Written Answers Nos. 230-248
230. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a sectoral registered employment agreement as provided for in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014 will be enforceable where workers are employed by a subcontractor. [49620/14]
View answerThe Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014 will provide for a new statutory framework for establishing minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment for a specified type, class or group of workers, in a particular economic sector. This new framework proposes a mechanism whereby, in future, at the request, separately or jointly from organisations substantially representative of employers and/or of workers, the Labour Court can initiate a review of the pay and pension and sick pay entitlements of workers in a particular sector and, if it deems it appropriate, make a recommendation to the Minister on the matter, who in turn, if satisfied that the process provided in the new legislation for the Labour Court to follow has been complied with, he/she shall make the Order. Such an Order will be binding across the sector to which it relates and will be enforceable by the National Employment Rights Authority.
It is important to bear in mind that this approach is not reflective of the system struck down by the Supreme Court which provided for employment agreements made between trade unions and employer representatives being given general application by being registered by the Labour Court. As such, the Bill does not propose that registered employment agreements be given sectoral effect.
However, as I outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 44624/14 of 20th November 2014 from the Deputy on the same issue, Ireland’s robust suite of employment rights legislation, including any Order made under the proposed Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill, will apply to all workers, whether employed by a sub-contractor or other class of employer.
231. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of agencies, quangos or other bodies within, funded by or established by his Department which have been scrapped, merged or reduced since this Government was formed; the amount saved in each case; the reduction in staff as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1017/15]
View answerThere is a substantial programme of reform underway within my Department in relation to agencies and public bodies. This will see a reduction in the number of agencies or bodies under the remit of my Department fall by 41. This includes the dissolution of 35 City and County Enterprise Boards, the merging of the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency, the integration of Forfás into the Department, the integration of Shannon Development into a new Shannon Group and the consolidation of the five workplace relations bodies into two. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, which was established on 31 October, has a dual mandate to enforce competition and consumer protection law and will build on the work of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority to protect and strengthen competition, empower consumers to make informed decisions and protect them from harmful business practices.
The transfer of enterprise functions from Shannon Development to IDA, EI and tourism functions to Bord Fáilte took place during the last quarter of 2013. The legislation to merge Shannon Development and Shannon Airport into a new commercial state company, State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014, was enacted on 27 July 2014. Responsibility for the newly formed Shannon Group PLC rests with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
As the Deputy may be aware, last year, the 35 County and City Enterprise Boards were dissolved under the County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Act, 2014, and on the same day 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) were established. Under the legislation, the functions, assets and liabilities were transferred to Enterprise Ireland (EI), and these functions are now being delivered on behalf of EI by the LEOs. The reformed structure provides a service which amalgamates national enterprise policy and local business supports in order to strengthen the local business culture and environment. The LEO structure combines the expert knowledge of the former County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs), the Business Development expertise of the Local Authorities, overseen by the dedicated National Centre of Excellence in Enterprise Ireland which ensures that ‘best-practice’ prevails across the LEO network.
Forfás was integrated into my Department with effect from 1 August 2014 under the Industrial Development (Forfás Dissolution) Act, 2014. As part of this integration the functions of the Irish National Accreditation Board were transferred from Forfás to the Health and Safety Authority.
A Reform Programme also underway will deliver a two tier Workplace Relations structure by merging the activities of the National Employment Rights Authority, the Labour Relations Commission, the Equality Tribunal and the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Labour Court into a new Body of First Instance, to be known as the Workplace Relations Commission. The appellate functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal will be incorporated into an expanded Labour Court.
There will be savings made as a result of shared services and abolition of Boards but, more importantly, the new streamlined structures will provide a quicker, simpler and improved service for the taxpayer.
Details of the position to end December 2014 on the above and other measures are set out in the table below as follows:
|
Measure |
Position to end December 2014 |
Associated annual savings |
Reduction in Staff |
|
Merge the National Consumer Agency (NCA) and the Competition Authority into one single entity |
The Competition and consumer Protection Act 2014 (No. 29 of 2014) amongst other things, provided for the establishment of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and the dissolution of the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency. The establishment day for the CCPC was 31st October 2014 |
Prior to the amalgamation there already has been expenditure in the legacy organisations associated with the establishment of the new body. Savings of approximately €170,000 per annum will be achieved as there will be no fees for a Board or Chairperson to be paid (or associated costs such as travel and subsistence for Board members) while some minor savings might be realised in other areas |
In 2008 when the merger was first announced, the combined ECF figure for both organisations was 139 whereas in 2014, the directly comparable figure was 86. (In 2010 an extra 20 posts were added to the ECF of the NCA to cover the new functions assigned to the NCA under the Central Bank Reform Act 2010 in the financial services area.) |
|
Dissolve the 35 County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and transfer their functions to Enterprise Ireland (EI). |
The 35 City and County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) were legally dissolved on 15th April 2014 and their functions, assets and liabilities transferred to Enterprise Ireland. |
Over time it is expected that there will be some savings from the removal of costs associated with the individual company status of each CEB. In addition, the use of shared services and the reduced rental costs associated with the relocation of offices will result in savings. |
Not applicable |
|
Dissolve Forfás and provide for the transfer of the agency’s assets, liabilities and staff to my Department and other bodies, as appropriate. |
The Industrial Development (Forfás Dissolution) Act 2014 which provided for the transfer of the functions and staff of Forfás to my Department and a number of State agencies was enacted in July 2014. Forfás was integrated into my Department with effect from 1st August. |
The rationale for integrating Forfás into my Department was to strengthen the Department’s capacity to develop and implement enterprise policy. The integration will facilitate improvements in the use of existing resources against the backdrop of the moratorium on Public Sector recruitment. The dissolution of Forfás gives rise to a potential saving on Board Fees of approx. €100,000 per annum. |
Not applicable |
|
Transfer relevant enterprise functions from Shannon Development to IDA, EI and Bord Fáilte and merge Shannon Development with Shannon Airport |
Shannon Development’s functions and the associated staff in relation to indigenous enterprises and foreign direct investment have been transferred to Enterprise Ireland and IDA respectively. Shannon Development’s functions in relation to tourism including the Regional Tourism Offices have been transferred to Fáilte Ireland. These changes have been accompanied by the redeployment of staff to other public bodies and the implementation of a voluntary redundancy scheme. The restructuring of Shannon Development has been completed. The Government recently approved legislation "State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014" to establish the Shannon Group as part of a drive to establish an International Aviation Services Centre in the mid-west with the aim of delivering new routes and new jobs for the region. |
This is a restructuring and merger of Shannon Development and Shannon Airport. As Shannon Development was self-financing there was no direct cost saving to my Department. There was, however, an elimination of duplication of roles between Shannon Development, Enterprise Agencies and Fáilte Ireland in the region. This restructuring resulted in significant savings for the Exchequer. |
|
|
Reform of the State’s Workplace Relations Services to deliver a simplified two-tier structure comprising a single body of first instance, the Workplace Relations Commission, and a single body of appeal, in effect an enhanced Labour Court |
The process of establishing a new two-tier workplace relations structure is continuing. Significant progress has been achieved to date in relation to the technological, structural, administrative and staffing changes required to underpin the Workplace Relations Reform Programme, including the establishment of a Shared Workplace Relations Customer Relations, a Shared Post-Registration Unit and an Early Resolution Service, the completion of the design of a Customer Relationship Management Solution, the transfer of the Equality Tribunal to the Department, the launch of an e-complaint facility and Workplace Relations website, the design of an Adjudicator training programme, the holding of an open recruitment competition for Adjudicators and the design and implementation of enhanced technologies and business processes. 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 Dáil in 2014. Report and Final Stages in the Dáil are scheduled to resume in January, 2015. It is my intention to have the Bill enacted during Q1 2015 with a view to establishing the new workplace relations structures shortly thereafter. |
The annual cost of the Workplace Relations Services amounted to just over €20 million in 2010. It is expected that significant savings, in terms of both reductions in staff numbers and increased efficiency and productivity, will be generated by this Reform Programme. Annual savings of €2 million per annum. |
Staff reduction of 30 will be generated under the initial phase. |
|
Discover Science and Engineering (DSE) Programme |
In March 2012, responsibility for the DSE Programme transferred from Forfás to Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). The programme is now named SFI Discover |
The transfer of DSE to SFI resulted from synergies between the DSE programme and SFI’s outreach programmes, and this transfer of responsibility was not by itself expected to generate cost savings. The integration of these programmes has achieved economies of scale, minimised duplication of effort, and contributed to operational efficiencies. |
Not applicable |
|
Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) to the Government |
The Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser was included in the bodies due for critical review under the Public Sector Reform initiative. Following a Government decision in October 2012 to abolish the separate Office of the CSA, the Director General of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) took responsibility for the role of Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government in addition to his existing role and co-terminous with his tenure as Director General of SFI. |
There is an annual savings of €120,000 arising from this efficiency. |
1 post - Chief Scientific Adviser |
232. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the agencies or sections from his Department that were decentralised during the period 1997 to 2011; and the travel costs and expenses incurred by decentralised personnel travelling to their base Department in that period. [1032/15]
View answerIn the period in question my Department was involved in the decentralisation of certain functions to a variety of locations as outlined below:
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and its Offices
|
Decentralisation |
||
|
Dublin |
Head Office |
- |
|
Kilkenny |
Patents Office. |
Decentralised from Dublin to Kilkenny in 1998. |
|
Companies Registration Office. |
Decentralised from Dublin to Carlow in stages over the period 2007 to 2010. |
|
|
Carlow |
National Employment Rights Authority (NERA). |
|
|
Cork |
NERA. |
|
|
Shannon |
NERA. |
|
|
Sligo |
NERA. |
NERA was established in 2007, with headquarters in Carlow and regional offices located in Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Sligo. |
The detailed level of information sought by the Deputy in relation to travel costs associated solely with travel incurred by decentralised personnel travelling to their base Department/Office/Agency in that period is not immediately available as travel costs associated are not recorded in a manner that immediately distinguishes between different categories of business travel. It would require a very significant redirection of Departmental resources to seek to provide dis-aggregated travel data specific only to the category of journey requested.
It should be noted that inspectors for NERA are regionally based and hearings for the Employment Appeals Tribunal are similarly organised. To identify travel or expenses solely incurred on the basis sought would be extremely difficult. I can, however, advise the Deputy that travel and subsistence payments are made in line with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform instructions and travel is only authorised having due regard to value for money. Travel costs are generally paid at the applicable return train fare rates save in exceptional circumstances where an officer is required to transport a significant level of files or equipment to/from Dublin and mileage would accrue in respect of the use by the officer of his/her car. Finally, Video Conferencing facilities are available in all decentralised offices and in Dublin, and these facilities are regularly used to facilitate staff attending meetings without the need to travel. Likewise, where appropriate, Video Conferencing is also regularly used to conduct business between the Department and our colleagues in the Permanent Representation in Brussels.
I have asked all Agencies under the aegis of my Department to advise me of their response, and I will communicate that information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
233. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the business development management programme; and if contracts for funding some existing BDMs, which have started to wind down since June 2014, will be recommenced. [1056/15]
View answer234. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if funding under the business development management programme for an enterprise centre (details supplied) in Dublin 17 will enter its next phase. [1057/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.
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 2015. 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 cooperation taking place at local and regional levels between many public bodies, developing a framework in which cooperation 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.
235. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the total number of Industrial Development Agency client visits by county and in the case of Dublin, a breakdown between Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin councils for 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1113/15]
View answer236. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of Industrial Development Agency supported jobs by county and in the case of Dublin, a breakdown between Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin councils for 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1114/15]
View answer254. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in a tabular form, the total number of jobs created and the total number of jobs lost in Industrial Development Agency supported companies on a county basis and in the case of Dublin, a breakdown between Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin councils for 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1192/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 235, 236 and 254 together.
The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on the number of jobs gained and lost in the enterprise development agencies. Data is gathered on an annual basis and aggregated at county level. It is therefore not possible to provide separate figures for Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin, as requested by the Deputy. The survey shows that over the past three years there have been a total of 45,331 gross new jobs created in IDA Ireland client companies. The tabular statement (A) shows, on a county by county basis the total number IDA client company jobs in each of the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 as well as the number of jobs created and lost in each of those years.
I am informed by IDA Ireland that site sponsored visits by potential investors are tracked on a county by county basis only and during 2012, 2013 and 2014 there were a total of 1,063 such visits to various locations across the country. Details of the number of site visits during this period are set out in the attached tabular statement (B). It must also be remembered that decisions as to where to visit and where to locate is ultimately a matter for the investor.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) is key to Ireland’s economic recovery. I am glad to inform the Deputy that IDA Ireland’s end of year results show that 2014 was another record year for investment wins and job creation, with over 7,000 net new jobs being created in the Agency’s client companies. Total employment at IDA Ireland client companies now stands at 174,488 people, the highest level in the history of IDA Ireland.
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. A key element of this process is the Regional Enterprise Forum, which I chaired in Athlone on 19 December last. I hope to publish the framework strategy shortly. The Regional strategy will be rolled out firstly in the Midlands before being rolled out in other regions and will include specific actions and targets on the part of my Department, the enterprise development agencies and other public bodies to promote enterprise growth and job creation in the region.
TABLE A
Table shows the total number of IDA Ireland jobs, number of jobs created and lost in 2012, 2013 and 2014
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
||
|
Carlow |
Total Jobs |
645 |
735 |
741 |
|
Carlow |
New Jobs Created |
132 |
91 |
44 |
|
Carlow |
Gross Losses |
1 |
1 |
38 |
|
Cavan |
Total Jobs |
1128 |
1135 |
1136 |
|
Cavan |
New Jobs Created |
10 |
15 |
27 |
|
Cavan |
Gross Losses |
54 |
8 |
26 |
|
Clare |
Total Jobs |
6300 |
6216 |
6343 |
|
Clare |
New Jobs Created |
316 |
240 |
436 |
|
Clare |
Gross Losses |
518 |
324 |
309 |
|
Cork |
Total Jobs |
26,263 |
27,399 |
28,545 |
|
Cork |
New Jobs Created |
2,395 |
2,139 |
2,312 |
|
Cork |
Gross Losses |
1,113 |
1,003 |
1,166 |
|
Donegal |
Total Jobs |
2,228 |
2,387 |
2,612 |
|
Donegal |
New Jobs Created |
164 |
183 |
247 |
|
Donegal |
Gross Losses |
42 |
24 |
22 |
|
Dublin |
Total Jobs |
61,753 |
67,270 |
70,989 |
|
Dublin |
New Jobs Created |
8,438 |
7,961 |
7,149 |
|
Dublin |
Gross Losses |
4,302 |
2,444 |
3,430 |
|
Galway |
Total Jobs |
12,933 |
13,508 |
13,862 |
|
Galway |
New Jobs Created |
938 |
969 |
1,099 |
|
Galway |
Gross Losses |
230 |
394 |
745 |
|
Kerry |
Total Jobs |
1,605 |
1,638 |
1,874 |
|
Kerry |
New Jobs Created |
120 |
101 |
247 |
|
Kerry |
Gross Losses |
12 |
68 |
11 |
|
Kildare |
Total Jobs |
10,388 |
10,250 |
10,412 |
|
Kildare |
New Jobs Created |
546 |
339 |
637 |
|
Kildare |
Gross Losses |
575 |
477 |
475 |
|
Kilkenny |
Total Jobs |
572 |
617 |
716 |
|
Kilkenny |
New Jobs Created |
125 |
80 |
124 |
|
Kilkenny |
Gross Losses |
0 |
35 |
25 |
|
Laois |
Total Jobs |
84 |
106 |
87 |
|
Laois |
New Jobs Created |
0 |
22 |
9 |
|
Laois |
Gross Losses |
24 |
0 |
28 |
|
Leitrim |
Total Jobs |
714 |
692 |
613 |
|
Leitrim |
New Jobs Created |
0 |
276 |
4 |
|
Leitrim |
Gross Losses |
189 |
298 |
83 |
|
Limerick |
Total Jobs |
7,157 |
7,435 |
7,906 |
|
Limerick |
New Jobs Created |
562 |
570 |
756 |
|
Limerick |
Gross Losses |
67 |
292 |
285 |
|
Longford |
Total Jobs |
696 |
701 |
650 |
|
Longford |
New Jobs Created |
44 |
25 |
10 |
|
Longford |
Gross Losses |
6 |
20 |
61 |
|
Louth |
Total Jobs |
1,881 |
2,568 |
3,029 |
|
Louth |
New Jobs Created |
426 |
778 |
494 |
|
Louth |
Gross Losses |
56 |
91 |
33 |
|
Mayo |
Total Jobs |
3,537 |
3,728 |
3,932 |
|
Mayo |
New Jobs Created |
96 |
242 |
294 |
|
Mayo |
Gross Losses |
73 |
51 |
90 |
|
Meath |
Total Jobs |
1,204 |
1,229 |
1,252 |
|
Meath |
New Jobs Created |
53 |
83 |
69 |
|
Meath |
Gross Losses |
119 |
58 |
46 |
|
Monaghan |
Total Jobs |
348 |
365 |
275 |
|
Monaghan |
New Jobs Created |
7 |
29 |
13 |
|
Monaghan |
Gross Losses |
11 |
12 |
103 |
|
Offaly |
Total Jobs |
901 |
896 |
890 |
|
Offaly |
New Jobs Created |
54 |
21 |
44 |
|
Offaly |
Gross Losses |
0 |
26 |
50 |
|
Roscommon |
Total Jobs |
878 |
906 |
798 |
|
Roscommon |
New Jobs Created |
59 |
28 |
21 |
|
Roscommon |
Gross Losses |
0 |
0 |
129 |
|
Sligo |
Total Jobs |
2,257 |
2,090 |
2,069 |
|
Sligo |
New Jobs Created |
163 |
184 |
65 |
|
Sligo |
Gross Losses |
215 |
351 |
86 |
|
Tipperary NT Riding |
Total Jobs |
294 |
313 |
326 |
|
Tipperary NT Riding |
New Jobs Created |
1 |
22 |
16 |
|
Tipperary NT Riding |
Gross Losses |
8 |
3 |
3 |
|
Tipperary South Riding |
Total Jobs |
3,393 |
3,055 |
3,044 |
|
Tipperary South Riding |
New Jobs Created |
67 |
180 |
48 |
|
Tipperary South Riding |
Gross Losses |
69 |
518 |
59 |
|
Waterford |
Total Jobs |
5,023 |
5,075 |
5,097 |
|
Waterford |
New Jobs Created |
117 |
172 |
351 |
|
Waterford |
Gross Losses |
284 |
120 |
329 |
|
Westmeath |
Total Jobs |
2,262 |
2,217 |
2,465 |
|
Westmeath |
New Jobs Created |
177 |
132 |
285 |
|
Westmeath |
Gross Losses |
38 |
177 |
37 |
|
Wexford |
Total Jobs |
2,350 |
2,413 |
2,483 |
|
Wexford |
New Jobs Created |
100 |
149 |
176 |
|
Wexford |
Gross Losses |
136 |
86 |
106 |
|
Wicklow |
Total Jobs |
2,397 |
2,413 |
2,342 |
|
Wicklow |
New Jobs Created |
105 |
73 |
35 |
|
Wicklow |
Gross Losses |
105 |
57 |
106 |
|
Total |
Total Jobs |
159,191 |
167,357 |
174,488 |
|
Total |
New Jobs Created (Gross Gains) |
15,215 |
15,104 |
15,012 |
|
Total |
Gross Losses |
8,247 |
6,938 |
7,881 |
Table B showing the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits, on a county by county basis in 2012, 2013 and 2014
|
County |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Carlow |
4 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Clare |
14 |
5 |
9 |
|
Cork |
38 |
31 |
30 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
7 |
6 |
|
Dublin |
196 |
180 |
205 |
|
Galway |
18 |
15 |
19 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
Laois |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
30 |
23 |
22 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
12 |
4 |
10 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Meath |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
6 |
10 |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
4 |
3 |
|
Waterford |
26 |
14 |
11 |
|
Westmeath |
7 |
9 |
12 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
6 |
1 |
4 |
|
Total |
378 |
326 |
359 |
Table B showing the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits, on a county by county basis in 2012, 2013 and 2014
|
County |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Carlow |
4 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Clare |
14 |
5 |
9 |
|
Cork |
38 |
31 |
30 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
7 |
6 |
|
Dublin |
196 |
180 |
205 |
|
Galway |
18 |
15 |
19 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
Laois |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
30 |
23 |
22 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
12 |
4 |
10 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Meath |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
6 |
10 |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
4 |
3 |
|
Waterford |
26 |
14 |
11 |
|
Westmeath |
7 |
9 |
12 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
6 |
1 |
4 |
|
Total |
378 |
326 |
359 |
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
||
|
Carlow |
Total Jobs |
645 |
735 |
741 |
|
Carlow |
New Jobs Created |
132 |
91 |
44 |
|
Carlow |
Gross Losses |
1 |
1 |
38 |
|
Cavan |
Total Jobs |
1128 |
1135 |
1136 |
|
Cavan |
New Jobs Created |
10 |
15 |
27 |
|
Cavan |
Gross Losses |
54 |
8 |
26 |
|
Clare |
Total Jobs |
6300 |
6216 |
6343 |
|
Clare |
New Jobs Created |
316 |
240 |
436 |
|
Clare |
Gross Losses |
518 |
324 |
309 |
|
Cork |
Total Jobs |
26,263 |
27,399 |
28,545 |
|
Cork |
New Jobs Created |
2,395 |
2,139 |
2,312 |
|
Cork |
Gross Losses |
1,113 |
1,003 |
1,166 |
|
Donegal |
Total Jobs |
2,228 |
2,387 |
2,612 |
|
Donegal |
New Jobs Created |
164 |
183 |
247 |
|
Donegal |
Gross Losses |
42 |
24 |
22 |
|
Dublin |
Total Jobs |
61,753 |
67,270 |
70,989 |
|
Dublin |
New Jobs Created |
8,438 |
7,961 |
7,149 |
|
Dublin |
Gross Losses |
4,302 |
2,444 |
3,430 |
|
Galway |
Total Jobs |
12,933 |
13,508 |
13,862 |
|
Galway |
New Jobs Created |
938 |
969 |
1,099 |
|
Galway |
Gross Losses |
230 |
394 |
745 |
|
Kerry |
Total Jobs |
1,605 |
1,638 |
1,874 |
|
Kerry |
New Jobs Created |
120 |
101 |
247 |
|
Kerry |
Gross Losses |
12 |
68 |
11 |
|
Kildare |
Total Jobs |
10,388 |
10,250 |
10,412 |
|
Kildare |
New Jobs Created |
546 |
339 |
637 |
|
Kildare |
Gross Losses |
575 |
477 |
475 |
|
Kilkenny |
Total Jobs |
572 |
617 |
716 |
|
Kilkenny |
New Jobs Created |
125 |
80 |
124 |
|
Kilkenny |
Gross Losses |
0 |
35 |
25 |
|
Laois |
Total Jobs |
84 |
106 |
87 |
|
Laois |
New Jobs Created |
0 |
22 |
9 |
|
Laois |
Gross Losses |
24 |
0 |
28 |
|
Leitrim |
Total Jobs |
714 |
692 |
613 |
|
Leitrim |
New Jobs Created |
0 |
276 |
4 |
|
Leitrim |
Gross Losses |
189 |
298 |
83 |
|
Limerick |
Total Jobs |
7,157 |
7,435 |
7,906 |
|
Limerick |
New Jobs Created |
562 |
570 |
756 |
|
Limerick |
Gross Losses |
67 |
292 |
285 |
|
Longford |
Total Jobs |
696 |
701 |
650 |
|
Longford |
New Jobs Created |
44 |
25 |
10 |
|
Longford |
Gross Losses |
6 |
20 |
61 |
|
Louth |
Total Jobs |
1,881 |
2,568 |
3,029 |
|
Louth |
New Jobs Created |
426 |
778 |
494 |
|
Louth |
Gross Losses |
56 |
91 |
33 |
|
Mayo |
Total Jobs |
3,537 |
3,728 |
3,932 |
|
Mayo |
New Jobs Created |
96 |
242 |
294 |
|
Mayo |
Gross Losses |
73 |
51 |
90 |
|
Meath |
Total Jobs |
1,204 |
1,229 |
1,252 |
|
Meath |
New Jobs Created |
53 |
83 |
69 |
|
Meath |
Gross Losses |
119 |
58 |
46 |
|
Monaghan |
Total Jobs |
348 |
365 |
275 |
|
Monaghan |
New Jobs Created |
7 |
29 |
13 |
|
Monaghan |
Gross Losses |
11 |
12 |
103 |
|
Offaly |
Total Jobs |
901 |
896 |
890 |
|
Offaly |
New Jobs Created |
54 |
21 |
44 |
|
Offaly |
Gross Losses |
0 |
26 |
50 |
|
Roscommon |
Total Jobs |
878 |
907 |
858 |
|
Roscommon |
New Jobs Created |
59 |
29 |
80 |
|
Roscommon |
Gross Losses |
0 |
0 |
129 |
|
Sligo |
Total Jobs |
2,257 |
2,090 |
2,069 |
|
Sligo |
New Jobs Created |
163 |
184 |
65 |
|
Sligo |
Gross Losses |
215 |
351 |
86 |
|
Tipperary NT Riding |
Total Jobs |
294 |
313 |
326 |
|
Tipperary NT Riding |
New Jobs Created |
1 |
22 |
16 |
|
Tipperary NT Riding |
Gross Losses |
8 |
3 |
3 |
|
Tipperary South Riding |
Total Jobs |
3,393 |
3,055 |
3,044 |
|
Tipperary South Riding |
New Jobs Created |
67 |
180 |
48 |
|
Tipperary South Riding |
Gross Losses |
69 |
518 |
59 |
|
Waterford |
Total Jobs |
5,023 |
5,075 |
5,097 |
|
Waterford |
New Jobs Created |
117 |
172 |
351 |
|
Waterford |
Gross Losses |
284 |
120 |
329 |
|
Westmeath |
Total Jobs |
2,262 |
2,216 |
2,405 |
|
Westmeath |
New Jobs Created |
177 |
131 |
226 |
|
Westmeath |
Gross Losses |
38 |
177 |
37 |
|
Wexford |
Total Jobs |
2,350 |
2,413 |
2,483 |
|
Wexford |
New Jobs Created |
100 |
149 |
176 |
|
Wexford |
Gross Losses |
136 |
86 |
106 |
|
Wicklow |
Total Jobs |
2,397 |
2,413 |
2,342 |
|
Wicklow |
New Jobs Created |
105 |
73 |
35 |
|
Wicklow |
Gross Losses |
105 |
57 |
106 |
|
Total |
Total Jobs |
159,191 |
167,357 |
174,488 |
|
Total |
New Jobs Created (Gross Gains) |
15,215 |
15,104 |
15,012 |
|
Total |
Gross Losses |
8,247 |
6,938 |
7,881 |
237. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the total number of Enterprise Ireland clients on a county basis and in the case of Dublin, a breakdown between Dublin City, Dún-Laoghaire Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin councils for 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1115/15]
View answerEnterprise Ireland's priority is the achievement of export sales growth from Irish-owned companies. Export sales growth leads to an increase in demand for Irish goods and services, and increases the flow of income into the Irish economy. This is fundamental to job creation and maintenance in Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland works with entrepreneurs and business people across the full business development spectrum - from early-stage entrepreneurs, to established business owners and Irish multinational companies. Enterprise Ireland clients include:
- High Potential Start-Up companies with the capability to start a business and sell in export markets.
- Established manufacturing and internationally traded services businesses that are Small or Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs).
- Large companies (employing more than 250).
- Irish-based food and natural resource companies that are overseas-owned or controlled.
On 12/1/2015, Enterprise Ireland had approximately 6,000 clients on their database which are trading or pre-trading and at various stages of the business development spectrum broken down by county as shown in the Table below. Enterprise Ireland, through its Development Advisors (DAs), is currently actively working with almost 3,000 of these clients providing both soft and financial support to assist in enhancing their capability and employment potential and develop their growth strategies.
Please note that a historic breakdown of Enterprise Ireland clients specific to Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin is not available for 2012 and 2013.
Number of Enterprise Ireland Client Companies by County 2012 to 2014
|
County |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Carlow |
87 |
89 |
88 |
|
Cavan |
99 |
82 |
80 |
|
Clare |
120 |
151 |
142 |
|
Cork City |
693 |
669 |
638 |
|
Donegal |
180 |
165 |
128 |
|
Dublin |
2,097 |
2,111 |
|
|
Dublin City |
1329 |
||
|
Dublin Fingal |
304 |
||
|
Dublin South County |
367 |
||
|
Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown |
440 |
||
|
Galway |
281 |
273 |
294 |
|
Kerry |
132 |
126 |
125 |
|
Kildare |
178 |
176 |
196 |
|
Kilkenny |
135 |
122 |
114 |
|
Laois |
57 |
51 |
50 |
|
Leitrim |
45 |
41 |
29 |
|
Limerick |
279 |
267 |
245 |
|
Longford |
55 |
52 |
40 |
|
Louth |
176 |
173 |
177 |
|
Mayo |
120 |
120 |
128 |
|
Meath |
166 |
163 |
169 |
|
Monaghan |
124 |
114 |
117 |
|
Offaly |
79 |
79 |
65 |
|
Roscommon |
59 |
60 |
45 |
|
Sligo |
86 |
79 |
69 |
|
Tipperary North |
56 |
53 |
59 |
|
Tipperary South |
77 |
76 |
66 |
|
Waterford |
163 |
154 |
128 |
|
Westmeath |
97 |
105 |
104 |
|
Wexford |
146 |
142 |
111 |
|
Wicklow |
177 |
170 |
159 |
|
Total |
5964 |
5863 |
6006 |
Source: Cognos Report of trading and pre-trading companies with tag “EI Client Type” ran 12/1/2015 for 2014 figures. The 2012 and 2013 figures are taken from the Forfás Annual Employment Surveys - published results for the relevant year.
238. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the total number of Enterprise Ireland supported jobs on a county basis and in the case of Dublin, a break down between Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin for 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1116/15]
View answerEnterprise Ireland’s mission is to partner with entrepreneurs, Irish business, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness. The ultimate objective is increased employment and prosperity in Ireland. The companies that Enterprise Ireland works with are a vital source of employment in every county in Ireland.
In its “End of Year Statement” published on Monday, January 12, Enterprise Ireland reported that client companies created 19,705 new jobs in 2014. This resulted in a net increase of 8,476 in the total number of people employed by Enterprise Ireland supported companies, the highest net gain in the history of the Agency.
Total direct employment (full and part time) in Enterprise Ireland client companies stood at 180,072 in 2014. Of these, 156,202 were full-time jobs, while 23,870 were part-time.
This continuation of employment growth demonstrates clearly the direct impact that increasing exports has on jobs in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland supported companies now, directly and indirectly, account for more than 300,000 jobs in the Irish economy - 16% of total workforce. Significantly, Enterprise Ireland clients recorded the lowest level of job losses since 2000.
These employment figures reinforce Enterprise Ireland’s strategy of driving innovation, scale and leadership positions in international markets and new sectors.
The Table below breaks down the employment by County for 2012 and 2013. The detailed breakdown on a County basis for 2014 is still being finalised. The data is collated by County and not by Local Authority Area.
Permanent Full Time Jobs: Source: Annual Employment Survey 2012, 2013
|
County |
2012 |
2013 |
|
|
Carlow |
2,137 |
2,227 |
|
|
Cavan |
4,151 |
3,794 |
|
|
Clare |
1,580 |
2,501 |
|
|
Cork |
18,629 |
19,775 |
|
|
Donegal |
2,655 |
2,624 |
|
|
Dublin (see breakdown below) |
50,159 |
51,224 |
|
|
Galway |
6,063 |
5,896 |
|
|
Kerry |
3,318 |
3,329 |
|
|
Kildare |
5,450 |
5,869 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
3,089 |
3,001 |
|
|
Laois |
929 |
954 |
|
|
Leitrim |
574 |
567 |
|
|
Limerick |
6,279 |
6,134 |
|
|
Longford |
1,557 |
1,632 |
|
|
Louth |
4,328 |
4,379 |
|
|
Mayo |
3,054 |
3,236 |
|
|
Meath |
4,771 |
5,179 |
|
|
Monaghan |
3,463 |
3,572 |
|
|
Offaly |
2,699 |
2,837 |
|
|
Roscommon |
1,119 |
1,353 |
|
|
Sligo |
1,508 |
1,568 |
|
|
Tipperary North Riding |
2,162 |
2,121 |
|
|
Tipperary South Riding |
2,151 |
2,098 |
|
|
Waterford |
4,063 |
4,176 |
|
|
Westmeath |
2,352 |
2,610 |
|
|
Wexford |
3,881 |
4,040 |
|
|
Wicklow |
3,339 |
3,022 |
|
|
TOTAL |
145,460 |
149,718 |
239. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the total amount of investment in companies by Enterprise Ireland on a yearly basis since 2011; the total amount of money repaid to Enterprise Ireland during each of those years; the level of impaired debt associated with Enterprise Ireland investments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1117/15]
View answerEnterprise Ireland clients are a vital source of direct and indirect employment. Employment data for Enterprise Ireland is collected annually as part of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Annual Employment Survey which measures the number of jobs in Agency assisted client companies. In its “End of Year Statement” published on Monday, January 12, Enterprise Ireland reported that client companies created 19,705 new jobs in 2014. This resulted in a net increase of 8,476 in the total number of people employed by Enterprise Ireland supported companies. Enterprise Ireland’s focus is on the economic benefits that can be achieved through its financial supports. All financial approvals are underpinned by a continued focus on ensuring positive economic impact and value for money for the taxpayer. Enterprise Ireland’s investments have also performed favourably over the years in terms of financial return on the investment.
Enterprise Ireland financially supports a significant number of Irish companies across the company developmental lifecycle by way of equity and grant aid, a high proportion of these being start-ups in an early stage of development. Investing in early stage companies is inherently risky, particularly in the very early stages of company development.
Many of Enterprise Ireland’s early stage companies require substantial funding to develop a final market offering. Enterprise Ireland, when making an investment, will always seek that the company raises matching funding from the private sector or that they invest off their own Balance Sheet to support the particular project or company development. This private sector participation can come from a diverse range of sources of capital and debt.
In order to reduce the investment risk Enterprise Ireland also requires that the private sector’s funding contribution must constitute at least 50% or more of the total funding support. This ensures that the private sector shares a larger proportion of the investment risk. Commercial success however is never guaranteed.
In the case of grant aid, the company has to provide evidence of expenditure on their part before a grant payment is released.
The total amount of income generated through equity gains and grant repayments to Enterprise Ireland (grant refunds, dividends and redemption/sale of shares), over the period 2011 to 2014, amounted to €119m (Table 1).
Enterprise Ireland writes off investments where a company is being liquidated or is being wound up. The average level of impairment (write-offs) associated with Enterprise Ireland equity investments in client companies that fail (based on investment periods of ten years and older) is 21%. Before any investment or grant is written off Enterprise Ireland conducts a thorough due diligence process to ensure that all monies, if any, which are recoverable by Enterprise Ireland, have been recovered.
These impairments can be attributed to companies not achieving market success, in what has been a difficult economic period.
These losses have to be considered within the wider economic and monetary gains generated through the EI equity portfolio. EI continues to actively manage the balance of its portfolio with a view to maximising the economic benefits and the financial return.
Income generated through equity gains and grant repayments to Enterprise Ireland
|
Provisional |
|||||
|
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
Total |
|
|
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
€'000 |
|
|
Expenditure |
95,250 |
93,615 |
106,099 |
109,191 |
404,155 |
|
Income |
30,818 |
27,654 |
22,332 |
38,209 |
119,013 |
240. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the total number of local enterprise office and previously county enterprise board supported clients on a county basis and in the case of Dublin, a breakdown between Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin councils for 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1118/15]
View answer241. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the total number of local enterprise office and previously county enterprise board supported jobs by county basis and in the case of Dublin, a breakdown between Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin councils for 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1119/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 241 together.
Table 1 below set out details of the number of Local Enterprise Office (LEO – formerly County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs))-supported clients and jobs in 2012 and 2013, based on the Annual Employment Survey of LEO clients. Statistics in relation to the number of clients supported and jobs created in 2014 through support provided by the LEOs are currently being compiled as part of the LEO Annual Employment Survey of client companies. It is expected that the information will be available later this Quarter.
The Deputy will be aware that the system for delivery of support to micro and small enterprises was reformed last year to make the operating environment for businesses more coherent, responsive and conducive to entrepreneurship at local level. The LEOs are now the first-stop-shop for those beginning a new business as well as those wishing to expand their existing one. The LEOs provide financial and non-financial supports to help micro and small businesses to expand their growth potential and the LEO staff can advise clients directly or direct them to the most appropriate source of support for their project.
As part of the process of restructuring the enterprise supports for micro-enterprises, the metrics previously being used by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) were revised and extended to make them more relevant as a means of reporting on the performance of the LEOs.
Each LEO is developing a Local Enterprise Development Plan for 2015 which will aim at further boosting enterprise growth within the area within their remit by building on the achievements to date and setting targets for job creation and enterprise growth in their area. Key targets in the Plans will include new business start-ups, business expansions and jobs created or sustained as well as wider economic impacts such as exports, mentoring, training and enterprise promotion. It is expected that this reform will continue the momentum for sustained growth in job creation in each County across the country.
Table 1: CEB / LEO Client and Employment Statistics 2012 / 2013
|
CEB / LEO |
Full Time Gains 2012 |
Other Time Gains 2012 |
Full Time Gains 2013 |
Other Time Gains 2013 |
Active Clients 2012 (exc Ceased Trading) |
Active Clients 2013 (exc Ceased Trading) |
|
Carlow |
254 |
165 |
278 |
124 |
230 |
211 |
|
Cavan |
138 |
150 |
117 |
121 |
231 |
233 |
|
Clare |
200 |
105 |
114 |
51 |
447 |
464 |
|
Cork City |
52 |
19 |
67 |
23 |
202 |
185 |
|
Cork North |
59 |
12 |
67 |
15 |
72 |
82 |
|
Cork South |
179 |
97 |
264 |
156 |
274 |
278 |
|
Cork West |
83 |
58 |
75 |
88 |
185 |
177 |
|
Donegal |
131 |
255 |
233 |
116 |
265 |
257 |
|
Dublin City |
382 |
183 |
75 |
2 |
709 |
757 |
|
DunLaoghaire/Rathdown |
337 |
511 |
254 |
128 |
362 |
353 |
|
Dublin Fingal |
240 |
135 |
270 |
204 |
320 |
339 |
|
Dublin South |
168 |
135 |
190 |
142 |
362 |
379 |
|
Galway County/City |
124 |
78 |
91 |
86 |
572 |
572 |
|
Kerry |
316 |
199 |
389 |
234 |
507 |
459 |
|
Kildare |
133 |
77 |
217 |
93 |
167 |
180 |
|
Kilkenny |
84 |
30 |
242 |
169 |
311 |
300 |
|
Laois |
69 |
98 |
136 |
126 |
201 |
175 |
|
Leitrim |
35 |
32 |
48 |
37 |
244 |
243 |
|
Limerick City |
100 |
96 |
132 |
70 |
194 |
178 |
|
Limerick County |
73 |
2 |
91 |
7 |
345 |
362 |
|
Longford |
79 |
55 |
121 |
87 |
282 |
289 |
|
Louth |
148 |
84 |
155 |
92 |
317 |
226 |
|
Mayo |
43 |
35 |
71 |
89 |
281 |
288 |
|
Meath |
175 |
145 |
233 |
63 |
347 |
277 |
|
Monaghan |
120 |
83 |
96 |
36 |
145 |
147 |
|
Offaly |
75 |
41 |
74 |
112 |
195 |
204 |
|
Roscommon |
81 |
53 |
46 |
19 |
217 |
214 |
|
Sligo |
117 |
144 |
86 |
119 |
246 |
253 |
|
Tipperary(NR) |
41 |
53 |
49 |
30 |
214 |
220 |
|
Tipperary(SR) |
53 |
10 |
139 |
126 |
248 |
172 |
|
Waterford City |
76 |
64 |
160 |
67 |
274 |
183 |
|
Waterford County |
110 |
97 |
113 |
41 |
249 |
266 |
|
WestMeath |
130 |
97 |
199 |
140 |
266 |
265 |
|
Wexford |
269 |
140 |
309 |
157 |
335 |
326 |
|
Wicklow |
184 |
234 |
77 |
372 |
217 |
203 |
|
Grand Total |
4,858 |
3,772 |
5,278 |
3,542 |
10,033 |
9,717 |
242. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the total amount of lending undertaken by Microfinance Ireland on a yearly basis since its inception; the total amount of money repaid to MFI; the level of impaired debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1120/15]
View answerAs requested by the Deputy, please find information on Microfinance Ireland (MFI):
|
- |
End Sep 2014 |
End Dec 2013 |
End Dec 2012 |
|
Loans Approved |
€5,137,000 |
€2,159,000 |
€160,000 |
|
Loans Drawn down |
€4,323,000 |
€1,899,000 |
€53,000 |
|
Loans - Capital Repaid |
€710,000 |
€259,000 |
|
|
Impaired Loans |
€629,000 |
€300,000 |
As of 9th January 2015 MFI has approved 418 applications to the value of €6.4m supporting 947 jobs.
My Department publishes quarterly progress reports on the Department’s website www.enterprise.gov.ie. The progress report detailing the analysis and performance up to the quarterly period ending 30th September 2014 is available on the Department’s website. I intend to publish the report for the period 31st December 2014, once this report has been finalised.
243. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in a tabular form the total amount of lending underwritten by the credit guarantee scheme on a yearly basis and by banks since its inception; the reason he has not proceeded with promised changes to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1121/15]
View answerThe SME Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) was launched in October 2012 and my Department publishes quarterly progress reports on the Department’s website www.enterprise.gov.ie. The progress report detailing the analysis and performance up to the quarterly period ending 30 September 2014 is available on the Department’s website. I intend to publish the report for the period 31 December 2014, once this report has been finalised. The Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill is a legislative priority. Legal advice is required in respect of the improvements proposed and when those legal matters are resolved the legislative changes will be made by the Oireachtas. This will allow for a renewed effort to lend even more money to business.
244. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total amount of money spent by Industrial Development Agency Ireland in developing each of the three facilities at Waterford, Athlone and Letterkenny; if IDA Ireland will develop any other such facilities in 2015; if so, the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1122/15]
View answerThe total construction contract sum, following a competitive tendering process, for the IDA advance technology (manufacturing) buildings are as follows:
Waterford €3.53M
Athlone €3.59M
This sum excludes all planning, design and project management services, Local Authority planning and development contributions, DAC (Disability Access Cert’s,) & Fire Certification, the provision of utilities (power, gas, water and waste-water) and US LEED Certification on each building.
IDA has not incurred any capital expenditure in respect to the construction of the Letterkenny office as its delivery is via a private developer.
In respect to future plans, the IDA is currently in the process of finalising its strategy 2015- 2020 with a strong focus on regional economic development which will inform the delivery of future property solutions.
245. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in a tabular form the amount of money spent by the Health and Safety Authority on farm safety initiatives in each year since 2011; the amount of inspections in each year since 2011; his views on the growing number of farm fatalities in 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1123/15]
View answerTable of Expenditure on Farm Safety Initiatives 2011 to 2014.
|
Year |
Expenditure * |
|
2011 |
€264,481 |
|
2012 |
€589,870 |
|
2013 |
€449,669 |
|
2014 |
€327,953 |
|
Total |
€1,631,973 |
*The annual figures for expenditure include some cross sectoral initiatives. As some of the advertising initiatives span more than one year, the figure given is an estimate of the expenditure relevant to that year.
Table of HSA Inspection/Investigations in Agriculture 2011 to 2014
|
Year |
No. of Agriculture Inspections or Investigations |
|
2011 |
3,058 |
|
2012 |
3,136 |
|
2013 |
2,748 |
|
2014 |
2,644 ** |
|
Total |
11,586 |
**In 2014 at the request of farm representative groups, and in order to maximise the impact of its available resources, the HSA rolled out a series of farm talks. Resources normally invested in inspection work were assigned to this initiative. Over 50 such talks were held and were attended by over 2,000 farmers.
I am particularly concerned at the high level of farm fatalities and it goes without saying that safety in agriculture will continue to be a high priority for the HSA and for the Government in 2015.
I have addressed this issue on a number of occasions at events such as the Ploughing Championships, the HSA/NISO Conference and, most recently, with my EU level colleagues at the December EU EPSCO Council.
I met with Commissioner Marianne Thyssen in early December and we discussed the increased rate of fatalities on farms and how to strengthen links between mainstream occupational, safety and health (OSH) policies and other EU policies in fields such as agriculture that have a high workplace accident record. I am pleased to see from recent reports that Commissioner Hogan is considering how CAP incentives might be linked to compliance with farm safety practices.
Looking at what we can do nationally, the HSA adopts a broad based partnership approach to maximise its impact across the agriculture sector. To this end the Farm Safety Partnership (FSP) includes among others representatives from all the farming organisations, the Department of Agriculture and Teagasc as well as my own Department. An example of this collaborative approach is the launch in April 2014 by the HSA and Minister Coveney of the "Safe Slurry handling" DVD. This DVD was produced in partnership with Irish Rural Link and this was made possible through a €50k grant payment from my Department to the HSA.
I welcome the new approach to enforcement by the Authority under which it will (on a case by case basis) consider going straight to prosecution on certain matters which involve a very high risk of serious injury or death e.g. unguarded PTO assemblies.
The HSA will also be extending BeSMART – the free online risk assessment and safety statement tool to the agriculture sector in 2016, facilitating easy compliance with requirements and raising awareness of a risk based approach to health and safety.
Finally, the advisory and enforcement activity of the HSA complements the suite of programmes developed by the Department of Agriculture. For example the Farm Safety Scheme which opened in October last year and aims to improve the standard of safety on Irish farms by providing grant-aid for a number of specified investment items.
246. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the discussions he or officials in his Department have held since 2011 with the Department for Agriculture and Food in relation to farm safety issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1124/15]
View answerI am particularly concerned at the high level of farm fatalities and it goes without saying that safety in agriculture will continue to be a high priority for the HSA and for the Government in 2015.
As the HSA and the Department of Agriculture and Food have a common interest in promoting safe working in the agriculture sector opportunities for collaborative action are proactively sought and maximised.
In May 2014, prior to my appointment, a joint statement was issued by Minister Bruton and Minister Coveney highlighting farm safety and the unacceptable level of fatalities. At that time both Ministers appealed to farmers and all involved in the agriculture sector to increase their safety awareness and ensure that safety became part of a daily routine.
Since my appointment I have attended the National Ploughing Championships where I met farming representatives and discussed the prevention of farm accidents. I also assisted the HSA and Teagasc in launching their joint Farm Safety and Health Training Programme. At this launch I emphasised the good working relationship between the two state agencies working towards a common goal.
Last December the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Simon Coveney TD and I attended the launch of “Too Cold for Sharks”, a children’s publication for families involved in fishing. The educational approach used to develop this publication followed the model of the successful farm safety awareness initiative by the HSA in 2013. The launch of the children’s book in December 2014 presented a further opportunity to discuss farm safety issues.
The Farm Safety Partnership (FSP) is the platform for developing coordinated initiatives on awareness raising, safety promotion, research, etc, and includes among others representatives from all the farming organisations, the Department of Agriculture and Teagasc as well as my own Department. Positive outputs from this collaborative approach include the launch in April 2014 by the HSA and Minister Coveney of the "Safe Slurry handling" DVD. This DVD was produced in partnership with Irish Rural Link and this was made possible through a €50k grant payment from my Department to the HSA.
I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food will continue to engage proactively on this issue with a view to reversing the current trend in unprecedented levels of farm fatalities.
247. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of money spent on an annual basis since 2011 by his Department on external consultancy companies or professional advice; if he will provide a breakdown of each company/organisation that has received contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1125/15]
View answer248. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of money spent on an annual basis since 2011 by the agencies under the remit of his Department on external consultancy companies or professional advice; if he will provide a breakdown of each company/organisation that has received contracts from each agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1126/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together.
In the time available, it has not been possible for my officials to compile all of the information requested by the Deputy. Once the available information is collated, I will arrange for it to be forwarded to the Deputy.
