Written Answers Nos. 1162-1181
1162. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will issue a final reply to correspondence (details supplied) regarding trailer regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9842/16]
View answerFirstly, the delay in sending a substantive response to the issue raised is regretted and the Deputy will receive a formal letter of response shortly to the following effect.
Directive 2007/46/EC (as transposed nationally by S.I. 157 and 158 of 2009) requires that all new vehicles being sold or registered in Ireland must be type approved and certified. The type approval system currently in place for trailers provides for the type approval certification of heavy trailers (over 3.5 tonnes) when first registered in the State; while light trailers (3.5 tonnes or less) must be type approved at the point of sale. Light trailers cannot be sold without type approval certification.
Recognising a general absence of harmonised consumer protection-related market surveillance activities across the EU in relation to the sale of vehicles and their components, on 27 January 2016, the European Commission transmitted a proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (Com 2016/31) relating to the "approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles".
In an effort to ensure effective operation of the internal market and fair competition, the proposal introduces, for the first time, market surveillance provisions into the type-approval framework for motor vehicles with four or more wheels and their trailers.
Once the proposal has been adopted and becomes an EU Regulation, Ireland will appoint a market surveillance inspectorate to carry out appropriate market surveillance activities for such vehicles and their trailers.
Currently, the timing for the adoption of the aforementioned proposal is unknown and a decision has not yet been taken as to the body who will be appointed to perform this role in Ireland.
1163. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is responsible for the review of speed limits throughout the country under Transport Infrastructure Ireland; if local authority officials and members have been consulted as part of the process; the timeframe to complete the project and to make recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9872/16]
View answerAt the time of the issuing of the Department's updated Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland in March 2015, which is available on the Department's website at www.dttas.ie, local authorities were requested to review and update all speed limits in their administrative areas in accordance with the Guidelines. In the case of national roads this review was to be undertaken in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The Guidelines reiterate that the making of Special Speed Limit by-laws is a matter for the elected members of local authorities, subject to following Departmental Guidelines and to the consent of TII in the case of national roads.
It should be noted that as part of the review of speed limits on national roads, TII has assessed the widths of all national roads and is currently engaged in the process of providing this information to local authorities. This will assist local authorities in the task of identifying the appropriate speed limits for different sections of national roads within their respective administrative areas in accordance with the Department's Guidelines.
Local authorities have been requested to complete the overall speed limit review exercise, including the implementing of by-laws where necessary, by Quarter 2 of 2017.
1165. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the provision of slip roads on the M1 motorway at the junction with the main Dundalk-Armagh road at Kilcurry, County Louth; if this proposal has been considered before; if An Bord Pleanála previously rejected such a proposal and, if so, the rationale for doing so; the approximate cost for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9909/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
1166. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress which has been made on the construction of a new train station on the Maynooth line at Royal Canal Park-Pelletstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9886/16]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and upgrading of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1167. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital grants for smarter travel made available to Dublin city over each of the past five years for which records are available and to provide a breakdown of same. [9887/16]
View answerDublin City Council received €5.5m under the Smarter Travel programme towards the development of the Dublin City Premium Cycle Route ( Grand Canal Route) which was completed in 2012. A sum of €58,000 was also granted to the Council in 2011 for the development of walking and cycling promotion measures for the Drimnagh/Crumlin area. In addition, since 2011 a total sum of €110,275 has been awarded from the Smarter Travel budget to support Bike Week events in the Dublin City Council area.
In addition to funding under Smarter Travel, funding is also provided by the Department to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for capital projects under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme. This rolling programme of measures facilitates investment in various QBCs, cycling/walking, safety and traffic management projects throughout the seven local authority areas in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
In the region of €170 million has been provided by my Department to the NTA for the STMG Programme in the GDA since 2011, including funding for the dublinbikes expansion programme. In addition an allocation of €23 million is being provided to the NTA in 2016 for this Programme.
Noting the NTA's responsibility for the administration of the STMG Programme, I have referred your question to the Authority for a more detailed reply in relation to payments made to Dublin City Council under the Programme. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1168. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement not having had a forensic accountant employed for the past year; and the steps she is taking to rectify this. [9894/16]
View answerThe mission of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) is to improve the compliance environment for corporate activity in the Irish economy by encouraging adherence to the requirements of the Companies Acts, and bringing to account those who disregard the law.
The Office's staffing comprises a multi-disciplined team of accountants, administrators and lawyers and civil servants of my Department. Staffing resources are sought and allocated across my Department and its Offices, including the ODCE, in the context of the requirement to manage the pay bill and staff numbers in accordance with Government policy, utilising available resources in the most effective and efficient manner as appropriate to business needs and priorities.
On a day-to-day basis the HR Unit of my Department works with individual Business Units and the Department’s Management Board team on the allocation of staff resources and this would include the ODCE. As an “Office” of my Department, this allows the Secretary General and his HR team the freedom to reallocate resources from one Business Unit to another as priorities change, always mindful that the pay-budget limits do constrain our capacity to grow staffing levels as well as having regard to strategic priorities captured through the workforce planning process, the latest iteration of which is currently under way in the Department.
In line with the current business needs of the ODCE, my Department and the ODCE have been working with PAS on the recruitment of seven “Investigators” or professional forensic accountants. PAS has overseen the advertising and selection processes and, having concluded the interview process, has been progressing the requisite Garda vetting with a view to assigning successful candidates to my Department for assignment in the ODCE as a priority.
To date my Department has received individual letters of assignment from PAS for five of the appointments and formal contract offers have been made to the relevant candidates. Of the five, one contract offer has been declined by a candidate; three contracts have been formally signed and start dates agreed. My Department is engaging proactively with PAS and the successful candidates to fill the remaining posts as a priority.
1169. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to enable the Enterprise Ireland innovation centre at the Institute of Technology Sligo to expand, given that its capacity is full and there is a waiting list to gain access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9612/16]
View answerThe Enterprise Ireland ‘Campus Incubation Programme’ funds the establishment of incubation (innovation) centres at third level institutions in line with the following policy objectives:
- to foster entrepreneurship and campus company activity
- to realise the commercial potential of Ireland’s research community and
- to support balanced regional development
Over the past 10 years the campus incubators have delivered a stream of sustainable companies which contribute to the local and national economy. A particular strength of the incubators in regional areas is that they provide a focal point for entrepreneurship. They deliver significant job creation and add value to the local economy with 94% of incubated companies remaining in the local area post-incubation. An independent impact review of the Programme undertaken in 2014 reported that the campus incubators have generated a return of €3.61 in company turnover for every €1 invested by the State.
The campus incubators are now providing critical ecosystems and supports for start-up companies across the country. However, many of the incubators have outgrown their initial space requirements, as the demand for campus incubator space for knowledge-based start-ups has continued to increase.
In order to continue to meet the objectives of the Programme, Enterprise Ireland opened a Call for Proposals in June 2015 for the extension of incubation facilities in the Institutes of Technology. The budget package available was sufficient to fund only three of the strongest incubator extension proposals received in the Call. In light of the highly competitive nature of such a Call the Innovation Centre at the Institute of Technology Sligo was not successful on this occasion. The funding available for future Incubator extension Calls will be reassessed when Enterprise Ireland’s 2017 budget allocation is made known.
1170. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her progress in attracting a company to a building (details supplied) in Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9613/16]
View answerIDA Ireland, through its global network, continues to market the former MBNA facility, and Carrick-on-Shannon itself, to a range of potential investors internationally. Enterprise Ireland also markets the facility to its client base. The availability of a skilled pool of former MBNA employees is also being highlighted to potential investors. There have been preliminary inquiries about the facility, both from foreign direct investment (FDI) companies and Irish-owned businesses. IDA Ireland is actively engaged in this process.
The Government is committed to regional job creation. The North East/ North West Action Plan for Jobs, launched on 30 November 2015, aims to deliver 28,000 extra jobs in the counties of Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Louth, Monaghan and Cavan by 2020. Key targets in service of this overall goal are to achieve an increase of at least 25% in the number of start-ups in the region; a 25% improvement in the survival rate of new businesses; an increase in the number of IDA investments in the region by 30-40% up to 2019; and an increase of 300 to 500 in the numbers of Údarás na Gaeltachta supported jobs in the North West.
Since the Plan was launched, focus has moved to putting in place a comprehensive implementation structure. A Regional Implementation Committee has been established, composed of key stakeholders in the region who will work in concert with Enterprise Champions - nominated senior private sector representatives - to oversee and monitor progress. This team will meet twice each year to review progress on the delivery of the Plan’s actions. The first Progress Report on the implementation of the North East/North West Action Plan for Jobs will be completed in Q3 2016.
1171. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her progress in attracting inward investment into counties Sligo and Leitrim, via IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, since the loss of 100 jobs at Elanco in County Sligo in January 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9600/16]
View answer1175. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the marketing of the new advanced IDA Ireland facility in County Sligo which will be completed in December 2016; the number of companies which have indicated an interest in the facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9610/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1171 and 1175 together.
IDA Ireland markets Counties Sligo and Leitrim as part of its North West region. There are currently 38 multinational companies based in the region employing 5,379 people. This represents an increase of 291 jobs over the previous year, which reflects a strong performance by the existing client base.
The Advance Technology Building in Sligo is a c. 2,900 square metre unit, which is designed with sustainable Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation. Planning permission has been granted and, after a full public procurement process, the contractor was appointed for the development of the project in January 2016. Work has already begun and the practical completion is targeted for December 2016. IDA Ireland is actively marketing the new advance facility through its global network, highlighting to potential clients the flexible property solutions on offer in Sligo.
Other steps are also being taken to attract investment to the North West region. This includes a trade and investment mission and networking lunch which will take place in Sligo on 18 May. The purpose of the event is for clients to meet and network with each other to encourage sales and business opportunities. To date, 18 multinational companies and 43 Enterprise Ireland companies are due to attend.
Marketing of any regional area, including Sligo and Leitrim, for foreign direct investment (FDI) is undertaken through IDA Ireland’s network of overseas offices. IDA Ireland actively incentivises and encourages investors to consider a range of potential locations in Ireland although the ultimate locations selected are always decided by the companies themselves.
1172. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the benefits an Atlantic economic corridor would have for the north-west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9601/16]
View answerA key objective of my Department is to support enterprise development in all regions of the country in order to create jobs. Achieving this objective at regional level will require a renewed focus on building on the strengths and assets of each region to develop the attractive and competitive environments for business to start, grow and succeed on international markets and to attract inward investment. We started the process of rebuilding the capacity of the regions with the roll out of eight Regional Action Plans for Jobs during the past year.
The initiative builds on the success of the national Action Plan for Jobs, through encouraging regional stakeholders - including enterprise agencies, Local Authorities, higher education institutions, other public bodies and the private sector - to come forward with innovative ideas to boost job creation in their own region. The contributions from Local Authorities, regionally based agencies and the private sector are significant and important components of the Regional APJs, reflecting a more “bottom-up” process than the national APJ.
In this context, the Action Plan for the North East/North West identifies collaborative measures that will enable the region as a whole to realise its economic potential and create jobs.
The Action Plan was launched on 30 November last and aims to deliver 28,000 extra jobs in the counties of Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Louth, Monaghan and Cavan by 2020. Key targets in service of this overall goal are to achieve an increase of at least 25% in the number of start-ups in the region; a 25% improvement in the survival rate of new businesses; an increase in the number of IDA investments in the region by 30-40% up to 2019; and an increase of 300 to 500 in the numbers of Údarás na Gaeltachta supported jobs in the North West.
A Regional Implementation Committee has been established, composed of key stakeholders in the region who will work in concert with Enterprise Champions - nominated senior private sector representatives - to oversee and monitor progress.
The first Progress Report on the implementation of the North East/North West Action Plan for Jobs will be completed in Q3 2016.
The issue of the establishment of an Atlantic Economic Corridor is a much broader concept and not a matter, in the first instance, for my Department.
1173. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if large multinational companies that wish to relocate here and will avail of our 12.5% corporation tax rate could be approached in order to help to play a part in resolving our current housing crisis, especially in County Dublin, where these companies wish to set up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9607/16]
View answerMultinational companies have been key contributors to Ireland’s economy for many years. In 2015 alone, they were responsible for the creation of nearly 12,000 additional net new jobs in the country. Total employment by overseas companies in Ireland now stands at over 187,000, meaning that more than one-in-five private sector jobs are now either directly or indirectly the result of foreign direct investment.
While this already represents a vital economic contribution, the Government is committed to growing the multinational sector even further. That is why IDA Ireland has set ambitious targets of securing 80,000 new jobs, winning 900 further investments and increasing companies’ expenditure on research and development to €3 billion by 2019. The Government’s view is that these goals can be best achieved if multinational companies in Ireland focus on what they do best: expanding their core business, creating jobs and opportunities and investing in the local economy.
Solving the housing crisis will be a priority for the Government. That is already evident in the appointment of a Minister for Housing. Multinational companies will play their own part in this process by improving the State’s economic position through contributing to the exchequer and creating employment across the country. In 2014, IDA client companies paid a total of €2.8bn in company taxation to the exchequer, which represents a very significant direct financial contribution to the national finances.
1174. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to foster new employment in nationally strategic places such as Sligo town, apart from the north west-north east Action Plan for Jobs strategy; if she has considered measures, such as special tax incentives for companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9609/16]
View answerOver the last number of years the Government has launched a range of tax and other measures to support employment and entrepreneurship in every part of the country. These include the launch of the JobsPlus and the Start Up Refund for Entrepreneurs (SURE) scheme and Budget 2016 in particular focused on incentivising innovative startups, rewarding successful entrepreneurs and sustaining investment and jobs in existing businesses. Among the new pro-jobs taxation measures in Budget 2016 were:
- Reduced Capital Gains Tax rate of 20% for successful entrepreneurs
- Reductions in the USC affecting middle-income workers and creating jobs
- Income tax credit of €550 for self-employed people, with improvements in future years
- Knowledge Development Box, which is globally ‘best in class’ and the first OECD-compliant scheme with a competitive rate of 6.25% on qualifying income, benefitting large companies and SMEs
- Extension of tax relief for start-up companies
- Improvements to the Employment and Investment Incentive scheme to increase availability of investment finance for business.
We have launched the Action Plans for Jobs Regionals, which together with a fund of €250m will seek to ensure that all regions of the country benefits from the economic recovery underway.
A Trade and investment mission and networking lunch will take place in Sligo on May 18, 2016. The purpose of the event is for IDA clients to meet and network with Enterprise Ireland clients to encourage sales, opportunities and collaboration. To date 18 Multinational Companies are attending, 12 of these are taking 1-1 meetings. Some 43 Enterprise Ireland companies are registered with a total of 72 1-1 meetings scheduled to take place.
To date in 2016, Enterprise Ireland has approved over €1,867,162 and made payments of €369,241 to its client companies in County Sligo and Leitrim. In 2015 payments of €1,326,846 were made to companies in Sligo and Leitrim. This was primarily to support new business employment, R and D, capital investment and staff training.
A Competitive Start Fund which was announced for applications for start-ups based outside of County Dublin for those active in the Manufacturing and Internationally Traded Services sectors opened on Wednesday 3rd June 2015 and closed on Wednesday 17th June 2015.
Competitive Feasibility Funding assists new start-up companies or entrepreneurs to investigate the viability of a new growth-orientated business proposition which has the potential to become a High Growth Potential Start-up (HPSU). A Competitive Feasibility Fund for the North West was launched on February 9, 2015 with a closing date of March 3, 2015. 11 applications were received and 3 projects, 2 from Sligo and 1 from Donegal, worth a total of €62,500 were put forward for approval at the May 8, 2015 Enterprise Ireland Investment Committee.
The New Frontiers programme is being run in conjunction with IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT and is designed to provide ambitious entrepreneurs with the necessary business skills to establish a successful global business. The overall objective is to incubate 10-12 export focused businesses across the Region each year. Phase 2 of the 2015 programme finished in February 2016 with 16 participants each receiving €15,000 to assist and develop their business over the six month duration. There are four participants from Sligo and three from Leitrim on the programme. Recruitment is currently underway for Phase 1 of the 2016 programme.
IDA actively promotes Counties Sligo and Leitrim for mobile FDI investment. However, the final decision on where to locate an investment does, and always will, ultimately reside with the client company. Regular engagement and collaboration with stakeholders is also important in positioning any regional location to attract FDI. IDA continues to do that as well as continues to work with existing clients in all regional locations to strengthen their base in the Region whilst looking to develop new mandates and generate additional jobs.
Currently there are 38 existing multinational companies based in the North West (Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal), employing 5,379 across the Region (Annual Employment Survey 2015) which is an increase of 291 jobs over the previous year which indicates a strong performance by the existing client base.
IDA Ireland is committed to Regional Job Creation and in this respect is targeting a significant uplift in the number of investments for each region. Specifically in the Region, IDA is constructing an advance facility in Sligo which is due for completion at the end of 2016 and which will enhance our value proposition for the Region.
1176. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the competitive call under the €5 million community enterprise initiative 2015 to 2017; if she has processed the applications; when she will make a decision; when she will issue formal letters of offer; if the €5 million is still available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9743/16]
View answerLast year, the Government announced details of the 5-year, €250 million Regional Action Plan for Jobs, aimed at accelerating the jobs recovery in every part of the country. Under the Regional Plan, Enterprise Ireland launched a competitive call, the Community Enterprise Initiatives Fund, with a budget of €5 million over two years, which focused on community-driven enterprise initiatives and how all the local players, public and private, can work together to maximise job creation. The Fund was open to existing Community Enterprise Centres (CECs) and also to any other organisation or groups of organisations with innovative ideas to create jobs, promote entrepreneurship, boost innovation or enhance exports.
Enterprise Ireland is tasked with the management of the Community Enterprise Initiative. The results of the competitive Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme will be announced shortly and the letters of offers will issue accordingly.
1177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Ireland will remain equally attractive for foreign direct investment and indigenous job creation, having particular regard to provisions made in budget 2016 and the potential of the Irish knowledge development box or any other issues in the wake of changes to the 12.5% corporation tax rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9768/16]
View answerThe Action Plan for Jobs process set out to rebuild our economy based on enterprise and entrepreneurship. The co-ordinated response across all of Government has made significant progress in helping to create jobs and to reduce unemployment across the economy.
There are now 1,929,500 people in employment, an increase of 41,300 people at work over the past year (CSO QNHS Q1 2016). Our enterprise development agencies have each reported a record performance in 2015, with IDA Ireland supporting the creation of 18,983 direct new jobs (11,833 net), and Enterprise Ireland supporting the creation of 21,118 new jobs (10,169 net).
The Knowledge Development Box (KDB), introduced in Budget 2016 forms part of Ireland’s competitive offering to continue to attract FDI and to support Irish owned companies to innovate and to compete effectively on international markets.
The continuing imperative to establish Ireland as the best place in which to succeed in business is reinforced in our national Enterprise and Innovation strategies. Our aim is that Ireland will be recognised as the place where businesses are innovative, competitive and productive – leading to growth that is sustainable and results in employment opportunities and a higher standard of living for all. These strategies set out the framework for investment over the coming decade to ensure that Ireland remains equally attractive to foreign direct investment and to Irish entrepreneurs and growth businesses in the context of an intensely competitive international environment.
The KDB complements the existing suite of initiatives and supports available to companies that undertake R and D activities in Ireland across the lifecycle of research and development – including R and D tax credits, RD and I grant supports, support for technology acquisition (S291A), significant state investments in National Research Centres and knowledge transfer infrastructures, and advisory supports for accessing Horizon 2020 funding – providing a competitive proposition for business investment.
Ireland is the first country world-wide to introduce an OECD compliant KDB offering. The certainty, predictability and clear signal that this sends to enterprise – including both Irish owned and foreign owned entities establishing and doing business from here - remains essential. The OECD nexus approach sets out the principles and guidelines under which income arising from IP assets can qualify for a lower rate of tax under a KDB initiative. Ireland’s KDB rate is 6.25 percent (half of the corporation tax rate of 12.5 percent) and is internationally competitive.
It is important to reinforce that Ireland’s commitment to its 12.5 percent corporate tax rate is clear and that there are no changes to our 12.5 percent corporate tax rate. As set out in the roadmap for Ireland’s Tax competitiveness, Ireland will continue to structure its corporation tax system on the basis of:
- Rate: Ireland remains totally committed to the 12.5 percent corporation tax rate;
- Regime: A system that is open, transparent, predictable and built upon substance; and
- Reputation: a system that plays by the rules
Our competitive offering in relation to corporate tax will be complemented by key non-tax related differentiators in terms of skills and talent, innovation and quality of place.
1178. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the companies accounting Bill 2016 which it is intended will transpose the European Union Accounting Directive 2013/34/EU, including when she will transpose the 2013 directive into national law. [9806/16]
View answerHeads of the Companies (Accounting) Bill were approved by Government and submitted to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) in February 2015. An additional set of Heads was subsequently approved by Government and submitted to the OPC in June 2015. I am informed that drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage.
Once I receive the stamped version of the Bill I will bring it to Government with a view to an early introduction in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
1179. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation how she reached the rate of deduction of €54.13 for board and lodgings for au pairs; if she will adapt this rate depending on the location of the lodgings; why she decided to have a set rate across all areas of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9789/16]
View answer1180. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when she will review the rate of deduction of €54.13 for board and lodgings for au pairs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9790/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1179 and 1180 together.
There is no 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 National Minimum Wage Act 2000 defines a contract of employment as a contract of service or apprenticeship, or any other contract whereby an individual agrees with another person to do or perform personally any work or service for that person.
All employers, including those in private homes, carry the same obligations in relation to compliance with employment law.
Under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000, certain reckonable components may be taken into account to determine an employee’s average hourly rate.
In this context, if an employer provides an employee with full board and lodgings, or lodgings only or full board only, a monetary allowance can be included as reckonable pay. (The term ‘full board’ means an entitlement to meals during the day), as follows:
- €54.13 for board and lodgings per week, or €7.73 per day;
- €32.14 for board only per week, or €4.60 per day;
- €21.85 for lodgings only per week, or €3.14 per day.
The inclusion of this provision in the National Minimum Wage legislation was recommended by the Inter-Departmental Group on Implementation of a National Minimum Wage. It was the view of the Inter-Departmental Group that the monetary value of the allowances for the purpose of the National Minimum Wage would not be set at market value but rather would be similar to the amount provided for in Employment Regulation Orders.
The National Minimum Wage Act 2000 (National Minimum Hourly Rate of Pay) Order 2000 (SI No. 95/2000) provided for the amounts specified.
There are currently no plans to make changes to these provisions.
1181. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her actions, as lead Minster with responsibility for consumer protection, and the actions or agencies under her control to monitor and safeguard consumers from escalating costs in many areas; her powers to ensure consumers are protected from excessive price increasers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9859/16]
View answerThe most recent CSO figures (for the 12 month period to April 2016) show that prices in April, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, were 0.1% lower than those in April 2015. The most significant monthly price changes for April 2016 were increases in Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (+0.9%), and Restaurants & Hotels (+0.7%). There were decreases in Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance (-0.5%) and Communications (-0.4%).
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for the enforcement of competition and consumer protection law in the State as well as advocating on behalf of consumers, with particular functions in areas such as research, information, advocacy, awareness and information for consumers. The CCPC website is continually updated to reflect latest advice for consumers to allow them make informed choices, while public awareness campaigns are run to address specific issues as they arise.
The Deputy will be aware that the Competition Authority (one of the bodies that make up the current CCPC) has published a number of reports resulting from studies it carried out on various sectors or professions since 2004. The reports usually contain a suite of recommendations, aimed at improving competition in the relevant area and are addressed to the responsible Government Department or body. Responsibility for any proposals aimed at ending apparent restrictions on competition in a particular sector rests with the Minister with responsibility for that particular policy area.
Given the responsibility of my Department for competition policy in general and for consumer protection, I will continue to urge my Government colleagues to ensure that everything is done to help improve price competitiveness in their areas of responsibility, thereby supporting economic growth and job creation.
