Written Answers Nos. 371-386
371. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if provision is made in the vote of the Office of Public Works for 2015 to enable construction to commence on a project (details supplied) in County Cavan; the stage this particular project is at; when the project will proceed to the next stage; when construction is likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41559/14]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently reviewing State owned sites in the area to see if any are suitable for the development of a new Garda Station in Bailieborough. If no suitable State owned site is available, it is intended that a notice will be placed in local and national media seeking offers of suitable sites.
The Office of Public Works advances the provision of facilities for An Garda Síochána in line with the requirements identified by An Garda Síochana in its list of Building Programme Priorities. In that regard, the acquisition of a site for development of a new District Headquarters in Bailieborough has been notified to the Office of Public Works by An Garda Síochána as a priority for 2014 / 2015. Proceeding with a development at this location will be dependent on the outcome of the site acquisition process and such development being afforded priority by An Garda Síochána, having regard to the overall Garda building programme and the availability of funds.
372. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if wheelchair accessible toilets will be built in the vicinity of Ross Castle, Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41864/14]
View answerOn foot of the Deputy's previous PQ No. 31 of 15 October last, an examination of the existing toilet facilities, from the perspective of people with disabilities, at Ross Castle has taken place.
This amenity was installed in the early 1990s and complied with the requirements at the time. However, over time, standards have changed and the facilities in place do not now comply with the most recent standards.
I am happy to inform you that having assessed the matter fully, the Office of Public Works will upgrade the facility to reflect the newer standards; this will be done while the site is closed over the winter and it is hoped to complete before the site re-opens next season.
Having regard to the Deputy's question regarding new facilities in the vicinity of Ross Castle, the Office of Public Works is not in possession of any land in the vicinity of the Castle on which to build new wheelchair accessible toilets. Ross Castle is located in Killarney National Park which is under the management of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the issue of providing wheelchair accessible toilets in the vicinity of the Castle (as opposed to within it) would therefore be a matter for that Department in the first instance. I will pass on the Deputy's concerns in relation to this matter to my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
373. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of quangos set up since 2011 in his Department; the number of members of same; the cost and expenses incurred to date including details of the briefs that they cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41885/14]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that no State Boards have been set up by my Department since the formation of this Government.
374. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to extend early retirement schemes in the public service beyond June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41920/14]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to the provision under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013 relating to what is known as the grace period for retirement for those affected by the pay reductions under the Act.
Section 9 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013 provides that persons retiring before 31 August 2014, or a later date made by Order under the Act, will be entitled to have their pensions calculated as if the pay reduction and any increment pause or freeze had not applied to them. As the Deputy is aware, I have extended the grace period from 31 August 2014 to 30 June 2015. Therefore, those retiring in the period up to June 2015 on salaries that were subject to a further salary reduction from 1 July 2013 (i.e. those on salaries in excess of €65,000 p.a.) will have their pension benefits calculated on their pre cut salaries. However, for those in receipt of annual pensions of €32,500 or more their pension payments will be subject to the Public Service Pension Reduction rates provided for in the 2013 Act.
In order to ensure that the impact would be effectively managed across all sectors, the approach I have taken in extending the grace period to June 2015 assisted sectoral management in the implementation of workforce planning measures, in order to maintain service delivery standards and minimise any potential adverse affect on services that may arise. In line with the on going management of all retirements within the public service, those public servants electing to retire and avail of the grace period are required to give appropriate notice. I have no current plans to extend the grace period beyond June 2015.
375. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding State board appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37637/14]
View answerThe Government recently announced a revised model for appointments to State Boards. In future, all such appointments must be advertised openly on the State Boards portal at www.stateboards.ie, which is operated by the Public Appointments Service. These new arrangements will apply to all appointments other than those where vacancies must be filled through a particular process or where a Minister is reappointing a Board member where that member has already demonstrated their capacity to perform effectively. Applications will be processed by way of a transparent assessment system designed and implemented on an independent basis by the Public Appointments Service.
Appointments must meet the specific and detailed criteria determined by the relevant Minister as necessary for effectively performing the duties of a member of the particular Board.
Appointments will remain the exclusive responsibility of the relevant Minister in line with the statutory requirements relating to the appointment of specific persons to State Boards on an ex-officio basis, or on the basis of nominations received from other Ministers or particular stakeholders.
The revised approach strengthens requirement to develop comprehensive criteria for the filling of vacancies on State Boards in consultation with key stakeholders as determined by the relevant Minister, such as the current Chair of the State Board concerned and the Public Appointments Service.
Ministers will be expected to provide the Public Appointments Service with the key requirements that a candidate must meet, including:
- Specialist skills and technical knowledge;
- Relevant experience and sectoral expertise;
- Relevant qualifications; and
- Particular personal attributes.
My officials are currently preparing guidelines on appointments to State Boards for approval by Government, including issues related to diversity. As part of this process all Departments have been contacted seeking comprehensive details on all State Boards under their aegis.
The new arrangements also provide that the stateboards.ie website, as well as being the sole portal for the receipt of applications for all State Boards, will also contain definitive and current information on all statutory boards. This material will be published on stateboards.ie in the near future.
376. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason there is a delay in the enactment of the Construction Contracts Act 2013 which was signed into law on 29 July 2013; the reason the implementation body is not fully operational yet; if he will provide an up to date report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41468/14]
View answerThe Government approved the transfer of responsibility for implementation of the Construction Contracts Act 2013 to Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash, TD, from 20 October 2014.
The commencement of the Construction Contracts Act 2013 is dependent on a number of factors contained within the Act itself. These include the appointment by the Minister of the Panel of Adjudicators, who must be highly qualified and suitable in order to ensure quality outcomes in disputes referred under the Act, the appointment of a Chairperson for that panel, and the drafting and publication of a code of practice for the conduct of adjudications, which will be binding on all adjudicators operating under the Act, not just those appointed to cases by the Chair of the Adjudication panel. Work on these items, and the required consultation with industry, has been and is ongoing.
It is hoped that the Act will be implemented in full by Spring 2015. A specific date of implementation will be announced in advance once it has been finalised, to provide sufficient notice to those affected by the Act's provisions.
377. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way he is ensuring that Ireland’s ongoing engagement with the negotiations on the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is addressing the key challenge set out in paragraph 16 of the European Parliament’s 23 May 2013 resolution (details supplied) regarding these negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41014/14]
View answerThe scope of the EU Commission’s mandate to negotiate with the US on TTIP is publicly available since 9 October 2014, and can be found on the EU Council’s website at http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/145014.pdf
The mandate includes sustainable development objectives, such as those included in the European Parliament’s resolution of 23 May 2013 on the EU trade and investment negotiations with the United States of America.
The EU Commission negotiates on behalf of the EU. Under the terms of the mandate and in accordance with Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the EU Commission is required to conduct the negotiations in consultation with the Council and to regularly report to the Council. The EU Commission consults the member states on a weekly basis on this and all aspects of the negotiations. Officials from my Department are represented on the relevant committees.
378. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress to date in determination of an application for work permit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41041/14]
View answerThe initial decision to revoke the work permit held by the person named by the Deputy was based on evidence supplied to my Department that the employee had not been getting the remuneration stated on his employment permit which was the basis for granting of the permit. A review of this revocation decision was sought and following consultation with the employer my Department cancelled the decision to revoke the permit. This permit will be valid until it expires on 15 January 2015. Both the person named by the Deputy and his employer were formally advised of this decision on 21 October 2014.
379. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the protections for human rights contained within the Colombia Free Trade Agreement; the commitments to effectively implement international conventions on labour rights and environmental protection; the way civil society organisations will be systematically involved in the monitoring of the implementation of these commitments; the persons on the civil society organisation that will be selected; the person that will choose the organisations to be involved in this oversight mechanism; and the way the arbitration system will work where human workers or environmental rights abuses are found to have occurred. [41056/14]
View answerArticle 1 of the agreement stipulates that the respect for democratic principles and the fundamental human rights, as laid down by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and for the principle of the rule of law is an "essential element " of the Agreement.
This means that a failure to respect Human Rights and democratic principles would constitute a "material breach" of the Agreement which, under public international law, could give rise to the adoption of appropriate measures, including the possibility to terminate or to suspend partially or totally the Agreement.
Article 8(3) of the Agreement gives further details on how cases of non-fulfilment of obligations have to be dealt with. If one Party has breached the "essential elements", the other Party would be entitled to adopt proportionate measures without delay. There could be consultations between governments in order to clarify and discuss the situation, but such consultations would not have suspensive effects – that is, the action taken as a response to the violation of "essential elements" would deploy its full effects pending the outcome of consultations.
Reactions to a breach of "essential elements" can take different forms. As regards the suspension of international agreements, Article 218(9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union sets out the procedure to follow: it is for the Council, on a proposal from the Commission or the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to adopt a decision suspending application of an international agreement. The European Parliament must be immediately and fully informed throughout the procedure.
In any event, the Agreement needs to be seen in the context of the broader relations between the EU and Colombia and Peru, where Human Rights are very high on the agenda. Human Rights issues are regularly raised through the existing mechanisms for political dialogue such as the Human Rights dialogue with Colombia. Those channels for political engagement form a privileged platform to conduct regular exchanges and oversight.
The Agreement confirms the Parties' commitments to effectively implement both in law and in practice the Core Labour Standards, as contained in the ILO Fundamental Conventions. The reference to the Fundamental Conventions is important in order to guarantee that the provision will be interpreted in line with their legal provisions. The commitment to promote and implement the Core Labour Standards reflects the international understanding that countries should not seek to gain a competitive advantage in international trade through the violation of basic labour rules.
Both Colombia and Peru have ratified all eight Fundamental Conventions. Despite significant progress in recent years, implementation problems persist in some areas, requiring additional efforts and cooperation with the ILO. EU bilateral cooperation can also support specific improvements on the ground.
On the environmental front, the Agreement reaffirms the commitment to effectively implement eight key Multilateral Environmental Agreements ("MEAs") with a special importance in the trade context (Article 270). Those agreements are the seven MEAs covered under the GSP+ scheme, plus the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent. By integrating the commitment to give effect to MEAs, the Agreement ensures that key environmental requirements are given due weight in domestic policy-making and are not subordinated to economic interests, including when devising trade-related measures.
Civil society organisations and citizens have an important role in the implementation of the "trade and sustainable development" Title of the Agreement. They can raise concerns or express views on labour or environmental matters. There will be regular meetings and, on every occasion, there must be an open session where civil society organisations and citizens can directly raise issues. All decisions or reports must be made public
In line with other EU trade agreements, there will be an important institutional development in order to ensure operational channels for consultation with civil society: Article 281 lays down the functions of domestic advisory committees or groups composed of civil society representatives, with a balanced representation of economic, social and environmental interests. Those committees or groups must be consulted and can also make recommendations on their own initiative.
Civil society organisations will therefore oversee the implementation of the provisions in the Title on "Trade and Sustainable Development" (TSD), but their input can extend to the broader operation of the Agreement. In particular, there will be ex-post impact assessments of the implementation of the Agreement in its entirety, through each Party's participative processes as well as jointly (Articles 279 and 280(6)).
The EU-Colombia/Peru Trade Agreement sets out that each Party consults existing, or creates domestic labour and environment or sustainable development, committees or groups (DAGs) with the task of advising on the implementation of the TSD title. The DAGs are comprised of a balanced representation of representative organisations in sustainable development (Article 281).
The EU has opted for setting up a DAG composed of 3 members of the EESC as well as other representatives of EU trade unions, business associations and NGOs. The EU foresees close cooperation with the EESC in the DAG's management. Organisations participating in the EU DAG met the 30 January 2014. The EU DAG will continue to meet on a regular basis. The European Commission participates in part of the DAG's meetings and ensures a continuous dialogue with its advisory group. Colombia and Peru opted for building on existing domestic consultative mechanisms covering environmental and labour in order to ensure civil society's advice on the implementation of the TSD title.
The EU-Colombia/Peru Trade Agreement provides for a mechanism for open dialogue between the Parties and civil society organisations and the public at large (Article 282) that is convened by the EU-Colombia/Peru Sub-committee on TSD at least once a year, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties. Procedures for such sessions foresee that the EU-Colombia/Peru TSD Sub-committee provides for the chairs of the session with civil society and that each party invites and encourages the participation of the civil society members of its DAG. The members of these DAGs play a role in setting up the agenda and in conducting part of the discussions during the open session.
The first session with civil society was organised in Lima, Peru the 7th February 2014, back-to-back to the meeting of EU-Colombia/Peru TSD Sub-committee.
This open session was attended by representatives of the EU DAG as well as civil society established in the partner countries. Institutional set-up issues were discussed with a view to ensure effective functioning of civil society bodies, as well as the labour rights and environmental situation in Colombia and Peru. The chairs of the EU-Colombia/Peru Sub-committee debriefed participants on the outcome of the Sub-committee's meeting on the basis of its Joint Statement, which can be found at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2014/february/tradoc_152200.pdf
380. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs' contribution on the Trans Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership in July 2014 and Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 16 October 2014 regarding the findings of the Copenhagen study commissioned by his Department, his plans to publish the findings of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41069/14]
View answerThe purpose of the study commissioned by my Department is to examine the economic and other impacts of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and related potential opportunities for Ireland. The focus of this study is to identify key areas and sectors of the economy that will be impacted by TTIP. This will help to inform our input to the European Union’s negotiating position. It will also help in identifying appropriate policy responses to be deployed to maximise the potential of this historic agreement and provide an assessment of the longer term implications for enterprise policy.
The Conference on TTIP that I hosted in Dublin Castle on 20 June, to which Oireachtas members from relevant Joint Committees were invited, heard some preliminary findings from Copenhagen Economics that indicate a comprehensive trade and investment deal between the EU and the US could lead to a 1.1% increase in Irish GDP. Other preliminary findings included benefits for Ireland including increased exports (2.7%) real wages (1.4%) and investment (1.6%).
The study is still underway, and while I have no plans to publish at this stage, I will make headline findings widely available.
381. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 22 of 16 October 2014 if he will report on his consideration of the feasibility of wage setting frameworks in the domestic waste sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41171/14]
View answerThe matter is still under active consideration and the position as outlined in my answer of 16 October is unchanged.
382. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide the data available to him regarding the extent of zero hour contracts here; if his Department plans to carry out a study on the prevalence of these zero hour contracts in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41179/14]
View answerThe Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 includes a commitment to conduct a study on the prevalence of zero hour contracts among Irish employers, their impact on employees and to make policy recommendations to Government on foot of the study. I confirm that my Department has been drawing up terms of reference for the study, which is to be carried out by external consultants. In this respect a Request for Tender is currently being drawn up which I expect will issue in the coming weeks.
The Central Statistics Office, which has responsibility for the collection of information relating to economic, social and general activities and conditions in the state, does not collect data on zero hours contracts. However, one of the key objectives of the study will be to establish whether or not such contracts exist in the Irish economy. The gathering of accurate and reliable data will be essential in the formulation of any evidence based policy recommendations to Government considered necessary on foot of the study.
It is important to note that section 18 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 contains a specific protection for employees who are employed on zero hours contracts. The zero-hours protection applies to all employees whose contract operates to require them to be available whether they work on a casual basis or not. It covers situations where, for example, an employee is sent home if things are quiet or is requested to be available for work and is not, on the day, asked to work.
Where an employee suffers a loss by not working hours he/she was requested to work or to be available to work, the zero hours provisions of the Act ensure that he/she is compensated for 25% of the time which he/she is required to be available, or 15 hours, whichever is the lesser. The level of compensation may be impacted if the employee got some work. Claims of breaches of section 18 may be referred to a Rights Commissioner.
383. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of meetings he or officials from his Department had with a person (details supplied); the purpose of each of those meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41328/14]
View answerOn 13th December last, I held a meeting with a number of State bodies to discuss economic infrastructure provision in the context of the current and future requirements of Ireland’s enterprise base. The presence of reliable economic infrastructure to meet the capacity requirements of businesses is critical in attracting and retaining foreign direct investment, as well as in supporting the growth of indigenous enterprises.
A reliable supply of clean water is critical for many sectors of industry, including, for example, pharmachem, ICT manufacturing, agri-food and the hospitality sector.
The key topics for discussion at the meeting related to energy, office space, and water supply. The Managing Director of Irish Water was amongst those who attended the group meeting.
384. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the review of the microenterprise loan fund scheme will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41433/14]
View answerMy officials have been actively engaged in discussions with stakeholders, representative organisations, the various banks, the credit union movement, Microfinance Ireland and the Local Enterprise Office on the review as committed to in Section 22 of the Microenterprise Loan Fund Act 2012 over the last 3 months.
A range of topics have been raised during these discussions which included, interalia, removal of the requirement of a rejection from the bank, an automatic referral system for rejected bank applications, loan terms, loan limits and improved promotional and marketing opportunities.
My officials are currently holding their final meetings as part of the review process and will be finalising the review as expeditiously as possible.
I would like to point out that Microfinance Ireland continues to lend to the microenterprise sector and the most recent figures show that up until the end of September 2014 it had received over 729 applications and had a 57% approval rate. The approval rate for businesses employing 3 people or fewer stands at 83% with a 58% approval rate for start-up businesses that have been in business for less than 18 months. In total the value of loans provided by Microfinance Ireland amounts to over €5m and the average loan provided is approximately €15,400.
385. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for innovation vouchers; the total number issued; the number redeemed; the total value of vouchers redeemed for each year of the programme; the criteria for approval for a voucher; if it is possible for a voucher to be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41449/14]
View answerThe Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher Initiative was introduced in 2007 in order to drive an on-going innovation culture shift within small enterprise by promoting and encouraging knowledge transfer between Ireland’s public knowledge providers and the small business community and creating greater synergies between the two. Under the initiative, vouchers worth €5,000 are allocated to small businesses whose proposals, to work with public knowledge providers on specific innovation issues, meet certain criteria.
The Innovation Voucher Programme has been running successfully since its inception and it is planned to continue the programme as long as the demand justifies it and it continues to meet a need in the small business sector.
It is not possible to supply numbers of all applications for vouchers as only those that pass basic eligibility criteria are recorded on Enterprise Ireland’s database. Vouchers are awarded following a review of both the eligibility of the applicant and the knowledge question and approximately 80% of applications are successful. The main reasons for applications failing to be approved are; non- eligibility of the applicant, insufficient information, ineligible activity and low levels of innovation.
The number of innovation vouchers issued, redeemed and their value for each year since the programme commenced is set out in the table.
|
Year |
IVs issued |
IVs redeemed |
Value of IVs redeemed €m |
|
2007 |
428 |
4 |
0.018 |
|
2008 |
588 |
206 |
1.0 |
|
2009 |
798 |
526 |
2.4 |
|
2010 |
855 |
524 |
2.6 |
|
2011 |
757 |
518 |
2.6 |
|
2012 |
767 |
525 |
2.5 |
|
2013 |
1008 |
527 |
2.5 |
|
2014 (to date) |
646 |
498 |
2.4 |
Applications are initially assessed by Enterprise Ireland against for the following criteria:
- Whether the company is a limited company
- That the company in question does not have a current “Active” Voucher
- That the company has not received more than the maximum number of Vouchers permitted. The maximum number of vouchers per company is three, one of which must be a co-funded voucher between Enterprise Ireland and the company.
- That the company has received less than 300k funding from Enterprise Ireland in the previous 5 years.
- De minimus rule – ensures that the company has received less than 200k in the previous 3 years as per EU State Aid rules.
If the application satisfies the above eligibility criteria the application proceeds to an evaluation. The evaluation of the application must demonstrate that the proposed activity requires an innovative solution which will have additional value and on-going benefits for the company. Each application is assessed against an agreed list of eligible and ineligible activities. The full list of eligible and ineligible activities is available on the Enterprise Ireland website at www.innovationvouchers.ie
Innovation vouchers may be extended, on the application of the knowledge provider, if Enterprise Ireland is satisfied that the project is underway before the expiry date for the voucher. Under normal circumstances only one extension is permitted and the maximum extension granted is 6 months.
386. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new jobs created in new Industrial Development Agency companies in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41596/14]
View answerThe Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on the numbers of jobs created and lost in companies that are supported by the enterprise development agencies. Data is collected on an annualised basis and figures for 2014 will not be available until year end. The survey shows that in the 3 year period 2011 to 2013, inclusive, there were a total of 618 jobs created in IDA Ireland client companies in Donegal. The number of jobs created in each of the 3 years 2011, 2012 and 2013 is set out in the attached tabular statement.
Donegal’s industrial base continues to transform from the clothing and textile industry to high tech, high skill activity and, at present, there are 13 IDA Ireland supported companies in Donegal employing 2,381 people in full and part time employment in Software Development, Systems Development and Medical Technology industries. Companies such as Pramerica and United Health (PacifiCare) are continuously growing and recruiting. In fact, current full time employment for the three largest employers in Letterkenny, Pramerica, United Health ( PacifiCare) and Zeus is approximately 1,500 people.
Additionally, in order to boost regional development and win new business, new office space is being delivered by IDA Ireland in Letterkenny in conjunction with a private developer.
Table showing the number of new jobs created in IDA Ireland supported companies in Donegal in each of the three years 2011, 2012 and 2013
|
Year |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Number of new jobs created |
277 |
164 |
177 |
