Tuesday, 21 Apr 2015

Written Answers Nos. 323-342

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (323)

Shane Ross

Question:

323. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 225 of 27 of January 2015, his plans to change the pension scheme for current Ministers and other office holders in the Houses of the Oireachtas, in any shape or form, which would have the effect of alleviating the reductions imposed by current legislation on their pensions when leaving office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15730/15]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In my previous reply to which the Deputy refers, I set out a range of measures which have been implemented over recent years affecting the pensions of Public Servants, including Officeholders and politicians generally.

The Haddington Road agreement, underpinned by the financial emergency measures in the public interest (FEMPI) legislation, forms the cornerstone of public pay policy until 2016 when it is due to expire. In recent responses to Parliamentary Questions regarding the possible unwinding of the FEMPI legislation, I advised the House that, following receipt of the first quarter Exchequer returns and engagement with my colleagues in Government, it is intended that I discuss with the Public Service Unions the gradual unwinding of the legislation, in parallel and consistent with the improving economy. In that regard, it is hoped that pay and pensions can be addressed in parallel.

Consequently, I have no plans, nor would it be appropriate, outside of that process to amend the pension scheme for Officeholders in order to alleviate the effects of the measures taken to date.

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Questions (324)

Finian McGrath

Question:

324. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding personal information being requested on job application forms (details supplied); and if he would confirm if this is legal, as some of the questions posed are discriminatory in nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15791/15]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is committed to an equal opportunities policy, and in accordance with the Employment Equality Acts (1998 to 2011) aims to ensure that all applicants are treated equally whatever their gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, race or membership of the traveller community.

As part of its ongoing commitment to equality, the PAS monitors its selection processes in order to ensure that its equal opportunities policy is effectively implemented and to this end it invites candidates to complete an equality monitoring questionnaire. Candidates are informed that completion of this questionnaire is completely voluntary, and that the purpose of gathering the information is to ensure that the selection techniques used are fair to all and that no group is inadvertently discriminated against.

Neither the manner in which candidates respond to this questionnaire, nor the answers that they may provide has any bearing on the manner in which their application is considered. The information is held by the PAS in a secure data base and is used to produce data in an anonymous statistical format only.

I am happy that in this matter PAS is complying both with its legal obligations and with best practice in diversity monitoring.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (325)

Clare Daly

Question:

325. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to correct previous parliamentary replies in respect of a person (details supplied). [15159/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The issues to which the Deputy refers have been the subject of a number of PQs over many years. My Department has also been in direct correspondence over this period with the person concerned in relation to this matter. It has been clearly and consistently communicated to the person concerned that the Department does not have any issue or concern to pursue with him.

There is no basis, therefore, upon which a correction of the record would be required.

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Questions (326)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

326. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor progress in EU-US trade negotiations with a view to maximisation of benefit for Irish companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15695/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

My Department and I are closely monitoring the progress of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations. Since these negotiations started with the US in 2013, eight negotiating rounds have taken place. The 9th round is taking place in New York this week from 20 to 24 April 2015. It is hoped that there will be substantial advancement in the TTIP negotiations in 2015. According to assessments made by the EU Commission, a comprehensive TTIP could over time boost EU GDP by 0.5% per annum bringing significant economic gains as a whole for the EU. This converts into 400,000 jobs across the EU. Right across the range of issues covered by TTIP, I will ensure we are best positioned to make the most from these and other trade and investment opportunities in order to maximise any potential benefits for Irish companies and citizens.

A study commissioned by my Department estimates that these benefits in Ireland will be proportionally greater than in the EU as a whole. It suggests growth in Irish exports of almost 4%, increases in investment of 1% and increase in real wages of 1.5%. It estimates somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 additional export related jobs. It also suggests that Irish small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will be particular beneficiaries.

Ireland’s interests in the TTIP negotiations will be assisted by the indications from this study. Our priorities include advancing regulatory cooperation and common rules which aim to make trade and investment easier especially for SMEs, and protecting our interests in any sensitive areas, including beef.

Ireland supports the Commission in these negotiations which aim to achieve an ambitious and comprehensive agreement contributing to growth and jobs both here and the EU. I will continue to promote our objective for a comprehensive, balanced agreement for the benefit of the long term development of our country.

Scientific Research

Questions (327)

Clare Daly

Question:

327. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the grounds upon which it was decided that the State's chief scientific adviser would no longer hold a separate office, and would instead provide advice to the Government in addition to his role as director of Science Foundation Ireland; and if his Department was consulted as to Ireland's educational and research goals prior to this decision. [15706/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The position of the State’s Chief Scientific Officer was established in 2004 to provide the Government with independent expert advice on issues related to public science policy. In 2012 it was decided by Government to abolish the separate Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA). The decision was taken in light of a review of the Office as part of the Government’s Public Sector Reform Initiative announced in November 2011 which called for a rationalisation and reduction in number of state bodies. It was further agreed that Professor Mark Ferguson would take on the role of Chief Scientific Advisor in addition to his existing role as Director General of Science Foundation Ireland.

The decision by Government to abolish the separate office of Chief Scientific Advisor was made on foot of a Memorandum to Government in Oct 2012 which was preceded by consultation with all Government Departments as is required.

Community Enterprise Centres

Questions (328)

John McGuinness

Question:

328. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of funding allocated to the business development management programme for community enterprise centres; the amount allocated to each centre; if the programme will be funded each year for the foreseeable future; his plans for community enterprise centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15299/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I understand from Enterprise Ireland that the last Community Enterprise Centre Scheme for Business Development Management rolled out was in 2012 and 2013 when Enterprise Ireland provided funding of nearly €2 million to support the recruitment of a total of 46 Business Development Managers. The funding allocated is outlined in the following tabular statement. In February last, I announced details of the 5-year, €250 million Regional Action Plan for Jobs, aimed at accelerating the jobs recovery in every part of the country. The Regional Action Plan is based on the principle that the best way to support job-creation in towns and villages across the country is to support agencies and organisations within 8 regions, to build on the particular strengths and assets of their area and drive new job-creation strategies and projects.

Under the Regional Plan, Enterprise Ireland will launch a series of new competitive funding initiatives in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation, enterprise infrastructure and job creation. An initial fund of €50 million is to be made available for three competitive calls. The first of these competitive calls, with a budget of €5 million, will focus on community-driven enterprise initiatives and how all the local players, public and private, can work together to maximise job creation.

The Community Enterprise Initiatives Fund call will be open to existing Community Enterprise Centres (CECs) and also to any other organisation or groups of organisations with innovative ideas to create jobs, promote entrepreneurship, boost innovation or enhance exports. It should be open to any credible and novel approach rather than simply replicating what has been done before. It is expected that details of this Scheme will be announced shortly.

The criteria in any such competition will be announced by Enterprise Ireland, but the typical criteria will include:

- A credible plan demonstrating innovative solutions to fostering and creating employment locally and regionally in a collaborative manner;

- Demonstration of how a proposal fits with existing public and private infrastructure e.g. availability of business space in creating enterprise hubs and clusters across the region;

- Promotion of a culture of entrepreneurship locally and regionally;

- Development of a capability to start-up and scale companies through a supportive business environment;

- Support for micro enterprise with the potential to export;

- Facilitating a hub where innovative start-ups can be established in a supportive network before moving on to accommodate the next cohort of emerging enterprises;

- Working with the Local Enterprise Office, to facilitate start-ups with a defined path for onward progression;

- Maximising existing enterprise clusters or developing new networks in a region;

- Building on existing strengths or opportunities, e.g. developing a sectoral opportunity where there is a competitive advantage;

- Commitment of matching finance;

- Bringing originality in approach and objectives, and leveraging other stakeholders to explore how all the local partners, public and private, can work together to maximise job creation in their region (Mentoring, funding, networks);

- Promoting public and private partnership, e.g. alignment, collaboration with other players (e.g. LEO, ETB, HEIs, and Chambers of Commerce etc.)

Amount allocated to each Community Enterprise Centre Client under the Community Enterprise Centre Scheme for Business Development Management rolled out in 2012/2013	Amount Allocated €
IRD Kiltimagh Ltd	50,000
Bailieborough Development Association Ltd	10,000
Convoy Enterprise Centre Ltd	50,000
Ballinasloe Area Community Development Ltd	48,000
Mitchelstown Community Forum Ltd	50,000
St Paul's Area Development Enterprise Ltd	50,000
The Bolton Trust	50,000
Drumshanbo Community Council Ltd	50,000
Clonmel Business Development Park Ltd	50,000
Croom Community Development Association Ltd	50,000
Drumshanbo Enterprise Centre Co Ltd	50,000
Hatherton Ltd	35,090
Balbriggan Enterprise & Training Centre Ltd	43,700
Action Community & Enterprise Ltd	50,000
Navan Enterprise Centre Co Ltd	50,000
Enniscorthy Enterprise & Technology Centre Ltd	50,000
Macroom Environmental Industrial Park Ltd	30,000
IRD North Mayo - West Sligo Ltd	50,000
Wicklow Enterprise Park Ltd	50,000
Portarlington Enterprise Centre Ltd	50,000
Carlow Community Enterprise Centres Ltd	50,000
Monaghan County Enterprise Fund	50,000
Action Tuam Ltd	23,400
Coolock Development Council Ltd	50,000
Killarney Technology Innovation Ltd	50,000
Arklow Business Enterprise Centre Ltd	50,000
Get Tallaght Working Co-Op Ltd	49,838
Get Tallaght Working Co-Op Ltd	46,565
Louth Craftmark Ltd	50,000
Mullingar Employment Action Group	50,000
Dunhill Rural Enterprises Ltd	36,000
Galway Technology Centre Ltd	50,000
Ferbane Business & Technology Park Ltd	50,000
Clane Project Centre Ltd	50,000
Allenwood Community Development Association Ltd	45,000
Cavan County Enterprise Fund	25,000
Kilkenny Community Enterprise Centre Ltd	17,000
Athy Community Enterprise Company Limited	50,000
Boyle Chamber of Commerce	35,000
Drogheda Enterprise Centre Ltd	50,000
Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership Limited	50,000
Mountmellick Development Association Limited	10,000
S.C.C.U.L. Enterprises Limited	50,000
Safeglade Limited. A subsidiary of the Ballymun Partnership Ltd	48,000
The Community Enterprise Society Limited	10,000
Waterford City Community Enterprise Centre Limited	10,000
Total	1,972,593

Unfair Dismissals

Questions (329)

Finian McGrath

Question:

329. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15354/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I understand from clarification provided by the Deputy that the question relates to a claim under the Unfair Dismissals Acts where the employer has objected to the claim being heard by a Rights Commissioner.

The Unfair Dismissals Acts provide under Section 8(3)(b) that a Rights Commissioner shall not hear a claim for redress under the Acts if “any party concerned notifies the commissioner in writing that he objects to the claim being heard by a rights commissioner”.

Where an employer has objected to a hearing by a Rights Commissioner, under the Unfair Dismissals Acts the claimant must then have their claim heard by the Employment Appeals Tribunal and this is the position with this case.

I should point out that in some instances, a case under employment rights legislation, including the Unfair Dismissals Acts, may be selected for intervention by the Early Resolution Service (ERS) with a view to voluntary resolution.

Competition Law

Questions (330)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

330. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the circumstances in which it is permissible for wholesale suppliers to refuse to supply their products to certain retail outlets; if there are laws precluding such measures that aim to distort open competition; the remedies available to businesses affected by such practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15454/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Commercial relationships between firms at different levels of the supply chain, such as wholesalers and retailers, are governed in the first instance by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) Declaration in respect of Vertical Agreements and Concerted Practices and, more generally, under section 4 of the Competition Act 2002, which prohibits anti-competitive agreements between undertakings. Under competition law, wholesalers may refuse to supply retailers for a wide range of legitimate reasons and there is no general obligation under that Act whereby a wholesaler must, in all circumstances, fulfil supply requests from retailers. Legitimate refusals to fulfil such requests may benefit from the exemptions from competition law set out in the Declaration, and in section 4(5) of the Competition Act 2002. Refusals to supply, which arise pursuant to an agreement between competitors, or as part of a dominant firm’s strategy to remove a competitor from the marketplace, may give rise to concerns under competition law, although such cases are invariably very specific.

If the Deputy is aware of matters that may require investigation, he should refer any specific complaints directly to the CCPC. Investigations and enforcement matters generally are part of the statutory function of the CCPC and I, as Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, have no direct role in the matter.

Unfair Dismissals

Questions (331)

Finian McGrath

Question:

331. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding unfair dismissal and illness (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15521/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The Deputy will understand that I cannot provide legal advice in relation to the law applying to any particular situation, or the interpretation of legislation. Independent legal advice should be sought if an individual has concerns about a specific employment situation. The Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977 to 2007 lay down criteria by which the fairness or otherwise of dismissals are adjudicated upon. While the Acts provide for some potentially fair reasons for dismissal, the onus is generally on the employer to show that there were substantial grounds justifying the dismissal. Each case is adjudicated upon on its merits and on the facts of each case. The normal time limit of 6 months for submitting a claim for redress for unfair dismissal may be extended to 12 months in exceptional circumstances.

If an employee believes that he or she has been unfairly dismissed within the meaning of the Unfair Dismissals Acts, it is for the Rights Commissioners Service and-or the Employment Appeals Tribunal to adjudicate upon the matter in circumstances where a complaint has been made by an employee. I should mention that the relevant adjudicatory bodies for cases referred after the enactment and commencement of the Workplace Relations Bill 2014 will be an Adjudication Officer of the new Workplace Relations Commission and, on appeal, the Labour Court.

With regard to the provision of information on employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations, the Information Unit of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) has been restructured and expanded to form a new Workplace Relations Customer Service Section. It can be contacted at Lo-call: 1890 80 80 90. The website www.workplacerelations.ie also provides extensive information on employment rights.

Employment Rights

Questions (332)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

332. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with reference to the Employment Equality Acts, if he will outline the current legislation on compulsory retirement; if, in the absence of a contractual clause detailing an age of mandatory retirement, an employee may be forced to retire due to their age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15581/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

As the Deputy will appreciate, neither I, nor any of my Cabinet colleagues, can provide legal advice or an interpretation of the law and its application in relation to individual circumstances. Apart from public sector employees, where certain statutory retirement ages may apply, there is no statutory retirement age for employees in Irish legislation. A contract of employment will generally contain a retirement age but this is a matter of contract between the relevant parties. Consequently, there is absolutely no prohibition on employers and employees setting down a retirement age which goes beyond what might be considered the normal retirement age in society or the age at which the State pension is payable.

The upper age limit for bringing claims under the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977 to 2007 was removed by a provision in the Equality Act 2004. It is now the case that a person of any age, when dismissed, may take a case under the Unfair Dismissals Acts unless she or he has reached the “normal retiring age for employees of the same employer in similar employment”, if one exists. In such circumstances, the burden of proof is on the employer to prove the normal retiring age. Furthermore, the upper age limit of 66 years for receipt of statutory redundancy payments was removed by the Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Acts 2007.

However, as the issue that arises around compulsory retirement at a given age is whether this entails discrimination on age grounds, the more usual avenue of redress for employees compulsorily retired is to take a claim, under the Employment Equality Acts, to the Equality Tribunal.

Responsibility for employment equality legislation rests with my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald T.D. I am advised by my colleague that while Section 34(4) of the Employment Equality Acts provides that it is not unlawful for an employer to fix a compulsory retirement age for employees, the courts at national and European level, and the Equality Tribunal, have applied this having regard to the terms of Framework Directive 2000/78/EC as requiring that a compulsory retirement age must be objectively and reasonably justified by a legitimate aim including legitimate employment policy, labour market and vocational training objectives, and if the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary.

Action Plan for Jobs

Questions (333)

Dara Calleary

Question:

333. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his Department's planned introduction of an early warning mechanism on key economic trends, and planned monthly data series to track employment and cost trends; the consultation he had with stakeholders; if he will provide a breakdown on the monthly information he plans to publish; if companies have concerns on the introduction of this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15630/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

As part of the Action Plan for jobs we have set ambitious targets for job creation and to get the economy to sustainable full employment by 2018 with 2.1 million at work, to restore Ireland’s competitiveness and to sustain progress on making Ireland the best small country in which to do business.

As part of the 2015 Action Plan for Jobs I have established a new framework for monitoring and tracking our performance in relation to key impacts and outcomes we are seeking to achieve in areas such as job creation, exports, entrepreneurship and startups, market penetration and innovation, efficiency of public interaction with business, finance and access to talent. My ambition is to ensure we can track the performance of the enterprise base on a continuous basis and have timely data so as to take corrective action where appropriate.

In this context my Department is in the process of developing a monthly Dashboard of Statistics, gathering together the most relevant internal data on the enterprise base, together with national enterprise relevant statistics and other indicators of enterprise performance as published by third parties. Among the key enterprise indicators currently being collected and we are considering publishing in a composite form include data on job announcements, on job vacancies, on work permits and on redundancy notifications. The CSO publishes data regularly in relation to the cost base for enterprise, such as in relation to labour costs, energy and other utilities and services to business costs. There are a wider range of indicators published by third parties that are of interest in terms of the performance of the enterprise base that we are reviewing including in relation to purchasing managers’ indices, trade and investment data and broader labour force statistics from the CSO.

My Department currently collects a range of data that can potentially provide indicators on the health of the enterprise base. My Department provides a range of important regulatory and other business environment support services to enterprise, through which we can ascertain relevant trends on business activity levels in the economy. These activities include, for example, the work of the Companies Registration Office and the Patents Office, of NERA, the Health and Safety Authority, the Workplace Relations Commission. These bodies publish their activity data on a regular basis. My Department is also responsible for the issuing of work permits and receives information on redundancies notifications. The enterprise surveys activity previously carried out by Forfás is now also being undertaken by the Strategic Policy Division within my Department and the results are also published on regular basis. In addition, the Strategic Policy Division continues to support the work of the National Competitiveness Council and continue to prepare benchmarking and data rich reports, such as on the costs of doing business and on Ireland’s competitiveness scorecard. I envisage we can combine in so far as possible these various enterprise related data points in the monitoring and tracking of enterprise performance and potential as part of the new Dashboard of Statistics. The data is being collected by officials in the relevant units and Divisions of the Department, in consultation with relevant agencies and offices of the Department, and is being compiled by the Strategic Policy Division.

The data as currently compiled for the Dashboard does not include any company specific data or information and nor is it intended that company specific data be included in the future. I will not be releasing data and information on individual enterprises. Early warning issues relating to individual enterprises are not part of the data we envisage publishing for the Dashboard and these will continue to be dealt with in the normal way on a strictly confidential basis.

Action Plan for Jobs

Questions (334)

Dara Calleary

Question:

334. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation regarding his Department's planned introduction of an early warning mechanism on key economic trends, and planned monthly data series to track employment and cost trends, if there was an analysis completed on the industrial relations implications where companies are unionised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15631/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The Action Plan for jobs sets ambitious targets for job creation and enterprise growth over the period to 2018, most notably to achieve sustainable full employment with 2.1 million at work, to restore Ireland’s competitiveness and to continue to make progress to make Ireland the best small country in which to do business.

In the 2015 Action Plan for Jobs I have established a new framework for monitoring and tracking our performance in relation to key impacts and outcomes we are seeking to achieve in terms of jobs, exports, entrepreneurship and startups, market penetration and innovation, efficiency of public interaction with business, finance and access to talent.

I believe it is important that we track at an aggregate level the performance of the enterprise base in delivering on the ambitious jobs targets we have set and also identify the issues we need to address to better support enterprises, including in the area of the cost base. As part of this process we need to know the areas where we are performing well, but also to have the early warning of issues that could impact on our potential for growth.

In this context my Department is in the process of developing a monthly Dashboard of Statistics, gathering together the most relevant internal enterprise related data, together with national enterprise statistics and other indicators of enterprise performance as published by third parties. I believe this data can provide a timely snapshot of the enterprise base and performance and in time it would be of benefit to make some of that data as collected more widely available.

My Department currently collects a range of data through its enterprise agency network, regulatory and administrative functions that can provide an indication on the health of the enterprise base. These activities include for example the Companies Registration Office and the Patents Office, NERA, the Health and Safety Authority, the Workplace Relations Commission and others. My Department is also responsible for the issuing of work permits and receives information on redundancies notifications. The enterprise surveys activity previously carried out by Forfás are also now being undertaken by the Strategic Policy Division within my Department. In addition, the Strategic Policy Division continues to support the work of the National Competitiveness Council in preparing benchmarking and data rich reports.

The data being compiled for the Dashboard does not include any company specific data or information and nor is it intended that company specific data be included in the future. I will not be releasing data or information on individual named enterprises as part of this proposal. The confidentiality of any engagements between the Department or the development agencies will not be impacted. As we will not be publishing individual enterprise data as part of this initiative, there are no industrial relations issues arising.

Research and Development Funding

Questions (335)

Clare Daly

Question:

335. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated return to the Exchequer from funding for applied research disbursed to private industry in the past year or five years; his views that this represents value for money; and if this return is unknown to him, the basis upon which his Department allocates funding of applied science research over basic research. [15705/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Maximising the impact of public investment in science, technology and innovation (STI) on jobs, and on economic and social progress is a key priority of the Government. In this context, a number of policy initiatives targeted at accelerating the return on our investment in STI have been introduced. Amongst these is the implementation of the proposals of the Research Prioritisation Group which identified 14 priority areas around which the majority of competitive funding should be targeted. The areas were identified on the basis of existing strengths of the public research system and our enterprise base, opportunities that exist in terms of the global marketplace and areas which can address a national or global challenge to which Ireland should respond. Evidence, from both the EU and internationally, shows that this strategy of accelerating the economic and societal return on our STI investment is paying off. Ireland is ranked third in the EU, according to the European Commission’s "Indicator of Innovation Output”, which measures the extent to which ideas from innovative sectors are able to reach the market, providing better jobs and making Europe more competitive.

All of the national indicators show that our focus on commercialisation of research is having an impact. The number of technologies licensed to industry, which is one of the most relevant indicators of commercialisation performance in the research system, rose significantly from 12 in 2005 to 139 in 2013 and invention disclosures and spin outs also increased substantially during that period. Enterprise Ireland’s collaboration activities produce quantifiable increases in company turnover that are as much as seven times the level of investment in these instruments. For example, a recent independent evaluation of the Innovation Voucher scheme found that for every €1 invested in the scheme, company turnover increased by over €7. Similarly, a recent independent evaluation of the Innovation Partnership programme found that for every €1 invested, company turnover increased by over €6.69. This evaluation also found that, for every €1 of Enterprise Ireland funding invested in the Innovation Partnership programme, €0.50 of industry investment was leveraged, enabling the programme to be 50% larger than it would have been if entirely funded by Enterprise Ireland. These externally validated impacts serve to confirm our approach, while the system of rigorous and continuous programme evaluations ensures that an effective and impactful suite of innovation supports are offered to industry. In addition the Government established Knowledge Transfer Ireland in 2013 which plays a key role in the Irish innovation system and makes it easier for companies to access and use ideas developed through publicly-funded research to develop new products and services and ultimately create jobs and exports.

With regard to the balance of funding for basic and applied research, Government policy has been, and will continue to be, to support research across the full continuum from basic to applied, through to commercialisation of research. Statistical evidence which supports this fact is contained in early figures from the latest survey of investment in Higher Education Research and Development (HERD). This shows that, for the academic year 2012-2013, 50.9% of the total HERD budget was on basic research, which compares to a figure of 55% pertaining to the academic year 2006/07.

Industrial Property Portfolio

Questions (336)

Seán Kyne

Question:

336. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department and agencies under its remit are conducting reviews on the availability of infrastructure for use by small and medium enterprises or multinationals, to ensure sufficient capacity for expansion, with particular reference to County Galway and the West. [15827/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Enterprise Ireland is the national agency under my aegis with responsibility for the development of Irish enterprise, deepening Ireland’s footprint in world markets, and supporting employment creation in our economy. EI’s support system for young companies includes help with business planning, mentoring and development advice, feasibility funding and finance, often in the form of equity investment, as appropriate to the founder’s ambitions and the company’s potential and stage of growth. Enterprise Ireland is not conducting any reviews on the availability of infrastructure in Galway or in the West.

IDA Ireland regularly assesses and monitors property requirements in the regions and identifies locations where quality buildings and site solutions will support IDA's regional strategy.

In Galway/West Region, IDA Ireland has funded the development of property and infrastructure in the Region which can support the requirements of mobile FDI. These property solutions include Business & Technology Parks with land available to lease in Galway City (Parkmore West and East), Ballinasloe, Tuam, Gort, Castlebar, Ballina and Roscommon. In addition, there is a strategic serviced site with advance planning permission for a Bio-Pharma campus in Oranmore, while in Athenry there is a strategic IDA land bank located off the M6 motorway from Galway to Dublin on which Phase 1 of development to ensure that it is sufficiently serviced for capital intensive projects has been completed.

On 11 February 2015, it was announced that, as part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs – Regional, IDA Ireland would invest €150m in various property solutions which are designed to allow the Agency to create opportunities to win additional projects for the regions outside Dublin and Cork. These will involve advance buildings, improvements of existing parks, and the acquisition and servicing of suitable sites. Every region outside of Dublin and the Mid-East will benefit from this announcement.

The 5-year €150m capital investment programme will build on the recent investment by IDA Ireland in facilities in Athlone and Waterford, and will include investments over the coming years in building advance manufacturing and office facilities in various locations around the country.

In addition, the Deputy will be aware that Údarás na Gaeltachta is the regional development for the Gaeltacht which includes the Gaeltacht areas of both Co. Galway and Co. Mayo. Údarás na Gaeltachta’s role as a regional development authority is to stimulate job-creation by supporting and encouraging the development of enterprise in the Gaeltacht. Údarás does this by attracting new investment, nurturing existing businesses, developing modern business infrastructure, and enhancing the skills base of the Gaeltacht community. In that regard I understand that Údarás na Gaeltachta maintains a property portfolio of property in the Galway and Mayo Gaeltacht for the purposes of assisting enterprise to establish in those areas. Under the Action Plan for Jobs – Regional, Údarás na Gaeltachta are in close contact with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA with regard to the property that it available for letting to potential enterprise clients.

Ash Dieback Threat

Questions (337)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

337. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares of ash that have been destroyed here as a result of ash dieback since January 2013; the number of hectares that were hedgerow; the amount that was privately owned; and the amount of that ash that was planted under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme. [15528/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

To date approximately 693 hectares of ash forestry plantations have been cleared and replanted with alternative species. A high proportion of the area cleared are plantations which were associated with infected imported batches but which were not necessarily infected. These associated plantations were destroyed on a precautionary basis. This work involved the uprooting and deep burial of circa 2 million ash trees since late 2012. The findings in forestry plantations were all privately owned apart from one Coillte site. Infected ash has also been destroyed by deep burial or burning in privately owned non-forestry locations such as horticultural nurseries, gardens and farm and agri-environment plantings. There have also been findings in roadsides which have been subject to eradication measures. In relation to ash planted under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme no data is available specifically for ash trees. We do know however, that 23 cases of Chalara have been found on Farm planting/Agri-environment site. With regard to hedgerows I can confirm that 4 cases of infection in hedgerows have been identified all of which are associated with sites planted with infected imported material.

Ash Dieback Threat

Questions (338)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

338. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the subsidies available for destroying infected ash stands or hedgerows; the persons eligible to apply for them; if there are payments for farmers or growers who are restricted on sale or movement but do not have to destroy the stock; and the amount this payment is per hectare per year. [15529/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara) supports the reconstitution of ash plantations which have suffered from or are associated with ash dieback disease caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. The objective of this scheme is to:

- Eradicate the disease in forests affected by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus by supporting the removal and destruction of trees and leaf litter affected by the disease;

- Reconstitute the forest with an alternative species to ash.

Grant assistance will be in respect of costs necessarily incurred in clearing the site and reconstituting the forest, subject to the maximum limit laid down as follows:

-	Crop Type	Rates per treated hectare
Site Clearance Grant (Removal and Destruction)	Crop infected by ash -dieback	Cost to a maximum of €1,500 /ha
1st Instalment (Replanting)	Conifers Broadleaf	Cost to max of €2,500 /ha Cost to max of €3,800/ha
2nd Instalment (Maintenance)	Conifers Broadleaf	2nd inst cost to max of €800/ha 2nd inst cost to max of €1,200/ha

All grant aided private forest owners are eligible to apply for the scheme. There are no payments for farmers/growers who are restricted on sale or movement but do not have to destroy the stock.

Ash Dieback Threat

Questions (339)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

339. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process for inspecting sites designated for destruction; the agency responsible for these inspections; and the staffing and implementation costs for these inspections. [15530/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Plant Health surveys are carried out by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in accordance with the methodology of an international approved survey standard  (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 6, Guidelines for Surveillance). Where a site is found to be infected with ash dieback, eradication measures in plantations are carried out under a ‘Sanitation Action Plan’ which sets out the actions and biosecurity measures to be taken. Costs for the inspection works are borne under the Department’s existing administrative budget for field inspections.

Ash Dieback Threat

Questions (340)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

340. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there has been any research carried out here into chalara fraxinea; the cost of this research; and the amount his Department spent on informing and educating growers, farmers and the general public of the disease. [15531/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Through its 2014 call for research projects, my Department is supporting a project entitled “Assessing Ireland’s risk to airborne spread of ash dieback disease with “Lagrangian stochastic models”. The aim of this project, which commenced recently, is to develop a model that predicts the spatial risk of infection of Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus fungus (the infective agent of ash die-back disease, Chalara fraxinea). The Department has committed €67,091 to this project over a 12 month period. Research on disease resistance in ash is being undertaken by Forest Research, an agency of the British Forestry Commission; this work is being part funded by my Department. As part of this project, Irish ash plants have been planted out over a range of sites in the South East of England to test for resistance. So far the Department has contributed €14,000 towards the cost of this research. Further research is underway by Teagasc which is supported by my Department on disease resistance in ash. In 2014 Teagasc started a four year project with the aim of procuring individual trees of ash which show resistance/tolerance to Chalara. These trees will then be used to bulk up stocks of resistant trees, as well as for establishing seed producing orchards with resistant parent trees. This work is being funded from within the Department’s normal subvention to Teagasc. In terms of resources applied by my Department on informing and educating growers, farmers and the general public on Chalara, every opportunity has been taken to provide information on Ash dieback, not all of which incurred expenditure. The information measures undertaken included the provision of articles and photos for national publications, including a comprehensive article in October 2013. There was also a full page article on Ash Dieback, with photographs, in Issue No. 10 of the Forest Service News which issued in December 2012 to most forest owners in receipt of premium payments. There is also a dedicated webpage on Ash Dieback on my Department’s website which contains Press Releases and presentations about Chalara.

My Department contributes towards the annual programme of forestry promotional and advisory activities undertaken by the Forestry Development Department of Teagasc. As part of its activities in 2013, Teagasc organised, with support from my Department, 22 information meetings on Chalara which took place in late May 2013.  Some 800 people attended and information was provided on what to look out for and the implications in terms of clearance of a forest plantation. Clarification was also given at these meetings on the implications for AEOS and REPS farmers where the disease is found on the trees planted under these schemes. My Department also arranged for the printing and distribution of posters showing the general public the symptoms that they should watch out for and whom they should notify about such symptoms. My Department also arranged for a full page advertisement about Chalara to appear in the programme for the All-Ireland Hurling Final in September 2013 and 2014.

It is very difficult to quantify exactly how much the Department itself spent on distributing information on Chalara as many of these activities were undertaken jointly as part of an existing budget allocation or in many other cases there were no direct costs charged to the Department.

Ash Dieback Threat

Questions (341)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

341. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the restrictions on the sale and movement of ash from infected countries into Ireland is monitored; and the sanctions for ignoring these restrictions. [15532/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The movement of ash plants and wood into Ireland from infected countries is regulated by the Destructive Insects and Pest Acts 1958 and 1991 (Chalara Fraxinea) Order (No. 2) 2012 [SI No. 431 of 2012]. The legislation controls the importation and movement of ash seeds, plants and wood. Imports are monitored at ports of entry. Imports from several non EU countries require a documentary, identity and plant health inspection before entry into Ireland. In addition ash is currently de-listed as an approved species under the Department’s afforestation schemes. Ash is also not approved for planting under the new Agri-environmental scheme GLAS. Planting of ash is also not permitted for National Roads Authority roadside plantings. These measures have substantially reduced the demand for ash for planting. Where a person lands ash seeds, plants and wood in the State in contravention of the legislation they must remove or destroy it in accordance with any instructions issued by my Department and shall be liable for the cost of such removal or destruction.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (342)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

342. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in a payment under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme 2014 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; when the person will receive this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15168/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 2) with effect from 1 September 2011 and full entitlements have issued in respect of the 2011 and 2012 Scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks in respect of the 2013 Scheme year, an over claim was found on the Species Rich Grassland action which resulted in a penalty being incurred. The 75% payment for 2013 has already been made and the balancing 25% payment, less penalty, will issue shortly.

Following the issue of payment in respect of the 2013 Scheme year, the application of the person named will be processed in respect of the 2014 Scheme year with the intention of issuing payment as soon as possible.