Thursday, 28 Feb 2013

Written Answers Nos. 120-132

Garda Stations Closures

Questions (120)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

120. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the future intended use of the former Whitehall Garda station, Dublin; and when the building will be put into use. [10871/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Public Works is progressing arrangements to allow another state body to use the former Whitehall Garda Station on a permanent basis.

Garda Stations Expenditure

Questions (121)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

121. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current combined annual cost of leases for Harcourt Garda station, Dublin; and if he will confirm that these leases include upward only rents clauses; and the length left to run on each lease. [10774/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The current combined annual cost of the leases for the Harcourt Square complex is €5,405,000. The Office of Public Works is currently undertaking a rationalisation programme of its leased estate and the release of information relating to lease expiries is not considered appropriate at this point in time. I can confirm that these leases include upward only rent review clauses.

Departmental Properties

Questions (122, 123)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

122. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current annual costs of leases in which a Department or State agency is the leasee which are currently under the control of National Asset Management Agency. [10775/13]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

123. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has sought a write down to market value and or the removal of upward only rent review clauses from leases managed by the National Asset Management Agency in which a Department or State agency is the leasee. [10776/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.

The Office of Public Works has over 400 commercial leases with a wide variety of landlords, and like all tenants, is bound by the terms of these leases. As tenant, the OPW would not have any direct relationship with NAMA.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (124)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

124. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of the members or former members of the Judiciary who, during the past five years, have acted as chairperson or member of any body in or under his Department, or as chairperson or member of any inquiry, or have performed functions including arbitration, mediation, conciliation, patronage, advisory or law reform functions or any other role in or in any body under his Department or in any body wholly or partly funded by him, specifying in each case the name of the judge; if he or she is serving or retired; the court of which he or she is or was a member; the role or function performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10885/13]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy’s question the following is a list of members or former members of the judiciary that have, in the past five years, acted as chairperson or member of any body or inquiry, or have performed functions including arbitration, mediation, conciliation, patronage, advisory or law reform functions or any other role in or in any body under the aegis of my Department:

Agency	Name	Position	Details
Valuation Tribunal	Mr. Michael P.M. Connellan	Deputy Chairperson	Retired District Court Judge - Appointed 05/04/2005 (for a 5-year term) - Resigned 30/04/2009
Standards in Public Office Commission	Mr. Matthew P. Smith	Chairman	Retired Judge of the High Court
Referendum Commission on the Lisbon Treaty	Mr. Iarfhlaith O’Neill	Chairperson	Serving Judge of the High Court – Referendum held on 12/06/2008
Referendum Commission on the Lisbon Treaty	Mr. Frank Clarke	Chairperson	Serving Judge of the High Court – Referendum held on 02/10/2009
Referendum Commissions on Judges’ Pay and Oireachtas Inquiries	Mr. Bryan McMahon	Chairperson	Retired Judge of the High Court – Referendums held on 27/10/2011
Referendum Commission on the Fiscal Stability Treaty	Mr. Kevin Feeney	Chairperson	Serving Judge of the High Court – Referendum held on 31/05/2012
Referendum Commission on Children’s Rights	Ms. Mary Finlay Geoghegan	Chairperson	Serving Judge of the High Court – Referendum held on 10/11/2012

Departmental Properties

Questions (125)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

125. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the annual rent paid by the Government or State agencies relating to Carrisbrook House, Dublin; the total rent paid by the Government or State agency to date on the relevant leases; the date on which the relevant leases were signed; the dates on which the property was occupied by a Government Department or State agency; the date from which the property has not been occupied by a Government Department or State agency; the length of time left to run on the relevant leases; and if relevant leases include upward only rent review clauses. [10782/13]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Carrisbrook House was acquired by AnCO in 1969 on a 65 year full-repairing lease, commencing on 1st August 1969 and expiring on 31st July 2034. There is no provision for lease breaks on the property and the rent is due for review every seven years. The rent review provisions provide only for equal or greater rent than that being paid in the preceding period.

The Industrial Development Authority acquired the lease from AnCo on 20th October 1976. On 1 January 1994, the leasehold interest transferred to Forfás.

The Industrial Development Authority occupied Carrisbrook House from 1976 until 1985, when the agency relocated to Wilton Park House. I understand that the Youth Employment Agency occupied three floors of Carrisbrook House between 1986 and 1989.

Since 1985, the available offices were sub-let to a number of tenants outside the public sector on a continuous basis until early 2008. The Israeli Embassy is currently the only occupant of the premises, on a sub-lease which expires in 2025.

The total rent per annum paid by Forfás in respect of the vacant space in Carrisbrook House since 2008 has been as follows:

2008: €0.743m

2009: €0.990m

2010: €0.990m

2011: €0.990m

2012: €0.990m

In addition, annual rates and service charges are applicable on the building.

Forfás has been actively seeking to market the vacant space in Carrisbrook House since 2008. The Office of Public Works and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have also been advised, through my Department and Forfás, of the availability of vacant space in the building. The IDA has also been asked to bring the availability of the accommodation to the attention of prospective clients.

In current market conditions, and despite a number of engagements with potential tenants by Forfás, a letting has not been secured.

County and City Enterprise Boards

Questions (126)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

126. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to whom a complaint regarding a county enterprise board should be made (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10736/13]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Each County Enterprise Board is required to operate an objective formal complaints procedure which forms part of the Board’s on-going commitment to customer service. Dissatisfaction with the level or type of assistance offered by a CEB should, in the first instance, be brought to the attention of the Board, usually through the Chief Executive Officer. Any complaint against a CEB can be investigated under the formal complaints procedure by which each Board operates. By bringing this matter to the attention of the CEB, it will enable the CEB to initiate a formal investigation, in accordance with their agreed procedures, into all relevant aspects of the case. If a client is dissatisfied with the response to the initial investigation, then the complainant may bring the matter to the attention of the Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors will then review the matter and make a decision within a set timeframe, typically seven working days.

Until last year, the Ombudsman had no function in relation to the CEBs. However, the Government has extended the Ombudsman Act to encompass a wider range of public bodies, including the CEBs. The Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012 was signed into law by the President on 31st October 2012 and provides that the additional public bodies coming under the Ombudsman’s remit will do so six months from the date of enactment, i.e., on 1 May 2013, unless the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform specifies an earlier date by Order.

Accordingly, with effect from 1st May 2013, the Ombudsman will have the power to examine the administrative actions of the CEBs in respect of complaints about actions which occur on or after that date, once the complaint has progressed through the procedures implemented by the CEB.

I trust this clarifies the matter and clears up any confusion that may have arisen.

Job Creation Data

Questions (127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

127. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation following the Industrial Development Agency announcement of 200 additional jobs and 250 associated construction jobs at Allergan, County Mayo' in January 2012, the number of construction jobs delivered in the project; the number of increased jobs delivered with the company; and if any grants have been returned or failed to be drawn down due to not meeting employment targets. [10784/13]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

128. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation following the Industrial Development Agency announcement of 1,000 additional jobs at the Paypal site in Dundalk, County Louth, the number of additional jobs realised to date at the site; the timescale for recruiting the full complement of 1,000 additional workers; the number recruited from outside the State; and if any grants have been returned of failed to be drawn down due to not meeting employment targets. [10785/13]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

129. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation following the Industrial Development Agency announcement of 20 additional jobs at the Diaceutics Dundalk, County Louth, the number of additional jobs realised to date at the site; the timescale for recruiting the full complement of 20 additional workers; the number recruited from outside the State; and if any grants have been returned or failed to be drawn down due to not meeting employment targets. [10786/13]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

130. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation following the Industrial Development Agency announcement of 250 temporary additional jobs at National Pen, Dundalk, County Louth, the number of additional jobs realised to date at this site; the length of time of these temporary jobs; and if any grants have been returned or failed to be drawn down due to not meeting employment targets. [10787/13]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

131. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation following the Industrial Development Agency announcement of 120 jobs at the Yapstone, Drogheda, County Louth, the total number recruited to date; and the number to be recruited on a yearly basis as a condition of grant support. [10788/13]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

132. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation following the Industrial Development Agency announcement of 125 jobs at the Nextag, Drogheda, County Louth, the total number recruited to date; and the number to be recruited on a yearly basis as a condition of grant support. [10789/13]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 to 132, inclusive, together.

It is important to note that the number of jobs created by IDA companies typically exceeds the number of jobs actually announced. For instance, in 2012, the number of jobs created by IDA companies was up to 50% greater than the numbers of jobs formally announced as companies do not always wish to publicise increases in employment that are progressive and incremental in nature.

The number of people currently employed by each of the other companies mentioned above - Allergan, Paypal, Diaceutics, National Pen and Yapstone - is confidential to the companies. In relation to each of these announcements it should be noted that jobs announced are typically created over a three year to five year period and grants are only paid in respect of jobs which have been created.

The grant agreement provides for the jobs to be created over a specific period of time. Until such time as grants are paid, no liability exists. Jobs must remain in place for the duration of the liability i.e. for 5 years from the date of final payment of the grant. IDA Ireland monitors the level of employment so as to ensure compliance with the agreement.

The temporary jobs at National Pen Dundalk have been created. The duration of these temporary jobs is at the discretion of the company and these jobs were not grant assisted.

A more wide ranging measure of how many jobs are filled in the period in question can be ascertained by using the Forfás Employment Survey which is presented below for Louth and Mayo for the last five years.

The Forfás Employment Survey does not track employment data by nationality. However it should be noted that there is free movement of labour within the EU and persons recruited from outside the EU must comply with Employment Permit legislation.

IDA will continue to compete vigorously for projects for these regions.

In relation to the proposed Nextag operation in Drogheda, due to recent changes in their specialist business sector, Nextag have unfortunately decided not to proceed with their international HQ operation in Drogheda, as the company now no longer foresee a need for an international HQ operation. Changes in the market for online shopping services prompted the company to review its global expansion plans, in Ireland and other locations. No financial support from the Irish Government has been drawn down by the company. I am assured that Nextag will continue to monitor future opportunities in Ireland as circumstances change.

County	Employment Data	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Louth	No. of Companies	18	20	20	20	23
Louth	Permanent Employment	1,529	1,317	1,024	1,075	1,416
Louth	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	75	33	43	109	386
Louth	Job Losses	-212	-245	-336	-58	-45

County	Employment Data	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Mayo	No. of Companies	19	18	18	18	19
Mayo	Permanent Employment	3,010	2,948	3,112	3,094	3,162
Mayo	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	132	97	183	69	126
Mayo	Job Losses	-126	-159	-19	-87	-58