Written Answers Nos. 433-449
433. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of notifications of the appointment of an arbitrator under the capital works management framework notified to the national procurement policy unit in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform since 2011 in respect of work carried out by his Department and agencies under the auspices of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35321/13]
View answerI would like to refer the Deputy to my response to a question tabled by him on 1 July 2013 (Parliamentary Question No. 416 refers), which sets out that the Arbitration Rules for use with the Public Works and Construction Services Contracts (AR1) require that each arbitrator appointed to an arbitration case under the Capital Works Management Framework notify the National Public Procurement Policy Unit (NPPPU) in my Department of their appointment within 14 days after accepting appointment. Notification of arbitrations to the NPPPU is a matter for the arbitrators appointed to a case and is not the responsibility of the individual Department or agency involved. To date one notification of appointment has been received in my Department.
434. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of the value for money assessment by the National Development Finance Agency on the proposed waste to energy incinerator in Poolbeg, Dublin, in 2007; the projected cost of the current value for money assessment under way; his views on whether this is an appropriate use of public funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35387/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware from my reply to a related question on 4 July my Department has the same role in relation to PPP projects as it does in relation to capital investment projects generally. It sets the overall capital investment framework and the basic principles to be observed for the appraisal, assessment, procurement and evaluation of projects. It does not have a direct role in delivering individual projects (either PPP or traditional Exchequer capital projects). This is primarily the responsibility of the Sponsoring Department-Agency.
In accordance with the guidance issued by my Department, the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) has the role of providing an opinion to the Sponsoring Agency (Dublin City Council) in relation to the value for money testing on a PPP project. In essence, the NDFA role in this project boils down to comparing the Net Present Value (“NPV”) of the private sector bid with the NPV of the agreed benchmark. The value for money assessment will be completed internally by the NDFA on receipt of all required documentation, and without the use of consultants. Careful consideration of all aspects of a project, including costs, benefits and financing, before significant commitments are entered into, represents value for money and accords with best practice.
435. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the majority of the Garden of Remembrance at Parnell Square is inaccessible to wheelchair users or those with impaired mobility; if and when an accessibility appraisal was carried out; the outcome of this appraisal; his plans to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35396/13]
View answerWhen the Garden of Remembrance was designed in 1940 and opened in 1966 as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Easter Rising the provision of universal access was neither a planning requirement nor considered a necessity. Universal access to the sunken pool and grassed areas was not provided.
As part of the planning application submitted to Dublin City Council in October 2012 for the proposed "Journey of light Memorial" to the Victims of Abuse in Institutions to be located at the western end of the Garden of Remembrance, an accessibility appraisal, which took into account the existing layout of the Garden, was carried out and submitted to Dublin City Council in November 2012. Planning permission for the proposed Memorial was granted on 19 May 2013. However this was appealed to An Bord Pleanála before the 6 June 2013 deadline and a decision of An Bord Pleanála is expected by 8 October 2013.
If approved, the Journey of Light Memorial project will address the majority of accessibility issues including the sunken pool area. Universal access to the main plinth area, where the Children of Lir statue is located, will then be the outstanding issue and it is hoped to address this in due course, mindful that any proposed interventions will have to have regard to the uniqueness and status of the Garden.
436. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 10 July 2013, when he expects the current Ombudsman to step down from her current position upon taking up her new role as European Ombudsman; the discussions he had held on this matter with officials in his Department; if he or officials in his Department received correspondence from any person to date seeking to be appointed Ombudsman; if he will be issuing a notice to call for expressions of interest for persons seeking to become the Ombudsman; if the position will be advertised through the Commission for Public Service Appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35448/13]
View answerIt is envisaged that the current Ombudsman will remain in her post until end-September. The process of appointing her successor is under consideration by the Government at present. It would be inappropriate at this stage of the Government’s deliberations to make any further comment on the matter.
437. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, details of the international banks that invested in the Irish public private partnership market each year between 2000 and 2012. [35456/13]
View answerI am informed by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), the State’s centre of expertise for the specialist procurement of PPP projects, that the International debt funders (at closing) in Irish PPPs to date are as follows:
|
Project |
FC Date |
International Debt Funders |
|
National Maritime College |
2003 |
European Investment Bank (EIB), Bank of Scotland |
|
5 Schools PPP Pilot |
2003 |
Barclays |
|
N4 N6 Kilcock Kinnegad |
2003 |
EIB, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), Santander |
|
M1 Dundalk Western Bypass |
2004 |
EIB, Societe Generale, Depfa, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) |
|
M8 Rathcormac Fermoy Bypass |
2004 |
EIB, Internationale Nederlanden Groep (ING), KBC |
|
Cork School of Music |
2005 |
Barclays |
|
N25 Waterford Bypass |
2006 |
EIB, BBVA, Santander |
|
N7 Limerick Southern Ring |
2006 |
EIB, Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS), Meridiam |
|
Courts of Criminal Justice |
2007 |
KBC |
|
Convention Centre Dublin |
2007 |
Depfa, Barclays |
|
M3 Clonee Kells |
2007 |
BBVA, Santander, Credit Agricole |
|
N6 Galway to East Ballinasloe |
2007 |
EIB, Banesto, Fortis, MedioCredito Centrale (MCC), Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) |
|
M50 Upgrade |
2007 |
EIB, La Caixa, Fortis, MCC, RBS |
|
M7 M8 Portlaoise Castletown Culahill |
2007 |
EIB, Societe Generale, ING |
|
Schools Bundle 2 |
2010 |
EIB, Nationale Investeringsbank Capital (NIBC) |
|
Schools Bundle 3 |
2012 |
EIB |
|
N11 Arklow Rathnew |
2013 |
EIB |
Our domestic banks would also have been involved in the funding of these projects.
Details of funders for individual transport projects are available on the National Roads Authority website:http://www.nra.ie/PublicPrivatePartnership/FinancialInformationonContractsAwarded.
Details of funders for individual accommodation projects is published in the presentation "Sourcing Funding Capital – Innovative ways to finance infrastructure development" which is available on the NDFA website: www.ndfa.ie/TenderCompetitions/MarketUpdates.
438. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is a central record of all public private partnerships, including those at a planning stage or those deferred or cancelled, with information on associated costs to date, work undertaken to date and work required to completion. [35457/13]
View answerA list of all Public Private Partnership projects currently under contract is published on the PPP website www.ppp.gov.ie/ppp-projects. Details of associated costs to date and nominal value of remaining PPP payments are included. The PPP website also contains details of PPP projects which are being planned.
Further information, including details of the competitive process for individual PPP projects and the indicative timeframe for these is available on the website of the National Development Finance Agency, the State’s centre of expertise for the specialist procurement of PPP projects: www.ndfa.ie/TenderCompetitions/projects.htm.
The Comptroller and Auditor General also includes a chapter "Financial Commitments under Public Private Partnerships" in his annual report each year which also give details of expenditure to date on PPP projects. The 2011 C&AG chapter included details of expenditure associated with deferred projects.
In line with the normal division of responsibilities in relation to expenditure, my Department has responsibility for setting the overall policy approach for Public Private Partnership projects, while the details of the actual projects is a matter for the relevant Ministers and their Departments and agencies.
439. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is confident that all overseas travel undertaken by staff in State agencies is necessary; if the agencies ensure that there is a robust business case submitted before travel is sanctioned; if the agency ensures that the objective of the travel cannot be achieved through other means; if, on their return, the staff have to submit a report on the work carried out while they were on agency business overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36048/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s questions I can confirm that the Institute of Public Administration, although a body under the aegis of my Department, has its own governance structures in place and is answerable directly to the Institute of Public Administration Board.
440. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the role and objectives of the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority. [34252/13]
View answerThe Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) was established under the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act, 2003 (the Act) and conferred with the majority of its functions in February 2006 when the Act was commenced. Its role is to support and enhance public confidence in the accountancy profession and financial reporting through the exercise of effective, independent oversight and the promotion of adherence to high standards.
Pursuant to the 2003 Act and the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 IAASA has four primary objectives:
- supervision of how the Prescribed Accountancy Bodies regulate and monitor their members
- monitoring of the periodic financial reporting of certain entities whose securities have been admitted to trading on a regulated market in the EU
- promotion of adherence to high professional standards in the auditing and accountancy profession
- acting as a specialist source of advice to the Minister on auditing and accounting matters.
In general, the system for the regulation and supervision of the accountancy and auditing profession in Ireland is one of regulation by the profession under independent supervision by a statutory authority. Under this system, the prescribed accountancy bodies are responsible for regulating their members.
A prescribed accountancy body is one that comes under the supervisory remit of IAASA and there are nine prescribed bodies in Ireland as follows: ACCA - Association of Chartered Certified Accountants; AIA - Association of International Accountants; CIMA - Chartered Institute of Management Accountants; CIPFA - Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy; ICAEW - Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales; ICAI - Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland; ICAS - Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland; ICPAI - Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland; IIPA - Institute of Incorporated Public Accountants.
The role of IAASA is to supervise the manner in which the accountancy bodies perform their regulatory functions and, if necessary, take appropriate action to ensure that the accountancy bodies are fully adhering to their own approved regulations and procedures.
441. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the EU-India free trade agreement meeting in Brussels on 15 April 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34916/13]
View answerThe competence for the EU's common commercial policy lies with the European Union. Under Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the European Commission conducts the negotiations on behalf of the EU. In that context, EU Commissioner for Trade, Karel De Gucht, met with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma, in Brussels on 15 April 2013. As I understand it, the meeting provided the opportunity to assess progress made up to that date and to identify remaining issues.
Negotiations on an ambitious and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between the EU and India were launched in June 2007. While an agreement has not yet been finalised, I understand that negotiations are at a crucial phase as negotiators attempt to bridge the remaining gaps between the sides.
442. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created in Cork in the past 12 months which have been supported by his Department or associated agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34208/13]
View answerEmployment data for Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland are collected annually as part of the Forfás Annual Employment survey. Employment figures for 2012 are outlined in the following tabular statement and figures for 2013 are not yet available.
Enterprise Ireland’s mission is to partner with entrepreneurs, businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, leadership, and competitiveness. The ultimate objective is increased employment and prosperity in Ireland.
Cork, as Ireland’s second city, has grown over the past decade into a globally recognised location for foreign direct investment, attracting several billions of euros in investment by overseas companies. In recent years, the IDA Ireland supported foreign direct investment base has expanded with the addition of software, customer support and shared services activities.
The County and City Enterprise Boards (CEB) in County Cork will continue to ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development and will work with microenterprise businesses on an ongoing basis. The following tabular statement outlines the jobs created by the Cork Enterprise Boards for 2012.
Number of Jobs created by Enterprise Ireland Client Companies in Cork
|
Year |
2012 |
|
Jobs Created (Full Time) |
1,663 |
Number of Jobs created by IDA Ireland Client Companies in Cork
|
Year |
2012 |
|
Jobs Created (Full Time) |
2,162 |
Jobs Created by the Cork County and City Enterprise Boards for 2012
|
County Enterprise Board |
Full-Time Jobs Created |
Part-Time Jobs Created |
Whole Time Equivalent |
|
Cork City |
52 |
19 |
61.5 |
|
North Cork |
59 |
12 |
65 |
|
South Cork |
179 |
97 |
227.5 |
|
West Cork |
83 |
58 |
112 |
|
Total |
373 |
186 |
466 |
443. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the funding that has been provided by his Department and associated agencies to support job creation in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34209/13]
View answerIn the time available it has not been possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy. I will arrange to have it forwarded to him as soon as possible.
444. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the funding provided by his Department and associated agencies for scientific research; the amount of such funding allocated to educational institutions in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34210/13]
View answerThe use of scientific research has a crucial role to play in supporting economic recovery and in driving sustainable employment in the current environment. A wide range of programmes are being delivered by the Enterprise Agencies - IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland, to promote research and innovation and give Irish enterprise a competitive edge in the global market place.
For the current year, 2013, the Exchequer allocations from my Department to the agencies within its remit involved in funding research are as follows:
Enterprise Ireland – Subhead B4 – Research and Development is in receipt of €131.7 million from my Department, (of which €127 million is capital and €4.7 million current funding).
Science Foundation Ireland has a budget in 2013 of €162.35 million, (of which €152.3 million is capital and €10.05 million current).
The Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, aimed at delivering world class research infrastructure, has been allocated €44.34 million, (of which €16.7 million is capital and €27.6 million current funds).
IDA has been allocated €124.32 million, (of which €86 million is capital and €38.32 million current funds).
In addition, my Department provided an allocation of €2.9 million capital funding in 2013 to the Tyndall National Institute, based in Cork. This core grant is an essential component in the continued successful operation of the complex research support infrastructure within Tyndall.
It will be my aim to enable the research funding agencies within the remit of my Department to continue to support scientific research and thereby help enterprise to be sustainable and to grow and provide jobs in this country for Ireland’s workforce.
Science Foundation Ireland Funding Allocated to Educational Institutes in Cork
With regard to the amount of funding allocated to educational institutions in Cork, currently there are 118 live SFI supported grants being led by Cork based institutions spanning University College Cork, the Tyndall National Institute, Cork IT and Teagasc, Moorepark, Co Cork. The total awards value of these awards is €172 million, of which existing commitments amounting to €92 million remains over the period to 2019. It is also important to note that the Cork based institutions are partners in numerous other live SFI research awards which are being led by institutions elsewhere in the country.
Discover Science & Engineering Funding
In March 2012, responsibility for the Discover Science and Engineering Programme (DSE) transferred from Forfas to SFI. The DSE programme seeks to promote the awareness and engagement of the Irish public with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) among students, teachers and members of the public. Funding for the DSE programme through SFI in 2013 amounts to approximately €1.6 million. This supports hundreds of events and exhibitions held nationally involving many thousands of schools, institutions, teachers and students. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of funding on a county basis given the nature of the DSE programme supports which also includes contributions from various partners. However, examples of some of the DSE activity of direct relevance to Cork this year are as follows:
- Cork Electronics Industry Association (CEIA) was selected to manage and run an Irish national CanSat competition in 2013. Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire, Co. Cork was the winning school.
- Cork IT hosted one of the ‘SciFest’ science fairs in 2013. Scifest is a series of one-day science fairs hosted nationwide by the Institutes of Technology.
- “Engineering your Future”, a week-long, hands-on programme for Transition Year students, which is designed to introduce them to the exciting and diverse world of engineering, included a session in Cork IT, attended by 40 students.
- 78 schools in Cork achieved an Award of Science and Maths Excellence in 2012/2013 school year.
- Further details regarding the annual expenditure per programme and per institution can be found on SFIs website at www.sfi.ie.
The Programme for Research in Third-level Institutions
The Programme for Research in Third-level Institutions (PRTLI) funding operates in various cycles, with Cycle 1 commencing in 1998 and the latest, Cycle 5 awards, being announced in July 2010. PRTLI funding is a mixture of exchequer and private funding. A list of the Cycles 4 and 5 PRTLI project awards which are led by Cork based institutions is outlined in the following tables. It is important to note that the Cork institutions would also be partners to many other PRTLI projects which are being led by other institutions nationally. Further details can be found at www.hea.ie.
Table 1: List of PRTLI Cycle 4 Projects and Programmes which are led by higher education institutions in Co. Cork
|
Project/Programme Title |
Lead Institution |
Capital funding (€m) |
Recurrent funding (€m) |
Total Award value (€m) |
|
Biomedical Science (Graduate Training Programme) and establishment of MMI |
UCC |
N/A |
1.85 |
1.85 |
|
National Programme on (Bio)Pharmaceuticals & Pharmacological Sciences |
UCC |
0.5 |
0.69 |
1.19 |
|
Environment Graduate Programme |
Cork IT /UCC |
1.7 |
1.82 |
3.52 |
|
The Irish National E-Infrastructure |
UCC |
0.25 |
0.25 |
0.50 |
|
National Food and Health Collaborative Research Programme |
UCC |
4.06 |
0.75 |
4.81 |
|
Humanities Serving Irish Society |
UCC |
0.20 |
1.24 |
1.44 |
|
National Programme of Research on Knowledge, Innovation, Society and Space |
UCC |
N/A |
0.92 |
0.92 |
|
Nanoscience and Nanoscale Technologies for Ireland |
Cork IT /UCC |
6.85 |
3.88 |
10.73 |
|
National Biophotonics Imaging Platform |
UCC |
3.70 |
0.95 |
4.65 |
|
Networked Embedded Systems |
Cork IT |
6.45 |
7.63 |
14.08 |
|
UCC Biosciences Cell Biology and Cell Signalling New Space |
UCC |
3.00 |
N/A |
3.00 |
|
26.71 |
19.98 |
46.69 |
Table 2: List of PRTLI Cycle 5 Projects and Programmes which are led by higher education institutions in Co. Cork
|
Project/Programme Title |
Lead Institution |
Capital (€m) |
Current (€m) |
Total (€m) |
|
Translating Biosciences into Health |
UCC |
19.10 |
N/A |
19.10 |
|
Centre for Research in Advanced Therapeutic Engineering |
Cork IT |
3.30 |
N/A |
3.30 |
|
Digital Arts and Humanities Structured PhD Programme |
UCC |
N/A |
1.29 |
1.29 |
|
Structured PhD Education for Life Sciences |
Cork IT |
N/A |
0.29 |
0.29 |
|
Environmental Research Institute at the Maritime and Energy Cluster, Ireland |
UCC |
7.50 |
0.91 |
8.41 |
|
Food and Health: Generating wealth through innovative and collaborative research |
UCC |
2.90 |
0.50 |
3.40 |
|
Graduate Research Education Programme in Engineering |
UCC |
N/A |
1.04 |
1.04 |
|
A National Graduate Education Programme in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology |
UCC / Tyndall |
N/A |
0.91 |
0.91 |
|
A National Graduate Education Programme in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology |
Cork IT |
N/A |
0.30 |
0.30 |
|
Irish Transgenic Network |
UCC |
0.26 |
0.50 |
0.76 |
|
Molecular Medicine Ireland Clinical & Translational Research Scholars Programme |
UCC |
N/A |
1.08 |
1.08 |
|
Molecular and Cellular mechanisms underlying inflammatory processes |
UCC |
N/A |
1.57 |
1.57 |
|
Telecommunications Graduate Initiative |
UCC |
N/A |
0.49 |
0.49 |
|
Tyndall FlexiFab for Applied Convergant Nanotechnologies |
UCC/Tyndall |
4.46 |
0.61 |
5.07 |
|
37.52 |
9.50 |
47.01 |
Enterprise Ireland
A list of payments by Enterprise Ireland to Cork based educational institutions in 2011 and 2012 (latest full year data available) is outlined in the following table. These payments relate to programmes and activities such as Innovation Vouchers, Commercialisation Fund, Innovation Partnerships, New Frontiers Programme, International Collaboration and Technology Centres.
Table 3: List of EI Payments to Cork based educational institutions
|
Name of Institution |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
2,354,568 |
2,561,202 |
|
NUI - Cork |
6,743,305 |
6,949,014 |
|
Tyndall National Institute |
4,271,196 |
3,771,873 |
|
Grand Total |
13,369,068 |
13,282,090 |
445. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the measures being taken to align funding for scientific research with industry and enterprise needs, job opportunities and societal goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34211/13]
View answerIn February 2012, the Government agreed to the implementation of the recommendations in the Report of the Research Prioritisation Steering Group as a whole of Government policy goal. The report recommended the alignment of the majority share of competitive State funding in research and innovation for the next five years with the 14 areas of opportunity identified by the Steering Group. The areas, which include sectors such as food, health, ICT, manufacturing, energy, and innovation in services and business processes, were identified on the basis of existing strengths of the enterprise base, opportunities that exist in terms of the global marketplace and those which are most likely to deliver economic and societal impact, and jobs.
Following publication of the report in March 2012, the Prioritisation Action Group (PAG) was established, under my chairmanship, to drive implementation of research prioritisation, and it includes representatives of all research funders and relevant Government Departments. A number of working groups were then established by the PAG and charged with developing Action Plans for each of the Priority Areas. Each Action Plan was validated through a process of external stakeholder engagement which involved researchers and industry in the relevant areas and publication of the Action Plans was recently approved by Government. The Action Plans represent the detailed blueprint for actions to be taken by funding Departments and funding agencies to realign the majority of competitive public research funding around the priority areas over the next five years.
A Framework of Metrics and Targets for Monitoring the Impact of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Investment has also been approved for publication. The Framework of metrics and targets will firstly monitor the impact of public STI investment, and, secondly, monitor the impact of the implementation of Research Prioritisation on the 14 Priority Areas. The purpose of setting these targets is twofold; to stretch the public enterprise support system in order to maximise the impact of public investment in R&D; and to assess the success over time of the implementation of Research Prioritisation.
Implementation of Research Prioritisation is very much the Government’s priority STI goal and a key pillar of An Action Plan for Jobs 2013 is "Using Research and Innovation to Drive Job Creation". Building on success to date, I am looking forward to continued implementation of the Research Prioritisation exercise, as we seek to enhance the effect and impact of our research investment in order to deliver high quality, sustainable jobs.
446. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation regarding efforts to boost research and innovation at regional level, his views on the Cork Declaration arising from the WIRE2013 Conference held in UCC and how this declaration has been used by the Government as contributing to the output of the Irish Presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34212/13]
View answerThe role of Government is to create the conditions where enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation can flourish and quality employment opportunities can be grown and maintained. Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, the enterprise development agencies under the aegis of my Department, in conjunction with the relevant City and County Enterprise Boards, support enterprise development in the regions. The Government is committed to delivering national recovery and economic development, and the role local authorities play in promoting this at a local level is essential to the overall national effort. The sustainability of our regions will be significantly shaped by interaction with the international economy – in terms of investment, tourism and the growth of indigenous businesses.
In the European context, the European Union is putting clear emphasis on policies that will return us to growth and create more and better jobs. Encouraging and supporting regional excellence in innovation is a key component of ensuring that European regions continue to flourish. The European Union plays an essential role in giving researchers from every corner of the EU the opportunity to develop their competences and to find suitable partners to collaborate with.
The theme of the recently concluded Irish EU Presidency was Stability, Growth and Jobs. Growth is increasingly related to the capacity of regional economies to change and innovate. Regions and cities have become the primary spatial units where knowledge is transferred, innovation systems are built and competition to attract investments and talents takes place.
The purpose of the WIRE 2013 conference, which was organised by Enterprise Ireland and the European Commission, was to contribute to regional policy development in the areas of research, innovation and learning at both European and regional level. The occasion of the conference was used to enhance policy formation for effective regional development.
There were four central themes which will form the basis for the Declaration:
- C – COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
- O – OUTWARD LOOKING
- R – REGIONAL DIMENSION
- K - KNOWLEDGE
The conclusions of the conference will form the basis of a WCork Declaration"; this will be used as formal input by Ireland’s Presidency of the EU, to the Competitiveness Council and will be circulated to leading European regional representative organisations and communities, forming a key output of the Irish Presidency.
447. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of visits carried out by the Industrial Development Agency to Mullingar, Athlone and Longford since 2011 and the outcome of such visits. [34360/13]
View answerI am informed by IDA Ireland that, from the beginning of 2011 to date in 2013, there have been a total of 25 site visits by potential investors to County Westmeath, but there have been no such visits to County Longford. Details of the number of site visits in each of the years in question are set out in the following tabular statement.
Following on from these site visits, I understand that some further due diligence is on-going by some of the companies involved, while others have chosen other locations for their investments, both nationally and internationally. In addition, some announcements for the region are pending.
IDA Ireland has explained that, as Ireland competes for high quality investments, the concept of scale is crucial. Leading global corporations require a significant population pool, access to qualified talent, world standard physical and digital infrastructure coupled with the availability of sophisticated professional and business support services.
Counties Westmeath and Longford form part of IDA’s Midlands Region along with counties Offaly, Roscommon and Laois. In the Midlands Region IDA markets the towns of Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar as the urban centres of scale in the region with other locations such as Portlaoise, Roscommon and Longford being marketed as locations which are open for business but only to clients whose requirements can be met by those locations.
In the region as a whole, there are currently 44 IDA Ireland client companies employing over 5,000 people. IDA Ireland has formed strong relationships with these companies and, having regard to the fact that 70% approximately of all FDI investments won by IDA is from the existing client base, continues to work closely with them in order to ensure their long term sustainability and to encourage their growth, development and continuing reinvestment in their sites.
Table showing the number of site visits by potential IDA investors to County Westmeath in each of the years 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 to date |
|
Co Westmeath |
15 |
7 |
3 |
448. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs announced by Industrial Development Agency supported companies and by Enterprise Ireland supported companies since 1 January 2013, broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34392/13]
View answerTo date in 2013, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland have announced approximately 6,500 jobs. Details of the job announcements by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are set out in the following tabular statement. These jobs are expected to come on stream over the next three years. It must be remembered that for a variety of reasons, some job creation projects are not announced.
Table I: Job announcements by Enterprise Ireland supported companies since January 2013
|
NO. |
DATE |
COMPANY |
LOCATION |
JOBS |
|
1 |
6/3/2013 |
HPSU 2012 |
Various – across counties |
1,600 new jobs over three years in 97 new start ups located across all regions |
|
2 |
26/3/2013 |
OnePageCRM |
Galway |
12 new jobs |
|
3. |
26/4/2013 |
Storm Technology |
Dublin & Galway |
21 new jobs |
|
4. |
26/4/2013 |
Opensky |
Kildare |
30 new jobs over 18 months. |
|
5 |
13/4/13 |
Glanbia Ingredients Ire Ltd |
Waterford/Kilkenny boarder (Belview) |
1600 direct and indirect jobs, 450 construction jobs. |
|
6. |
2/5/2013 |
FeedHenry |
Waterford & Dublin |
100 jobs |
|
7. |
24/5/2013 |
Advant Medical |
Galway |
34 jobs |
|
8. |
24/52013 |
Cubic Telecom |
Dublin |
70 new jobs within the next 3 years |
|
9. |
24/5/2013 |
VoiceSage |
Dublin |
10 jobs over the next 2 years |
Table II: Job announcements by IDA Ireland supported companies since January 2013
|
DATE |
COMPANY |
LOCATION |
ORIGIN |
INVEST |
JOBS |
PROJECT ACTIVITY |
|
09/1/2013 |
Hauewei |
Cork City and Dublin |
China |
n/a |
50 |
To provide leading customer services to telecoms operators both in Ireland and internationally. Future expansion at the sites will extend R&D functions to cover a wider range of IT software projects. |
|
10/1/2013 |
Omnipay |
Dublin |
USA |
n/a |
30 |
To develop and extend its global payments processing platform, which currently processes more than one billion transactions on behalf of 31 merchant acquiring banks and payment processors worldwide. |
|
14/01/2013 |
Vistakon |
Limerick |
US |
100M |
300 |
Expansion of its manufacturing operations and create 100 new highly skilled jobs |
|
29/01/2013 |
10Gen |
Dublin |
USA |
N/A |
60 |
Creating 60 jobs in Dublin with the establishment of its European HQ |
|
29/01/2013 |
Etsy, Inc |
Dublin |
USA |
N/A |
n/a |
Establishing a new EMEA HQ in Dublin – leading online marketplace for handmade and vintage items. |
|
29/01/2013 |
Loop1 Systems Inc. |
Cork |
USA |
N/A |
17 |
Creating 17 new jobs in Cork with the establishment of a sales, customer support and technical centre providing training and professional services to multinational companies using the SolarWinds Suite of software. |
|
29/01/2013 |
Whitehouse Analytical Labs |
Cork |
USA |
N/A |
35 |
Analytical testing facility, has chosen Ireland for its first round of international expansion, and is to create 35 new jobs in Cork. |
|
29/01/2013 |
IMSTech Gmbh |
Cork |
USA |
N/A |
35 |
A provider of manufacturing solutions for the life sciences sector, is to establish a research and manufacturing competency centre in Cork with the creation of 35 highly-skilled jobs. |
|
29/01/2013 |
PE Lynch |
Dublin |
USA |
n/a |
20 |
A producer of algorithmic trading software for banks and brokers, is to establish its European headquarters in Dublin with the creation of 20 new jobs |
|
12/02/2013 |
Genzyme |
Waterford |
USA |
44 Million |
The investment will increase the site’s diversity of products by adding the filling of Sanofi’s Lantus® (insulin glargine), the number one insulin brand worldwide |
|
|
14/02/2013 |
eBay |
Dundalk |
US |
n/a |
450 |
European customer base of the company’s eBay Marketplaces and PayPal businesses with an enhanced experience in the areas of customer services, sales and compliance. |
|
18/02/13 |
|
Dublin |
US |
n/a |
100 |
Expansion in a broad range of roles including user operations, advertising, sales, policy and safety. |
|
21/02/13 |
Quantcast |
Dublin |
US |
n/a |
100 |
Establishment of EMEA Operations Centre in Dublin |
|
27/02/13 |
Guidewire |
Dublin |
US |
n/a |
75 |
To provide consultancy support and additional product development resources to support Guidewire’s customers |
|
01/03/2013 |
Worldwide TechServices |
Limerick |
US |
n/a |
62 |
Establishment of a European Headquarters |
|
05/03/2013 |
FireEye |
Cork |
US |
n/a |
150 |
EMEA Technical Support Centre |
|
21/10/13 |
Yahoo |
Dublin |
USA |
200 |
Customer Support, Technology Operations, HR and Finance which will support Yahoos business across Europe, Middel East and Africa |
|
|
21/03/13 |
McAfee |
Cork |
USA |
60 |
Establishment of a Enterprise Engineering Group dedicated to provide fast, efficient engineering responses to sales opportunities for the company. Within this group McAfee will create a number of small specialised engineering teams in Cork that will be responsible for designing and building new features for its key enterprise customers. |
|
|
20/03/13 |
Zendesk |
Dublin |
US |
n/a |
30 |
European Data Centre |
|
26/03/13 |
Zurich |
Dublin |
USA |
n/a |
112 |
The establishment of two new IT hubs which will provide services to the Zurich businesses globally and in Europe. One hub will support Zurich’s IT service management and the other will support Cyber Security Management |
|
27/03/13 |
Consultancy Natural Power |
Dublin |
USA |
n/a |
20 |
Establishment of their headquarters in Dublin |
|
28/03/13 |
Nypro |
Waterford |
USA |
n/a |
200 |
Establishment of an additional state of the art medical device manufacturing facility which will manufacture advanced respiratory and injectable devices for global healthcare and pharmaceutical customers. |
|
8/04/13 |
Novartis |
Dublin |
Swiss |
n/a |
n/a |
Business Services Centre |
|
19/04/13 |
Marin Software |
Dublin |
US |
n/a |
35 |
Establishment of their International Headquarters. They are a leading provider of an advertising management platform for search, display, social and mobile, |
|
19/04/13 |
ACI |
Limerick |
US |
n/a |
60 |
Expansion of their software centre. |
|
01/05/13 |
Squarespace |
Dublin |
US |
n/a |
100 |
Establishment of its EMEA Centre in Dublin |
|
30/05/13 |
Fujitsu |
Dublin |
Japan |
n/a |
n/a |
Fujitsu to undertake a series of collaborative Irish research projects over the next three years as a test bed case to inform the global ICT giant’s future strategy |
|
04.06.13 |
Prometic |
Dundalk |
US |
n/a |
24 |
24 Jobs added to Global Operations Hub |
|
10.06.13 |
UPC |
Limerick |
Europe |
n/a |
42 |
European Competency Centre |
|
11.06.13 |
Groupon |
Dublin |
US |
n/a |
20 |
Experienced Software engineers, computer programmers, data scientists and computational markets fort its software centre in Dublin |
|
13.06.13 |
EMC |
Cork |
US |
100M |
200 |
The opening of a new EMC office as part of a fresh €100 million investment in Ireland. The new full-time positions, spanning engineering, customer support, sales, finance, research and development and IT. |
|
04.07.13 |
Becton Dickinson |
Louth |
US |
3.5 Million |
28 |
Investment in new equipment to manufacture state-of-the-art safety needles designed to help protect healthcare workers and patients from medical sharps injuries |
|
11.07.13 |
Pfizer |
Dublin & Cork |
US |
130 Million |
250 |
Expansion of capacity and begin producing more advanced, complex therapies to deal with some of the most devastating and difficult to cure diseases |
449. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the funding allocated under the microenterprise loan fund scheme since 1 January 2013, broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34393/13]
View answerMicrofinance Ireland (MFI) opened for business on Monday, 1 October 2012. As of 30 June 2013, MFI has approved 79 loan applications to the value of €1.264 million, supporting 191 jobs. Detailed below is the latest set of data sought by the Deputy for the period 1 October 2012 to 30 June 2013.
|
County |
Received |
Approved |
County |
Received |
Approved |
|
|
Dublin |
44 |
19 |
Carlow |
6 |
1 |
|
|
Limerick |
22 |
7 |
Clare |
5 |
2 |
|
|
Cork |
22 |
6 |
Sligo |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Wexford |
12 |
4 |
Louth |
5 |
2 |
|
|
Tipperary |
12 |
2 |
Roscommon |
5 |
2 |
|
|
Mayo |
10 |
7 |
Laois |
5 |
1 |
|
|
Meath |
9 |
1 |
Monaghan |
5 |
1 |
|
|
Kerry |
8 |
5 |
Leitrim |
5 |
0 |
|
|
Wicklow |
8 |
4 |
Offaly |
3 |
2 |
|
|
Waterford |
7 |
1 |
Donegal |
3 |
0 |
|
|
Galway |
6 |
2 |
Longford |
2 |
0 |
|
|
Westmeath |
6 |
3 |
Cavan |
2 |
1 |
|
|
Kildare |
6 |
0 |
Kilkenny |
1 |
1 |
