Written Answers Nos 362-377
362. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total cost of Enterprise Ireland spending on promoting the English language sector in 2010, 2011 and 2012; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of that spending; the range of initiatives, including direct marketing campaigns to raise awareness of Ireland as an education destination, taken in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26861/13]
View answerThe promotion of the English Language Sector is the responsibility of Fáilte Ireland and does not come within the remit of Enterprise Ireland (EI). EI is however responsible for the promotion of Ireland’s Higher Education Sector in overseas markets. Higher Education is defined as qualifications from Level 7 to Level 10 under the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Under the NFQ, English language qualifications do not qualify as Higher Education qualifications.
The Higher Education Sector comprises Universities, Institutes of Technology and Private Colleges offering HETAC (Higher Education Training Awards Council) approved degrees. EI support is restricted to Higher Education Institutions that are trading internationally. The potential supports are restricted to soft supports and capability supports such as management development group programmes, training and feasibility studies.
In Ireland’s International Education Strategy 2010-2015 for the Internationalisation of the Higher Education Sector, published in September 2010, it was agreed that an International Marketing Fund be established and used to promote Ireland as a location of Higher Education through the “Education in Ireland” Brand. Enterprise Ireland manages the Fund and income is sourced from Enterprise Ireland, Department of Education and Skills and the Sector. Expenditure is directed on promotional and marketing campaigns in priority markets of China, US, India, Brazil, Gulf States and Malaysia. Expenditure for 2012 was €442,000.
363. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when a work permit will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26955/13]
View answerAn application in respect of an employment permit for the person named was received in my Department on 7th March 2013. This application was refused on 27th March 2013. A request to review the decision was received within the prescribed timeframe of 21 days and this review will take place shortly.
364. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons in County Longford and County Westmeath who have applied for the microenterprise loan fund scheme since its establishment in October 2012; the number of those applications that were approved; the number of jobs that are being supported by these approved loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27448/13]
View answerMicrofinance Ireland (MFI) opened for business on Monday 1st October 2012. A full progress report on the operation of the scheme from 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2013 can be found on my Department’s website (www.enterprise.gov.ie) and the Microfinance Ireland (MFI) website (www.microfinanceireland.ie). I hope to publish the next MFI progress report by mid-July.
Detailed below is the latest set of data sought by the Deputy for Co. Longford and Co. Westmeath.
As of 5th June
|
County |
Received |
Approved |
Declined |
Withdrawn |
Jobs Supported |
|
Longford |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
365. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the work his Department is currently undertaking on various pieces of upcoming legislation, through a potential Bill to go through the Houses of the Oireachtas or through statutory instrument, to ensure Ireland is in compliance with the upcoming deadlines of directives from the European Union; the deadline in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27477/13]
View answerMy Department ensures that a high profile is given to ensuring that a good performance on the transposition of Directives is maintained. Within the Department transposition is monitored on a regular basis.
A total of 7 Directives require to be transposed by my Department up to the end of May 2015. One Directive is recently overdue since 11th May 2013, Directive 2010/32/EU on implementing the Framework agreement on prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and health care sector. A number of issues arose late in the legal settlement process and further engagement was required on a technical matter with the Commission which meant that the transposition deadline for this Directive could not be met. It is hoped to be in a position to complete the transposition of this Directive at an early date.
A full list of the Directives to be transposed and the current position in respect of their transposition is provided in the table below. This table can also be accessed on my Department’s website at www.djei.ie
Directives to be Transposed in 2013 (Four)
|
Description of Directive |
Deadline for Transposition |
Current position |
Means of Transposition |
|
1. Directive 2010/32/EU implementing the Framework Agreement on prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector concluded by HOSPEEM and EPSU. |
11/05/2013 Section: HSA Liaison |
Overdue A number of issues arose late in the legal settlement process and further engagement with the Commission was required on a technical matter which meant that the transposition deadline for this Directive could not be met. It is hoped to be in a position to complete the transposition of this Directive at an early date. |
Transposition will be by means of a Statutory Instrument. |
|
2. Directive 2004/40/EC (as amended by 2008/46/EC) amendment on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields). |
31/10/2013 Section: HSA Liaison |
Drafting has not yet commenced as an alternative Directive is now being finalised which will mean that the Directive due for transposition by 31/10/2013 will now be superseded. |
Not applicable as will be superseded by an alternative Directive. |
|
3. Directive 2011/77/EU on the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights. |
01/11/2013 Section: Intellectual Property Unit |
Formal drafting of a legislative instrument by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is in progress |
Transposition will be by means of a Statutory Instrument. |
|
4. Directive 2011/83/EU on Consumer Rights. |
13/12/2013 Section: Competition & Consumer |
Initial work on drafting has commenced. A Public consultation paper was placed on the Department’s website on 16th May 2013. |
Transposition will be by means of a Statutory Instrument. |
Directives to be transposed in 2014 (Two)
|
5. Directive 2012/28/EU on certain permitted use of orphan works |
29/10/2014 Section: Intellectual Property Unit |
Preparatory work is in hand. |
A decision on the manner of transposition has not yet been taken. |
|
6. Directive 2013/10/EU amending the aerosol directive |
19/03/2014 Section: Competition & Consumer |
Work will commence in Quarter 3 2013. |
Transposition will be by means of a Statutory Instrument. |
Directives to be transposed in 2015 (One)
|
7. Directive 2012/18/EU on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances |
31/05/2015, although one aspect has an earlier date of 14/2/2014 Section: Chemical Regulation Policy Unit |
Drafting has not yet commenced. |
It is intended that transposition will be by means of a Statutory Instrument |
366. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if EU Directive 2010/32/EU, on the prevention of sharp injuries has been transposed into law; and if not, the timeframe for transposition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27601/13]
View answerDraft transposing Regulations to bring the "Sharps" Directive into force in Irish legislation have been prepared by my Department in conjunction with the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC). However, in considering the Draft Regulations, a number of issues arose and two issues remain outstanding. These are currently being responded to by my Department, together with the HSA, before revised text proposals can be submitted to the OPC for legal settlement. As the 11 May 2013 transposition deadline has passed, the European Commission has been notified of the position.
My Department hopes to have revised Draft Regulations available for consideration for the OPC shortly with a view to their introduction at an early date.
Notwithstanding that the "Sharps" Directive itself has yet to be transposed through national Regulations, the duties to maintain a safe and healthy workplace under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated regulations still obtain.
367. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has received the National Consumer Agency 2012 annual report; when he expects the report to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27623/13]
View answerThe Consumer Protection Act 2007 requires the National Consumer Agency no later than 6 months after the end of each financial year to make a report in writing to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation of its activities during the year. The Act further provides that before the report is published, the Minister shall as soon as practicable after receiving the annual report cause to have copies of it to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. I wish to advise the Deputy that I recently received the Agency’s 2012 annual report, which I intend to bring to the attention of the Government shortly. The report will then be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This will allow the report to be published by the Agency, which I understand it intends to do as soon as possible thereafter.
368. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation regarding Ireland's position at the World Trade Organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland, if Ireland's position as a full member of the WTO is ever different to that of the European Union, which is also a full member of the WTO, bearing in mind that Ireland is a member state of the EU; the steps that will be taken within the WTO if the position of Ireland and the EU ever differs; his views on whether both a member state of the EU such as Ireland and the EU itself, both being full members of the WTO is beneficial; his views on whether both member states and the EU itself being members of the WTO, dual representation, could be a model to be replicated by the EU at the United Nations in New York for the General Assembly where it does not enjoy full status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27633/13]
View answerBoth the European Union (EU) and the 27 EU Member States are members of the WTO. The European Commission negotiates at the WTO on behalf of the European Union and its Member States when authorised by the Council.
In doing so, the Commission seeks to reconcile EU Member States' interests and priorities with WTO partners' requests by aiming to secure a consensus among the Member States. Ireland’s position with regard to WTO matters is represented within this consensus. Ireland’s informed position is formulated by drawing on its full participation in the WTO and its supporting structures.
When the EU negotiates an agreement at the WTO, it does so on the basis of a formal authorisation of the Council. The Commission actively consults with Member States in the Council throughout WTO negotiations and will take the Council’s position into account to achieve an outcome beneficial to Member States. The Commission also requires the formal agreement of Council in order to conclude any WTO related agreement.
My understanding is that the rules for Membership of the WTO and the United Nations are different. The UN Charter provides the rules for membership of the United Nations. The European Union is not a Member State under the terms of the UN Charter. The EU gained enhanced observer status in May 2011. This allows the EU through the European External Action Service (EEAS) the right to speak among representatives of major groups. European Union Member States coordinate closely to advance common EU positions at the United Nations.
369. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any consideration has been given by him to the idea of a small business Saturday which has been running in the United States since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27775/13]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for bringing this campaign to my attention. In 2010 American Express created the Small Business Saturday movement to encourage people to shop at their local business on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
To reach as many people as possible, American Express made Facebook the hub of its marketing efforts for the initiative. Both multinationals have promoted this initiative through incentivised measures for participants such as free advertising on Facebook or free credit from American Express when dealing with participating merchants.
The Deputy will be aware that a similar initiative, Fiver Friday, is already underway in Ireland. This campaign was established by an Irish entrepreneur, Mark Beggs, with the aim of promoting and supporting local Irish businesses. This campaign encourages consumers to spend just five euros locally in order to support local enterprises and jobs. The Fiver Friday has also utilised social media networks such as Facebook to garner support across Ireland.
While the campaign in the United States has been established and promoted by two multinationals, the Irish campaign is the result of small scale private enterprise coming together to stimulate and protect small businesses in their local economy. It is clear that both campaigns have been very successful in their objective to stimulate and promote small business in their local economies. Such initiatives are of course very welcome and are valuable tools in continuing efforts to reinvigorate economies across the globe.
370. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on the status of a work permit application submitted by a person (details supplied); the timeframe within which he expects the application to be fully processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27800/13]
View answerA work permit application has been received in respect of this person on 13th May 2013. I understand that a decision will made in the coming days in relation to this case.
371. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his position on the proposal for fuller country by country reporting for all large European countries which will expand on the recent agreement on the EU accounting and transparency directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27896/13]
View answer372. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will use Ireland's Presidency of the EU to ensure that fuller country by country reporting for all European countries is followed through on; the form this fuller reporting will take; the way it will be monitored and regulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27897/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 372 together.
In the event that the European Commission were to adopt a legislative proposal for an EU measure of the kind referred to by the Deputy, with an appropriate legal basis and supported by an impact assessment, the relevant Irish Authorities would deal with such a draft measure in the same manner as all other such Commission proposals. As the Deputy will be aware the right of initiative for EU legislative measures resides with the EU Commission.
373. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there is any start up support scheme available to a person to lease a public house business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27917/13]
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. Public Houses 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 a project promoter might be able to 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 provides 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.
374. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection her policy in relation to assisting those with autism and or autistic spectrum disorders to access employment opportunities, particularly in the context of announcements by various multinational companies regarding ASD persons and their intention to target the ASD community for these jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26770/13]
View answer406. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the services her Department provides that take account of the needs of the autistic community; and if she is considering modifying criteria for benefits to take account of the needs of those with autism and or autistic spectrum disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26769/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 406 together.
My Department provides a range of income and employment supports for people with disabilities including those with autism. The disability allowance (DA) represents an important income support to people who are unfit for work. Also, domiciliary care allowance (DCA) represents a very important support to parents and guardians who live with, and care for, children with a disability.
However, eligibility on medical conditions, for any illness-related benefit/allowance will depend on the severity and expected duration of the condition, and in the case of carers the care requirements. All applications are assessed on a claim-by-claim basis.
In regard to employment support, the Department’s supported employment programme operated under the “EmployAbility” banner provides the services of a job-coach for those wishing to take up employment opportunities. Other relevant supports would include the wage subsidy scheme and the work equipment adaptation grant. I encourage private sector employers to avail of these supports to increase the participation rates of people with disabilities in the labour market.
375. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason there is no divorce register in operation despite the fact that such a register was obligated in the Divorce Act 1996. [26690/13]
View answerPart 7 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 makes provision for the establishment of a register of decrees of divorce and a register of decrees of nullity. However, the provisions of Part 7 have yet to be commenced.
The system of civil registration in Ireland has been extensively modernised in the last decade or so and, as part of the modernisation programme, the majority of all records have been computerised. Priority within this programme of work has been given to the registers of births, deaths and marriages due to the extent of public demand for certificates and other information from these registers.
Part 7 of the Civil Registration Act provides that entries in both registers will be the responsibility of officers of the Courts Service. This would require that both registers would have to be electronic, the design and maintenance of this has resource implications.
In the light of these considerations, there are no plans to commence these provisions in the immediate future but the matter will be examined again when circumstances permit.
376. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the criteria used to abolish the book allowance grant for students eligible for the back to education allowance; and if she will outline what alternative grants are available that BTEA students could apply for (details supplied). [27511/13]
View answerThe numbers availing of BTEA and the associated cost of the scheme has risen dramatically in recent years. Numbers for the current 2012/13 academic year at the end of December 2012 was 25,961 which represents a 220% increase on the 2006/07 numbers. The provisional outturn in 2012 is €199.56m. Expenditure on the scheme has followed an increasing trend rising from just over €64m in 2007 to almost €200m in 2012, an increase of 212%.
The BTEA scheme remains an attractive scheme for social welfare recipients who wish to further their education and is comparable with other State funded supports for those pursuing education. A significant majority of those entering the scheme are in receipt of the maximum personal weekly rate of payment of €188 per week and, in addition, increases for qualified adults and children may also be payable. These rates of payments were fully protected in the last two Budgets.
The Deputy should note the Student Grant payable by the Department of Education and Skills represents the primary support for persons pursuing education. Students who qualify for the BTEA may be considered for support for the student contribution under the student grant scheme provided they satisfy the conditions of the relevant Student Grant scheme and Student Support regulations including those relating to approved course, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. Students should apply to Student Universal Support Ireland to have their eligibility for a grant towards the student contribution assessed.
Other supports available to students include the Student Assistance Fund which will continue to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The Access Officers themselves will also continue to provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies. Also the Fund for Students with Disabilities provides funding to both further and higher education institutions for the provision of services and supports for full-time students with disabilities.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners.
377. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the criteria used in establishing the suitability of candidates for inclusion on Momentum programme courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27095/13]
View answerThe Momentum initiative provides free education and training opportunities for up to 6,500 long-term unemployed jobseekers. The initiative is administered by FÁS and funded by the Department of Education & Skills through the National Training Fund (NTF) and co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF). In line with the commitments given in Pathways to Work, eligibility for the Momentum initiative is targeted at the long term unemployed. In determining a jobseeker’s eligibility and suitability for a Momentum course, Departmental Case Officers and Local Employment Service Mediators must establish that the jobseekers:
- meets the required qualifying period on the Live Register of 12 months (312 claim days) or longer, and
- is in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance/benefit payment or credited contributions for 12 months or longer, and
- is actively seeking work.
In addition, the jobseeker will be required to meet the advertised course entry requirements/criteria and the candidate profiles as set by training providers. Aptitude testing by providers or other special course entry requirements may apply (including Garda Vetting).
