Written Answers Nos. 128-140
128. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of jobs created in County Cork by the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland supported companies in the each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29305/15]
View answerThe South West Region consists of 2 counties, Cork and Kerry. The South-West has a dynamic and broad enterprise sector with predominance in Pharmaceuticals, ICT (hardware and services) and Food, and significant potential in tourism, medical devices, other internationally traded services and maritime related activities focused primarily on Cork Harbour.
The recently published South West Regional Action Plan for regional development which was launched on the 3rd of July will provide a structure for all the stakeholders in each region to work together to support the creation of extra jobs in the region through the delivery of over 250 collaborative actions focusing on increasing the number of start-ups, developing the existing capacity of existing enterprises and capitalising on the strengths and opportunities of the region.
The total number of jobs (including full time, part time and temporary), created by both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, in their client companies in County Cork, for each of the last four years, is set out in the following table.
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
|
IDA Ireland |
2,753 |
2,874 |
2,518 |
2,856 |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
2,597 |
2,090 |
2,188 |
2,778 |
129. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of jobs created in County Cork by businesses supported by local enterprise offices in the each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29306/15]
View answerThe Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the first-stop-shop for those beginning a new business as well as those wishing to expand their existing one.
Information in relation to the number of jobs created in businesses supported by the Cork LEOs (formerly CEBs) for the years 2011 - 2014 is set out in the table. Previously there were four Cork CEBs whereas now there are three Cork LEOs as Cork North and Cork West have been amalgamated.
|
CEB/LEO |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Cork City |
56 |
71 |
90 |
191 |
|
Cork South |
277 |
276 |
420 |
171 |
|
Cork North |
69 |
71 |
82 |
N/A |
|
Cork West |
179 |
141 |
163 |
N/A |
|
Cork North/West |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
187 |
|
TOTAL |
581 |
559 |
755 |
549 |
130. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the number of jobs he anticipates the south-west region Action Plan for Jobs 2015 to 2017 will help create; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29307/15]
View answerThe aim of the Action Plan for Jobs is to support enterprise growth and job creation in every region of the country. While we have made great progress in addressing our unemployment and competitiveness challenges and in building a new, sustainable enterprise economy driven by skills, innovation and success in markets, we need to sustain the momentum and stretch ourselves further if we are to achieve sustainable full employment by 2018 and ensure that all parts of our regions benefit from the recovery. In the South West Region, since the launch of the national Action Plan for Jobs process four years ago where the rate of unemployment in the South West Region has fallen from 13.5% in 2011 to 10.6% in Q4 2014 and our ambition is to reduce this further.
The Action Plan for Jobs for the South West Region is about building on the capabilities and strengths of the region, covering counties Cork and Kerry, to develop a more dynamic, internationally competitive and sustainable enterprise economy that can provide well paid jobs and secure sustainable full employment over the long term. Employment in the South West declined by 45,600 (15%) during the crash; since the national Action Plan for Jobs was launched in Q1 2012 jobs in the region have grown by 11,200 (4%).
Our ambition is to achieve full employment by 2018 and vibrant and competitive regions are central to realising that ambition. The aim of the Action Plan for Jobs Regional (APJR) for the South West is to develop the full potential of the region for enterprise and job creation, building upon its assets and areas of competitive advantage. This can only be achieved by a new level of collaboration among key players in the region working to achieve common goals.
The primary objective of this APJR is to have a further 10 to 15 per cent at work in the region by 2020 and to ensure the unemployment rate is within 1% of the State average. Achieving this goal in the SW will contribute to the overall ambition of creating sustainable full employment in Ireland from 2018 onwards. Successful implementation of the Plan for Kerry and Cork could see creation the creation of between 27,780 and 41,670 additional jobs in the region by 2020.
The levels of employment growth actually achieved within that range will depend on factors including the level of support and collaboration within the local community for the Plan, and the level of collaboration between organisations in the region and the main Government bodies involved in the plan. Based on all the evidence and the strong buy-in for the process up to this point I believe it is realistic to target 40,000 additional jobs in the region by 2020. I am delighted Bob Savage, head of EMC in Cork, has agreed to chair a joint public-private sector Implementation Group to drive forward the delivery of the Plan.
The South West Plan covers counties Kerry and Cork, and key sectors targeted as part of the plan include agri-food, tourism, life sciences, manufacturing and ICT, as well as high-potential emerging sectors such as multimedia/content and the green economy, energy and marine. Actions in the Plan to be delivered over the period 2015-2017 include new measures to increase the number of businesses starting-up, scaling and surviving, delivered through a range of measures including more co-working space and mentoring for entrepreneurs and new funding through competitive calls, new initiatives to increase employment in exporting companies, delivered by adding 30-40% to the number of IDA investments achieved, building an IDA advance facility in Tralee, increasing enterprise-research collaborations and increasing the levels of workforce training and development activity. A range of actions are also set out to promote new sources of growth in the region including in the content and multimedia sector, actions to develop innovative energy technology and solutions combining the regions strengths in research and enterprise, developing the green economy in the region and rolling out “smart region” infrastructure such as sensors for traffic and utility management.
To support the Regional Action Plan for Jobs Process, my Department through EI and IDA, will provide €250m in additional funding over five years to support the implementation of the Regional Action Plans. This comprises €150m for IDA Ireland to roll out a 5-year capital investment programme and €100m to support and encourage regional stakeholders in working together on best practice initiatives, provided by DJEI through Enterprise Ireland and a series of competitive calls. The first tranche of applications for €10 million in competitive funding to support initiatives proposed by the LEOs and to support the development Community Enterprise Centres in all regions are currently being assessed.
131. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a breakdown of the State funding that his Department has awarded to foreign private companies and to indigenous private companies in 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29340/15]
View answerThe total grants paid to IDA’s foreign owned client companies in each of the years from 2011 to 2014 are as follows:
In 2011, €96,757,220; in 2012, €89,326,201; in 2013 €87,951,297 and in 2014 a total of €88,439,463 was paid.
Grants paid to IDA Ireland companies for 2015 to date will not be available for publication until auditing is complete in due course.
The total grants paid by Enterprise Ireland’s client companies, the vast majority of which are indigenous but include a very small number of foreign companies in the food and drink sector, in each of the years from 2011 to 2014 are as follows:
In 2011, €105,577,468 was paid; in 2012, €103,029,340; in 2013, €89,401,304 and in 2014, €91,249, 803. Payments made to date in 2015 amount to €35,526,447.
It should be noted that these payments by Enterprise Ireland exclude payments to Employment Subsidy Scheme recipients, Infrastructural clients, Shannon Free Zone Transfers and Community Enterprise Centres.
Information in relation to the amount of State funding awarded to indigenous private companies by the County Enterprise Boards/Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) from 2011 to 2014 is as follows:
In 2011, a total of €12,238,911 was paid; in 2012, €12,169,632; in 2013, €11,496,596 and in 2014 a total of €10,931, 992 was paid. Details in respect of LEO payments for 2015 to date are not yet to hand.
In relation to payments by all these bodies it should be appreciated that Grants paid in a particular year are not necessarily linked to either the investments won or the jobs created in that year.
132. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a payment under the beef data scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29228/15]
View answerPayments under the 2014 Beef Data Programme began to issue on 26 June 2015. Further processing was required on this particular case, which has now been finalised. Payment under the Scheme will issue shortly directly to the bank account of the person named.
133. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason €201.47 was deducted from a 2014 single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [29264/15]
View answerAn application under the 2014 Single Farm Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 25 March 2014. During processing of this application, a dual claim error arose in relation to one of the parcels declared. Following investigation it was established that the person named did not have the right to claim this parcel, which resulted in an over-declaration and consequently a deduction to the payment due to the applicant.
134. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a detailed reply will issue to a letter written by this Deputy on 15 April 2015; the reason for the delay with the reply; the length of time he views it as satisfactory for such replies to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29298/15]
View answerBord na gCon is the commercial State body, established in 1958, under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.
I regard it as important that representations are replied to as quickly as possible.
I am advised by Bord na gCon that a sub-committee has been established to examine the matter involved. My Department has been in contact with Bord na gCon requesting a progress report on the matter and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as that report has been received.
135. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 26 May 2015 when the information will be provided; the reason for the delay in providing it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29301/15]
View answerThe data requested by the Deputy is detailed and complex and, therefore, it will take some time to compile all of the requested data. The LPIS Review was carried out during the second half of 2013. The findings of the Review were applied to 2013 applications under the Direct Payment Schemes. My Department is currently compiling the requested data in respect of the 2013 scheme-year. It should be noted that some applicants would have had existing over-declarations in 2013 prior to the over-claims established during the LPIS Review. It is not possible to quickly segregate these over-claims. I have arranged to forward the outstanding information to the Deputy immediately that it is compiled.
The data relating to the application of the findings of the 2013 LPIS Review to earlier years has been established and is set out in the following four tabular statements. The findings of the Review were applied to those farmers where the level of over-claim was less than 3% and was not greater than 2 hectares and where it was found that the ineligible areas or features were in existence in the years 2009 to 2012. In other words, these farmers were paid on the actual eligible land that they declared following the deduction of the ineligible area.
2009 - Deductions from the Single Payment – area over-claims established during the LPIS Review
|
County |
Number of Farmers |
Amount deducted |
|
Carlow |
94 |
€12,599.36 |
|
Cavan |
193 |
€20,302.28 |
|
Clare |
419 |
€50,838.50 |
|
Cork |
647 |
€114,993.81 |
|
Donegal |
381 |
€35,522.66 |
|
Dublin |
1 |
€77.22 |
|
Galway |
821 |
€86,291.29 |
|
Kerry |
689 |
€89,649.11 |
|
Kildare |
40 |
€4,291.32 |
|
Kilkenny |
348 |
€69,929.68 |
|
Laois |
137 |
€21,837.46 |
|
Leitrim |
201 |
€17,436.16 |
|
Limerick |
540 |
€78,498.74 |
|
Longford |
111 |
€11,804.94 |
|
Louth |
40 |
€4,765.04 |
|
Mayo |
733 |
€67,312.95 |
|
Meath |
73 |
€11,818.96 |
|
Monaghan |
256 |
€32,308.95 |
|
Offaly |
196 |
€31,134.50 |
|
Roscommon |
298 |
€29,126.50 |
|
Sligo |
306 |
€29,177.76 |
|
Tipperary |
498 |
€86,220.96 |
|
Waterford |
159 |
€27,427.25 |
|
Westmeath |
129 |
€20,306.50 |
|
Wexford |
206 |
€25,385.54 |
|
Wicklow |
90 |
€12,310.58 |
|
7,606 |
€991,368.02 |
2010 - Deductions from the Single Payment – area over-claims established during the LPIS Review
|
County |
Number of Farmers |
Amount deducted |
|
Carlow |
102 |
€12,990.18 |
|
Cavan |
214 |
€20,250.89 |
|
Clare |
481 |
€46,382.58 |
|
Cork |
803 |
€115,909.70 |
|
Donegal |
503 |
€39,211.47 |
|
Dublin |
8 |
€630.92 |
|
Galway |
989 |
€87,240.87 |
|
Kerry |
860 |
€90,651.83 |
|
Kildare |
51 |
€4,248.86 |
|
Kilkenny |
397 |
€59,634.12 |
|
Laois |
170 |
€22,738.21 |
|
Leitrim |
261 |
€20,945.02 |
|
Limerick |
581 |
€66,402.03 |
|
Longford |
148 |
€15,297.02 |
|
Louth |
53 |
€5,972.85 |
|
Mayo |
970 |
€80,203.81 |
|
Meath |
66 |
€10,147.48 |
|
Monaghan |
294 |
€31,528.34 |
|
Offaly |
234 |
€26,662.02 |
|
Roscommon |
323 |
€25,947.29 |
|
Sligo |
330 |
€28,425.85 |
|
Tipperary |
535 |
€77,344.22 |
|
Waterford |
172 |
€26,606.77 |
|
Westmeath |
146 |
€18,412.51 |
|
Wexford |
227 |
€25,481.16 |
|
Wicklow |
111 |
€13,028.88 |
|
9,029 |
€972,294.88 |
2011 - Deductions from the Single Payment – area over-claims established during the LPIS Review
|
County |
Number of Farmers |
Amount deducted |
|
Carlow |
101 |
€11,606.00 |
|
Cavan |
230 |
€17,635.64 |
|
Clare |
491 |
€47,564.47 |
|
Cork |
889 |
€121,103.81 |
|
Donegal |
575 |
€44,481.52 |
|
Dublin |
12 |
€723.33 |
|
Galway |
1,083 |
€93,455.42 |
|
Kerry |
977 |
€101,861.25 |
|
Kildare |
48 |
€3,763.20 |
|
Kilkenny |
416 |
€61,080.23 |
|
Laois |
190 |
€23,271.84 |
|
Leitrim |
278 |
€21,340.66 |
|
Limerick |
607 |
€67,484.41 |
|
Longford |
160 |
€15,377.81 |
|
Louth |
56 |
€5,120.68 |
|
Mayo |
1,092 |
€83,948.30 |
|
Meath |
64 |
€8,133.14 |
|
Monaghan |
301 |
€29,656.35 |
|
Offaly |
249 |
€26,535.10 |
|
Roscommon |
357 |
€29,114.55 |
|
Sligo |
344 |
€29,495.99 |
|
Tipperary |
563 |
€73,547.97 |
|
Waterford |
170 |
€24,612.32 |
|
Westmeath |
149 |
€16,507.26 |
|
Wexford |
251 |
€28,563.33 |
|
Wicklow |
120 |
€13,463.79 |
|
9,773 |
€999,448.37 |
2012 - Deductions from the Single Payment – area over-claims established during the LPIS Review
|
County Code |
,Number of Farmers |
Amount € |
|
Carlow |
129 |
€15,404.87 |
|
Cavan |
237 |
€19,632.71 |
|
Clare |
549 |
€50,937.34 |
|
Cork |
1,017 |
€134,201.41 |
|
Donegal |
697 |
€52,606.86 |
|
Dublin |
11 |
€488.06 |
|
Galway |
1,203 |
€100,038.87 |
|
Kerry |
1,075 |
€98,550.73 |
|
Kildare |
49 |
€3,430.23 |
|
Kilkenny |
486 |
€66,400.53 |
|
Laois |
213 |
€25,799.17 |
|
Leitrim |
333 |
€23,275.13 |
|
Limerick |
689 |
€72,246.58 |
|
Longford |
192 |
€17,197.20 |
|
Louth |
68 |
€6,160.25 |
|
Mayo |
1,224 |
€87,859.97 |
|
Meath |
72 |
€9,572.20 |
|
Monaghan |
379 |
€37,772.43 |
|
Offaly |
293 |
€30,048.80 |
|
Roscommon |
395 |
€31,566.67 |
|
Sligo |
375 |
€29,775.60 |
|
Tipperary |
633 |
€79,333.78 |
|
Waterford |
191 |
€24,775.42 |
|
Westmeath |
181 |
€18,438.03 |
|
Wexford |
273 |
€28,920.06 |
|
Wicklow |
130 |
€13,177.03 |
|
11,094 |
€1,077,609.93 |
137. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is in a position to negotiate for the abolition of the superlevy fine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29315/15]
View answerThe milk quota regime ended on March 31st. The abolition of milk quota presents a massive opportunity for the Irish dairy sector and one which we should look forward to with confidence. The fact that producers will face a super-levy bill in relation to the final year of the system is obviously unwelcome. However, the rules governing the imposition of a super levy were set by regulations agreed at EU level. It was not possible for me on a unilateral basis to adjust these super levy rules.
However, arrangements recently introduced by the Commission, following consistent requests from Ireland and other Member States for some relief for farmers with super levy bills allow Member States to facilitate the payment by milk producers of this super levy liability in three annual instalments, without interest. The first instalment must be collected by the milk purchaser in the normal way and paid to my Department before 1 October 2015 and the two subsequent payments must be paid by similar dates in 2016 and 2017. I have introduced the scheme at national level and co-ops and farmers are currently processing applications with a view to returning them to my Department.
It is worth mentioning at this stage that I have also been proactive in other areas in terms of ensuring the right balance of measures are in place to ensure that Irish dairy farmers can enter the new quota free era with confidence. On-going contact has been maintained with the Minister for Finance to ensure that existing and future taxation policy reflects the Government’s commitment to agriculture. Of interest to dairy farmers here will be the announcement in last October’s budget to provide for income averaging over five years when it comes to paying income tax bills. I have also ensured that priority has been given to measures for the dairy sector in the Rural Development Plan. In addition, I have impressed upon the Irish banks the need to show flexibility in their dealings with farmers experiencing temporary cash flow difficulties in 2015.
I am satisfied that this mix of measures, can help to mitigate the impact of the superlevy.
138. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the national reserve will be as substantial in 2016 as it was in 2015; if those who did not apply in 2015 will be entitled to apply in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29346/15]
View answerThe National Reserve in 2015 is based on 3% of the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling, which is estimated at providing approximately €24 million in funding. Based on the level of applications, with some 6,500 having been received, it is expected that there will be considerable demand on the National Reserve fund in 2015.
From 2016 onwards there is no designated funding for the National Reserve. The only source of funding available to the National Reserve will be clawback from the sale of entitlements without land and from unused entitlements, so the available resource could be limited. It is however expected that the level of demand in 2016 and subsequent years will be significantly less than in 2015 which was the first year of operation of the National Reserve under the Basic Payment Scheme. Those who did not apply to the National Reserve in 2015 will be entitled to apply in 2016.
139. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the law in relation to greyhound breeding regulations, as it previously existed, was fully implemented, given that Ballydoyle Honey won the Sporting Press Oaks at Shelbourne Park on 20 June 2015 despite concerns that the dog was registered in breach of artificial insemination regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29415/15]
View answerThe Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is responsible for the identification and registration of greyhounds in the Irish Greyhound Studbook. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon (BNG) under Section 26 (2) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 (the Act). BNG is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing. Detailed rules governing the practice of the artificial insemination of greyhounds were set down in the Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds Regulations, 2005, (S.I. No. 561 of 2005), which were made by BNG under Section 39 of the Act.
The Regulations included a two year limit on the use of semen for artificial insemination following the death of a stud dog, thereafter any unused semen had to be destroyed.
As I have already outlined to the Deputy in Parliamentary Questions 25645 for answer on Thursday 25 June and 27351 for answer on Tuesday 7 July, previously in March 2014, as a result of operational difficulties in the implementation of certain provisions of the Artificial Insemination of Greyhound Regulations, 2005, Bord na gCon invited industry stakeholders to submit proposals regarding the suitability of the Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds Regulations 2005 in the context of meeting current industry requirements.
After detailed consideration of submissions received, Bord na gCon decided in September 2014, having consulted with the ICC, to remove the two year limit on the use of semen following the death of a stud greyhound. Arising from this decision, and with the consent of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, new regulations were introduced by Bord na gCon which came into effect on 1 November 2014 removing this two year limit on semen from an expired sire.
I am informed by Bord na gCon that in conjunction with the Irish Coursing Club they have carried out preliminary research and discussions with various experts in the areas of Quantitative Genetics, Animal & Bioscience Research and Canine Genetics on the specific aspects such as:
- Pedigree analysis of inbreeding levels and rate of accumulation of inbreeding in the Irish Greyhound
- Developing a breeding program to ensure long term gains while simultaneously managing genetic diversity
- The impact on the age of semen or age of semen donor on gene mutation rate.
Bord na gCon has informed me that greyhound owners are not allowed to ignore the provisions of the legislation pertaining to the greyhound industry and any allegations of breaches are investigated by Bord na gCon.
140. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the results of an inspection carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the effect the over-claim has on this person's single payment scheme, in monetary value, on future payments that will be due under the 2015 basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29453/15]
View answerThe number of entitlements to be allocated to any one farmer under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015 is based on the number of eligible hectares the farmer declared in 2013 or 2015, whichever is lesser. The value of those entitlements is based on the total value of entitlements owned by the farmer in 2014 plus the value of any payment received under the Grassland Sheep Scheme in that year.
The person named claimed 16.8 hectares of land in 2013. Upon inspection the eligible area of land was found to be 8.83 hectares and a penalty was imposed. If he declares the same number of eligible hectares in 2015, he will be allocated 8.83 entitlements in 2015. The imposition of the penalty in that year has no impact on the person’s eligibility to participate in the Basic Payment Scheme.
In 2014 the person named owned entitlements with a total value of €6,630.98. A percentage of this value is carried forward and is used to calculate the value of his entitlements in 2015 while the balance is accounted for by the Greening payment. A further penalty was imposed in 2014 but this penalty has no impact on the value of entitlements to be allocated in 2015.
As the person’s estimated Initial Unit Value in 2015 is over the national average value, he experiences a reduction in the value of his entitlements over the five years of the Scheme due to the process of convergence.
