Thursday, 5 Jun 2014

Written Answers Nos. 31-50

Tax Code

Questions (31)

Noel Harrington

Question:

31. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Finance in respect of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994, the reason a person who has purchased a suitable second hand vehicle directly from the previous owner is unable to benefit from the concessions regarding the use of the vehicle in respect of road tax and fuel rebates; if he will amend the regulations to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23996/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the tax concession provisions for disabled drivers, passengers and organisations are contained in The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 (Statutory Instrument No. 353 of 1994).

In order to qualify for remission from road tax and for fuel repayments the vehicle involved must first qualify for VRT/VAT tax relief and is then admitted to the scheme.  In respect of a used vehicle purchased in the State and where repayment of VRT/VAT is involved, the vehicle must be purchased from an authorised person (that is, a person authorised by the Revenue Commissioners under section 136 of the Finance Act, 1992).  Where a vehicle is purchased from an authorised person it qualifies for repayment of VRT/VAT and for subsequent remission of road tax and fuel relief.

If a used vehicle is purchased privately (that is, it is not purchased from an authorised person) in the State it does not qualify for repayment and therefore cannot be admitted to the scheme and for the subsequent concessions on motor tax and fuel.

Where a used vehicle is purchased privately outside of the State the tax may be remitted at the time of registration and the vehicle qualifies for the scheme (and the concessions in relation to fuel and road tax).

I have asked my officials to examine the Regulations with a view to streamlining and modernising the scheme and addressing any anomalies.  I expect this examination to be concluded very shortly.

Tax Exemptions

Questions (32, 33)

Michael McGrath

Question:

32. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the use of a commercial vehicle by a self-employed person, while carrying tools to travel from their registered office to their clients is considered private use by the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24060/14]

Michael McGrath

Question:

33. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will address an issue raised in correspondence with the Revenue Commissioners by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if the person is entitled to a refund of tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24063/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that this taxpayer's case is complicated by the fact that supplementary returns and additional claims were made after the original tax returns were submitted.  As a result, he received several notices of assessment and several refunds to himself and his spouse.  The taxpayer has not, however, made a declaration of Preliminary Tax in respect of  2013, which he was required to do by 31 October last, and as a consequence has an amount of €2,739 retained and credited to Preliminary Income Tax   The taxpayer should now make  a declaration of Preliminary Income Tax liability which will enable this amount to be reconciled and any excess arising to be refunded.

Regarding the use of a commercial vehicle by a "self-employed" person, it appears from the details supplied that the individual is an employee/director of a company and that the question relates to the calculation of a benefit-in-kind in respect of the private use of the vehicle. While the precise type of vehicle is not disclosed, it is assumed that it is a van as defined in the benefit in-kind legislation. Generally speaking, the use of a van by an employee or director to travel between places of work is considered to be business rather than private use of the vehicle.  This is on the basis that the expense associated with such travel is incurred necessarily in the performance of the duties of the employment.

Whether a journey is undertaken in the performance of the duties of an employment depends on the particular facts of the case. So, while as a general rule travel between the registered office of a company and a client's premises would be a business journey, this need not always be the case.  For example, if the registered office of the company was also the home of the employee, the travel will generally have a private purpose, i.e. that of travelling to and from home.   The fact that the vehicle is used to carry tools does not change the purpose of the journey or make it business use.

For the sake of completeness I should add that no taxable benefit will arise in respect of the private use of company van where all of the following conditions are met:

- the van is supplied by the employer to the employee for the purposes of the employee's work

- the employee is required by the employer to bring the van home after work

- apart from travelling from work to home and back to work, other private use of the van by the employee is forbidden by the employer, and there is in fact no other private use

- in the course of his or her work, the employee spends at least 80% of his or her time away from the premises of the employer to which he or she is attached.

This exemption applies to company vans only. There are specific criteria for determining what constitutes a van for the purposes of the benefit-in-kind legislation. These are set out in detail on the Revenue website at Employers Guide to Benefit-in-kind - Private Use of Company Vans.

No taxable benefit will arise in respect of the private use of a commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight (i.e. gross laden weight) in excess of 3,500kg.

Finally, I am informed by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer has been in continuing written correspondence with his Revenue district.  He has been offered a review of the handling of his case under Revenue's Complaint and Review Procedures.  He has raised some queries regarding the conduct of the review, which are being dealt with in correspondence with him.   He has also been invited to meet with officials in order to clarify matters in his own case, but he has not yet availed of this opportunity.  In this respect, I would invite him to contact Mr Eoin Ó Domhnaill at 021-6027225.

SOLAS Administration

Questions (34)

John McGuinness

Question:

34. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite a resolution to the withdrawal of FÁS-SOLAS instructor cards in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the submission made to the agency by the business concerned will be dealt with and a reply issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24055/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

This is a day to day operational matter for SOLAS. I have asked SOLAS to contact the Deputy directly to clarify the issue.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (35)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

35. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of all school building projects in progress, approved and planned in the future for County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23962/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The current status of all projects on the school building programme, including those for County Kildare, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie which is updated regularly throughout the year.

The Deputy will be aware that the 5 Year Construction Plan, that I announced in March 2012, lists the individual school projects that are planned to proceed to construction over the duration of the Plan. The Plan prioritises new school building projects as well as major extensions in areas where significant demographic need has been established so that our school system is in a position to cater for increasing pupil numbers. Further to the Five Year Plan, my Department has also published a detailed annual programme of the major school building projects to commence construction in each of the years 2012, 2013 and 2014. The 5 Year Plan, together with each of the annual programmes concerned, may also be viewed on my Department's website.

Given the need to meet demographic growth, the delivery of new schools, together with extension projects, to meet future demand will be the main focus of the Department's budget for the coming years. In this context, it is not possible to indicate at this point when individual building projects, not in the 5 Year Plan, will be progressed. My Department will however consider applications by schools for funding for additional classrooms where additional teaching staff have been allocated.

School Enrolments

Questions (36)

Brian Walsh

Question:

36. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on a section 29 appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23986/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I understand from my officials a Section 29 appeal will be heard on behalf of the pupil in question on 6 June. My officials will issue the outcome of the appeal as soon as possible when it is received from the hearing committee.

Schools Building Projects Applications

Questions (37)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

37. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the size or intake a school needs to attain if it is to be considered for the addition of a general purpose room; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24001/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's design guidelines for schools include guidance in the provision of P.E. Halls, general purpose rooms and outdoor hard play areas such as basketball courts. Other P.E. facilities, e.g. pitches are provided, where appropriate, and in the context of available resources, as part of the Department's school building programme.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Physical Education curriculum has been designed on the basis that facilities in schools may vary. Many primary schools have a general purpose room and practically all schools have outdoor play areas which are used for teaching different aspects of the P.E. programme. A similar situation with sports halls and outdoor facilities applies at second level. In addition, many schools use adjacent local facilities, including public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. Priority is currently being given to applications for essential mainstream classroom accommodation in areas of significant demographic growth and where additional teaching staff have been allocated. This will continue to be the main focus for investment by my Department in the coming years. Accordingly whilst my Department will continue to provide additional and improved classroom accommodation in our schools, it is not currently in a position within available funding to consider applications from schools for the addition of a general purpose room.

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Questions (38)

John McGuinness

Question:

38. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will arrange for a full-time special needs assistant to be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; if he will expedite same. [24023/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

The NCSE invited schools to make applications for SNA and resource teaching support for children who have assessed care needs for the coming 2014/15 school year by 26th March 2014, for their consideration.

The NCSE are currently considering all of the applications for support which have been received, including those which have been received after 26 March, and will advise schools of the outcome of their applications ahead of the new school year.

School Staffing Appeals Mechanism

Questions (39)

John McGuinness

Question:

39. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will meet a delegation from a school (details supplied) regarding their appeal for an extra teacher from September 2014 based on their intake of pupils which will result in a total of 91 pupils; if he will expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24024/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing arrangements for the 2014/15 school year are set out in Circular 0007/2014 which is available on the Department website. The staffing schedule includes the provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment for September 2014. The school referred to by the Deputy would need to be projecting an enrolment of 93 pupils to meet this criterion. In addition, the staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final. It would not therefore be appropriate for me to meet with the school with regard to an appeal.

The next meeting of the Appeal Board will take place on Tuesday 10 June, 2014. I understand that the school has not submitted an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board to date.

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Questions (40, 47)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

40. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to special needs assistants, if the definition of what constitutes care needs has been changed in circular 0030/2014; if such an alteration in the criteria under which an SNA may be required will lead to a reduction in the numbers of SNAs funded by his Department; if he is satisfied that the definition of care needs set out in the aforementioned circular will cover as many individual child circumstances as is foreseeable and that no child will lose the care they require to access an equal standard of education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24025/14]

Finian McGrath

Question:

47. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support a matter (details supplied) on special needs children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24065/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 47 together.

In December 2013, this Government increased the cap on the number of SNA posts by 390 posts to 10,965 at the end of 2014 with over 23,000 children currently accessing SNA services.

These extra posts will ensure that the Government's policy of ensuring that every child who is assessed as needing SNA support will receive access to such support. Circular 0030/2014, which issued to schools on 10th April 2014, sets out my Department's policy in relation to the SNA scheme. This Circular clarifies and restates the purpose of the SNA scheme which is to provide schools with additional support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs.

In June 2011, my Department published a Value for Money and Policy Review of the SNA scheme. In May 2013, the NCSE published its Policy Advice on Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in Schools.

Both reports concluded that the SNA scheme has been highly successful in supporting the care needs of children with special needs in schools, and with assisting to facilitate their integration and inclusion. However, the reports also concluded that the intended purpose of the scheme was not always generally well understood by parents or schools and that the scope and purpose of the scheme should be clarified for schools.

My Department accordingly prepared a new Circular for schools, which was designed to clarify the scope and purpose of the SNA scheme, in accordance with the recommendations of the reports and policy advice noted above. The circular therefore should not be interpreted as a means to reduce the numbers of SNAs in schools.

At present all SNA allocations are reviewed annually. The circular restates this practice. It should also not be assumed that any such review will automatically lead to a reduction in SNA support for individual pupils, or for schools who have pupils who have continuing care needs.

The Circular acknowledges that many pupils will have care needs which may remain constant. However, the Circular makes clear that whereas supports may be reduced to ensure that pupils who have diminishing care needs can be afforded an opportunity to develop independent living skills, that SNA supports will continue to be provided for those pupils who have ongoing care needs.

The Circular provides details of the primary care needs for which SNA support will usually be provided and details the types of secondary care associated tasks which SNAs may often perform. The circular has not materially altered the definition of care needs but has clarified the care needs for which SNA support should be provided.

The circular clarifies the role of the Classroom Teacher and Resource/Learning Support Teachers to provide for the education of a child, and the role of an SNA to support those teachers in assisting with care needs. The role that professional reports play in supporting the SNA scheme is also set out.

The NCSE allocates a quantum of SNA support for each school annually, taking into account the care needs of all of the qualifying children enrolled in the school, and on the basis of the assessed care needs of all the children concerned, rather than solely by reference to a pupils disability categorisation.

It is considered that this Circular will provide useful guidance and support for schools and parents in clarifying the purpose of the scheme and setting out the circumstances in which SNA support will normally be provided to assist children with special educational needs to access education.

Third Level Funding

Questions (41)

Finian McGrath

Question:

41. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support the continued existence of a long-standing reputable third level education institution (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24035/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The College to which the Deputy refers is a private college and is not an approved institution under the Higher Education Authority (HEA). It does not receive core funding, however, my Department provides grant in lieu of tuition fee funding to the College in respect of three approved undergraduate courses. Whilst there is a cap on the number of students to which such free fees funding applies, the College has not reached that number since the cap's introduction. Funding of €430,000 for the 2013/14 academic year was allocated to the College in respect of this funding.

A wide ranging reform programme of the higher education system is being implemented arising from the modernisation framework in the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030. That report recommended that continuing funding support for institutions such as that referred to by the Deputy, who receive limited public funding for specific programmes, should be a matter for the HEA and subject to ongoing review in the context of quality outcomes, overall demand and available provision within relevant regional clusters.

I welcome the fact that the college has stated that it intends to wind down in a phased basis in order to facilitate as much as possible the completion of students' studies.

State Examinations

Questions (42)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

42. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the eligibility criteria used to determine those who are eligible for the roles of exam supervisors-superintendents for the State leaving certificate and junior certificate examinations; if he has any plans to revise the same criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24038/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to him.

Schools Building Projects Applications

Questions (43)

Noel Harrington

Question:

43. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Education and Skills when his Department will be in a position to seek tenders for a new secondary school in Skibbereen, County Cork; the proposed timetable for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24044/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

It is planned to deliver Skibbereen Community School as a part of a bundle of four schools (Schools Bundle 4) through this Department's Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme. The new school will cater for 900 students and will be constructed on a greenfield site at Gortnaclohy, Skibbereen. Planning permission for the proposed school was secured from Skibbereen Town Council on 12 May 2014.

Tenders were received by the National Development Finance Agency in April 2014 and the tender evaluation process is under way. The preferred tenderer is due to be appointed at the end of June, 2014. Construction is anticipated to commence by the end of this year, subject to completion of the PPP financing arrangements by the Preferred Tenderer. All schools in the Schools Bundle 4 PPP Contract are expected to be completed for the start of academic year 2016/17.

School Transport Administration

Questions (44)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

44. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the current tendering process for school bus contracts in County Cork; if there is open and transparent competition; the way in which confidential personal information of a number of operators tendering for school bus contracts was recently disclosed and put into the public domain; the effect of same on the current tendering process; his intentions to rectify same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24045/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, is responsible for the procurement of contractors to provide transport services under the School Transport Scheme.

I am satisfied with the current tendering process. Bus Éireann is obliged to tender all works, goods and services in line with the European Directives on public procurement. The procedure is a two-stage pre-qualification and tendering process separated out with different closing dates and times, conducted in accordance with the negotiated procedure under EU Directive 2004/17/EC.

Bus Éireann has advised that due to a clerical error in the Cork Office the names and addresses of a small number of current contractors were identified in respect of existing services which were subject to re-tendering on this occasion. This error has no bearing on the tender process, and the competition for these contracts is proceeding on schedule. The error is very much regretted by the company, which is communicating directly with the contractors concerned.

Education and Training Boards

Questions (45)

Billy Timmins

Question:

45. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding section 32(2) of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013 (details supplied); if he will amend the legislation accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24048/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The position is that, in accordance with Section 32(2) of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, the Minister may by order specify a class, description or grade of position of employment in an education and training board (ETB) the members of which are ineligible to be a member of a board, having regard to the desirability of (a) maintaining the distinction between reserved functions and executive functions of the board and (b) avoiding, as far as possible, any appearance of a conflict of interest that could arise by a member of staff holding a particular class, description or grade of position and, at the same time, being a member of a board.

In accordance with Section 32(2), it is my intention to specify all grades of staff, the duties of which are wholly or mainly of an administrative, executive or clerical nature and the maximum remuneration for which exceeds the maximum remuneration for the office of Clerical Officer. I am doing so in order to maintain a clear distinction between the reserved and executive functions of a board and to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest were a member of staff also to be a member of the board. My intentions are consistent with the arrangements that applied in the vocational education committees and arrangements that exist elsewhere, for example in regard to the eligibility of staff grades in local authorities to be members of a local authority. I also intend to designate certain specific management grades of ETBs as ineligible.

I note a reference in the correspondence provided by the Deputy that, potentially, certain categories of staff would not be adequately represented on boards under the proposed arrangements. The Deputy should note that the boards of ETBs carry out certain specific reserved functions only, in accordance with the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, and that members of boards are neither elected nor appointed, as the case may be, in order to represent staff or specific categories of staff of a board.

School Staffing

Questions (46)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

46. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding two teachers in respect of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24059/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the Department website. The staffing arrangements for the 2014/15 school year (Circular 0007/2014) were published on 24 January, 2014. The staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools.

As part of the Budget 2012 decisions, there is a phased increase in the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools with four teachers or less. The first phase of the budget measure took effect from September 2012. The final phase of the budget measure takes effect from September 2014.

My Department has expanded the existing appeals process so that it is accessible to the schools that are affected by the budget measure. In this regard small schools will not lose their classroom post if they are projecting sustainable increased enrolments in September 2014 that would be sufficient to allow them to retain their existing classroom posts over the longer term.

The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application to the Appeals Board under Criterion A - Exceptional accommodation difficulties for the next meeting on 10 June 2014. The school will be notified of the outcome of its appeal in due course.

Question No. 47 answered with Question No. 40.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (48)

Brendan Smith

Question:

48. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; the present stage of this project; when the project is likely to proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24083/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Major School Building Project referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 2a Developed Sketch Design of Architectural Planning.

The Mechanical & Electrical Submission for the project is currently under review in my Department. Following this review, subject to no further issues arising, the project will proceed to full Stage 2b Detailed Design which includes planning and other statutory permission and the preparation of tender documents.

Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012.

School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which were previously initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.

Job Creation Data

Questions (49, 50, 55, 60)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he can verify the actual number of jobs created and-or lost in each of the past six years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23964/14]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

50. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which State agencies have supported job creation in the small medium enterprise sector in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23965/14]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

55. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of jobs created or supported by State institutions or the EU in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23970/14]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

60. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the alleviation of youth unemployment continues to be specifically targeted by his Department in the context of investment in small and medium enterprises and larger corporations here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23975/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 50, 55 and 60 together.

Responsibility for statistical information rests with the Central Statistics Office (CSO). However, I understand that the CSO does not compile statistics on jobs created and lost on a county basis. As far as agencies of my Department are concerned, the number of jobs created by Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices (formerly CEBs), in the past five years are set out in the following Tables, 1, 2 and 3. (Prior to 2010, the CEBs could only report on the number of jobs existing in CEB-supported companies. In 2010, the CEBs’ data recording system was changed, thereby enabling them to produce figures for jobs existing, job gains and job losses for the years from 2010 onwards.)

As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I introduced a collaborative, cross- government approach to advancing job creation in the State. The Action Plan for Jobs is an annual plan designed to drive action across all Government Departments and Agencies in a collective effort to put in place the conditions needed to support and grow employment in the State. This Government has set an ambitious target of adding 100,000 net new jobs by 2016 on a path to having 2.1 million people employed in the economy by 2020. In the year to Q1 2014, there was an annual increase in employment of 2.3% or 42,700 jobs in the economy, bringing total employment to 1,888,200.

I was pleased to note that the long-term unemployment rate decreased from 8.4% to 7.3% over the year to Q1 2014. Long-term unemployment accounted for 60.5% of total unemployment in Q1 2014, compared with 61.8% last year, and 63.5% in the first quarter of 2012. In the same period, youth unemployment decreased from 26.7% to 25.3%. These figures are very encouraging and show that the Government's Action Plan for Jobs process is working and getting people back to work.

The Government also specifically continues to address the alleviation of youth unemployment through the combined strategies of the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work. The objective of Pathways to Work – which has a particular focus on supporting those who are unemployed - is to ensure that as many jobs as possible are filled by people from the Live Register.

There are a number of actions in both the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work which are targeted at, or amenable to, younger people. These include the JobBridge internship programme, the JobPlus initiative, the Youth Guarantee, the Momentum and Springboard training courses, and the ICT Action Plan. These initiatives are collectively delivered by the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Education and Skills. The Government is also increasing the number of training places available for young people this year. For example, the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs includes a commitment to ring-fence 2,000 places for people under 25 years of age under the new iteration of the Momentum programme this year.

Within my own Department, there is a strong emphasis on supporting entrepreneurship this year, and the range of supports available to entrepreneurs - including young entrepreneurs - is being increased. A key initiative in 2014, under the Action Plan for Jobs, is the establishment of a new €2m Fund to find Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur.

We will continue to build on this progress through the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work to ensure that more employment opportunities are available to all those who are seeking work, particularly young people.

Table 1:

Enterprise Ireland	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Jobs Created	9,500	16,206	13,717	12,256	12,536

Source: Forfás Annual Employment Survey

Table 2:

IDA Ireland	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Jobs Created	5,375	10,430	12,314	12,773	10,611

Source: Forfás Annual Employment Survey

Table 3:

LEOs	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Jobs Created	N/A	4,510	5,331	4,858	5,278