Pat Deering
Question:276. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the support available to indigenous companies to start up or expand their businesses in County Carlow. [47895/14]
View answerEnterprise Support Services Provision
Questions (276)
Written answers
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Carlow is the first-stop-shop front line service assisting in delivering business growth and jobs for the micro-enterprise sector. There are 31 LEOs located around the country and they pull together all the players and stakeholders to support everyone with a good business idea and strengthen the enterprise sector in the local area. The LEOs are the first port of call in terms of advice, direction, training and, in certain circumstances, grant support for anyone who wishes to start or expand a business. Contact details and advice on Carlow LEO services are available at www.localenterprise.ie/Carlow. LEOs generally only grant assist enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector, which over time can develop into strong export entities and graduate to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio. However, there are other potential supports available and the LEO staff can advise appropriately. Examples of these supports include the Department of Social Protection JobsPlus Scheme, which is an incentive aimed at encouraging and rewarding employers who offer employment opportunities to the long-term unemployed - grants up to €10,000 are available to qualifying employers. Micro Finance Ireland (MFI) offers support in the form of loans of up to €25,000 to start-up, newly established or growing microenterprises employing less than 10 people with viable business propositions that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by the banks.
Businesses can also access the new online search tool for SME business supports that was launched last May. The Supporting SMEs Online Tool is a cross-governmental initiative to help Irish start-ups and small businesses navigate the range of Government business supports for which they could be eligible. The Supporting SMEs Online Tool is available at: www.localenterprise.ie/smeonlinetool.
Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) is an initiative of my Department and a component of the Action Plan for Jobs. The competition was conducted by all 31 LEOs around the country and attracted over 1,100 entries between the ages of 18-30 in 3 different categories – Best New Idea, Best Start-Up and Best Established Business. IBYE has a €2 million prize fund - €25,000 investment for 31 county level winners. This was reduced to 24 national level finalists competing for an extra €50,000 investment for 1 national winner who was crowned "Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur" on 7th December 2014. The IBYE competition within Carlow received a healthy 20 entries, which reflects a vibrant entrepreneurial base within the County. Following an initial assessment, most of the applicants were invited to take part in a County Bootcamp, where they received advice and mentoring on all aspects of starting and growing a business, as well as the opportunity to share ideas and experience with their peers.
The winners of the County Carlow Finals were announced on Monday 13th October 2014, where the overall County Carlow Young Entrepreneur 2014 went to an entry in the Best Start Up category, for which they were eligible for an investment in their business of up to €25,000. The three categories winners received further Bootcamp training and guidance as they went forward to compete in the Regional Final of the competition against entrants from Wicklow, Wexford and Kilkenny.
Enterprise Ireland’s mission is to work with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, and competitiveness. In relation to Carlow, Enterprise Ireland has since 2011 approved almost €10 million to support in-company development projects undertaken by Carlow based client companies. Such support is provided to manufacturing and internationally traded services companies at all stages of development. The supports are focused on strengthening all aspects of the business including innovation, competitiveness improvement, management development, employment and internationalisation with an objective of driving company expansion. All support provided for EI client companies can be accessed at www.enterprise-ireland.com
EI has a number of different supports specifically for Carlow based start-up companies and entrepreneurs. The New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme is a rapid incubation programme designed to provide hands-on support and management development for entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business. Enterprise Ireland partners closely with Carlow IT which runs the Programme on EI's behalf locally. The 2014 Programme will complete shortly with ten participants each receiving a stipend of €15,000. Recruitment for the 2015 Programme will begin in the first half of 2015.
In addition, Enterprise Ireland is launching a €200,000 South East Competitive Feasibility Fund on December 16th 2014, aimed at finding the next generation of innovation led start-ups. This is exclusively aimed at Start-ups in the South East and focused on Carlow, Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny. The call will close on January 20th 2015. Companies approved will also be supported by assigned Mentors and a ‘Raising Investment Capital’ seminar. Entrepreneurs not supported under the call will be referred to the most relevant local support available whether LEO, SEBIC (South East Business & Innovation Centre) or Waterford IT, once the financial and capability supports required to progress the project are assessed.
Question No. 277 answered with Question No. 274.
Enterprise Ireland
Questions (278)
John Deasy
Question:278. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of initial meetings Enterprise Ireland has held with potential start-ups in Waterford city and county in each of the past five years; and the number of successful launches resulting from these contacts. [47972/14]
View answerWritten answers
There are almost 4,600 people employed in Enterprise Ireland (EI) client companies based in Waterford City and County according to the Forfás Employment Survey 2013 (an increase of 3.1% over 2012). Between 2009 and 2014 (to date) EI approved around €24 million to support projects in Waterford based client companies. Over the same period, EI approved over €3.6 million to start-up companies including Innovative High Potential Start Up (HPSU) packages to 8 companies totalling €3.38 million.
EI engages with potential start-ups in a myriad of ways but always in conjunction with the following three key local stakeholders who are involved in the start-up space:
Waterford LEO: EI is a member of the Waterford Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Evaluation Committee. EI has visibility on all projects including those with the capability to scale and internationalise and which can be progressed quickly to Enterprise Ireland.
South East BIC: EI funds the four Business Innovation Centres (BICs) around the country including the South East Business Innovation Centre (SEBIC). EI is represented on the board of SEBIC. A core activity of the BICs is working one to one with start-ups seeking equity funding from the private sector. EI also funds Business Angel investor activity in all regions through the BICs.
Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) is an initiative of my Department and a component of the Action Plan for Jobs. The competition was conducted by all 31 LEOs around the country and attracted over 1,100 entries between the ages of 18-30 in 3 different categories – Best New Idea, Best Start-Up and Best Established Business. IBYE has a €2 million prize fund - €25,000 investment for 31 county level winners. This was reduced to 24 national level finalists competing for an extra €50,000 investment for 1 national winner who was crowned “Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur” on 7th December 2014. The IBYE competition within Waterford received a very healthy 47 entries, which reflects a significant entrepreneurial base within the County. Following an initial assessment, most of the applicants were invited to take part in a County Bootcamp, where they received advice and mentoring on all aspects of starting and growing a business, as well as the opportunity to share ideas and experience with their peers. The winners in the three categories received further Bootcamp training and guidance as they went forward to compete in the Regional Final of the competition against entrants from the LEOs in County Cork. The winner of the County Waterford Best Start-up category also won the Regional Final and competed against 7 other finalists in that category at the National Finals.
WIT New Frontiers Programme: EI runs the national New Frontiers Programme throughout the country in conjunction with the 14 Institutes of Technology. This is undertaken locally by Waterford Institute of Technology on EI’s behalf. As an EI Programme, EI liaises very closely with the local Programme Manager. The programme is run in two phases. Phase 1 is the initial Programme and is run over a number of weeks. The second Phase runs for six months to allow entrepreneurs to work full-time on their project to develop it to investor ready stage. Participants are chosen following detailed "pitch"/interview sessions which are always chaired by Enterprise Ireland. Once selected, the entrepreneurs are incubated in ArcLabs over the six month period and provided with a stipend of €15,000. Between 2012 and 2014, 80 entrepreneurs participated in Phase 1 and EI presented to each on supports available. Almost 50 were called to the detailed pitch session over the same period. 27 participated on the six month programme and were provided with €15,000 each.
Enterprise Ireland launched a €200,000 South East Competitive Feasibility Fund on December 16th 2014 aimed at finding the next generation of innovation led start-ups. This is exclusively aimed at Start-ups in the South East. The call will close on January 20th 2015. A competitive process will ensue. Companies approved will also be supported by assigned Mentors and a ‘Raising Investment Capital’ seminar. Entrepreneurs not supported under the call will be referred to the most relevant local support available whether LEO, SEBIC or WIT once the financial and capability supports required to progress the project are assessed.
Trade Missions
Questions (279)
Seán Kenny
Question:279. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to have a trade mission to the UK in the new year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47984/14]
View answerWritten answers
Several trade missions/visits are planned by Enterprise Ireland for 2015, to support Irish companies develop business in Ireland's most important export market. These will include ministerial led visits/missions throughout the UK. Dates are currently being finalised and these will be published on the Enterprise Ireland website as will the full programme of trade missions when finalised.
Tobacco Control Measures
Questions (280)
Terence Flanagan
Question:280. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 107 to 110, inclusive, of 9 October 2014, if his Department has been consulted by the Department of Health on the issues raised in the detailed opinions submitted by the EU member states; if his Department will have input into the preparation of the Department of Health response to the European Commission; if his Department shares any of the concerns raised by the EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48021/14]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Health is the lead Department on the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill. Government approved the drafting of this legislation in November 2013 on the grounds of public health policy considerations. The Bill has progressed through a number of stages of enactment in the Houses of the Oireachtas having been passed by the Seanad and completing Second Stage in the Dáil on 2 October 2014. The Bill was formally notified to the Commission and to Member States under the EU Technical Standards Directive (98/34/EC) and the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) on 17 June 2014. As the Deputy has noted, detailed opinions on the proposed measures have been received from a number of Member States and these are currently being considered by officials in the Department of Health. I understand that a response is being drafted by the Department of Health taking account of observations provided by other relevant Government Departments, including my own Department.
The Commission and Member States had until 18th September to comment or provide detailed opinions on the proposed legislative measure. For this reason, the standstill period has increased by three months, i.e. until 18th December 2014. The legislative process cannot continue until after this standstill period.
Official Engagements
Questions (281)
Terence Flanagan
Question:281. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of all official foreign trips he and Ministers of State in his Department plan to take between now and the end of 2015; if he will provide the persons he and Ministers of State in his Department will be meeting on these trips; the purpose of the trip; the duration of the trip; if there are plans to use all of these trips to promote Ireland as a good place for doing business and as a destination for foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48035/14]
View answerWritten answers
Whilst travel for the purposes of trade and investment missions, business meetings etc. will continue to be undertaken as required for the furtherance of the Department’s business interests, a detailed plan of travel in 2015 has not yet been completed. International Travel is also undertaken in order to participate in relevant EU Council meetings in the areas of Competitiveness, Employment and Trade. I would assure the Deputy, however, that I and my colleague Ministers of State use all available opportunities to promote Ireland as an excellent environment in which to do business and that all necessary overseas travel is managed in as cost effective a manner as possible within central Government guidelines.
Job Losses
Questions (282)
Brendan Griffin
Question:282. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on job losses and closures in the pub sector, if he will implement measures to help this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48128/14]
View answerWritten answers
Pubs and off-licences are regulated by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, under the liquor licensing laws and I have no direct function in relation to this sector. However, the Government is focussed on ensuring that jobs are created and sustained across the whole economy and has introduced a series of measures since coming into office to support the wider hospitality sector. For example, the Government’s Jobs Initiative of May 2011 placed a significant focus on the tourism and hospitality sector and introduced the reduced 9% VAT rate which helped provide an important stimulus to the sector generally. This measure, which was originally intended to run until the end of 2013, has been retained in the last two Budgets. This initiative has benefited the wider tourism industry, including many public houses which provide catering services that attract the 9% VAT rate. There are now more than 25,000 extra people employed in Tourism than was the case in mid-2011.
Since its inception in 2012, the Action Plan for Jobs process has seen over 600 actions being implemented which are aimed at supporting businesses to create and sustain jobs, including in the wider hospitality sector.
The latest Tourism and Travel data released by the CSO on 11th December indicates that the number of overseas visitors to Ireland increased by over 9% - or approximately 500,000 additional visitors - for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the same period last year. Expenditure by overseas visitors, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the pub sector, also increased by €241 million, or 9.3%, in the first nine months of 2014.
The 2015 Action Plan for Jobs, which I am currently preparing on behalf of the Government, will continue to place an emphasis on supporting the domestic economy and on improving cost competitiveness for businesses in all sectors. The Action Plan will be published early in the New Year.
IDA Site Visits
Questions (283)
Brendan Griffin
Question:283. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency sponsored visits to County Kerry by potential investors in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48184/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by IDA Ireland that during 2014 there was one IDA Ireland-sponsored site visit by a potential investor to Co. Kerry. In order to achieve regional economic development, IDA Ireland markets integrated regions with critical mass and markets specific locations within these regions in response to the requirements of mobile FDI. Kerry is marketed as part of IDA Ireland’s South West region, which consists of Counties Kerry and Cork. Based on the strengths of the region IDA is particularly targeting emerging companies in the ICT (including software), International Financial Services and Global Business Services sectors.
At the end of 2013, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 12 IDA Ireland-supported companies in Kerry employing 1,638 people. IDA Ireland works closely with these companies to ensure their long term sustainability and to encourage their growth, development and continuing re-investment in their sites. The primary opportunity for regional locations is in respect of the existing client base and potential further investment opportunities from that client base. Almost 70% of all FDI investments won by IDA Ireland are from the existing client base.
IDA Ireland continues to market all available land and buildings in the county including its 12-acre Business & Technology Park at Tiernaboul, Killarney, Co. Kerry. In Tralee, IDA is also marketing the Kerry Technology Park.
IDA Ireland recognises the challenges for Ireland and its regions in attracting FDI and, with this in mind, a new IDA strategy will be launched early in the New Year, detailing goals and the broad direction IDA will take to accomplish them over the next five years is being prepared at present and will be launched early in the New Year.
I have been working with my Department on the development on a framework for the formulation of Regional Enterprise Strategies that will enable us to identify the sustainable competitive strengths of each region and to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprise growth and jobs in areas of potential. It is my intention that this framework will be applied initially to produce action-oriented plans to support enterprise growth and jobs in the Midlands region and the South East region. Learning in these regions will inform any adaptations that might need to be made prior to the framework being applied to other regions in the course of 2015.
Science and Technology Groups
Questions (284)
Derek Nolan
Question:284. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs here dependent on the space industry; the value of same to the economy; the policy and supports of his Department towards the development and growth of the space industry here; his views that the industry is to be a growth area; his Department's interaction with the European Space Agency and other European member states on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48215/14]
View answerWritten answers
Since Ireland joined the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1975, Irish industry and research groups have been at the heart of Europe’s space missions building a reputation as providers of innovative technologies for use in the European space programme. My Department, in association with Enterprise Ireland, supports Irish companies to bid on ESA development contracts and to exploit the technologies in commercial space and non-space markets.
The State’s investment in ESA Space programmes (€17.3 m in 2014) reflects a strategy that prioritises Ireland’s investment in those ESA programmes which support technology innovation and technology transfer that leads to export, sales and employment generation by Irish industry. Ireland will continue to pursue this strategy through representation at ESA Ministerial Council, Council at Delegate level and at relevant Programme Boards and through engagement with other ESA member States in order to maximise the opportunities for Ireland.
Ireland’s Space Strategy is focused on strengthening the competitiveness of Irish industry in the global space market through supporting product development and qualification for the space market, building supply team relations and supporting access to new geographic and sectoral markets. A key element of the strategy is to focus on technologies that can be qualified for space use, but also adapted for and commercialised in a range of other markets such as the broader space and aerospace market, biomedical, energy and telecommunications. ESA is also providing increasing levels of support for Irish 3rd level research and increased support for 3rd level industrial collaboration. Irish companies have developed a specific reputation for introducing innovative and disruptive technologies to the space programme, in a number of cases leveraging the R&D investment supported through SFI and EI.
The engineering expertise developed in ESA programmes has been applied by many Irish companies to develop products in a range of non-space market sectors for which performance-critical technologies are required. Irish companies have used ESA to develop new intellectual property and develop new geographic markets. ESA acts as a valuable reference site for these companies, enabling them to compete for non-ESA related business.
In recent years Ireland has seen strong and sustainable growth within existing Irish ESA contractors and in the number of new Irish companies entering the space and space related markets. The number of Irish companies securing ESA contracts has increased by 15 in the past 5 years. The total number of Irish companies currently active in ESA programmes is approximately 45 with over 80 Irish companies having secured ESA contracts in the past ten years. The number of new companies entering the sector is expected to continue to grow in 2014/2015. The value of revenues being generated by Irish companies as a result of ESA support is also expected to show significant growth of between 8 to 10% per annum.
An independent assessment of Ireland’s membership of ESA, conducted in 2012, indicated total employment in Irish companies actively engaged in contracts with ESA to be 1,300 in 2012 and projected to increase to over 2,000 by 2015. This assessment also indicated that the value of commercial sales derived from ESA contracts, including direct ESA contracts, to be €44 million in 2011. The value to Ireland from ESA contracts is far greater than the monetary value of ESA contracts placed. A further evaluation of the economic impact of Ireland’s membership of ESA is under way at present and the findings of this evaluation will guide Ireland’s investment strategy in the space sector in coming years.
Trade Agreements
Questions (285)
Bernard Durkan
Question:285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which positive and democratic bias may be incorporated into the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement with particular reference to encouraging a greater respect for human rights and democratic principles with built in provisions whereby best international practice maybe encouraged and observed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44961/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Agreement (TTIP) was discussed most recently at the Foreign Affairs Council of Trade Ministers on 21 November.
The primary objective of the TTIP is to promote growth and jobs, greater compatibility in regulation, high standards and common rules to facilitate trade and investment. The EU Commission’s mandate to negotiate with the United States on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership on behalf of the EU states that the Agreement will exclusively contain provisions on trade and trade–related areas applicable between the parties. The mandate also states that the Agreement should confirm that the transatlantic trade and investment partnership is based on common values, including the protection and promotion of human rights and international security.
Science and Technology Groups
Questions (286)
Denis Naughten
Question:286. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to review the Government's current plan on scientific research; when this review to be published; the consultation process involved in this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48260/14]
View answerWritten answers
Science policy is currently focused mainly around five core strategic areas:
- Prioritisation of public funds into areas of research that offer most potential for economic recovery and social progress following the adoption by Government of the recommendations of the Research Prioritisation Steering Group in 2012;
- Consolidation of resources in units of scale with scientific excellence,
- Increased collaboration between academia and industry; and within academia and research performing organisations;
- International collaboration, to maximise return on investment and to optimise success under EU Framework programmes, and
- Facilitating the translation of knowledge and the transfer of technology into jobs.
These policies will continue to underpin Government strategy but we are now taking the opportunity to set them in context and to be more comprehensive in the articulation of STI strategy at national level. My Department is currently developing work streams on a range of issues which are feeding into the production of a new strategy and the Interdepartmental Committee on STI has been convened to ensure that the strategy benefits from a whole of government perspective. Many of these work streams involve initiatives and studies which of themselves involve extensive stakeholder consultation. Some examples include the study into Medium Term Development of the Irish Market Focused Element of the Irish Research Centre Landscape Ecosystem; and the study into Optimising Policy Intervention to Strengthen the Impacts of Enterprise RD&I in Ireland. Similarly, the Copyright Review Group Report, the Entrepreneurship Forum Report, the IP Protocol as well as the mechanisms which Knowledge Transfer Ireland has established to elicit views of stakeholders through the Industry Advisory Board and Stakeholder Forum all involve considerable stakeholder engagement – all of which will be considered in the development of the strategy.
The views of the higher education system are a critical element in the development of our new strategy and my colleague, the Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English, T.D., is meeting with the Presidents of the Higher Education Institutes along with their VPs/Deans of Research to hear their perspectives on their interaction with the innovation eco-system. The feedback from these meetings is being considered in the context of the development of the new strategy.
As drafting of the new strategy progresses, further consultation with stakeholders will take place. I intend that the new strategy will be published in mid 2015.
Health Insurance Community Rating
Questions (287)
Billy Kelleher
Question:287. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department was consulted by the Department of Health regarding the regulations implementing lifetime community rating in the health insurance market. [48265/14]
View answerWritten answers
I was contacted on the issue of lifetime community rating in the context of proposals that were brought forward by the Minister for Health to Government in the matter.
Innovation Vouchers Initiative
Questions (288)
John Deasy
Question:288. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of companies or persons based in County Waterford who have successfully applied for innovation vouchers in the past three years. [48319/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher Initiative was established in 2007 in order to drive an ongoing innovation cultural shift within small enterprise by promoting and encouraging a transfer of knowledge between Ireland's public knowledge providers and the small business community and creating greater synergies between the two. This scheme provides small companies access to the sources of knowledge, expertise and innovation available in our Universities and Institutes of Technology and in so doing acts as an important driver of knowledge transfer from 3rd Level Institutes to industry. The Vouchers, worth €5,000, can be used by small Irish companies to explore a business opportunity or problem and purchase advice and knowledge that is new to the company.
From 1 Jan 2012 to date 179 innovation vouchers have been approved to companies based in County Waterford.
Questions (289)
John Deasy
Question:289. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of companies and persons based in County Waterford who have successfully taken up the credit guarantee scheme to date. [48323/14]
View answerWritten answers
The SME Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) was launched in October 2012 and to date three loans have been sanctioned in Waterford. My Department publishes quarterly progress reports on the SME Credit Guarantee Scheme on the Department's website www.enterprise.gov.ie. The progress report detailing the analysis and performance for the quarterly period ending 30th September 2014 is available on my Department’s website.
Microenterprise Loan Fund Applications Data
Questions (290)
John Deasy
Question:290. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of companies and persons based in County Waterford who have availed of the microenterprise loan fund to date. [48324/14]
View answerWritten answers
My Department publishes quarterly reports on the progress of Microfinance Ireland (MFI) on the Department’s website www.enterprise.gov.ie. The 2014 3rd quarter progress report on MFI showing a detailed analysis for period ending 30th September is available on the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation’s website. Details on the number of applications based in Waterford are contained within these quarterly reports. The number of loans approved to microenterprises in Waterford at that date is 10.
An Fhoireann Rannach
Questions (291)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:291. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta an bhfuil iniúchadh déanta fós ar na poist agus na réimsí oibre ina mbeidh státseirbhísigh atá inniúil sa Bhéarla agus sa Ghaeilge ag teastáil, de réir mar a thug an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe treoir don Roinn a dhéanamh; má tá an t-iniúchadh déanta, cad é líon agus cad iad céimeanna na bpost atá i gceist; cén líon de na poist sin a bhfuil duine leis an gcumas cuí Gaeilge agus Béarla ann cheana féin; cén plean atá ann chun na poist eile a líonadh le daoine a bhfuil na cáilíochtaí cuí acu; cén cháilíocht Ghaeilge atá riachtanach do na poist sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48377/14]
View answerWritten answers
Dhearbhaigh suirbhé ar bhaill foirne, a cuireadh i gcrích in 2012 le heolas a fháil faoi leibhéal an éilimh á bhraistint ag mo Roinn ar sheirbhísí trí mheán na Gaeilge, gur fíoríseal ar fad líon na gcumarsáidí faighte i nGaeilge le blianta beaga anuas. Toisc nach bhfuil athrú tagtha ar an scéal ó shin i leith, níl post ar bith laistigh de mo Roinnse a bhfuil inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge mar réamhriachtanas dá chuid.
Tá mo Roinnse go maith ar an eolas faoinár gcuid oibleagáidí faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 agus táimid tiomanta don chumarsáid trí Ghaeilge le cliaint ar mian leo a gcuid gnó leis an Roinn a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá socruithe i bhfeidhm áit ina bhfuil naonúr ball foirne tagtha chun cinn ar bhonn deonach le páirt a ghlacadh i gcúrsaí oiliúna iomchuí lena gcuid scileanna Gaeilge a fheabhsú. Tá an oiliúint seo á soláthar ionas go mbeidh cohórt ball foirne ag an Roinn ar féidir leo cuidiú le haonaid ghnó freagra a thabhairt do chliaint ar mian leo cumarsáid trí mheán na Gaeilge.
Community Enterprise Centres
Questions (292)
Terence Flanagan
Question:292. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update regarding his Department's funding of the 2012 business development management programme; if he will provide an update regarding the new business development management programme for 2014 and 2015 in respect of an enterprise centre (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48449/14]
View answerWritten answers
I understand from Enterprise Ireland that since the launch of the first Community Enterprise Centre scheme in 1989, Enterprise Ireland has approved €64 million for the development of Community Enterprise Centres in towns and villages across the country. There are currently 117 such centres across the country. There are currently no specific proposals to extend the Community Enterprise Centre Scheme to fund Business Development Management in 2014. The last scheme rolled out was in 2012 and 2013 when Enterprise Ireland provided funding of €2 million to support the recruitment of a total of 46 Business Development Managers.
On the wider issue of the Centres, the success levels, occupancy levels and sustainability of jobs at the Centres varies and therefore I have asked Enterprise Ireland to review the operations of the Community Enterprise Centres in the context of regional enterprise development and how the Community Enterprise Centres and the Local Enterprise Offices might work more closely in support of business start-ups before giving further consideration to the matter.
There are a number of dimensions to this issue, including the role of other players such as the Local Authorities, private sector involvement and the level of supply and demand for business space in the locality.
The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 includes a commitment to develop a framework for Regional Enterprise Strategies that will enable us to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders, including Community Enterprise Centres, in supporting enterprise growth and jobs in the regions. While there is already a significant amount of practical co-operation taking place at local and regional levels between many public bodies, developing a framework in which co-operation can be improved, is timely.
I have been actively working on a template for the development of Regional Enterprise Strategies and it is my intention that this framework will be applied initially on a pilot basis to produce action-oriented plans to support enterprise growth and jobs in the Midlands region and the South East region. These pilots will inform any adaptations that might need to be made prior to the framework being applied to other regions. I fully expect that the existing network of Community Enterprise Centres will have a role to play in the creation and implementation of enterprise strategies in their regions.
Enterprise Data
Questions (293)
Dara Calleary
Question:293. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of big data and data analytics enterprises established here in the period 2011-2014; the number of persons employed in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48477/14]
View answerWritten answers
Big data and data analytics have gained prominence in recent years but there is no clear definition, operational or otherwise, of big data that can be used to determine exact enterprise and employment figures. Data management and analytics is a key enabler of business across all areas of economic activity, for example, in the food, manufacturing and financial services sectors.
The Irish government identified Big Data and Analytics as one of its 9 Disruptive Reforms in the Action Plan for Jobs (APJ), with an overall ambition to "build on existing enterprise strengths to make Ireland a leading country in Europe in the area of Big Data and Data Analytics". As part of this disruptive reform the Government has taken a number of key steps such as the establishment of the Taskforce on Big Data, the launch of Insight, a Science Foundation Ireland-supported research centre for data analytics, and the launch of CeADAR, the IDA Ireland/Enterprise Ireland-supported data analytics technology centre.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) has recently completed a report assessing the demand for big data and data analytics skills. While there are no exact figures known, the EGFSN estimated that there were 35,000 persons employed in big data/analytic roles within Irish enterprises in 2013.
The EGFSN report estimates that employment in big data and analytics roles could grow by up to 27,000 by 2020 (to a total of 62,000 ) both as a result of expansion growth within the existing enterprise base and through inward investment, as well as through the upskilling of persons already in employment.
There are a number of multinational enterprises that are providers of services and solutions for analytics and big data and whose business are built in whole or in part on the application of analytics and big data technologies, such as IBM, Aon, Groupon and EMC amongst others. For example in May 2014, SAP announced an investment in its Dublin facility creating a further 60 jobs.
There is also a growing base of indigenous companies whose business focuses on IT solutions for analytics and/or for whom analytics is central to their business offering. The companies include Swrve, Datahug, Ripple and 4Impact Intelligent Solutions. Earlier this year, Boxever, which provides a big data platform for airlines and travel operators, announced plans to create 100 jobs.
Public Sector Staff Redeployment
Questions (294)
John Deasy
Question:294. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a breakdown of the number of public sector workers under the aegis of his Department who have been approved for inter or intradepartmental or agency work transfers, both to and from County Waterford, in each of the past five years. [48809/14]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that my Department does not have offices in County Waterford. My Department’s records indicate that, with the exception of two staff who transferred to another government department with offices in County Waterford under the Government’s decentralisation programme in place at the time (one Clerical Officer in 2009 and one Executive Officer in 2010), there have been no other transfers in or out of my Department to offices located in County Waterford in the past five years. I have asked all Agencies under the aegis of my Department to advise me of any transfers which have taken place into and out of County Waterford, and I will communicate that information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Departmental Legal Costs
Questions (295)
John McGuinness
Question:295. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the costs involved in individual cases brought to the courts by the special investigations unit of his Department over the past ten years where the Chief State Solicitor's office represented his Department and where the cases were withdrawn, ended or lost by the State; the cost to date of the 17 cases pending before the courts and the projected costs to their completion; the cost of the three cases which are the subject of judicial review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47814/14]
View answerWritten answers
My Department does not maintain records of the cost of individual cases brought to court arising from investigations by the Special Investigation Unit. The position is that the staff involved in conducting investigations and consequential court cases are generally involved in a number of investigations and court cases simultaneously and do not maintain records of the time spent on individual investigations/prosecutions. In view of this, it is not possible to provide the information requested. You will, of course, be aware from my reply to Question 37244/14 that the legal costs associated with legal proceedings initiated by my Department as a result of the investigations carried out by the Unit are generally borne by the CSSO and are a matter for that body. However, since 2004, my Department has paid €126,057 in respect of legal proceedings arising from investigations by the Special Investigation Unit. Such costs have to be seen in the context of the need to preserve the reputation of Irish agriculture and food that employs over 170,000 people and which exported €10 billion worth of food and drinks products last year.
GLAS Eligibility
Questions (296)
Colm Keaveney
Question:296. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on adopting the 12 point proposals (details supplied) for priority entry into the GLAS scheme in respect of commonage farmers that was provided to him by the hill farmers recently; the reasons for his agreement or disagreement with the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47758/14]
View answerWritten answers
At my recent meeting with hill-farmer representatives I agreed to examine very carefully their proposal, on which much of our discussion at the meeting centred. My Department is giving the proposals detailed consideration and I will be contacting the hill-farmer representatives in due course.