Thursday, 23 Jan 2014

Written Answers Nos. 27-35

Health and Safety

Questions (27)

Seán Kyne

Question:

27. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied that the procedures for safety-testing and for verifying the authenticity of safety standard labelling of household products such as mattresses, sofas and so on are suitably rigorous, in view of the revelations from the UK where several major retailers, most of which have a presence here were selling products that did not meet safety standards, especially in the context of fire, and carried forged safety labels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2939/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Under European product safety legislation, economic operators (manufacturers, importers and retailers) are required to ensure that only safe products are placed on the market. Household products on sale in the Irish market, including sofas and mattresses, come within this requirement.

I am aware of the recent allegations of the sale of non-compliant products on the UK market and I am informed that the National Consumer Agency (NCA) has been following up with UK product safety authorities. The Agency has also been engaging with relevant retailers to determine whether the affected products were sold on the Irish market and what appropriate follow-up is required.

The NCA is the competent authority for market surveillance of consumer products and follows up any complaints received. In the region of 400 / 500 calls are dealt with each year in relation to potential product safety issues across a wide range of products. A very small proportion of such calls (3/4 per year) have related to potential furniture safety issues. In one case, the importation of a large consignment of sofas was intercepted by the Customs Authorities and, following investigation by the NCA, it was determined that the consignment did not meet requirements and was returned to the country of origin.

In the context of investigating the adherence of products to the relevant standards, the NCA, on occasions, sends sample products for testing to accredited test houses. There are no such test houses in Ireland for the product safety legislation for which the Agency has responsibility, and as a consequence such testing must be carried out abroad.

Industrial Relations

Questions (28)

Seán Kyne

Question:

28. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding plans for the creation of a new workplace relations system; when he expects the workplace relations Bill will be published; and when the new system will commence its work at resolving workplace disputes. [2938/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

As the Deputy may be aware I have engaged in extensive public consultation in framing my proposals for a radical reform of the State’s Workplace Relations Services.

There is universal acceptance of the need for root-and-branch reform of the existing structures and processes which have evolved in an ad hoc fashion over the last eighty years. These deficiencies have given rise to, among other matters, complexities for practitioners and users of the service, multiple points of entry to the system, forum shopping, long delays in scheduling hearings and issuing decisions

My objective is to deliver a world-class workplace relations service which is simple to use, independent, effective, impartial, cost effective and provides for workable means of redress and enforcement, within a reasonable period of time.

A two-tier Workplace Relations structure will be established comprising two statutorily independent bodies i.e. a single body of first instance to be called the Workplace Relations Commission and a separate appeals body, which will effectively be an expanded Labour Court.

A significant amount of work has been completed on the preparation of the legislation which will give statutory effect to the new structures and associated processes. The Draft Scheme of the Workplace Relations Bill has been approved by Government for priority drafting. The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel has assigned resources to ensure the earliest possible publication of the Bill and drafting is underway. My intention is to publish the Bill as early as possible during the Spring/Summer Dail session 2014 with a view to having the new structures in place during 2014.

The legislation will provide for the services of the Equality Tribunal, the National Employment Rights Authority, the Labour Relations Commission and the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) to come together under the remit of the Workplace Relations Commission. The appellate functions of the EAT will be amalgamated into a reconfigured Labour Court.

Significant progress has also been achieved to date, in advance of the enabling legislation, insofar as the technological, structural, administrative and staffing changes required to underpin the Workplace Relations Reform Programme are concerned, including the following measures which have already been put in place:

- Transfer of the Equality Tribunal into my Department to be part of the WRC

- A Single Contact Portal,

- An e-complaint facility,

- Staffing and Structures Plan,

- Workplace Relations website,

- Early resolution service,

- Enhanced technologies and processes including a request for tender for the procurement of a world-class customer relationship management solution which was published in December last year. This solution will underpin and support effective and efficient service delivery,

- Arrangements for the recruitment, selection and training of adjudicators and the rationalisation of accommodation and hearings venues are at an advanced stage.

Cross-Border Co-operation

Questions (29)

Seamus Kirk

Question:

29. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his proposals to enhance economic co-operation on a North-South basis to boost trade in the Border area; if further economic co-operation will be discussed at the next North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1483/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

North South economic co-operation continues to be a priority of mine and of the Government. To this effect, there is on-going dialogue between relevant Ministers and officials, North and South, to promote economic development, job creation and innovation on a cross-border basis.

From my own perspective, I attend meetings, of the North South Ministerial Council Plenary, which are hosted by either the Taoiseach or the First and Deputy First Ministers, most recently in November last. In addition, I co-chair meetings of the North South Ministerial Council Trade and Business Development Sectoral, with my counterpart, the Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Ms. Arlene Foster MLA. The most recent such meeting was held just yesterday, in Armagh, when we discussed a range of issues of mutual interest on enterprise and business development in both our jurisdictions. These included a review of various cross-border initiatives being undertaken by InterTradeIreland , the North/South Trade and Business Development Body, and senior executives of that body participated in the discussions.

My officials also engage in on-going dialogue with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (D’ETI). A key area of such regular engagement is on the oversight of InterTradeIreland, which is co-funded by my Department and our counterpart Northern Ireland Department. InterTradeIreland’s suite of programmes is designed to encourage trade and business growth across the island and create an environment where it is easier to do cross-border business. These programmes include:

Elevate – which focuses on helping micro enterprises to take the first steps in exporting and explore opportunities in a new cross-border market;

Challenge - which helps SMES realise their ambitions to become more innovative;

Innova - a cross-border collaborative Research & Development programme offering companies an opportunity to accelerate new product, process or service developments through partnering with a company in the other jurisdiction; and

Fusion - a unique technology transfer programme which provides companies with new product or process development needs access to a three-way partnership that includes a third-level research institution with specialist expertise.

In addition, my Department co-funds a total of 28 projects under the Enterprise Development theme of the Interreg IVA Programme (2009-2015), together with both the administration in Northern Ireland and the EU. These projects include addressing barriers to trade faced by micro-enterprises in border counties, assisting with market entry support, developing cross border linkages, business support mentoring, capacity building for SMEs, schemes for assisting specific enterprise sectors, the provision of two Enterprise Centres and the provision a major Science Park.

Also, there is close engagement and cooperation between the relevant Enterprise Development bodies which come under the remit of my Department, i.e. Enterprise Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards with their counterparts in Northern Ireland on a range of mutually beneficial issues.

We will continue to work diligently with our counterparts in Northern Ireland to increase the economic benefits - especially on trade development, research and innovation and job creation - which can accrue from practical cross-border co-operation.

Question No. 30 answered with Question No. 9.

Youth Employment Initiative

Questions (31)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

31. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will confirm that the building of youth employment will be a key priority and theme for the action plan for jobs 2014. [2946/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I am very much aware that employment opportunities for young people have been seriously impacted by the economic crisis over the last number of years. Our youth unemployment rate, for persons under 25 years of age, reached over 30% in 2012.

The Government has been tackling the issue of youth employment through the combined efforts of the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work. Through these strategies, the Government has brought in a range of new initiatives such as JobBridge, Springboard, Momentum, JobsPlus, and the ICT Action Plan, to help people to upskill or enter employment. These schemes provide opportunities for all people who are unemployed, including young people.

It is encouraging to see that, as the early signs of an economic recovery begin to emerge, there has been an improvement in the number of young people at work. The youth unemployment rate decreased from 31.1% to 26.5% over the year to the Third Quarter of 2013. However, this rate is still far too high and it is important that we continue on our course to turn the economy around so that we create more job opportunities for all who want to work.

I am currently finalising the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs on behalf of the Government and I can confirm that it will include a number of measures to support youth employment. For example, my Department, together with Enterprise Ireland, is examining options for initiatives aimed at promoting youth entrepreneurship, which could include a range of supports for business start-ups by young people under 25 years of age.

The Action Plan for Jobs will be published shortly, following its approval by the Government.

Microenterprise Loan Fund Applications

Questions (32)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

32. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he will take to review and enhance the microenterprise loans fund and loan guarantee scheme to ensure that lending targets are reached in 2014. [2949/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

When I introduced both these schemes to the House I clearly indicated that the take-up of both schemes is dependent on SME customer demand levels. Potential demand from SMEs is very difficult to assess and for this reason I did not set lending targets for the Schemes.

As of 17 January, 2014 Microfinance Ireland (MFI), has approved 149 applications to the value of €2.32m supporting 333 jobs.

Take-up to date may be a reflection of the muted level of demand for credit as evidenced in the Department of Finance commissioned SME Credit Demand Surveys.

My Department and the Microenterprise Loan Fund operator, MFI have committed significant time and resources to the establishment and operation of this Fund. While my officials engage with MFI on an on-going basis in how the Fund is being delivered, I will commence a review of the operation of the Microenterprise Loan Fund Acts 2012 by July 2014. The purpose of the review will be to enhance the uptake and impact of the Fund and I can assure the Deputy that I will take all recommendations into consideration with a view to improving the overall take-up of the Fund.

As of 17 January, 2014 the SME Credit Guarantee Scheme has 77 live facilities resulting in €10.5m being sanctioned through the scheme by the participating lenders resulting in 408 new jobs being created and 247 jobs being maintained.

As take-up continued to be lower than anticipated, I commissioned an independent review of the Scheme, which was submitted to me in Q3 2013. Since then my Department has worked with the Review Steering Group to determine the changes that can to be made to the Credit Guarantee Act 2012, and the contents of a new Credit Guarantee Scheme, on foot of this review. This complex work is progressing as quickly as is practicable. The review also contained a number of recommendations outside of the legal framework such as awareness raising that can be pursued without the need for legislative changes. In addition, my Department has been working with the Irish Banking Federation to determine the likely take-up of the revised Scheme.

I will ensure these changes to the Credit Guarantee Scheme are made in 2014 through the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 and I will implement the review recommendations, as appropriate, with a view to enhancing the up-take and impact of the Scheme as soon as possible.

International Agreements

Questions (33)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

33. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; his views on whether under this convention citizens are entitled to water of drinkable quality as a right; his views that the Government must not only allow access to water, but that the water must be of drinkable quality and that otherwise the Government has not fulfilled its obligations under the ICESCR convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3202/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on 1 October 1971 and ratified it on 8 December 1989.

In November 2002, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted General Comment No. 15 on the right to water. General Comments provide guidelines for States' Parties on the interpretation of specific aspects of the Convention and clarify the normative content of the rights set out therein.

According to paragraph 2 of the General Comment the human right to water entitles everyone to “sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic uses. An adequate amount of safe water is necessary to prevent death from dehydration, to reduce the risk of water-related disease and to provide for consumption, cooking, personal and domestic hygienic requirements. ”

Although the General Comment makes no reference to the phrase “drinkable water” the water required for each personal or domestic use must, according to paragraph 12(b) of the General Comment, be “safe, therefore free from micro-organisms, chemical substances and radiological hazards that constitute a threat to a person’s health. Furthermore, water should be of an acceptable colour, odour and taste for each personal or domestic use”.

Paragraph 37 of the General Comment of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights confirms that States Parties have a core obligation to ensure the satisfaction of minimum essential levels of each of the rights enunciated in the Covenant. In the Committee’s view, one of the core obligations in relation to the right to water is “to ensure physical access to water facilities or services that provide sufficient, safe and regular water; that have a sufficient number of water outlets to avoid prohibitive waiting times; and that are at a reasonable distance from the household ”.

With regard to drinking water quality, the EU Drinking Water Directive has been transposed under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations, 2007. Those regulations provide that all suppliers of drinking water must ensure that the water supplied is wholesome and clean. Water that is wholesome and clean is defined as water that:

- Is free from any micro-organisms and parasites and from any substances which in numbers or concentrations constitute a potential danger to human health, and

- Meets the quality standards specified in Tables A and B in Part 1 of the Schedule to the Regulations.

A copy of the Regulations is available in the Oireachtas library.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Questions (34)

Tom Fleming

Question:

34. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of all consultancy firms engaged by his Department during 2013; if he will further provide details of all the relevant fees paid to the firms during the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3211/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28: Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Vote 27: International Cooperation. Consultants are engaged only where specialised knowledge and skills are not available within the Department and, especially in the case of Ireland’s official overseas aid programme, known as Irish Aid , where independent appraisal, audit, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects is required. Decisions on the need to commission outside expertise are subject to the establishment of appropriate business cases and an approvals process overseen by senior management of the Department’s Development Cooperation Division. Expenditure on consultancy services is constantly monitored to ensure that it does not exceed the level required for the proper management of the aid programme.

Details of the consultants engaged by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade during 2013 are set out in the tables below.

Vote 28 Foreign Affairs

Name of Consultant	Nature of Work	Amount
2013
Peter McEvoy	Review of the Emigrant Support Programme Grants in Britain	13,075
PA Consulting (paid via Department for Business Innovation and Skills, London)	British-Irish Joint Economic Study*	43,083
Art Agnew	Human resources	12,672

*Following the Ireland-UK Summit of March 2012, the British and Irish Governments commissioned a consultancy report, quantifying the value of the British Irish Economic relationship and identifying areas where further cooperation would be mutually beneficial.

Vote 27 International Cooperation

Name of Consultant	Nature of Work	Amount
	External expertise for the purpose of Ireland’s Aid programme
Heather Nesbitt		1,987
Una Murray		24,453
Bronagh Hinds & Karen McMinn Consultants		20,811
Mary Jennings		19,748
Rothwell Performance Consulting		21,452
Kevin Moore		31,192
Emma Warwick		62,926
Anne Marie Cunningham		9,423
DHR Communications		73,835
Sarah Hunt		33,785
ASTEC Consultants Ltd		44,493
Chuck Lathrop		2,992
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors		Nil
Peter McEvoy		14,334
Amy Rose mc Govern		5,000
Gareth Williams		Nil
John Geraghty		7,500
Vicky Dillon		82,370
Garth Singleton		8,395
Natural Research Institute		Nil
Karen Brosnan		Nil
Hunter McGill		2,772
Garth Singleton		Nil
Cathy Doran		14,156
Niall O'Keeffe		13,918
Mike Williams		13,991
Walk Tall Consulting (Marie Therese Fanning)		Nil
IOD PARC		Nil
Mary Buckley		Nil
Donal Bracken		Nil
Niall Morris		Nil
Kimmage		Nil
Mamar Merzouk		Nil
Stephen O Dwyer		Nil
Mokoro		Nil
Michael McManus		Nil

Consultancy Contracts

Questions (35)

Seán Crowe

Question:

35. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the services that a company (details supplied) provided for his Department between May 2011 and 31 December 2013, and for which it was paid €6,069,815. [3225/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department makes payments to the company concerned for the management of two essential IT systems – Passport Service Systems and Human Resources Management System.

The company is responsible for the support, maintenance and upkeep of all Passport Service IT systems. Passport Service IT systems comprise a complex range of technologies to enable receipt and processing of passport applications forms and the specialised production of the high quality and secure Irish passport booklet of which 630,000 were produced in 2013.

The company concerned is the first and single point of contact for all technical support issues related to the Passport Service IT systems, which includes being responsible for, and managing, the performance of a number of other companies who supplied specialised elements of the systems. Payments reflect the technical nature and breadth of the skills required to maintain Passport Service IT systems, involving on-site and extended hours of cover during the peak passport issuance season, the supply and installation of spare parts and components, and proactive monitoring arrangements to warn of potential systems issues. The company is responsible for all software and hardware needed for Passport Service IT systems, including payments to third parties for appropriate licensing, support and on-going maintenance of these systems.

The company is also responsible for providing IT support for the Department’s Human Resources Management IT System under a central agreement with the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. The Human Resources Management IT System enables the Department to effectively manage its workforce. A total of €53,278 for the Department’s Human Resources Management IT System has been paid to the company for the period in question.

Both contracts were awarded on foot of open EU procurement exercises. A breakdown of the payments to the company concerned is €1,525,681 for May 2011 to December 2011, €2,385,878 for 2012 and €2,158,256 for 2013.