Written Answers Nos. 299-319
299. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider phasing in the larger pupil-teacher ratio in vocational education committee schools over a longer time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25919/13]
View answerThe pupil teacher ratio (PTR) for the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme is due to change from 17:1 to 19:1 with effect from 1 September 2013 for the 2013/2014 academic year in accordance with the decision taken by the Government last year as part of the budgetary process. I have no plans to phase in this PTR increase. However, Chief Executive Officers of Vocational Educational Committees (VECs) were invited to forward impact statements to my Department on the effect of this regression on their PLC provision. A review of these impact statements was conducted having regard to the need to operate within overall budgetary constraints and the Employment Control Framework. Following this review some alleviation of the reduction in teaching posts is being allowed to those VECs who were losing six or more posts as a transitional measure.
300. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider removing the cap on the number of students in vocational education committee controlled schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25920/13]
View answerWhile there is a finite number of places for which funding can be made available there is no actual cap on the number of students that can be enrolled in Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) schools. In 2012/2013 PLC providers enrolled 35,609 learners which is a commendable achievement We welcome the fact that VECs/schools are endeavouring to cater for as many learners as possible within their allocations. My Department funds the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme by allocating places to VECs and other schools. The total number of places available nationwide is 32,688. My Department is not in a position to increase this number as there is a continuing requirement to plan and control numbers and to manage expenditure within the context of overall educational policy and provision.
301. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the up-to-date position regarding the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; the stage of this project at present; when it is proposed to have the project proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for the project to advance to construction stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25924/13]
View answerThe Major Building Project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The school's Design Team are currently working on a Revised Stage 1 Submission. Arrangements are currently being made for the revised Submission to be presented to my Department. Subject to no further issues arising, the project will then progress to Stage 2(a) - Developed Sketch Design.
Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme. School building projects previously initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future. The project referred to by the Deputy remains available to be considered for progression in that context.
302. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 258 of 26 March 2013, the reason no contact has been made by his Department with the relevant person as per the response issued last March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25936/13]
View answerOfficials of my Department have been advised by County Cork VEC, who is the employer of this teacher, that his case is being examined. The VEC officials will be in direct contact with the person in the near future.
303. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that special educational needs supports have been withdrawn from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 1, on the basis that the supports are only provided to primary and special schools, yet this school has a roll number as provided to all primary and special schools, compiles the annual statistical returns for special schools to his Department annually, is classified as a special school on his Departments website, received a new building under the primary and special school building unit and adheres to the rules and regulations for national schools; and if he will take corrective action to remedy this situation. [25952/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the facility which she refers to in her question provides a two-year pre-school programme which caters for 3-5 year old children. The Pre-School project referred to is not a designated Primary or Special School, but a stand-alone project in receipt of an individual resourcing mechanism which is separate to the resourcing arrangements which apply to mainstream and Special schools, including supports which are provided to mainstream and Special schools to support pupils with special educational needs.
The Pre-School referred to by the Deputy in her question is in receipt of significant supports from my Department. In 2012 my Department provided support to the value of approximately €740,000 to this Pre-School. The provision included staffing of an Administrative Principal, 6 teachers and 5 child care workers catering for 95 children, a pupil to adult ratio of approximately 8:1. In addition to the teaching and child care provision, the project receives an annual grant from my Department to fund non-teaching pay costs which provides for the employment of a cook, cleaner and a secretary. My Department also provides funding towards the non-pay or running costs of the project. Finally, I wish to clarify that the funding awarded to the Project is based on budget proposals submitted by the each year. The funding awarded by my Department for 2012 matched the proposals submitted.
304. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25177/13]
View answerI trust the Deputy understands the context in which corrective measures have been and are being introduced. There is a very serious disturbance in the economy and a serious crisis in revenue. Ireland is availing of financial assistance programmes provided by the IMF and the EU and has undertaken to meet spending targets in that regard.
As the Deputy will be aware, the then Government decided in 2010, in light of the national budgetary position, that retired public service pensioners should make a contribution to the overall required fiscal adjustment, by way of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR). This decision was taken having regard to the gap between the burden being borne by those currently in public service employment (where the pension related deduction (PRD) and pay reduction have impacted) and their retired counterparts. This Government’s intention to require a further contribution to the fiscal consolidation effort from Public Service pensioners with pensions in excess of €32,500, is one element in the wider plan to restore stability to the public finances. The scale of consolidation required can only be achieved with a contribution from all of the main components of public expenditure. None of the measures were or are being done lightly but are considered necessary in view of the wide gap between our revenues and our expenditure, and in view also of our commitment to restore order to the public finances by reducing the general Government deficit to less than 3% by 2015.
Any reduction in pension payments is, of course, a serious step. However, the grave condition of the public finances and the threat to Ireland’s economic wellbeing provide the context for such exceptional measures. I would note, for the Deputy’s information that the first €12,000 of pension is exempt from the PSPR, and that the bands and rates of the PSPR are progressively structured so that persons on lower pensions are proportionately less affected than those on higher pensions. The additional reductions planned for 1 July 2013 will be confined to pensions in payment greater than €32,500 only. As I indicated to the Alliance of Retired Public Servants when I met with them yesterday, I hope to move towards reducing the burden of the public service pension reduction when economic progress permits.
305. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is a ban on making Office of Public Works sites available for commercial use where it would bring revenue into a local area and promote the local region; and if he will reconsider this in the context of a site (details supplied) in County Donegal. [25230/13]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has given permission for the use of Grianan of Aileach, the site in question, for many events including filming by BBC Northern Ireland in 2006. It has also given permission for festival events such as the Awakening Festival in 2012 and again this year.
The OPW has no objection in principle to the use of this or other heritage sites in a commercial context. However, each request must be considered on its own merit, taking into consideration the limitations of the site (potential risk to archeology for example) and considerations of appropriateness. Regarding the site in question, the area around the stone fort is both archaeologically and ecologically sensitive and is excluded from use during the staging of any proposed events or activities. Interference with the ground or surfaces of the interior of the stone fort is also prohibited. All requests for use of OPW sites should be sent to permissions@opw.ie.
306. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the discussions he or his Department have had regarding the provision of funding to build an extension to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15. [25256/13]
View answerThe size and provision of capital allocations, both annual and multi-annual, for the Department of Education and Skills are a normal and regular subject of engagement between my Department and that Department. However, decisions and determinations about the project selection and prioritisation from within the overall pipeline of school projects for funding from within the overall allocations are a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills and his Department.
307. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding transferred from the national lottery funds to Government Departments and agencies for good causes in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25287/13]
View answer308. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding transferred from the national lottery funds to the Office of the Minister for Children in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25288/13]
View answer309. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the impact of the sale of the national lottery licence on the amount of funding available for good causes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25289/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 307 to 309, inclusive, together.
The surpluses transferred from the National Lottery Fund to the Exchequer in each of the years referred to in the Deputy’s question were as follows:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2008 |
€265 million |
|
2009 |
€275 million |
|
2010 |
€250 million |
|
2011 |
€230 million |
|
2012 |
€220 million |
Appendix 1 of the Revised Estimates for Public Services (REV) for each of these years gives a breakdown by Vote and subhead of the expenditure areas that were supported by the proceeds of the National Lottery for each of those years. As Lottery funding is treated as an item of non-tax revenue to the Exchequer, it is not possible to indicate the amount or percentage of Lottery funding provided to any particular Vote or subhead, including Votes or subheads which related to the Office of the Minister for Children or the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. However, Appendix 1 of the REV sets out both the overall level of expenditure under these subheads and the level of funding which comes from the proceeds of the National Lottery. For example, in 2012, overall expenditure under these subheads was €333 million of which €220 came from the proceeds of the National Lottery.
The next licence to operate the National Lottery is being designed to align interests between the new operator and the State with the objective of maximising contributions to be paid to Good Causes over the life of the next licence.
As I advised during the Dáil Committee Stage debate on the National Lottery Act 2013, it is intended that Good Causes contributions over the period of the new licence will be linked to a percentage of Gross Gaming Revenues (Sales less Prizes). This will offer the next licensee greater flexibility and scope for the growth and development of lottery games and distribution channels. Growth in Good Cause Revenues will ensure that contributions to Good Causes are maximised over the period of the new licence.
The precise percentage of Gross Gaming Revenues which will be allocated to Good Causes will be determined prior to the launch of the licence competition when a number of other matters in relation to the licence structure and licence competition will also be decided. The Government’s aim in this process is to deliver a significant upfront payment while ensuring that the annual revenues for Good Causes are maximised.
310. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he proposes to carry out a cost benefit analysis of all the Ombudsman’s offices. [25363/13]
View answer311. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he proposes to examine the function of the Ombudsman’s offices and the expansion of the Ombudsman system and their value for money in the interest of the citizen of the State. [25364/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 311 together.
The Office of the Ombudsman undertook a major organisational review in 2011 to improve the efficiency of its service and to enable it to deal with the extra bodies that were to come within its remit under the terms of a proposed Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill. The structural and process changes that resulted from that review will now assist the Office in dealing with a doubling of the number of bodies within its remit from 1 May 2013 on foot of the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012 without additional staffing resources being required. Given the short lapse of time since the review of 2011, it is not considered necessary at this stage to engage in any cost benefit analysis or other form of major review of the functions of the Office. The performance of the Office in dealing with its new enhanced range of duties will, however, be kept under review in the years ahead.
312. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will list the cost of each Ombudsman under his remit in the years from 2000 to 2012, within the ongoing economic difficulties which challenge us all to work differently. [25365/13]
View answerThe following table gives the expenditure on the Office of the Ombudsman for the period requested.
|
- |
Amount |
|
Year |
‘€000 |
|
2000 |
1,476 |
|
2001 |
1,739 |
|
2002 |
2,483 |
|
2003 |
2,788 |
|
2004 |
2,741 |
|
2005 |
2,983 |
|
2006 |
3,326 |
|
2007 |
3,568 |
|
2008 |
4,722 |
|
2009 |
4,796 |
|
2010 |
4,537 |
|
2011 |
4,432 |
|
2012 |
4,174 |
313. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the position of the Office of Ombudsman in relation to civil servants retiring during the course of an investigation; and its implication for that civil servant, if any. [25366/13]
View answerI am informed by the Office of the Ombudsman that it is not its practice to re-engage staff members who retire. The Office has also indicated that it has succession planning and business continuity practices in place to ensure that the retirement of officials has no negative implications on investigations carried out under its auspices.
314. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations, including State bodies, agencies and boards, that have been abolished, merged, or absorbed into existing State bodies, respectively; the level of savings that have been achieved as a result; and the number of quangos that now remain; the difference between this figure and the figure of March 2011; and his future plans in this area. [25409/13]
View answerMy Department is currently monitoring the implementation of the agency rationalisation programme of the Public Service Reform Plan on a quarterly basis. The latest tables which detail this progress to end Quarter 1 2013 can be found at:
http://per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Public-Service-Rationalisation-Measures-end-Q1-2013.pdf
In summary, the tables show that significant progress has been made by Departments on the implementation of agreed rationalisation measures. To date, rationalisation and amalgamation measures involving 25 bodies have been fully implemented, and measures involving a further 83 bodies are at advanced legislative or administrative stages. Further measures, involving 107 bodies, were identified under a critical review process undertaken in 2012 as part of the Public Service Reform Plan. The majority of these measures will be implemented in 2013.
On the issue of savings, the Public Service Reform Plan aimed to secure €20 million in enhanced service efficiencies and value-for-money from the rationalisation programme, a target which will be achieved. The bulk of the savings are derived from a reduction in the number of public servants working in the merged entities.
From the outset we have maintained that the lasting and most important benefit from the rationalisation of State Bodies will be a less crowded administrative landscape resulting in greater democratic accountability, less duplication of effort and clearer lines of responsibility for the citizen. Moreover, the rationalisation programme needs to be understood as just one of a package of reform measures that will allow for the continued delivery of critical services against the backdrop of public service numbers. There will of course be other cash savings realised over time as organisations, financial systems, office accommodation etc. are rationalised into leaner, more coherent structures. These savings, some of which will be once-off, will be factored into the overall budgetary framework as they arise.
With regard to the Deputy’s question regarding the number of State Bodies that still exist, as I have stated before in previous PQs, there are three broad categories of State Bodies. Firstly, there are a number of Offices of State which typically are staffed by Civil Servants and have their own Vote for the allocation of public monies and which are within a Vote Group. A list of these bodies is set out in Appendix 1.
Secondly there are non-commercial State Bodies who are usually staffed by Public Servants and funded (or part funded) through a grant-in-aid from their parent Department. Details of such bodies are set out in the Detailed Expenditure Information on Non-Commercial State Agencies included in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2013, which can be found on my Department’s website at: http://per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/REVISED-ESTIMATES-VOLUME-2013-final.pdf.
Beyond that within each Department there are many other executive offices, divisions and directorates, operational or consultative groupings, task groups or forums that exist for various purposes that might or might not meet the definition of ‘entity’. Many of these groups are transient in nature in response to the needs and business pressures of particular Departments and sectors and details of which would not be held centrally. Questions on such bodies should be directed to the relevant Ministers. The internal organisation of my own Department is set out in Appendix 2.
Offices of State etc. with their own Vote
|
Vote |
Service |
|
1 |
PRESIDENT'S ESTABLISHMENT |
|
3 |
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL |
|
4 |
CENTRAL STATISTICS OFFICE |
|
5 |
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS |
|
6 |
CHIEF STATE SOLICITOR'S OFFICE |
|
8 |
OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER & AUDITOR GENERAL |
|
10 |
OFFICE OF THE APPEAL COMMISSIONERS |
|
14 |
STATE LABORATORY |
|
16 |
VALUATION OFFICE |
|
17 |
PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS SERVICE |
|
19 |
OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN |
|
23 |
PROPERTY REGISTRATION AUTHORITY |
The above table does not include the Revenue Commissioners, The Office of Public Works, the Courts or the Prison Services, all of which are generally understood to be part of the Civil Service, The Garda or HSE Votes each of which are specific sectors, or the National Gallery which is a cultural institution with its own Vote.
Appendix 2
Internal Organisation of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform:
Expenditure Policy Evaluation and Management Division
Health, Pensions Policy and EU/NI Division
Labour Market and Enterprise Policy Division
Remuneration and Industrial Relations Division
Centre for Management and Organisational Development (CMOD) and eGovernment
Public Service Reform and Delivery Office (including Shared Services Transformation Unit)
Civil Service Human Resources Division (including PeoplePoint)
Government Reform Unit
Human Resources / Corporate Support Unit
Office of the Chief Medical Officer
National Procurement Office
Note: All of the above report to the Secretary General of the Department.
Other bodies under my Department include Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC), Outside Appointments Board, Public Service Agreement Implementation Body, Civil Service Arbitration Board, the Valuation Tribunal, and Special EU Programmes Body. Separately, both the Institute of Public Administration and the Economic and Social Research Institute receive Grant-in-aid from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
315. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration is being given to partially or fully lift the embargo on public service recruitment in key areas as part of his plans for public service reform. [25574/13]
View answerThe Government has set out an ambitious public service reform plan that aims to transform the quality and cost effectiveness of public services in Ireland. As part of that plan we are undertaking a steady and managed reduction in public service numbers. There is not a wholesale embargo on recruitment, indeed there is quite significant recruitment in targeted priority areas such as health and education.
Quite sensibly, the Government is taking a measured and prudent approach to mitigate the potential disadvantages of reduced staffing levels. To this end, the numbers reduction policy:
- takes account of priority areas, by allowing for replacement of key staff especially in the education sector and in key areas of health;
- gives sectoral and local management discretion in exactly how staff resources are allocated within an area;
- provides a framework for redeployment of staff across the public service;
- and includes introducing new streamlined services such as shared services, which allow functions to be maintained and indeed enhanced with reduced staff levels and at a lower cost.
Reform of the public service is necessary both because we need to reduce costs given our serious fiscal position, and because the quality of public services for the citizen needs to be continually improved and value-for-money for the taxpayer protected. The Government’s reform plan is comprehensive and ambitious. It captures a wide range of reform projects, including:
- ICT infrastructure projects to support enhanced automation, better online services and shared payroll and HR services;
- Change management projects to support more effective work practices, redeployment, rostering and manpower planning;
- Organisation restructuring, involving mergers of previously separate state bodies and of divisions and work areas within organisations.
These reform projects will allow the public service to function more efficiently and more cost effectively over the medium term. Crucially, they are facilitating the delivery of services while making headcount reduction.
316. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the intended transfer in trust of Mount Congreve Gardens in County Waterford to the State will take place; the reason for the non completion in discussions between the Office of Public Works and the Congreve Foundation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25600/13]
View answerThe house and gardens at Mount Congreve are currently under the care of the Mount Congreve Trust. The Mount Congreve Trust consists of three Trustees including the Commissioners of Public Works. The remaining two Trustees represent the Congreve Foundation and were appointed by Mr. Congreve. The Trust period for the gardens commenced upon the death of Mr Congreve in May 2011 and will expire in May 2032. The Mansion House will remain in the hands of the Trust until 2059. Only upon the expiration of these Trust periods will the properties revert to the ownership of the State. The Commissioners of Public Works, in their role as Trustee, have been in discussions with the other Trustees as to the future management of the Trust properties. While these discussions are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
317. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there is any support for those engaged in retail start ups here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25094/13]
View answerAnyone interested in starting their own business should in the first instance contact their local County and City Enterprise Board (CEB). The CEBs support the indigenous micro-enterprise sector in the start-up and expansion phases and stimulate enterprise potential at local level. They are the first port of call in terms of advice, direction, training and grant support for anyone who wishes to start a business. Contact details for the CEBs are available on www.enterpriseboards.ie.
The Boards are required to give priority to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector, which over time can develop into strong export entities and graduate to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio. Retail enterprises are ineligible for financial support from the CEBs as it is considered that these generally give rise to concerns over displacement (where the projects simply displace business from other players in the market). However they can avail of non-financial assistance in the form of a wide range of business advice and information services, management capability training and development programmes, e-Commerce training initiatives etc. Training courses include such topics as start-your-own-business, taxation for beginners, internet marketing, ideas generation and negotiation skills.
In addition, Microfinance Ireland is providing support in the form of loans of up to €25,000 available to start-up, newly established or growing microenterprises employing less than 10 people with viable business propositions that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by the banks. The Fund has a significant entrepreneurship focus and is open to anyone with a viable business proposal. Applications for the Microfinance Fund should be channelled through the local CEB. The 2013 Action Plan for Jobs also includes a number of measures designed to help the retail sector. These include a project to streamline the application process for business licences in the retail sector, and an initiative to encourage more businesses to trade on-line. Developments on these initiatives will be reported on a quarterly basis on my Department’s website, www.enterprise.gov.ie, as part of the Action Plan for Jobs Progress Reports.
318. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a ruling by a rights commissioner of the Labour Relations Commission in favour of a person (details supplied); if there should be further delays in bringing this matter to a conclusion, the steps that can be taken by the claimant to enforce this ruling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25152/13]
View answerThe Rights Commissioner Service is part of the Labour Relations Commission, a statutory body independent of my Department in the performance of its functions. Once a recommendation is issued by the Rights Commissioner Service that concludes the involvement of the Rights Commissioner Service.
However, I understand in this instance, that a recommendation issued from the Rights Commissioner Service in February 2012. This recommendation would have been accompanied by an Information Sheet outlining the appeals process. An appeal under the Industrial Relations Acts can be made within 6 weeks after the making of the Rights Commissioner decision. There is no record of such an appeal having been made in this case. Such an appeal would have resulted in a recommendation being issued to the parties by the Labour Court. This recommendation however would not have been legally enforceable as such recommendations under the Industrial Relations Acts 1969- 2001 are voluntarist in nature. As there is no legal compellability available to enforce such awards the only avenue open to the claimant is to seek, either herself or through her trade union, to have the award honoured by the employer.
319. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in relation to his Department’s monitoring of the south-east employment action plan, the number of ideas that have been funded in Waterford since its launch in January 2012; and the amount of funding for Waterford ideas that have been awarded to date. [25213/13]
View answerThe South East Employment Action Plan has a number of recommendations which the relevant agencies and stakeholders are charged with implementing. The following are examples of agency funding provided to individuals or companies in Waterford and in the South East since January 2012 to develop new business ideas.
Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme is a rapid incubation programme designed to provide hands-on support and management development for entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business.
Twenty promoters were accepted on to the 2012 programmes run in Waterford IT and Carlow IT. All were approved a €15,000 scholarship from Enterprise Ireland to develop business ideas which can be spun out as knowledge based companies to provide jobs and export sales. Graduates are expected to go on to set up new businesses in the South East following the programme.
Enterprise Ireland launched a pilot Competitive Feasibility Fund for new start-ups in the South East in January 2012. Over 40 applications were received with 14 high quality projects being approved for funding. The total fund was approximately €200,000. To date, one of the projects has been approved High Potential Start Up funding. Enterprise Ireland continues to work with innovative start-up companies at all stages of development and growth within the region.
Since 2007, Enterprise Ireland has approved a total of 707 Innovation Vouchers to companies in the South East with 287 approved to Waterford based companies (as of March 2013). Waterford has the fourth highest number of approved vouchers since 2007.
In addition to the above, the Waterford County and the Waterford City Enterprise Boards have both continued to use the funding available under the European Globalisation Fund and from my Department to provide supports for micro-enterprises within the County. From 1 January 2012 to date, the two CEBs have funded 51 projects in the amount of €865,270 from the funding allocated by my Department, supporting the creation of 98 jobs, and funded a further 6 other projects in the amount of €110,462 with the financial support provided by the European Globalisation Fund.
Work is on-going on the implementation of the South-East Employment Action Plan recommendations, with agencies and stakeholders working together to maximise benefits for the region. The South East Forum, established to oversee the implementation of the Action Plan, and which I met most recently in March this year, will continue to examine ways that would lead to job creation and investment opportunities in the South East.
