Written Answers Nos. 107-117
107. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he continues to hire retired teachers on paid contracts when so many young persons who want a career in teaching are finding it difficult to get work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9493/13]
View answerCircular 31/2011 details a cascade of measures for recruitment of teachers, prioritising unemployed registered teachers over retired registered teachers and registered teachers over unregistered persons. It is important to note that schools themselves employ teachers and not the Department of Education & Skills. Ultimately, the decision lies with the principal and/or board of management of the school.
Under the current Circulars, each principal must report to his or her board of management on a regular basis on the fact that a list of unemployed registered teachers is being maintained, and the circumstances in which he or she has had to engage a registered teacher in receipt of a pension under a public service pension scheme or an unregistered person. From January 2011 teachers who are in receipt of a pension and who return to teaching are remunerated at the first point of the relevant salary scales applicable to new entrants. This represents a significant financial disincentive for teachers who retired at the top of their salary scale, often with a post of responsibility allowance, to return to teaching.
108. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason Student Universal Support Ireland insists on obtaining financial accounts to accompany student grant applications from farms which are in receipt of the farm assist scheme, a payment which is only made to those families working on small low-income farms; if he will clarify the reason a statement from the Department of Social Protection detailing farm assist payment is not sufficient to enable the processing of the initial student grant application. [9501/13]
View answerThe assessment of means under my Department's student grant scheme is based on gross income from all sources. The means test arrangements of the student grant scheme are applied nationally. In the case of both employed and self-employed applicants, gross income is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded.
Eligibility for Farm Assist is determined and administered by the Department of Social Protection, in addition to wide range of other means tested schemes. While Farm Assist is a means-tested income support scheme for farmers and is similar to Jobseeker's Allowance, it has a different means test. My Department's statutory based Student Grant Scheme has its own particular qualifying terms and conditions. An applicant must provide the necessary documentation in order that the awarding authority may determine whether or not an applicant is eligible to receive a student grant.
109. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 6 June 2012 his views on whether the position adopted by his predecessor and outlined in that letter was varied in the case of six individuals mentioned in the reply to Question No. 156; if he will provide the names of those six persons and the name of the person who authorised the deviation from the former Minister's position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9528/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is personal information and I do not propose to make it available.
It was the agreement "Towards 2016" Ten Year Framework Social Partnership Agreement 2006 – 2015 which provided that all payments to teachers paid on the Department payrolls would be made electronically.
The agreement was contained in Section 31.22 titled " Rationalisation of Pay Arrangements".
110. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will publish the Revised Estimates volume; the reason for the delay in publishing same; if it will deviate significantly financially from the abridged volume published with the Estimates; if it will provide more detailed information or breakdown of the Estimates compared with 2012 and as provided in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9390/13]
View answerIt is my intention to publish the revised estimates for all Government Departments as soon as possible. As the Deputy is aware, negotiations are ongoing regarding the extension of the Croke Park Agreement and the revised estimates cannot be finalised until the negotiations have been completed, and the precise effects on the pay allocations for 2013 can be determined. Once agreement has been reached, the revised estimates will be presented to the House in the normal way and as soon as possible. In the interim, the Deputy will be aware that all Government Departments have legal authority under the Central Fund (Permanent Provisions) Act 1965 to spend funds up to the value of four-fifths of the previous year’s allocation until the revised estimates have been approved.
The Revised Estimates Volume (REV) 2013 will provide additional details and information in relation to the allocations contained in the 2013 Estimates as published on 5 December 2012 in the “Expenditure Report 2013”. While technical adjustments and re-allocations may occur in the REV, the overall aggregate figures will be in line with those published in the Expenditure Report 2013.
Furthermore, the REV will set out key performance information regarding the outputs and impacts of Programme Expenditure and this will complement the financial data in the Estimates .
111. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details regarding the fencing project at Castletown House, Celbridge, County Kildare; the overall cost of such a project; the intentions of his Department with regard to the right of way in the estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9306/13]
View answerA scheme is being prepared for new fencing to replace the existing fencing along the Celbridge Avenue and to extend the railings at the Celbridge Avenue gate towards the river Liffey. Fencing is required to protect the demesne from vandalism. The overall cost has not been determined as yet. While the erection of fencing will improve the protection of Castletown demesne, particularly at night time, the demesne and its features will be open daily to be enjoyed by all visitors.
Nevertheless it is of course open to any member of the public who is dissatisfied with these arrangements and who can prove that they interfere with bona fide rights in any way to raise this issue formally with the Commissioners of Public Works.
112. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider introducing a scheme to assist home owners in protecting their properties against coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9333/13]
View answerInvestigation and addressing problems of coastal erosion is, in the first instance, a matter for the local authority concerned. It is open to local authorities to apply for funding under the Office of Public Works' Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the revised eligibility criteria for coastal protection measures introduced by the OPW in 2012, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. Application forms and related guidelines are available on the OPW website.
113. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Office of Public Works flood maps in respect of Clifden town, County Galway were prepared; whether they were the result of a desktop study or based on flood history analysis; and if he will outline the process under which these maps may be reviewed. [9498/13]
View answerThe Office of Public Works is currently undertaking a national programme of flood risk assessment and management planning, known as CFRAM Studies (Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment & Management Studies), in line with the European Directive on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risk (2007/EC/60) and Irish Law (Statutory Instrument No. 122 of 2010). Complete background information on these national studies can be found on www.cfram.ie.
In brief, the CFRAM Studies programme has three principal milestones:
- Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (completed March 2012)
- Flood Maps (for finalisation 2014)
- Flood Risk Management Plans (for finalisation 2016)
This national programme of Studies, which is being carried out by several engineering consultancies over six regions, focuses on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (or “AFAs”) around the country. The designated AFAs were selected following the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) phase which involved public consultation including the public exhibition of consultation documentation in Galway Co. Council (and all other City and County Councils) in Autumn 2011. The PFRA consultation documentation included draft maps based on broadly indicative flood risk information drawn from a desktop study that incorporated flood history analysis. Due to the nature of these maps, they were accompanied by a guidance statement outlining their limitations for use in decision-making on planning matters and indicating that they may be used for the initial stage of flood risk assessment only to identify areas where further professional assessment would be required if development was being considered within or adjacent to the flood extents shown in the maps.
Arising from the PFRA in 2011/2012, the town of Clifden has been designated as one of 300 areas, nationally, for further analysis. The Clifden area is being studied as part of the Western CFRAM Study and JBA Consultant Engineers have been contracted to carry out this Study. It is important to emphasise that no flood risk areas within Clifden, or any other AFA, have yet been determined by the Western CFRAM Study, as the flood mapping exercise is not due for completion until early 2014. These draft flood maps will be available for public consultation before finalisation.
I am advised that Galway County Council has engaged a private firm to undertake a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for the entire county. The Council is aware that the PFRA maps are preliminary and are carrying out on-site investigations in Clifden before determining flood risk zones as part of the Local Area Plan process.
114. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the next action plan on jobs will include specific regional measures in view of the geographical disparity in unemployment rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9432/13]
View answerThe Action Plan for Jobs is a national plan, aimed at providing a supporting operating environment for businesses to start up and expand.
The Action Plan does not include specific regional sub-plans. However, many of the actions which will be contained in the 2013 Plan will have a positive impact at regional and local level.
For example, the restructuring of the CEBs and the establishment of the Local Enterprise Offices will provide an enhanced level of supports for business start-ups throughout the country, while the continued roll-out of the new INTREO employment services by the Department of Social Protection will offer practical, tailored employment services and supports for jobseekers and employers alike.
IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland will continue to support job creation projects throughout the country and in all regions.
In 2012, IDA Ireland client companies created a total of 12,722 new jobs, with net job creation of 6,570, representing the highest level of growth in a decade. The agency attracted 145 individual investments, with 66 of those from companies coming to Ireland for the first time. Apart from companies locating in Dublin, there were also investments announced for a number of regional locations including Letterkenny, Sligo, Mayo, Westport, Galway, Louth, Dundalk, Drogheda, Kildare, Leixlip, Kilkenny, Bray, Cork and Limerick. IDA Ireland has also made a further 12 announcements so far in 2013. 7 of these announcements relate to investments in Cork, Dundalk, Waterford and Limerick, and are expected to create over 637 jobs in those locations.
Enterprise Ireland client companies increased their employment by over 3,300 in 2012. Meanwhile, commitments to new jobs in the future by Enterprise Ireland clients amounted to over 7,000, exceeding the target of 6,250 for the year. These included two separate announcements by Eishtec which are expected to create 500 jobs in total in Waterford and Wexford, and a major investment by the Kerry Group in Kildare which will create up to 900 jobs.
115. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of existing work visas for workers from non-EEA countries that were renewed in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; if he will indicate the number that were in the retail and distribution and hospitality trades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9300/13]
View answer116. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new work visas for workers from non-EEA countries that were approved in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; if he will indicate the number that were in the retail and distribution and hospitality trades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9301/13]
View answer128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which applications for work permits continue to be made; the numbers granted and-or refused in each of the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9448/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 116 and 128 together.
Since 2004, Irish labour market policy has been to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from within the workforce of the European Economic Area (EEA). Current Government policy is to issue employment permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and in response to employer demand for strategic skills and labour shortages in designated occupations in key economic sectors such as healthcare, information technology and financial services.
The number of permits processed over the last four years and to-date in 2013 are detailed in Appendix 1.
The numbers of employment permit applications submitted and issued have dropped since 2009 in line with economic conditions and the narrowing of eligible job categories and sectors where it was considered that a sufficient supply of labour exists. The majority of positions within the retail, distribution and hospitality trades are currently ineligible for new first time permits. New and renewal permits issued over the last few years in those sectors were in respect of highly skilled positions including chefs, non-EEA nationals already resident in the State changing employers or in respect of spouses of existing permit holders.
Appendix 1
Permits issued to-date in 2013 by Economic Sector
|
Economic Sector |
New |
Renewal |
Total |
Refused |
Withdrawn |
|
Total |
390 |
159 |
549 |
107 |
23 |
|
Information Technology |
191 |
23 |
214 |
12 |
14 |
|
Healthcare |
42 |
51 |
93 |
18 |
0 |
|
Services |
51 |
17 |
68 |
16 |
3 |
|
Manufacturing |
38 |
6 |
44 |
7 |
0 |
|
Financial Services |
22 |
17 |
39 |
2 |
1 |
|
Catering |
18 |
11 |
29 |
21 |
1 |
|
Agriculture and Fisheries |
6 |
10 |
16 |
11 |
0 |
|
Education |
8 |
4 |
12 |
4 |
3 |
|
Entertainment |
5 |
3 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
|
Retail |
3 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
1 |
|
Domestic |
2 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
0 |
|
Sport |
3 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
|
Construction |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Government |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Legal Services |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tourism |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Transport |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Permits issued in 2012 by Economic Sector
|
Economic Sector |
New |
Renewal |
Total |
Refused |
Withdrawn |
|
Total |
2918 |
1088 |
4006 |
827 |
246 |
|
Information Technology |
1220 |
147 |
1367 |
87 |
35 |
|
Healthcare |
384 |
250 |
634 |
87 |
18 |
|
Services |
428 |
158 |
586 |
190 |
57 |
|
Catering |
171 |
116 |
287 |
209 |
52 |
|
Financial Services |
215 |
52 |
267 |
21 |
10 |
|
Manufacturing |
170 |
79 |
249 |
25 |
6 |
|
Agriculture and Fisheries |
60 |
154 |
214 |
80 |
31 |
|
Education |
58 |
32 |
90 |
13 |
2 |
|
Domestic |
43 |
28 |
71 |
23 |
6 |
|
Retail |
31 |
25 |
56 |
37 |
5 |
|
Sport |
43 |
11 |
54 |
15 |
1 |
|
Tourism |
18 |
16 |
34 |
15 |
1 |
|
Entertainment |
20 |
7 |
27 |
5 |
14 |
|
Construction |
20 |
6 |
26 |
10 |
2 |
|
Transport |
21 |
5 |
26 |
7 |
4 |
|
Research |
13 |
2 |
15 |
1 |
1 |
|
Legal Services |
3 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
|
Government |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Permits issued in 2011 by Economic Sector
|
Economic Sector |
New |
Renewal |
Total |
Refused |
Withdrawn |
|
Total |
3179 |
2021 |
5200 |
1030 |
201 |
|
Healthcare |
718 |
627 |
1345 |
147 |
62 |
|
Information Technology |
1023 |
174 |
1197 |
73 |
27 |
|
Services |
387 |
301 |
688 |
210 |
33 |
|
Catering |
219 |
225 |
444 |
244 |
20 |
|
Manufacturing |
196 |
91 |
287 |
38 |
8 |
|
Agriculture and Fisheries |
95 |
161 |
256 |
82 |
19 |
|
Financial Services |
187 |
61 |
248 |
28 |
8 |
|
Retail |
57 |
125 |
182 |
74 |
9 |
|
Tourism |
62 |
76 |
138 |
40 |
4 |
|
Education |
76 |
46 |
122 |
19 |
1 |
|
Domestic |
41 |
76 |
117 |
30 |
2 |
|
Sport |
42 |
13 |
55 |
8 |
4 |
|
Construction |
33 |
15 |
48 |
9 |
3 |
|
Transport |
14 |
13 |
27 |
13 |
1 |
|
Entertainment |
17 |
1 |
18 |
7 |
0 |
|
Research |
8 |
9 |
17 |
6 |
0 |
|
Government |
3 |
3 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
|
Legal Services |
1 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Permits issued in 2010 by Economic Sector
|
Economic Sector |
New |
Renewal |
Total |
Refused |
Withdrawn |
|
Total |
3378 |
3908 |
7286 |
996 |
205 |
|
Healthcare |
765 |
1044 |
1809 |
166 |
28 |
|
Services |
583 |
757 |
1340 |
200 |
43 |
|
Catering |
440 |
526 |
966 |
256 |
39 |
|
Information Technology |
471 |
181 |
652 |
56 |
14 |
|
Agriculture and Fisheries |
140 |
409 |
549 |
66 |
10 |
|
Retail |
172 |
270 |
442 |
67 |
15 |
|
Manufacturing |
209 |
167 |
376 |
36 |
9 |
|
Financial Services |
150 |
125 |
275 |
21 |
10 |
|
Tourism |
76 |
116 |
192 |
27 |
9 |
|
Education |
78 |
86 |
164 |
26 |
3 |
|
Domestic |
54 |
99 |
153 |
14 |
6 |
|
Transport |
77 |
29 |
106 |
7 |
3 |
|
Construction |
50 |
39 |
89 |
32 |
2 |
|
Sport |
47 |
18 |
65 |
9 |
1 |
|
Not categorised |
25 |
12 |
37 |
2 |
10 |
|
Entertainment |
23 |
12 |
35 |
3 |
0 |
|
Research |
16 |
7 |
23 |
6 |
3 |
|
Legal Services |
2 |
6 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
|
Government |
0 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Permits issued in 2009 by Economic Sector
|
Economic Sector |
New |
Renewal |
Total |
Refused |
Withdrawn |
|
Total |
3757 |
3796 |
7553 |
1796 |
441 |
|
Healthcare |
1154 |
962 |
2116 |
228 |
55 |
|
Services |
549 |
698 |
1247 |
322 |
54 |
|
Catering |
367 |
587 |
954 |
434 |
76 |
|
Information Technology |
574 |
179 |
753 |
61 |
15 |
|
Manufacturing |
185 |
212 |
397 |
113 |
8 |
|
Retail |
142 |
242 |
384 |
107 |
13 |
|
Agriculture and Fisheries |
111 |
247 |
358 |
233 |
30 |
|
Financial Services |
180 |
109 |
289 |
46 |
11 |
|
Education |
138 |
125 |
263 |
54 |
4 |
|
Domestic |
79 |
124 |
203 |
39 |
11 |
|
Construction |
81 |
110 |
191 |
51 |
9 |
|
Tourism |
51 |
102 |
153 |
51 |
18 |
|
Transport |
30 |
45 |
75 |
16 |
3 |
|
Sport |
50 |
17 |
67 |
14 |
2 |
|
Research |
29 |
9 |
38 |
7 |
6 |
|
Entertainment |
31 |
6 |
37 |
18 |
0 |
|
Pre New Legislation Permit |
1 |
10 |
11 |
0 |
125 |
|
Government |
3 |
6 |
9 |
2 |
1 |
|
Legal Services |
2 |
6 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
117. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress the Industrial Development Agency has made in achieving the aims of the Horizon 2020 strategy; the efforts being made to achieve those aims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9355/13]
View answerIn accordance with its “Horizon 2020” Strategy, IDA Ireland is aiming to create 62,000 new jobs, giving a total impact of 105,000 jobs, over the period 2010 to 2014. The Agency is also aiming to secure 640 investments, with 50% of these located outside of Dublin and Cork.
I am pleased that IDA Ireland is making good progress in implementing its Strategy. Over the last three years, the Agency has secured 419 investments and delivered 36,000 gross jobs. While the objective of securing 50% of investments outside of Dublin and Cork is proving particularly challenging, it must be acknowledged that, during 2012, a number of IDA client companies made significant investments in regional locations as follows: Paypal, 1,000 jobs in Dundalk; Abbott, 175 jobs in Sligo; Mylan, 200 jobs in Galway; Allergan, 200 jobs in Westport; and Northern Trust, 400 jobs in Limerick. Last week saw another significant announcement for Dundalk with e Bay announcing 450 jobs in Dundalk.
IDA Ireland has assured me that it will continue to work towards achieving its target of creating a further 12,000 jobs in 2013. A range of actions to support the achievement of this objective will be taken by the Agency this year in the context of the Government’s 2013 Action Plan for Jobs, details of which will be announced shortly.
In order to ensure that Ireland can continue to compete globally for foreign direct investment, it will be necessary to undertake an in depth analysis of our FDI strategy with a view to informing the formulation of an appropriate strategy for the period post 2014. This analysis, which will be undertaken later this year, will take account of factors such as key trends emerging in FDI best practice internationally, Ireland’s strengths in attracting FDI, any changes to the EU’s State Aid rules that may be introduced in the near future and our agreed approach to regional development.
