GP) receives an annual capitation payment of €448.04 where his/her medical card or GP visit card patient aged 70 years or more is residing in a private nursing home (approved by the HSE) for continuous periods in excess of 5 weeks. GPs receive an annual capitation payment of €280.31 where his/her medical card or GP visit card patient aged 70 years or more is residing in the community.
Under Section 1 of the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, a medical practitioner shall provide services or arrange for the provision of services in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract for all eligible persons on his/her GMS list of eligible persons as approved by the HSE and who have not been notified to him/her by the HSE as having ceased to be on his/her list, regardless of whether they live in the community or in a private nursing home.
Under Section 11 of the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, a GP is required to provide the eligible patients on his/her GMS list with all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess. This section of the contract also states that the medical practitioner shall accept clinical responsibility for persons on his/her list who need medical treatment and treat them or, when the clinical condition is such that it is appropriate to transfer them to appropriate consultant care, do so and accept clinical responsibility for them on becoming aware of their discharge from consultant care.
In addition, the medical practitioner shall also make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with him or his/her locum/deputy outside normal hours for urgent cases in respect of which a separate out-of-hours fee is payable, e.g. €45 for an out-of-hours domiciliary visit.
139 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be given an appointment to see an orthopaedic surgeon at Merlin Park Hospital, Galway; the reason for the delay in appointments; his views in relation to such delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27684/12]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including the management of referrals from GPs by hospitals. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.
140 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will engage with his counterpart in Northern Ireland, to see if greater harmony of cross-Border road signage can be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27571/12]
Discussions on road safety feature regularly at the Transport Sector of the North-South Ministerial Council and progress continues to be made in relation to cross border road safety issues. The area which has been most successful in terms of co-operation relates to the development of joint road safety advertising campaigns. While each jurisdiction has different road numbering and, in some instances, traffic signage every effort will be made to seek consistency where possible between the traffic signage in the two jurisdictions in respect of destinations.
Some major difficulties exist in relation to the harmonisation of road signage. For instance, Section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 requires text to be displayed both in English and Irish on all road traffic signage in this country. Currently Northern Ireland is only required to display English text which allows them to fit more destinations on a single sign. Another point to note, is that the Road Traffic Act 2004 provided for the changeover from imperial speed limits to metric speed limits and this is reflected in the road signage in our jurisdiction. Northern Ireland still use only imperial speed limits.
141 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Irish Rail will lengthen the time that passengers can book in advance online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27581/12]
The issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail and I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
142 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in view of the nine year rule for drivers of taxis and hackneys, it is the case that, under the current provisions for same, a holder of a licence issued after 1 January 2009 who is required to replace a car between nine and 14 years old could sell this car to another licence holder, with a licence issued before 1 January 2009, who would then be entitled to use this same car as a taxi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27635/12]
143 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason it is intended to phase out vehicles that are more than nine years old from the taxi fleet; the further reason vehicles more than nine years that have passed a national car test are still deemed unroadworthy; his views on whether the NCT is an adequate means of testing the road worthiness of cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27636/12]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
The regulation of the taxi industry, including issues pertaining to vehicle age limit, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). As to the specific case mentioned by the Deputy, I have arranged for your question to be forwarded to the NTA for a direct response. If you do not receive a response within ten working days, please notify my private office.
A public consultation was carried out by the NTA last year concerning vehicle standards, including vehicle age, and the outcome of the consultation was made available to the Taxi Regulation Review Group. Action 10 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report proposes that existing vehicles in the fleet prior to 1st January 2009, should be allowed to operate until they are 14 years of age, subject to passing a roadworthiness test and an NTA Licence Renewal Assessment at six monthly intervals for vehicle nine years or older. This approach will give licence holders time to adjust to the new arrangements and will work out cheaper than replacing the car outright as was proposed previously. It is hoped that the 6-monthly NCT testing of these vehicles will be commenced in tandem with new vehicle standards to be introduced by the NTA, in January 2013.
It is envisaged that vehicles older than nine years will gradually transition out of the fleet. In considering matters relating to vehicle standards, the Review Group was conscious of the need to ensure an effective balance between the provision of a high quality and safe service to the public and the interests of taxi drivers with a long-term commitment to the industry.
144 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the rights and needs of children have been considered in terms of traffic law; his plans to introduce home zone or play street legislation as is operated in countries such as Holland whereby pedestrians enjoy the full use of the road, and a motorist entering such a street must drive at a walking speed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27652/12]
Consideration regarding the use of our public roads by all vulnerable road users, including children, is given when providing for road traffic legislation. In that context, road authorities are empowered by Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994, in consultation with the Garda Commissioner and in the interest of the safety and convenience of road users, to provide traffic calming measures or low speed zones on public roads. In the case of national roads, such measures may not be provided without the consent of the National Roads Authority.
In implementing traffic calming measures or low speed zones on public roads in areas deemed appropriate by local authorities, reference must be made to the "Guidelines for the Application of Special Speed Limits" as issued by my Department to all local authorities on 18 April 2005 pursuant to section 9(9) of the Road Traffic Act 2004. It should be noted that the lowest maximum speed limit that can be applied under the Road Traffic Acts in this country is a special speed limit of 30 km/h and the making of speed limit bye-laws is a reserved function of the local authority. This special speed limit needs to be self-enforcing through use of traffic calming and engineering measures, such as those utilised in ‘home zone' areas.
145 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the initiatives being developed, or that exist to reduce child pedestrian deaths in view of the context that these are currently the second highest in the EU; if he has considered the association between social deprivation among children and injury from traffic; the measures he is taking to counteract this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27653/12]
I am concerned about the number of pedestrian deaths and, particularly, child pedestrian deaths on our roads. My Department is in regular contact with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in relation to the possible initiatives that might be taken to improve the situation.
The RSA undertakes initiatives regarding all aspects of road safety, including the reduction of child pedestrian deaths and research into any causal association between social deprivation among children and injury from traffic. I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for a more detailed reply. She should advise my private office if she does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
