Written Answers Nos. 129-144
129. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the funding he allocated and the funding spent on capital projects and other initiatives in the constituencies of Louth and Meath East by project and initiative, by completion date and by cost for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3564/16]
View answerUnder the IDA Ireland Strategy entitled “Winning” announced on 25 February 2015, it was proposed that one of the new planned Advanced Building Solutions would be on the IDA Dundalk Business and Technology Park. The design and planning process commenced in Quarter 4 2015 and the building is due for completion Quarter 1 2017. The total amounts of payments made by IDA Ireland to its client companies in Counties Louth and Meath over the 5 year period 2010-2014 were €10,253,765 for Louth and €2,604,501 for Meath.
The total amounts of Capital payments made by IDA Ireland to its client companies in Counties Louth and Meath for the same period were €3,058,074 for Louth and €63,362 for Meath.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) makes payments to companies and ‘infrastructural clients’. For the period 2011-2015, the total amounts of payments made by Enterprise Ireland (EI) to its client companies were:
|
County |
Amount |
|
Louth |
€10,893,863 |
|
Meath |
€9,207,145 |
Total EI payments to its infrastructural clients for the same period (2011-2015) were:
|
County |
Amount |
|
Louth |
€911,724 |
|
Meath |
€50,000 |
Summaries of payments made by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland (including EI infrastructure payments) are set out in the following tables. Please note that information is provided by the agencies on a county and not a constituency basis.
Each year, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) allocates in the region of €150-€160 million to €160 million of research funding to researchers across Ireland’s higher education system based on open, internationally peer-reviewed calls for proposals. SFI research awards are typically multi-annual awards (i.e. drawn down over a period of 2 to 5 years depending on the nature of the Call). The total grants awarded to Dundalk IT to 31 December 2015 is €1,695,000.
IDA Ireland Payments to Clients per County Summary 2010-2014
|
County |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
Total |
|
Louth |
€347,207 |
€489,051 |
€2,809,400 |
€2,935,800 |
€3,672,307 |
€10,253,765 |
|
Meath |
€524,671 |
€386,670 |
€152,240 |
€1,540,920 |
€0 |
€2,604,501 |
Enterprise Ireland Payments to Clients per County Summary 2011-2015
|
County |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
Total |
|
Louth |
€2,233,945.69 |
€2,558,167.19 |
€2,146,404.61 |
€1,595,940.06 |
€2,359,406.23 |
€10,893,863.78 |
|
Meath |
€1,710,047.55 |
€1,092,748.70 |
€1,453,726.89 |
€2,673,731.24 |
€2,276,891.58 |
€9,207,145.96 |
|
Grand Total |
€3,946,004 |
€3,652,927 |
€3,602,144 |
€4,271,685 |
€4,638,312 |
€20,101,009.74 |
Source : Enterprise Ireland Cognos System ran 27th January 2016. Note the above payments exclude payments to infrastructural clients, Shannon Free Zone Transfer Clients, Incubation Centres and Employment Subsidy Scheme recipients.
Enterprise Ireland Infrastructure Summary 2011-2015
|
County |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
Total |
|
Louth |
€170,040.21 |
€375,959.79 |
€271,268.15 |
€67,907.87 |
€26,547.98 |
€911,724.00 |
|
Meath |
€0.00 |
€25,000.00 |
€0.00 |
€25,000.00 |
€0.00 |
€50,000.00 |
|
Grand Total |
€170,040.21 |
€400,959.79 |
€271,268.15 |
€92,907.87 |
€26,547.98 |
€961,724.00 |
130. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA Ireland site visits to a town (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3684/16]
View answerIDA Ireland maintains statistics of site visits by potential investors on a county-by-county basis only. From 2011 to 2015, there were a total of 128 visits by potential investors to County Galway. The year-by-year breakdown is set out in the following table. It is important to note that data on site visits is not an accurate measure of the level of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) activity in a region or county. That is partly because approximately 70% of all FDI investment won by IDA Ireland comes from its existing client base, rather than new companies.
IDA Ireland is committed to significantly increasing the number of investments outside Dublin and the agency continues to work with both stakeholders and existing clients with that goal in mind. While IDA Ireland does attempt to influence the choice of location, the final decision as to where to visit and ultimately locate is taken in all cases by the client company.
The true measure of FDI is reflected in IDA Ireland’s record 2015 results. IDA Ireland client companies created 18,983 jobs on the ground during the year across a range of sectors, with every region of Ireland posting net gains in jobs. Overall, there were 14,297 people employed in IDA Ireland client-companies in Galway in 2015, reflecting a net increase of 482 on 2014.
Site Visits to County Galway 2011-2015
|
Year |
Site Visits |
|
2011 |
35 |
|
2012 |
18 |
|
2013 |
15 |
|
2014 |
19 |
|
2015 |
41 |
|
Total |
128 |
131. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of client visits hosted by IDA Ireland by county for each year since 2011 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3754/16]
View answerIDA Ireland maintains statistics of site visits by potential investors on a county-by-county basis only. Since 2011 there were a total of 1,969 IDA Ireland sponsored site visits by potential investors to various locations throughout the country. The following table sets out, on a county-by-county basis, the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits for each year from 2011 to 2015. It is important to note that data on site visits is not an accurate measure of the level of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) activity in a region or county. That is partly because approximately 70% of all FDI investment won by IDA Ireland comes from its existing client base, rather than new companies.
The Agency is continuing to work with both stakeholders and existing clients in order to attract increased investment in regional locations across the country. While IDA Ireland does attempt to influence the choice of location – and the Agency is committed to significantly increasing the number of investments outside Dublin – the final decision as to where to visit and ultimately locate is taken in all cases by the client company.
The true measure of FDI is reflected in IDA Ireland’s record 2015 results. IDA Ireland client companies created just under 19,000 (18,983) jobs on the ground during the year across a range of sectors, with every region of Ireland posting net gains in jobs.
The table shows the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits, on a county by county basis for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
|
County |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Carlow |
2 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Clare |
15 |
14 |
5 |
9 |
12 |
|
Cork |
27 |
38 |
31 |
30 |
48 |
|
Donegal |
2 |
1 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
|
Dublin |
150 |
196 |
180 |
205 |
242 |
|
Galway |
35 |
18 |
15 |
19 |
41 |
|
Kerry |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
|
Kildare |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
10 |
|
Laois |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
|
Limerick |
40 |
30 |
23 |
22 |
40 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Louth |
26 |
12 |
4 |
10 |
20 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
|
Meath |
2 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
|
Sligo |
3 |
6 |
10 |
7 |
15 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
12 |
|
Waterford |
11 |
26 |
14 |
11 |
31 |
|
Westmeath |
15 |
7 |
9 |
12 |
28 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
6 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
132. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of local enterprise office supported jobs by county in 2014 and 2015 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3757/16]
View answerThe Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ State support service for micro and small businesses in each local area. They provide advice and direction, covering all government supports and requirements, to anyone who wishes to start a new business or expand an existing one.
The LEOs provide funding for projects primarily in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which over time have the potential to develop into strong export entities. There are three main categories of grant under which direct financial assistance is provided – Priming, Feasibility and Business Expansion. They also provide soft supports such as training and mentoring and the LEO staff can advise as to which supports would be most appropriate.
In 2014, based on the Annual Employment Survey of LEO clients, total direct employment among the 6,058 LEO client companies stood at 31,326 (full- and part-time), an increase of 4,012 jobs in the year. Details of LEO supported jobs by county in 2014 are shown in the following table.
Statistics in relation to the number of jobs created last year through support provided by the LEOs are currently being compiled as part of the 2015 Survey of client companies. Figures for 2015, including on an individual LEO basis, will be announced as soon as the results are available.
As well as existing businesses, the LEOs support entrepreneurs to start a new business; in 2015, 500 start-up companies were supported through the LEOs.
In addition, any business can use the LEOs to help them to access finance from Micro Finance Ireland (MFI). The LEOs can support enterprises through the MFI application, review and approval processes. In 2015, 207 applications with a total value of €3.2m and with 477 associated jobs, made via the LEOs, were approved by MFI.
In 2015, the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition, which was run by the LEOs, attracted applications from 1,400 young entrepreneurs. The financial support provided to the 92 winners will lead to job creation in the future. Furthermore, by November 2015, some 1,500 businesses had completed, or were in the process of completing, their trading online projects under the Trading Online Voucher Scheme, which is also run by the LEOs.
LEO Employment 2014 - by NUTS III Region
|
|
LEO |
No of Clients |
Total Jobs 2014 |
Total Jobs Growth 2014 |
|
Cavan |
195 |
1,049 |
108 |
|
|
Donegal |
159 |
1,223 |
45 |
|
|
Leitrim |
126 |
388 |
117 |
|
|
Louth |
197 |
656 |
66 |
|
|
Monaghan |
170 |
904 |
61 |
|
|
Sligo |
202 |
1,103 |
73 |
|
|
Border |
Border Total |
1,049 |
5,323 |
470 |
|
Kildare |
103 |
683 |
63 |
|
|
Meath |
180 |
806 |
154 |
|
|
Wicklow |
97 |
572 |
137 |
|
|
Mid-East |
Mid-East Total |
380 |
2,061 |
354 |
|
Clare |
161 |
1,346 |
202 |
|
|
Tipperary North |
130 |
482 |
107 |
|
|
Limerick |
216 |
1,292 |
198 |
|
|
Mid-West |
Mid-West Total |
507 |
3,120 |
507 |
|
Laois |
85 |
384 |
35 |
|
|
Longford |
222 |
899 |
75 |
|
|
Offaly |
194 |
931 |
115 |
|
|
WestMeath |
242 |
1,284 |
38 |
|
|
Midlands |
Midlands Total |
743 |
3,498 |
263 |
|
Carlow |
206 |
1,152 |
207 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
243 |
1,154 |
196 |
|
|
Tipperary South |
148 |
895 |
62 |
|
|
Waterford |
300 |
1,515 |
152 |
|
|
Wexford |
170 |
1,070 |
210 |
|
|
South-East |
South-East Total |
1,067 |
5,786 |
827 |
|
Cork City |
96 |
656 |
191 |
|
|
Cork South |
155 |
785 |
171 |
|
|
Cork West/North |
215 |
1,277 |
187 |
|
|
Kerry |
444 |
1,794 |
85 |
|
|
South West |
South-West Total |
910 |
4,512 |
634 |
|
Galway County/City |
239 |
882 |
105 |
|
|
Mayo |
182 |
1,060 |
53 |
|
|
Roscommon |
141 |
641 |
6 |
|
|
West |
West Total |
562 |
2,583 |
164 |
|
Dublin City |
258 |
1,431 |
453 |
|
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
211 |
1,304 |
156 |
|
|
Dublin Fingal |
142 |
562 |
126 |
|
|
Dublin South |
229 |
1,146 |
58 |
|
|
Dublin |
Dublin Total |
840 |
4,443 |
793 |
|
|
Grand Total |
6,058 |
31,326 |
4,012 |
133. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication, and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011. [3770/16]
View answerThe names of external reports commissioned by my Department and Offices of my Department, the costs, the date of commission, the date or expected date of publication and the name of the external consultants are set out below for the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and to 26 January 2016.
The data in respect of 2014 includes research and analysis which was commissioned by Forfás prior to the date of its integration into my Department in August 2014, and for which my Department held the 2014 budget. This research and analysis has subsequently been carried out in the Strategic Policy Division in my Department.
1 st January – 26 th January 2016
|
Name of external Consultant/Organisation |
Report Title |
Date of Commission |
Status/Date Published/Ongoing |
Cost of Report** - € |
|
Sabeo |
Health check on email archive system |
December 2015 |
Awaiting final report, Internal ICT assessment – not for publication |
1,750.00 |
|
Gas Package Solutions (GPS) Ltd., |
Assessment of application for recognised third party recognition status under EU Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC |
22 June 2015 |
Technical assessment report - not for publication |
6,685.00 |
|
Capita Business Services Ltd |
Review of Science and Technology Development Programme – Draft Audit Report |
October 2015 |
Operational report not for publication |
8,250.00 |
1 st January – 31st December 2015
|
Name of external Consultant/Organisation |
Report Title |
Date of Commission |
Status/Date Published/Ongoing |
Cost of Report** - € |
|
Technopolis |
Evaluation of Ireland’s Participation in FP7 and Horizon 2020 |
December 2015 |
Ongoing |
97,237.65 (29,171.30 paid in 2015) |
|
University of Limerick |
Study on the prevalence of zero hour and low hour contracts and their impact on employees |
February 2015 |
Published 3 November 2015 |
96,670.00 |
|
Planet21 Communications Ltd. |
Strategic Review of Network |
January 2015 |
Internal ICT network assessment – not for publication |
9,932.25 |
|
Ward Solutions |
ICT security review |
Various Dates |
Internal ICT security assessments – not for publication |
43,572.75 |
|
Version 1 Software |
Oracle eBusiness Suite Release 12 Upgrade Assessment |
November 2014 |
Internal ICT system assessment – not for publication |
8,079.92 |
|
Copenhagen Economics |
TTIP Impact in Ireland |
December 2013 |
Published on 27th March 2015 |
84,896.04 |
|
Insight Statistical Consulting |
Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact (ABSEI) |
December 2014 |
ABSEI 2014 – Report due to be published March 2016 |
48,564.14 |
|
Insight Statistical Consulting |
Annual Employment Survey 2015 |
November 2015 |
Survey Completed – Report due in Feb 2016 |
5,965.50 |
|
Technopolis |
Enterprise demand survey and analysis for report on Strengthening Ireland’s Market-Focussed Research Centre Capacity |
February 2015 |
Technical input to development of successor to SSTI - Complete |
30,750.00 |
|
Mazars LLP |
Not in public domain. |
September 2014 |
This report forms part of the evidence in a criminal prosecution by the DPP and will be detailed in court when the case is heard. |
177,545.80 |
|
Mason Hayes Curran |
Tables of Destinations and Origins to Companies Act 2014 |
April 2015 |
15th June 2015 |
123,000.00 |
|
Crowley’s DFK |
Audit of funds transfer as part of Forfás restructuring |
December 2014 |
Operational report not for publication |
7,000.00 |
|
Capita Business Services Ltd |
Review of Agency case |
January 2015 |
Not for publication. |
9,809.25 |
|
CMI |
A study on the role and importance of Design in Irish-based firms in Non-Design Intensive Sectors |
June 2015 |
Complete to be published shortly (underpinned the publication “Policy Framework for Design in Enterprise in Ireland” – published 26th of January |
48, 454.65 |
|
Dr Christian Kettles |
Review of Competitiveness Frameworks |
July 2015 |
Ongoing |
34,045.00 |
|
ESRI Research Programme with DJEI & EI |
Review of Expansion & Diversification of Irish Exports |
November 2015 |
Ongoing |
30,000.00 (DJEI) 30,000.00 (EI) |
January – December 2014
|
Name of external Consultant/Organisation |
Report Title |
Date of Commission |
Status/Date Published/Ongoing |
Cost of Report** - € |
|
Technopolis |
Ireland’s Future Infrastructure Needs |
Q2 2015 |
Published as part of Innovation 2020 in December 2015 |
47,203.17 |
|
Ward Solutions |
ICT security reviews |
Various dates |
Internal ICT security assessments – not for publication |
35,178.00 |
|
Rits |
Mobile Device Policy Assessment |
September 2014 |
Internal ICT security assessments – not for publication |
2,236.00 |
|
Version 1 |
Oracle eBusiness Suite R12 Upgrade Assessment |
November 2014 |
Internal ICT assessment – not for publication |
4,174.13 |
|
Clarion Consulting Limited |
Employment Permits Administration Section Business Process Improvement Project Report |
July 2014 |
Not for publication |
52,275.00 |
|
CIRCA Group Europe Limited |
Review of Ireland’s membership of international research organisations |
Q1 2015 |
Published as part of Innovation 2020 in December 2015 |
61,131.00 |
|
CM International |
Assessment of Public Funded RD&I Supports for Innovation in Services and Business Processes |
January 2014– commissioned by Forfás |
Input to Forfás report on Services Innovation published April 2014 |
6,000.00 |
|
Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government |
Ireland’s Competitiveness Scorecard 2014 |
Q1 2014 – Commissioned by Forfás |
Input on economic complexity to competitiveness analysis. |
2,600.00 |
|
Insight Statistical Consulting / Fitzpatrick Associates |
Evaluation of IDA Training Grants |
November 2013 – commissioned by Forfás |
Input to programme of evaluations - publication Q1 2015 |
29,250.00 (19,188.00 paid by DJEI in 2014: balance paid by Forfás) |
|
DCU/Fitzsimons Consulting |
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2014 (GEM) |
Q4 - 2013 |
Ongoing - GEM 2014 report will be published |
20,000.00 |
|
Insight Statistical Consulting |
Annual Employment Survey 2014 (AES) |
November 2014 |
Published Feb 2015 |
5,882.60 |
|
Indecon Economic Consultants |
Analysis of direct & indirect economic impacts on an export-led growth enterprise policy |
December 2014 |
Complete – input to Enterprise 2025 |
48,275.00 (14,482.00 paid in 2014: balance paid in 2015) |
|
IDC |
Harnessing Big Data for innovation led growth: an assessment of Ireland's progress and further policy requirements |
July 2014– commissioned by Forfás |
Complete – publication Q2 2015 |
56,690.00 |
|
CM International |
Optimising Policy Intervention to Strengthen the Impacts of Enterprise RD&I in Ireland |
August 2014 |
Complete – input to development of successor to SSTI analysis Publish 8th December 2015 |
36,469.00 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
Econometric analysis of effectiveness & impacts of agency supports |
December 2014 |
Input to DJEI Evaluations of agency programmes. Published Q2 2015 |
47,970.00 (14,391.00 paid in 2014; balance paid in 2015) |
|
Insight Statistical Consulting |
Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact (ABSEI) |
December 2013 |
ABSEI 2013 report published January 2015 |
44,034.00 |
|
PWC |
Role of Intellectual Property |
Q4 2013 |
Input to competitiveness analysis |
15,612.00 |
|
PWC |
Review of Insurance Costs |
Q2 2014 |
Input to Costs of Doing Business 2015 and published 2015 |
34,440.00 |
|
PWC |
Review of Public Procurement |
Q4 2013 |
Input to competitiveness analysis |
28,911.00 |
|
Technopolis |
Strengthening Ireland’s Market-Focussed Research Centre Capacity |
July 2014– commissioned by Forfás |
Complete – input to development of successor to SSTI analysis |
84,255.00 |
|
Tom Martin and Associates |
Higher Education Engagement by EGFSN |
October 2014 |
Completed for EGFSN – not for publication |
€11,931.00 |
|
AECOM |
Assessing the Demand for Skills in the Freight Transport, Distribution and Logistics Sector in Ireland over the period 2014-2020 |
May 2014 – commissioned by Forfás |
Input to EGFSN review - publication Q1 2015 |
€78,702.00 (National Training Fund contribution €60,601.00) |
|
DKM RPS |
Water Services & Environmental waste Issues & Priorities for Enterprise |
Commissioned by Forfás in early 2014 |
Ongoing - input to Forfás/DJEI submissions to regulator and competitiveness reports |
50.353.00 |
|
Technopolis |
A Mapping of Smart Ageing activity in Ireland and an assessment of the potential smart ageing opportunity areas |
July 2014– commissioned by Forfás |
Input to DJEI analysis – published Q2 2015 |
89,605.00 |
|
Cambridge IP |
An Analysis of Intellectual Property Activity in Ireland based on the existing data Phase 1
|
April 2014– commissioned by Forfás |
Input to DJEI analysis - publication Q1 2015 |
40,966.38 |
|
Technopolis |
A Study on enhancing the Intellectual Property activities in the firm base in Ireland |
September 2014 |
Input to DJEI analysis – publication Q2 2015 |
49,138.00 |
|
E&Y |
Analysis of Sectoral Ecosystems - Input to Enterprise Policy 2025 |
Q2 2014 – Commissioned by Forfás |
Enterprise 2025 Published November 2015 |
61,461.00 |
|
RSM McClure Watters |
Study of the Current and Future skills requirements of the Marine/Maritime Economy to 2020 |
June 2014 - commissioned by Forfás |
Input to EGFSN review – published Q1 2015 |
€82,502.25 (National Training Fund contribution €63,527) |
|
Indecon Economic Consultants |
Hospitality Sector - Hotels, Tourism and Catering |
November 2014 |
Input to EGFSN review – published Q4 2015 |
€78,289.50 (€39,145.00 paid in 2014, balance payable 2015) National Training Fund Contribution €60,282.92 |
January – December 2013
|
Name of external Consultant/Organisation |
Report Title |
Date of Commission |
Status Date Published/ Ongoing |
Cost of Report** € |
|
Ward Solutions |
ICT security reviews |
Various dates |
Internal ICT security assessments – not for publication |
24,627.00 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
Export Licensing Administration Process Review |
July 2012 |
Complete |
47,417.00
|
|
Tom Martin & Associates/TMA |
Youth Unemployment A review of wage costs and other factors which may affect the employment of young people in Ireland. |
Q4 2013 |
Not for publication - Presented to the Troika in line with the terms of the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policy which is a component of the Memorandum of Understanding, September 2013, as part of which the Irish Government undertook to present a report in December 2013. |
5,547.30 |
|
Janet Hughes |
Labour Court Review of Joint labour Committees |
February 2013 |
Published |
17,835.00 |
|
RSM McClure Watters |
The evaluation of the Workplace Relations Pilot Early Resolution Service |
February 2013 |
Published September 2013 |
35,498.00 |
|
First Choice Financial Services Ltd and AJS Financial Advice Ltd |
Credit Guarantee Scheme “Findings and Recommendations” |
July 2013 |
September 2013 |
24,600.00 |
January – December 2012
|
Name of external Consultant/Organisation |
Report Title |
Date of Commission |
Status/Date Published/Ongoing |
Cost of Report** - € |
|
Ward Solutions |
Security reviews of ICT systems |
Various dates |
Internal ICT security assessments – not for publication |
39,095.00 |
|
Version 1 |
ICT systems review – Patents Office |
November 2011 |
Internal technology review – not for publication |
29,667.00 |
|
Achilles Procurement Services Ltd. |
Recommended Procurement Strategy for a Customer Relationship Management System (CRMS) from the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court |
July 2012 |
Published internally August 2012 |
2,560.00 |
|
Deloitte |
Feasibility Study: Making Ireland an International Centre for Intellectual Property |
Ongoing |
102,872.62 |
March – December 2011
|
Name of external Consultant/Organisation |
Report Title |
Date of Commission |
Status/Date Published/Ongoing |
Cost of Report** - € |
|
Rits |
IT Security assessment of new hosting site in Revenue Hosting Centre |
May 2011 |
Internal ICT security assessment – not for publication |
7,093.00 |
|
Maxima Ireland |
Computer Server Virtualisation Strategy Review |
June 2011 |
Internal technology review – not for publication |
8,276.00 |
|
UCD (Dr Frank Walsh) |
Review of ERO and REA Wage Setting Mechanisms |
Q1 - 2011 |
Published May 2011 |
15,000.00 |
|
Greater Heights Ltd |
Learning Need Analysis (NERA Staff) |
October 2010 |
Published |
15,645.00 |
|
Capital for Enterprise Ltd. |
Design of Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme |
August 2011 |
Not for publication |
59,565.00 |
134. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of tribunals of inquiry, commissions of inquiry or investigations for which he or his Department have been responsible by name, by terms of reference, by cost, including the cost to date where an inquiry has not been concluded, by date including the projected date of conclusion where an inquiry has not been concluded from 1991 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3785/16]
View answerNo tribunals of inquiry, commissions of inquiry or investigations have been established under the aegis of my Department since 1991 to date.
135. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount spent by Enterprise Ireland on promotional items in each calendar year from 2011 to 2015, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3800/16]
View answerThe purchasing of promotional items by Enterprise Ireland is undertaken through a procurement framework in line with public sector procurement policies. This central procurement process is used to ensure value for money and centralised procurement. The variety of promotional items purchased is very wide and includes indoor and outdoor flags, pens, gifts for speakers at events, trade mission gifts, flag ropes, lapel pins/badges, branded clothing, e.g. shirts, etc. and notebooks for specific events. The procured items are for organisational promotion use at domestic and international events, trade missions and in Enterprise Ireland offices here and internationally.
Table 1 outlines the amount spent by Enterprise Ireland on promotional items in each calendar year from 2011 to 2015.
Table 1 - Expenditure on Promotional Items 2011 - 2015
|
Expenditure on Promotional items |
2011 - € |
2012 - € |
2013 - € |
2014 - € |
2015 - € |
|
135,918 |
69,735 |
145,867 |
50,435 |
140,477 |
136. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount spent by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board on public relations and communications consultancy in each calendar year from 2011 to 2015, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3801/16]
View answerThe payment for public relations and communications consultancy is a day-to-day matter for the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB), for which I have no direct function.
137. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the respondent fee income and the respondent fee income per award accepted by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board for the calendar year 2015; if he has assessed if the level of respondent fees is justified, given the operating costs and net assets of the board; if he has assessed the direct and indirect contribution of the board's respondent fees to insurance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3802/16]
View answerThe Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) operates as a self-funding State Agency through income generated from the fees charged to claimants and respondents. The amount of fees received by the PIAB during 2015 from claimants was €1,474,842 and from respondents was €10,281,622. Respondents’ fees are levied when the respondent consents to an assessment being made by the PIAB. Where both parties accept the assessment, the matter is resolved without recourse to litigation, resulting in legally enforceable awards on a par with the Courts but with a lower administration cost arising. Section 22 of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 provides me as Minister with the power to impose charges in respect of applications made under the Act. Steps have been taken to reduce the level of fees for claimants and respondents and the level of fees are kept under review. In late 2010, PIAB recommended a reduction in the fees and this was accepted by the then Minister, and a reduction from €1,050 to €850 for respondents, and from €50 to €45 for claimants, was applied with effect from 1 February 2011.
In December 2012, I further reduced the fee to the respondent from €850 to €600 with effect from 1 January 2013, representing a 29% reduction on 2012 levels.
With the exception of motor insurance which falls under the remit of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Minister for Finance has policy responsibility for insurance. The sector is regulated by the Central Bank. I have no direct policy responsibility for insurance.
The provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks. As a matter of course, insurance companies carry out reviews of the risks against which they are prepared to provide insurance and they consider these risks when determining their policies, including insurance premiums. There are many factors that influence the cost of insurance and some of the more significant factors include the frequency and scale of claims, the cost of claims and the operation of the insurance market.
I am aware that my colleague Minister Noonan has asked his Departmental officials to examine the factors which contribute to the increasing costs of insurance and this work is part of an overall review of the insurance sector which the Department of Finance are undertaking in consultation with the Central Bank and other Departments and agencies.
138. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the expenses claimed, including the amount of mileage and the amount claimed by him and Ministers of State of his Department, by calendar year during the current Dáil in tabular form. [3813/16]
View answerI have set out details of the travel related expenses claimed by me and the Ministers of State in my Department since the formation of the current Government in the following tables. The tables cover the period 2011 to 2015 and also include the annual kilometres travelled by car in undertaking official business. There have been no travel claims processed for January 2016 yet. The payments made for kilometres travelled were paid in accordance with the rules and applicable rates sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The claims were made based on monthly odometer readings from the personal cars of each Minister.
Minister Damien English’s responsibilities as Minister for Research, Innovation and Skills span this Department and the Department of Education and Skills. It was agreed in July 2014 that the Department of Education and Skills would administer and bear the cost of Minister English’s travel claims except for foreign travel costs incurred undertaking duties directly falling under the remit of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
|
2011 |
Kilometres undertaken for official business (i.e travel by car) |
Related Payment for kms travelled inc. tolls |
Hotel Accommodation costs (National and International) |
Subsistence/Costs (Home) |
Foreign Subsistence |
|
Minister Bruton |
13,555 |
€5,294.50 |
€280 |
0 |
0 |
|
Minister Perry |
65,555 |
€22,537.70 |
0 |
0 |
€1,439.47 |
|
Minister Sherlock |
48,540 |
€14,410.23 |
0 |
€125.11 |
€1,074.69 |
|
2012 |
Kilometres undertaken for official business (i.e travel by car) |
Related Payment for kms travelled inc. tolls |
Hotel Accommodation costs (National and International) |
Subsistence/Costs (Home) |
Foreign Subsistence |
|
Minister Bruton |
17,396 |
€6,526.38 |
€940.46 |
0 |
0 |
|
Minister Perry |
75,723 |
€28,721.59 |
€288.24 |
0 |
€373.79 |
|
Minister Sherlock |
67,356 |
€20,710.70 |
0 |
0 |
€1,538.22 |
|
2013 |
Kilometres undertaken for official business (i.e travel by car) |
Related Payment for kms travelled inc. tolls |
Hotel Accommodation costs (National and International) |
Subsistence Costs (Home) |
Foreign Subsistence |
|
Minister Bruton |
12,900 |
€5,759.83 |
€130 |
0 |
0 |
|
Minister Perry |
71,651 |
€26,833.43 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Minister Sherlock |
69,062 |
€21,977.75 |
0 |
0 |
€650.06 |
|
2014 |
Kilometres undertaken for official business (i.e travel by car) |
Related Payment for kms travelled inc. tolls |
Hotel Accommodation costs (National and International) |
Subsistence Costs (Home) |
Foreign Subsistence |
|
Minister Bruton |
16,638 |
€7,376.97 |
€919.08 |
0 |
0 |
|
Minister Perry |
39,671 |
€17,630.01 |
€108.99 |
€1,323.02 |
|
|
Minister Sherlock |
38,111 |
€14,268.23 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Minister Nash |
16,049 |
€6,489.25 |
0 |
0 |
€208.84 |
|
Minister English |
0 |
0 |
€157.58 |
0 |
€198.91 |
|
2015 |
Kilometres undertaken for official business (i.e travel by car) |
Related Payment for kms travelled inc. tolls |
Hotel Accommodation costs (National and International) |
Subsistence Costs (Home) |
Foreign Subsistence |
|
Minister Bruton |
22,105 |
€7,682.75 |
€909.88 |
0 |
0 |
|
Minister Nash |
36,247 |
€12,053.47 |
€154.60 |
0 |
€90.40 |
|
Minister English |
0 |
0 |
€630.65 |
0 |
€1,332,56 |
139. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount he spent on media clipping and media monitoring services in each calendar year from 2011 to 2015, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3828/16]
View answerThe total expenditure incurred by my Department on media monitoring services in each of the years 2011 to 2015 is set out in the following table.
In late 2012 my Department put in place a new arrangement for delivery of a press cuttings service which uses centralised technologies and has resulted in significant cost savings.
Expenditure Incurred by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and
Innovation on Media Monitoring Services over the period 2011 to 2015
|
Year |
Total Expenditure Incurred on Media Monitoring Services |
|
2011 |
€55,569 |
|
2012 |
€49,354 |
|
2013 |
€11,992 |
|
2014 |
€11,992 |
|
2015 |
€11,992 |
|
Total |
€140,899 |
140. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of animal abuse suffered by greyhounds in the racing industry which includes lenient sanctions for persons who have committed grave abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3539/16]
View answerBord na gCon is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. It has specific powers conferred on it by the Greyhound Industry (Racing) Regulations 2007, S.I. 302 of 2007, which set out the detailed rules under which greyhound racing is conducted. The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the controlling authority for the breeding and coursing of greyhounds. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon under Section 26(2) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958.
The Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 specifies standards for greyhound welfare, establishes a register of Greyhound Breeding Establishments and regulates their operation. A code of Practice in the care and welfare of the greyhound has been established and published by Bord na gCon as per the requirements of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011. The primary objective of the Code of Practice is to set standards and clearly define what is expected of all individuals engaged in the care and management of registered greyhounds. Greyhound welfare at Bord Na gCon is managed by the Welfare Manager.
I am assured that cases of cruelty and/or neglect which are reported to Bord na gCon are fully investigated and that sanctions under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 are imposed on persons who have been identified as being in breach of the Act. Persons found to have committed offences under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 are liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €5000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both. Persons may also be prosecuted under the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013. The Act makes it an offence to do, or fail to do anything or cause or permit anything to be done to an animal that causes unnecessary suffering to, or endanger the health or welfare of an animal. The Act provides for increased levels of penalties - summary conviction up to €5,000 and on indictment €250,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years with fixed penalty payments for lesser offences. In addition, both of these Acts contain provisions permitting the imposition of fixed notice administrative sanctions in cases of less serious breaches of the legislation. The number of monthly Welfare and Kennel Inspections carried out by Bord na gCon Welfare Officers may be viewed on Bord na gCon’s website and information on the sanctions which have been imposed on persons who, following Bord na gCon investigations, have been identified as being in breach of the of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 is also published on Bord na gCon’s website.
141. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a payment under the areas of natural constraint scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3472/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 28 May 2015. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The 2015 Basic Payment Scheme/Areas of Natural Constraint application of the person named was selected for a remote sensing inspection. This inspection resulted in a reduction in the area claimed 19.62HA to a found area of 14.34HA. As the amount of entitlements held by the person named is lower than the amount of area claimed, there was no monetary reduction under the Basic Payment Scheme and payments due issued to the nominated bank account on 17 December 2015. This inspection resulted in findings of an over-declaration in area of greater than 20% in respect of the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme. Based on the terms and conditions of the scheme this resulted in no payment in respect of that scheme. The person named was informed of this outcome on 18 December 2015. The person named has appealed this decision and this request is currently being examined. The person named will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
142. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all farm payments for 2015 have been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3490/16]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment / Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2015. Processing of the Areas of Natural Constraints application has been finalised. However, payment has not yet issued due to outstanding information required. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named and is currently awaiting Grant of Probate documentation. On receipt of this outstanding documentation, the ANC application will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date.
Processing of the Basic Payment Scheme application has been completed. Advance payment has issued. However, the Balancing Payment due cannot be made pending clarification of Grant of Probate position.
A representative from the Inheritance Inquiry Unit, which deals with all Department related issues relating to inheritance will be in contact with the person named in the coming days.
143. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3513/16]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 22 May 2015. Payment under the ANC scheme has issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 2 November 2015. The person named submitted a 2015 Transfer of Allocation Right and Reference Value application to my Department seeking the transfer of allocation rights and values by change of registration details to a Company. This application was fully processed and the person named received the first instalment of 70% of his Basic Payment Scheme payment on 28 October and the second instalment of 27% on 7 December 2015. The final 3% instalment will be issued in April 2016.
The person named also submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department seeking the transfer of land and entitlements by lease to the Company as transferee. An official from my Department has been in touch with the transferor and transferee in this application regarding an issue in relation to a land parcel listed as part of the transfer. Once this issue is resolved the application can be further processed with a view to payment on the entitlements that are the subject of this application issuing as soon as possible.
144. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of grant aid for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3519/16]
View answerThe person-named applied and was approved for grant aid for creep feeders under the Sheep Handling Scheme in June 2014. All such works had to be completed and any claims for payment submitted before end-August 2015. No such claim was received from the person named. My Department did attempt to ring him using the mobile number supplied by him with his application to remind him of the closing date but the number supplied appears to be incorrect. However, a text message from the Department’s central SMS facility was successfully delivered to a second number registered to the person named, advising of the impending closing date for the scheme.
