Written Answers Nos. 444-468
444. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position the regarding the disproportionately high booking fees that are charged for booking concert tickets, airline tickets and so on by credit card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30584/15]
View answerIt is not clear from the Deputy’s question whether her concern is with ticket booking fees generally or only with the fees that apply to bookings made with a credit card. While the information that traders must provide about booking fees is subject to consumer protection legislation, the fees themselves are not regulated. Though I am aware of consumer dissatisfaction with these fees, the limited information available about booking fees for concerts and other events would suggest that the fees charged in Ireland are not out of line with those in other countries. While booking fees are not regulated, the same is not true of payment fees. The European Union (Consumer Information, Cancellation and Other Rights) Regulations 2013, which give effect to Directive 2011/83/EU on Consumer Rights, provide that the fees charged to consumers for the use of a given means of payment, such as a credit card, must not exceed the cost of that means of payment to the trader. A trader who contravenes this provision of the Regulations commits an offence. Enforcement of the Regulations is the responsibility of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and, for electronic communications and premium rate services, the Commission for Communications Regulation.
Directive 2007/64/EC on Payment Services in the Internal Market gives Member States discretion to forbid or limit payment charges taking into account the need to encourage competition and the use of efficient payment instruments. Ireland, in common with 12 other Member States including Germany and the United Kingdom, did not implement this option. The proposal for a revised Directive published by the European Commission in 2013 provides for a ban on surcharges for payments made under the main consumer credit and debit card schemes. Questions about this proposal and the related, recently adopted Regulation (EU) 2015/751 on Interchange Fees for Card-Based Payment Transactions are a matter for the Minister for Finance.
445. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to institute a system of sanctions for employers who do not pay redundancy payments in cases in which they have been ordered to do so by the Labour Court or by the Employment Appeals Tribunal. [31090/15]
View answerThe Workplace Relations (WR) Act 2015, which was signed into law on 20th May, reforms the State’s existing employment rights and industrial relations structures. It provides for a new two-tier Workplace Relations structure comprising the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court to replace the current five bodies. While a number of technical and operational provisions of the Act were commenced on 1st August, the majority of the provisions, including those related to the new structures, will be commenced on 1st October. Under the WR Act, claims under the Redundancy Payments Act can be made to a Workplace Relations Commission Adjudicator in the first instance, with a right of appeal to the Labour Court.
The WR Act provides for a range of enhanced compliance measures, together with a more effective and streamlined system for the enforcement of awards from Workplace Relations Commission Adjudicators and/or the Labour Court via the District Court.
Section 43 of the Act provides that where a complaint which has been upheld at first instance by an Adjudicator, and has not been appealed by either party, remains unimplemented after a period of 56 days, the complainant concerned, a trade union or excepted body acting on behalf of the complainant, or the WRC in certain circumstances, may apply to the District Court for an order directing the employer to carry out the decision in accordance with its terms. Section 45 makes similar provision in respect of Labour Court decisions which remain unimplemented after a period of 42 days.
Section 51 of the Act 2015 provides that it will be an offence for a party who is so directed by the District Court to pay compensation to a complainant but who fails to do so, except in circumstances where that respondent can demonstrate to the Court that his/her failure to pay the compensation was due to his/her inability to pay. I consider that this new enforcement mechanism will prove to be a very effective deterrent to respondents in employment rights proceedings who fail to pay awards made by an employment rights body.
I am confident that the new compliance and enforcement measures provided for in the Workplace Relations Act will result in more proportionate, efficient and effective enforcement of employment law, including rights provided for in the Redundancy Payments Act.
446. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on extending representation to former workers in all matters related to pension schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31078/15]
View answerI fully appreciate the concerns of retired and deferred members of pension schemes whose schemes are being restructured, particularly where such restructuring may impact on existing or potential pension benefits. In this regard, the question of pensioner groups having access to the State’s industrial relations machinery in pursuing pension scheme grievances is an issue to which careful consideration has been given.
In doing so, it was important to bear in mind that the industrial relations system in Ireland is voluntary in nature both as regards access to the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court. Any change to that principle which would put in place a mandated right to be part of the process would alter fundamentally the conduct of industrial relations.
As it stands, where changes to pension schemes are negotiated at company level whether as a result of a crisis in the scheme or otherwise, the outcome of that engagement cannot, of itself, change the pension scheme. Rather, any proposed changes to the scheme are effected through the trust deeds and rules of the scheme and are at the discretion of the parties so designated in the rules/deeds of the scheme. In my view, it is within this framework, rather than through the State’s industrial relations machinery, that a collective approach would be most effective.
In terms of changes to pension schemes generally, the Trustees of a particular pension scheme are required by law to act in the best interests of all the members, be they active deferred or pensioner members. Until recently, this has been done on an individual basis.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection has now provided for the recognition by trustees and the Pensions Authority of groups representing the interests of retired and deferred scheme members of a particular pension scheme. The required revised section 50 guidance has been published by the Pensions Authority.
From now on, the trustees of a pension scheme are required to notify the groups representing the interests of retired and deferred scheme members where the trustees of a scheme propose to apply to the Pensions Authority to restructure scheme benefits under section 50 of the Pensions Act. This notification affords the representative group an opportunity to make a submission to the trustees of the scheme in relation to such proposals.
In addition, the Pensions Authority is now required to notify groups representing the interest of scheme members where the Pensions Authority proposes to either issue a unilateral direction under section 50 of the Pensions Act to the trustees of a scheme to restructure scheme benefits or to wind up a pension scheme under section 50B of the Pensions Act. This notification affords the representative group an opportunity to make representations to the Pensions Authority in relation to such proposals.
447. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to meet with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31087/15]
View answerI, along with officials from my Department, met with the National Executive Committee of the ESB Retired Staff Association on July 27th last. At the meeting the Executive outlined their grievances in relation to collective representation access rights for retired persons on pension matters.
I fully appreciate their concerns and those of retired and deferred members of pension schemes whose schemes are being restructured, particularly where such restructuring may impact on existing or potential pension benefits.
It is important to bear in mind that the industrial relations system in Ireland is voluntary in nature both as regards access to the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court. Any change to that principle which would put in place a mandated right to be part of the process would alter fundamentally the conduct of industrial relations.
As it stands, where changes to pension schemes are negotiated at company level whether as a result of a crisis in the scheme or otherwise, the outcome of that engagement cannot, of itself, change the pension scheme. Rather, any proposed changes to the scheme are effected through the trust deeds and rules of the scheme and are at the discretion of the parties so designated in the rules/deeds of the scheme.
In terms of changes to pension schemes generally, the Trustees of a particular pension scheme are required by law to act in the best interests of all the members, be they active, deferred or pensioner members. Until recently, this has been done on an individual basis.
The matter has received careful consideration and, as you will be aware, the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection has recently introduced regulations and approved amendments to guidance issued by the Pensions Authority to provide for the recognition by the trustees of a pensions scheme of groups representing the interests of pensioners and deferred members of pension schemes. These changes mean that all groups representing the interests of the various categories of pension scheme membership are treated the same in the context of the provisions in the Pensions Act
The changes to the Regulations will require the trustees of a pension scheme to notify the groups representing the interests of retired and deferred scheme members where the trustees of a scheme propose to apply to the Pensions Authority to restructure scheme benefits under section 50 of the Pensions Act. This notification affords the representative group an opportunity to make a submission to the trustees of the scheme in relation to such proposals.
In addition, the Pensions Authority is now required to notify groups representing the interest of scheme members where the Pensions Authority proposes to either issue a unilateral direction under section 50 of the Pensions Act to the trustees of a scheme to restructure scheme benefits or to wind up a pension scheme under section 50B of the Pensions Act. This notification affords the representative group an opportunity to make representations to the Pensions Authority in relation to such proposals.
The Regulations also give the representative group the right to appeal such a direction by the Pensions Authority to the High Court on a point of law.
In my view it is within this framework, rather than through the State’s industrial relations machinery, that a collective approach should be effected.
Arising from the meeting mentioned earlier, I have asked my officials to liaise further with the Association on the matter.
448. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the sites, buildings and locations suitable for specific investment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31326/15]
View answerIDA Ireland markets Laois as part of its Midlands Region, which comprises 4 counties - Westmeath, Longford, Laois and Offaly. There are 35 multinational companies based in the Midlands, employing 4,032 across the Region. The agency is actively pursuing investment opportunities in its main markets (US and Europe) as well as positioning the region for newer opportunities in growth markets (Asia Pacific) and emerging companies (smaller companies with high growth). The IDA Ireland business and technology park in Portlaoise is a 16-hectare site with additional land available for further FDI development. Its tenants include Aubren (an Enterprise Ireland client company) and Internal Results, which announced the expansion of its operation in July. On the park, there is the 17,092 sq. ft. Advance Office Building, which is partly occupied (3,400 sq. ft.) by Internal Results. IDA Ireland continuously reviews its property options, including potential land acquisitions and disposals in the Midlands Region.
A digital marketing campaign is in place to market the Midlands Region for potential investors. This is used overseas by IDA Ireland executives, to showcase potential locations within the Midlands Region including Portlaoise. The agency has regular engagement with the Chief Executive of Laois County Council to ensure that there is a continuous line of communication open and a mutually supportive approach taken, considering the role that Local Authorities now have for economic development.
IDA continues to actively engage with existing clients in the region to support them in growing their business to retain jobs and expand their existing footprint in the region.
449. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will support a company (details supplied) with its proposal for long-term unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31331/15]
View answerFrom the information supplied it is apparent that this foreign company is in the business of providing specific consultancy services to companies and that it is proposing to expand into the Irish market with a range of advisory services, particularly in the area of digital transformation, for enterprises which are based here. There are quite narrow grounds under which companies can receive support from the Enterprise Development Agencies. In relation to foreign companies wishing to establish in Ireland, the relevant support Agency, IDA Ireland, can only provide grant support in certain circumstances where such a company is engaged in manufacturing or internationally traded services. Under the relevant legislation, companies providing consultancy services to companies located here are not eligible for direct State support.
Ireland has a very open economy for business activity here, with easy entry and no excessive administrative burdens. New business players and services providers are always welcome.
450. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a progress report on the appointment of the panel of adjudicators in respect of the Construction Contracts Act 2013; when this will be completed and fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31413/15]
View answer451. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the procedures involved in appointing the chairperson to the panel of adjudicators in respect of the Construction Contracts Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31414/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 450 and 451 together.
The Government is 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.
Minister Nash is taking all the necessary actions to bring about implementation of the legislation. He appointed Dr. Nael G. Bunni, firstly as a member of the Construction Contracts Adjudication Panel and subsequently as Chairperson. His appointment as Chairperson is for a three year term which commenced on the 8th July 2015, and this followed the receipt of the appropriate sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Dr. Bunni was identified to Minister Nash as exceptionally well qualified to fulfil the role and responsibilities of Chairperson of the Panel. Dr. Bunni is widely respected for having extensive experience of dispute resolution in the construction industry, both at home and internationally. Minister Nash met with Dr. Bunni and satisfied himself that he was appropriately qualified, following which Dr. Bunni was invited to, and appeared before, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on the 26th May.
The Public Appointments Service has, on behalf of my Department, engaged in an open competitive process for the selection of members for the Panel of Adjudicators. The closing date for the competition was the 18th September. Minister Nash will appoint suitably qualified candidates to the Panel following the completion of the assessment process by the Public Appointments Service.
A draft Code of Practice for the conduct of adjudications, which is required under the legislation, is being reviewed within my Department and the relevant stakeholders will be consulted prior to the publication of the Code by Statutory Instrument.
These preparatory arrangements are necessary prior to the commencement of the legislation and once they have been finalised, a date for implementation of the Act will be announced in advance to provide sufficient notice to those affected by the Act's provisions.
452. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he expects that a commencement date for the Construction Contracts Act 2013 will be set during the lifetime of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31518/15]
View answer453. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason there has been such a lengthy delay in the setting of a commencement date for the Construction Contracts Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31519/15]
View answer454. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if, further to the closing date for applications, a date has been set for the selection and appointment of panellists on the adjudication panel under the Construction Contracts Act 2013; if he expects that there will be representation from small and medium enterprises on the panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31520/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 452 to 454, inclusive, together.
The Government is committed to the earliest possible implementation of the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 and in order to achieve this, approved the delegation of responsibility for its implementation to my colleague Mr. Gerald Nash T.D., the Minister of State for Business and Employment, late last year.
Minister Nash is taking all the necessary actions to bring about implementation of the legislation as speedily as possible and significant progress has been made to date. He appointed Dr. Nael G. Bunni as Chairperson of the Construction Contracts Adjudication Panel for a three year term with effect from 8th July 2015. Dr. Bunni has wide ranging experience of dispute resolution in the construction industry, both at home and internationally.
The Public Appointments Service is conducting an open competitive process, on behalf of my Department, for the selection of members of the Panel of Adjudicators. The closing date for applications was 18th September. Minister Nash will appoint suitably qualified candidates to the Panel as soon as is practicable following completion of the assessment process by the Public Appointments Service. The eligibility requirements for membership of the Panel are specified in section 8(6) of the Construction Contracts Acts, 2013.
A draft Code of Practice for the conduct of adjudications, which is required under the legislation, is being reviewed within my Department and the relevant stakeholders will be consulted prior to the publication of the Code by Statutory Instrument.
Once these preparatory arrangements have been completed, a date for implementation of the Act will be announced in advance in order to provide sufficient notice to those affected by the Act's provisions.
455. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on concerns at the significant timelags, four years in some instances, between cases being heard by the Employment Appeals Tribunal and determinations on those cases being issued by the tribunal. [31613/15]
View answerThe Employment Appeals Tribunal is committed to issuing 60% of determinations within 8 weeks of hearing and 90% of determinations to issue within 6 months of hearing. The most recent statistics in relation to the timeframe for issuing determinations indicate that 67% of determinations issue within 8 weeks of a hearing date and 98% of determinations issue within 6 months of hearing date. The small numbers of cases that take longer to finalise are usually complex in nature and may involve further submissions from parties and consultations between the members of the Tribunal who heard those cases. The Workplace Relations Reform Programme, which will be effected from 1st October this year, will deliver a two tier Workplace Relations structure. The activities of the Labour Relations Commission, the National Employment Rights Authority, the Equality Tribunal and the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Labour Court will be merged into a new Body of First Instance, to be known as the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The appellate functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal will be incorporated into an expanded Labour Court. From 1st October all complaints will fall to be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission in the first instance, and, on appeal, to the Labour Court.
My objective as part of the Reform Programme is to reduce the waiting time for hearings by putting in place a target period of three months from the time of complaint to hearing.
456. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of all the funding his Department has provided to a company (details supplied) in County Kerry since its inception. [31618/15]
View answerKerry Local Enterprise Office (LEO) (former Kerry CEB) did not provide any capital grants to the company. However, staff at the company have availed of mentoring support from Kerry CEB/LEO and attended digital marketing training and a business growth programme. In 2009, under a scheme providing e-business and marketing supports, the firm availed of €1,659 in supports.
Apart from CEB/LEO funding, my Department has not provided any other funding to the company.
457. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he will introduce legislation to revamp company law to prevent the type of closure which took place at a department store (details supplied) in Dublin, with such detrimental impacts on workers and small business concession owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31639/15]
View answerThe operation of the Companies Act 2014 is under continuous review, particularly through the work of the Company Law Review Group (CLRG). The current work programme of the CLRG specifically includes topics on receivership, examinership and winding up. With regard to the situation referred to by the Deputy, the liquidation of OCS Operations Limited is currently in the hands of liquidators under the supervision of the High Court. While the liquidation is at an early stage, the High Court was informed at the hearing on 6 July that the liquidators have identified a number of matters which they intend to investigate as part of the liquidation process. It is only when all the facts and events leading up to the winding up of the company are known, and any potential legal challenges are raised, that an informed decision can be made on whether an amendment to Company Law should be made.
The liquidators have important duties under Company Law. They include an obligation to provide within 6 months of their appointment a report on the conduct of directors to the Director of Corporate Enforcement; a requirement to make an application to the High Court for the restriction of directors unless the Director of Corporate Enforcement has relieved the liquidator of this requirement.
The Companies Act 2014 introduced stronger provisions under which a related company may be required to contribute to the debts of a company being wound up (section 599) and the pooling of assets of related companies (section 600). The effectiveness of these provisions remain to be tested and it would be inappropriate to comment on their application in any case before the courts.
458. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the commencement date for the Construction Contracts Act 2013; the reason for the delay; and if the members of the adjudication panel have been selected. [32050/15]
View answerThe Government is committed to the earliest possible implementation of the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 and in order to achieve this, approved the delegation of responsibility for its implementation to my colleague Mr. Gerald Nash T.D., the Minister of State for Business and Employment, late last year. Minister Nash is taking all the necessary actions to bring about implementation of the legislation as speedily as possible and significant progress has been made to date. He appointed Dr. Nael G. Bunni for a three year term as Chairperson of the Construction Contracts Adjudication Panel with effect from 8th July 2015. Dr. Bunni has extensive experience of dispute resolution in the construction industry, both at home and internationally.
The Public Appointments Service is conducting an open competitive process, on behalf of my Department, for the selection of members of the Panel of Adjudicators. The closing date for applications was 18th September. Minister Nash will appoint suitably qualified candidates to the Panel as soon as is practicable following completion of the assessment process by the Public Appointments Service.
A draft Code of Practice for the conduct of adjudications, which is required under the legislation, is being reviewed within my Department at present and the relevant stakeholders will be consulted prior to the publication of the Code by Statutory Instrument.
Once these preparatory arrangements have been completed, a date for implementation of the Act will be announced in advance in order to provide sufficient notice to those affected by the Act's provisions.
459. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the options available to workers who are owed moneys by a business that has not been liquidated (details supplied). [32071/15]
View answerThe rights of the employees are set out in Section 12 of the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973 which states “The amount of any compensation awarded by the Tribunal … shall be recoverable by the employee as a simple contract debt in a court of competent jurisdiction.”
“Proceedings for the recovery of any sum due by way of compensation awarded by the Tribunal … may be instituted and maintained on behalf of the employee by the Minister or by that employee’s trade union.”
In all cases the party to whom an award is made may pursue the matter of enforcement of an unpaid award directly with the courts service. In essence the employee may take a claim to the District Court if an employer fails to implement a determination of the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
The employee’s union or the Minister may if he thinks it appropriate, having regard to all the circumstances, institute proceeding in the District Court in respect of awards made under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 to 2005, in his name on behalf of the employee against the employer. The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) acts on behalf of the Minister in processing requests in this regard.
In deciding whether or not to intervene in the Minister’s name, NERA has regard to the amount of the award, the potential for achieving a favourable outcome for the claimant and the scale of the costs likely to be incurred in doing so.
The records of the Companies Registration Office indicate that the company referred to, is in Receivership. I understand the Receiver appointed is Michael Cotter C/O Ernst & Young, City Quarter, Lapps Quay, Cork. The workers should contact the Receiver regarding the outstanding payments.
460. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action he or his agencies have taken since the announcement of the closure of a company (details supplied) in County Mayo in August last; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32079/15]
View answerThe current position concerning the plant in question is that prior to the closure, Enterprise Ireland visited the facility on 18 August and a full tour of the facility was conducted. The Agency was also in contact with the Receiver on 19 August concerning facilitating the sale of the business. In addition, Enterprise Ireland contacted its client companies in the bakery business in an effort to find a buyer for the business and has also indicated that it will market the facility to its overseas investors.
Unfortunately as part of the receivership process there were no bids for the Ballinrobe facilities.
All the supports of the state will be made available to support the workers, including the services of Intreo, Solas and the National Employment Rights Authority.
Enterprise Ireland and the LEO Mayo are available to meet with employees who may wish to start their own business. However as yet, Enterprise Ireland is not aware of any potential startup from the former workers at the plant.
Enterprise Ireland continues to work with its existing clients and potential startups from the Ballinrobe area. Enterprise Ireland client companies in County Mayo increased their employment by 73 to total 3,286 full-time jobs in 2014.
The Local Enterprise Offices - or LEOs - are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for support to anyone wishing to start or expand a business, focussing on the micro-enterprise sector (10 employees or less). The LEOs can provide information, advice and guidance on the range of State supports to enterprise and signpost customers to the appropriate contacts across the various agencies that provide them. Further information can be found on the LEO website at www.localenterprise.ie/mayo. In 2014, a total of 66 new full and part-time jobs were created in companies supported by the LEO Mayo, bringing the total number of employees in these companies to 1,060.
IDA Ireland’s strategy, WINNING Foreign Direct Investment 2015 - 2019, sets out challenging targets, including the creation of 80,000 direct jobs in 900 investment projects over the period, bringing total FDI employment to 209,000 by the end of the period. Under the program, IDA is targeting a minimum increase in investment of 30% to 40% in each Region outside Dublin including the West Region. IDA Ireland client companies in County Mayo increased their employment by 204 to total 3,932 jobs in 2014.
In February, the Government announced details of the Action Plan for Jobs: Regional initiative which seeks to build on the existing strengths and assets of each region to maximise enterprise growth and job creation. This initiative will see Action Plans drawn up for eight regions, supported by a package of up to €250 million in funding over the next five years.
The Action Plan for Jobs West Region is currently being finalised and is expected to be published shortly. A key target in the Plan is to increase employment in the region by between 10 and 15% on 2014 employment levels in the period to 2020 and to ensure that the unemployment rate in the Region lies within 1% of the national average.
I am sure that the measures outlined in both the Action Plan for Jobs and the Regional Action Plans, together with other policies being pursued by the State agencies, will continue to support enterprise development and provide employment opportunities in County Mayo. In that context, the State agencies will continue to work closely with each other, and with local interests, to support an integrated approach to job creation in Ballinrobe.
461. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Enterprise Ireland plans to open an office in Glasgow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32127/15]
View answer462. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Enterprise Ireland plans to open an office in Melbourne, Australia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32128/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 461 and 462 together.
Enterprise Ireland has no plan to open an office in Glasgow.
Enterprise Ireland previously had an office presence in Glasgow and closed it in 2012 consolidating its office presence in the UK to a single office in London. The London office manages Enterprise Ireland’s activities throughout the UK, supporting Enterprise Ireland clients secure business with €6.815bn in exports achieved in 2014 (9% growth on 2013).
Enterprise Ireland continues to work with the Irish Consulate in Edinburgh to support client business interests in Scotland, with a particular focus on Construction and Cleantech sectors.
Enterprise Ireland does not have any current plans to open an office in Melbourne.
Enterprise Ireland has two offices in Australia - Sydney and Perth. The Perth office was opened in 2014. Enterprise Ireland has a network of local sectorial pathfinders which supports clients in the Melbourne region as required.
463. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is aware that some State agencies are requiring employees who wish to avail of voluntary redundancy, to sign compromise agreements; the extent to which his Department is aware of the practice; his views that such agreements may present less favourable conditions to signatories than standard or typical redundancy agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32236/15]
View answerWithin the suite of my Department’s Agencies, Enterprise Ireland administered a Voluntary Leaving Programme in early 2015 under which 37 staff availed of voluntary redundancy. On exiting the organisation, staff accepting the offer of Voluntary Redundancy were required to sign an “Acceptance of Offer”, the terms of which reflected typical redundancy agreements. The terms dealt with such matters as return of property to Enterprise Ireland, payment of outstanding monies to Enterprise Ireland, re-employment in the public sector and the standard provision that the sum being paid was in full and final settlement of any claim the signatory may have had against Enterprise Ireland.
The contents of this acceptance document was informed by existing public sector policy in relation to redundancy agreements in the Public Sector (including restrictions on re-employment as per Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants dated 28 June 2012) and on legal advice obtained by Enterprise Ireland which included standard wording to protect the interests of the organisation while offering a scheme that was fair, equitable and in accordance with Irish employment law.
All Enterprise Ireland staff are subject to a statutory duty of confidentiality. The “Acceptance of Offer” also included an acknowledgement by the signatory of this statutory position.
464. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the location of each of the local enterprise offices throughout the country; the number of staff in each office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32278/15]
View answerIn accordance with the Service Level Agreement between Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities, the Local Authorities, through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), deliver a range of supports to the micro and small business sector at local level on behalf of Enterprise Ireland. In this regard, under Section 159 of the Local Government Act, 2001, each Chief Executive of the Local Authorities is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the Local Authorities for which he/she is responsible, including the LEOs. In the meantime, I have asked Enterprise Ireland to work with the Local Authorities in evaluating LEO performance, scale of ambition, available resources etc. in the context of delivering on the remit of the LEOs and with particular reference to their Local Enterprise Development Plans for 2016 and the identification of best practice and best utilisation of available resources.
Where a Chief Executive of a Local Authority identifies a need for additional staffing resources in order to ensure continued delivery of key services it is open to him/her to pursue sanction for same with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
The location of the individual Local Enterprise Offices is available through www.localenterprise.ie.
465. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when it is envisaged the regional action plan for jobs for the west will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32321/15]
View answerFollowing an extensive consultation exercise involving public and private sector groups my officials are finalising the Regional Action Plan for Jobs for the West, and it is expected the Plan will be launched in the coming weeks.
466. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of internal audit across his Department; internal audit's relationship with external auditors and audit committees, as well as internal audit's adherence to professional standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32554/15]
View answerMy Department is committed to supporting, developing and reviewing the internal control environment and corporate governance procedures across all areas of activity for which my Accounting Officer has responsibility. In this regard, the Department's Internal Audit Unit and Audit Committee have a significant role to play. The Audit Committee is part of the assurance system, tasked with providing independent advice to my Accounting Officer regarding the suitability and robustness of my Department’s internal control systems and procedures. The Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General conducts an external audit of my Department’s Appropriation Account each year and my Internal Audit Unit and Audit Committee has a constructive and cooperative relationship with that Office. In November 2012 the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform determined that the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing should apply to all Departments and my Department adheres to these. The work of my Audit Committee is carried out in compliance with the structures set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform 2014 Audit Committee Guidance.
467. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the annual cost to his Department of fees paid to private for-profit companies to provide services, such as consultancy work, recruitment services and other outsourced services, for example cleaning, catering and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32717/15]
View answerEvery effort is made by the Department at all times to ensure that value for money is derived from all elements of the exchequer provision made to the Department's Vote. Over the period since 2011 the Department has delivered on each annual current expenditure target set by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
In relation to the Department's Administrative budget which is directly relevant to the areas raised in the Deputy’s question, essentially there has been an annual 5% reduction achieved each year over the 2011 to 2014 period inclusive. Given the level of reforms delivered by my Department over that period allied to changes to the structure of the Department's Vote, which includes transfers of certain functions in and out of the Department, it is not possible to provide a like-for-like comparison between 2011 and 2015.
In 2014, the Department expended €1.07 million on consultancy, value for money and policy reviews. The majority of this consultancy and policy reviews relate to areas of work previously undertaken by Forfás. This work, which is now undertaken by the Strategic Policy Division of the Department in conjunction with external providers, was integrated into the Department upon dissolution of Forfás during 2014. The 2015 expenditure on these categories to the end of August was €543,000.
In relation to outsourced information and communications technology (ICT) supports, the Department expended €1.37 million in 2014. This expenditure spanned across areas such as software supports, IT consultancy, website maintenance and the provision of helpdesk services. An amount of € 734,000 has been expended in outsourced ICT supports to the end of August 2015.
Costs incurred by the Department in relation to other outsourced costs covering cleaning, catering, off-site file storage, translation services, furniture removals and the use of couriers amounted to €260,550 in 2014. An amount of €188,080 had been expended across these categories of expenditure by the end of August 2015.
468. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the annual cost to his Department of fees paid to private for-profit companies to provide public services, for example, waste collection, motorway toll operators, public transport such as Veolia/Luas and private bus companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32724/15]
View answerMy Department is not involved in the provision of public services of the type cited in the Deputy’s question.
