Thursday, 18 Sep 2014

Written Answers Nos. 100 - 110

Job Creation Data

Questions (100)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

100. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding job creation in County Louth by job creation agencies since 2011; the number of visits by companies by location for each such year to date; the jobs created by location and the State grants offered to each such company; the number and size of available premises already existing and known to the job creating agencies by location; if the agencies or his Department have identified the need to construct new premises to assist job creation in specific locations in County Louth; the timetable for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34991/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Details of the numbers of jobs created and lost in companies supported by the enterprise development agencies are tracked by the Forfás Annual Employment Survey. Data is gathered on an annual basis and aggregated at county level. Details in respect of individual companies are not provided as companies supply information to the Survey on a confidential basis for statistical purposes only.

The Survey shows that in the 3 year period 2011 to 2013, inclusive, there were a total of 2,317 new jobs created by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland client companies in County Louth. The Survey shows that at the end of 2013, there were a total of 2,299 people employed in IDA Ireland client companies and 5,032 people employed in Enterprise Ireland client companies in the county, in all a total of 7,331 full and part time jobs. Details of the number of jobs created in each of the years in companies supported by IDA Ireland and by Enterprise Ireland are set out in the following Tabular Statement A.

In the same three year period, IDA Ireland paid a total of €6,234,251 in grant aid to its client companies in County Louth, while Enterprise Ireland paid out €7,830,664 grant aid to its clients in the county. Details of the amount of grant paid in the county by each individual agency in each of the three years 2011 to 2013, inclusive is set out in the following Tabular Statement B.

In the same three year period there were a total of 42 IDA Ireland sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Louth. As Enterprise Ireland's core focus is supporting the internationalisation of indigenous companies the Agency does not arrange site visits of a type similar to IDA Ireland. Details of the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Louth in respect of each of the years in question are set out in the following Tabular Statement C.

In relation to property solutions, IDA Ireland's Finnabair Business Park in Dundalk has been developed to flagship standard. There are three buildings each of 30,000 sq ft on the park. All the buildings are partially occupied with space available for marketing. In addition, the Agency has developed a major land bank in Mullagharlin to the south of the town and to aid the marketing of the property has obtained advance planning permission for 2 generic Bio Pharma facilities and ancillary offices on the site. IDA Ireland has also developed a 63 acre site in Drogheda and constructed a 23,000 sq.ft office building on the park. This building is occupied by IFS (International Fund Services).

IDA Ireland is currently developing a new corporate strategy and as part of this and the objective of enhancing competitiveness and retaining and winning investment, IDA Ireland is reviewing the availability of additional appropriate property solutions in regional locations.

In terms of infrastructure, Enterprise Ireland has supported five Enterprise Centres in County Louth, which include the Science Services Centre at Finnabair Business Park, the Creative Spark Enterprise Centre on the Inner relief road at Muirhevnamor and more recently The Mill Enterprise Hub in Drogheda. The Regional Development Centre at Dundalk Institute of Technology is funded by Enterprise Ireland and provides Incubatees with a range of entrepreneurial supports at a vital stage of early start up, with support and mentoring for knowledge based start-up companies.

As the Deputy will be aware, on 15 April last the new Local Enterprise Offices replaced the City and County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) as the primary source of support for small and micro enterprises across the country. The new service means that national enterprise policy and local business supports have been brought together to strengthen the local business culture and environment, combining the best of the former County and City Enterprise Boards and the Local Authorities, overseen by the Centre of Excellence in Enterprise Ireland.

The LEOs are the first stop shop front line service assisting in delivering business growth and jobs. They provide both financial and soft supports, and pull together all the players – other Government Departments and Agencies - to support everyone with a good business idea, strengthen the enterprise sector in the local area and, ultimately, support the delivery of more jobs within their County area.

Statistics show that in 2013, the Louth CEB supported clients with 850 full time employees, while the corresponding figure for 2012 was 866 and for 2011 was 895. I should point out that the basis for calculating job creation numbers in the LEOs has been revised by Enterprise Ireland and will be operational from 2014 onwards.

The LEOs do not have any responsibility for organising company visits nor for sourcing accommodation for premises in their County. However, LEO Louth, as with all other LEOs, are currently finalising the Local Enterprise Development Plan for this County, which will incorporate the support they will be providing with the Local Authority in establishing an Economic Development Strategy for the County which would identify a range of suitable locations to facilitate businesses in a wide range of sectors.

TABLE A

Table showing the number of jobs created in IDA Ireland companies in each of the three years 2011, 2012 and 2013

Year	2011	2012	2013
Number of jobs created in IDA Ireland client companies	242	401	595

Table showing the number of jobs created in Enterprise Ireland companies in each of the three years 2011, 2012 and 2013

Year	2011	2012	2013
Number of jobs created in Enterprise Ireland client companies	389	299	391

TABLE B

Table showing the total amount of grant aid paid by IDA Ireland to Client companies in County Louth in each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013

Year	2011	2012	2013
Total amount of Grants paid to IDA Ireland client companies in County Louth	€489,051	€2,809,400	€2,935,800

Table showing the total amount of grant aid paid by Enterprise Ireland to Client companies in County Louth in each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013

Year	2011	2012	2013
Total amount of Grants paid to Enterprise Ireland client companies in County Louth	€2,426,498	€2,586,909	€2,817,257

TABLE C

Table showing the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Louth in each of the three years 2011, 2012 and 2013

Year	2011	2012	2013
Number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Louth	26	12	4

Departmental Records

Questions (101)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

101. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if it is the practice of his Department to employ an archivist to examine records and archives once records are deemed appropriate for archiving to determine the quality of the records, the importance, the estimated care and attention needed to preserve the records and so on; if not, if he will consider this option in order to best capture the most valuable records before they potentially deteriorate in storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35398/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

A dedicated Records Management Unit in my Department oversees and promotes the implementation of the Department’s records management policy guidelines. These guidelines demonstrate how the creation and maintenance of complete and accurate records is essential to enable the Department to carry out its business and to meet its statutory obligations under the National Archives Act, 1986 and other legislation including the Freedom of Information Acts, the Data Protection Act and the Ethics in Public Office Act. The guidelines, which are regularly updated and issued to all staff, serve to inform staff of the procedures for classifying, filing and retrieving records while also ensuring that standards for a systematic and consistent approach to creating, maintaining and disposing of records continue to be practised by all staff.

The Records Management Unit works closely with senior management to ensure that officers in each business unit are assigned responsibility for managing records in accordance with the provisions of the National Archives Act. In-house training courses are also provided by the Records Management Unit for staff who have specific records management coordination functions. In addition, all Principal Officers and Heads of Units in my Department act as Certifying Officers under the National Archives Act. The role of the Certifying Officer is to sign the Certificates provided for in Sections 7 and 8 of the Act which relate, respectively, to the retention and disposal of Departmental Records and the transfer of Departmental Records to the National Archives.

While it is not the practice of my Department to employ an archivist to examine records and archives once records are deemed appropriate for archiving, my Department regularly engages with the officials in the National Archives Office for the purpose of availing of their advice and guidance with regard to the implementation of the provisions of the National Archives Act, 1986.

Departmental Records

Questions (102)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

102. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total cost to the Department and those under the aegis of the Department for the storage of records and archives that are ultimately intended to be forwarded to the National Archives; if he will provide this cost for 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35422/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The cost of offsite storage for records that may be forwarded, in time, to the National Archive is set out in tabular format which follows.

The provisions of the National Archives Act, 1986, do not apply to Agencies under the aegis of my Department so the reply includes costs for the Department and its offices only.

Year	Cost (€)
2012	53,347*
2013	102,398

*The 2012 costs reflect the favourable terms negotiated with a new service provider which resulted in reduced storage charges during an initial period in 2012.

Seaweed Harvesting Licences

Questions (103)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

103. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to develop the seaweed industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34967/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has responsibility for the licensing of seaweed cultivation which at present operates on a very small scale. Most seaweed processing comes from the harvesting of wild seaweed, the licensing of which is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. I am advised by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), that the most recent survey of the Irish seaweed sector indicated that it generates an annual turnover of approximately €18 million, of which exports represent in the region of €6 million. The sector employs over 180 people (measured in Full Time Equivalents).

A number of Irish companies have in recent years, successfully demonstrated an ability to develop and export novel seaweed based products, including specialist fertilizers, commercial fish feed additives, pet foods and personal care products. The Irish seaweed industry is now moving towards adding value through a stronger focus on research based commercial development. The State will continue to support this type of development through a multi-agency approach involving the Marine Institute, BIM, Údarás na Gaeltachta and other agencies as appropriate.

Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme

Questions (104)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

104. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when applications for the new GLAS scheme will start to be processed in view of the fact that the scheme was announced in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34872/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I announced details of the new GLAS (Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme) on the 14th of January 2014 as part of a suite of proposed measures under the new Rural Development Programme. GLAS will provide significant funding to farmers who undertake environmental actions in line with national and EU environmental objectives. It will contribute to the overall public good and will build on the success of previous agri-environment schemes. The Scheme is currently with the European Commission for approval, as part of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020. Once such approval is granted, my Department will move to open the Scheme for applications. I would hope to be able to do so around the end of the year, but this is entirely dependent on approval being secured in time from the EU. I will make final decisions in this regard when EU approval is received.

Beef Industry

Questions (105)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

105. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is satisfied as to the identity of the individual persons who enjoy ultimate beneficial ownership of each meat processing plant currently operating here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34913/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The ownership of each beef processing plant is a commercial matter for individuals or companies who wish to invest in the industry. Currently there are 32 beef slaughtering plants approved to export from Ireland to local, EU and third country markets and over 195 local authority approved plants that may export locally or to the EU. The details (names/addresses, etc.) of all the approved plants are on the websites of my Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme

Questions (106)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

106. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the concerns of commonage farmers in respect of the 50% consent requirement for participation in GLAS, if he will address those concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34937/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I have listened very carefully to the concerns of commonage farmers and I recognise that these concerns are real. Over the course of the consultation process on the new Rural Development Programme, which extended for a year and half, we have adapted and rebalanced our proposals for commonages quite significantly in the light of those concerns. A Commonage farmer shall apply individually for GLAS declaring that s/he is complying with the GLAS Commonage Management Plan (CMP). The CMP is to be submitted by an advisor i.e. one advisor and one plan per commonage.

Where DAFM identifies that the 50% level of active shareholders cannot be reached the matter will be referred to the Commonage Implementation Committee for consideration and recommendation.

I think it is particularly important to point out that the 50% requirement is based on active farmers only, i.e. those actually grazing the commonage. To give an example, if there are 20 shareholders on a commonage, and 15 are claiming shares under the Single Payment Scheme, but only 10 of those are actively grazing the land at present, the 50% requirement to trigger priority access to GLAS is just 5 farmers.

I do not believe that a minimum participation requirement based on this model is insurmountable but where real difficulties are being encountered the farmers concerned can approach the Commonage Implementation Committee for assistance. I have also arranged for a series of public meetings at key locations nationwide so that farmers will have an opportunity for themselves to talk to officials from my Department and raise the issues that continue to give them concern. In the last few weeks, I think we have brought a good deal of clarity to the situation and I believe that there is a lot of common ground between what I have proposed and what hill-farmers themselves would like to see in place for their own commonages.

Forestry Sector

Questions (107)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

107. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a forestry plantation appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34938/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person in question submitted applications to my Department for afforestation which were refused approval. Subsequent reviews by the Forest Service upheld those decisions. However it is now open to the applicant, if he so wishes, to submit an appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office.

Milk Prices

Questions (108)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

108. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he can take to protect milk prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34958/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Milk prices are a function of market forces operating at national, EU and indeed global level. More than 85% of Irish dairy production is exported and Ireland has access for dairy products to over ninety countries worldwide, with one third of the value of dairy exports going outside the EU. In 2013, the value of dairy exports increased by 1 5% to some €3 billion for the first time. Inevitably there will be fluctuation in the market and more recently we are seeing the combined effect of an increase in global supply and the Russian agri-food products ban. The direct effect of the loss of the Russian market is a concern but equally, if not more important, is the issue of the displacement effect for European exports and the need to find alternative markets, with the loss of a market as large as Russia having knock-on effects for all EU producers.

In response to this issue, the European Commission has promptly introduced APS (Aids to Private Storage) for Skimmed Milk Powder, Butter and Cheese, and extended the Intervention period for butter and Skimmed Milk Powder to the end of the year. My Department is continuing to work closely with the Irish dairy industry to monitor the evolving situation carefully to ensure that those in the sector are well placed to avail of relevant supports if required and their views help to inform the management of the situation at EU level. I also made clear at the Council of Agriculture Ministers that there are a number of tools available at EU level under the new Common Market Regulation, which we must be ready to deploy where appropriate.

I am also acutely aware of the need to develop as many market outlets as possible for Irish Dairy Products. Notwithstanding this successful trade performance, I am working with industry to raise the profile of the Irish dairy sector, and the Irish agri-food sector generally, in emerging markets in the Far East, North Africa, the Gulf States and elsewhere. China is an obvious destination for certain dairy products and in particular for dairy based infant formula, my Department is working very closely with the industry to build on our presence there. I have been very active in developing relationships in new and expanding markets in order to build the kind of confidence in Irish production and control systems that provide a platform for long-term trading relationships in the future. Despite current pressures, market analysis predicts that medium term prospects for global dairy markets are good, with growth in world population and wealth expected to stimulate strong levels of demand for dairy products.

Coillte Teoranta Lands

Questions (109)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

109. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with Coillte about developing public access to a forest trail at a Coillte plantation (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34988/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate, are the responsibility of the company. The company has, however, advised that Coillte operate an open forestry policy across its estate. The company also advised, in relation to potential development of the plantation named by the Deputy, that a preliminary meeting has taken place between Coillte’s Public Goods Team and the local authority and that Coillte are also due to meet again with the executive of Kerry County Council to discuss how best to progress cooperation on the delivery of public goods in the county. Coillte notes that the forest in question could form part of any agreement that might be reached about developing facilities in the area.

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Questions (110)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

110. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update regarding the sale of Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35049/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

It was announced in February 2012 that the Government had decided that consideration would be given to the sale of some assets of Coillte, but excluding the land. The outcome of that initial consideration was that the Government agreed in principle, in June 2012, to the sale of the harvesting rights to Coillte forests as the best means of extracting value from Coillte in the short to medium term. On the basis of a thorough analysis undertaken by NewERA, Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department, the Government decided, on 19 June 2013, that it was not the appropriate time to proceed with the sale of harvesting rights in Coillte, that the focus must be on the restructuring of Coillte and that a robust analysis be carried out to evaluate how to give effect to a beneficial merger of Coillte with Bord na Móna to create a streamlined and refocused commercial state company operating in the bio-energy and forestry sectors, as committed to in the Programme for Government.

The most recent update in relation to Coillte is that the Government decided, on 24 June 2014, on the basis of that robust analysis, that both Coillte and Bord na Móna should work towards a partial merger of their businesses, focusing on the areas of overlap between the two companies and that a joint venture between the companies will manage their common business activities in biomass, wind energy, shared services and recreation and tourism. This decision allows Coillte to focus on its core activities in forestry and operating its board mills while allowing the company to harness those areas of synergy it has with Bord na Móna.