Written Answers Nos. 80-90
80. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of certain vacant properties (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will confirm the number that are in the ownership of the State; if any maintenance works are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19665/13]
View answerThere are nine former Coastguard cottages in Crosshaven in State ownership, three of which are currently being used. The Office Of Public Works is currently exploring the possibility of disposing of the remaining six properties and it is envisaged that these properties will form part of a State Property disposal programme.
81. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of the provision of tour guides and the expenses incurred in providing this service at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry for the 2012 season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19491/13]
View answerThe cost of mounting the Guide Service at Skellig Michael during the 2012 season was €129,793.47. This includes Guide pay, Travel and Subsistence, Personal Protective Equipment and specialist Safety Training.
82. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the number of civil and public servants under the remit of his Department who earn more than €500,000, between €400,000 and €500,000, €300,000 and €400,000, €250,000 and €300,000, €200,000 and €250,000, €150,000 and €200,000, €100,000 and €150,000, €80,000 and €100,000, €60,000 and €80,000, €40,000 and €60,000, €30,000 and €40,000 and less than €30,000. [19502/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question there are seven organisations within the Public Expenditure Vote Group including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Office of Public Works, Public Appointments Service, Ombudsman, Valuation Office, State Laboratory and the new Shared Services. Because of the way the information is compiled the initial earning brackets can only begin from zero to €20,000 and then from €20,000 to €40,000. The following table outlines the number of Civil and Public Servants under the remit of my Department at end March 2013 and their respective earnings.
|
Earning Bracket |
Public Expenditure & Reform |
Office of Public Works |
Shared Services |
Public Appointments Service |
Ombudsman |
Valuation Office |
State Laboratory |
|
Less than €20,000 |
8 |
42 |
31 |
5 |
2 |
||
|
Less than €40,000 |
66 |
1,370 |
64 |
39 |
31 |
27 |
18 |
|
€40,000 - €60,000 |
119 |
406 |
27 |
30 |
23 |
71 |
30 |
|
€60,000 - €80,000 |
48 |
92 |
2 |
4 |
20 |
21 |
28 |
|
€80,000 - €100,000 |
61 |
63 |
1 |
5 |
13 |
10 |
6 |
|
€100,000 - €150,000 |
24 |
7 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
||
|
€150,000 - €200,000 |
2 |
2 |
|||||
|
Total |
328 |
1,982 |
125 |
86 |
91 |
131 |
84 |
I have no staff earning more than €200,000.
83. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the Irish delegation to the World Trade Organisation; the allocation of staff and other resources that are given by his Department to the delegation; the number of meetings the delegation were required or requested to attend in 2012; the number of meetings that were attended; his views on whether member states of the European Union still require their own national delegations to the WTO in view of the EU's competence in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19515/13]
View answerThe Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation allocates three staff to the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations (PMUN) in Geneva to cover WTO and other matters relevant to the Department, including the development of international rules and standards in labour and intellectual property affairs. The Department’s staff are the official national representatives interfacing with the International Labour Office (ILO) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) as well as the WTO.
In addition to WTO related duties, the Department’s Geneva officials represent Ireland at the WIPO and ILO when officials from Dublin are unable to attend or where it would be more cost effective for Geneva based personnel to service meetings. In the case of ILO there are significant time commitments during meetings of the Governing Body (Spring and Autumn) and the International Labour Conference (three weeks each June).
The staff complement servicing the national interest at these three organisations comprises 1 Principal Officer (PO), 1 Higher Executive Officer (HEO) and 1 Clerical Officer. Offices and other facilities are shared with the PMUN. During 2012 there was considerable work involved in preparing for the current Irish Presidency of the European Council. To assist with the additional obligations that Ireland is required to meet, in the latter half of 2012 two additional staff were seconded to Geneva until July 2013.
In 2012 over 550 WTO related meetings were attended by the Department's officials. These included EU coordination and related meetings, as well as numerous WTO working sessions. These working sessions include key themes of trade liberalisation (Non Agricultural Market Access, Services and Agriculture) under the current Round of global trade talks known as the Doha Round and the broader WTO’s work involving Trade Facilitation, Technical Barriers to Trade, Trade Policy Reviews, Disputes, and the international Technology Agreement as well as the start of talks on a new international agreement covering trade in international services. Furthermore this year also sees a significant increase in WTO activity as a range of items are advanced for consideration at the Ninth WTO Ministerial Conference in December.
In total there are about 40 different working groups and specialist thematic sub groups that Ireland is required to service where possible. In addition, senior staff are required to participate in extensive networking and interaction outside the EU group in Geneva and to actively promote the Department's interests in both the ILO and WIPO.
All EU Member States maintain Permanent Missions in Geneva with dedicated WTO teams and will continue to do so.
On the matter of competence, the EU Commission does not have exclusive competence across the broad span of WTO trade activity/negotiations. In addition, like all other EU MS, Ireland is a WTO member in its own right, unlike the EU, which is not a WTO Member. Furthermore, the issue of competence is not clearcut in either the ILO or WIPO where a mixture of arrangements are in place. I believe therefore that it is vital that our presence is maintained in Geneva to ensure that Ireland's particular interests in the International Institutions that set global rules for trade, intellectual property and labour law are both promoted and protected; and that Ireland can play its part along with other Member States in forming EU Trade Policy.
In 2012 Ireland’s contribution to the operating costs of the WTO is CHF 2,205,826 or approximately €1,823,000, calculated by reference to the proportion of Irish trade to global trade.
84. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the number of civil and public servants under the remit of his Department who earn more than €500,000, between €400,000 and €500,000, €300,000 and €400,000, €250,000 and €300,000, €200,000 and €250,000, €150,000 and €200,000, €100,000 and €150,000, €80,000 and €100,000, €60,000 and €80,000, €40,000 and €60,000, €30,000 and €40,000 and less than €30,000. [19500/13]
View answerThe following table identifies the persons employed in my Department broken down by the salary bands supplied. The numbers include departmental staff in the following Offices of the Department:
- The Companies Registration Office
- The Registry of Friendly Societies
- The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement
- The Labour Court
- The Labour Relations Commission
- The National Employment Rights Authority
- The Employment Appeals Tribunal
|
Salary Bands |
Total Employed |
|
Under €30,000 |
257 |
|
€30-40,000 |
213 |
|
€40-60,000 |
298 |
|
€60-80,000 |
66 |
|
€80-100,000 |
49 |
|
€100-150,000 |
25 |
|
€150-200,000 |
5 |
|
€200-250,000 |
0 |
|
€250-300,000 |
0 |
|
€300-400,000 |
0 |
|
€400-500,000 |
0 |
|
Over €500,000 |
0 |
Information regarding the employees of the Agencies whose gross salary is in each of the bands listed above is a day to day matter for the Agencies and I have asked them to respond to the Deputy directly.
85. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of employment, job losses and job creation in companies supported by the Industrial Development Agency in County Wicklow from 2008 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19506/13]
View answerThe Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are supported by the enterprise development agencies. Details of total employment and the number of new jobs created in IDA Ireland client companies in Co. Wicklow in each year from 2008 to 2012 are set out in the attached tabular statement.
At present there are 17 IDA supported companies in Wicklow employing over 2,000 people in in full and part time posts. Co Wicklow forms part of IDA’s East region together with counties Dublin, Meath and Kildare. In the region as a whole IDA client companies account for direct job numbers of 67,860.
In addition to promoting county Wicklow as suitable location for new investment, IDA Ireland works with its existing client companies in the county to encourage the growth and expansion of their Irish based operations. An example of the success of this approach was the announcement, last December, by Nypro Healthcare that it is to further expand its medical device operations in Bray, Co. Wicklow with the opening of a new medical device development centre and the creation of 100 new high quality jobs.
I am delighted to say that 2012 was a particularly good year for job creation in Agency supported companies, with IDA client companies creating a total of 12,722 gross new full time jobs (6,750 net new jobs). While, globally, the outlook for foreign direct investment (FDI) continues to be challenging, IDA has assured me that it will continue to work towards achieving its target of creating a further 12,000 jobs in 2013 as set out in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013.
Table showing the total employment as well as the number of jobs gained and lost in IDA client companies in county Wicklow in each of the years 2008 to 2012.
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
|
Permanent Employment |
2,559 |
2,328 |
2,167 |
1,986 |
1,936 |
|
New Jobs Created |
53 |
39 |
13 |
66 |
60 |
|
Job Losses |
327 |
270 |
174 |
247 |
110 |
86. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of employment, job losses and job creation in companies supported by Enterprise Ireland in County Wicklow from 2008 to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19507/13]
View answerDetails of the number of full time jobs existing, gained and lost in Enterprise Ireland (EI) client companies in Co. Wicklow, which are drawn from the Forfás Annual Employment Survey, are set out in the tabular statement accompanying this reply.
I am pleased to say that the Agency’s End of Year Statement indicates that 2012 was a good year for job creation in EI-supported companies. Nationally, clients of Enterprise Ireland created 12,861 gross new jobs (3,338 net new jobs – the highest net gain for Irish companies since 2006). In 2012, 410 new jobs were created in Co. Wicklow, an increase of 206 over 2011.
Jobs in Enterprise Ireland-supported Companies in Co. Wicklow
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
|
Permanent Full time Jobs Existing |
3,928 |
3,263 |
3,137 |
3,122 |
3,339 |
|
Permanent Full time Job Gains |
265 |
91 |
215 |
204 |
410 |
|
Permanent Full time Job Losses |
663 |
756 |
341 |
219 |
193 |
87. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will detail the supports available to small and medium enterprises involved in the service industry who wish to develop a website and an online market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19520/13]
View answerA key component of the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 is to increase the number of businesses trading online for the first time, particularly small businesses. It aims to help Irish business gain competitiveness and grow by having access to new markets and a wider customer base. The objective is to target 2,000 small businesses with a view to them commencing trading online in 2013 and 2014. The net jobs gain envisaged under this programme will be 3,200.
The programme will be overseen by a Working Group, led by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and whose membership will include the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Forfás, Enterprise Ireland, the Irish Payment Services Organisation (IPSO) and other key stakeholders from the public and private sectors. The trial initiatives will be evaluated on an on-going basis with a view to any necessary adaptation for a significant scaling up of the programme in 2014.
The vision is to develop, in collaboration with industry partners, a series of actions which will stimulate growth in Irish-based small businesses by supporting them to trade on-line, informed by past interventions and engagement with digital market participants. The actions, as set out in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, include the following:
- Consult with representatives of the digital industry in Ireland to establish the contribution which those companies can make to the design and implementation of the Trading On-Line initiative;
- Design the detailed operational arrangements for the Business On-Line voucher scheme to be applied to the pilot phase of the initiative;
- Agree an approach, including plans for a promotional campaign, for pilot projects that will maximise the outcomes and learnings from this initial trial phase. Identify suitable projects at regional and/or sectoral level with a target of engaging companies for inclusion in the trial phase of the initiative in 2013;
- Commence the first phase of the pilot(s) and monitor progress with a view to a significant scaling up of the initiative in 2014.
This programme has the capacity to support and transform jobs in Irish-based companies, improve their competitiveness and open their access to a wider customer base, both domestically and internationally. The programme will also support jobs indirectly in businesses supplying expertise, training, hosting and logistics services to companies that are adapting to trading on-line.
88. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with regards to the proposed local enterprise offices that local authority rates will not be deducted from grant awards before payment to businesses under the new structures; if he will confirm that all local authority staff to be transferred to new local enterprise offices will have the relevant business expertise to add value to the espoused objectives of job creation, business support and overall economic development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19535/13]
View answerCurrently, the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project subject to certain eligibility criteria and an evaluation and approvals process. Upon the dissolution of the CEBs this function will be delivered by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) within the Local Authority, on behalf of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and overseen by Enterprise Ireland. The LEOs will form a stand-alone unit within the local authority structure, and through a Framework Service Level Agreement (SLA) between EI and the Local Authorities will be answerable to me for all enterprise policy and budgetary matters. There is no connection between grants for enterprise and local authority rates and therefore there will be no provision for the deduction of local authority rates from grant awards.
Local Authorities have been working with business to support investment and business development at local level, and to the extent that it has been part of their remit hitherto, promoting and fostering entrepreneurship. They deliver essential services to business and can respond to the needs of local businesses speedily and efficiently. Their wide reach in the community makes them an ideal partner and a potential important source of business and growth for micro and small enterprise. The new structures will bring in Local Authorities as direct partners in promoting entrepreneurship and supporting small and micro businesses. Staff currently deployed in Business Support Units of the Local Authorities will be assigned to the LEOs to work alongside existing CEB staff who will be ring-fenced in order to preserve the valuable range of skills and expertise necessary to ensure continuity of service to the CEB/LEO client base.
89. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a facility (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19655/13]
View answerThe facility in Killorglin has been in operation since its establishment in 1970 by a German company, and manufactured safety and anchor bolts used in the construction industry. Peak employment at the factory was in the early 1980’s when it employed 95 people. The business was acquired in 2008 by a California based manufacturer of metal fixings and hangers used in construction of wooden frame housing. Employment had gradually declined to approximately 30 by 2011. By this time, the plant was consistently loss making and on a 3 day week. In former years, only about 20% of the company’s output was sold on the Irish market but latterly this increased as total sales declined.
In 2012, IDA Ireland was informed that the US based parent company had decided to exit this particular market in Europe and to consolidate their business units and concentrate on traditional products particularly for the timber frame sector. The decision was influenced by the construction downturn, both in the US and Europe. The company was marketed as a going concern in mid-2012 without success. The Killorglin product line and rights to production for Europe was sold to a Finnish company in late 2012 and this company plan to manufacture the products in their own plant in Finland.
The premises are still owned by the US parent company and this company, with the 7 remaining staff, are in the process of overseeing the sale and disposal of the remaining equipment. This work is likely to be concluded by May/June 2013, at which stage the plant will be finally closed. The factory and lands have now been offered for sale. The IDA has worked with the company in a search for a new owner and Enterprise Ireland has also been made aware of its availability as a possible location for one of that Agency’s client companies.
Unfortunately, given the combination of various circumstances including the fact that the facility dates from the early 1970s, it has not proven possible to date to secure a new occupier. It is, of course, very disappointing that this factory, which provided employment for several decades in Killorglin, is now closing, due to external market factors and changes in the industry worldwide. I have, however, asked the development agencies to continue to do all they can to find a replacement company for the Killorglin plant.
90. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the proposed European Union-United States trade agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19677/13]
View answerThe report of the High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth was published on 11 February this year. The Group recommended significantly closer trade relations between the two economies of the EU and the US. It reported on the opportunities for mutually beneficial job creation, economic growth and international competitiveness that would follow from a comprehensive EU–US trade and investment agreement. These opportunities are truly significant, leading to an increase in EU GDP of up to 0.5% for an ambitious and comprehensive final agreement.
I recently chaired an Informal meeting of the EU Trade Council in Dublin. At that meeting there was unanimous support from all EU trade ministers for such an agreement because of the clear and advantageous benefits it would bring to the EU economy, businesses, employees and consumers. The EU Council is currently considering a draft negotiating mandate that will enable the EU Commission to open negotiations on a new, historic and unique trade and investment agreement with the United States. Negotiations on this mandate will continue for some while yet.
I hope, however, that they will be satisfactorily concluded under the Irish Presidency of the EU, so that no time can be lost in moving to start negotiations on a trade and investment agreement that will set the standards for other ambitious agreements and also one that will have global significance.
