Written Answers Nos. 141 - 158
142. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the implications for serving and retired public servants, under the aegis of his Department, of the single euro payments area payments clearing and settlement system being closed on 1 May 2015; if arrangements are being made to ensure that persons receive their entitlements on the due date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17193/15]
View answerInterbank Business Banking days, or TARGET Days, are set by the European Central Bank. Annually, the 1st of May is specified as a non-TARGET day and the scheduling of certain transactions must be amended to ensure their timely completion. This issue has potential implications for serving and retired staff who are due payments on that date.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, under the newly established Payroll Shared Services Centre (PSSC) has responsibility for the payment of salaries to serving public servants in a range of public service bodies, including the Department of Finance. I am assured that the PSSC has put arrangements in place to ensure that employees served by the PSSC, who are due to receive salary payments on 1 May will receive those payments on 30 April. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they also have arrangements in place to ensure that serving staff due to receive salary payments on the 1st of May will receive these payments on Thursday 30 April. Similar arrangements are also in place in relation to staff of the Appeal Commissioners.
Pension payments to retired civil servants are processed by the Paymaster General, on an agency basis for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. As the 1st of May is not a payment day in relation to such payments, they will not be impacted by the closure of the SEPA clearing and settlement system on that date.
I have been advised that, with the exception of the Financial Services Ombudsman, there are no implications for serving or retired staff of other public service bodies under the aegis of my Department arising from the closure of the Single Euro Payments Area payments clearing and settlement system on 1 May 2015. I am advised by the Financial Services Ombudsman that arrangements have been made to ensure that entitlements are received on the due date.
143. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to expand the memorandum of understanding on flood defence data with Insurance Ireland to a river (details supplied) in County Meath; if it will have any impact on an estate in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16351/15]
View answerThe Memorandum of Understanding between Insurance Ireland and the Office of Public Works (OPW), which was signed on 24 March 2014, provides that the OPW furnish Insurance Ireland with data on all completed OPW flood defence schemes showing the design, extent and nature of the protection offered by the works, and that Insurance Ireland members will take into account all information provided by the OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these areas. To date, data on 16 completed schemes has been provided to Insurance Ireland.
The Castle River in County Meath forms part of the completed River Tolka Flood Relief Scheme. Data on this Scheme has already been forwarded to Insurance Ireland as part of the first tranche of information provided under the Memorandum of Understanding. It is now a matter for Insurance Ireland members to take into account all information provided by the OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these areas. It is important to emphasise, however, that the OPW has no role or function in relation to the oversight or regulation of the insurance industry or of insurance matters generally. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they are prepared to accept on a case-by-case basis.
144. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration has been given to supporting an amendment in the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012, to remove clause M (VII) of the principal Act, which would consider other forms of renewable generation in relation to other Irish properties; if he is aware that new valuations methodology for wind and renewable energy, which came into force on 31 December 2014, has led to a sharp increase in actual commercial rates liabilities, from an average of €6,333 per megawatt of installed capacity to between €19,762 and €20,485 per megawatt, representing an approximate increase of 218%; if he is aware that commercial rates for wind farms are now twice that for fossil fuel plants; his views that this change will hamper the ability to meet European Union climate targets and the renewable energy directive 2009/28/EC; his views on concerns that this could threaten employment and investment in the renewables sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16449/15]
View answerThe Valuation Office, as part of a programme that will see the valuation of all commercial properties in the State brought up to date, by reference to modern property values, and maintained on a rolling 5-10 year cycle of revaluations as provided for in the Valuation Act 2001, have recently completed the valuation of all commercial properties in Limerick.
The revaluation of commercial properties in a Local Authority area is about redistributing the rates burden with each ratepayer's liability reflecting modern property valuations. A revaluation is not about raising extra revenue from rates, and Local Authorities are prohibited from doing so in the year following a revaluation. The Limerick revaluation will mean a reduction in the rates liability for 65% of ratepayers in that area.
I am aware that the Limerick revaluation has led to large increases in the valuation of wind farms which could, subject to appeal, see the rates liability on those wind farms rise by c.200%. Wind farms in other counties are not directly impacted by this revaluation. I am also aware of the calls for the amendment to the Valuation Act 2001 referred to in the question. The potential impact on the sector, of the revaluation in Limerick was raised at both Dáil Committee and Report Stages of the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012, which has since been enacted.
The Valuation Act 2001 provides for an appeal to the Commissioner of Valuation, a subsequent appeal to the independent Valuation Tribunal and an appeal to the High Court on a point of law. I understand that appeals on the Limerick revaluations have been lodged with the Commissioner of Valuation. The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his functions and I, as Minister, have no function in the valuation of property for rates purposes or in an appeal. This includes expressing a view on the valuation of one type of property compared to another. This is a matter for the qualified staff of the independent Commissioner of Valuation which can be tested using the appeals processes provided. It is important to allow the independent process of valuation and appeal to take its course before a full assessment can be undertaken or any other actions considered, including whether the proposed amendment mentioned by the Deputy would be appropriate or necessary.
The Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015 was signed into law on 23rd April 2015. While there were calls to delay the passage of the Bill to allow further consideration of the issue raised, the main objective of the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015 is to accelerate the revaluation programme. It would not have been fair on ratepayers in counties that have yet to be revalued to delay measures that will accelerate this process while we await the outcome of appeals and further consideration of the impact of the revaluation on one sector. As was stated in both the Dáil and the Seanad it is acknowledged that the revaluation has implications for the Wind Energy sector and, if after a full analysis of the situation post appeal, a legislative change is considered necessary, then appropriate consideration can be given to the matter at that stage.
145. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will remove the pension levy currently imposed on retired teachers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16466/15]
View answerIt is understood that the Deputy's question refers to the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR), which came into effect on 1 January 2011 by way of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2010, and which has since been amended via the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Act 2011 and the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013.
The PSPR applies to qualifying public service pensions of public service retirees generally, including retired teachers. PSPR reduces the value of those qualifying public service pensions. It is a progressively structured measure, and as such takes account of the position of persons in receipt of modest-sized pensions. Specifically in this regard, all pensions below €12,000 are exempt from PSPR, while pensions below €32,500 are exempt from additional PSPR measures legislated for in 2013 via the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013. In addition, for those pensions which are affected by PSPR, the reduction is proportionately greater for higher-value pensions than for lower-value pensions.
As the Deputy will be aware, I am required to review the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009-2013 annually and cause a written report of my findings to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. As part of that review I consider whether the various measures, including the PSPR, continue to be necessary, having regard to the purposes of the legislation. In my most recent report laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in June 2014 I concluded that the continuation of the PSPR remained necessary.
However, as the economic and fiscal conditions move towards a more sustainable position, I believe it will be necessary to prepare for an orderly wind-down of the financial emergency legislation. In this context, and as I have previously indicated, it would be my intention, as a matter of priority and at the earliest date economic progress permits, to move towards reducing the burden of public service pension reductions, with the initial focus on the people in receipt of low pensions.
146. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Irish Red Cross is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act; if not, the reason; his views on this matter; his plans to have the Irish Red Cross included on the list of bodies covered by the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, given that it receives substantial State funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16665/15]
View answerThe Irish Red Cross conforms to the generic definition of a public body contained in Section 6 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 because it was established under enactment. On that basis, unless it was granted an exemption, the Irish Red Cross would automatically have become subject to FOI under the Act earlier this month.
I accepted the case made by the Department of Defence that the inclusion of the Society for FOI purposes represented an anomaly in that it had to be established under legislation to ensure, in accordance with the Geneva Convention, that only one Red Cross Society could exist in the State. It is a charitable organisation operating in an environment where both Exchequer resources and charitable donations have been reducing in recent years. Application of FOI would represent a cost for the body which would require some diversion of resources at a time when other similar organisations are not facing such costs.
On the basis of the arguments outlined above, I agreed to make an Order under Section 6 of the FOI Act 2014 to provide an exemption from FOI for the Irish Red Cross. This Order was debated at the Oireachtas Committee on Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform on 1 April and in both the Dáil and the Seanad on 2 April. Before an Order can be made under Section 6 of the FOI Act, a positive resolution of both Houses is required. These resolutions were made on 2 April. The Order (S.I. 144 of 2015) was made on 13 April 2015.
Consideration will be given in due course to the application of FOI to bodies in receipt of Exchequer funding, including the Irish Red Cross and other similar organisations, by way of Order under Section 7 of the FOI Act.
147. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the public consultation carried out in 2014 in relation to the transposition of new European Union guidelines on public procurement, including an update on whether and when public submissions will be made publicly available. [16672/15]
View answerOn 28 March, 2014, the European Commission published three new Directives as a collective reform of the existing EU regime for public procurement under the existing provisions of Directive 2004/17/EU - coordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and Directive 2004/18/EU - on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts.
The three new Directives, including the Directive referred to by the Deputy are:
- 2014/23/EU - on the award of concession contracts
- 2014/24/EU- on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EU
- 2014/25/EU - on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and repealing Directive 2004/17/EC
The three Directives require to be transposed into national law by all EU Member States by April 2016. In this regard, the Office of Government Procurement, which is under the aegis of my Department, is progressing the process of transposition into Irish law.
A public consultation process in respect of the three new EU public procurement Directives was initiated at the end of October 2014 and 43 submissions were received by end January 2015.
A wide number of issues was raised across the submissions received and these issues are undergoing internal consideration at present, in the context of overall transposition process.
The submissions will be published on the OGP website www.procurement.ie when the process of internal consideration is fully completed.
148. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will review the issue whereby some local authorities are imposing rates on private turbines attached to enterprises that are providing valuable employment and have invested in their turbines to lesson their energy costs and stay viable, in view of the fact this is an anti-jobs measure; if he will act immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16703/15]
View answerThe work of the Valuation Office is underpinned by the Valuation Act, 2001 which provides for the valuation of all commercial and industrial property. The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the performance of his functions under the Act and the making of valuations is his sole prerogative. The statute does not accord me as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform any function in this regard.
The Valuation Act, 2001 provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose and constructions affixed thereto, such as plant, motive power and electricity generating facilities, including turbines, are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Act. Such exempt buildings would ordinarily include domestic dwellings, farm buildings, those used for public worship, education and health-care provided on a not-for-profit basis, buildings occupied and used for charitable purposes and buildings occupied by certain societies established for the advancement of science, literature and the fine arts which are used exclusively for that purpose and otherwise than for private profit.
I am conscious of the need to minimise costs on business and employment, including commercial rates. Local Authorities have implemented efficiencies and have cut their budgets over the last number of years, but income from commercial rates remains an important source of revenue to provide services locally. The compilation and maintenance of valuation lists of all commercial property by the independent Valuation Office aims to ensure that the rates burden is shared in an equitable way by the ratepayers in each local authority area. The basic rationale is that the commercial property of all persons that occupy that property with the intention of making a profit is rateable. The equal treatment of all such property is intended to provide equal treatment to all ratepayers. Exempting specific sub-sets of property would introduce anomalies and inequites.
While it is not clear if the issue the Deputy is referring to is the same, I am aware of concerns with the valuation of wind farms that have arisen from the revaluation of all commercial property in Limerick, in relation to increases in rates liability for those that operate them. These valuations are under appeal to the Commissioner of Valuation. There were calls for changes to the valuation legislation in the Bill that was recently enacted as the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015 and which will be commenced shortly. The Valuation Act 2001 provides for an appeal to the Commissioner of Valuation and subsequent appeal to the independent Valuation Tribunal and to the High Court on a point of law. In considering the Bill, it was decided that the independent valuation and appeals process should be allowed to run its course before a full consideration of the impact of the revaluation on the sector can be undertaken. If the conclusion from that full consideration is that legislative change is necessary, then appropriate consideration can be given to the matter at stage.
149. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons who have applied for the temporary clerical positions in the public service and are currently still waiting; the estimated length of time on the panel; and the position in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [16245/15]
View answerThe Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the independent centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services for the Civil and Public Service.
An annual competition is conducted by the PAS in order to respond to requests to fill temporary clerical vacancies which arise from time to time to cover such absences as maternity leave and shorter working year. Draw down from this competition is open to all civil and public organisations, although some organisations have other arrangements in place to fill their temporary vacancies.
The 2015 competition was advertised by PAS in March, and attracted over 14,000 candidates nationally. At the first part of the selection process candidates completed an assessment questionnaire from which they were ranked. If a candidate's ranking for their pre-selected location is reached, they will be invited to interview.
The number to be invited to interview is determined by the demand from civil or public service organisations to fill temporary vacancies in a particular region. Vacancies may arise throughout the year, and interviews held from time to time as required. Offers of temporary assignments are based on qualified candidates placing in the rank order of merit.
The panels remain open for 12 months or until a new competition is held. It is not possible to predict demand for a particular location as this can vary from year to year.
Regarding the specific candidate mentioned, as the Public Appointments Service can only discuss the progress of an application with the individual concerned, I have requested that PAS communicate directly with the candidate.
150. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 26 February 2015, when the catchment flood risk assessment and management programme will be completed; the options available to a person wishing to build a one-off family home on this land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16354/15]
View answerAs indicated in my reply of 26 February 2015, the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme has three principal milestones:
- Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (completed)
- Predictive Flood Mapping (for finalisation 2015)
- Flood Risk Management Plans (for finalisation 2016)
The draft predictive flood maps for Dunmanway are currently available for inspection on the South Western CFRAM Study website www.southwestcframstudy.ie and members of the public may provide feedback on same. A national statutory consultation is due to be held during the summer. All feedback received during the consultation period will form part of the process of finalisation of the flood maps.
Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the assessment of appropriate flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures to address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risk identified. The CFRAM Programme will be used to determine national priorities for future State investment in flood defences.
Planning and development, which would address flood risk and other relevant issues, is a matter for the local authority concerned.
151. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the implications for serving and retired public servants under the aegis of his Department of the single euro payments area payments clearing and settlement system being closed on 1 May 2015; if arrangements are being made to ensure that persons receive their entitlements on the due date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16378/15]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, under the newly established Payroll Shared Services Centre (PSSC) has responsibility for the payment of salaries only to serving public servants in the public service bodies listed as follows. Friday 1 May 2015 is a bank holiday in many Euro currency/EU countries and, as a result, the Euro payments clearing and settlement system will be closed. In order to ensure that employees served by the PSSC do not experience a delay in receiving salary payments falling due on May 1, arrangements are in place for payments falling due to be made one day earlier on April 30.
For the Deputy's information, I have set out the public service bodies serviced by the PSSC: An Garda Síochána; Commission for Public Service Appointments; Courts Service; Credit Union Restructuring Board; Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; Department of Defence (civil servants); Department of Education and Skills (civil servants); Department of Finance; Department of Justice; Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; Department of the Taoiseach; Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Health Information Quality Authority; Irish Prison Service; Law Reform Commission; Legal Aid Board; National Council for Special Education; National Disability Authority; National Library; National Museum; Office of the Attorney General; Office of the Chief State Solicitor; Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; Office of the Ombudsman; Office of the President; Probation and Welfare Service; Property Registration Authority; The State Laboratory.
152. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of annual visitors to the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin 9; the income received for commercial ventures there; his plans to introduce an entry fee to the gardens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16452/15]
View answerThe National Botanic Gardens is one of the Office of Public Works' most visited sites, attracting 542,000 visitors in 2014. Over the past seven years, since detailed numbers have been recorded, the average number has been c. 510,000 visitors per year.
Commercial ventures at the National Botanic Gardens earn approximately €146,000 per year, income that is returned to the Exchequer.
There are no plans at present to introduce an entry fee to the Gardens.
153. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be made available to address a flooding threat at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16725/15]
View answer154. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be made available to address a flooding threat at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16726/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.
The Office of Public Works has not to date received an application from Kerry County Council (KCC) for funding for sluices at Incherea.
The Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 in relation to repair of public infrastructure damaged in the Winter 2013/2014 storms allocated funding of up to €1,226,920 to KCC for repair of coastal protection and flood defences based on a submission made by the Council. KCC's submission included for strengthening works at Incherea, Glenbeigh and both repair and strengthening works at Cromane Lower. The Council was advised by the OPW that strengthening works were outside of the scope of the Government Decision and that only the repair element of projects, such as that at Cromane Lower, were covered under the allocation. The OPW approved KCC's programme of repair works, which included €30,000 for Cromane Lower. Of the total approved allocation of €1,226,920, KCC has drawn down €1,206,275 to date including the funding approved for Cromane Lower.
In relation to works to strengthen coastal defences, KCC was informed that these would require detailed technical analysis as outlined in the guidance document available on the OPW website www.opw.ie and should be pursued as part of a prioritised coastal protection programme for the County.
KCC may undertake flood or coastal defence works at Incherea and Cromane Lower and undertake the studies required for a coastal protection programme in these locations using its own resources for this purpose. KCC may also make an application for funding in this regard to the OPW under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The OPW will consider any application for funding from KCC for any measures that such studies may recommend that are economically justifiable and environmentally acceptable, subject to the Office's overall availability of funding for flood risk management.
155. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the Construction Contracts Act 2013; when this will come into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16382/15]
View answerThe Government are committed to the earliest possible implementation of the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 and, as a consequence, approved the delegation of responsibility for its implementation to my colleague, the Minister of State for Business and Employment, Mr. Gerald Nash T.D., last November. Work is continuing on the preparations for the full implementation of the Act, as the commencement of the Act is dependent on a number of factors set out in the legislation. These factors include the appointment of a Chairperson and Panel of Adjudicators by Minister Nash. The selection of the adjudicators for this Panel will be achieved through an open competitive process to be arranged by the Public Appointments Service, at the earliest opportunity. Minister Nash is also overseeing the preparation of a Code of Practice for the conduct of adjudications, which will be binding on all adjudicators operating under the Act. The drafting of the Code is at an advanced stage and will be finalised after consultations have concluded with the relevant construction industry stakeholders. A specific date for implementation of the Act will be announced in advance once the necessary arrangements have been finalised, in order to provide sufficient notice to those affected by the Act's provisions.
156. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the existing regulatory framework governing the actions and role of receivers; if he is proposing to amend same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16699/15]
View answerThe Companies Acts 1963-2013 set out the powers and duties of receivers. In particular the law relating to receivership is found in Part VII of the Companies Act 1963 as amended by Part VIII of the Companies Act 1990. However, for the most part, the relevant law is made up of rules which the courts have developed by applying general contract law and equitable principles. The Companies Act, 2014, which is to be commenced on 1 June 2015, substantially re-enacts existing law on receivership. The most important change to the existing law is the codification of the powers of receivers in section 437 of the Act, which until now has been contained in case law. This change is in line with the position of other common law countries.
Additionally, various aspects of the law of receivership have been updated in light of technological advances. Existing requirements relating to business letters of companies in receivership have been extended to cover e-mails and websites and the requirement that the appointment and removal of receivers should be published in a daily newspaper has been replaced by the requirement that they be published in the CRO Gazette, which is freely available online.
As part of its Work Programme 2014 - 2016 the Company Law Review Group will be examining the area of receivership law and I look forward to receiving its Report in due course.
157. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the vacant sites in County Donegal which are available for use or purchase by potential investors and are currently owned by the Industrial Development Agency or Enterprise Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16322/15]
View answer158. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency sponsored visits by potential investors to County Donegal in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16323/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.
I am informed by IDA Ireland that there were 6 IDA sponsored site visits by potential investors to Donegal in 2014. It should be noted that site visits are only one part of a longer negotiation process between IDA Ireland and a client company and it is important to note that data on site visits is not a true measure nor does it reflect the level of FDI activity in a Region or in a county. Depending on the sector scale and complexity of the investment won by IDA Ireland, there could be a lead period of up to 3 to 5 years before an investment is fully implemented as approved. The final decision as to where to locate an investment does and always will reside with the client company. Approximately 70% of all FDI investment won by IDA Ireland comes from its existing client base. IDA Ireland has strong relationships with all of its client companies and works closely with them to ensure their long term sustainability and encourage their growth, development and continuing reinvestment in their sites.
Enterprise Ireland does not have a property portfolio and, where necessary, IDA Ireland provides property solutions for Enterprise Ireland client companies.
In Donegal, IDA Ireland has two business parks and an office park in Letterkenny. Additionally IDA is delivering a 23,649.08 ft² (2,197m²) Advance Office Building in Letterkenny to facilitate future investment and there is a 9,569 ft² Advance Technology Unit on Letterkenny Business Park as well as a 26,350 ft² Advance Technology Building on Letterkenny Business & Technology Park.
IDA Ireland markets Donegal as part of the North West Region, along with Counties Leitrim and Sligo. There are 41 multinational companies based in the North West, employing 5,294 across the Region of which, 2,612 - almost 50% - are employed in County Donegal alone. The Annual Employment Survey shows that employment in IDA Ireland client companies in Donegal rose by over 40% since this Government took office, rising from 1,854 at the end of 2010 to 2,612 in 2014. Indeed, the Quarterly Household Survey shows that in the past two years unemployment in the Border area, which includes Donegal, has fallen from 16.5% in Q4 2012 to 10% in Q4 2014. IDA Ireland’s strategy for the 5-year period 2015 to 2019 was recently launched. 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 into in each region by between 30% and 40% during the lifetime of the Strategy.
