Tuesday, 24 Mar 2015

Written Answers Nos. 312-327

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (312)

Denis Naughten

Question:

312. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will meet with the Alliance of Retired Public Servants, in advance of the completion of his annual review of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 to 2013; if consideration will be given to the imposition of the public service pension reduction on pensions, in view of the improvement in the Exchequer balance; if he has discussed the application of the universal social charge with the Minister for Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12117/15]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I have welcomed the formation of the Alliance of Retired Public Servants (ARPS) and have met with representatives of that body on a number of occasions. I am aware of the concerns raised regarding the imposition of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) and the application of the Universal Social Charge (USC) to pensions. I have indicated to ARPS that it is my intention, as a matter of priority, to move towards reducing the burden of PSPR, with the initial focus on retired public servants in receipt of low pensions, at the earliest date economic progress permits. My most recent meeting with ARPS representatives took place on 4 March 2015 and I expect that officials of my Department will continue to engage with ARPS representatives over the coming months.

As the Deputy states, there is a requirement to review the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Acts 2009-2013 annually and to consider whether the various measures, including the PSPR, continue to be necessary, having regard to the purposes of the legislation. The next review will be carried out by me on or before the 30 June next.

I have previously indicated that consideration must be given as to how, over the medium term, public service pay and pensions policy currently underpinned by the Financial Emergency Measures legislation needs to develop in the public service, while ensuring that overall fiscal targets will be met. The continued application of the PSPR to public service pensioners will form part of my considerations in this regard. Any proposals to amend the FEMPI Acts, including any changes to the PSPR, will require primary legislation to be brought before the Oireachtas.

The impacts of USC were considered collectively by Government in the context of Budget 2015 whereby  the USC exemption limit was raised to just over €12,000, while the 2% rate was reduced to 1.5% and the 4% rate reduced to 3.5%. These changes provided a modest amelioration of the impact of USC on public service pensioners also.

Fóraim Pleanála Fiontar

Questions (313)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

313. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta cad iad na fóraim atá ar fáil faoi scáth na Roinne Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta chun deis a thabhairt d’eagraíochtaí atá ionadaíoch d’fhiontair a gcuid smaointe a chur in iúl don Rialtas. [11153/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Soláthraíonn mo Roinn deiseanna éagsúla d’eagraíochtaí thar ceann gnólachtaí agus páirtithe leasmhara eile chun ionchur a sholáthar le haghaidh go leor míreanna oibre ríthábhachtacha. Tá na próisis agus na fóraim comhairliúcháin seo a leanas le fáil i mo Roinn agus cuireann siad deiseanna ar fáil d’eagraíochtaí a dhéanann ionadaíocht thar ceann gnólachtaí chun a ndearcadh a chur in iúl don Rialtas.

Bunaíodh Grúpa Athbhreithnithe an Dlí Cuideachtaí leis an Acht um Fhorfheidhmiú Dlí Cuideachtaí, 2001. Is é ról an Ghrúpa comhairle a chur orm maidir le nithe a bhaineann leis an dlí cuideachtaí agus, trína bhíthin sin, féachaint chun an fhiontraíocht a chur chun cinn, an tráchtáil a éascú, feidhmiú Achtanna na gCuideachtaí a shimpliú, an dea-rialachas a fheabhsú, agus ionracas tráchtála maith a spreagadh. Tá ionadaithe do chomhlachtaí gnó, oibrithe, dlí, airgeadais agus cuntasaíochta páirteach sa Ghrúpa, mar aon le hionadaithe ó chomhlachtaí ábhartha eile.

Déanann an Grúpa Ardleibhéil um Rialáil Gnó, faoi chathaoirleacht an Aire Stáit um Ghnó agus Fostaíocht Gearailt De Nais T.D., idirchaidreamh buan idir an earnáil ghnó, na ceardchumainn agus oifigigh an Rialtais. Féachann an Grúpa chuig réitigh a aimsiú ar fhadhbanna ar leith a bhaineann leis an ualach riaracháin arna gcur in iúl dó ag na comhaltaí gnó trí bhíthin rannpháirtíochta leis na Gníomhaireachtaí agus leis na Ranna ábhartha ar fud an Rialtais.

Tá ballraíocht ionadaíoch fhairsing ag an nGrúpa seo, agus bíonn sé ag saothrú chun ualaí ar ghnólachtaí a laghdú agus chun fadhbanna a bhaineann leis an maorlathas, arna sainaithint ag an earnáil ghnó, a shimpliú chomh tapa agus is féidir. Leanann an Grúpa d’obair i gcomhar leis an earnáil ghnó chun deiseanna nua simplithe a shainaithint.

Déanann an Oifig um Chlárú Cuideachtaí fóram do chuntasóirí a reáchtáil a bhfuil mar chuspóir leis deis a thabhairt do chleachtóirí a dtuairimí a mhalartú agus a chomhroinnt leis an Oifig. Cleachtóirí beaga agus meánmhéide atá ar an bhfóram sin ar bunaíodh é in 2003, agus tá ionadaithe ó na mórchomhlachtaí cuntasaíochta air freisin. Tagann an fóram le chéile gach trí mhí go hiondúil, agus bíonn daoine gairmiúla thar ceann na tionsclaíochta ann freisin. Tá go leor cuntasóirí i measc chustaiméirí na hOifige i láthair na huaire.

Bíonn an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Iomaíochais ag tuairisciú don Rialtas maidir le saincheisteanna tábhachtacha an iomaíochais atá le sárú ag geilleagar na hÉireann, agus cuireann an Chomhairle moltaí ar fáil maidir leis na gníomhartha beartais atá de dhíth chun seasamh iomaíoch na hÉireann a fheabhsú. Cuireann mo Roinn tacaíocht taighde agus rúnaíochta ar fáil don Chomhairle. I measc na gcomhaltaí reatha, áirítear ionadaithe na bhfostóirí agus na gceardchumann, daoine a bhfuil saineolas ábhartha acu i réimse an iomaíochais, agus ionadaithe ón Roinn Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta. Bíonn ionadaithe ó réimse Ranna Rialtais ag freastal ar chruinnithe na Comhairle freisin mar chomhairleoirí.

Cuireann an Sainghrúpa ar Riachtanais Scileanna sa Todhchaí comhairle ar fáil don Rialtas ar na riachtanais scileanna atá ag an ngeilleagar faoi láthair agus ar na riachtanais a bheidh ann amach anseo, agus ar shaincheisteanna eile a bhaineann leis an margadh saothair a mbíonn tionchar acu ar fhás na fiontraíochta agus na fostaíochta in Éirinn. Tá ról lárnach ag an Sainghrúpa deimhin a dhéanamh de go ndéantar riachtanais an mhargaidh saothair i ndáil le hoibrithe oilte a bheith ar fáil, a réamh-mheas agus a chomhlíonadh. Bunaíodh an Sainghrúpa in 1997, agus tuairiscíonn sé domsa agus don Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna. Cuireann mo Roinn, i gcomhar le SOLAS, tacaíocht taighde agus rúnaíochta ar fáil don Sainghrúpa. Ionadaithe lucht gnó, fostaithe, lucht oideachais, ranna rialtais agus gníomhaireachtaí stáit atá sa bhaill den Sainghrúpa ar Riachtanais Scileanna sa Todhchaí.

Roghnaíodh sé Chomhpháirtí Tionsclaíochta nuair a seoladh an Plean Gníomhaíochta do Phoist, 2013, d’fhonn cur chuige comhoibríoch idir an Rialtas agus an tionsclaíocht a áirithiú maidir leis an tionchar fostaíochta a bhaint amach. Úsáidfidh na Comhpháirtithe an taithí agus an saineolas atá acu chun na hAthchóirithe Suaiteacha a chur chun feidhme agus i leith bheartas an Rialtais maidir le fostaíocht agus fiontraíocht níos ginearálta.

Tá bord comhairleach ag an Údarás Náisiúnta Cearta Fostaíochta ar a bhfuil ionadaithe ón earnáil ghnó agus ó cheardchumainn.

Rinne mo chomhghleacaí Gearailt De Nais T.D., an tAire um Ghnó agus Fostaíocht, an Grúpa Comhairleach maidir le Gnóthais Bheaga a thabhairt le chéile arís anuraidh. I measc na gcomhaltaí reatha, áirítear fiontraithe, eagraíochtaí ionadaíocha do FBManna, eagraíochtaí nuathionscanta, agus an earnáil ilnáisiúnta. Is é cuspóir an Ghrúpa Chomhairligh guth níos mó a thabhairt do FBManna i bhforbairt beartais agus comhairle a chur ar an Aire um Ghnó agus Fostaíocht maidir le saincheisteanna a bhaineann le FBManna.

Mar chuid den Phlean Gníomhaíochta do Phoist anuraidh, chuir mo Roinn Fóram Comhairliúcháin Miondíola ar bun chun ardán a sholáthar do rannpháirtíocht struchtúrtha idir an earnáil mhiondíola agus ranna agus gníomhaireachtaí ábhartha an Rialtais. Tá sé mar chuspóir leis plé a chumasú ar na príomh-shaincheisteanna atá ábhartha don earnáil mhiondíola d’fhonn gníomhartha praiticiúla a shainaithint a d’fhéadfadh an Rialtas, nó an tionscal féin, a ghlacadh chun tacú leis an earnáil. Tá ionadaithe ón earnáil mhiondíola agus ó chomhlachtaí ábhartha san earnáil phoiblí ar an bhFóram Comhairliúcháin Miondíola, agus tagann an Fóram le chéile uair sa ráithe.

In 2014, d’fhoilsigh an Rialtas an chéad Phlean Náisiúnta maidir le Freagracht Shóisialta Chorparáideach – ‘Good for Business, Good for the Community’. Bhunaigh an Rialtas Fóram do Pháirtithe Leasmhara maidir le Freagracht Shóisialta Chorparáideach sa chéad leath de 2014 chun cuspóirí an Phlean a spreagadh, faisnéis a chur ar fáil d’fhorbairt bhreise chreat beartais na freagrachta sóisialta corparáidí in Éirinn, agus a áirithiú go mbeidh an plean náisiúnta sin ábhartha i gcónaí don dea-chleachtas agus don smaointeoireacht idirnáisiúnta is déanaí atá ag teacht chun cinn. Déanann an Fóram do Pháirtithe Leasmhara ionadaithe ón earnáil ghnó, ón earnáil phoiblí agus ón bpobal níos leithne a thabhairt le chéile.

Bhunaigh an Rialtas Coiste Comhairleach maidir le Poist sa Gheilleagar Glas chun na deiseanna atá ag teacht chun cinn d’Éirinn sa Gheilleagar Glas a thapú. Féachann an Coiste Comhairleach ar fho-earnálacha den Gheilleagar Glas ar bhonn téamach, agus bíonn cleachtóirí ón tionsclaíocht a bhfuil léargas ar leith acu ar na fo-earnálacha ábhartha páirteach freisin (mar shampla Táirgí agus Seirbhísí Glasa, Éifeachtúlacht Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní, Fuinneamh In-Athnuaite, Taighde agus Forbairt).

Nuair a bheidh na Pleananna Gníomhaíochta Réigiúnacha á bhforbairt, i gcomhar le Fiontraíocht Éireann agus le GFT Éireann, rachaimid i gcomhairle leis na príomhpháirtithe leasmhara i ngach réigiún. Mar chuid den phróiseas comhairliúcháin, reáchtálfar Fóram do Pháirtithe Leasmhara i ngach réigiún ina mbeidh tras-ionadaíocht fhairsing ón earnáil ghnó, ón earnáil phríobháideach agus ón bpobal níos leithne.

I mí Iúil 2014, bhí cruinnithe agam maidir leis an bPlean Gníomhaíochta do Phoist, 2015, le hionadaithe ó Chónaidhm Ghnólachtaí agus Fhostóirí na hÉireann (IBEC), American Chambers, SFA, Chambers Ireland, Gnóthais Bheaga agus Mheánacha na hÉireann (ISME), Comhdháil na gCeardchumann (ICTU), SIPTU, IMPACT, UNITE agus INOU chun a dtuairim a lorg maidir le cruth agus le hábhar an Phlean. Bhí plé comhchéime agam freisin le grúpa fiontraithe chun a dtuairimí a lorg maidir leis an gcaoi is fearr ar féidir leanúint de thacú le gníomhaíocht nuathionscanta in Éirinn. In go leor cásanna, cuireadh aighneachtaí foirmiúla i scríbhinn isteach chuig an Roinn tar éis an phlé. Foilsíodh glao oscailte ar aighneachtaí ar láithreán gréasáin na Roinne; eisíodh iarratas scríofa ar aighneachtaí ar fud chóras an rialtais agus chuig liosta leathan páirtithe leasmhara, agus chuir mo Roinn seoladh ríomhphoist tiomnaithe ar bun le haghaidh na n-aighneachtaí. Baineadh úsáid sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta as eolas ó na hidirghníomhaíochtaí díreacha a bhí agam féin, ag mo Roinn, agus ag na gníomhaireachtaí forbartha fiontraíochta le gnólachtaí agus le heagraíochtaí éagsúla i rith na bliana, mar aon le haighneachtaí foirmiúla ón gComhairle Náisiúnta Iomaíochais. Fuarthas 40 aighneacht ar an iomlán, agus rinneadh anailís agus obair orthu, ar fud an rialtais, thar thréimhse trí mhí. Foilsíodh an Plean ag deireadh mhí Eanáir.

Anuas ar na grúpaí thuasluaite, tugann mo Roinn féin faoi chomhairliúcháin phoiblí ad hoc ar fud na Roinne mar aon le próisis chomhairliúcháin éagsúla a bhíonn ar siúl ó am go ham ar fud mo Roinne chun rannpháirtíocht pháirtithe leasmhara a éascú de réir mar a thagann saincheisteanna ar leith chun solais. Mar shampla, chuimseofaí an próiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí maidir leis an bPá Íosta Náisiúnta atá á dhéanamh faoi láthair ag an gCoimisiún ar Phá Íseal. Faigheann mo Roinn aiseolas leanúnach freisin óna gníomhaireachtaí maidir le saincheisteanna atá ábhartha dá cliantchuideachtaí agus, arís eile, baintear úsáid as an bhfaisnéis sin chun beartas a cheapadh.

Action Plan for Jobs

Questions (314)

Gabrielle McFadden

Question:

314. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the Government’s regional enterprise strategy will be rolled out in the midlands; its location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11349/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

My Department has been working on the preparation of a Regional Enterprise Strategy for the Midlands following a consultation process with key stakeholders in the region towards the end of last year.

The Government subsequently announced details of a more ambitious Regional Action Plan for Jobs initiative in February, which will see Action Plans drawn up for eight regions at NUTS III level, supported by a package of up to €250 million in funding over the next five years. This funding includes €150 million for an IDA property investment programme in the regions, and up to €100 million which will be administered by Enterprise Ireland to support new and collaborative ideas to support job creation and enterprise growth at regional level.

Significant progress has been made in preparing an Action Plan for Jobs for the Midlands, based on previous consultations with stakeholders. However, further consultation is required with some stakeholders to ensure that the Midlands Action Plan fully reflects the Government’s ambition for the regions and that the Plan maximises the potential for collaboration across the region.

While no date has yet been set for the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs for the Midlands, the process of consultation is already resulting in increased collaboration and dialogue between stakeholders in the region from both the public and private sectors. I anticipate launching the midlands plan shortly.

IDA Data

Questions (315)

Gabrielle McFadden

Question:

315. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if IDA Ireland has any specific leads in relation to locating potential clients at the new advance factory in its business and technology park in Garrycastle in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11350/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I am informed by IDA Ireland that it is actively seeking an investment for the new building in Garrycastle and is confident of a positive outcome. As property is one of the key considerations for clients when choosing a location, the availability of these suitable premises will provide an additional positive element in the Midlands.

IDA Ireland promotes Westmeath as part of its Midlands Region, which also includes Counties Longford, Laois and Offaly. There are 35 multinational companies employing 4,032 within the region. The region is marketed as having a strong cluster in medical technology and life sciences and is home to many key clients, one such example being Covidien in Athlone.

A digital marketing campaign is in place to market the Midlands Region for potential investors and this is used overseas by IDA Ireland executives, to showcase potential locations within the Midlands Region including Westmeath.

IDA Ireland has regular engagement with the Chief Executives of the local authorities in Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly to ensure that there is a continuous line of communication open and a mutually supportive approach taken, considering the role that local authorities now have for economic development.

Growing both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and indigenous enterprise is key to Ireland’s economic recovery. 2014 was a record year for both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in terms of investment wins and job creation, with 7,131 net new jobs being created in IDA Ireland client companies and 8,476 net new jobs being created in Enterprise Ireland client companies.

We are now in the fourth year of the Action Plan for Jobs, which was launched on 29th January last. When the Action Plan for Jobs was first launched, unemployment stood at 15.1%. It now stands at 10.6% and we are on track to exceed our target of 100,000 additional jobs by 2016. We are now setting a goal to bring employment to 2.1 million by 2018 – 2 years ahead of our original target.

The Regional Strategy, as part of the Action Plan for Jobs, will provide up to €250 million over five years in additional funding to support regional enterprise development. This includes the roll out of a five year, €150 million property investment programme by the IDA to attract foreign direct investment into the regions. This programme will build on the recent investment by the IDA in a number of advance manufacturing facilities in regional locations. A further sum of up to €100 million will be available to Enterprise Ireland to support enterprises in the regions to start-up, grow and export, thereby creating more jobs in regional locations.

I also recently launched IDA Ireland’s new strategy for the 5 year period 2015 to 2019. In that Strategy the Agency set itself a target of winning 900 investments over the 5 year period and of increasing the level of investments won in each region by between 30% and 40% during the lifetime of the Strategy.

Workplace Absenteeism

Questions (316)

Martin Heydon

Question:

316. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has reviewed the impact of the cost of absenteeism and sick leave on businesses; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11464/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The most recent indications are that absenteeism has decreased over the last five years since 2009. In November 2014, a survey published by IBEC indicated that the level of absenteeism in business fell to 2.35% (5.5 days per year) across all industry sectors, down from 2.58% in 2009. IBEC estimate that absenteeism has fallen by over two days per year (from 3.38% or 7.8 days per employee in 2004) in the last 10 years.

Absenteeism can result in high costs for employers and can impact on overall productivity for businesses. These are issues which employers manage on an ongoing basis with their employees and I am aware of the many proactive and supportive approaches and policies employers have in place to manage such absences.

In general terms, Irish labour costs increased in 2012 (+2.2%) and 2013 (+0.7%). In the first two quarters of 2014, labour costs grew by 1%. These rates are less than the euro area average. Irish unit labour costs (ULCs) which measure the average cost of labour per unit of output (and thus capture both cost and productivity changes) increased by 1% in 2013, after several years of improvements. Nominal ULCs grew at a slower rate than in the euro area, representing a slight improvement in Irish competitiveness. This trend is expected to continue in 2015 and 2016.

Job Losses

Questions (317)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

317. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on the inter-agency task force working on the Cadbury/Mondelez Ireland job losses; and the time frame for when a full report of this task force will be completed and the proposed actions implemented. [11554/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The Interagency response group met for the first time on 18 March in Dublin City Local Enterprise Office (LEO). The meeting was chaired by an Enterprise Ireland Regional Director and was attended by the Heads of Function of Dublin City and Fingal LEOs, a representative of the Enterprise Ireland Food Division, IDA Ireland, Education and Training Boards from Tallaght and Ballyfermot, the Department of Social Protection and Citizens Information Bureau.

Following a presentation from the Enterprise Ireland Food Division, there was a comprehensive discussion about action items and a discussion on when such interventions are likely to happen.

I understand that the company entered the negotiation process with the Unions last week. The Interagency Response Group will meet again in a number of weeks when discussions between the Unions and Management are at a more advanced stage. It will only be at this point that any proposed actions could be finalised and implemented.

Freedom of Information Data

Questions (318)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

318. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of occasions since the start of 2014 in which the Secretary General of his Department has been involved in the clearing or approval of material for release under freedom of information legislation. [11802/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Initial decision making under the Freedom of Information legislation is delegated in my Department to a grade not below Higher Executive Officer or equivalent, and is normally carried out at either that level or at Assistant Principal Officer level. Decision making at internal review stage is delegated to a grade not below Assistant Principal or equivalent, and is normally carried out at either that level or at Principal Officer level.

While it is practice to apprise the secretary general and other members of the senior management team in my Department, on a weekly basis, of the status of requests received under the Freedom of Information legislation, no occasion has arisen since the start of 2014 where it was necessary to involve the Secretary General in either the decision making or review process.

Work Permits Applications

Questions (319)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

319. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a work permit will issue in respect of a person (details supplied); and if the issuing will be brought forward in view of the fact that there are major issues with attracting candidates to general practice. [12023/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

A Critical Skills Employment Permit issued in respect of the person named by the Deputy on 19 March 2015.

Questions (320)

Dara Calleary

Question:

320. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to address and alleviate the high rate of jobless homes in the State; his plans to address concerns regarding Government policy in this regard; as lead Minister with responsibility for the Action Plan for Jobs, the policy tools that will be used to decrease the current number of jobless homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12120/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The issue of jobless households has been a particular focus of Government's labour market activation policy in recent years, most especially in the Pathways to Work series led by the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection. Indeed, the first of the five strands set out in Pathways to Work is to ensure better engagement with unemployed people and jobless households. To that end the Department of Social Protection committed to preparing a report on jobless households to assess the factors influencing the level of jobless households and develop a range of recommendations to allow Government to take tangible steps to assist these households to return to work. In June 2014, the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, published the report "Jobless Households: An Exploration of the Issues". The report notes the sharp increase in jobless households in Ireland following the economic crash in 2008 and that Ireland has a high level of household joblessness compared to other European countries, with nearly one-quarter, 23 per cent of households in Ireland described as jobless (in 2010). NESC refer to the responses made to address the problem of unemployment, if not specifically household joblessness namely, Action Plan for Jobs (APJ), Pathways to Work as well as the work of the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare. Notable reforms, according to NESC, include the transformation of the public employment and education and training services, as well as reconfiguration of the One Parent Family Payment.

For my Department the focus continues to be on creating the conditions to support export-led, broadly-based economic growth and job creation via the Action Plan for Jobs. The latest APJ was published in January and contains 382 actions broken down into quarterly steps and owners. The objectives and actions set out in the Plan are designed to achieve specific impacts such as in terms of jobs, exports and startups, market penetration and innovation, efficiency of public interaction with business, finance and access to talent. In terms of employment, almost 90,000 more people are at work since the launch of the first Action Plan for Jobs in 2012. In terms of unemployment, last year over 141,000 people left the live register to take up work. Unemployment is still at 10.4 per cent and many people and firms around the country are yet to feel the full benefits of the recovery. The Government has pulled in by two years our full-employment target of 2.1 million at work from 2020 to 2018, and the Action Plan for Jobs and related strategies are in place to ensure that the unemployment problem and the associated issue of household joblessness is addressed. It is also worth noting the role that budgetary policy has in this area, and a recent social impact assessment of the main welfare and tax measures in the Budget for 2015 finds that for the first time since the economic crisis, budgetary policy will result in an increase in average household incomes of 0.7 per cent. Welfare increases favour lower income households, and there is a marked contrast between the impact of the 2015 and 2014 budgetary measures as gains replace losses, with the most significant improvements for the poorest and richest households.

Microenterprise Loan Fund Applications

Questions (321)

Dara Calleary

Question:

321. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position in respect of the 41% of microenterprises who applied for funding under the microenterprise loan fund scheme which were rejected in the period 1 October 2012 to 31 December 2014; his plans to address concerns regarding this rejection for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12121/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The Microenterprise Loan Fund Scheme facility was introduced in October 2012 following demands from business interests for the introduction of supports for microenterprises in a difficult economic environment.

The Scheme provides loans of up to €25,000 to start-up, newly established, or growing microenterprises employing less than 10 people, with commercially viable proposals that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by banks. To be eligible for a loan, persons must possess a business plan, must have a commercially viable proposal, must confirm that they have been refused credit from a bank, and must have the capacity to repay the loan.

Microfinance Ireland (MFI) was established to manage and control the Fund. It has the appropriate credit expertise and the corporate governance disciplines to oversee the effective operation of the Fund. I am not involved in the day to day decision making activities of MFI.

As planned, and in accordance with Section 22 of the Microenterprise Loan Fund Act 2012, I commenced a review of the performance of MFI within 2 years of the passing of the legislation. My officials have been actively engaged with representative organisations, the various banks and the credit union movement, MFI and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in completing this review.

The topics raised during these consultations included the issue of removal of the requirement of a formal or informal rejection from the bank, an automatic referral system for rejected bank applications and improved promotional and marketing opportunities.

I have been informed by my officials that the Review will be published shortly and that actions to implement its major recommendations have already been put in train.

Rural Development Plan

Questions (322)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

322. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 285 of 14 January 2015, if he will permit the registered owners of donkeys to continue to use them in calculating stocking density under the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11067/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the new Rural Development Plan 2015-2020, it is proposed that under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme 2015, holdings of eligible applicants will be required to maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a minimum retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the 2015 scheme year. The Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme replaces the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in 2015.

Up until the end of 2014, donkeys were eligible for inclusion in the stocking density calculation where the animals in question are appropriately registered in the name of the applicant and maintained on his/her holding in accordance with European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011(S.I. 357 of 2011) and Equidae (Transfer of Ownership) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 189 of 2014). Discussions are ongoing with the EU Commission on the Draft Rural Development Programme including the proposals on the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme. Therefore, it is not possible at this stage to confirm whether donkeys will be eligible for inclusion in the stocking density calculation in the scheme approved by the Commission.

Single Payment Scheme Administration

Questions (323)

Michael McNamara

Question:

323. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will explain the difference between the terms and conditions of the 2013 and 2014 single payment scheme, with regard to instances where the inspector fails to make contact with the applicant on arrival for an unannounced inspection; if the procedure prescribed in the terms and conditions of the 2013 single payment scheme, as per the last paragraph of page 19, will be re-instated in the basic payment scheme terms and conditions in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11092/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department compiles a Terms and Conditions booklet each year covering the various Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development measures. This document provides a summary of the requirements and is prepared as an aid to applicants. However, it should be recognised that the governing EU regulations form the definitive basis for the administration of the various schemes, including those requirements related to inspections and controls. The terms and conditions booklet is prepared annually and is amended to take account of any changes in the governing regulations, as well other factors including audit findings, which impact on the administration of the schemes.

The specific paragraph in the 2013 and 2014 Terms and Conditions booklet referred to by the Deputy was removed in order to facilitate the efficient and effective delivery of my Department’s inspections under the Direct Payment Schemes.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme

Questions (324)

James Bannon

Question:

324. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will lift the current embargo on entry to the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme for farmers who were unsuccessful in applying for the agri-environment options scheme, as currently, the system will not accept these applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11107/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

All AEOS applicants, including those who were unsuccessful, may now apply for GLAS and the system has been amended to accept all such applications.

Milk Quota

Questions (325)

Jim Daly

Question:

325. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the options available in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who applied to the milk quota appeals tribunal, as there were restrictions placed on the herd because of animal disease problems, and was refused. [11121/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The named person was an applicant under my Department’s recent Animal Disease Scheme.

This Scheme involves the allocation of milk quota, from the National Reserve, to milk producers who have incurred milk quota difficulties as a direct result of animal movement restrictions caused by an animal disease outbreak.

Quota allocations are granted on the basis of recommendations made by an independent Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal. The tribunal make their recommendations on the basis of the information provided by the applicant, the timing and duration of the restriction, and the producer’s historic quota management performance.

As a result of the assessment process, which took place in January 2015, the entire pool of quota assigned for distribution under this scheme was utilised. The Department subsequently sought to identify any additional quota that might become available for further distribution to animal disease applicants. However, because of the national quota position and the resultant high level of demand on the National Reserve, there will be no additional quota available for distribution.

Accordingly it will not be possible to operate an appeals process on this occasion.

The named person may be entitled to some additional quota under flexi-milk scheme. Details of any such allocations will be available from his milk purchaser at a later date.

Single Payment Scheme Administration

Questions (326)

Michael Ring

Question:

326. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the single farm payment 2014 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the review in this case has been completed; and when payment will issue. [11132/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 7 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection.

The inspection identified discrepancies between the areas declared and the area found resulting in an over-declaration in area of over 50%. Based on the terms and conditions of the schemes this resulted in no payment being due in respect of the 2014 Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Area Scheme and the application of an administrative fine to be offset against any future EU payments. The person named was notified of this decision by letter dated 19 November 2014.

The person named has requested a review of this decision. As part of the examination of this review request my Department has determined that a field visit is required to verify the position on the ground. The person named will be notified of the outcome of the field visit once completed and of their right to seek a review of the decision.

Flock Data

Questions (327)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

327. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a flock number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11144/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following completion of the relevant processes relating to this application, a flock number issued to the person named on 18 March 2015.