Written Answers Nos. 278 - 299
278. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of inspections undertaken by NERA to date in 2013 in respect of the enforcement of REA rates of pay at school construction sites; the locations of such inspection visits by county; the number of cases of non-compliance identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49342/13]
View answerThe Supreme Court in its judgment in McGowan & others -v- Labour Court Ireland & others on 9 May 2013 declared that "the provisions of Part III of the Industrial Relations Act 1946 are invalid having regard to the provisions of Article 15.2.1 of the Constitution of Ireland".
The judgment had the effect of striking down Registered Employment Agreements put in place under the 1946 Industrial Relations Act. As such, the National Employment Rights Authority no longer has the authority to enforce any such agreements that existed before the Supreme Court judgment.
However, the existing contractual rights of workers in sectors previously covered by Registered Employment Agreements are unaffected by this ruling. Contractual rights can be altered only by agreement between the parties involved.
The table provides details of the number of inspections carried out in relation to school construction sites in the course of 2013 to date. The inspections were carried out under current employment legislation.
NERA: School construction site inspections 2013.
|
Number of Inspections |
County |
Cases of non-compliance |
|
2 |
Dublin |
0 |
|
1 |
Kildare |
0 |
|
1 |
Westmeath |
0 |
|
1 |
Wicklow |
0 |
279. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will support the small and medium enterprise sector with the high costs they are experiencing. [48873/13]
View answerGovernment actions to support small and medium sized enterprises are set out in the Action Plan for Jobs. Since the Action Plan process was launched in 2012, a significant number of initiatives have been introduced to support the SME sector. These include:
- tackling the issue of late payments by transposing the EU Late Payment Directive into Irish legislation;
- the introduction of new financing models for SMEs, such as the Microfinance Fund for start-ups and the temporary Partial Credit Guarantee scheme;
- Corporation Tax exemption to 2014 for companies that commenced, or will commence, trading in 2012, 2013 and 2014;
- the introduction of the JobsPlus scheme that provides an employment subsidy to employers who recruit a person who has been unemployed for 12 months or more;
- the reform of support structures for SMEs through the establishment of the new Local Enterprise Offices, which is well advanced within my own Department;
- the provision of advice and training by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to businesses that are looking to reduce their energy spend; and
- reductions in the administrative burden on business. To date, my own Department has achieved a 25% reduction in its administrative burden on business, amounting to a potential annual saving for business of over €207 million.
Budget 2014 also contained a number of additional initiatives to support SMEs. These include an increase in the cash receipts threshold for VAT, which will improve cash-flow for businesses, and a new subsidised Financial Training programme for SMEs.
These are just some of the measures which the Government has taken to support the SME sector. The Action Plan for Jobs 2014, which I am currently preparing for the Government, will seek to build on the progress already made and is set to deliver a further suite of actions to support enterprise.
As part of the Action Plan process, I am keen to ensure that businesses are fully aware of the supports that are available to them. In this context, last month my Department organised a free “Taking Care of Business” event which was attended by over 500 businesses and brought together more than 20 State bodies to provide SMEs with helpful information on transacting business across the public sector.
280. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding an outstanding settlement awarded by the Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Circuit Order of Enforcement on 7 June 2011 in respect of a person (details supplied). [48919/13]
View answerI have been informed by NERA that efforts have been made to have payment made on foot of the Employment Appeals Tribunal award concerned.
This proved problematic; the main difficulty encountered being that there are no assets remaining in the company the subject of the award and, as such, securing payment has not been possible. In addition, as the company the subject of the award was not in formal insolvency, receivership, or liquidation the award did not qualify for possible payment through the Insolvency Insurance fund which is within the remit of the Minister for Social Protection.
There are two significant issues that arise in this case. Firstly the matter of seeking to enforce the payment of an award made by one of the employment rights bodies and secondly on this not succeeding, the potential to have recourse to the Insolvency Payments Scheme for payment arising from that award.
However, I am very conscious of the particular circumstances of the case of the difficulties that are being experienced by the individual concerned. Officials of my Department are reviewing the matter in consultation with officials of the Department of Social Protection. This review is ongoing but has not yet been finalised.
281. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken in the pharmaceutical sector to attract additional high quality jobs into this vital sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49082/13]
View answerThe Pharmaceutical Industry is an enormously important and highly valued sector in Ireland, employing 25,000+ people directly in Ireland with an equivalent number employed in service provision to the sector. Ireland has an enviable history of success in this field, attracting some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, and is home to a thriving domestic sector. 9 out of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies are located here.
While the industry has been faced with some difficult years due to patent expiration and competitiveness challenges, it is starting to see an increase in R&D activity with the advent of more targeted biotech therapies and personalised medicines. Significant importance is attached to the pharmaceutical sector in the context of the research prioritisation exercise, with one of the priority areas encompassing therapeutics, synthesis, formulation, processing and drug delivery.
IDA Ireland, through its overseas network, remains committed to maintaining and growing relationships with key decision makers in the pharmaceutical industry and can offer a wide variety of assistance to companies to support new investment and uplift in technical capability of existing clients.
Unfortunately, the loss of patent protection on key drugs in recent years adversely affected some older manufacturing facilities around Ireland, resulting in downsizing or closure. However, in parallel several facilities have been acquired or expanded in recent years, in particular in the area of biopharmaceuticals. Biopharmaceuticals, which represent the next wave of opportunity in the industry has successfully attracted and developed globally leading programmes from Allergan, Amgen, Centocor, Eli Lilly, Genzyme, Merck, Biomarin and Pfizer as examples. Ireland now has a globally leading biopharmaceutical cluster in the next generation of pharmaceutical products.
Ireland already has successful generic manufacturers such as Clonmel Healthcare, Ranbaxy, Wockhardt, Teva and Rowa as examples. These companies have operated successfully from Ireland competing with low cost competition for many years.
The indigenous bio-pharmachemical sector plays a key role in this ecosystem and consists of approximately 100 Enterprise Ireland client companies. This sector has been growing at an average of 14% per annum over the last four years. In 2012, the sector had exports of over €450M, and employment of over 2,500 people. The indigenous sector is highly innovative and dynamic with companies competing successfully in international markets throughout the world e.g. Sigmoid, Opsona, Alimentary Health, ICON, Chanelle, TopChem, Barclays, Eirgen, Arran Chemicals etc. ICON in particular is now the 3rd largest contract research organisation in the world and the fastest growing for the last 7 years.
Central to the success of Irish companies internationally has been their R&D capabilities, leadership and management strengths and collaborative partnerships with some of the world’s leading companies in the sector. The indigenous company base has extensive capabilities across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain including drug discovery/development/drug delivery (technology intermediaries); the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients; the manufacture of human and veterinary finished products; the provision of pharma services including clinical trials management, regulation, engineering and construction.
The State has invested heavily through Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland in the development of a World-class Research Infrastructure by funding industry-academic research collaborations, Industry-led research programmes/Technology Centres and the Applied Research Enhancement Programmes through the likes of the National Institute for Bioprocess Research and Training (NIBRT), the Solid State Pharmaceutics cluster and the Pharma Technology Centre. These centres aim to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the Irish biopharma industry by investing in research on next generation manufacturing processes and training & education of people to work in this industry.
A key focus for Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and other relevant stakeholder bodies is to promote and build expertise in ‘biological’ research, development and manufacture such that Ireland continues to develop as a globally recognised ‘biopharmaceutical hub’. The NIBRT facility has been effective in bringing training on large molecule manufacturing processes to the sector in Ireland.
282. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will clarify the clause of zero hours contract in employment; if he will confirm whether this clause exploits persons on lower income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49094/13]
View answerZero hour contracts are covered by contract law. A zero hour contract must be entered into freely between the employer and the employee – it cannot be forced upon an employee. Zero hour contracts are, normally found in sectors such as retail, healthcare and hospitality. I am very conscious that in certain circumstances, they may be of great benefit to both employers and employees. They allow greater flexibility for both, reducing the employer’s pay costs, while workers can decide when and if they want to work. Such contracts may be preferred by employees who require flexibility to facilitate educational or other personal requirements and banning such contracts could do a disservice to these workers. However this is an area I will keep under review.
It is important to note that Section 18 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 contains a protection for employees who are employed on zero hour contracts. The zero hour protection applies to all employees whose contract operates to require them to be available whether they work on a casual basis or not. This feature of the Organisation of Working Time Act covers situations where, for example, an employee is sent home if things are quiet or is requested to be available for work and is not, on the day, asked to work. Where an employee suffers a loss by not working hours he/she was requested to work or be available to work, the zero hours provisions of the Act ensure that he/she is compensated for 25% of the time which he/she is required to be available or 15 hours whichever is the lesser. The level of compensation may be impacted if the employee got some work. An expectation of work does not, however, entitle an employee to compensation.
The zero hours provision does not apply to lay-offs, short-time, emergency or exceptional circumstances, employee illness, employee on-call or where the employee is paid wages for making him/herself available for work.
Sections 17 and 19 of the Organisation of Working Time Act may also be of particular interest to employees on zero hour contracts. Section 17 sets out the requirements regarding notification to the employee of the times at which he/she will be required to work during the week. Generally, an employee is entitled to 24 hours’ notice of his/her roster for the week, although section 17(4) allows for changes as a result of unforeseen circumstances.
Section 19 sets out an employee’s entitlement to paid annual leave equal to 4 working weeks in a leave year in which he or she works at least 1,365 hours (unless it is a leave year in which he or she changes employment) or one-third of a working week for each month in the leave year in which he or she works at least 117 hours or 8 per cent of the hours he or she works in a leave year (but subject to a maximum of 4 working weeks).
283. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding a work visa in the Philippines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49140/13]
View answerMy Department processes employment permit applications and all employment permits are dependent on a job offer from an employer based in the State. In the particular case mentioned, an application for a Work Permit Employment Permit was received on the 23rd August 2013. The Department was satisfied with the job offer and a permit issued on the 27th September 2013.
284. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide the total number of trade missions that he or a Minister of State within his Department, has been on since becoming Minister; the country for each of these missions; the name of each business, with operations here, which accompanied him on each trade mission; the amount of additional business quantifiable in euro each business who accompanied him is doing since the trade mission; if he will provide the total cost to his Department for each of these trade missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49234/13]
View answer285. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide the total number of trade missions Enterprise Ireland have been on where neither a Minister nor a Minister of State has been present since March of 2011; if he will provide the country for each of these missions; the names of each Irish business who accompanied them on each trade mission; the amount of additional business quantifiable in euro terms each business who accompanied Enterprise Ireland is doing with that country since the trade mission; if he will provide the total cost to his Department for each of these trade missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49235/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together.
Enterprise Ireland is the Government agency responsible for the development and internationalisation of Irish enterprises. Enterprise Ireland has 30 offices worldwide to help Irish firms develop overseas markets. Each year, Enterprise Ireland organises a series of targeted international trade missions, market visits, participation in international trade fairs and a large number of international buyer visits to Ireland focussed on assisting Irish firms target and secure international contracts and overseas partners. In Ireland, Enterprise Ireland works directly with Irish firms to help them start up, develop their businesses, build competitiveness and innovate.
The impact of trade missions together with the many other sales, marketing and trade promotion efforts of Enterprise Ireland are reflected in the growth in exports of Enterprise Ireland clients and the jobs they sustain and create. As announced earlier this year, Irish companies supported by Enterprise Ireland set a new record for level of exports achieved - €16.2Bn. Export growth was achieved across all overseas territories and this level of growth is greatly supported by an extensive promotional programme, including trade events, trade fairs and trade missions.
Enterprise Ireland does not release the names of companies that accompany Ministers on trade missions as this is commercially sensitive information. Enterprise Ireland is not in a position to provide the total costs of these trade missions or a list of the contracts signed and announced on each mission in the time provided. However, Enterprise Ireland will compile this information and, through my Department, will forward it to the Deputy. Enterprise Ireland meets the costs of flights and accommodation of the Minister and accompanying officials for trade missions. Information on these costs will also be provided shortly to the Deputy. The list of trade missions which I or a Minister of State at my Department has been on since I came to office are outlined in the following table.
|
Date 2011 |
Country |
Minister |
|
April 17 |
India/Saudi Arabia |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
Sept 10-17 |
Australia |
Minister John Perry |
|
Sept 18-24 |
USA |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
Date 2012 |
Country |
Minister |
|
March 15-17 |
Finland/Sweden |
Minister John Perry |
|
March 22-30 |
China |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
June 30- July 3 |
France |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
Oct 27-Nov 2 |
Japan |
Minister Sean Sherlock |
|
Nov 7-10 |
Canada |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
Date 2013 |
Country |
Minister |
|
Feb 26-27 |
Stuttgart |
Minister Sean Sherlock |
|
March 5 - 9 March |
Texas |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
May 13 - 16 |
Poland & Czech Republic |
Minister John Perry |
|
July 21 – 27 |
China & Japan |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
Nov 17-21 |
India |
Minister Richard Bruton |
I understand the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is answering a similar question in relation to St. Patrick's Day Trade Events.
286. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to instances where payment in lieu is being offered to minimum wage earners, particularly in the hospitality sector, where boarding in hotel rooms and meals are offered instead of regular minimum wage; the measures he proposes to take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49304/13]
View answerTo determine if an employee is receiving the correct minimum hourly rate of pay entitlement under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000, certain reckonable components may be taken into account to determine an employee’s average hourly rate.
In this context, if an employer provides an employee with full board and lodgings, or lodgings only or full board only, a monetary allowance can be included as reckonable pay. (The term ‘full board’ means an entitlement to meals during the day).
The following are the amounts reckonable in such instances:- €54.13 for board and lodgings per week, or €7.73 per day; €32.14 for board only per week, or €4.60 per day; €21.85 for lodgings only per week, or €3.14 per day.
It is a criminal offence for an employer to pay an employee less than his or her minimum hourly rate of pay entitlement.
If an employee is not satisfied that he or she is being paid his or her statutory minimum entitlement under the 2000 Act, the employee may refer the dispute to a Rights Commissioner of the Labour Relations Commission or refer the matter directly to the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) for investigation.
287. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 12 November 2013, if he will retrieve the relevant files in relation to the Office of Director of Consumer Affairs, which ceased to exist in 2007 and whose functions were transferred to the National Consumer Agency and provide any additional expenditure to senior counsel for the years requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49324/13]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy in relation to the Office of Director of Consumer Affairs for the years 2003 up to 2007, when it ceased to exist, is set out as follows.
|
ODCA |
Amounts (€) |
|
2003 |
416,281.40 |
|
2004 |
152,236.00 |
|
2005 |
300,514.00 |
|
2006 |
115,146.00 |
|
2007 |
39,390.75 |
288. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will detail any consideration of budget cuts to the InterTradeIreland budget for 2013 to 2016; and the impact of such cuts on the services of InterTradeIreland. [49345/13]
View answer289. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will detail any budget reductions to InterTradeIreland that have been proposed by his Department, to the relevant Department in Northern Ireland as part of the budgetary process. [49346/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together.
InterTradeIreland, the North South Implementation Body whose remit is to promote increased cross-border trade and business development, has a wide range of programmes to assist businesses on an all-island basis.
The budgets for InterTradeIreland and the other North South Bodies are agreed annually by the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland.
InterTradeIreland operates from a single base in Newry, Co. Down and is jointly funded in a 2:1 ratio, respectively, by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland. InterTradeIreland have adapted their offering in recent years, as a result of economic circumstances, to meet the specific needs of SMEs, North and South.
Their key programmes are now focused on promoting trade and innovation activities among SMEs which it is hoped will lead to an increase in the number of firms engaging in cross-border business and exporting to the other jurisdiction, and taking innovative steps to trading themselves out of difficult operating environments. This approach has proved very successful. For example, in 2012, there were 92 First Time Innovators firms (against a target of 35) and 67 First Time Exporters firms (against a target of 50) as a direct result of these firms participating in InterTradeIreland's programmes. To date in 2013, InterTradeIreland have engaged with 2,493 companies on an all-island basis and their activities have had a jobs impact to date this year of 550 (against a full year target of 200).
Since 2008, ITI has received Exchequer funding averaging €7.5M per annum. Over the next three years I am satisfied that the annual Irish budget contribution will be maintained at a similar level.
290. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland jobs created and jobs lost in supported companies in each of the 26 counties for the past five years; and the euro investment in each of the 26 counties made by the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, the County Enterprise Boards in each of the past five years. [49355/13]
View answerThe Forfás Annual Employment Survey is the active time series and is the source for the following data. The sample of companies changes year on year. As companies enter the population or have transferred agency, companies have the opportunity to revisit numbers for the previous year when they are filling out the survey.
Appendix 1 and 2 outline jobs created and jobs lost in IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland client companies in each of the 26 counties between 2008 and 2012 respectively.
Appendix 3, 4 and 5 set out payments made by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards to companies in each of the 26 counties between 2008 and 2012, respectively.
Appendix 1 – IDA Ireland
|
County |
Employment Data |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Carlow |
Jobs Created |
74 |
49 |
87 |
75 |
116 |
|
Carlow |
Job Losses |
-28 |
-75 |
-202 |
0 |
-1 |
|
Cavan |
Jobs Created |
32 |
18 |
52 |
3 |
43 |
|
Cavan |
Job Losses |
-26 |
-56 |
-50 |
-22 |
-39 |
|
Clare |
Jobs Created |
140 |
123 |
30 |
27 |
37 |
|
Clare |
Job Losses |
-16 |
-93 |
-21 |
-33 |
-28 |
|
Cork |
Jobs Created |
2,116 |
1,108 |
1,393 |
1,990 |
1,979 |
|
Cork |
Job Losses |
-1,489 |
-2,370 |
-967 |
-900 |
-991 |
|
Donegal |
Jobs Created |
67 |
63 |
152 |
271 |
186 |
|
Donegal |
Job Losses |
-48 |
-29 |
-216 |
-22 |
-18 |
|
Dublin |
Jobs Created |
4,351 |
2,284 |
5,037 |
6,864 |
6,389 |
|
Dublin |
Job Losses |
-4,250 |
-6,815 |
-5,305 |
-3,395 |
-3,059 |
|
Galway |
Jobs Created |
636 |
442 |
789 |
1,047 |
859 |
|
Galway |
Job Losses |
-764 |
-1,077 |
-510 |
-169 |
-297 |
|
Kerry |
Jobs Created |
86 |
25 |
50 |
163 |
74 |
|
Kerry |
Job Losses |
-108 |
-416 |
-144 |
-182 |
-8 |
|
Kildare |
Jobs Created |
113 |
30 |
1,228 |
398 |
176 |
|
Kildare |
Job Losses |
-626 |
-1,513 |
-418 |
-507 |
-489 |
|
Kilkenny |
Jobs Created |
1 |
0 |
17 |
33 |
180 |
|
Kilkenny |
Job Losses |
-9 |
-112 |
-2 |
-5 |
0 |
|
Laois |
Jobs Created |
0 |
17 |
10 |
3 |
2 |
|
Laois |
Job Losses |
-20 |
-11 |
-1 |
-27 |
-23 |
|
Leitrim |
Jobs Created |
35 |
5 |
65 |
7 |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
Job Losses |
-43 |
-30 |
-81 |
-199 |
-152 |
|
Limerick |
Jobs Created |
286 |
172 |
163 |
233 |
400 |
|
Limerick |
Job Losses |
-694 |
-2,516 |
-472 |
-132 |
-99 |
|
Longford |
Jobs Created |
30 |
8 |
4 |
0 |
24 |
|
Longford |
Job Losses |
-88 |
-74 |
-127 |
-50 |
0 |
|
Louth |
Jobs Created |
75 |
33 |
43 |
109 |
386 |
|
Louth |
Job Losses |
-212 |
-245 |
-336 |
-58 |
-45 |
|
Mayo |
Jobs Created |
132 |
97 |
183 |
69 |
126 |
|
Mayo |
Job Losses |
-126 |
-159 |
-19 |
-87 |
-58 |
|
Meath |
Jobs Created |
132 |
30 |
38 |
53 |
68 |
|
Meath |
Job Losses |
-307 |
-184 |
-79 |
-28 |
-103 |
|
Monaghan |
Jobs Created |
15 |
19 |
28 |
0 |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
Job Losses |
-14 |
-17 |
-14 |
-85 |
-10 |
|
Offaly |
Jobs Created |
29 |
22 |
25 |
31 |
31 |
|
Offaly |
Job Losses |
-55 |
-128 |
-284 |
-87 |
-1 |
|
Roscommon |
Jobs Created |
41 |
0 |
12 |
51 |
53 |
|
Roscommon |
Job Losses |
0 |
-91 |
-63 |
-12 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
Jobs Created |
103 |
54 |
53 |
93 |
149 |
|
Sligo |
Job Losses |
-64 |
-137 |
-244 |
-51 |
-138 |
|
Tipp North |
Jobs Created |
13 |
0 |
14 |
22 |
0 |
|
Tipp North |
Job Losses |
-46 |
-188 |
-99 |
-3 |
-6 |
|
Tipp South |
Jobs Created |
262 |
252 |
56 |
84 |
10 |
|
Tipp South |
Job Losses |
-26 |
-93 |
-177 |
-279 |
-155 |
|
Waterford |
Jobs Created |
176 |
112 |
146 |
72 |
75 |
|
Waterford |
Job Losses |
-483 |
-569 |
-439 |
-764 |
-186 |
|
Westmeath |
Jobs Created |
134 |
231 |
128 |
194 |
252 |
|
Westmeath |
Job Losses |
-222 |
-480 |
-40 |
-56 |
-30 |
|
Wexford |
Jobs Created |
120 |
14 |
174 |
51 |
111 |
|
Wexford |
Job Losses |
-73 |
-90 |
-67 |
-47 |
-106 |
|
Wicklow |
Jobs Created |
53 |
39 |
13 |
66 |
60 |
|
Wicklow |
Job Losses |
-327 |
-270 |
-174 |
-247 |
-110 |
Appendix 2 – Enterprise Ireland Jobs created Jobs Lost
|
County |
Job Data |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Carlow |
Jobs Created |
223 |
40 |
225 |
253 |
152 |
|
Carlow |
Job Losses |
-306 |
-498 |
-238 |
-99 |
-121 |
|
Cavan |
Jobs Created |
335 |
89 |
196 |
369 |
374 |
|
Cavan |
Job Losses |
-372 |
-739 |
-266 |
-273 |
-244 |
|
Clare |
Jobs Created |
86 |
50 |
202 |
94 |
133 |
|
Clare |
Job Losses |
-181 |
-315 |
-131 |
-160 |
-105 |
|
Cork |
Jobs Created |
1,320 |
1,143 |
1,160 |
1,997 |
1,663 |
|
Cork |
Job Losses |
-1,440 |
-3,264 |
-2,036 |
-624 |
-818 |
|
Donegal |
Jobs Created |
270 |
164 |
218 |
301 |
180 |
|
Donegal |
Job Losses |
-463 |
-739 |
-323 |
-179 |
-309 |
|
Dublin |
Jobs Created |
4,704 |
3,864 |
4,535 |
3,938 |
4,097 |
|
Dublin |
Job Losses |
-6,071 |
-8,507 |
-5,994 |
-3,320 |
-3,415 |
|
Galway |
Jobs Created |
532 |
386 |
617 |
855 |
572 |
|
Galway |
Job Losses |
-818 |
-1,023 |
-593 |
-448 |
-410 |
|
Kerry |
Jobs Created |
260 |
172 |
142 |
232 |
194 |
|
Kerry |
Job Losses |
-381 |
-431 |
-206 |
-94 |
-106 |
|
Kildare |
Jobs Created |
351 |
476 |
295 |
1,082 |
534 |
|
Kildare |
Job Losses |
-683 |
-514 |
-543 |
-372 |
-244 |
|
Kilkenny |
Jobs Created |
176 |
74 |
140 |
150 |
320 |
|
Kilkenny |
Job Losses |
-386 |
-725 |
-291 |
-201 |
-100 |
|
Laois |
Jobs Created |
93 |
23 |
76 |
158 |
76 |
|
Laois |
Job Losses |
-169 |
-307 |
-123 |
-226 |
-138 |
|
Leitrim |
Jobs Created |
44 |
11 |
31 |
46 |
54 |
|
Leitrim |
Job Losses |
-85 |
-162 |
-69 |
-47 |
-16 |
|
Limerick |
Jobs Created |
498 |
344 |
418 |
289 |
684 |
|
Limerick |
Job Losses |
-1,075 |
-1,318 |
-642 |
-354 |
-453 |
|
Longford |
Jobs Created |
141 |
120 |
74 |
86 |
116 |
|
Longford |
Job Losses |
-161 |
-291 |
-192 |
-132 |
-88 |
|
Louth |
Jobs Created |
472 |
205 |
255 |
389 |
299 |
|
Louth |
Job Losses |
-624 |
-939 |
-531 |
-411 |
-196 |
|
Mayo |
Jobs Created |
289 |
203 |
144 |
716 |
197 |
|
Mayo |
Job Losses |
-432 |
-394 |
-308 |
-531 |
-270 |
|
Meath |
Jobs Created |
325 |
350 |
301 |
362 |
615 |
|
Meath |
Job Losses |
-592 |
-796 |
-307 |
-200 |
-294 |
|
Monaghan |
Jobs Created |
341 |
74 |
252 |
391 |
294 |
|
Monaghan |
Job Losses |
-1,041 |
-931 |
-293 |
-275 |
-142 |
|
Offaly |
Jobs Created |
689 |
100 |
266 |
173 |
139 |
|
Offaly |
Job Losses |
-386 |
-704 |
-285 |
-172 |
-171 |
|
Roscommon |
Jobs Created |
39 |
37 |
46 |
108 |
29 |
|
Roscommon |
Job Losses |
-391 |
-360 |
-178 |
-134 |
-75 |
|
Sligo |
Jobs Created |
87 |
74 |
131 |
140 |
247 |
|
Sligo |
Job Losses |
-149 |
-363 |
-121 |
-89 |
-71 |
|
Tipperary North Riding |
Jobs Created |
91 |
23 |
161 |
127 |
49 |
|
Tipperary North Riding |
Job Losses |
-658 |
-379 |
-106 |
-55 |
-180 |
|
Tipperary South Riding |
Jobs Created |
321 |
56 |
80 |
123 |
81 |
|
Tipperary South Riding |
Job Losses |
-392 |
-592 |
-276 |
-577 |
-117 |
|
Waterford |
Jobs Created |
492 |
317 |
431 |
909 |
692 |
|
Waterford |
Job Losses |
-902 |
-1,496 |
-426 |
-611 |
-846 |
|
Westmeath |
Jobs Created |
379 |
92 |
154 |
340 |
275 |
|
Westmeath |
Job Losses |
-374 |
-798 |
-245 |
-310 |
-104 |
|
Wexford |
Jobs Created |
368 |
310 |
222 |
191 |
385 |
|
Wexford |
Job Losses |
-448 |
-550 |
-290 |
-340 |
-297 |
|
Wicklow |
Jobs Created |
265 |
91 |
215 |
204 |
410 |
|
Wicklow |
Job Losses |
-663 |
-756 |
-341 |
-219 |
-193 |
Appendix 3: IDA Ireland Payments 2008-2012
|
County |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
|
Carlow |
€480,305 |
€176,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€9,503,141 |
|
|
Cavan |
€0 |
€143,000 |
€772,345 |
€129,778 |
€0 |
|
|
Clare |
€471,682 |
€790,882 |
€762,100 |
€844,145 |
€0 |
|
|
Cork |
€14,422,159 |
€16,585,908 |
€20,119,751 |
€15,092,610 |
€14,308,619 |
|
|
Donegal |
€281,200 |
€1,253,200 |
€2,353,385 |
€354,746 |
€6,221,146 |
|
|
Dublin |
€25,910,424 |
€29,101,843 |
€46,420,938 |
€43,043,936 |
€22,156,125 |
|
|
Galway |
€12,218,919 |
€10,206,304 |
€9,448,677 |
€14,107,397 |
€12,252,609 |
|
|
Kerry |
€42,949 |
€148,565 |
€216,450 |
€152,671 |
€2,145,004 |
|
|
Kildare |
€10,857,083 |
€9,691,781 |
€4,981,549 |
€4,281,933 |
€1,767,566 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
|
Laois |
€0 |
€39,000 |
€274,324 |
€21,182 |
€0 |
|
|
Leitrim |
€0 |
€28,60 |
€566,500 |
€297,622 |
€347,378 |
|
|
Limerick |
€2,871,880 |
€5,594,812 |
€5,104,862 |
€7,801,591 |
€11,209,462 |
|
|
Longford |
€678,789 |
€143,000 |
€357,000 |
€124,852 |
€0 |
|
|
Louth |
€1,245,000 |
€282,000 |
€347,207 |
€489,051 |
€2,809,400 |
|
|
Mayo |
€816,847 |
€66,007 |
€4,693,343 |
€1,198,963 |
€1,254,475 |
|
|
Meath |
€691,066 |
€136,501 |
€524,671 |
€386,670 |
€152,240 |
|
|
Monaghan |
€0 |
€445,882 |
€260,000 |
€70,335 |
€0 |
|
|
Offaly |
€0 |
€257,092 |
€211,870 |
€338,200 |
€8,000 |
|
|
Roscommon |
€91,938 |
€77,568 |
€283,503 |
€361,000 |
€13,098 |
|
|
Sligo |
€555,017 |
€553,787 |
€925,555 |
€852,618 |
€0 |
|
|
Tipperary |
€2,727,287 |
€1,431,584 |
€17,755,098 |
€1,875,356 |
€0 |
|
|
Waterford |
€4,739,590 |
€854,934 |
€1,414,402 |
€115,819 |
€1,722,808 |
|
|
Westmeath |
€937,110 |
€1,872,257 |
€1,564,401 |
€1,443,232 |
€1,552,832 |
|
|
Wexford |
€0 |
€190,078 |
€569,253 |
€3,373,513 |
€1,853,970 |
|
|
Wicklow |
€232,593 |
€791,321 |
€513,000 |
€0 |
€48,328 |
Appendix 4: Enterprise Ireland Payments 2008-2012
291. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency sponsored site visits for potential investors arranged by the Industrial Development Agency on a county basis in the past five years. [49356/13]
View answerDetails of the number of IDA sponsored site visits by potential investors on a county basis for the past five years are set out in the following tabular statement. These site visits were from new companies visiting the locations for the first time and from senior executives of existing companies.
Table shows the number of IDA sponsored site visits by potential investors on a county basis from 2008 – 2012
|
County |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Clare |
2 |
9 |
7 |
15 |
14 |
|
Cork |
41 |
29 |
44 |
27 |
38 |
|
Donegal |
3 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
Dublin |
92 |
90 |
197 |
150 |
196 |
|
Galway |
14 |
22 |
41 |
35 |
18 |
|
Kerry |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Laois |
6 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
9 |
18 |
38 |
40 |
30 |
|
Longford |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
23 |
28 |
25 |
26 |
12 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Meath |
3 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
11 |
6 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
2 |
5 |
12 |
3 |
6 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
|
Waterford |
12 |
8 |
11 |
11 |
26 |
|
Westmeath |
18 |
14 |
22 |
15 |
7 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
6 |
292. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of Industrial Development Agency sponsored investment made in Dublin, Cork and the rest of the State as a percentage of the State wide investment for 2007 to 2013. [49357/13]
View answerIt has not been possible to provide the requested information in the time available. I will send this information to the Deputy as soon as possible.
293. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in view of the fact that Ireland is not a member of CERN and this places Irish secondary school students at a disadvantage, relative to their British, French, Italian and Spanish counterparts, if there are plans in place for Ireland to apply for limited membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49455/13]
View answerIreland's membership of international research organisations must be predicated on whether the benefit of membership, in terms of support to Irish researchers, companies and jobs, justifies the cost involved.
For example, in the case of the European Space Agency, Ireland has chosen to pursue membership because of the major benefits that can accrue to innovative Irish companies in the sector, where Irish companies have established expertise, exports and employment.
My Department, through its industrial and scientific advisory agency, Forfás, commissioned an expert report by consultants Georgia Tech to examine the case for Irish participation in a number of intergovernmental research organisations, one of which was CERN. That Report, in 2001, concluded that, because of high costs and limited potential industrial development returns, membership should not be a priority. Since then, of course, the severely depleted resources available has meant that there is an even greater imperative to ensure that publicly funded research and development will yield the maximum benefits for the country – most particularly in terms of downstream jobs.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the Government’s priority in the area of science, technology and innovation is to implement the recommendations of the National Research Prioritisation Exercise which will see the majority of public research funding aligned with 14 priority areas where we are most likely to get economic and social returns, particularly in the form of jobs. The Steering Group which undertook the exercise included representatives of the enterprise sector and its terms of reference specifically required that it take account of complementary developments at EU level and other international initiatives. Research in the area of particle physics was not identified as a priority nor was there any recommendation that Ireland should join CERN.
The costs of full membership of CERN are understood to be over €10 million per annum. In addition to substantial fees for any type of membership, it is important to note that significant extra amounts of expenditure would be necessitated in order to ensure that Ireland benefits fully from membership. While other associate membership options may be available involving lesser amounts, the issue remains that a decision about joining CERN must take into consideration the opportunity costs involved, as payment of any fees would mean that less funding is available for our existing research priorities.
I am not aware that the fact that Ireland is not a member of CERN places Irish secondary students at a particular disadvantage relative to their UK, French, Italian or Spanish counterparts. However, should budgetary circumstances change over the next few years, the question of membership of CERN could be reviewed again but only if there is a compelling business case from a cost/benefit viewpoint. Also, the selected national research priority areas will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure their continued relevance and to also ensure that new opportunities are identified.
294. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she views the proposed extension of the JobsPlus programme from January 2014 to include those aged under 26 years and more that six months on the live register, to be in conformity with the Employment Equality Act and other such legislative measures designed to prevent employment discrimination on the basis of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48831/13]
View answer298. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if employers who hire persons aged under 26 years and who are more than six months on the live register under the proposed extension of the JobsPlus programme from January 2014, will be in violation of the Employment Equality Act and other such legislative measures designed to prevent employment discrimination on the basis of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48830/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 298 together.
JobsPlus is a new employer Incentive, from the Department of Social Protection which encourages and rewards employers who offer employment opportunities to the long term unemployed. The Incentive replaced the existing Employer Job PRSI exemption and the Revenue Job Assist schemes with effect from the 1st July 2013. JobsPlus takes the form of a cash grant payable monthly in arrears to the employer. The value of the incentive is set at two levels: €7,500 in respect a person 12 months but less than 24 months unemployed and €10,000 for an employee previously over 24 months unemployed. As of the week ending 8th November, 514 previously unemployed people had moved into employment with the support of JobsPlus. Some 1,755 employers have made applications and 1,650 or 94% of these have been approved. Some 3,426 jobseekers have applied of which 75% have been found to be eligible to date. I expect a further 300 or so jobseekers to be matched with employers in the coming weeks. The Government agreed in the context of Budget 2014 to shorten the eligibility period for JobsPlus for younger jobseekers from January 2014. Targeted wage subsidies are a common measure used in other jurisdictions to encourage recruitment of young unemployed people and are one of a number of the measures suggested by the European Commission to member states for inclusion in their national youth guarantee programmes that will be transmitted to Brussels later this year. Issues such as that highlighted by the Deputy are being considered in advance of altering the current eligibility criteria.
295. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has any statistics regarding the age of persons who are currently managing to gain employment and remove themselves from the live register; those taking up work placement schemes either through JobBridge, Tús or similar such schemes; if she will acknowledge that in the current climate there are additional obstacles put in place where a person who is making job applications is of a certain age; her plans to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49311/13]
View answerIt is recognised that age is a factor impacting on a person’s likelihood of exiting the live register.
During the period January-September 2013, persons aged 55-59 years accounted for 7%, and those aged 60-64 for 4%, of those leaving the Live Register to employment. Persons aged 55-60 years accounted for 6%, and those aged 60-64 for 5%, of those leaving the Live Register to take up education, training or work-programme places.
By comparison, some 8% of the Live Register is made up of persons aged 55-59 and 7% of persons aged 60-64.
The Government’s approach to tackling the unemployment problem is to focus resources on those individuals most at risk of long-term unemployment. Up to the recent past, this has been based on identifying all persons who remain on the Live Register for three months after first signing on, and referring them for more intensive job-search assistance and guidance, which may in turn lead to referral to a training or employment programme. Increasingly, referral is now based on profiling people at the beginning of a spell of unemployment, so as to focus resources on those most in need at an even earlier stage.
By definition, such an approach focuses resources on those persons who are in most need of assistance. The roll-out of the profiling system at my Department’s ‘one-stop-shop’ Intreo offices will further enhance this effect as one of the main variables in the profiling system is age. In other words, if someone is in an age category that is more likely to experience long-term unemployment, s/he will, all other things being equal, receive more targeted assistance.
Under-representation of those approaching retirement age on certain programmes may reflect the fact that some programmes involve making a long-term commitment (for example, taking up the Back to Education Allowance to up-skill could involve a commitment of up to 4 years to a third-level course).
296. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated additional PRSI revenue yield between the 1 July 2011 and 31 December 2013 had the halving of the 8.5% employer rate to 4.25% not happened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48797/13]
View answerThe Employer PRSI rate applying to weekly earnings of €356 or less was halved from 8.5% to 4.25% from July 2011 as part of the Jobs Initiative, to fulfil one of the commitments of the Programme for Government. This measure was implemented on a 2½ year time limited basis to apply from 1 July 2011 until 31 December 2013. The 4.25% employer PRSI rate will therefore revert to the original 8.5% rate from 1 January 2014. This is already provided for in legislation.
The additional PRSI revenues that would have been yielded if the halving of the employer rate did not happen are set out in the following table.
|
PERIOD OF TIME |
ANNUAL PRSI REVENUE FOREGONE |
|
1 July 2011 to 31 December 2011 |
€85 million |
|
1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 |
€214 million |
|
1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013 |
€215 million |
|
1 January 2014 to 31 January 2014* |
€15 million |
*P30 returns providing remittances to the Collector General, including employer PRSI remittances, are made a month after the month to which they refer. Remittances in respect of December 2013 are therefore received in January 2014.
297. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to change the way in which carer's allowance is assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48816/13]
View answerThe current assessment arrangements for Carer’s Allowance are designed to ensure that individuals requiring full-time care are supported in their own home, and that appropriate income support is provided to carers. The current arrangements allow carers to engage in work, education or training for up to 15 hours per week. There is also a generous means test. In the case of a single person, €332.50 of gross weekly income is not taken into account (or disregarded). If you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting the first €665 of your combined gross weekly income is disregarded. PRSI, union dues, superannuation (pension contributions) and travel expenses are also deducted. There is no intention to make changes to the assessment criteria for Carer’s Allowance at this time.
