Written Answers Nos. 210-20
210. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on matters (details supplied) regarding the closure of the Government publications sales office bookshop in Dublin 2; if he is aware of concerns expressed about the call centre, particularly the acceptance of order payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39465/15]
View answerA catalogue of publications for sale by Government Publications through its call centre is available electronically on the Office of Public Works website:
http://www.opw.ie/en/media/Catalogue2012.pdf
The catalogue is supplemented by periodic lists of new publications:
http://www.opw.ie/en/governmentpublications/periodiclist/
Call Centre staff are available to answer any queries from customers relating to publications for sale. Full contact details for Government Publications are to be found at:
http://www.opw.ie/en/governmentpublications/purchasingpublications/
The feasibility and demand for an on-line sales facility is being investigated.
211. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is aware of the concerns of the Alliance of Retired Public Servants in relation to the slowness of the pension restoration, as indicated, which is not aligned with that pertaining to pay restoration proposals; if a commitment will be given that these pensions will be fully restored, and thereby maintain pension increase parity with pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39467/15]
View answerI and my officials have met with representatives of the Alliance of Retired Public Servants (ARPS) on a regular basis. I note that my proposals to Government earlier this year in respect of the amelioration of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) burden on pensioners, and which now form part of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015, were welcomed at that time by representatives of the Alliance. These proposals deliver on my commitment to ease the burden of the PSPR as early as economic and fiscal circumstances allowed me to do so, with a focus on benefitting impacted lower-income pensions proportionately more.
Under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015, the Government intends, by 2018, to achieve a phased restoration of most of the public service pension cuts imposed under the financial emergency legislation. In specific terms, the Bill will deliver part-restoration of the PSPR cuts in three stages effective from 1 January 2016, 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2018. When fully rolled-out from 1 January 2018, this means that all public service pensions in payment with pre-PSPR values of up to €34,132 will be fully exempt from PSPR, while those pensioners not fully removed from the reach of PSPR will, in general, benefit by €1,680 per year. This represents a major amelioration of the PSPR burden over a short time horizon, at the end of which the great majority of public service pensioners, with the exception of those on the higher levels of pension income, will no longer be affected by PSPR. This significant level of restoration is more beneficial, in terms of both timing and proportion, compared with the proposed salary and PRD restoration to serving public servants.
212. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA Ireland visits to counties Longford and Westmeath for each of the years 2011 and 2014. [39172/15]
View answerThere were 2 site visits to Co. Longford and 22 site visits to Co. Westmeath in 2015 so far. The numbers of site visits to both counties for the years 2011 to 2014 are set out in the tabular statement. It is important to note that data on site visits is not a true measure of the level of FDI activity in a region or county. Approximately 70% of all FDI investment won by IDA Ireland comes from its existing client base.
Currently, IDA Ireland positions the Midlands Region, comprising Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly, as having a strong cluster in medical technology and life sciences. The Midlands is home to key clients such as Abbott, Covidien, Integra, GeneMedix, Freund, Utah, KCI, and AMS. All of these international brands are an attraction for potential clients to locate in the Midlands and provide employment opportunities for people living in County Longford. Examples of where the cluster effect benefits investment decisions include the announcements in 2014 by Jazz Pharmaceuticals in Athlone and American Medical Systems, who are already seeking planning permission to expand after only two years in Athlone.
As well as the FDI sector, this cluster is supported by over 600 people employed in medical technology-related industries from the indigenous sector, in areas such as manufacturing to delivery of elements of the supply chain.
The arrival of Jazz Pharmaceuticals to Athlone and the announcement of investment by Alexion Pharma combined with the existing presence of Alkermes, employing c. 400 staff identifies a new cluster in the Midlands in bio pharmaceuticals and this will be presented to potential new name companies in the market place.
The Regional Action Plan for Jobs initiative was launched in February of this year and aims to identify a range of actions which will help each region to achieve its economic potential. The Action Plan for Jobs – Midland Region was launched on the 29th June. This plan sets out over 120 actions aimed to deliver enhanced employment growth in the region over the coming years with a target of increasing employment in the region by 10-15 % by 2020. The overall ambition of the Action Plan for Jobs – Midland Region is to increase employment by approximately 14,000 by 2020.
IDA Ireland launched its new strategy entitled ‘Winning – Foreign Direct Investment 2015-2019’ earlier this year. As part of this strategy, IDA Ireland will roll out a €150m property investment plan over five years, which will support the achievement of the organisation's regional goals. The funding will be used to upgrade its business and technology parks, strategically invest in utility-intensive sites and build new advanced technology buildings in a number of regional locations. An advanced office building is planned for 2017 for Co. Westmeath as part of the programme.
Competition for FDI is intense globally with virtually every country in the world actively seeking new FDI investments. Investors have many attractive location options to choose from but IDA Ireland has a long and credible track record of presenting potential investors with the best location options throughout Ireland for each client. The agency actively incentivises and encourages investors to consider a range of potential locations in Ireland. The ultimate decision on location, however, rests with the client.
IDA Ireland-sponsored site visits to Longford and Westmeath 2011-2014
|
County |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
15 |
7 |
9 |
12 |
213. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in view of the exposure of the abuse of migrant workers in the fishing industry here (details supplied), the steps he will take in order to strengthen the legal position of workers in the industry; if he will consider issuing work permits and permission to remain in the State to workers who report abuse of their employment rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39233/15]
View answerI am aware of the allegations to which the Deputy refers. I am very concerned by the reported circumstances and treatment of the workers involved and the alleged compromise of their safety. Any mistreatment of workers on Irish fishing vessels is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the State and its agencies. That is why the Government decided last week to immediately establish an Inter-Departmental Taskforce chaired by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, to examine the wide range of issues regarding the treatment of workers on board Irish fishing trawlers, including those raised by the Deputy. The Taskforce had its first meeting on the fifth of November and will meet again this week.
The Taskforce has set itself a very tight timeframe in which to come up with proposals for Government and I look forward to considering these together with my Cabinet colleagues.
214. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39366/15]
View answerThe principal function of the Low Pay Commission is, once each year, to examine the national minimum hourly rate of pay and to make a recommendation to the Minister respecting the rate. The Commission is also charged with submitting a report on the matters considered when making the recommendation. The Low Pay Commission structure is designed to ensure a balanced statutory minimum pay rate that is fair and will assist low-paid and vulnerable workers.
The Report submitted to me on July 17th recommends a rate of €9.15 as the national minimum hourly rate of pay for experienced adult workers. This automatically provides an increase for those on sub-minima rates calculated as follows:-
- For workers under 18 years, the rate is 70% of the experienced adult rate;
- For workers over 18 years, in their first year of employment, the rate is 80% of the experienced adult rate; and
- For workers over 18 years, in their second year of employment, the rate is 90% of an experienced adult rate.
The National Minimum Wage Act also provides sub-minima rates which apply to employees who are over 18 and undergoing a course of structured training or directed study that is authorised or approved of by the employer. The trainee rates provided by the Act are as follows:-
- First one-third of training course, the rate is 75% of the experienced adult rate;
- Second one-third of training course, the rate is 80% of the experienced adult rate; and
- Final one-third of training course, the rate is 90% of the experienced adult rate.
The following table sets out all the rates as they currently are and what they will be from 1st January 2016 when the increase comes into effect.
Under the National Minimum Wage Act as amended, the Commission may be requested to examine and report its views and recommendations on such matters, related generally to the functions of the Commission under the Act, as are specified in that request. In this context, in order to obtain a better understanding of the impact of the NMW on younger people, particularly young people not in employment or education, I have asked the Commission to examine the appropriateness of the sub-minima rates as currently provided for with regard, in particular, to their impact on youth unemployment rates and participation in education.
National Minimum Wage (NMW)
New hourly rates of pay, effective from 1 January 2016
|
- |
- |
- |
Current rate |
- |
- |
New rate - 0110112016 |
|
Experienced adult worker |
- |
- |
€8.65 |
- |
- |
€9.15 |
|
Under 18 |
€8.65 |
70% |
€6.06 |
€9.15 |
70% |
€6.41 |
|
first year over 18 |
€8.65 |
80% |
€6.92 |
€9.15 |
80% |
€7.32 |
|
second year over 18 |
€8.65 |
90% |
€7.79 |
€9.15 |
90% |
€8.24 |
|
Trainee rates * |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
first one-third period |
€8.65 |
75% |
€6.49 |
€9.15 |
75% |
€6.86 |
|
second one-third period |
€8.65 |
80% |
€6.92 |
€9.15 |
80% |
C7.32 |
|
third one-third period |
€8.65 |
90% |
€7.79 |
€9.15 |
90% |
€8.24 |
*Training must be prescribed by the Minister in regulations.
Each one-third period must be no less than one month and no more than 12 months.
215. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of an application for a work permit by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39128/15]
View answerI understand that an application in respect of the person referred to in the Deputy’s question was received in the Employment Permits Section on 15th October 2015 and that the prescribed fee in respect of same was received on 6th November 2015. On the basis of current processing dates it is envisaged that a decision will be made on this application within the next four weeks.
216. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of Irish work permits for migrant workers in the fishing industry, and allegations in a newspaper (details supplied) that such workers have been trafficked into Ireland in defiance of Irish work permit and contractor licensing legislation, and that such workers have been allegedly abused and maltreated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39216/15]
View answerI am aware of the allegations to which the Deputy refers. I am very concerned by the reported circumstances and treatment of the workers involved and the alleged compromise of their safety. Any mistreatment of workers on Irish fishing vessels is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the State and its agencies. That is why the Government decided last week to immediately establish an Inter-Departmental Taskforce chaired by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, to examine the wide range of issues regarding the treatment of workers on board Irish fishing trawlers, including those raised by the Deputy in his question. The Taskforce had its first meeting on the fifth of November and will meet again this week. It has set itself a very tight timeframe in which to come up with proposals for Government and I look forward to considering these together with my Cabinet colleagues.
217. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to deal with the breach of workers' rights in the fishing industry, as reported by a British newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39232/15]
View answer218. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on reports of widespread abuse of workers' rights and terms and conditions in the fishing industry; the steps he will take on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39285/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.
I am aware of the allegations to which the Deputy refers. I am very concerned by the reported circumstances and treatment of the workers involved and the alleged compromise of their safety. Any mistreatment of workers on Irish fishing vessels is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the State and its agencies.
That is why the Government decided last week to immediately establish an Inter-Departmental Taskforce chaired by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, to examine the wide range of issues regarding the treatment of workers on board Irish fishing trawlers. The Taskforce had its 1st meeting on the 5th of November and will meet again this week.
The Taskforce has set itself a very tight timeframe in which to come up with proposals for Government and I look forward to considering these together with my Cabinet colleagues.
The Inspection service of the Workplace Relations Commission is also aware of the allegations in relation to Irish fishing vessels and I understand that a number of inspections related to this issue are presently underway, some in co-operation with other State bodies. The WRC does not comment on individual cases.
The enforcement of the National Minimum Wage, Payment of Wages, Terms and Conditions of Employment, Employment Agency and Employment Permits Acts in respect of workers employed on board Irish registered fishing vessels is a matter for inspectors of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). However, such legislation does not apply to persons classed as ‘share fishermen’ for Revenue purposes who are classed as self-employed persons rather than employees.
Marine Surveyors of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are authorised officers insofar as the enforcement of rest periods and the maximum working time of seafarers and fishing vessel crews are concerned. Inspectors of the WRC have statutory powers to share information and carry out inspections with other State Bodies and there has been increasing liaison in this regard in 2015 between the WRC and the Department of Transport insofar as inspections in the fishing industry are concerned. Inspection activity for 2015 shows a significant increase on previous years.
The WRC is represented on the cross-Departmental Task Force established by the Government to deal with issues highlighted by the Guardian Report on illegal migrant workers on Irish fishing vessels. The WRC also participates in the North Atlantic Fisheries Project, led by An Garda Síochána, which has been established specifically to identify and support victims of trafficking within the marine sector. This project brings a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to the issue, involving a broad range of competent State Agencies (including relevant marine, immigration and employment rights authorities) and civil society organisations.
219. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA Ireland-sponsored visits, by county, in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively; and the agency's strategy to ensure there is an equitable distribution of visits to each county. [39318/15]
View answer220. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of visits sponsored by IDA Ireland, to Dublin which also visited Cork, and to Cork which also visited Dublin, since 2012, in the context of the agency’s Horizon 2020 strategy and the target that 50% of investments will be located outside Dublin and Cork. [39319/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together.
IDA Ireland records its site visits on a county-basis only. The numbers of IDA Ireland-supported site visits on a county-by-county basis from 2013 to the end of the third quarter of 2015 are set out in the tabular statement. It is important to note that data on site visits is not a true measure of the level of FDI activity in a region or county. Approximately 70% of all FDI investment won by IDA Ireland comes from its existing client base. Working with stakeholders is exceptionally important in positioning any regional location to attract FDI and IDA Ireland continues to do so, as well as working with existing clients in all regional locations.
There were 757 visits to Dublin and 131 visits to Cork during the period 2012 to 2015 (end Q3). Some companies depending on their requirements may visit both Dublin and Cork on the same itinerary or choose to visit one county or the other. IDA Ireland cannot give details on clients’ individual itineraries for reasons of client confidentiality.
Global competition for FDI is increasingly intense and investors have many attractive location options to choose from. IDA Ireland actively incentivises and encourages investors to consider a range of potential locations in Ireland, however the ultimate decision on location rests with the client.
IDA Ireland launched its new strategy for the next five years entitled ‘Winning – Foreign Direct Investment 2015-2019’ earlier this year. Regional development is a major component of IDA Ireland of the strategy, which sets out the agency’s commitment to achieving a significant uplift in the amount of FDI projects going into regions and outlines strategic actions aimed at achieving this. As part of this strategy, IDA Ireland will roll out a €150m property investment plan over five years, which will support the achievement of the organisation's regional goals. The funding will be used to upgrade its business and technology parks, strategically invest in utility-intensive sites and build new advanced technology buildings in a number of regional locations.
The Government is committed to strong job creation in all regions of the country. The Regional Action Plan for Jobs initiative was launched by the Government in February of this year. The purpose of this initiative is to identify a range of actions aimed at facilitating each region to achieve its economic potential to raise employment levels. To date, four regional plans have been published – Mid-West, South-East, South-West and Midlands.
IDA Ireland-supported Site Visits by County 2013-2015(Quarter 3)
|
County |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 (Q3) |
|
Carlow |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Clare |
5 |
9 |
8 |
|
Cork |
31 |
30 |
32 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
6 |
3 |
|
Dublin |
180 |
205 |
176 |
|
Galway |
15 |
19 |
28 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
3 |
6 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
4 |
8 |
|
Laois |
2 |
0 |
4 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
2 |
8 |
|
Limerick |
23 |
22 |
25 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Louth |
4 |
10 |
9 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
4 |
2 |
|
Meath |
1 |
2 |
6 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
1 |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
0 |
2 |
|
Sligo |
10 |
7 |
11 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
3 |
10 |
|
Waterford |
14 |
11 |
24 |
|
Westmeath |
9 |
12 |
22 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
4 |
3 |
IDA Ireland-supported site visits to Dublin and Cork from 2012 to 2015 (end Q3)
|
Year |
Dublin |
Cork |
|
2012 |
196 |
38 |
|
2013 |
180 |
31 |
|
2014 |
205 |
30 |
|
2015 (end Q3) |
176 |
32 |
