Written Answers Nos. 277-286
277. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the staffing levels of the private offices and constituency offices of Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department; the salary of each; the same figures for this time in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36505/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question the following tables outline the staffing levels and salaries of the Private Office and Constituency Office in my Department and Deputy Brian Hayes in the Office of Public Works from 2011:
Department of Public Expenditure & Reform Minister's Private Office
|
Year |
No. of Staff (Whole Time Equivalent) |
Salary Scale (fulltime rate per annum) |
|
2011 |
||
|
Private Secretary |
1 |
€42,838 - €60,224* |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
€29,024 – €47,379 |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
€23,177 – €37,341 |
|
Total |
5 |
|
|
2013 |
||
|
Private Secretary |
1 |
€46,081 – €58,294* |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
€29,024 – €47,379 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
€30,516 - €47,975 |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
€23,177 – €37,341 |
|
Total |
5 |
Department of Public Expenditure & Reform Minister's Constituency Office
|
Year |
No. of Staff (Whole Time Equivalent) |
Salary Scale (fulltime rate per annum) |
|
2011 |
||
|
Constituency Secretary |
1 |
€23,820 – €47,755 |
|
Personal Assistant |
1 |
€43,715 – €56,060 |
|
Clerical Officer |
0.8 |
€23,042 - €36,267 |
|
Clerical Officer |
0.6 |
€23,177 - €37,341 |
|
Total |
3.4 |
|
|
2013 |
||
|
Constituency Secretary |
1 |
€23,820 – €47,755 |
|
Personal Assistant |
1 |
€43,715 – €56,060 |
|
Clerical Officer |
0.8 |
€23,042 - €36,267 |
|
Clerical Officer |
0.6 |
€23,177 - €37,341 |
|
Total |
3.4 |
Office of Public Works Minister's Private Office
|
Year |
No. of Staff (Whole Time Equivalent) |
Salary Scale (fulltime rate per annum) |
|
2011 |
||
|
Private Secretary |
1 |
€46,081 - €58,294* |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
€29,024 – €45,616 |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
€23,177 – €37,341 |
|
Total |
5 |
|
|
2013 |
||
|
Private Secretary |
1 |
€46,081 – €58,294* |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
€29,024 – €45,616 |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
€23,177 – €37,341 |
|
Total |
5 |
Office of Public Works Minister of State's Constituency Office
|
Year |
No. of Staff (Whole Time Equivalent) |
Salary Scale (fulltime rate per annum) |
|
2011 |
||
|
Personal Secretary |
1 |
€23,820 – €47,755 |
|
Personal Assistant |
1 |
€43,715 -€56,060 |
|
Total |
2 |
|
|
2013 |
||
|
Personal Secretary |
1 |
€23,820 – €47,755 |
|
Personal Secretary |
0.6 |
€23,820 – €47,755 |
|
Personal Assistant |
1 |
€43,715 – €56,060 |
|
Total |
2.6 |
*A Private Secretary allowance is payable to the holder of these posts i.e. €20,685 personal pension contribution rate (ppc) or €19,653 non-personal pension contribution rate (non-ppc) as appropriate.
278. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the saving to the Exchequer if all his special advisers, and those of his Ministers of State, were capped at the first point on the principal officer pay scale. [36520/13]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question the total annual savings to the Exchequer if the salaries of the Special Advisers in my Department were capped at the first point on the Principal Officer pay scale would amount to €34,859.00. My Minister of State has no Special Advisers.
279. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the PEACE IV Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36562/13]
View answerPreparation work for the PEACE IV (2014-2020) Programme is progressing well.
The planning process has been under way since April 2012, when my Department and the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland requested the Special EU Programmes Body to commence preparation of detailed programme proposals for both PEACE IV and the successor INTERREG Programme, INTERREG VA. The development work is being overseen by a Programme Development Steering Group which is chaired by SEUPB and has members representing Government Departments, local Government, trade union, business, rural, community and voluntary sectors.
An extensive public consultation process, including a number of well-attended consultation events, was conducted in late 2012. Ex-ante evaluations and equality and environment assessments are underway and a mid-term evaluation of the PEACE III Programme is currently being finalised, all of which will be used to inform the development of the new Programme.
It is anticipated that the draft Operational Programmes for PEACE IV and INTERREG VA will be presented to the Northern Ireland Executive, the Irish Government and the Scottish Government (INTERREG only) later this year. Formal submission to the EU Commission will take place following the agreement of the three Governments.
The total funding for the Programme will be decided as part of the Programme planning process. A special ERDF allocation for PEACE IV of €150m has been provided in the EU cohesion package. I also welcome the inclusion of an additional €50m UK funding for PEACE IV which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced in the context of the Building a Prosperous and United Community pact signed in Downing Street on 14 June.
The EU-funded PEACE Programmes have made an important contribution to supporting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Irish border region and I am glad that support for this valuable work will continue in the 2014-2020 period.
282. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on progress on the production and implementation of the cross-departmental plan for the green economy under the Action Plan for Jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35964/13]
View answerThe 2012 Action Plan for Jobs contained a commitment to publish and implement a new plan for the development of the Green Economy.
The Government’s Policy Statement on Growth and Employment in the Green Economy, Delivering Our Green Potential, was published in November 2012. The Statement sets out the enterprise opportunities in each sub-sector of the Green Economy, the actions the Government is taking to develop each area, and the structures which will be put in place to support the development of the Green Economy across Government. The Policy Statement is available on my Department’s website at http://www.djei.ie/publications/enterprise/2012/Delivering_Our_Green_Potential.pdf.
Building on the Policy Statement in 2012, the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs also contains a number of commitments to support jobs in the Green Economy.
The Green Economy presents a major economic opportunity for employment creation in Ireland. We have significant strengths and advantages which we can leverage to exploit business opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, smart grids, sustainable food, tourism, energy efficient products and services, and others. Delivering the individual commitments outlined in the Policy Statement requires a whole-of-Government approach to maximise the growth and jobs potential.
As part of the delivery structure, I have established and chair a Consultative Committee on Jobs in the Green Economy, to identify emerging opportunities for Ireland. The Consultative Committee involves representatives from the enterprise sector as well as other key stakeholders, including relevant Government Departments and agencies. A key objective of the Committee is to identify further practical actions that can be included in the 2014 Action Pan for Jobs to support the development of the Green Economy in Ireland.
283. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any special initiatives will be undertaken by his Department or the State's industrial promotion agencies to assist in the provision of much needed employment in County Monaghan taking into account the loss of jobs at a number of enterprises in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36070/13]
View answerThe Enterprise Development Agencies, under my Department, are to the fore in delivering on the commitments set out in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 and continue to ensure that businesses can maximise their contribution to economic recovery and employment growth. The Plan contains a range of policy actions to assist the development of indigenous enterprise.
In terms of job creation in Monaghan, Enterprise Ireland’s (EI) activity is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies (HPSU’s), the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and in enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through support of research in companies and Third Level institutions.
EI provides a range of supports for start-ups including: the Competitive Feasibility Fund for the North East Region (Cavan, Monaghan and Louth) launched in February 2013; the Competitive Start-Up Fund; the Seed and Venture Capital and Development Capital Funds; the HALO Business Angel Partnership Programme, that is mandated to match business angels to appropriate projects; the “New Frontiers” Programme and the Innovation Voucher Initiative. Enterprise Ireland has 124 client companies in Monaghan employing almost 3,500 people. To date in 2013, over €1.4m has been approved to Monaghan companies and €599,000 paid across EI’s suite of supports.
In accordance with its Horizon 2020 Strategy, IDA Ireland continues to engage with its client companies in order to transform the existing foreign direct investment client base with a view to developing, retaining and growing employment opportunities. The primary opportunity for regional locations is to leverage the existing client-base and derive further investment opportunities from them. There are 6 IDA Ireland supported companies in County Monaghan employing in the region of 350 people in full-time and part-time employment.
IDA Ireland has invested in the provision of an extensive portfolio of property solutions in the North East Region which enhances its marketability for potential FDI opportunities. With continuing enhancement and improvements in physical and digital infrastructure, an FDI project secured for one location within a region has a positive impact on other surrounding areas. IDA Ireland will continue to market County Monaghan as part of its strategy for the North East Region for new inward investment through its Gateway of Dundalk, in line with the Government’s National Spatial Strategy and will work closely with its client companies across the Region.
The Monaghan County Enterprise Board develops indigenous enterprise potential, stimulates economic activity at local level, promotes the establishment of micro-enterprises, provides financial support to viable projects, and provides business advice and training. Support is available, subject to certain criteria, to develop indigenous micro-enterprises and entrepreneurship at local level, with priority being given to manufacturing and internationally traded services. Job retention and creation are inherent considerations in the Board’s activities.
In 2012, Monaghan CEB paid out €258,522 to 14 projects and 648 people availed of their training programmes. In 2013 to date, Monaghan CEB has approved grant aid of €171,220 to 6 start-up and developing companies with an expected job creation figure of 15.
Persons from Monaghan who are currently running their own business or are considering starting their own business can contact the Monaghan CEB at: www.mceb.ie.
284. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is preparing his Department to adapt to and make maximum use of next generation technologies, in information and communications, in order to better enhance the interaction of his Department with the citizen and the internal functioning of his Department; if he intends to conduct a risk analysis in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36107/13]
View answerThe term next generation technologies does not have any widely accepted meaning, and may refer to any number of technological developments. My Department monitors new developments in a wide range of information and communication technologies, including cloud, mobile, social, geospatial and data analytics, and its ICT strategy is informed by these developments. Where my Department is planning to deploy technology solutions such new technologies are considered, and would be used to meet ICT needs where those technologies offer the best solution in terms of technological and economic advantages. Part of that process involves a risk assessment of any technology which is being considered for deployment.
285. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress made under the Irish EU Presidency on the digital agenda and specifically, a data protection reform package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36164/13]
View answerPrimary responsibility for making progress on the Digital Agenda under Ireland’s EU Presidency and beyond is a matter for my colleague Minister Pat Rabbitte, T.D. Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
In relation to elements of the digital single market, the following files were progressed during my chairmanship of the Competitiveness Council. On the issue of consumer protection, measures relating to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and online dispute resolution (ODR) were formally adopted and published in the Official Journal during the first six months of 2013. The ADR Directive has to be transposed by Member States by July 2015 and the ODR Regulation will come into force 6 months after that. Both will contribute to increasing consumer confidence in online purchases.
In respect of copyright, the Irish Presidency successfully progressed the Collective Rights Management Directive, a complex and lengthy Directive that is an important step in the modernisation of copyright legislation to ensure that it is fit for purpose in the digital age, to the stage where a mandate to enter into the first informal trilogue with the European Parliament was obtained on 4th July 2013.
Ireland also ensured that focus remained on the broader copyright modernisation agenda by raising issues such as the “licences for Europe” stakeholder dialogue and the recommendations of the “Vittorino Report” on copyright levies for discussion at the Competitiveness Council Meeting of 29th May 2013 .
Primary responsibility for making progress on a data protection reform package is a matter for my colleague, Mr. Alan Shatter, Minister for Justice and Equality.
286. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on the achievements made during the Irish EU Presidency regarding EU space policy, EU space industrial policy, the European Space Agency and space surveillance and tracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36167/13]
View answerSpace-related activities are at the forefront of knowledge generation, stimulating the development of new products and services, fostering industrial co-operation and being a driving force for innovation, growth and job creation across Europe and globally.
The Irish Presidency secured Council Conclusions on both EU Space Industrial Policy and on the Establishment of Appropriate Relations between the EU and the European Space Agency (ESA). These Council Conclusions represent important steps in defining the future landscape of the European Space effort. They recognise the strategic importance of space for Europe, its growing role in modern society, the importance of the space industry and of the European Space Agency, and the contribution which these partners make to economic growth and competitiveness. Progress was also made on the proposal for a Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) support programme which will ensure the security of satellite data for all sectors and users of such services. Initial discussions also took place on a proposed Regulation on Copernicus – the European Union’s Flagship satellite-based earth monitoring programme.
The European Commission’s Communication on “Establishing appropriate relations between the EU and the European Space Agency”, adopted in November 2012, proposed several options for the evolution of this relationship. Council Conclusions on EU/ESA relations adopted under the Irish Presidency on 18 February 2013 requested the Commission to work closely with ESA to carry out a comprehensive cost benefit analysis and impact assessment of a set of options, including those proposed in the Commission’s Communication. At the Competitiveness Council meeting in May the Commission presented an information paper updating the Council on the status of its reflections on the evolution of EU-ESA relations. The Commission informed the Council that it had commenced an in-depth study of the options for the evolution of this relationship and informed the Council that the first results of this study are expected to be presented to Member States towards the end of this year.
Based on the European Commission’s Communication on "EU Space Industrial Policy - Releasing the Potential for Economic Growth in the Space Sector" adopted on 28 February 2013 Council Conclusions on this Communication were adopted at the Competitiveness Council on 30 May. These Conclusions represent a significant advancement in defining European Space policy. They recognise the strategic importance of space for Europe, its growing role in modern society, the importance of the space industry and its contribution to economic growth and competitiveness. Ireland’s space strategy is to build a sustainable, knowledge intensive and export focused space industry in Ireland, leading to increased levels of exports, sales and employment, to support strategic research in Irish third level institutions and to promote the use of space based systems for commercial and wider societal needs. While this is achieved mainly through Ireland’s participation and investment in the European Space Agency (ESA), this will be further supported by the EU space industrial policy.
Under the Irish Presidency the Commission’s proposal for a Space Surveillance and Tracking Support Programme adopted on 28 February 2013 was examined at meetings of the Space Working Party between March and May. Space surveillance and tracking is of critical interest to countries with space assets and while Ireland has no space assets at present we are critically dependent on the security of satellite data for all sectors, actors and users of satellite-based services. The proposed SST service will increase the safety of satellite operations by reducing collision risks and helping to better predict uncontrolled re-entries of inactive satellites or space debris and increase European non-dependence levels. Member States expressed support for the proposal, however, a number also expressed concern in relation to certain security, financing and governance aspects of the proposal. The Presidency worked intensively to progress the proposal, however, full agreement on the text was not possible and on this basis the Irish Presidency presented a Progress Report on the status of negotiations to the Competitiveness Council on 30 May.
The Commission adopted the Copernicus Regulation on 29 May 2013 and the proposal was presented to the Competitiveness Council on 30 May and was also presented to the Space Working Party on 7 June for an initial exchange of views. Copernicus is the new name for the European Earth Observation Programme GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). Copernicus is a European initiative for the implementation of information services dealing with environment and security. Copernicus is based on observation data received from Earth Observation satellites and ground based information. The overall objective of the Copernicus initiative is to support Europe’s goals regarding sustainable development and global governance of the environment by providing timely and quality data, information, services and knowledge. Through Copernicus the state of our environment and its short, medium and long-term evolution will be monitored to support policy decisions or investments. Copernicus will provide services in six sectors: Marine monitoring, Atmosphere monitoring, Climate change monitoring, Land monitoring, Emergency management and Security. A number of Government Departments, agencies and organisations have an interest in aspects of the proposal as potential users of the system and Copernicus will also provide opportunities for commercial applications in the downstream sector based on full and open access to Copernicus observation data and information products. This ambitious Earth observation programme is headed by the European Commission in partnership with the European Environment Agency and the European Space Agency and will enter its full operational phase in 2014.
The achievements of the Irish Presidency in the development of European Space Policy will contribute to the development of a strong and competitive European space industry and will provide further support to Irish industrial space interests and provide opportunities for growth particularly in the SME sector which encompasses the majority of Irish space companies.
