Written Answers Nos. 257-274
257. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of pension-related disputes involving employer attempts to close or alter defined benefit schemes currently before the Labour Relations Commission. [18767/14]
View answerThe Conciliation Service operated by the Labour Relations Commission is independent in the exercise of its functions and I have no direct involvement in their day to day operations. However, I have asked that the LRC provide this information and my office shall forward it to you on receipt.
258. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in the context of the transport industry and, specifically, with regard to the use of tacograph records as an acceptable means of time recording, the reason the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA, refuses to recognise same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18960/14]
View answerThe Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 gives effect to the EU Working Time Directive by setting out statutory rights for employees in respect of rest, maximum working time and holidays. Section 25 of the Act provides that an employer is required to keep such records, in such form as may be prescribed, as will show whether the provisions of the Act are being complied with.
The Organisation of Working Time (Records) (Prescribed Form and Exemptions) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 473/2001) prescribes the form of records to be maintained under Section 25 of the Act. Regulation 4 of S.I. No. 473/2001, provides that where no clocking in facilities are in place in a work place, a form to record the days and hours worked in each week by each employee shall be kept by the employer in the form set out in the Schedule entitled Form OWT1, or in a form substantially to like effect.
Each case examined by NERA is assessed on its own merits. Where the totality of records presented is sufficient to show that the provisions of Regulation 4 have been satisfied, they will be acceptable to NERA. Experience to date has indicated that tachograph records, in themselves, are insufficient to satisfy the requirements of Regulation 4. This view is supported by the Labour Court decision in Kyle International Transport Ltd v. Jitobah and a number of other cases. I would add that officials from my Department have met with a number of stakeholders to discuss their concerns regarding tachograph records and compliance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Further discussions are planned for the near future.
259. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of microfinance that has been approved to date; the number of applications and if he will provide a breakdown per region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18988/14]
View answerAs of 31 December 2013 Microfinance Ireland (MFI) has approved 139 applications to the value of €2.159m supporting 313 jobs. My Department publishes quarterly reports on the progress of MFI on the Department’s website www.enterprise.gov.ie. The 2013 4th quarter progress report on MFI showing a detailed analysis for year ending 31st December 2013 is available on my Department’s website. The next quarterly report for the period to 31st March 2014 will be published shortly.
260. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the policy and strategy to develop a more balanced division of foreign direct investment, FDI, to the areas outside the main urban centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18989/14]
View answerThe IDA Ireland Strategy for the period 2010 to 2014, “Horizon 2020”, set an ambitious regional economic development target of 50% of investments in regions outside Dublin and Cork and this has proven to be a challenge. There 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. In terms of employment in the regions 72,500 jobs, roughly 44% of the total employment in IDA Ireland’s base of companies including those that were former clients of Shannon Development, are located outside of Dublin and Cork. Similarly, the total employment in Enterprise Ireland’s client companies which are located outside of Dublin and Cork is 89,738 which is just over 51% of total employment.
State aid to enterprises in more disadvantaged areas of the country is an important part of the Government’s jobs strategy. On Friday, I published the new Regional Aid Map, providing details of areas of the country in which the State can provide investment aid to businesses in order to support new investment and employment, under EU rules. This new Map represents a significant win for Ireland in the context of the original proposals from the EU Commission. Under the new Map, areas accounting for 51.28% of Ireland’s population will be eligible for State Aid, aid to large enterprises is permitted for new economic activities, expansions which involve new products or services, and product innovation and aid intensity rates (30% for small enterprises, 20% for medium-sized enterprises and 10% for large enterprises) are maintained at current levels.
It must be acknowledged that some locations outside of Dublin and the main urban centres already facilitate the presence of a large number of multinational companies who have invested over the years, span multiple sectors and employ significant amounts of people. 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.
IDA prioritises the marketing of Gateway locations within each Region as the locations of critical mass and highlights the opportunities provided by Hub locations which are within commuting distances of these Gateways. A key component of a Gateway Economic Region’s value proposition are the existing industry clusters which originated with the arrival of several large multinational companies through the support of IDA Ireland and which, in turn, create the development of an indigenous sub-supply base assisted, in some cases, by Enterprise Ireland. A number of these Irish-owned companies, particularly in the Life Sciences Sector, have since become significant international players in their own right. These clusters are primarily located in Gateway locations.
Under the Action Plan for Jobs 2014, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are working with my Department to develop a framework for a Regional Enterprise Strategy to better integrate the efforts of enterprise agencies and the other regional stakeholders in building enterprise based on sustainable competitive advantage of the region. 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 the aforementioned 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.
261. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his approach towards achieving our Horizon 2020 targets of €1.2 billion; the projected breakdown for microenterprise and small and medium enterprises; the strategy to streamline the process to achieve these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18990/14]
View answerWith a budget of just under €80 billion and covering the period 2014 to 2020, Horizon 2020 is the European Union’s largest ever research and innovation programme and the largest worldwide. Horizon 2020 is a core part of Europe 2020, the Innovation Union and the European Research Area and is responding to the economic crisis in Europe by investing in future jobs and growth. Ireland performed to a very high standard in the preceding programme - the Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Innovation (FP7), with almost €600 million in funding awarded to participants in Ireland from call results to date, thereby achieving our national target for participation in that programme. In terms of funding obtained as a percentage of the available budget, Research for the Benefit of SMEs was the second highest performing area for Ireland in FP7. SMEs accounted for 78.2% of funding to private industry in Ireland under FP7.
In December 2013, the Government approved a national strategy for participation in Horizon 2020, together with an ambitious target of €1.25 billion in funding to Ireland over the lifetime of Horizon 2020. This strategy sets out a comprehensive range of actions designed to maximise Ireland’s participation in the programme and achieve the target, involving all of the key Departments, agencies and research performers. A Horizon 2020 High Level Group, under the chairmanship of my Department, has been established to oversee the implementation of the national strategy.
A National Support Network of National Contact Points coordinated by Enterprise Ireland has been established, comprising knowledgeable and experienced practitioners from relevant Departments and agencies, charged with helping companies and academics access the funding opportunities presented by Horizon 2020. Individual targets for microenterprises, SMEs and large companies have not been projected. The National Support Network will include a Research and Innovation in Industry team which will substantially increase the resources allocated to company participation to maintain and grow this activity significantly. The Research and Innovation in Industry team will aim to make SME participation, in particular, business friendly across all parts of the Horizon 2020 programme. The team will work with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland Development Advisors and other relevant agencies and Government Departments to develop a database of innovative companies and target appropriate opportunities. The team will also work with the Institutes of Technology which have a proven model of engaging SMEs in innovation for the first time through small, focused solution-based projects and building these relationships into longer-term research collaborations.
During the negotiations on Horizon 2020, which took place during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union, Ireland was pro-active in getting the agreement of the Council, Commission and the Parliament to an increased target participation rate, from 15% to 20%, for SMEs under Horizon 2020. Ireland recognised that SMEs have proven themselves to be engines of economic growth and the principal sources of new employment. SMEs are central, therefore, to the recovery of our own economy and the European economy in general. I am confident that, building on our successful performance in FP7 and supported by our national strategy and a strong national support network, Irish researchers, research organisations and companies are well placed to compete at the highest level for Horizon 2020 funding.
262. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to introduce measures in primary or secondary legislation to define the use of the term "accountant" in order to introduce protections for the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19117/14]
View answerAt the moment the immediate priority in the Company Law area is to work for an early enactment of the Companies Bill 2012, which was published on the 21st December 2012 and which completed Report and Final Stages in the Dáil on the 2nd April 2014. The Seanad is due to consider the Bill shortly. Once on the statute book, the Companies Bill will introduce a modern company law code for Ireland and bring significant benefits to business. The Bill has been many years in the making and I am keen to have it in force at the earliest opportunity.
The Company Law Review Group, in its 2007 report, recommended the regulation of the title “accountant. On foot of this recommendation, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (as it then was), considered the matter and in particular noted the views of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Competition Authority. The Competition Authority took the view that there was no clear public interest case which would warrant the legal protection of the term accountant.
It should be noted that the Review Group on Auditing, which reported in 2000 also concluded that there was no compelling case for recommending statutory protection for the term accountant. However, in light of concerns expressed by members of the professional accountancy bodies I have requested the Department to undertake a consultation with all interested parties on the issue and it is hoped that this consultation will take place later this year. To inform the consultation process the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority recently sought information from the nine Prescribed Accountancy Bodies (PABs) to establish whether the PABs have specific evidence or experience of adverse outcomes arising for members of the public from engaging the services of an unqualified person. In particular, they requested information the PABs may have in respect of individuals who are excluded from their membership for misconduct and who continue to provide services to the public.
263. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated gross contribution of Enterprise Ireland-supported companies to the GDP output of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19123/14]
View answer265. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total estimated tax contribution to the Exchequer in terms of payroll and corporation tax of Enterprise Ireland-supported companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19125/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 265 together.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) is the agency under my aegis with responsibility for the development of Irish enterprise, deepening Ireland’s footprint in world markets, and supporting employment creation in our economy. In that regard, the primary measures of economic impact targeted by the agency include the number of jobs created by EI client companies, their total employment, increases in exports, increases in innovation, research and development activity, and the number of High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) supported each year – all of which are pursued in the context of increased prosperity in Ireland.
Total direct employment (full and part time) in EI client companies stood at 175,750 in 2013, according to the Forfás Employment Survey. Of these, 149,718 were full-time jobs, while 26,032 were part-time. These companies are a vital source of employment in every county in Ireland and are spread across a wide range of sectors. Within this total level of employment, EI supported companies created 18,033 new jobs in 2013. This resulted in a net increase of 5,442 in the number of people employed, the highest net gain for Irish companies in the last decade and built primarily on the strong export performance of Irish companies. This continuation of employment growth demonstrates clearly the direct impact that increasing exports has on jobs in Ireland. Exports by EI supported companies reached €16.2bn in 2012, and are expected to have exceeded €17bn in 2013. These companies, directly and indirectly, are estimated to account for more than 300,000 jobs in the Irish economy (approximately 16% of the total number at work). The impact of these companies is of course a very substantial contribution to the growth of the economy, including the scale of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and Exchequer funds including Income and Corporation Taxes.
In relation to an estimate of the gross contribution to GDP from Enterprise Ireland’s clients, the latest available figures available for preparing such an estimate relate to 2012. Preliminary 2012 GDP figures, as reported by the CSO, show GDP of €163.938bn. The total output of EI clients in 2012, was €30.144bn, or 18.4% of GDP. Gross figures should however, be used with caution as they do not represent final contributions to GDP as not all products/services may be considered as final outputs for the purposes of calculating GDP. On the basis of estimated value added by EI clients in 2012 (€11.153bn), the direct contribution of estimated value added, totals 6.8% of GDP. An important element of the impact of EI client companies in the economy is of course the expenditure made on payroll, and locally sourced goods and services in Ireland. In 2012, this totalled €18.9bn.
The Deputy also asked for estimates in relation to the total tax contribution to the Exchequer in terms of payroll and Corporation Tax of Enterprise Ireland client companies. It is important to note that Enterprise Ireland does not collect official data or statistics on the payroll or Corporation Taxes paid by its clients. However, the agency as part of the Forfás Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact (ABSEI), collects some data which can be used to prepare indirect estimates. The Forfás ABSEI is a voluntary enterprise agency client survey, which inter alia, surveys companies as to the total output of an undertaking, the total payroll expenditure of an undertaking, and the total goods and services expenditure of an undertaking.
As such, in respect of the payroll tax contribution estimate, Enterprise Ireland has produced an estimate based on average payroll at an aggregate level, and compared this with the latest Revenue Commissioners Statistical Report for 2011 which illustrates effective rates of tax for specimen incomes. Given the limitations of the data, it is not possible to determine a distribution of incomes earned within client companies, nor data relating to the status or application of reliefs or assessment which impact the final contribution. Using this limited basis, an estimate of €1.14bn in annual employee income taxes can be estimated. In addition to income taxes, employers’ taxes are also a payroll related contribution to the Exchequer. Taking these elements together, Enterprise Ireland estimates a total contribution to payroll taxes in the region of €1.5bn in respect of its client base.
In relation to Corporation Taxes, a profit estimate based on total estimated value added less the cost of payroll/other costs is calculated, before applying the average effective tax rate which is taken from recent research by the Department of Finance. Based on this analysis an estimated Corporation Tax contribution is arrived at, of €388m. Again, caution is advised in the use of this figure as the component data is estimated and not based on actual Corporation Tax returns for Enterprise Ireland client companies.
Taken together, the data demonstrates that Enterprise Ireland client companies, located in every county in Ireland, continue to make a substantial economic impact at a critical time in the State. Enterprise Ireland is keenly focused on its ongoing mission to support companies and employment creation in Ireland.
264. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated gross contribution of the Industrial Development Agency Ireland supported companies to the GDP output of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19124/14]
View answer266. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total estimated tax contribution to the Exchequer in terms of payroll and corporation tax of the Industrial Development Agency Ireland supported companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19126/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 266 together.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been, and will continue to be, an integral part of Ireland’s economic development strategy. Foreign-owned firms contribute substantially to Ireland’s exports, jobs, expenditure in the Irish economy and to Exchequer funds. FDI plays a key role in stimulating the development of new sectors in Ireland, in enhancing our research, development and innovation performance and in accelerating the achievement of critical mass within sectors. The latest available figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show total Gross Value Added (GVA), accounted for by foreign-owned multinational enterprise dominated sectors stood at 25.3% in 2011. Gross value added is conceptually similar to GDP but examines production on a sectoral level rather than final expenditure type. Gross value added excludes product taxes and subsidies.
Details of the total estimated contribution to the Exchequer in terms of payroll and corporation tax for the past 3 years as per the most recent 2012 Annual Business Survey of Economic Indicators (ABSEI) is set out in the following tabular statement.
Table shows estimated contribution to the Exchequer in terms of payroll and corporation tax for the last 3 years
|
Indicator |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
% change - 2011-2012 |
|
Irish Economy expenditure, €m of which |
17,783 |
19,748 |
20,818 |
5.4% |
|
Total Payroll Costs |
7,398 |
7,780 |
8,072 |
3.8% |
|
Irish Materials |
1,638 |
1,912 |
2,364 |
23.7% |
|
Irish Services |
8,747 |
10,056 |
10,381 |
3.2% |
|
Corporation Tax €bn |
2.8 |
2.7 |
2.8 |
3.7% |
267. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to bring forward proposals including regulations and-or legislation to address the issue of individuals and groups targeting vulnerable people by offering bogus services; if he will consider the introduction of a standardised identification scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19171/14]
View answerConsumers already have protection, under both Irish and EU consumer law, when engaging with traders, be it at the trader’s premises, on the consumer’s doorstep, or remotely over the telephone or online. The goods or services purchased must be as described, fit for the intended purpose, and be of merchantable quality. In relation to consumer legislation which applies to off-premises and distance contracts, I signed into Irish law statutory instrument No. 484 of 2013 which transposes the EU Directive 2011/83/EU on Consumer Rights last December. This Regulation, titled European Union (Consumer information, cancellation and other Rights) Regulation 2013, comes into operation on 13 June 2014 and will apply to contracts concluded after that date.
On the issue of consumers who complain about traders offering inferior quality goods or services whilst using aggressive or intimidatory tactics, and the ensuing sense of fear which it leaves particularly with certain vulnerable consumers, I consider that complaints in this area are more appropriately dealt with by the Garda Síochána in the first instance. The National Consumer Agency will also consider a complaint where it is referred to them by a consumer who feels dissatisfied. The Agency’s website, www.consumerhelp.ie provides information and tips to consumers in relation to doorstep selling and runs periodic awareness campaigns to highlight the issue. I have no plans to introduce a standardised identification scheme.
268. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the fact that green card permit holders must pay the full permit fee again when their passports expire even though their green card permits would otherwise still be valid and in date; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that some green card permit holders consider that this creates an unfair cost; the action he will take to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19210/14]
View answerI am happy to clarify for the Deputy that, in the circumstances he sets out in his Question, no such full permit fee is payable again. When applying for a Green Card Employment Permit, my Department merely requires that the foreign national has an in-date and valid passport for a period of 12 months or longer on the date of application. If the application is approved, a Green Card for a 2 year duration is issued. At the end of the 2 year period, the foreign national can obtain an immigration permission to work in the State without the requirement for an Employment Permit.
I have made inquiries with my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality, and I understand that where a foreign national renews their passport, he or she is required to update their registration details with An Garda Síochána in accordance with the Immigration Act, 2004. This will require, in practically all circumstances, the issue of a new registration certificate to the person concerned for which a statutory fee is payable unless they are a category of person subject to a fee exemption. If this were to be the issue of concern for the Deputy, it would be a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality.
269. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of applications that have been granted under the credit guarantee scheme, CGS, since the last quarterly report on 30 September 2013; the amount in euro that has now been approved in total under auspices of the CGS; if he will enact policies to improve the level of take-up in respect of the CGS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19251/14]
View answer270. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of loans that have been approved under the microenterprise loan fund scheme since Microfinance Ireland last published results at 31 December 2013; the total amount, in euro, that has been approved for lending under this scheme; the current total number of approved or declined applications under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19252/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
As of 31st December 2013 the SME Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) has seventy-two live facilities resulting in €9.78m being sanctioned through the scheme by the participating lenders resulting in 401 new jobs being created and 236 jobs being maintained. My Department publishes quarterly progress reports on the SME Credit Guarantee Scheme on my Department’s website www.enterprise.gov.ie. The progress report detailing the analysis and performance for the quarterly period ending 31st December 2013 is available on my Department’s website. I intend to publish the next progress report for the period to 31st March 2014, once the report has been finalised.
As of 31st December 2013 Microfinance Ireland (MFI) has approved 139 applications to the value of €2.159m supporting 313 jobs. My Department publishes quarterly reports on the progress of MFI on the Department’s website www.enterprise.gov.ie. The 2013 4th quarter progress report on MFI showing a detailed analysis for year ending 31st December 2013 is available on my Department’s website. The next quarterly report for the period to 31st March 2014 will be published shortly.
271. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a management chart for his Department. [19379/14]
View answerThe Chart included with this Reply identifies the management structure of my Department together with the areas of responsibility within each Division of my Department. The current structure of the Department was put in place after the formation of the Government in 2011. A revised structure will be implemented in 2014 consequent on the integration of Forfás into the Department once the legislation providing for same is enacted.
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- |
Secretary General |
- |
- |
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Assistant Secretary |
Assistant Secretary |
Assistant Secretary |
Assistant Secretary |
Assistant Secretary |
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Corporate Services, EU Affairs & Trade Policy |
Competitiveness and Jobs |
Labour Affairs |
Innovation and Investment |
Commerce, Consumers and Competition |
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Personnel/ Learning & Development/ Organisation Unit |
Indigenous Enterprise Development Unit |
Internal Audit |
Cross Governmental Science, Technology & Innovation Policy |
Competition & Consumer Policy |
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Management Support/ Business Services Unit |
Access to Finance, Small Business & State Aid Unit |
Labour Market/ EU EPSCO/ Chemicals Policy Health & Safety |
Science Foundation Ireland, EU and International STI & PRTLI |
Company Law |
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ICT Unit |
Competitiveness & Climate Change Unit |
Employment Rights Policy |
Inward Investment & North/South Unit /Taxation Policy |
Co-operative Law & PIAB Liaison |
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Finance Unit |
Industrial Relations Workplace Relations Liaison |
Intellectual Property Unit |
Offices of the Department: |
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EU Affairs Internal Market |
Employment Permits Economic Migration
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Offices of the Department: |
Companies Registration Office (CRO) |
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Trade Policy Unit Licensing Unit Bilateral Trade |
Workplace Relations Reform Programme |
Patents Office |
Registry of Friendly Societies |
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- |
Offices of the Department: |
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Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement |
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Employment Appeals Tribunal |
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- |
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- |
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National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) |
- |
- |
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- |
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Labour Court |
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- |
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Labour Relations Commission |
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- |
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Equality Tribunal |
- |
- |
272. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a list of all offices currently under the aegis of his Department. [19380/14]
View answer273. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a list of all bodies and-or agencies currently under the aegis of his Department. [19381/14]
View answer274. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a list of all offices, bodies and agencies under the aegis of his Department that are to be abolished or merged. [19382/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions 272 to 274, inclusive, together.
The following are the State Bodies/Boards under the remit of my Department.
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1. |
Enterprise Ireland* |
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2. |
IDA Ireland |
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3. |
Science Foundation Ireland |
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4. |
Shannon Development |
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5. |
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
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6. |
Forfás |
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7. |
National Consumer Agency |
|
8. |
The Competition Authority |
|
9. |
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority |
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10. |
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
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11. |
The Health and Safety Authority |
*Enterprise Ireland also provides policy direction and funding through the nationwide network of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). The network of 31 LEOs will deliver an improved system of local enterprise supports to start-ups and small businesses across the country.
In addition to the State Bodies/Boards listed, the Offices of my Department which carry out specific legislative functions are:
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1. |
The Labour Court |
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2. |
The Employment Appeals Tribunal |
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3. |
The Equality Tribunal |
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4. |
The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement |
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5. |
The Patents Office |
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6. |
The Companies Registration Office |
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7. |
The Registry of Friendly Societies |
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8. |
The National Employment Rights Authority |
There is a substantial programme of reform underway within my Department in relation to Agencies and Offices. The Agencies under the remit of my Department that are scheduled to be merged, reformed or abolished are set out under the Government’s Agency Rationalisation Programme. These reforms include:
- merging the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority into one single entity;
- dissolving the 35 County Enterprise Boards and transfer their functions to Enterprise Ireland to be delivered by Local Authorities in Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) - this will facilitate the delivery of an enhanced service and range of supports to the micro and small business sectors;
- dissolving Forfás and provide for the transfer of the agency’s assets, liabilities and staff to my Department and other bodies, as appropriate;
- transferring relevant enterprise functions from Shannon Development to IDA, EI and Bord Fáilte and merge Shannon Development with Shannon Airport Authority; and
- reforming of the State's Workplace Relations Services to deliver a simplified two-tiered structure comprising a single body of first instance, the Workplace Relations Commission, and a single body of appeal, in effect an enhanced Labour Court.
Details of the up-to-date position on the above measures are set out in the following table:
|
Measure |
Progress to end March 2014 |
|
Merge the National Consumer Agency (NCA) and the Competition Authority into one single entity |
The Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014 which was published on the 31st March 2014, when enacted, will give effect to the merger of the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency. |
|
Dissolve the 35 County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and transfer their functions to Enterprise Ireland (EI) |
In 2012 the Government approved the dissolution of the County and City Enterprise Boards, the transfer of their functions, assets and liabilities to Enterprise Ireland (EI), and the establishment of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to provide a “first-stop-shop” for small business within Local Authorities. Following the enactment of the CEB Dissolution Act, the CEB’s were dissolved and the LEO’s came into operation on the 15th April 2014. |
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Dissolve Forfás and provide for the transfer of the agency’s assets, liabilities and staff to my Department and other bodies, as appropriate |
Primary legislation is necessary to give effect to the decision to integrate Forfás into my Department by the transfer of the functions and staff of Forfás to my Department and a number of state agencies. The Industrial Development (Forfás Dissolution) Bill 2013 was passed by Dáil Éireann on 9th April 2014 and will now be referred to the Seanad. It is expected that the Bill will be enacted in June 2014. The various sections of the Bill will commence on dates to be specified by the Minister after the enactment of the Bill. An Implementation Group, comprising senior management from my Department, Forfás, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, is overseeing the integration project and meets on a regular basis. An Executive style Board has also been put in place in Forfás to oversee the transfer of the agency’s functions and responsibilities. A number of decisions that did not require legislation have already been implemented including: - the reduction of the Board of Forfás from 13 members to 6 to oversee the orderly hand-over of Forfás’ functions; - the transfer of the facilities, property management and reception/switchboard services from Forfás to IDA Ireland in July 2013. |
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Transfer relevant enterprise functions from Shannon Development to IDA, EI and Bord Fáilte and merge Shannon Development with Shannon Airport |
Shannon Development’s functions and the associated staff in relation to indigenous enterprises and foreign direct investment have been transferred to Enterprise Ireland and IDA respectively. Shannon Development’s functions in relation to tourism including the Regional Tourism Offices have been transferred to Fáilte Ireland. These changes have been accompanied by the redeployment of staff to other public bodies and the implementation of a voluntary redundancy scheme. The restructuring of Shannon Development has been completed. The Government recently approved legislation "State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014" to establish the Shannon Group as part of a drive to establish an International Aviation Services Centre in the mid-west as part of a plan to deliver new routes and new jobs for the region. |
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Reform of the State’s Workplace Relations Services by merging the activities of the National Employment Rights Authority, the Labour Relations Commission, the Equality Tribunal and the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal into a new Body of First Instance, to be known as the Workplace Relations Commission. The appellate functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal will be incorporated into an expanded Labour Court. |
The process of establishing a new two-tier workplace relations structure is continuing. A considerable amount of work has been completed on the preparation of the Workplace Relations Bill, which will give statutory effect to the reform proposals. Significant progress has been achieved to date in relation to the technological, structural, administrative and staffing changes required to underpin the Workplace Relations Reform Programme. Pending the enactment of legislation, my Department has put in place a Single Contact Portal, e-complaint facility, Staffing and Structures Plan, Workplace Relations website and early resolution service, together with enhanced technologies and processes in advance of the enabling legislation. Legislation to give effect to the Workplace Relations Bill is currently on the A list of the Government’s legislative programme. Drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage. I propose to publish the Bill before the end of the Spring/Summer Dáil session 2014, with a view to having the proposed new Workplace Relations structures in place during 2014. |
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Discover Science and Engineering (DSE) Programme |
In March 2012, responsibility for the DSE Programme transferred from Forfás to Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). The programme is now named SFI Discover. |
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Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) to the Government |
The Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser was included in the bodies due for critical review under the Public Sector Reform initiative. Following a Government decision in October 2012 to abolish the separate Office of the CSA, the Director General of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) took responsibility for the role of Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government in addition to his existing role and co-terminous with his tenure as Director General of SFI. |
In addition, I would draw the Deputy’s attention to the fact that, following enactment of the Microenterprise Loan Fund Act 2012, Microfinance Ireland was established as a private limited company in August 2012, as a subsidiary of the Social Finance Foundation and has charitable status. Microfinance Ireland has been funded by the Government to provide loans to newly established and growing microenterprises across all industry sectors that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by banks.
