Written Answers Nos. 302-320
303. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the relocation of staff from Convent Road, Roscommon to Golf Links Road, Roscommon will be completed by the Office of Public Works; his plans for the occupation of the vacant space on the Convent Road; his plans for the occupation of the vacant space on the Golf Links Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3033/13]
View answerThe relocation of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s staff from Convent Road to Golf Links Road in Roscommon Town will be complete by early February 2013, following which this building will be practically fully occupied. The space vacated in Convent Road, as a result of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s move, has been allocated to the Department of Social Protection and An Garda Siochana. It is also envisaged that some extra space will be allocated to the Department of Education and Skills (NEPS). Any residual space, after these moves, is being considered for the Health Service Executive.
304. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made to date on the amalgamation of the Valuation Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Property Registration Authority, PRA; if decisions have been made on the location at which staff are to be accommodated; if staff will be relocated to vacant PRA offices in Roscommon town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3035/13]
View answerFollowing a critical review of the merger of the Valuation Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Property Registration Authority undertaken in 2012 as part of the Public Service Reform Plan, the Government has decided to proceed with this merger. The Department of Justice which is leading on this particular merger project has set up a working group to progress this merger. This working group will be dealing with the types of issues raised by the Deputy in his question.
305. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made in accelerating the programme of revaluation of commercial premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51811/12]
View answerIn accordance with the Valuation Act, 2001, which came into force on 2nd May, 2002, a national programme, under the direction of the Commissioner of Valuation, is being rolled out progressively for the revaluation of all commercial and industrial properties in the State. The revaluation programme which has been completed in three County Council areas in Dublin began in November 2005 in the South Dublin County Council area and has since been rolled out to the areas covered by Fingal and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils. The revaluation of South Dublin was completed in December 2007, Fingal was completed in 2009 and Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown was completed in 2010. The revaluation of Dublin City Council area began in May 2011 and will be completed in 2013. The Commissioner signed valuation orders for Waterford on 12th December, 2011 and Limerick on 29th March, 2012. The Waterford and Limerick revaluations will be completed in 2013 and 2014 respectively. At that stage, approximately 33% of all rateable properties in the country, representing over 50% of the national valuation base in monetary terms, will have been revalued. It is intended to extend the revaluation programme to further local authority areas as soon as it is practicable to do so but it is not possible at present to say where these areas will be. The Commissioner of Valuation, in accordance with the Act, consults with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and with the rating authority concerned before making an order.
306. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has met the trade unions recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54228/12]
View answerThe Taoiseach and I met with the Implementation Body for the Public Service Agreement last October as part of the process to discuss proposals for achieving further savings and reforms from the Agreement. The Body comprises of representatives of public service trade unions and public service management. In addition, on foot of an invitation by Government, I met with representatives of the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in December last regarding the commencement of discussions with public service management on a new agenda for reductions in the cost of delivering public services and substantial longer term productivity improvements and workplace reforms. This new agenda is aimed at achieving additional savings of €1 billion in the pay and pensions bill between 2013 and 2015. Intensive engagement, facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission, has now commenced between the parties to the discussions and will continue over the coming weeks. This process will allow for the impact of any changes on individual public servants and on their workplace to be explored, so that public servants have the fullest information to help them decide in any ballot. Outside of this current process, I also hold periodic meetings with trade union leaders and officials of my Department meet with stakeholders including representatives of public service trade unions on a regular basis
307. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will itemise all vacant properties held by the State that are subject to lease terms; if he will supply the terms of all such leases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51773/12]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works currently hold two vacant leases. These are as follows:
1. Ballymun former Garda Station, annual rent €3,175.
2. Cork Centrepark House, Floor 3, Annual rent €43,940.
308. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the new procedures the Government have introduced for appointments to State boards. [3578/13]
View answerIn accordance with the Government’s decision, the new procedures for appointment to State Boards dictate that expressions of interest are invited from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies and Agencies operating under the Department’s aegis. Persons being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of State Bodies/Agencies may be required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee to discuss the approach which they will take to their role as chairperson and their views about the future contribution of the body or Board in question and, following that discussion, decisions will be taken by either the Government or a Minister, as appropriate, to confirm the nominee as chairperson.
309. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on whether there is need for a review or a change in current consumer protection legislation following the decision to put a company (details supplied) into examinership resulting in gift vouchers in that company's name not currently been honoured by its stores here. [3010/13]
View answerMy thoughts are both with the workers across the country as they face this uncertain situation and the consumers who have been unable to redeem gift vouchers. My understanding is that this situation has arisen due to difficulties across its operations in the UK and Ireland, caused by dramatic changes in the way music and films are bought and sold. As it operates in the domestic market, this company is not supported by the State's enterprise agencies. Clearly, my hope is that jobs can be saved.
Consumers who purchased vouchers using payment cards from companies that subsequently go out of business may be able to recover the amount spent on the gift voucher under the charge back rule. Such consumers should contact their card issuer. With a view to prioritising the interests of taxpayers and employees of insolvent companies, Irish company law provides a ranking of creditors, which determines the order in which different types of creditors are paid in the event of an insolvency. Holders of gift vouchers in an insolvency situation are considered unsecured creditors, and rank after other creditors such as the Revenue on behalf of the taxpayer and employees. I consider that this priority accorded to taxpayers and employees is correct, and as such I have no plans currently to alter this ranking.
310. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding company registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3029/13]
View answerThe Companies Registration Office received the application to register a Business Name referred to by the Deputy on 8 January 2013. Following processing of the information received, the Business Name was registered on 17 January 2013. The applicant should receive a certificate of registration of the Business Name in the post this week. The processing time of this application was within the Companies Registration Office customer service targets for the registration of a Business Name which are as follows:
- Registration of Business Name application form (RBN1) received & data entered within 72 hours;
- Scanned within another 24 hours normally and 72 hours at peaks, and
- Registered within 5 days of scanning normally or 15 days at peak times;
In general Business Names are registered by the Companies Registration Office within 10 days of receipt of the fully completed application.
311. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created by Industrial Development Agency supported companies that have been filled by the reallocation of existing employees and the number recruited from out of State for each year since 2007. [2400/13]
View answerThe Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are supported by the industrial development agencies. The Survey does not track the data sought by the Deputy. However, it should be noted that there is free movement of labour within the European Economic Area (EEA) and persons recruited from outside the EEA must comply with Employment Permit Legislation.
312. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the Social Justice Ireland report that stated Ireland is behind targets agreed with the EU on job creation as agreed as part of Europe strategy 2010, particularly with reference to the method of calculation that was used by the EU in the creation of these targets; the way that Ireland compares to other jurisdictions in the EU in this respect, and if he will pinpoint the difficulties that Ireland is having in its achievement of these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2424/13]
View answerThe Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth sets a target of 75% of 20-64 year olds in employment by 2020. The headline Europe 2020 target is focused on employed persons aged 20 to 64 as a percentage of the population aged 20 to 64. Member States may set their own national targets in the light of the headline Europe 2020 target taking into account their relative starting positions and national circumstances and draw up national reform programmes setting out the actions they aim to undertake in order to implement the strategy.
As noted in the Social Justice Ireland report "Ireland and the Europe 2020 Strategy," Ireland’s National Reform Programme 2011 set an employment rate target range for Ireland of 69%-71% for 2020. The NRP also stated that the target level of ambition would be reviewed in 2014 in the context of the mid-term review of the Europe 2020 strategy. Ireland’s employment rate for 20-64yrs rose from 66.4% in 1998 to a peak of 73.8% in 2007. This growth was underpinned by rapid increases in employment, particularly in sectors such as construction, financial services, health and education, and was assisted by long term positive increases in educational attainment and higher female participation. Moreover, this increase in the employment rate occurred while the 20-64 years population was itself growing rapidly – from 2.12 million in 1998 to 2.74 million on 2007.
Ireland’s employment rate 20-64yrs averaged 63.8% in 2011. The rate at Q3 2012 was also 63.8%. The main factors underpinning the decline since 2007 are the decrease in the construction sector, agriculture, industry (traditional manufacturing) and locally traded services. In contrast to the period of strong labour market performance up to mid-2008, labour markets throughout the EU experienced a sharp setback in 2009. After several years of relatively strong labour market performance, the economic crisis led to a sudden reversal of employment growth which threatened to sweep away much of the success of previous years. Labour market performance worsened across all Member States, but most notably in the Baltic States, Ireland and Spain. Most Member States have since recorded an employment level below that of four years ago. The EU Employment Guidelines and the EU employment targets, which are non-binding, have remained unchanged since 2010 and the European Council has declined to make small changes in the targets in order to 'engineer' or 'fine-tune' them given the high degree of uncertainty in labour market projections.
The Action Plan for Jobs is the Government’s main policy response to supporting job creation. The Action Plan is a multi-annual process that commenced in 2012, with 270 specific commitments across all Government Departments and 36 agencies that will help to support jobs growth.
In spite of a very difficult domestic and external economic environment, we are beginning to see the positive impact of the Government’s policies. 2012 saw significant net job creation by EI and IDA-supported companies, building on the positive results of 2011 and following successive years of significant net job losses. In spite of continued job losses in more traditional sectors such as Construction, and Financial, Insurance and Administrative activities, we have seen an increase in employment in sectors targeted by the Action Plan for Jobs, for example Tourism Agri-food, ICT and Digital Gaming. I am currently coordinating the preparation of the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs on behalf of the Government and this Plan will be published in the coming weeks.
313. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will detail the amounts of regional aid that can be applied for in the south-east region and if they are less than those in regions with lower levels of unemployment. [2470/13]
View answerThe maximum aid rates for the South East NUTS 3 Sub Region are 10% for large companies, and 20% and 30% for medium and small firms respectively. The only area with higher aid rates is the Border Midlands and West (BMW) NUTS 2 Region. The maximum aid rates available for large firms in the BMW region from 2007-2010 were 30%; for medium and small firms the rates they were 40% and 50% respectively. For the period 2011-2013 maximum aid rates available for large firms are 15%; for medium and small firms the rates they are 25% and 35% respectively.
The reason for the higher rates in the BMW region is due to it being classified under the Regional Aid Guidelines at the time of designation in 2006 as an “economic development region”. This status was due to the region having the category of an ‘A’ region in the 2000-2006 map. ‘A’ regions are those with GDP of less than 75% of the EU average. The unemployment rates included in the CSO Quarter 3 2012 National Quarterly Household Survey were 16.7% for the BMW NUTS 2 Region and 19.4% for the South East NUTS 3 Sub Region.
314. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way the regional or investment aid thresholds for different regions were calculated for the 2007-2013 period. [2471/13]
View answer315. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amendments to the regional aid map that have been made from the period 2007 to date; and the rationale behind those amendments. [2472/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 315 together.
Under the terms of the 2007-2013 Regional Aid Guidelines, Ireland notified the Commission of its Regional Aid Map on 13 July 2006. The aid intensity thresholds for each category of region are predetermined in the Guidelines by the Commission. The purpose of regional aid is to support investment and job creation and encourage firms to set up new establishments in Europe's most disadvantaged regions. As a result, the thresholds reduce on a sliding scale basis, with the highest rates available to the most severely disadvantaged or geographically isolated regions of the EU.
Under the Guidelines, the Mid-West NUTS 3 sub-region lost the right to grant investment aid to large firms at the end of 2008. Following a Mid-term Review in 2010, the Commission accepted a case for the restoration of regional investment aid to the Mid-West sub region on the basis of the rapid increase in unemployment, exacerbated by the job losses in Dell and also the lower GDP per capita figures when compared to the national average and other comparable regions. This means that aid for large investment projects is again allowed for the counties in the Mid-West sub region (Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary) at an aid rate of 10%.
The details of the support in terms of aid intensity currently available for each county are available on my Department's website, and are also listed in the following tables.
Regional Aid Map 2007-2013 – IRELAND (as reviewed by Commission Decision
N130/2010 – Official Journal c 226/5 21.8.2010)
BORDER, MIDLANDS and WEST REGION
|
LARGE FIRMS |
MEDIUM FIRMS |
SMALL FIRMS |
||||
|
Period |
2007-2010 |
2011-2013 |
2007-2010 |
2011-‘13 |
2007-‘10 |
2011-‘13 |
|
Aid Rate (Gross Grant Equivalent) |
30% |
15% |
40% |
25% |
50% |
35% |
SOUTHERN & EASTERN REGION
|
Designated Areas |
LARGE FIRMS |
MEDIUM FIRMS |
SMALL FIRMS |
|||
|
South East sub region (Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, South Tipperary) and designated islands1 |
2007-2013 |
2007-2013 |
2007-2013 |
|||
|
10% |
20% |
30% |
||||
|
2007-2008 |
2009-2013 |
2007-2013 |
2007-2013 |
|||
|
Mid West (Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary2) Kerry, Cork Urban Regeneration Area |
10% |
20% |
30% |
|||
|
10% |
0% |
20%3 |
30%3 |
|||
|
Cork (apart from Urban Regeneration Area) |
10% |
0% |
2007-2008 |
2009-2013 |
2007-2008 |
2009-2013 |
|
20% |
0% |
30% |
0% |
|||
Lower aid rates apply to Large Investment Projects (i.e. > €50 million)
1Bear, Cleire, Dursey, Heir, Long, Sherkin, Whiddy
2As a result of Commission Decision N 130/2010, large investment aid and aid for investment projects with eligible expenditure exceeding EUR 25 million is once again permitted for these three counties. Prior to the decision, such aid had only been allowed up until the end of 2008.
3From 2009-2013 no aid may be awarded in these counties for investment projects with eligible expenditure exceeding €25 million.
316. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the plans he has to divert foreign direct investment into the regions of the country that are suffering from high levels of unemployment. [2473/13]
View answerIDA Ireland has statutory responsibility to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Ireland. During 2012, with IDA’s support, a number of companies made significant investments in locations outside of Dublin and Cork. Paypal announced 1,000 jobs in Dundalk, Abbott announced 175 jobs in Sligo, Mylan announced 200 jobs in Galway, Allergan announced 200 jobs in Westport and Northern Trust announced 400 jobs in Limerick. Last week Visticon announced that it was investing over €100million in the expansion of its manufacturing operations in Limerick with the creation of 100 new highly skilled manufacturing jobs and 200 temporary construction jobs. All of these announcements augur well for regional economic development throughout Ireland.
IDA Ireland has indicated that, in seeking to attract FDI to Ireland, it recognises that leading global corporations require a significant population pool, access to qualified talent, world class physical and digital infrastructure in addition to the availability of sophisticated professional and business support services. Accordingly, in order to achieve regional economic development, IDA prioritises the marketing of Gateway locations within each Region as the locations of critical mass and highlights the opportunities provided by Hub locations which are within commuting distances of these Gateways. During 2012, as part of its marketing activities, IDA Ireland began an online marketing initiative, “Connect & Invest”, to showcase the unique attributes of each region to international clients. In addition, IDA also promotes other locations as part of its marketing efforts in response to specific client requirements.
A key component of a Gateway Economic Region’s value proposition are the existing industry clusters which originated with the arrival of several large multinational companies through the support of IDA Ireland and which, in turn, create the development of an indigenous sub-supply base assisted, in some cases, by Enterprise Ireland. A number of these Irish-owned companies, particularly in the Life Sciences Sector, have since become significant international players in their own right. These clusters are primarily located in Gateway locations.
IDA Ireland has also explained that, typically, a company is shown three or four locations within a Gateway Economic Region that can meet its requirements. In certain cases other locations are visited on an opportunistic basis. In selecting locations to market to client companies, IDA Ireland also endeavours to include locations which have been affected by closures/job losses. Whilst IDA Ireland seeks to influence the selection of a location, the final decision on where to locate is taken in all cases by the client company based on its business requirements.
317. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to set up a hardship fund to help small and medium businesses survive current economic difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2534/13]
View answerGovernment actions to support the development of Irish business in the current economic climate have been set out in the Action Plan for Jobs 2012 and are targeted in a manner to address real business difficulties. The Action Plan for Jobs 2012 was particularly focused in relation to assisting the small business sector to cope with the current economic crisis and to prepare businesses for future growth and job creation. Various initiatives were introduced during 2012 such as:
- Legislation to reform statutory wage setting mechanisms;
- A reduction or freezing of charges levied on business by Government across a large range of Government Departments and Agencies;
- The enactment of the Legal Services Bill which will place downward pressure on insurance costs;
- The €90m Microenterprise Loan Fund Scheme;
- The €450m Credit Guarantee Scheme;
- The €120m second call under Innovation Fund Ireland;
- The €150m Development Capital Scheme;
- The development of a new Small and Micro Business Division within Enterprise Ireland (EI) as a centre of excellence in the provision of supports to the small and micro-enterprise sectors; and
- The establishment of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to provide a “First-stop-shop” for small businesses with Local Authorities.
In December 2012, I published the Companies Bill which will result in substantial improvements to the ease of doing business in Ireland and will implement a series of major reforms to reduce red tape and make it easier and cheaper to run a company. It will save businesses across Ireland many millions of euro in reduced professional fees, compliance costs and red tape, and will ultimately make it easier to create jobs. Furthermore, small companies will be able to apply to the Circuit Court for Examinership which means that it will be cheaper and easier for businesses to restructure their debts.
The Action Plan for Jobs 2013, which will be published shortly, will continue to support SMEs by way of a whole of Government approach to taking action and implementing reform, to ensure that the business environment is conducive to business survival through the current difficulties, growing and expanding business and providing fresh job opportunities.
318. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of immediate or extended family members employed by his Department; the names and remuneration in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2902/13]
View answerThere are no immediate or extended family members employed by my Department.
319. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will report on the new procedures the Government have introduced for appointments to State boards. [3577/13]
View answerIn April 2011 the Government decided to put in place new arrangements for making appointments to State Boards and bodies. The new arrangements were as follows:
- Departments will invite expressions of interest in vacancies on Bodies under their aegis;
- Ministers will not necessarily be confined to those who express an interest but will ensure that all appointees have relevant qualifications; and,
- Those who are being proposed for appointment as Chairpersons of State Boards will be required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee to discuss the approach they will take as chairperson and their views about the future contribution of the body or board in question.
When a vacancy arises on any of the boards of Agencies or Bodies under the aegis of my Department, (other than a vacancy which falls to be filled in a specific manner for example an Office holder, or on the nomination of a specified nominating body) expressions of interest are invited by the Public Appointments Service and on my Department’s website.
Since April 2011, My Department has held three expressions of interest campaigns for vacancies on the boards of Agencies under the aegis of the Department, In June 2011, expressions of interest were sought for board vacancies in the IDA, National Consumer Agency, Shannon Development and the National Standards Authority of Ireland.
In May 2012, Expressions of interest were sought for board vacancies in Enterprise Ireland, Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) and the Personal Injuries Assessment Board.
The most recent invitation for expressions of interest was held in October 2012 and sought applications for board vacancies in Science Foundation Ireland, the National Standards Authority of Ireland and the National Consumer Agency.
Since these procedures were introduced in April 2011 the following appointments have been made to Agencies under the aegis of the Department.
Members of Boards under the aegis of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Appointed
Enterprise Ireland
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of Appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
Amanda Pratt |
Executive Director of Avoca |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
*see attached note |
- |
|
Clare Dunne |
Assistant Secretary, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation |
Ministerial |
No |
No |
*see attached note |
- |
|
Colum Horgan |
President of the Ireland Chapter of the Project Management Institute, co-founder director of AspiraCon |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
*see attached note |
- |
|
Geoff Meagher |
Management Consultant, Former Deputy Group Managing Director/ Group Finance Director Glanbia plc |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
*see attached note |
- |
*In accordance with Section 9 of the Industrial Development Act, (Enterprise Ireland) 1998, on each anniversary of the
establishment day (23rd July, 1998), two members of the Board (other than the chairperson and the chief executive officer)
shall retire from office. The members to retire in any year shall be those who have been longest in office since their appointment.
InterTradeIreland
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of Appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
Thomas Hunter McGowan (CEO) |
Former Kildare County Council |
Nominated by Ministers North and South and approved by NSMC |
No |
Yes |
22/07/2017 |
No requirement |
|
Martin Cronin (Chair) |
Former CEO of Forfás |
Nominated by Minister and approved by NSMC |
No |
No |
12/12/2015 |
- |
|
Brendan Butler |
IBEC Director |
Nominated by Minister and approved by NSMC |
Yes in 2011 |
No |
12/12/2015 |
_ |
|
Patricia McKeown |
ICTU Representative |
Nominated by Minister and approved by NSMC |
Yes in 2011 |
No |
12/12/2015 |
_ |
|
Kevin Norton |
CEO, Basta Parsons |
Nominated by Minister and approved by NSMC |
No |
No |
12/12/2015 |
_ |
|
Mairead Sorensen |
Chair, Butlers Chocolates |
Nominated by Minister and approved by NSMC |
No |
No |
12/12/2015 |
_ |
|
John Corbett |
HR Director, CRH Plc |
Nominated by Minister and approved by NSMC |
No |
No |
12/12/2015 |
_ |
Personal Injuries Assessment Board
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
Breda Power |
Assistant Secretary, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation |
Nominated by Minister |
No |
No |
25/10/2016 |
- |
|
Martin Naughton |
ICTU Representative |
Nominated by Minister |
No |
No |
04/04/2017 |
- |
|
Dr. Fionnuala O'Loughlin |
Nominated by Minister |
No |
Yes |
31/07/2015 |
- |
|
|
John Lynch |
Nominated by Minister |
No |
Yes |
31/07/2015 |
- |
|
|
Anne Fitzgerald |
CEO National Consumer Agency |
Office Holder designated under the act |
No |
No |
- |
No |
|
Sean Murphy |
Acting CEO National Consumer Agency |
Office Holder designated under the act |
No |
No |
- |
No |
|
Bernard Sheridan |
Consumer Director Financial Regulator |
Consumer Director Financial Regulator on Board as per PIAB Act (2003 Act Sec 56:6) |
No |
No |
26/01/2013 |
- |
Forfás
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
Eoin O'Driscoll (Chairman) |
Chairman Southwestern |
Ministerial |
No |
No |
End of 2014 |
No |
|
Professor Mark Ferguson |
Director General of SFI |
Ex Officio |
No |
No |
06/01/2017 |
- |
|
Barry O'Leary |
CEO of IDA |
Ex Officio |
Yes Jan 2013 |
No |
31/12/2014 |
- |
|
John Murphy |
Secretary General, DJEI |
Ministerial |
No |
No |
- |
*The membership of the Forfas Board was reduced to an executive style board, with effect from 5th October 2012, to
facilitate the integration of Forfas with the Department. The remaining Board members will continue in situ, to oversee
the integration process.
National Standards Authority of Ireland
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
Terry Landers |
Standards Officer, Microsoft |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
*see attached note |
- |
|
Barbara O'Leary |
Environmental Protection Agency Manager |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
*see attached note |
- |
|
Anne Clarke |
Staff Representative |
Staff Rep by lot |
No |
No |
*see attached note |
- |
|
Kieran Cox |
Staff Representative |
Staff Rep by lot |
No |
No |
*see attached note |
- |
Health and Safety Authority
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
John Newham |
Principal Officer, DJEI |
Ministerial |
No |
No |
19/12/13 |
- |
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA)
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
Deirdre Behan |
Principal Officer, Revenue Commissioners |
Nominated by the Revenue Commissioners in accordance with the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 |
No |
No |
02/01/15 |
- |
|
Mairead Devine |
Head of Governance, Accounting & Auditing Policy, Central Bank |
Nominated by the Central Bank in accordance with the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 |
No |
No |
02/01/15 |
- |
|
Sean Hawkshaw |
Managing Director, KBC Asset Management Limited |
Nominated by the Irish Association of Investment Managers in accordance with the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 |
Yes 3 Jan 2012 |
No |
02/01/15 |
- |
|
Sylvia McNeece |
Head of Legal, The Pensions Board |
Nominated by the Pensions Board in accordance with the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 |
No |
No |
02/01/15 |
- |
|
Kevin O'Donovan |
Partner KPMG |
Nominated by the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies in accordance with the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 |
No |
No |
29/05/14 |
- |
|
Conor O'Mahony |
Principal Officer, Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement |
Nominated by the Director of Corporate Enforcement in accordance with the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 |
No |
No |
20/01/14 |
- |
|
Helen Hall |
Appointed following open competition run by PAS |
No |
Yes |
CEO Ex Officio member |
- |
|
|
David Martin |
Nominated by PAB and appointed in accordance with the 2003 Act |
No |
No |
Member |
- |
|
|
Bernadette McGroary- Farrell |
Nominated by PAB and appointed in accordance with the 2003 Act |
No |
No |
Member |
- |
|
|
Muireann O Neill |
Appointed following open competition and appointed in accordance with the 2003 Act |
No |
Yes |
Member |
- |
|
|
Mr Brendan Walsh |
Nominated and appointed by the Minister in accordance with the 2003 Act |
No |
Yes |
Chairperson |
Yes |
|
|
Paddy Keating |
Nominated by designated body and appopinted in accordance with the 2003 Act |
No |
No |
Member |
- |
|
|
Marie Daly |
Nominated by designated body and appopinted in accordance with the 2003 Act |
No |
No |
Member |
- |
Shannon Development
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
Stephen Curran |
Principal Officer, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation |
Ministerial |
No |
No |
April 2016 |
- |
National Consumer Agency
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
Sean Murphy |
Acting CEO National Consumer Agency |
Ministerial |
No |
No |
- |
No |
|
Isolde Goggin |
Chairperson, Competition Authority |
Ministerial |
No |
No |
*see attached note |
- |
|
Colleen Savage |
Business & Consumer Marketing Consultant, Savage Research |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
*see attached note |
- |
|
Eugene Gallagher |
Barrister |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
*see attached |
- |
|
Stephen Costello |
Chairperson, National Consumer Agency |
Ministerial |
Yes to ensure continuity in the run up to the merger of the NCA and Competition Authority |
No |
*see attached note |
No |
|
Robin O’Sullivan |
Chairman of O'Sullivan PR |
Ministerial |
Yes to ensure continuity in the run up to the merger of the NCA and Competition Authority |
No |
*see attached note |
No |
* Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act provides that on the anniversary of the establishment day of the Agency and
on each subsequent anniversary of that day, two members of the Agency (other than the chairperson and the CEO) shall retire from office. The section further provides that a member of the Agency (other than the CEO) shall serve for not more than 10 consecutive years.
IDA Ireland
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
Paul Duffy |
VP Operations Pfizer |
Ministerial |
No |
No |
December 2015 |
- |
|
Dermot Curran |
Assistant Secretary, DJEI |
Ministerial |
No |
No |
December 2016 |
- |
|
Alan W. Gray |
Managing Partner, Indecon |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
December 2016 |
- |
|
Mary Campbell |
Global Head of Personnel and Corporate Banking Deutsche Bank |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
December 2016 |
- |
|
Peter Cassels |
Chairperson of DHR Communications |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
December 2016 |
- |
Science Foundation Ireland
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
Professor Mark Ferguson |
Director General Science Foundation Ireland |
Ex Officio |
No |
No |
*see attached note |
- |
|
Dermot Curran |
Assistant Secretary, DJEI |
Ministerial |
No |
No |
*see attached note |
- |
|
Dr. Martina Newell – McLoughlin |
Director, University of California Systemwide Biotechnology, Research & Education Program |
Ministerial |
Yes |
No |
July 2013 |
- |
|
Dr. Rita Colwell |
Professor at University of Maryland + at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA + Chairperson of Canon US Life Sciences, Inc |
Ministerial |
No |
No |
*see attached note |
- |
|
Ms Mary Doyle |
Deputy Secretary General Department of Education and Skills |
Appointed as the nominee of Monoster Ruari Quinn in accordance with Section 8(5) of SFI legislation |
No |
No |
- |
*Section 9.3 of the 2003 Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Act 2003 determines that each year
(on anniversary of formal establishment of SFI – 25th July 2003) that the two longest serving members of the Board shall
retire from the Board with effect from July 24th each year. However, there is also a stipulation in the legislation that a member cannot serve more than ten years in succession.
Competition Authority
While it does not have a typical board structure, the Competition Authority consists of a Chairperson and up to four other members who act as an executive board. The Competition Acts 2002 to 2012 set out the requirements pertaining to appointments to the Authority. The Chairperson of the Authority is paid at a salary level equivalent to Deputy Secretary General Grade while members are paid a salary equivalent of the Assistant Secretary grade.
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
Isolde Goggin |
Chairperson, Competition Authority |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
30/09/2016 |
No |
|
Gerald Fitzgerald |
Member, Competition Authority |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
04/12/2016 |
- |
|
Stephen Calkins |
Member, Competition Authority |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
30/11/2016 |
- |
|
Patrick Kenny |
Member, Competition Authority |
Ministerial |
No |
Yes |
08/01/2017 |
- |
Labour Relations Commission
|
Membership |
Profession/Occupation |
Method of appointment |
Re-appointment |
Publicly Advertised |
Expiry of contract |
Appearance of Chairperson before Oireachtas Committee |
|
Breege O'Donoghue, Chairperson |
Business Executive |
Ministerial |
Yes |
No |
06/07/2013 |
No |
|
Kieran Mulvey |
CEO of Labour Relations Commission |
Ministerial |
Yes |
No |
Indefinite duration |
- |
|
Brendan McGinty |
IBEC Trade Union official |
Ministerial |
Yes |
No |
06/07/2013 |
- |
|
Fergus Whelan |
ICTU Trade Union official |
Ministerial |
Yes |
No |
06/07/2013 |
- |
|
Gerard Barry |
Former HSE Executive |
Ministerial |
Yes |
No |
06/07/2013 |
- |
|
Iarla Duffy |
Businessman |
Ministerial |
Yes |
No |
06/07/2013 |
- |
|
John Hennessy |
CEO Multinational |
Ministerial |
Yes |
No |
06/07/2013 |
- |
|
Peter McCloone |
Impact Trade Union official |
Ministerial |
Yes |
No |
06/07/2013 |
- |
320. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount spent on the design and roll out of Intreo the new public service brand for the one stop shop for employment services and welfare entitlements; what the redesign involved; the matters on which the money was spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2462/13]
View answerThe costs arising during the development of the new service identity related to the initial design, the design implementation (including signage), some translation costs, the cost of royalty free images and trademark search & registration. The costs to date, are approximately €153,235, which can be broken down as follows:
- Rebranding (Design development and implementation): €59,516;
- Promotional Activity (Information Leaflets): €19,417; and
- Signage (interior and exterior): €74,302.
Please note that the signage relates to 11 offices implemented in 2012. However, we are awaiting invoices for interior signage at 7 of these offices. A particular effort was made to keep costs down during the development of the new identity, through procuring services via public tender from various suppliers to ensure cost effectiveness.
