Written Answers Nos. 158 - 177
158. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, the annual cost to the Exchequer if the first €17,500, €20,000, €22,500, €25,000 and €27,000 of income, respectively, were exempted from the pension related deduction. [19549/15]
View answerBased on estimates of current PRD yield the data sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Increase in PRD Threshold |
Estimated Cost |
|
€17,500 |
€20m |
|
€20,000 |
€40m |
|
€22,500 |
€118m |
|
€25,000 |
€196m |
|
€27,000 |
€257m |
159. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the status of a Garda station (details supplied) in County Kildare; if there have been any inquiries concerning or plans for its future use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19762/15]
View answerThe former Garda Station in Ballytore, Athy, Co. Kildare closed in 2013. The married quarters attached to this Garda Station is currently occupied by a serving garda and the station is regarded as operational and is not available for other uses.
160. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in the course of the current pay review, he will ensure the pensions of retired public servants, which were reduced under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act in respect of such persons' pensions in excess of €12,000 per annum by between 8% and 28%, will have same restored as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19772/15]
View answerA number of measures have been introduced in recent years which impact on public service pensions in payment. The Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR), commencing 1 January 2011, imposed reductions on annual public service pensions in payment in excess of €12,000, using a progressively tiered set of bands and rates with a top rate of 12% on any public service pension amount over €60,000. The legislation was amended from 1 January 2012 to increase the top rate of PSPR from 12% to 20% on the portion of any public service pension amount in excess of €100,000.
The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013 which provided for pay reductions for public servants receiving annualised remuneration of €65,000 under the Haddington Road Agreement, also provided for additional Public Service Pension Reduction rates ranging from 2% to 8% to be applied to all annual public service pensions in payment in excess of €32,500 from 1 July 2013. Full-year savings from these pension measures is currently in excess of €125 million.
In relation to the impact of PSPR on the income of public service pensioners I met with representatives of retired public service pensioners in May 2013 and indicated at that time that it was my intention as a matter of priority to move towards reducing the burden of public service pension reductions, with the initial focus on the people in receipt of low pensions, at the earliest date economic progress permits. I also met with the representatives of the Alliance of Retired Public Servants in March last and my officials are currently considering a presentation and submission made by the Alliance to my officials on 7 May last.
In addition to the formal talks process currently underway with the public service unions and associations, I will continue to engage appropriately with the representatives of public service pensioners in relation to matters relevant to them.
161. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works will complete works at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19774/15]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has included in its 2015 programme of works the refurbishment of this stretch of Flood Defence of approx 1 kilometre in length at Garrane, Killorglin, Co. Kerry. An access haul road was constructed late last year to facilitate this flood defence refurbishment work.
Several residences have been constructed at this location approximately 1.5 metres below tide level in an area protected by a peat flood defence constructed and maintained by OPW. OPW is engaged in negotiations with affected landowners about the prospect of relocating an existing back drain to allow the construction of a more substantial designed flood defence to defend against the extreme events experienced at this location and to account for the very poor adjoining geology. The substantially stronger flood defence at this location requires an increase in land mass to support the greater footprint. This in turn requires the back filling of the existing back drain and the construction of a new offset back drain with associated sluice structures.
OPW is also in ongoing discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service as the location of the proposed works is within a designated Special Area of Conservation.
162. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the provision of new flood defences in Foynes, County Limerick. [19782/15]
View answerThe provision of flood defences in Foynes is being undertaken by Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) with funding from the Office of Public Works.
In 2014, the OPW approved funding for LCCC to commission a study to survey the existing flood defences in Foynes and to prepare a detailed design for improved defences, including costings and a Cost Benefit Analysis, to provide protection against the 1-in-200 year flood event, which is the standard level of protection for coastal defences.
LCCC held a Public Information Evening in relation to the proposals in Foynes in January of this year. The OPW understands that LCCC is currently advancing the project through the Planning process. Progression of the project is a matter for LCCC.
163. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the provision of new flood defences in Askeaton and Balysteen, County Limerick. [19783/15]
View answerOn foot of an application from Limerick City and County Council (LCCC), the Office of Public Works approved funding of €30,000 in March of this year under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for the appointment of consultants to prepare a detailed design of flood relief measures for Askeaton. It is a matter for LCCC to progress this project and the Deputy should contact the Council directly to receive an update on the current status of the project
LCCC also submitted an application for funding under the Scheme for a project at Ballysteen. This application was not approved as the proposal submitted did not meet the minimum cost-benefit ratio required under the eligibility criteria of the Scheme. It would be open to LCCC to submit a fresh application that meets the eligibility criteria, which are available on the OPW website.
164. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent by his Department in legal fees in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, on appealing decisions taken by the High Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20164/15]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question there has been no expenditure on legal fees in my Department appealing decisions taken by the High Court.
165. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding work permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19415/15]
View answerEmployment permits policy is calibrated to encourage the meeting of general labour and skills needs from within the workforce of Ireland the EU or other European Economic Area (EEA) countries. Ireland's labour market is part of a much greater EEA labour market which affords a considerable supply of skilled workers. Notwithstanding the priority afforded to Irish and EEA nationals, however, Ireland does operate in a global skills market, and where we experience skills gaps, the employment permits system has been designed to facilitate the employment of highly skilled individuals from beyond the EEA in Ireland.
The table provides the overall figures of employment permits granted for each year from 2010-2014. 25,836 employment permits have been granted in total during the period, of which 8,444 were renewals. The number of new permits issued in the period represents a yearly average over the five years of 0.16% of the labour market.
Employment Permits granted 2010 - 2014
|
Year |
NEW |
RENEWAL |
TOTAL |
|
2010 |
3394 |
3877 |
7271 |
|
2011 |
3184 |
2016 |
5200 |
|
2012 |
2919 |
1088 |
4007 |
|
2013 |
3034 |
829 |
3863 |
|
2014 |
4861 |
634 |
5495 |
166. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the measures he is taking to address the poor levels of pay in the farm contractor sector; if he will support a call for a minimum rate of pay of €9 per hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19690/15]
View answerAgriculture Workers employed in the farm contractor are covered by the Joint Labour Committee for the Agriculture sector.
In 2011, the High Court ruled that certain provision of the Industrial Relations Acts of 1946 and 1990 governing the making of Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) were unconstitutional. The experienced adult rate of pay provided for the Agriculture ERO at the time of the High Court ruling was €9.10 per hour.
The effect of the ruling was that National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) could not enforce the minimum pay and conditions of employment prescribed in EROs in force at the time of the High Court decision.
However, existing contractual rights of workers in sectors covered by EROs were unaffected by the ruling. Contractual rights can be altered only by agreement between the parties involved.
New entrants to employment in JLC sectors after the High Court ruling could be employed on a rate of pay agreed between the worker and the employer, subject only to the terms of the National Minimum Wage.
On 1 October 2013, I published the Report of the Labour Court’s Review of the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) system. The Report owes its genesis to Section 41A of Industrial Relations Act 1946 (inserted by Section 11 of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2012) which provides that reviews of each JLC be carried out by the Labour Court, as soon as practicable after the commencement of the Act, and at least once every 5 years thereafter. The review assisted the Labour Court’s deliberations as to whether any JLC should be abolished, maintained in its current form, amalgamated with another JLC or its establishment order amended and the Labour Court is required to make recommendations to the Minister to this effect.
The Court’s recommendation in relation to the Agriculture sector was that the JLC be retained for that sector with reduced scope.
With the exception of the Agriculture JLC, implementation of the recommendations, regarding the scope of the other JLCs were given effect by way of Ministerial Order. As the Agricultural Workers JLC was established under primary legislation, and the scope of the JLC is derived from the definition of “agriculture” in section 1 of the 1976 Industrial Relations Act, any amendment to the scope of the existing JLC will require an amendment to this definition to reflect the Labour Court recommendation. I intend to introduce the necessary amendment to the 1976 Act by way of a Committee Stage amendment to the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015.
It should be borne in mind that the JLC system provides a framework within which employers and employee representatives can come together voluntarily and negotiate terms and conditions of workers in their respective sector. For vulnerable workers, the advantage of JLCs is that they see fair terms and conditions such as wage rates, sick pay etc. agreed and given effect by ERO, while for some employers, the advantage of the JLC system, based as it is on the principle of self-governance, means that they can agree and set minimum pay and conditions, agree on work practices which are custom-made to their industry – a flexibility which cannot be achieved by primary legislation. Where both parties to a JLC see commonality of purpose and outcome then an agreement may emerge.
This process sits very much within the context of Ireland's voluntarist system of industrial relations.
Making work pay continues to be a cornerstone of this Government’s agenda and the setting up of a Low Pay Commission is one of the key commitments in the Statement of Government Priorities agreed in July last year.
The Commission was launched on the 26th February and it is currently operating on an interim non-statutory basis. Legislation to provide for the establishment of the Commission on a statutory basis has been published and I expect that it will be enacted quickly.
The principal function of the Low Pay Commission will be to annually examine and make recommendations on the national minimum wage, with a view to securing that the minimum wage is adjusted incrementally and progressively increased over time, without damage to enterprise or employment.
The Low Pay Commission will also be able to examine any matter generally related to its functions. A work programme will be agreed by Government and presented to the Commission in each February. Nothing relevant will be excluded from its deliberations.
The Commission sought the views of anyone with an interest in the minimum wage as part of a public consultation process. I understand that submissions are currently being considered and I expect the first report of the Commission by the middle of July.
167. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has instructed his officials and Enterprise Ireland to provide all necessary support to the workers of Cadbury to save all the jobs now threatened by a proposal to move the jobs to Poland. [19241/15]
View answer168. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he and agencies under his aegis have expressed grave concerns to 3G Capital-Berkshire Hathaway, following its takeover of Heinz-Kraft-Mondelez, on proposals to reduce the Mondelez Cadbury workforce. [19242/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
Immediately after the announcement by the company concerned, I established an inter-agency group to coordinate the response to the proposed job losses.
The group, chaired by Enterprise Ireland, will seek to secure alternative employment for the area affected and ensure that departing workers have access to supports they need from State agencies for retraining, access to social welfare supports, access to advice on employment rights and access to advice and support for those workers who intend to start their own businesses. The group includes Local Enterprise Offices, IDA Ireland, Solas, Education and Training Boards, Department of Social Protection, MABS and the Citizens Information Bureau.
The inter-agency group made it clear that it stood ready to meet unions and staff representatives at any stage. I understand that Enterprise Ireland is meeting with employee representatives this week to discuss in general terms the approach of the agency to supporting restructuring, job protection and job creation.
Enterprise Ireland has had meetings with the company’s management on a weekly basis since the announcement of the proposed job losses, and has been in contact with the company on a continuous basis regarding the assistance it could provide for restructuring to minimise job losses. I have also had discussions with Mondelez at senior executive level and the company has committed clearly to me that it will invest in its operation here with the aim of achieving best in class production process.
The Company and its workers and the union who represent them are engaged in discussions in the company's restructuring proposals.
The Labour Relations Commission is available, if required, to assist the parties concerned. I know that in similar situations in the past, the parties have facilitated access to commercially sensitive information. It is a matter for the parties in each dispute to decide however.
Ireland’s body of employment rights legislation protects all persons legally employed in Ireland on an employer-employee basis. Persons working under a contract of employment, on a full-time or part-time basis, have the same protection under law.
The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. NERA’s Workplace Relations Customer Service Section provides information in relation to employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations and how to obtain redress where appropriate.
Workplace Relations Customer Services staff are available to meet the Cadbury workforce to provide information and answer any questions they may have with regard to their present situation.
169. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation as the lead Minister for the Action Plan for Jobs, with regard to improving credit to small and medium enterprises, if he has examined the crowd funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19257/15]
View answerAction Plan for Jobs 2015 recognises that alternative financing activities such as peer to peer business lending, invoice finance, and crowdfunding can be a valuable source of funding to micro, small and medium businesses (SMEs) either as a complement to traditional bank funding or as an alternative to traditional bank intermediation in instances where bank credit has either been refused or not sought in the first place. The Government through the SME State Bodies Group, chaired by the Department of Finance are keeping the issue of alternative sources of finance under review as to how to best utilise their benefits to promote business development. Recognising its potential importance my Department has been examining the crowdfunding model and has engaged with discussions on it at national and EU level.
Crowdfunding for business is in 2 forms: equity and lending. There are a range of possible issues associated with both forms. In broad terms the issues of consumer protection and regulation are relevant, as are the tax treatment of money lent or invested by the crowd. These issues are a matter for my Government colleague the Minister for Finance.
Another issue for Government is whether it should co-invest or co-lend with the crowd. In this regard the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), as controller and manager of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), is currently working on commercial investment opportunities in the SME sector that will meet the strategic objectives and investment strategy of the ISIF. The NTMA has identified that there is a potential opportunity for the ISIF to provide lending support to SMEs through alternative finance lending providers that use a peer to peer model.
The NTMA sought proposals on behalf of a fund or funds that could be established to support lending via alternative finance lending providers with a view to assessing the level of interest from parties who might manage such a fund. The NTMA is now working through a process to see if a dedicated fund or funds can be established which would use ISIF and co-investor capital to support loans to Irish SMEs originated on alternative finance lending platforms.
170. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the concept of vouchers for new start-ups and entrepreneurs, which would provide financial assistance and business advice in the early start-up phase, has been explored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19259/15]
View answerEnterprise Ireland is the 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. Enterprise Ireland offers a range of financial and non-financial supports to assist clients through all stages of the business development cycle.
As a first step towards innovation and collaboration with Higher Education Institutes companies can avail of €5,000 Innovation Vouchers which are designed to build links between Ireland's public knowledge providers and small businesses and are helping to create a cultural shift in the small business community's approach to innovation. The Innovation Vouchers initiative is open to all small and medium-sized limited companies registered in Ireland. Applications are not restricted to clients of Enterprise Ireland.
Furthermore Enterprise Ireland has introduced a Skills Voucher to support the Software Sector. The core objective is to encourage continuous capability building in core software development skills in Enterprise Ireland client companies.
This offer helps companies to free up some senior developers’ time to up-skill less experienced people in the company. This initiative is open to High Potential Start-Up clients and other small and medium companies and funding of a maximum of €5,000 is available.
In 2014, the Government reformed the structure of State supports for micro and small enterprises by establishing the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). Establishing the LEOs as a first stop shop for start-ups, micro-enterprises and small businesses means that entrepreneurs have one central place to go where they can get information and assistance in identifying and accessing all available supports, such as financial supports or “soft” supports, such as training and mentoring. Start-ups in particular can obtain training and business advice on all aspects of running and developing a business.
Financial supports available from the LEOs to all micro-enterprises include online trading vouchers for enterprises that want to establish an online presence for the first time. The online trading vouchers are offered to LEO clients on behalf of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
171. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has considered treating micro-enterprises as distinct from the small and medium enterprise group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19261/15]
View answerIn 2014 the Government reformed the structure of State supports for micro and small enterprises by establishing the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). This reform was undertaken to provide an enhanced structure offering easy local access to all Government supports for micro and small business in one location. Establishing the LEOs as a first stop shop for start-ups, micro-enterprises and small businesses means that entrepreneurs have one central place to go where they can get information and assistance in identifying and accessing all available supports, such as financial supports or “soft” supports, such as training and mentoring. Start-ups in particular can obtain training and business advice on all aspects of running and developing a business. The majority of businesses that access LEO support are from within the micro-enterprise sector.
While enterprises larger than micro enterprises can access soft supports from the LEOs the suite of LEO financial supports are available only to micro-enterprises i.e. those with fewer than 10 employees. This is in line with the EU definition of micro-enterprises as enterprises that employ fewer than 10 persons and whose annual turnover or annual balance sheet total does not exceed €2m.
In addition Microfinance Ireland (MFI), as a not-for-profit lender, has been established to deliver the Government’s Microenterprise Loan Fun. While all business sectors are eligible to apply to MFI it’s services are confined to the micro enterprise sector.
172. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has considered ring-fencing moneys in his Department directly to procurements of innovation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19262/15]
View answerGiven the nature of my Department’s business, the level of direct procurement undertaken represents a small percentage of our annual “Estimate”. In that regard, my Department’s Corporate Services Division is tasked with procurements relating to the day-to-day running of the Department and its Offices.
Procurements are undertaken with due regard to Government Financial guidelines, ensuring value to the exchequer and in compliance with relevant circulars relating to the use of centralised Framework Agreements and contracts negotiated under the auspices of the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). Where no central OGP Framework Agreement is in place my Department procures directly.
With particular reference to ICT, my Department procures equipment and services, including maintenance of existing systems and development of new services. While all technology acquisition may be regarded as spending on innovation, the level of innovation in technology solutions varies. My Department is conscious of the need to keep its technology up to date; however, much of this spending will be for technology solutions which are tried and tested, as solutions with significant levels of innovation may carry additional project risks. On occasion, more innovative solutions are considered having regard to the nature of projects and the benefits offered by such new innovation.
Procurements relating to accommodation of the staff of the Department and any maintenance of such accommodations are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works.
Given that the bulk of procurement is undertaken from central Government contracts that my Department is required to use, consideration has not, to date, been given to ring-fencing moneys for the procurement of innovation.
Finally, it would be a day-to-day matter for each Agency under the auspices of my Department to organise its procurement as each sees fit within the confines of central Government Procurement instructions.
173. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to provide businesses which comply with the regulatory framework with a quality insurance and national and international branding for services and goods provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19263/15]
View answerIn the time available, it has not been possible for my officials to compile the information requested by the Deputy. Once the available information is collated, I will arrange for it to be forwarded to the Deputy.
174. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the discussion he has held with the job creating authority on the use of timber removed during the construction of motorways to create employment in the kindling and fuel industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19295/15]
View answerCommissioning the construction of motorways is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Roads Authority and I have no function in this matter. My understanding is that the removal of trees, where necessary, would normally be part of the contract for the construction of a motorway. The further use of the timber would be a matter for the contractor or sub-contractor.
175. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason a small business (details supplied) in County Longford was not eligible for micro-finance scheme funding to support the creation of 22 jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19613/15]
View answerMicrofinance Ireland (MFI) was established to manage and control the Microenterprise Loan Fund as it has the appropriate credit expertise and the corporate governance disciplines to oversee the effective operation of the Fund. MFI provides loans of up to €25k to start-up, newly established, or growing microenterprises employing less than 10 people. MFI is independent in its decision making and I am not involved in its day to day decision making activities.
An application in relation to the details supplied was received twice by MFI. MFI has informed my Department that when the credit assessment team feels it necessary they will look to confirm the numbers of employees in a business prior to full assessment. In this case the number of jobs confirmed was fewer than 10 and the assessment proceeded. The initial application was declined in March 2013 and a detailed letter of decline was issued outlining MFI’s key areas of concern and what the client needed to do before re-submitting an application for consideration.
A further application was received in October 2014 and assigned to a new Loan Assessor. The assessment of this application did not conclude as further information was needed to assess the proposal fully and the customer ultimately withdrew his application.
176. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in a tabular form, the total budget allocated to each local enterprise office for 2015; the amount drawn down by each one to the end of April 2015; if he is satisfied that each office will have sufficient funding for its operations until the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19614/15]
View answerThe Budget allocations for the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are drawn down from my Department by the Centre of Excellence in Enterprise Ireland and disbursed to the LEOs in accordance with an agreed methodology.
The total budget allocation for each individual Local Enterprise Office (LEO) for 2015 and the amount drawn down from the Local Enterprise Development Vote to the end of April 2015 by the Centre of Excellence for allocation to each LEO is set out in the table.
LEO Budget allocations 2015 and drawdowns January-April 2015
|
LEO |
2015 Allocation |
Drawdown to end Apr 15 |
|
Carlow |
€ 472,659 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Cavan |
€ 654,619 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Clare |
€ 447,222 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Cork City |
€ 582,719 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Cork North/ West |
€ 1,106,387 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Cork South |
€ 806,914 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Donegal |
€ 743,744 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Dublin City |
€ 1,121,774 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Dublin South |
€ 753,420 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown |
€ 707,481 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Fingal |
€ 819,862 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Galway |
€ 712,429 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Kerry |
€ 719,580 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Kildare |
€ 667,960 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
€ 670,136 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Laois |
€ 477,010 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Leitrim |
€ 575,138 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Limerick |
€ 1,150,260 |
€ 210,000 |
|
Longford |
€ 527,237 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Louth |
€ 597,001 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Mayo |
€ 559,161 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Meath |
€ 658,533 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Monaghan |
€ 602,237 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Offaly |
€ 560,408 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Roscommon |
€ 483,881 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Sligo |
€ 632,897 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Tipperary |
€ 1,190,764 |
€ 210,000 |
|
Waterford |
€ 929,603 |
€ 210,000 |
|
Westmeath |
€ 596,737 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Wexford |
€ 678,131 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Wicklow |
€ 735,669 |
€ 110,000 |
|
Total |
€ 21,941,572 |
€ 3,710,000 |
It should be noted that a further amount totalling €7,658,807 was drawn down at the end of April and will be disbursed to the LEOs by the Centre of Excellence to meet 2015 second quarter payments under Current and Capital requirements.
The Capital budget for the LEOs for 2015 is €18.5m with the increase of €3.5m acquired in 2014 being maintained. This will enable the running of the successful IBYE (Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur) competition again in 2015 – details of which I will announce next week.
In addition, as announced last Friday, a competitive fund to the value of €5m will be available over the period 2015 – 2017 to the LEOs. It will operate on a competitive basis whereby LEOs can collaborate together and/or with external Parties to develop and roll-out job creation initiatives in their local region. These initiatives will focus on clearly defined opportunities, weaknesses or business challenges impacting on micro-enterprise locally, regionally and nationally in order to grow and sustain employment and to scale micro-enterprises.
I am satisfied that the monies made available to the LEOs for Local Enterprise Development are sufficient to support their crucial role in facilitating job creation at local level throughout the country.
177. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of full-time staff in each local enterprise office on 8 May 2015; the number of part-time staff; the locations at which vacancies exist; and when these vacancies will be filled. [19615/15]
View answerThere is a total 181 staff (mixture of full time and part time) across the 31 Local Enterprise Offices. Details of individual LEO Resources are listed in the table. These resource figures are based on a recent survey of LEOs conducted by Enterprise Ireland.
The difference in staffing levels between various LEOs is due in many cases to historical reasons whereby the former CEBs had a reduced staffing complement due to the impact of the moratorium on public sector recruitment etc. and also circumstantial reasons whereby the amalgamation of two Local Authority areas such as Limerick and Tipperary has resulted in a larger LEO staff complement.
It is intended that Enterprise Ireland in conjunction with the local Authorities (through the LGMA) will conduct at more detailed analysis over coming months to analyse survey results on a LEO by LEO basis to identify LEOs where there might be pressure points in terms of skills and resources.
It should be noted that an open competition is currently underway by the Public Appointments Service to fill four Head of Enterprise posts (Clare, Louth, Meath and Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown). Sanction for the filling of LEO posts is provided by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. In addition the LEO Graduate Programme is well underway with the majority of graduates in situ at this stage.
LEO Resources Summary as at Q1 2015
|
LEO |
Resources |
|
Carlow |
3 (3 WT) |
|
Cavan |
7 (4 WT 3 PT) |
|
Clare |
5 (5 WT) |
|
Cork North West |
7 (5 WT 2 PT) |
|
Cork South |
5 (4 WT 1 PT) |
|
Cork City |
4 (1 WT 3 PT) |
|
Donegal |
4 (4 WT) |
|
Dublin City |
10 (9 WT 1 PT) |
|
Dublin South |
6 (6 WT) |
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown |
9 (9 WT) |
|
Fingal |
7 (5 WT 2 PT) |
|
Galway |
3 (3 WT) |
|
Kerry |
8 (6 WT 2 PT) |
|
Kildare |
4 (4 WT) |
|
Kilkenny |
4 (4 WT) |
|
Laois |
3 (1 WT 2 PT) |
|
Leitrim |
5 (3 WT 2 PT) |
|
Limerick |
7 (5 WT 2 PT) |
|
Longford |
3 (1 WT 2 PT) |
|
Louth |
6 (1 WT 5 PT) |
|
Mayo |
7 (7 WT) |
|
Meath |
9 (8 WT 1 PT) |
|
Monaghan |
6 (5 WT 1 PT) |
|
Offaly |
5 (4 WT 1 PT) |
|
Roscommon |
3 (2 WT 1 PT) |
|
Sligo |
7 (7 WT) |
|
Tipperary |
12 (11 WT 1 PT) |
|
Waterford |
6 (4 WT 2 PT) |
|
Westmeath |
5 (4 WT 1 PT) |
|
Wexford |
5 (5 WT) |
|
Wicklow |
6 (4 WT 2 PT) |
