Thursday, 18 Dec 2014

Written Answers Nos. 160-183

Severe Weather Events Expenditure

Questions (160)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

160. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to approve further funding to Galway County Council for storm remedial and prevention works sent to the directorate for fire and emergency management on 7 April 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49039/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Government Decision of 11 February 2014 allocated total funding of up to €69.5 million for clean-up, repair and restoration works in relation to public infrastructure that was damaged in the period 13 December 2013 to 6 January 2014 based on submissions and cost estimates made by the local authorities concerned to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG). Funding of up to €19.6 million for repair of damaged coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure that was included in the allocation of €69.5 million is being made available to the local authorities via the Office of Public Works (OPW). The allocation of €19.5 million included a sum of €1,144,800 for Galway County Council. The Departments of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG), Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTAS) and Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) are responsible for the disbursement of funding for repair of other damaged public infrastructure such as roads, piers, harbours and other community facilities and amenities.

There was no allocation of funding by the Government in respect of storm damage other than that occurring in the specific period mentioned in this reply. The OPW is not in a position to allocate funding to Galway County Council for repair of storm damaged coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure above that sanctioned by the Government Decision of 11 February.

Garda Stations

Questions (161)

Brendan Smith

Question:

161. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Office of Public Works expects to bring to tender stage the proposed building project for Bailieborough Garda district headquarters, County Cavan; when the project is likely to proceed to construction stage; if provision has been made in the vote for the Office of Public Works to enable this project to go to construction in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49067/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The OPW has conducted a review of State owned sites in the area to identify any suitable sites for the development of a new Garda Station in Bailieborough.  As no suitable State owned site is available, it is intended that a notice will shortly 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 Síochána 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.

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Questions (162)

Barry Cowen

Question:

162. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one to two years, two to three years, four to five years and more than five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49131/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

There are 13 staff in my Department who are currently on a sabbatical/career break. The duration of leave currently availed off can be broken down as follows:

Length of Leave of Absence	Number of Staff
0 - 6 months	0
6 - 12 months	2
1 - 2 years	3
2 - 3 years	2
3 - 4 years	5
4 - 5 years	1
5 years plus	0
Total	13

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (163)

Barry Cowen

Question:

163. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49146/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that the engagement of all service-providers by my Department is done within the parameters of value for money with every effort made to minimise costs. In line with stated Government policy, all public bodies must use a competitive process for the purchase of any goods and services, whatever the value.

The OPW has availed of the centralised framework agreement for photographic services established by the Department of Foreign Affairs (and made available to other Government Departments) where possible.

The following table outlines the total amount spent on photography costs by my Department since coming to office:

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Photography Costs since 2011

Event / Occasion	Name of Photographer	Breakdown of Costs	Total Cost
Irish Presidency EUPAN HRWG/IPSG meeting	Fennell Photography	Event Photographer per hour: €75 Medium Resolution Image: €10 VAT@ 13.50%: €19.55	€104.55
Irish Presidency EUPAN Directors General meeting	Fennell Photography	Event Photographer per hour: €75 Medium Resolution Image: €10 VAT@ 13.50%: €19.55	€104.55
Public Service Excellence Awards 2012	Maxwell Photography	Photographer hired to take photographs of the award recipients and provide copies for them	€811.52
Total	=	=	€1,020.62

Office of Public Works

Photography Costs 2011

Date	Photographer	Amount (Inclusive VAT) €	Event
17/06/2011	Maxwell Photography	501.54	Public Procurement and the SME sector
12/07/2011	Robert Allen Photography	1,675.85	Battle of the Boyne site Garden opening
28/011/2011	Dylan Vaughan	726.00	Kilkenny Castle Christmas programme
01/12//2011	Dave Kenny Photography	295.00	Joint OPW/DFP Art Exhibition opening in Claremorris Town Hall
09/12/2011	Robert Allen Photography	986.15	Farmleigh Christmas launch
Total	=	€4,184.54	=

Office of Public Works

Photography Costs 2012

Date	Photographer	Amount (Inclusive VAT) €	Event
30/12/2011	Robert Allen Photography	502.15	Castletown House, East wing opening
29/03/2012	Maxwell Photography	885.60	ICT consumables contract signing
03/04/2012	Maxwell Photography	658.05	SME meeting with Minister tendering for Public contracts
30/04/2012	Harvey Rogers Photography	419.95	Re-opening of Durrow Castle
22/05/2012	Maxwell Photography	774.90	Community Initiative launch
23/05/2012	Robert Allen Photography	762.60	"Wandering Methods" exhibition Rathfarnham Castle
28/09/2012	Maxwell Photography	535.05	National Art Competition - Newgrange
Total	=	€4,583.30	=

Office of Public Works

Photography Costs 2013

Date	Photographer	=	Amount (Inclusive VAT) €	Event
28/01/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	520.29	Procurement card initiative
25/01/2013	Browne's Photography	=	344.40	Kennedy Homestead
19/03/2012	Maxwell Photography	=	38.78	Castletown House
28/04/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	420.66	DNA Sculpture, Botanic Gardens
30/04/2013	Photocall Ireland	=	566.97	Kaleidoscope Exhibition
03/05/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	794.58	Winter Solstice Art Competition
03/05/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	378.84	Botanic Gardens- Glasnevin link
15/05/2013	MacMonagle Photography	=	461.25	Derrynane House
15/05/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	501.84	Friends of Irish Heritage
20/05/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	482.16	"Wandering Methods" Exhibition Rathfarnham Castle
07/06/2013	Peter Cavanagh Photographer	=	116.85	Fontenot, Belguim
22/06/2013	Brownes Photography	=	240.00	JFK 50th Photo CD
22/06/2013	Brownes Photography	=	959.40	JFK 50th
27//07/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	477.24	Ceramics Ireland -Rathfarnham Castle
29/07/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	533.82	Kilmainham Courthouse - handover
29/08/2013	Maxwell photography	=	541.20	40/40/40 Rathfarnham Castle
11/07/2013		John D Kelly	215.25	Morpeth Roll exhibition, Clonmel
04/09/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	494.46	Sculpture in Context - Botanic Gardens
19/09/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	344.40	Newgrange Art Competition - Launch
24/10/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	413.28	Botanic Gdns/Glasnvein link opening
30/10/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	425.58	Farmleigh - Sean O'Casey opening
27/11/2013	Maxwell Photography	=	447.72	Dublin Castle - Christmas Programme launch
TOTAL	=	=	€9,718.97	=

Office of Public Works

Photography Costs 2014

Date	Photographer	Amount (Inclusive VAT) €	OPW Event
03/01/2014	Brownes Photography	307.50	National Historic Property - JFK wreath laying
17/01/2014	Karl McDonough, Photographer	414.28	Visit to Altamont, Heywood Gardens & Emo Court
17/02/2014	Dylan Vaughan, Photographer	393.60	Kilkenny Castle - Tapestries launch
24/02/2014	Brownes Photography	40.00	National Historic Property - JFK CDs
24/02/2014	Joe Travers	90.00	Intreo Offices, Galway
10/04/2014	Maxwells Photography	309.96	National Flood Conference
15/05/2014	Karl McDonough, Photographer	340.50	Emo Walkway Announcement
26/05/2014	Maxwell Photography	425.58	National Historic Property - Paradise Lost Exhibition
17/06/2014	Maxwell Photography	413.28	National Historic Property - Chihuly Exhibition
01/08/2014	Maxwell Photography	172.20	National Historic Property - Alec Cobbe Exhibition
29/08/2014	Ann Clarke Photography	283.75	Ministerial Trim Castle photography
11/08/2014	Photocall Ireland	566.97	National Historic Property - Farmleigh
31/08/2014	Maxwell Photography	485.85	National Historic Property - Family Fun Day, St Stephen's Green
24/09/2014	Maxwell Photography	287.82	National Historic Property - Launch of Phoenix Park Tourist Train
30/09/2014	Maxwell Photography	590.40	National Historic Property - Battle of Boyne event
24/09/2014	Maxwell Photography	485.85	Press Office - Graffiti Website launch
03/09/2014	Maxwell Photography	485.85	Press Office - Sculpture in Context
10/09/2014	Maxwell Photography	485.85	Press Office - Viking House Book launch
29/10/2014	Maxwell Photography	485.85	National Historic Property - Jewellery Exhibition
14/11/2014	Maxwell Photography	590.40	National Monument - Rathfarnham Castle, Archaeology find
Total	=	7,655.49	=

Public Relations Contracts Data

Questions (164, 172)

Barry Cowen

Question:

164. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49161/14]

Barry Cowen

Question:

172. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total external public relations costs incurred by his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [49386/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 172 together.

In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that, with the exception of the Office of Public Works, no external public relations firm was availed of by my Department since its formation. However the engagement of all service-providers by my Department is done within the parameters of value for money with every effort made to minimise costs. In line with stated Government policy, all public bodies must use a competitive process for the purchase of any goods and services, whatever the value.

The following table is a list of external public relations firms employed by the Office of Public Works from 2011:

Year	Company Name	Reason	Amount €
2013	Q4 consultants	National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM)	43,750.00
2014	Presence Communications	PR work relating to work on behalf of Castletown House & Demesne.	8,065.00
=	=	Total	51,815.00

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (165)

Barry Cowen

Question:

165. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49176/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The total amount spent on external IT consultants by my Department each year since its establishment in June 2011 is as follows: 

Year	Amount
2011	€0
2012	€30,750
2013	€164,608
2014	€478,514

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (166)

Barry Cowen

Question:

166. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49191/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

My Department awards contracts for IT consultancy following requests for tenders advertised on the public procurement website, www.etenders.gov.ie. These are typically awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous of the tenders received. My Department was established in June 2011. While no contracts for external IT consultants have been re-negotiated since then, all new contracts have been negotiated with a view to achieving best value for money and are kept under ongoing review to ensure this is maintained.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (167)

Barry Cowen

Question:

167. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publicly advertised since March 2011 to date; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [49207/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question the following tables outline the number of appointments to State Boards under my remit, including recommendations, credentials and if vacancies were advertised, since the formation of my Department in 2011:

An Post National Lottery Board

Member	Date Appointed	Recommended By	Credentials	If vacancy advertised
Mr. Donal Connell (Chairman)	Re-appointed 29/02/2012, 01/07/2013	An Post	Chief Executive of An Post	No
Mr. Peter Quinn	Re-appointed 16/02/2012, 01/07/2013	An Post	Chartered Accountant.	No
Mr. Dermot Griffin	Re-appointed 06/11/2012, 01/07/2013	An Post	Chartered Accountant.	No
Mr. Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh	Re-appointed 06/11/2012, 01/07/2013,	Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform	Broadcaster.	No1
Ms. Caroline Murphy	Re-appointed 06/11/2013	An Post	Organisational psychologist.	No
Mr. Oliver Wilkinson	Re-appointed 06/11/2013	Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform	Farmer	No1

1The board vacancies filled on my recommendation were not advertised in light of the disposal of the National Lottery licence.

Public Appointments Service Board (2011-2014)

Member	Date Appointed	Recommended By	Credentials	If vacancy advertised
Mr. Eddie Sullivan, Chairman	01/09/2011	Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform	Former Secretary General, Public Service Management and Development, Department of Finance	No; previous Chairman was reappointed
Mr. Des Dowling	01/09/2011	Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government	Assistant Secretary, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government	No *
Mr. Dave Walsh	01/7/13	Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government	Assistant Secretary, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government	No;  Replacement for Mr. Dowling who transferred to another Department
Mr. John McCarthy	1/9/2013	Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government	Assistant Secretary, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government	No; Replacement for Mr. Walsh who transferred internally
Dr. Deirdre O'Keeffe	1/9/2011	Minister for Justice and Equality	Assistant Secretary,  Department of Justice and Equality	No *
Ms. Patricia Coleman	1/9/2011	Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform	Director  Department of Public Expenditure and Reform	No *
Mr. William Beausang	15/07/2013	Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform	Assistant Secretary, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform	No; Replacement for Ms. Coleman who transferred internally within the Department
Ms Judith Eve	1/9/2011	Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform	Former Chairperson the Civil Service Commissioners, Northern Ireland (Expertise in public service recruitment)	No *
Dr. Eddie Molloy	1/9/2011	Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform	Management Consultant (Expertise in strategic change)	No *
Mr. Dan Murphy, former General Secretary of the PSEU	1/9/2011	ICTU		No; previous Member was reappointed
Mr. Bryan Andrews as CEO of the PAS holding office on an ex officio basis.	1/9/2011	Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform	Held office on an ex officio basis	Held office on an ex officio basis
Ms. Fiona Tierney as CEO of the PAS holding office on an ex officio basis.	20/3/12	Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform	Holds office on an ex officio basis	Holds office on an ex officio basis; appointed to Board as replaced previous CEO of PAS
Mr. Sean McGrath	01/09/2011	Minister for Health and Children	National Director of HR, Health Service Executive	No *
Mr. Barry O Brien	01/09/2012	Minister for Health and Children	National Director of HR, Health Service Executive	No; Replacement for Mr McGrath who resigned from his post

*The Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 states that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (in consultation with Minister for the Environment, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Justice) should appoint members of the Board of the Public Appointments Service. The Board is meant to be representative of our client base.

The Act also specifies that in appointing persons as members of the Board the Minister shall ensure that:

- at least 2 of them have either or both civil service and other public service experience and knowledge which the Minister considers relevant, and

- at least 2 of them have expertise in human resource management, customer service and recruitment outside the public service which the Minister considers relevant.

Public Appointments Service Board (2014-2017)

Member	Date Appointed	Recommended By	Credentials	If vacancy advertised
Ms. Judith Eve, Chairman	9/10/14	Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform	Former Chairperson the Civil Service Commissioners, Northern Ireland (Expertise in public service recruitment)	Previous Board Member was appointed Chairperson
Mr. Paul Lemass	9/10/14	Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government	Assistant Secretary, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government	*
Dr. Deirdre O'Keeffe	9/10/14	Minister for Justice and Equality	Assistant Secretary,  Department of Justice and Equality	Previous Board Member was reappointed
Dr. Eddie Molloy	9/10/14	Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform	Management Consultant (Expertise in strategic change)	Previous Board Member was reappointed
Ms. Anne Marie Taylor	9/10/14	Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform from advertised process	HR Consultant	Yes; Selected on the basis of the stateboards.ie process as most closely meeting the requirements set out in the Act
Ms. Eimear Kenny	9/10/14	Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform from advertised process	Senior HR Executive	Yes; Selected on the basis of the stateboards.ie process as most closely meeting the requirements set out in the Act
Ms. Fiona Tierney as CEO of the PAS holding office on an ex officio basis.	9/10/14	Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform	Holds office on an ex officio basis	Holds office on an ex officio basis
Mr. Barry O Brien	9/10/14	Minister for Health and Children	National Director of HR, Health Service Executive	Previous Board Member was reappointed
Mr. William Beausang	15/07/2013	As above re appointment to 2011-2014 Board	=	=

*The Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 states that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (in consultation with Minister for the Environment, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Justice) should appoint members of the Board of the Public Appointments Service. The Board is meant to be representative of our client base.

The Act also specifies that in appointing persons as members of the Board the Minister shall ensure that:

- at least 2 of them have either or both civil service and other public service experience and knowledge which the Minister considers relevant, and

- at least 2 of them have expertise in human resource management, customer service and recruitment outside the public service which the Minister considers relevant.

Freedom of Information Requests

Questions (168)

Barry Cowen

Question:

168. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form per annum from 2009 to date in 2014, the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused; total granted; total part-granted; total appealed; total successful appeals; total part-successful appeals; total refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49249/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the Freedom of Information request details you are seeking concerning my Department since its formation in March 2011:

Freedom of Information Request details 2011 - 2014

Details	2011	2012	2013	2014
Number of Requests received	61	178	99	110
Number of Requests refused	5	20	8	14
Number of Requests granted	38	51	29	55
Number of Requests Part-Granted	14	66	61	32
Number of Requests Withdrawn or Handled outside FOI	4	37	1	8
Number of Requests transferred	-	4	-	1
Number of Internal Reviews	1	5	4	5
Number of Internal Reviews (partially successful)	-	2	2	-
Number of Appeals to the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC)	1	1	1	2
Number of OIC Appeals (partially successful)	-	-	-	-

Departmental Reports

Questions (169)

Barry Cowen

Question:

169. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form per annum, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date. [49264/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the total amount spent on external consultancy reports commissioned by my Department since its inception in 2011:

Name of External Report	Costs	Date or Expected Date of Publication	Name of External Consultant
Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement	€35,819.80	June 2011	MKO Partners Ltd
Report on Reasons Behind Voter Behaviour in the Oireachtas Inquiry Referendum 2011	€41,043.20	January 2012	Red C Research and Marketing Ltd.
Options for the next National Lottery licence	€615 (including VAT)	2 March 2012	Davy Corporate Finance
Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement	€31,586.40	13 June 2012	Grant Thornton
Capacity and Capability Review of Central Procurement Function	€30,750.00	6 September 2012	Accenture
ICT-MF Executive Assessment	€30,750.00	November 2012	Innovation Value Institute, NUIM
Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement	€24,206.40	3 July 2013	Grant Thornton
Debt Management Final Report	€110,000 plus VAT	Published 24th July 2014	BearingPoint
Report of a Consultation with Civil Society Representatives and Citizens on Ireland's Participation in the Open Government Partnership	Funding of €25,735.25 was provided to Transparency International Ireland in 2013 following a competitive tender process to support a public consultation with civil society and the preparation of a report of their recommendations and proposals for potential inclusion in Ireland's Open Government Partnership National Action Plan.	Published on 2 October 2013	Transparency International, Ireland
Capacity & Capability Review of the Estate Portfolio function of the Office of Public Works (excluding Heritage Services)	€130,000.00 + VAT	Report has been received by the Office of Public Works and circulated to staff	Concerto Partners LLP
Open Data project: - Best Practice Handbook - Data Audit Report - Roadmap for Open Data - Evaluation Framework - Open Data Publication Handbook	€19,188.00	July 2014	Insight Centre for Data Analytics, NUI Galway
Development of Training & Organisation Development	€22,900	July 2014 (date is approximate, relates to draft Report)	Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon. Trinity House, Charleston Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
Value for Money Report of Dublin Castle's Conference Facilities	€4,674.00 Incl Vat.	Qtr 3, 2014	Newmarket Consulting
Fund Structuring Services Agreement for Social Housing and Energy Efficiency in Ireland	€26,766.65	5 November 2014	European Investment Bank
Baseline Report Single Pension Scheme	€24,900	9 December 2014	Mr Seamus O'Dwyer
Comparative Report on European  National Identification Numbers	€37,500	Publication pending the completion of the work of the PPSN review Group	Hans Graux of time.lex CVBA, Brussels, Belgium

In the course of its normal business activity, the Office of Public Works engages technical consultants on many of its projects, primarily architectural and engineering. The costs of these consultants would be included in the overall project costs and are not included here.

Departmental Staff Expenses

Questions (170)

Barry Cowen

Question:

170. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent per annum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 on staff subsistence payments and taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of Revenue Commissioners' concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49330/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question please see  in the following table details of the total annual spend on  staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments for the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014.

Year	2011	2012	2013	To date 2014
Staff Subsistence Payments	€147,923.94	€211,881.60	€280,746.09	€173,358.17
Staff Taxi Payments	€3,492.06	€5,638.27	€6,983.41	€6,196.55

In addition, the Department has a contracted taxi service and the payments to that company in respect of usage of the service over the years in question are set out in the following table. An element of the cost relates to administration charges for the taxi company.

2011	2012	2013	To date 2014
€102.96	€3,779.17	€6,257.82	€9,797.44

The Department's Appropriation Accounts are subject to annual audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Department has not been audited for tax compliance on these payments or other benefits in kind by the Revenue Commissioners but is vigilant in the conduct of its activities in these matters to ensure compliance with taxation legislation and Revenue guidelines.

Departmental Legal Costs

Questions (171)

Barry Cowen

Question:

171. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total legal costs incurred by his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [49345/14]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response the Deputy's question the following table is a list of total legal costs incurred by my Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014:

Legal Cost

Department / Office	Year	Amount
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform	2011	Nil
=	2012	€91,821.00
=	2013	€188,512.59
=	2014	€184,031.00
Office of Public Works	2011	€342,033.24
=	2012	€1,013,987.18
=	2013	€178,814.08
=	2014	€268,000.00

Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 164.

Consumer Protection

Questions (173)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

173. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the placement of advertisements by alleged rogue traders allegedly using illegitimate landline phone numbers in the Golden Pages and other telephone directories; his views that citizens will engage the services of such traders thinking them to be reputable service providers; and if there is legislative or policy guidance for telephone directories to check the legitimacy of persons and companies who are placing advertisements in their publications. [49080/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

As the question does not specify the purpose for which illegitimate landline numbers are alleged to have been placed in telephone directories by rogue traders, it is difficult to ascertain which provisions of consumer protection legislation are likely to be most applicable. If the purpose is to get consumers to call telephone numbers charged at premium rate in the mistaken belief that the numbers are those of reputable service providers, the practice would appear to be a matter in the first instance for the Commission for Communications Regulation whose Code of Practice on Premium Rate Services sets out rules on the provision, promotion and content of these services and outlines the conditions applying to licensed premium rate service providers. Misleading advertising is regulated more generally by the Consumer Protection Act 2007. The Act provides, among other things, that a commercial practice is misleading if it includes the provision of false information in relation to a wide range of matters relating to the trader and his or her goods or services, and if that information would be likely to cause the average consumer to make a purchasing decision that he or she would not otherwise make. A trader who engages in such a misleading commercial practice commits an offence.

As regards responsibility of telephone directory companies to check the legitimacy of those placing advertisements, the Consumer Protection Act 2007 provides that an advertiser who publishes an advertisement which contravenes the Act does not commit an offence if the advertiser proves that he or she did not know, and had no reason to suspect, that its publication would be in contravention of the Act. In order to assist enforcement of the Act’s provisions on misleading advertising, an advertiser who accepts or agrees to publish an advertisement is required to make a record of the name and address of a trader who places an advertisement, and to keep that record for not less than two years from the date of its publication.

Departmental Reports

Questions (174)

Seán Fleming

Question:

174. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department has published its annual report for 2013. [48774/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

My Department’s annual report for 2013 is currently being finalised for publication in early 2015. The report will then be translated into Irish, as required by the Official Languages Act 2003, and will be published in both languages when the Irish translation has been completed.

Job Creation Data

Questions (175)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

175. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the analysis that his Department carries out regarding jobs announcements made by his Department versus jobs actually delivered when the jobs are in the future; if announcements made regarding jobs to be created some years ahead are included in the statistics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48973/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and its enterprise agencies make job announcements based on the plans and commitments of the entrepreneurs and enterprises they are assisting to invest and create jobs in Ireland. In many cases these announcements will set out the job creation plans of those entrepreneurs or enterprises for a number of years into the future and the Department and its agencies work closely with the promoters to ensure that jobs envisaged are realised for Ireland.

For the purposes of the performance metrics for the agencies and for reporting on employment statistics, only actual jobs created in a year are reported. Job announcements are not included in the agency employment statistics as reported by DJEI and the agencies in the Annual Employment Survey, unless those jobs have materialised into actual jobs as of 31 October in a given survey year.

Job Creation Data

Questions (176)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

176. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the methodology used by his Department regarding counting new jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48974/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The CSO’s Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is used for measuring employment trends in the economy overall and for tracking progress on the Government’s targets for job creation as set out in the Action Plan for Jobs and other national strategies. The QNHS covers all sectors of the economy on a quarterly basis and thereby provides us with timely indications of labour market and job creation developments. It provides data by region, economic sector and broad occupation groups, in addition to data by gender and different age cohorts. The data collected through the QNHS for Ireland is comparable with that for other countries and it also provides the official measure of employment and unemployment in the State on accepted International Labour Organisation (ILO) basis. As a large-scale, nationwide survey of households in Ireland, which began in September 1997, the QNHS allows us to assess labour market developments on a consistent basis for policy research and analysis purposes. Since the first Action Plan for Jobs was launched in February 2012 approximately 80,000 additional people are in work net of a reduction in the same period of 20,000 in the public sector.

In relation to monitoring employment trends in enterprise development agency-assisted firms, the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation (DJEI) Annual Employment Survey provides a more granular level of data on employment. On the dissolution of Forfás in August 2014, DJEI took over responsibility to carry out the Annual Employment Survey of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland assisted enterprises. Results from the Údarás na Gaeltachta annual employment survey are also integrated into the final report published. The Survey is an annual census of employment in all agency-assisted companies that are active within manufacturing, internationally traded and financial services; there are currently approximately 8,500 live client companies surveyed. The survey takes place in October and November of each year. Companies are asked for their Permanent/ Full-time Jobs and Temporary/ Part-Time Jobs as at 31 October of that year.

DJEI aims to achieve as close to a census of all agency-assisted companies as is practicable during the Annual Employment Survey. Response rates of at least 80% are generally obtained, which is exceptionally high for a voluntary survey that is not mandated by a Statutory Instrument.

The survey has been carried out each year since 1972, providing a time-series of longitudinal data with over 30,000 client companies’ employment histories on file, many of which have been recently geocoded.

This survey provides accurate figures of full-time and part-time employment and is used for the purposes of research and analysis, both at the firm level and at regional, sectoral and agency levels. More specifically, employment data can be analysed by, inter alia , industrial (NACE) sector, region, county, responsible (i.e. parent) agency, ownership (Irish or foreign) and nationality.

The overall growth or decline in employment among agency assisted enterprises is reported on the basis of the net change in employment in a given year. The net change in employment is calculated as the difference between the gross job gains and the gross job losses, whereby gross job gains is the increase in employment in the survey year over and above the employment level in the previous year and gross job losses is the decrease in employment in the survey over and above the employment level in the previous year. First-Time Jobs are calculated as the jobs created in an enterprise over its peak employment level achieved in the previous five years.

Job Creation

Questions (177, 178)

Brendan Smith

Question:

177. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the special initiatives that will be undertaken by his Department or the State's industrial promotion agencies, to assist in the provision of much-needed employment throughout County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48980/14]

Brendan Smith

Question:

178. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the special initiatives that will be undertaken by his Department or the State's industrial promotion agencies to assist in the provision of much-needed employment throughout County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48981/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together.

My Department and its agencies are working together to address the unemployment problem that is currently experienced in counties Cavan and Monaghan by implementing the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs which aims to create 100,000 net new jobs over the period 2012 to 2016.

Monaghan and Cavan are part of IDA Ireland’s North East Region along with county Louth. In the region as a whole, there are currently 36 IDA Ireland client companies employing almost 4,000 people. The main FDI clusters which have emerged in the North East Region are in international business services, mainly Financial Services, and consumer goods and manufacturing. While IDA Ireland always seeks to influence the client decisions on where to visit or where to locate, the final decision in all cases is made by the investor.

At the end of 2013 there were 7 IDA Ireland supported companies in Cavan employing 1,135 people with 6 IDA Ireland supported companies in Monaghan employing 365 people. IDA Ireland has formed strong relationships with these companies and, having regard to the fact that 70% approximately of all FDI investments won by IDA Ireland is from the existing client base, the agency continues to work closely with them in order to ensure their long term sustainability and to encourage their growth, development and continuing re-investment in their sites. IDA Ireland works closely with third level educational institutions in the region so that the skill-sets necessary to attract high value added employment to the Region are being developed.

Enterprise Ireland works with and supports local entrepreneurs with commercial business plans and also provides preferential funding for entrepreneurs and companies, with detailed export plans, who are expanding or establishing a business in the County as part of the BMW Region.

Payments of over €1.8 million were made to companies in Cavan in 2013. Similarly, payments of over €2.2 million were made to companies in Monaghan in 2013.

Enterprise Ireland works with both Cavan and Monaghan Local Enterprise Offices in enhancing economic development within the County.

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 LEO’s 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 7 December 2014. 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 Ireland’s Best Young entrepreneur (IBYE) competition within Cavan and Monaghan, which was run by each LEO, received a very healthy 23 and 26 entries respectively, reflecting a significant entrepreneurial base within the two Counties. Following an initial assessment, most of the applicants in each County were invited to take part in their County Bootcamps, 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 from each County 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 Counties Meath and Louth. The winner of the County Monaghan Best Start-up category and the winner of the County Cavan Best New Idea category both won the Regional Final in those categories and competed against 7 other finalists in their category at the National Finals.

Innovation Vouchers give small companies access to the vast knowledge available in Irish Institutes of Technology, Universities and other public research bodies. These vouchers worth €5,000 can be used by the average small Irish company to bring in knowledge that is new to the company.

I have been working with my Department on the development of 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.

Trade Relations

Questions (179)

Brendan Smith

Question:

179. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the proposed transatlantic trade and investment partnership between the European Union and the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48982/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

A total of seven rounds of negotiations have taken place to date, the most recent took place between 29 September - 3 October in the US. During a visit to Washington D.C. on 8 December 2014, EU Trade Commissioner Malmström met with US Trade Representative Froman to discuss a fresh start to the negotiations on a EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). They reviewed the state of play in all areas of the talks and agreed a number of practical steps to prepare the next round of talks which are scheduled to take place in Brussels during the week of 2 February 2015. These include meetings in January to prepare the February round. The following summarises each round:

First Round

The negotiations began formally in July, with the 1st round held in Washington in the week beginning 8 July 2013. The EU's initial position papers on a number of aspects of the negotiations were presented to the US negotiators during the first negotiating round and covered the following areas: Cross-cutting & institutional provisions on regulatory issues; Technical barriers to trade; Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (i.e. barriers to trade in food and agricultural products); Public procurement; Raw materials and energy; and Trade and sustainable development.

The feedback from the EU Commission following the first round was positive. The focus of the first round was on general scoping and exchange of information: market access issues for goods, services, investment, public procurement and rules of origin; regulatory issues of transparency and regulatory coherence, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary standards and sectoral regulatory issues; and others areas of regulation including intellectual property rights, energy, competition, customs and trade facilitation and sustainable development.

Second Round

The 2nd round, originally scheduled for the first week in October, but deferred at the request of the US because of the partial government shutdown, took place in Brussels during the week beginning 11 November, 2013. The EU presented further areas for negotiation to the US side including: Maritime; Air transport; Raw Materials; Energy; Rules of Origin; Market access for goods; Sectoral Regulation; regulatory cooperation in financial services; and cross cutting regulatory and institutional provisions.

The feedback from the 2nd round was again positive. Both sides reiterated that the TTIP was an opportunity to promote even further the trade flows between the two trading blocs and thus promote economic growth. There was also confirmation that regulatory aspects are one of the main elements of the TTIP negotiations, and that two basic principles govern the philosophy of the negotiations: nothing should prevent or undermine the rights of both sides to regulate, and the level of protection (environment, food or consumer safety etc.) will not be lessened.

Third Round

This round took place in Washington DC during the week commencing 16 December 2013. Both sides discussed all the topics they wanted to see covered in what is intended to be a comprehensive trade agreement. They brought together teams with expertise in a wide range of trade-related areas, as well as regulators from both sides. The EU and US teams also spent time talking to over 50 stakeholders and answering questions from them. This followed efforts by the EU to negotiate as openly as possible and reach out to the widest possible range of interests. Negotiators made progress on the three core parts of the TTIP – market access, regulatory aspects and rules, which were to be the focus for the round of talks expected in March 2014.

Stocktaking Summary

The end of the 3rd round marked the conclusion of the initial phase of negotiations and paved the way for EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and US Trade Representative Ambassador Michael Froman to hold a high level political stocktaking meeting that took place on 17 -18 February 2014. This provided a political overview of progress to date – addressing issues that are difficult such as the approach to regulatory convergence, development, and mutual recognition. The two day stocktake helped set the forward agenda that included the 4th round and importantly, trade aspects at the EU-US summit in Brussels in late March. Both sides agreed that after three rounds of talks the negotiations needed to step up a gear and gave guidance to negotiators on the way ahead.

Fourth Round

The 4th round took place in Brussels from 10 –14 March 2014, and all negotiating topics, except tariffs, were on the table. Services, Investment, Regulatory Coherence, Energy and Raw Materials, State-Owned Enterprises, Competition and Subsidies, Customs and Trade Facilitation, Dispute Settlement (state-to-state), IPR, Sustainable Development, Government Procurement, Market Access, SPS, TBT and Sectors were covered. The Commission used the opportunity of the EU-US Summit on 26 March 2014 to get a clear and unambiguous commitment from both sides as regards the level of ambition in this agreement in all areas. In principle, the Commission and the US agreed to have a similar stocktaking exercise just after the summer.

Fifth Round

The 5th round of the TTIP negotiations took place from 19 – 23 May 2014 in Arlington, Virginia. The overall assessment from the Commission on progress achieved during the 5th round was positive, and suggested that both sides were now commencing the detailed work phase.

Close to 25 different negotiating areas were covered in this round. In the regulatory cluster, reasonable progress was made in technical preparatory work in sectors and improvement in the dynamics of the regulatory coherence discussion. There was agreement to prepare SPS text for the next round in mid-July. On market access, there was no discussion on tariffs except for some clarification on the first tariff offers. Procurement discussions confirmed a wide difference of position about coverage of an initial offer on central level procurement. On rules, there was discussion on sustainable development.

As in the previous round, a lot of time was dedicated to stakeholder consultation, and over 300 stakeholders representing different interest groups participated in these sessions. The Stakeholders who represent a broad cross section of interest groups had the opportunity to present their concerns and give feedback directly to the TTIP negotiators.

Sixth Round

The 6th round of the TTIP negotiations took place in Brussels from 14 – 18 July 2014 where all pillars and chapters of the TTIP were discussed. Close to 25 different negotiating areas were covered in this round with the exception of ISDS and investment protection, tariffs and financial services. The Commission reported that while there were no breakthroughs, progress was achieved on the essential technical work. It was reported that the dynamic in the negotiations was clearly influenced by the US mid-term elections in November.

On tariffs both sides had already had necessary clarificatory discussions in previous rounds and at that stage no further discussions were considered necessary at a technical level. The respective services/investment offers which have been tabled by both sides were discussed in detail while discussions on financial services were paused for further reflection. There were exploratory first discussions on the area of mutual recognition of professional qualifications. On the regulatory cluster there were discussions with good progress reported across most sectors although significant technical work remains to be done. On sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues both sides agreed to table texts before the 7th round. Good discussions were reported on sustainable development and on the labour and environment areas. There were also good discussions on energy and raw materials and on geographical indicators (GIs).

Both sides agreed to move forward and to work on preparing consolidated texts in the areas of State Owned Enterprises, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Customs and Trade Facilitation, Rules of Origin and Telecom Services and these texts will be made available to Member States through the reading room.

Seventh Round

The 7th round took place from 29 September - 3 October 2014 in the US, where discussions were productive, and moving into negotiations based on specific textual proposals in some areas.

During this round, much of the focus was on the regulatory pillar of the future agreement. All of the regulatory elements of TTIP were discussed, both in terms of horizontal disciplines (regulatory coherence, TBT, SPS) as well as on specific sectors identified in previous rounds such as pharmaceuticals, cars, chemicals or engineering.

On sectors, technical work made steady progress in identifying concrete outcomes that save unnecessary duplications while fully respecting the mandates of regulators on both sides. This work was very much being guided by the regulators. The regulatory part of TTIP has the potential to deliver the most benefits, but is also the most challenging part as it is highly technical and requires the most innovative thinking.

Three key considerations for negotiation discussions on the regulatory pillar concern standards, the strategic dimension, and compatibility. On Standards, the EU made a firm commitment that nothing will be done which could lower or endanger the protection of the environment, health, safety, consumers or any other public policy goals pursued by EU or US regulators. On the strategic dimension of these negotiations, enhanced regulatory cooperation is essential if the EU and US wish to play a leading role in developing international regulations and standards based on the highest levels of protection. Finally, TTIP should deliver concrete results in terms of enhanced regulatory compatibility.

Other elements discussed were elements of the rules pillar of the agreement, energy and raw materials, customs and trade facilitation, intellectual property rights (IPR), small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), and services.

Prior to this round, both the US and the EU had put on the negotiating table their respective market access offers, and during this round negotiators devoted much of their time to explaining to each other, in detail, all the elements of the highly complex, and technical offers on Services. This is a key step as progress can only be made once each side has understood the scope of what the other has put on the table. The EU’s approach to services negotiations excludes any commitments on public services, and Member States remain free to decide at any time that certain services should be provided by the public sector.

The round also contained a day of stakeholder events, where the negotiators spent a full day engaging and exchanging views with representatives of civil society. These sessions with stakeholders have taken place during each negotiating round, and this time there were around 330 representatives of various interests and 64 presentations on all the areas covered by the negotiations.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (180)

Brendan Smith

Question:

180. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of personnel who were employed in the trade division of his Department prior to March 2011; the number employed in that division at present; the responsibilities of his Department in relation to trade promotion; the responsibilities that have been transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48992/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The Trade Division in my Department is made up of Trade Policy Unit, Export Licensing Unit and Bilateral Trade Unit. Prior to March 2011, there were 6 staff members assigned to Bilateral Trade Unit and 3 of these posts have since been transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to their trade promotion responsibilities. The Trade Division in my Department now consists of 15.3 (full time equivalent) staff and they deal with bilateral contacts with our export markets and support for trade missions, the range of international bilateral free trade agreements being negotiated by the EU, negotiations at the World Trade Organisation and export licensing.

Arrangements were made in 2011 for the transfer of responsibility to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of certain trade related functions. These are set out in Statutory Instrument No. 247 of 2011 and include functions relating to the Government strategy for the promotion and development of overseas trade, tourism and investment referred to in Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy – A Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015. They comprise managing and chairing the Export Trade Council (formally the Foreign Trade Council) and convening, chairing, managing and developing Joint Economic Commissions. The Government published a review of this Strategy on 24 February last.

The Export Trade Council (ETC) was established in 2011 in order to strengthen cooperation and coordination across all Government Departments and State agencies involved in the promotion of trade, tourism and inward investment. I am a member of this Council, which is chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Joint Economic Commissions are formal intergovernmental bodies that provide a forum for discussing issues that relate to the development of economic and business cooperation and scientific and technological cooperation.

Export Trade Missions are an essential part of trade promotion. Those relating to trade and investment are for the most part prepared and managed by the development agencies under my Department, such as Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. They support the long term development of target markets for both trade and investment. Trade mission activities are based on the specific requirements of companies and sectors involved as well as, of course, on the target market involved. The objective of each mission, e.g. Trade, Foreign Direct Investment, Education, Innovation etc., influences the form of Ministerial participation that now frequently involves Ministers from across Government. My aim is to maximise the potential of these events to bring Irish businesses into direct contact with business opportunities abroad, by targeting sectors and countries where there is significant potential.

My Department retains responsibility for Trade Policy including policy within the framework of the EU Common Commercial Policy and the World Trade Organisation. Discussions on free trade agreements, liberalisation of world trade in the context of the WTO or using other avenues to expand opportunities for our exporters are directly linked to the sectoral enterprise and investment policies being developed by my Department and its Agencies.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (181)

Brendan Smith

Question:

181. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the responsibilities of the trade division of his Department in relation to international trade; the linkages, role and responsibilities his Department has with the World Trade Organization or other international organisations with trade responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48998/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 184 together.

My Department's trade responsibilities include lead responsibility for the EU Common Commercial Policy and the World Trade Organisation. The EU Common Commercial Policy includes EU third country Bilateral Free Trade and Investment Agreements, other EU trade negotiations within the context of the WTO, and certain EU trade and investment legislation, including anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures.

Ireland's representation in the EU Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) comes within my remit, and I attend meetings of this formation of the Council of EU Ministers. Officials in my Department or from my Department and seconded to Ireland's Permanent Representation to the EU are responsible for representing Ireland's interests in the EU Trade Policy Committee under the EU Common Commercial Policy, and in other EU Council Working Groups relating to trade matters. My officials also participate in various trade related meetings convened by DG Trade, and in trade related meetings in the OECD. My Department has responsibility for administering the export licensing system in respect of dual-use and military goods governed by EU legislation. My Department is also the competent authority for the trade aspects of EU sanctions.

In light of my responsibility for Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, my Department has a role in bilateral trade and investment promotion issues, and ongoing with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the annual programme of trade missions. My Department also manages the compilation and analysis of detailed trade statistics.

In respect of the WTO, officials from my Department seconded to Ireland's Permanent Mission in Geneva attend the various WTO committees and groups and participate in the various EU coordination meetings for each WTO committee and group. Ireland's annual subscription to the WTO which for this year amounts to €1.742m, is paid through my Department's Vote.

International Agreements

Questions (182)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

182. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a trade agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49009/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The blog to which the Deputy refers mentions the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations. As the EU is not a party to the TPP negotiations, I have no information on these. As regards the TTIP negotiations, the scope of the EU Commission’s mandate to negotiate with the United States is available on the EU Council’s website at:http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/145014.pdf In addition, the EU Commission has made available a valuable store of information and documents about the TTIP which can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/in-focus/ttip/

A comprehensive trade and investment deal between the EU and the US is of huge importance to Ireland. The preliminary results of research commissioned by my Department show that such a deal could lead to a 1.1% increase in Irish GDP, a 2.7% increase in exports, a 1.4% increase in real wages, and a 1.6% increase in investment.

Departmental Programmes

Questions (183)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

183. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the priorities in his Department for the remainder of the term of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49026/14]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

In addition to ensuring good governance in the overall operations of my Department, priorities in my Department for the remainder of the term of this Government are set out in the following three tables.

Programme for Government 2011-2016 - priorities for DJEI for the remainder of the term of this Government

Table 1

Ref No.	Arising From	Commitment (detail)
1.5.5	Programme for Government	Develop a National Intellectual Property (IP) protocol to give predictability about the terms on which business can access IP created in Higher Education Institutions and the wider digital sector. The IP Protocol was published in June 2012, the purpose of which is to help the enterprise sector to access the research undertaken in Ireland’s universities, institutes of technology and other public research institutions. A key recommendation of the report centres around the establishment of a Central Technology Transfer Office (ctto) to provide an effective interface between industry and the research community and to drive a world class technology transfer system in Ireland, ensuring it is responsive to the needs of both industry and academia. The ctto branded ‘Knowledge Transfer Ireland’, was launched on 28 May 2014 along with a website offers businesses a searchable database of research and expertise available in Irish HEIs and access to opportunities to license new technologies and IP as well as access to a range of practical guides and model agreements all of which will help businesses to engage with the research sector.
1.5.6	Programme for Government	Promote and support investment in technology research, development and commercialisation beyond basic research supported by Science Foundation Ireland, as well as removing barriers to innovation and accelerate exploitation of new technologies. The IP Protocol and Knowledge Transfer Ireland, referred to above, will support both industry parties and research performing organisations in making their commercial negotiations on the exploitation of new technologies and ideas faster, more consistent and more transparent. In 2013 SFI’s legal remit was extended to include applied research in areas of importance to Ireland’s economy to complement with its original mandate of funding oriented basic research. Extending the remit of SFI to fund applied research will also help bring the outcomes of research funded since the establishment of SFI closer to market.
1.5.7	Programme for Government	Target key technology areas and sectors where innovation can be applied including but not limited to high value manufacturing, advanced materials, nanotechnology, bioscience, electronics, photonics and electrical systems and information and communication technology. The report of the Research Prioritisation Steering Group recommended 14 areas of opportunity as well as underpinning technologies and infrastructure to support these priority areas which should receive the majority of competitive public investment in STI over the coming 5 years. Following publication of the report on 1st March 2012, the Prioritisation Action Group (PAG) was established, under the chairmanship and political leadership of the Minister for Research and Innovation to drive implementation of research prioritisation under the broader authority of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Jobs. Action Plans to drive implementation have been developed for each priority area and were approved by Government in June 2013 along with a detailed Framework of Metrics and Targets drawn up to measure the outputs and impact of public investment in STI including the impact of research prioritisation. The first annual report tracking progress on implementation of research prioritisation was published on 4 July 2014. An independent panel has been appointed to report on the effectiveness of research prioritisation.
1.5.8	Programme for Government	Focus on the application of technological innovation in established sectors of the economy like energy generation and supply, transport, creative industries, high-value services and architecture and construction by identifying challenges, establishing priorities and developing strategies which specify necessary actions to transition to more innovative approach. See 1.5.7 above in relation to Research Prioritisation
1.5.9	Programme for Government	We will continue to promote Ireland’s full engagement with the ‘Innovation Union’ proposals issued by the European Commission in October 2010 as one of the seven flagship initiatives under EU2020 Strategy, with the specific aim of refocusing R&D and innovation policy on major challenges and at turning inventions into products.
1.5.10	Programme for Government	Establish a network of Technology Research Centres focused on applied technological research in specific areas, to be linked to appropriate higher-education institutions. The centres will accelerate exploitation of new technologies by providing infrastructure that bridges gap between research and technology commercialisation. We will initially establish 3 additional centres focusing on biotechnology, nanotechnology and high value manufacturing. Further centres from a number of other areas will be selected at a later time. Enterprise Ireland have established a network of 15 Technology Centres across a range of areas of direct relevance to enterprise research needs covering manufacturing & materials, cloud, analytics & learning technologies, energy, business processes & financial services as well as food & health. Over 300 companies are directly engaged with these 15 Technology Centres.
1.5.11	Programme for Government	Support the development of an International Content Services Centre to make Ireland world leader in managing intellectual property. A Feasibility Study was commissioned and finalised in January 2013. The study is still part of the deliberative process and consideration is being given to the findings and recommendations of the study in the context of development of broader FDI and Intellectual Property policy generally.
1.5.12	Programme for Government	We will pioneer within the EU a model of ‘fair use’ in European Copyright Law, like in the USA, which effectively permits the use of portions of a copyrighted work so long as the normal economic exploitation of the originating work is not undermined. This will allow internet companies and other digital innovators to bring their services to market.
1.5.2	Programme for Government	We will support our indigenous digital game industry by reforming R&D supports available to the industry, setting aside funding from Innovation Fund Ireland for a seed capital scheme for Irish digital gaming start-ups, introduce a digital media component to Transition Year programmes and promote Ireland as digital gaming hub.
1.6.3	Programme for Government	We will reform the Joint Labour Committee structure, beginning with the appointment of independent chairpersons to JLCs, who will retain a casting vote. Reform options will examine the rate of pay for atypical hours.
1.6.6	Programme for Government	A key part of reducing regulatory burdens is better communication to increase awareness of regulation. Making it easier for small businesses and start-ups to identify the regulations that apply to them is important. We have already developed and launched the www.businessregulation.ie web portal, which brings together in one place many strands of regulatory and compliance information applicable to business, along with links to supports for small businesses and start-ups. The functionality of the portal will be reviewed with a focus on enhancing access and information for small and micro businesses. Further, my Department has instituted a series of free business communication events called Taking Care of Business (TCOB), where business people can hear short presentations on regulation and available supports and interact with personnel from up to 30 agencies. Five events have been held to date and 1,700 business people have participated. Further events will be held in 2015. The Workplace Relations Reform Programme will deliver a simplified two-tiered structure, amalgamating the existing five Bodies and providing for a single body of first instance, the Workplace Relations Commission, and a single body of appeal, in effect an enhanced Labour Court. The Reform Programme will also provide a more efficient and effective framework for dealing with complaints and disputes and for enforcement and compliance generally. Significant progress has also been achieved to date in so far as the legislative, technological, structural, administrative and staffing changes required are concerned to underpin the workplace relations reform programme. The Workplace Relations Bill 2014, which will give legislative effect to the reforms, was published on 30th July, 2014. The Bill has completed Second Stage and Committee Stage in the Dail. Report and Final Stages in the Dail commenced on 12th November, 2014 and will be concluded at the earliest opportunity in 2015. The Minister aims to enact the Bill before end Q1 2015.
1.7.1.	Programme for Government	We will implement a temporary, partial credit guarantee scheme that will provide a level of insurance to banks against losses on qualifying loans to job-creating firms to get banks lending again to industry and entrepreneurs.
1.7.2	Programme for Government	We will construct a €100 million Microfinance Start-Up Fund that will provide start-up loans and equity that draws funding from the NPRF and private institutional funds.
1.7.3.	Programme for Government	We will support the development of a more dynamic, venture capital industry in Ireland by seeking to attract top tier venture financing and investment companies to Ireland, such as Silicon Valley Bank.
1.7.4	Programme for Government	We will work to promote a greater appreciation of the co-operative model as a distinct form of organisation, ensure a level playing field between co-operatives and the other legal options for structuring enterprise activities, and provide a conductive framework for the full potential of the co-operative model to be realised, including in areas such as child care, education, housing, energy retrofitting, environmental protection, transport and health care. This Friendly Societies and Industrial Provident Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill completed its passage through the Oireachtas on 9 July, and was enacted on 21 July (No. 19 of 2014). Parts 1-3 of the Act were commenced with effect from 28 July. Part 4 (Application of Examinership to co-operatives) will be commenced at a later date, following the drawing up of Court Rules (by the Courts Services). The responsibility of my Department lies in the legislative provision for co-operatives in general. Any initiatives to facilitate or promote the development of co-operatives in particular sectors, for example group water schemes, renewable energy or agricultural co-operatives, would be a matter for colleagues in the respective Government Departments.
1.8.25	Programme for Government	DJEI will seek to establish Ireland as a renewable manufacturing hub to attract international and domestic investment. It was envisaged that the opportunity to develop a renewable manufacturing hub would be greatly facilitated by the proposed Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with the United Kingdom to facilitate trade in renewable electricity. The IGA did not proceed in 2014 and may be re-visited at a later date.
2.8.10	Programme for Government	On foot of the Government decision in 2012 to reform the system for delivery of State supports to micro and small enterprises, the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) were legally dissolved on 15th April, 2014 and 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) were established on the same day. Under the legislation the functions, assets and liabilities of the CEBs were transferred to Enterprise Ireland (EI). The LEO structure combines the expert knowledge of the former CEBs, the Business Development expertise of the Local Authorities and is overseen by the dedicated Centre of Excellence in Enterprise Ireland. Prior to the establishment of the LEOs a Service Level Agreement (SLA) was agreed between EI and the Local Authorities in each Local Authority area. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation retains responsibility for policy and budgets.
3.41.6	Programme for Government	We will reform the current law on employees’ right to engage in collective bargaining (the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001), so as to ensure compliance by the State with recent judgements of the European Court of Human Rights.
1.8.7 & 4.15.3	Programme for Government	Regulations to regulate certain practices in the grocery goods sector, which came into force on 31 October 2014 will be introduced in 2015 following a consultation process which is being launched in December 2014 as provided for in the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014.
	Programme for Government	The Department will continue to support Enterprise Ireland to develop entrepreneurship, growth, internationalisation and innovation within Irish-owned SMEs, with the aim of creating sustainable jobs across all regions of the country.

Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 - priorities for DJEI for the remainder of the term of this Government

Table 2

Ref No.	Arising From	Commitment (detail)
5.1.14	Statement of Government Priorities	Since the introduction of the legislation to establish the 31 LEOs, the focus has been on development of customer service, continuity of services and installation of oversight structures. In addition, LEOs have delivered a very successful competition to find Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur which gave rise to over 1000 applications for investment in new business projects from people under 30 years of age. LEOs have also been engaged in many new actions emanating from the Action Plan for Jobs and the Entrepreneurship Policy Statement. The focus over the coming months will be to continue the process of embedding the network of 31 LEOs in every local authority by setting business targets, strengthened customer service, improved communications, and promotion of LEO supports, activities and successes.
5.1.15	Statement of Government Priorities	Implementation of the actions sets out in the National Entrepreneurship Policy Statement which was published in Oct 2014.
5.1.23	Statement of Government Priorities	Implementation of an Integrated Licensing Application Service
5.2.1	Statement of Government Priorities	We will establish a Low Pay Commission on a statutory basis as an independent body to make annual recommendations to the Government about the appropriate level of the minimum wage and related matters.
5.2.13	Statement of Government Priorities	We will prioritise the enactment of the Collective Bargaining legislation as approved by Government.
5.2.14	Statement of Government Priorities	We will complete the programme of reform and modernisation of the Workplace Relations bodies, including enactment of the Workplace Relations Bill, to deliver, for employees and employers, streamlined and efficient advisory, conciliation, mediation, resolution, adjudication, inspection and enforcement services within a single Workplace Relations Commission and enhance and strengthen the Labour Court.
5.2.15	Statement of Government Priorities	Study on the prevalence of zero hour contracts among Irish employers and their impact on employees and make policy recommendations to Government on foot of this. The Request for Tender was issued 17 November and the deadline for receipt of tenders was 15 December. Tenders are currently being examined. External consultants are expected to commence study in Q1 2015 and report in Q2 2015.

Additional priorities in DJEI for the remainder of the term of this Government

Table 3

Arising From	Commitment (detail)
Action Plan for Jobs	Delivering on actions arising for DJEI from Action Plan for Jobs 2015 and 2016 and working across Government on implementation of other aspects as appropriate.
Action Plan for Jobs	Enhance user experience and reduce compliance costs by technology enhancements and maximising e-business opportunities in the delivery of workplace relations services.
Action Plan for Jobs	Enhance the effectiveness of the Early Resolution Service in resolving disputes/complaints without recourse to costly adjudication or inspection
Action Plan for Jobs	Implementing the new Statement of Foreign Direct Investment Policy and new IDA Strategy
Action Plan for Jobs	Evaluation of the programmes of the enterprise agencies to ensure value for money of DJEI programme expenditure.
Action Plan for Jobs	Developing new opportunity areas including in Manufacturing, Data Analytics, Smart Ageing, Energy, Design and Intellectual Property Management
Action Plan for Jobs	Determining actions to improve Ireland’s competitiveness, working with the National Competitiveness Council
Action Plan for Jobs	Regional Enterprise Strategies will be developed to ensure that all regions have an opportunity to benefit from our economic recovery. While employment has increased nationally by 80,000 since the start of the Action Plan for Jobs process, the rate of progress across the regions is uneven. A series of action-focused Enterprise Strategies for the regions will be developed and rolled out on a phased basis, commencing with the Midlands and South East regions in early 2015.
Government Decision / Action Plan for Jobs	Ensuring implementation of the National Research Prioritisation Exercise
Government Decision	Establish national Health Innovation Hub to drive collaboration between the health system and commercial enterprises leading to the development and commercialisation of new health care technologies, products and services emerging from within the health system and enterprise.
The Government accepted the recommendation of the Global Irish Economic Forum to designate a year to celebrate Irish design and under the Action Plan for Jobs 2014, the Government agreed to “Develop and implement a work programme to deliver Year of Irish Design 2015”.	Year of Irish Design 2015 (ID2015) is an initiative with a national dimension - across all regions - to promote the use of design in business and to develop the Irish design sector, and an international dimension - to promote Ireland as a source of internationally competitive design and to promote Ireland as a creative and innovation-led economy. The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland will manage ID2015 on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, other Government Departments and their agencies.
Construction 2020 A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector Farm Safety Action Plan (2013-2015) Report of the Advisory Group for Small Business	Develop the application of the BeSMART for use in construction and agriculture. This free online tool has been developed to help small businesses meet their obligations under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and will ensure that health and safety considerations are addressed in the economic recovery of these high risk sectors.
Arising from Governments Medium Term Economic Strategy	Developing a Medium Term Enterprise Policy to 2020 and 2025
Expert Group for Future Skills Needs / Department of Education & Skills / DJEI	Advancing skills requirements of enterprise through the Expert Group for Future Skills Needs in areas such as ICT, in the Hospitality Sector- Hotels, Tourism and Catering, Marine and in Freight Transport/Distribution/Logistics Sectors
Expiration of SSTI 2006-2013	Develop a new Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation for the period 2015-2020 to set the direction for science policy for that period
Arising from NCC	Undertaking a review of Insurance Costs.
Agency Rationalisation Programme	The Workplace Relations Commission will replace the Labour Relations Commission, National Employment Rights Authority, the Equality Tribunal and undertake the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal. An expanded Labour Court will act as a separate appeals body.
Other Work Programme Priority	Preparing a pro-enterprise and pro-jobs DJEI Pre-Budget 2016 Submission
Other Work Programme Priority	Developing a new Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy to 2020
Other Work Programme Priority	EU trade and investment agreement negotiations will be a priority for DJEI in 2015, in particular, the negotiations with the US, as well as WTO negotiations, which will culminate in the 10th Ministerial conference in December 2015
Other Work Programme Priority	In 2015, there will be a major programme of Ministerial-led Trade Missions to promote and advance the export growth and performance of Irish companies
Report of Sales Law Review Group	Publication of a new Consumer Rights Bill in Q1/2 of 2015.
Supreme Court ruling in McGowan striking down REA system	Legislate for a revised statutory framework to address the Supreme Court ruling.