Written Answers 130 - 147
130. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 265 of 14 April 2016 if he will dispose of a site purchased for a Garda Síochána station in Letterfrack, County Galway; the proposed method of sale; if he will make it available to the local community on a long lease for community purposes; when he will make a decision on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7615/16]
View answerThe policy of the Office of Public Works (OPW) with regard to non-operational (vacant) properties and sites is to:
1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by Government departments or the wider public sector.
2. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer.
3. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property the OPW may consider community involvement subject to detailed written submission which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer.
I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that they are currently assessing the options for the site on the Clifden Road, Letterfrack, Co. Galway in line with the above policy. On completion of this process a final decision will be taken on the future of the property.
131. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the embankment at Roscullen and Shanakeale, Castlemaine, County Kerry, will be prioritised for repair and strengthening works following the recent damage caused by storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7643/16]
View answerThis embankment is part of the 96 kilometres of flood defence embankments on the River Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme which is maintained by the Office of Public Works (OPW). OPW is prioritising the repair of flood defences which have suffered damage in the storms of recent years. Prioritisation is based on the severity of damage suffered and the number of properties which are protected by the defences concerned. Repair work on the embankments at Roscullen and Shanakeale will be advanced as soon as priorities allow.
132. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a matter (details supplied) will be addressed at lands in Boolteens, Castlemaine, County Kerry, following works to address recent damage caused by storms. [7644/16]
View answerThe query relates to part of the River Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme which is maintained by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Regional staff of the OPW have liaised regularly with the person named. Excessive rainfall has been experienced in recent months which has resulted in a high water table throughout the catchment. The OPW will continue to monitor the situation.
133. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a matter for a person (details supplied) will be addressed at lands in Castleisland, County Kerry, following previous works to address river erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7645/16]
View answerAs outlined to the Deputy in previous replies to Parliamentary Questions on this subject, the channel in question is part of the River Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme which was carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. The OPW continues to have a statutory responsibility for the maintenance of this scheme.
Each year the OPW carries out work to approximately 2,000 km of channels and some 200 structures around the country as part of its ongoing and rolling arterial drainage maintenance programme. While the average cycle of maintenance is generally in the range of 4 to 7 years, the OPW does routinely inspect all channels and structures for which it has maintenance responsibility. The timing of work on individual projects is determined having regard to the needs of regular maintenance and the prioritisation of urgent jobs.
In the case of the River Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme, maintenance resources are currently concentrated on works to damaged defences in tidal reaches and it is not possible at this stage to provide a specific timeframe when work will proceed at the location mentioned by the Deputy.
134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains confident that public expenditure and reform expectations remain in line with previously identified targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7749/16]
View answerPublic expenditure has been managed in line with key fiscal targets over the last number of years with Ireland on track to be assessed as exiting the corrective arm of the Stability and Growth Pact at the end of 2015.
Managing the delivery of public services within Budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and their Department, and important measures are in place to help ensure that these budgetary targets continue to be met. My Department is in regular communication with all Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal parameters. The drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is monitored against the published expenditure profiles. There is regular reporting to Government on these matters, and information is published monthly, as part of the Exchequer Statement.
Public Service Reform was a key element of the Government's response to the crisis and the strategy for recovery. The reforms implemented over the past five years enabled us to maintain and improve public services in the face of the necessary reduction in staff numbers and budgets, at a time of increased demand for public services.
Significant progress has been made since the publication of the first Public Service Reform Plan in 2011. The current Public Service Reform Plan was published in January 2014 and covers the period 2014-2016. While maintaining an emphasis on efficiency and reducing costs, this Plan puts a particular focus on improved service delivery and achieving better outcomes. The first Progress Report on the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 was published in March 2015 and can be seen on my Department's website. A second Progress Report will be published shortly.
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which procurement has featured in a positive way in the context of achieving savings in the course of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7750/16]
View answerThe OGP and its partner sector sourcing organisations in Health, Education, Local Government and Defence have enabled procurement savings estimated at €162m over 2013, 2014 and 2015. Additional direct and indirect benefits attributable to the new model arise from cost avoidance, reduced administration overhead and improved specifications. Increasing the application of professional procurement also reduces risk to the State by identifying risk and establishing contractual arrangements to manage those risks, such as damages payments for non-performance where applicable.
It is important to note that the consistent approach enabled by the new procurement structures can also deliver savings to businesses who bid for State contracts through standardised documents, proportional insurance requirements and reduced administration in submitting documents only when short-listed or successful in competitions.
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which reform, as a component in economic strategy, continues to achieve savings in line with projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7751/16]
View answerPublic Service Reform was a key element of the Government's response to the crisis and our strategy for recovery. The reforms we implemented over the past five years enabled us to maintain and improve public services in the face of the necessary reduction in staff numbers and budgets, at a time of increased demand for public services.
Significant progress has been made since the publication of the first Public Service Reform Plan in 2011. Pay and pension measures reduced the Exchequer pay bill by over 20% between 2009 and 2014, and staff numbers were also reduced by around 10% in that period. Other reforms included changes to terms and conditions such as reduced sick leave entitlements and additional working hours. In addition to the reduced cost of the Public Service overall, reform is also delivering savings across a range of specific areas such as shared services, procurement reform and property management.
The second Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 was published in January 2014. While maintaining an emphasis on efficiency and reducing costs, this Plan puts a particular focus on improved service delivery and achieving better outcomes. The actions set out in the Reform Plan address areas such as: greater use of shared services and innovative approaches to service delivery; increased use of technology and improved engagement with service users; more efficient and effective public procurement and property management; increased accountability and transparency in public decision making; enhanced leadership and performance management; and a continued focus on building the required capacity to deliver reform and service improvements across the Public Service.
The first Progress Report on the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 was published in March 2015 and can be seen on my Department's website. A second Progress Report will be published shortly.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Taoiseach and I published a Civil Service Renewal Plan in October 2014. The implementation of this ambitious three year plan is leading to major changes right across the Civil Service.
Overall, I am satisfied that we made significant progress on Public Service Reform over the last five years. It is my view that this should remain a key element of strategy for the future.
Finally, I would like to commend public servants for the role which they have played in delivering what I consider to be the most significant programme of reform in the history of the State.
137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which Ireland’s trade with various European countries throughout the European Union continues to grow; the way this compares with other countries globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7723/16]
View answerThe value of Goods and Services exported from Ireland in the past 5 years is shown below:
|
€ million |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
EU |
101,252 |
104,731 |
102,589 |
109,185 |
124,717 |
|
Non EU |
73,407 |
74,307 |
79,296 |
85,181 |
104,155 |
|
Total |
174,659 |
179,038 |
181,885 |
194,366 |
228,872 |
|
EU As a % of the Total |
58% |
58% |
56% |
56% |
54% |
These figures show general and consistent growth in our exports both to EU and non-EU markets.
The figures above are compiled from various CSO reports.
138. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will direct the Personal Injuries Assessment Board to update its book of quantum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7322/16]
View answerThe Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) is an independent statutory agency and I, as Minister, am not permitted in my executive function to interfere in any way with the day to day operations and functions of PIAB.
Section 54 of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 sets out the principal functions of the Board. Section 54(1)(b) states: ‘to prepare and publish a document (which shall be known as the ‘‘Book of Quantum’’) containing general guidelines as to the amounts that may be awarded or assessed in respect of specified types of injury’.
The Book of Quantum was last produced in June 2004 and data was sourced by independent consultants on behalf of PIAB from a number of sources including, the Courts Service, the Insurance Industry and the State Claims Agency. PIAB are currently reviewing the Book of Quantum and have engaged outside consultants to assist in this work.
PIAB hope to have the revised Book of Quantum ready as soon as possible. The Book isn’t a recommendation for compensation levels but rather a reflection of the prevailing level of awards, i.e.:
- compensation values awarded by the courts
- settlements agreed by the Insurance Industry
- settlements agreed by the State Claims Agency; and
- settlements agreed through the PIAB process.
139. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will list all advice on the issue of motor insurance premiums he has received in the past 18 months; if he will publish these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7324/16]
View answerWith 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 National Competitiveness Council (NCC), established in 1997, is an independent Council which reports to the Taoiseach and Government on key competitiveness issues facing the Irish economy and offers recommendations on policy actions required to enhance Ireland’s competitive position.
In 2015 the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) considered the commercial non-life insurance market in Ireland as part of its Costs of Doing Business in Ireland report. The focus of the NCC’s analysis was on commercial insurance costs as they pertain to business – life assurance and health insurance costs were excluded. The NCC examined the nature of the commercial insurance market in Ireland and provides an overview of the competitiveness of the commercial insurance market in Ireland, compared to European and non-European counterparts.
Overall, it found that, at present, the Irish commercial non-life market is competitive but not particularly attractive to new entrants given relatively low levels of profitability. However, the NCC concluded that the absence of timely micro level price data (apart from CPI inflation data) makes it very difficult to assess market conditions, price competitiveness and the rationale for price increases across various categories of commercial non-life insurance.
The NCC’s analysis on the commercial insurance market set out a range of potential actions which could help facilitate enhanced cost competitiveness in the non-life commercial insurance market. These were set out in its Costs of Doing Business 2015 and Competitiveness Challenge 2015 reports.
Both of these reports were brought by me, as Minister, to Government for consideration. The Reports are available on the NCC’s website at www.competitiveness.ie.
140. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created by companies supported by the IDA Ireland in County Wicklow in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7337/16]
View answerIDA Ireland’s employment figures are presented on an annual basis through the Annual Employment Survey. Over the last ten years, there were a total of 906 new jobs created by companies supported by IDA Ireland in County Wicklow. The table sets out the number of IDA supported jobs created from 2006 to 2015 in the county.
Table shows the number of new jobs created by companies supported by IDA Ireland in Co. Wicklow from 2006 to 2015
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
|
New Jobs |
9 |
168 |
150 |
61 |
172 |
84 |
105 |
73 |
35 |
49 |
141. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if EU Directives 51 of 2003 and 34 of 2013 must first be transposed into law before they can become binding on banks and auditors; following on from this, if the domestic law of a member state can or cannot alter the content of Regulation 1606 of 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7388/16]
View answerDirective 2003/51/EC amending Directives 78/660/EEC, 83/349/EEC, 86/635/EEC and 91/674/EEC on the annual and consolidated accounts of certain types of companies, banks and other financial institutions and insurance undertakings, was originally transposed into Irish law by means of the European Communities (International Financial Reporting Standards and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 116 of 2005). The transposed provisions are now reflected in Part 6 of the Companies Act 2014 and, insofar as they relate specifically to credit institutions, in the European Union (Credit Institutions: Financial Statements) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 266 of 2015).
Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings, amending Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC, was due to be transposed by 20 July 2015. Heads of Bill to give effect to that Directive were approved by Government in February 2015 and are with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.
The question of whether any particular Directive is binding in the absence of national transposing legislation is a legal one. As a rule, EU Directives are addressed to Member States, who are then obliged to implement them, and not to individuals or companies.
The content of Regulation (EC) 1606 of 2002 was adopted at EU Level, so any proposal to amend that content would be a matter for the EU legislature.
That said, the Regulation does include options for Member States to consider.
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 July 2002 on the application of international accounting standards requires companies with securities admitted to trading on a regulated market (as defined) of any Member State to prepare their consolidated accounts (financial statements) in conformity with international accounting standards adopted by the European Commission in accordance with the procedure specified in the Regulation. This requirement has direct legal effect but is supported by section 1376 of the Companies Act 2014.
Article 5 of the Regulation then gives Member States the option to permit or require a wider use of international accounting standards. In Ireland, this wider use is permitted but not required. The use of the option is now reflected in Part 6 of the Companies Act 2014. In the specific context of banks, Regulations 3 to 5 of the European Union (Credit Institutions: Financial Statements) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 266 of 2015) are relevant.
142. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to regulate the au pair system and educate families on their rights and responsibilities on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7392/16]
View answer145. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider a review of the position of au pairs in view of the recent Workplace Relations Commission decision which now creates a grey area for families who have been relying on them for child care and would like to see regulation introduced to bring this area in line with the position in other European Union countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7612/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 145 together.
There is no separate legal definition of the term “au pair” in Irish legislation, and individuals described as “au pairs”, “nannies” or “child-minders” are not exempted or treated as separate categories of workers under Irish employment law. Ireland’s body of employment rights legislation protects all employees who are legally employed on an employer-employee basis, regardless of what title is given to them. Therefore, once it is clear that a person is working under a contract of employment (written or verbal), on a full-time or part-time basis, that person has the same protection under employment law as other employees, including entitlement to the national minimum wage.
The recent WRC decision does not constitute any change to existing employment law and any persons working under a contract of employment must continue to have the full protection of employment law.
All employers, including those in private homes, carry the same obligations in relation to compliance with employment law. Where the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), which is responsible for securing compliance with employment legislation, receives a complaint involving somebody described as an au pair, the WRC will investigate with a view to establishing whether a person has statutory entitlements under employment law. Complaints involving au pairs are considered on a case-by-case basis, in the light of the facts of each case.
In relation to public awareness, the WRC maintains a high profile as the State body primarily responsible for information and compliance on employment rights in a number of ways. All employers, including those in private homes, carry the same obligations in relation to compliance with employment law. To ensure that awareness of these obligations is maintained, the WRC collaborates with key partners including civil society organisations, the trade union movement, employer organisations and other State bodies. WRC publications are widely distributed through the offices of community organisations, NGOs and Citizen Information Offices. The WRC also participates in conferences and events and makes presentations not only to employer and employee groups but also to community and educational groups.
143. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a decision has been made on a work permit for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7416/16]
View answerThe application referred to by the Deputy was refused on 15 March 2016 as the occupation was on the List of Ineligible Categories of Employment and therefore an employment permit could not be issued in this instance.
Additional refusal reasons notified to the applicant included that the remuneration offered was less than the annual remuneration laid down in Regulations for the employment permit type sought, and that the legislative requirements for a Labour Market Needs Test were not satisfied.
This decision was communicated in writing to the applicant. The applicant was also provided with information on how to seek a review of the decision but did not exercise this right.
144. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the regional breakdown of all members appointed by the Government or him to State boards, agencies and bodies in 2015 and to date in 2016 broken down by agency and by regions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7481/16]
View answerAll appointments made in 2015 and 2016 to date to the State Boards and Agencies under the aegis of my Department, are listed in the tables. Information on the home addresses of candidates is not a necessary requirement on documentation provided by PAS to the Department. Candidates may provide, for example, email addresses, business addresses, etc. Accordingly the Department does not have statistics on the regional breakdown of appointees to the boards.
Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) (Dublin Based)
|
Membership |
Method of Appointment |
Date of Appointment |
|
Paul Duffy - Chair |
Ministerial |
01/10/2015 |
|
Deirdre O’Brien |
Ministerial - via PAS |
01/10/2015 |
|
Maeve Mc Elwee |
Ministerial - via PAS |
01/10/2015 |
|
Liam Berney |
Ministerial - via PAS |
01/10/2015 |
|
Shay Cody |
Ministerial - via PAS |
01/10/2015 |
|
Geraldine Hynes |
Ministerial - via PAS |
01/10/2015 |
|
Audrey Cahill |
Ministerial - via PAS |
01/10/2015 |
|
Richard Devereux |
Ministerial - via PAS |
01/10/2015 |
|
Michelle O’Sullivan |
Ministerial - via PAS |
01/10/2015 |
Labour Relations Commission (LRC)
(The LRC Board was dissolved with the establishment of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on 1 October 2015).
|
Membership |
Method of appointment |
Date of reappointment |
|
Breege O’Donoghue Chair |
Ministerial |
07/07/2015 |
|
Brendan McGinty |
Ministerial (IBEC nominee) |
07/07/2015 |
|
John Hennessy |
Ministerial (IBEC nominee) |
07/07/2015 |
|
Fergus Whelan |
Ministerial (ICTU nominee) |
07/07/2015 |
|
Peter McLoone |
Ministerial (ICTU nominee) |
07/07/2015 |
Low Pay Commission (Dublin Based)
|
Membership |
Method of Appointment |
Date of Appointment |
|
Dr. Donal de Buitleir - Chair |
Ministerial |
16/07/2015 |
|
Vincent Jennings |
Ministerial - via PAS |
16/07/2015 |
|
Patricia King |
Ministerial - via PAS |
16/07/2015 |
|
Gerry Light |
Ministerial - via PAS |
16/07/2015 |
|
Caroline McEnery |
Ministerial - via PAS |
16/07/2015 |
|
Edel McGinley |
Ministerial - via PAS |
16/07/2015 |
|
Mary Mosse |
Ministerial - via PAS |
16/07/2015 |
|
Tom Noonan |
Ministerial - via PAS |
16/07/2015 |
|
Prof. Donal O'Neill |
Ministerial - via PAS |
16/07/2015 |
Enterprise Ireland (Dublin Based)
|
Membership |
Method of Appointment |
Date of Appointment |
|
David Walsh |
Ministerial via PAS |
23/10/2015 |
|
Lisa Dillon |
Ministerial via PAS |
17/11/2015 |
|
Dave Shanahan |
Ministerial via PAS |
23/10/2015 |
Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) (Dublin Based)
|
Membership |
Method of Appointment |
Date of Appointment |
|
Dr. Fionnuala O'Loughlin |
Ministerial |
01/08/2015 |
|
John Lynch |
Ministerial |
01/08/2015 |
|
Karen O’Leary |
Designated Member - CCPC |
16/06/2015 |
|
Margot Slattery |
Designated member - IBEC nominee |
30/04/2016 |
|
Walter Cullen |
Designated member - ICTU nominee |
30/04/2016 |
|
Conor O'Brien |
Chief Executive - designated member |
01/10/2015 |
National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) (Dublin Based)
|
Membership |
Method of Appointment |
Date of Appointment |
|
Kieran Cox |
Ministerial - Staff Rep by vote |
14/04/2015 |
|
Jacinta Kenneally |
Ministerial - Staff Rep by vote |
14/04/2015 |
|
Kevin Early |
Ministerial - Staff Rep by vote |
01/10/2015 |
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) (Dublin Based)
|
Membership |
Method of Appointment |
Date of Appointment |
|
Dermot Mulligan |
Ministerial - Dept Rep (Asst Sec) |
12/09/2015 |
|
Dr. Pat Duane |
Ministerial - on application |
25/07/2015 |
|
Ms. Bernie Cullinan - Deputy Chair |
Ministerial |
25/07/2015 |
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) (NAAS Based)
|
Membership |
Method of Appointment |
Date of Appointment |
|
Mary Burke |
Ministerial - nominated by Central Bank |
14/10/2015 |
|
Deirdre Behan |
Ministerial - nominated by Revenue Commissioners |
02/01/2015 |
|
Marie Daly |
Ministerial - nominated by IBEC |
03/01/2015 |
|
Sean Hawkshaw |
Ministerial - nominated by the Irish Association of Investment Managers |
03/01/2015 |
|
Sylvia McNeece |
Ministerial - nominated by the Pensions Board |
03/01/2015 |
|
Michael Kavanagh |
Ex-Officio - Acting CEO IAASA |
15/01/2016 |
IDA Ireland (Dublin Based)
|
Membership |
Method of Appointment |
Date of Appointment |
|
Barry O'Sullivan |
Ministerial via PAS |
04/09/2015 |
|
Caroline Dowling |
Ministerial |
04/09/2015 |
|
Denis Collins |
Ministerial |
04/09/2015 |
|
John Murphy |
Ministerial - Dept Rep (Secretary General) |
06/05/2015 |
Information in relation to the current membership of the State Boards under the aegis of my Department is available at www.stateboards.ie.
146. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in tabular form, details of each tender awarded by him or by an agency of his Department; the bids received; the firms or companies to which the tenders were awarded, from 1 January 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7652/16]
View answerThe following tenders have been awarded by my Department since 1 January 2016:
|
Tenders Awarded - Purpose/Details |
Number of Bids Received |
Company to which Tender was awarded |
|
Study of Competitiveness and Rental and Housing affordability |
6 |
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
|
Window Cleaning for WRC/CRO Offices in Carlow |
8 |
Evaluation of tenders ongoing. |
|
External Landscaping/Grounds Maintenance Carlow |
2 |
Mr Harry Merlehan T/A Harry Merlehan Landscaping |
|
Purchase of a high Volume Document Scanner Note: (Tender issued 21/12/2015, Contracted awarded in 2016) |
2 |
DIS Technologies Ltd T/A Digital Imaging Services Ltd |
|
Purchase of 11 Life Jackets and 5 PLB Fastfind GPS becons for WRC Inspectors |
3 |
Kehoe Marine Ltd T/A Hardware & Marine Supplies |
|
Printing of WRC Statement of Strategy 2016-2018 |
3 |
VestiGO Print Solutions |
|
Request for quotes for the provision of ICT Training |
3 |
Olas Software Training and Development |
|
RFT for Supply, installation and support of audio visual equipment |
3 |
Image Supply Systems |
|
Request for Tender for the Supply of Cisco Hardware under the Dept. of Justice Voice and Network Framework |
2 |
Plannet21 |
|
RFT for the Provision of ICT Security Hardening (Lot 1), ICT Security Testing (Lot 2), and ICT Security Advice (Lot 3) (issued 2015) |
Lot 1 – 6 Lot 2 – 9 Lot 3 - 3 |
Lot 1 – not awarded Lot 2 – Ward Solutions Ltd. Lot 3 - Information Security Assurance Services Ltd. (ISAS) |
|
Translation into Irish of the Official Guidelines to the Consumer Protection Act 2007 (Grocery Goods Undertakings) Regulations 2016. |
2 |
Word Perfect Translations Ltd. |
|
Request for Expressions of Interest for the Provision of Services – Legal Researcher |
44 |
Simon Halpin B.L. Lisa Maher B.L. |
|
Contract awarded for the provision of Systems Development Resources to Support and Maintain CRO Registry (Database and Web Services) following a tender process in late 2015. Note: This contract was entered into following a tender process that was initiated before 1st January 2016 |
1 |
Enterprise Registry Solution Limited |
|
Provision of Eircode Address Validation Services to the CRO |
4 |
Auotaddress Ltd |
|
Design & Layout of ODCE Annual Report. |
5 |
Clever Cat Design |
The last tender listed above is an addition to the list provided to the Deputy in response to question number 158 of 14 April 2016.
My response to question number 158 of 14 April 2016 also outlined details of a number of additional contracts entered into by my Department since 1 January 2016 which did not require tendering processes as the costs involved were below the required threshold.
My Department awards contracts and procurements based on the most economically advantageous tender and strives to ensure that all contracts or procurements offered provide the greatest value for money possible. Officers of my Department closely monitor these contracts for their full duration.
In relation to the agencies of my Department, the awarding of contracts to external providers is a day to day matter for the individual agencies concerned for which I have no direct function. I have asked the agencies under the aegis of my Department to advise me of any such contracts between the dates concerned and I will communicate this information to the Deputy.
147. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department has carried out an impact analysis of the effect on Irish enterprises in the event of the United Kingdom voting to leave the European Union in the upcoming referendum; if his Department has examined the effect such an event would have on competitiveness levels and the ability to attract future businesses to establish here; the impact on exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7655/16]
View answerThe EU-UK question is a strategic priority for Government, and for my Department. This is because UK membership of the Union is hugely important both to Ireland’s interests, and to the interests of a stable, successful and prosperous EU as a whole. The Government’s overriding focus has been, and remains, on helping to keep the UK in the Union, not preparing for its departure.
Work has been underway across Government Departments, including my own, for some time to ensure we best understand the range of issues at stake.
The Department of the Taoiseach also plays a leading role, given the whole-of-government dimension that is essential in this work. In this context, last May, a unit was established in the Department of the Taoiseach, specifically dealing with British-Irish and Northern Ireland affairs.
The Department of Finance, for example, commissioned the research published last November by the Economic and Social Research Institute on Irish-British macroeconomic links in the context of our joint EU membership.
We know from this and various other published assessments that there are very significant strategic and economic risks for Ireland if the UK were to leave the EU. In order to mitigate these risks, the Government played a constructive role in the negotiations that took place at EU level, including in the context of the discussions leading up to the European Council in February, working with the British Government and all our EU partners towards a consensual basis for the UK’s continued membership of the Union.
Given the importance to the enterprise sector of this issue, both IDA and Enterprise Ireland are factoring this issue into their own contingency planning and continue to track where potential impacts may arise.
Clearly, the pace at which any potential exit was achieved, and the terms which the UK might negotiate with the EU across a wide range of domains will be a key determinant of the impact on the economy, particular sectors and individual firms.
Enterprise Ireland already has a significant number of programmes available to companies who face competitive threats from various sources. These include Lean Programmes, Market Diversification, Innovation and Management Development. These will be the tools available to assist companies with planning and preparation.
Further, a key policy priority in recent years both for my Department and for Enterprise Ireland has been to support geographic market diversification, so that Irish owned exports to non-UK markets increase by 50% to reach exports of between €5 and €6 billion by 2020.
As a result, both Service and Manufacturing firms' exports have shown a clear reduction in dependency on the UK market. A growing number of Enterprise Ireland supported exporters are exporting to more than five countries - an indication of a strengthening resilience in market diversity terms. In 2014, 41.8% of EI assisted exporting firms exported to more than five countries compared to 33% in 2009.
