Thursday, 12 Jun 2014

Written Answers Nos. 102-110

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (104)

Michael McGrath

Question:

104. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a detailed list in tabular form of all staff vacancies, within his Department and in each agency under his Department's remit at principal officer grade or above, including the title of the vacant post and the functional area to which it belongs; the length of time the post has been vacant; the salary attached to the post in question; in respect of agencies where Civil Service grades do not apply, if he will include vacancies where the post attracts a salary equivalent to or greater than a principal officer grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25125/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

As part of the Employment Control Framework (ECF), which is the mechanism for the management of the reduction of overall public sector staff numbers, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sets an annual target for my Department and our agencies to meet. Staff departures are managed within this ECF framework and business units are organised accordingly. In this regard, therefore, I can advise the Deputy that there are no vacancies at principal officer grade or above in my Department.

Although I agree the overall staffing number for each agency under my Department’s remit, staff organisation in each agency is a day to day matter for each Agency concerned, and I have asked the Agencies to respond directly to the Deputy.

Departmental Appointments

Questions (105)

Heather Humphreys

Question:

105. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has given consideration to appointing an independent ombudsman to oversee the implementation and regulation of the proposed grocery goods undertakings in the new retail legislation. [25158/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The establishment of a new standalone State body to oversee the implementation of the proposed regulations of certain practices in the grocery goods sector would not, in the current economic climate, be feasible for reasons of scarce financial resources, duplication with enforcement of existing legislation in the Competition (Amendment) Act 2006 on activities that prevent, restrict or distort competition in the grocery goods sector and the need to ensure that there is no unnecessary proliferation of public service bodies. Hence, as I have previously outlined in relation to this matter in the Oireachtas, the new amalgamated Competition and Consumer Protection Commission will be the independent body assigned responsibility for overseeing and enforcing these regulations which I will make under this Act. This new body will be given the powers to enforce the regulations and will build on the considerable enforcement and investigative powers that the two current bodies have built-up over the last few years rather than start afresh with a new body. Contravention of the regulations will be an offence as will failure to comply with any contravention notice issued by the new Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. That body will also have the power to publically list all undertakings that have contravened either the regulations or failed to comply with the contravention notices: this will inform consumers on which undertakings are not abiding by the regulations. It will also be able to act on its own initiative or on the basis of information supplied to it. However, it must be pointed out that in enforcing any regulations, the basic tenets of fair procedure and natural and constitutional justice must be upheld. Of course, if there are no suspect practices being carried out, there will be no issue for any contracting party to such relationships.

Job Creation

Questions (106)

Brendan Smith

Question:

106. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any special initiatives will be undertaken by his Department or the State's industrial promotion agencies to assist in the provision of much needed employment in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25162/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Developing enterprise and helping to create new jobs remains the top priority for Government. Our primary objective is to create the environment for continued economic recovery through competitiveness as part of the ongoing implementation of the Action Plan for Jobs process, whose implementation continues to be at the forefront of the Enterprise Development agencies under my Department.

There are 7 IDA supported companies in Cavan employing 1,135 people. IDA Ireland actively promotes Cavan for new investment opportunities in line with its Strategy Horizon 2020. The agency works closely with its existing client base to encourage continued growth.

Enterprise Ireland has 82 client companies in County Cavan employing in excess of 4,000 people. To date in 2014, €930,000 has been paid to Cavan based companies by Enterprise Ireland.

The latest call for the Enterprise Ireland Competitive Start Fund, to encourage new Start-Ups, was announced on June 4, 2014 with a closing date of June 18, 2014.

Specific calls to support the development of Female Led High Potential Start-Ups are also run under the Female Entrepreneurship initiative.

Enterprise Ireland runs many other initiatives to help sustain existing jobs and to create new jobs in the region. In addition, the Community Enterprise Centres, funded through EI, are providing enterprise space to cater for micro enterprises throughout Cavan.

Supports aimed at providing assistance for the creation and retention of employment in the micro-enterprise sector are provided by Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), which replaced the City and County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) with effect from 15 April in every County. The LEOs are now the first-stop-shop front line service assisting in delivering business growth and jobs.

Among the more specific initiatives being delivered by the LEO Cavan to assist in the provision of employment in the County are the new Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition, the West Cavan/West Fermanagh Project, the Harnessing Natural Resources project and the Higher Attainment Through Cross Border Hubs” (HATCH) programme, as well as support networks such as the Cavan Business Women’s Club.

In 2013, the Cavan LEO, operating as Cavan County Enterprise Board, paid out almost €450,000 in grant support, which assisted in creating or retaining 50 full-time and 20 part-time jobs.

The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 includes a commitment to develop a framework for a Regional Enterprise Strategy to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially, involving the agencies under the remit of my own Department – Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. The objective is to enhance synergies between the agencies and their client companies and build on the competitive strengths of the region to maximise the potential for job creation.

Job Creation

Questions (107)

Brendan Smith

Question:

107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any special initiatives will be undertaken by his Department or the State's industrial promotion agencies to assist in the provision of much needed employment in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25163/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Developing enterprise and the creation and retention of jobs remains the top priority for Government. Our primary objective is to create the environment for continued economic recovery through competitiveness as part of the ongoing implementation of the Action Plan for Jobs process, whose implementation continues to be at the forefront of the Enterprise Development agencies under my Department.

There are 6 IDA Ireland supported companies in Monaghan employing 365 people. IDA Ireland actively promotes Monaghan for new investment opportunities in line with IDA’s Strategy Horizon 2020. The agency works closely with its existing client base to encourage continued growth in the area.

Enterprise Ireland has 114 client companies in County Monaghan employing almost 4,000 people. To date in 2014, €410,000 has been paid to Monaghan based companies by Enterprise Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports for high potential start-up companies including, financial supports, business and marketing advice, mentoring and product development.In addition, the Community Enterprise Centres, funded through EI, are providing enterprise space to cater for micro enterprises in Monaghan. In particular, specific calls to support the development of Female Led High Potential Start-Ups are run under the Female Entrepreneurship initiative.

Enterprise Ireland continues to support the InterTrade Ireland Innova and Fusion programmes which both offer support to companies in Ireland who engage in research collaboration with a cross-Border dimension.

Supports aimed at providing assistance for the creation and retention of employment in the micro-enterprise sector are provided by Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), a new initiative, which replaced the City and County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) with effect from 15 April in every County. The LEOs are now the first-stop-shop front line service assisting in delivering business growth and jobs.

Among the more specific initiatives being delivered by the LEO Monaghan to assist in the provision of employment in the County are the new Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition, the launch of a new Test Kitchen facility to assist artisan and other food producers to develop new products, involvement in 6 cross-Border projects, as well as support networks such as the Monaghan Women in Business Network and the PLATO East Border Region Network.

In 2013, the Monaghan LEO, operating as Monaghan County Enterprise Board, paid out over €150,000 in grant support, which assisted in the creation or retention of 19 full-time and 10 part-time jobs.

The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 includes a commitment to develop a framework for a Regional Enterprise Strategy to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially, involving the agencies under the remit of my own Department – Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. The objective is to enhance synergies between the agencies and their client companies and build on the competitive strengths of the region to maximise the potential for job creation.

Civil Marriages Data

Questions (108)

Jim Daly

Question:

108. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the current law which excludes persons from arranging a marriage ceremony outdoors or in marquees (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25015/14]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The notification, solemnisation and registration of marriages are governed by Part 6 of the Civil Registration Act 2004. Section 51(2) (c) of the Act provides that a registered solemniser "shall not solemnise a marriage unless the solemnisation takes place in a place that is open to the public".

This is currently taken to mean that the place must be a building that is easily identifiable by its address, and that it is open to the public to enter at all reasonable times, but especially on the day on which an intended marriage is to be solemnised.

Section 8 of the Act outlines the functions of an tArd-Chláraitheoir. Section 8 (4) states “An tArd-Chláraitheoir shall be independent in the performance of his or her functions" while section 8 (5) states “An tArd-Chláraitheoir may do all such acts or things as are necessary or expedient for the purpose of the performance of his or her functions".

A letter was issued by An tArd-Chláraitheoir after it came to his attention that it was intended to solemnise a number of marriages at private houses and at places where the exact locations were uncertain. The letter was issued to all religious and secular bodies. Were the address for the solemnisation of a marriage to be a private house, or be vague or imprecise for example, a large public park, the public policy objective of the provisions of section 51 of the Act as decided by the Oireachtas would be defeated.

My Department will keep the procedures regarding the solemnisation of marriages under review in the context of updating the Civil Registration Act 2004 when required.

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Questions (109, 110)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

109. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form a breakdown of the numbers of applications for social welfare payments that involve a medical assessment by payment type; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25006/14]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

110. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of medical assessors used by her Department to assess applications for social welfare payments broken down by grade and responsibility, and the number who can approve a medical assessment on an application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25007/14]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.

In order to provide a medical review & assessment service (MRAS) in support of its medical related schemes, DSP has a cadre of 27 Medical Assessors (MAs), including a Chief Medical Assessor (CMA) and a Deputy Chief Medical Assessor (DCMA). Currently, there are 21.8 serving MAs including the CMA and the DCMA. MAs are on an equivalent grade scale as Principal Officer. The medical assessments are carried out across all schemes by any one of the MAs employed by the Department. All the MAs undertake in-person assessments in the medical review and assessment centres on a rota basis across all schemes. All medical assessments and medical reviews are undertaken by MAs who are fully qualified medical practitioners and who have experience and specialist training/qualifications in occupational medicine as well as in human disability evaluation. The assessment is made in accordance with the Department's evidence-based medical guidelines and protocols. MAs do not diagnose, prescribe treatment nor offer advice.

The MAs work under the overall control of the Department's CMA and Deputy CMA. Their role is to assess a person's fitness for work, either their usual work or in respect of other categories of work, and/or the degree of a person's disability and to provide advice to the Department’s deciding officers in relation to eligibility for the various schemes.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to applications received is detailed in the following tabular statement.

Scheme	Applications Received in 2013
Carer’s Allowance	12,060
Carer’s Benefit	1,804
Disability Allowance	20,538
Disablement Benefit	1,215
Domiciliary Care Allowance	4,829
Invalidity Pension	9,640
Partial Capacity Benefit	1,123
Respite Care Grant (Stand-alone)*	5,188

* The Respite Care Grant (RCG) is an annual payment made to full-time carers who satisfy certain conditions. RCG is payable automatically to carers who are in receipt of carer’s allowance, domiciliary care allowance or prescribed relative allowance on the first Thursday in June of the relevant year. The RCG applications for carers in receipt of the aforementioned schemes are included in the figures of their primary schemes. RCG is also paid to certain other carers providing full-time care but not in receipt of the above payments. These are stand-alone payments and the number of such applications received is shown above.