Written Answers Nos. 88-93
88. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7034/14]
View answerNo further specific new powers or functions have been conferred on local authorities by legislation under my Department since June 2009.
However the County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill, 2013, currently being debated by the Oireachtas, provides for the dissolution of the County and City Enterprise Boards and the transfer of their existing functions to Enterprise Ireland. The functions will be delivered by Local Authorities, on behalf of EI under the terms of a Service Level Agreement. Therefore, the functions will rest legally with Enterprise Ireland and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation will retain responsibility for policy and budgets.
89. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way, within the areas in which he has responsibility, Ireland pushes for the inclusion of human rights clauses in trade deals between the European Union and other countries requiring improvements in human rights in return for opening up trade and investment opportunities; and specifically Ireland’s efforts in this matter. [7111/14]
View answerThe EU has competence to negotiate Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in consultation with its Member States. Increasing trade and investment is the way forward to create growth and jobs, addressing inequalities, increasing individual opportunities and providing mechanism to tackle abuses of individual rights.
Before negotiations on any FTA takes place however, an extensive Impact Assessment is undertaken by the Commission that includes, for example, an analysis of any trade and investment agreement on human rights / labour standards, environmental impacts etc. Before starting talks on a trade agreement the Commission requires a mandate from the Council. This sets out the areas that should be covered in any agreement. It is here that I have frequently made it clear that when it comes to sustainable development, issues related to human rights should be given the utmost priority.
Many of the EU's trade agreements now contain strong provisions to promote respect for core labour and environmental standards. Those agreements with South Korea, Singapore, Central America (Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica) and Colombia/Peru include such provisions. Specifically, topics covered extend to adherence by both parties to essential international labour and environment standards and agreements, as well as the promotion of activity encouraging sustainable development, such as Corporate Social Responsibility.
For example the EU-Colombia, among others, includes far-reaching provisions on the respect of the rule of law and effective implementation of international conventions on labour rights and environmental protection. Civil society organisations are and will be systematically involved in the practical implementation of this agreement, as well as others, to monitor how these important commitments are being put into practical and meaningful effect. In addition, implementation will also be subject to oversight by a special committee, and can be subject to an arbitration process. In respect of this agreement, a meeting between the EU and civil society took place on 7 February to open the dialogue with citizens and local Non Governmental Organisations to look at how the sustainable development provisions of the trade agreement are being implemented. The meeting is the first open meeting of the Subcommittee on Trade and Sustainable Development set up under the EU-Colombia/Peru Trade Agreement. This is one important agreement where my Department was especially vocal due to the serious concerns about the ability of trade unionists to undertake their legitimate role.
In other areas the EU promotes and encourages countries to comply with international core labour and environmental standards by granting them preferential access to the EU market. Full tariff removal is given to countries that commit to implementing 27 international conventions covering labour rights, environmental standards, human rights. Participating countries must report on their ratification and implementation procedures and are required to be open to international monitoring of their implementation activity.
These preferences can and have been withdrawn by the EU, as instanced in the withdrawal of these preferences from Sri Lanka over shortcomings in implementing three UN human rights conventions. This scheme is a real incentive for economies to develop economically and comply with international standards that affect their citizens' fundamental rights.
Trade and investment are ways to improve the well being of economies and citizens alike and I will continually urge that individual welfare is a priority in all trade related agreements negotiated by the Commission.
90. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the supports Enterprise Ireland has provided to a company (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7149/14]
View answerI understand from Enterprise Ireland that the company concerned received a Small Business Grant equivalent to €10,158 in 1979. Enterprise Ireland has interacted with the company on a number of occasions over the years, for example, an Enterprise Ireland Export Awareness event in Dundalk in March 2012, which included a one-to-one meeting with Enterprise Ireland's Regional Director. There have been no significant plans to develop exports.
However, Enterprise Ireland is available to assist the company in any way that it can, within its remit.
91. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason for his recent defence of IDA Ireland's record in County Kerry despite the fact that the authority arranged just five site visits to the county in the past two years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7189/14]
View answerThere are many complex factors influencing investor location decision-making such as the increasing preference of investors globally for cities of scale with 1 million plus population, significant challenges from lower cost locations in the UK and Eastern Europe and attractive regional aid.
There are 12 IDA Ireland client companies in Kerry employing 1,638 people. IDA Ireland has strong relationships with all these companies and works closely with them to ensure their long term sustainability and to encourage their growth, development and continuing re-investment in their sites. The primary opportunity for regional locations is in respect of the existing client base and potential further investment opportunities from same. Approximately 70% of all FDI investments won by IDA Ireland is from the existing client base.
When marketing Kerry for new inward investment IDA Ireland particularly focuses on the ICT (including. software), International Financial Services and Globally Traded Business sectors.
I understand that the Deputy was involved with Minister Deenihan in the announcement last June by MYMIC Global that twenty two jobs would be created in Valentia over the next three years. In addition there will be a further 15 jobs in the construction phase. That jobs announcement was made in conjunction with IDA Ireland, Kerry County Enterprise Board and the Valentia Island Development Company.
I am determined to ensure that Ireland can continue to compete globally for foreign direct investment. In winning such investments, I am, however, mindful of the need to address the concerns that have been expressed to me by Deputies on all sides of the House about the relatively low level of site visits to certain regional locations. I have, accordingly, requested IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to work with my Department so that we can explore what further initiatives we can take to ensure we have a better approach to enterprise development in regional locations. This exercise will complement the in-depth analysis of our FDI strategy which is currently being undertaken by Forfás and which will take account of factors such as key trends emerging in FDI best practice internationally, Ireland's strengths in attracting FDI and any changes to the EU's State Aid Rules, which will come into effect on 1 July 2014. The results of these two exercises will form the basis of IDA Ireland's strategy from 2015 onwards.
92. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the humanitarian assistance scheme operated by her Department for assistance in the aftermath of floods, since this scheme was developed, if she will provide a detailed breakdown of the amount of money that has been paid; the average payment to persons; the amount of money that has been received in each county; the amount that was paid out of that scheme to County Kerry; the average payment to persons living in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6992/14]
View answerThe humanitarian assistance scheme was approved by Government in November 2009. The scheme, which is means tested, is available to assist people whose homes are damaged by flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair.
Total expenditure on the humanitarian assistance scheme to the end of 2013 was approximately €2.2 million in respect of approximately 3,500 payments. The statistics available show that payments issued ranged from approximately €50 to €28,000. The Government has not set a limit on the amount that can be paid to an individual household under this scheme.
In dealing with events of this nature the Department generally adopts a three stage approach as follows:
- Stage 1 is to provide emergency income support payments for food, clothing, personal items and temporary accommodation in the immediate aftermath of the event. A relatively small amount of financial assistance is generally provided initially but this will increase as the extent of the problems become clearer;
- Stage 2 generally involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items. It is not until the flood water abates and houses dry out that the full extent of the damage to homes will become known;
- Stage 3 is to identify what longer term financial support or works are required. It could take several months before this stage of response commences and this involves a cross Departmental/Agency response. Works carried out can include plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.
A detailed breakdown of humanitarian assistance per county is provided in respect of 2013 and 2014 to date. A similar breakdown for previous years is not available. There were no payments under the scheme in 2013 or 2014 to persons living in County Kerry. Any person who is experiencing hardship as a result of the recent weather events should contact the Department's local representative administering SWA who may be able to offer assistance.
Tabular Statement – Humanitarian Assistance 2013
|
COUNTY |
NO. of PAYMENTS |
EXPENDITURE |
|
GALWAY |
108 |
€66,724 |
|
DUBLIN |
23 |
€51,008 |
|
CORK |
4 |
€16,285 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
13 |
€8,950 |
|
OFFALY |
11 |
€5,500 |
|
WICKLOW |
6 |
€3,300 |
|
CAVAN |
1 |
€50 |
|
Total |
166 |
€151,817 |
Humanitarian Assistance 2014 (as of 7 February)
|
COUNTY |
NO. of PAYMENTS 2014 |
EXPENDITURE 2014 |
|
LIMERICK |
160 |
€24,600 |
|
DUBLIN |
2 |
€6,955 |
|
GALWAY |
8 |
€5,490 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
1 |
€2,250 |
|
CLARE |
5 |
€1,808 |
|
WATERFORD |
3 |
€1,090 |
|
WEXFORD |
3 |
€1,050 |
|
OFFALY |
2 |
€1,000 |
|
MAYO |
1 |
€674 |
|
Total |
185 |
€44,917 |
93. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of bodies under the aegis of her Department in respect of Government policy for which she is responsible for answering parliamentary questions, pursuant to Standing Order 34. [7007/14]
View answerThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Board, the Pensions Ombudsman and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
I am responsible for answering Parliamentary Questions relating to the above statutory bodies.
