Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:43. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the recent increase in baggage fees by Irish airlines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15820/16]
View answerAirlines Charges
Questions (43)
Written answers
I understand that the increase in baggage fees applied by one of the Irish airlines is not a new price rise as such but rather an increase in baggage fees that applies annually during the peak summer holiday period. The other Irish airline announced an increase in baggage fees on 1 June in line with its previous practice in peak travel periods, but on 2 June introduced a revised baggage fee structure that will apply all year round. While the airline has claimed that the new fee structure will lead to lower baggage charges for most passengers, it would appear that passengers flying in off-peak periods will face higher fees in many cases.
As the Deputy will be aware, no Government in recent decades has pursued a policy of price control other than for a very small number of regulated sectors where normal competitive conditions do not obtain. According to the most recent Consumer Price Index figures released by the Central Statistics Office, air fares fell by 8.4 per cent in the year to April 2016. While increases in baggage charges will clearly affect some passengers, they should also be viewed in the light of the overall reduction in air fares over the past year.
Employment Rights
Questions (44)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:44. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will bring forward legislation to outlaw bogus self-employment in the construction sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15835/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Finance and Department of Social Protection have conducted a joint public consultation on the Use of Intermediary-Type Structures and Self-Employment Arrangements.
Clearly there is a convergence of interests between my Department and the Departments of Finance and Social Protection in addressing this issue. Apart from the significant losses to the Exchequer arising from cases of so called bogus self-employment, the practice has serious implications from an employment rights perspective. In this respect it is important that individuals are correctly designated as regards employment status, so that those who ought to be designated as employees are not deprived of employment rights. This is particularly the case for vulnerable workers who may not feel in a position to object to certain arrangements.
Ireland has a well-resourced and proactive labour inspectorate, which now forms part of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and there are already existing mechanisms in place to tackle this issue. Inspections are undertaken on the basis of risk analysis which identifies certain sectors, as a result of complaints received and on a routine basis. Where the WRC inspection service receive complaints in relation to bogus self-employment or bogus sub-contracting, they are forwarded to the Revenue Commissioners and/or the Department of Social Protection (Scope Section) for investigation either solely by the recipient, or jointly with the Workplace Relations Commission.
In most cases it will be clear whether an individual is employed or self-employed. Where there is doubt in relation to the employment status of an individual the relevant Departments and Agencies will have regard to the Code of Practice for Determining Employment or Self-Employment Status of Individuals. This Code was drawn up and agreed in 2007 by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation.
Questions Nos. 45 to 47, inclusive, answered orally.
Foreign Direct Investment
Questions (48)
Bernard Durkan
Question:48. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she expects this economy to compete effectively for foreign direct investment in the next five years; if this jurisdiction is an attractive location for such investment; if she has identified any potential challenge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15824/16]
View answerWritten answers
IDA Ireland is working hard to meet ambitious targets set out in its five-year strategy, Winning: Foreign Direct Investment 2015-2019, that was launched in February last year. The strategy’s goals include, among others, the creation of 80,000 jobs, 900 new investments, and securing an additional €3 billion of commitments for new R&D projects in the country.
To achieve these targets, in a period of ever-increasing global competition for foreign direct investment (FDI), Ireland will need to continue to attract new foreign investors. I am confident, however, that we are strongly positioned to do that. That is because the country remains attractive to foreign investors on account of our talented and highly-educated workforce, our membership of the EU and the Eurozone and our business-friendly environment. We also have an established track record when it comes to FDI, with over 1,200 overseas companies already based in Ireland. These are all key factors when it comes to helping to convince companies to invest here.
The Government is equally conscious of the need for Ireland to remain as competitive as possible when it comes to winning FDI. This means sustaining and improving our internationally recognised pro-enterprise policy environment, as well as investing further in education so that the skills of our workforce best match the needs of 21st century companies.
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
Questions (49)
Paul Murphy
Question:49. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she shares the concerns of those who fear that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership will weaken consumer protection and environmental legislation; if the negotiations should take place in a more transparent manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15838/16]
View answerWritten answers
The EU-US free trade negotiations are the most open and transparent trade negotiations to date. Reports of rounds together with all information in relation to EU positions in the negotiations are published on the European Commission’s website.
Unlike the EU, the US does not publish its negotiating texts. This is why special reading rooms have been created in capitals around Europe to allow parliamentarians to review the consolidated EU-US versions of the negotiating texts.
I recently wrote to the Ceann Comhairle and to the Office of the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, drawing attention to the Irish reading room in my Department and invited Oireachtas Members to visit and consult the documents.
An EU-US trade deal will stand to benefit business, large and small, and consumers. The negotiation in respect of regulatory co-operation will ensure that economic gains do not lower our high standards in the field of labour rights, the environment or consumer’s health and safety. This principle is built into the negotiating mandate which guides the Commission in these negotiations.
The aim of the negotiations is closer cooperation by making present and future rules more compatible, while ensuring food, animal and plant imports are safe. Making the trading landscape easier and more predictable is particularly important to SMEs, given that trade barriers tend to disproportionally burden smaller firms.
Ireland’s enterprises are particularly well placed to take up opportunities to trade more easily with the US. This will build on our already rewarding economic relationship. It will also generate new opportunities to create employment and continue to grow our economy.
Job Creation
Questions (50)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:50. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if County Donegal has fallen behind other parts of the country in terms of job creation; if poor road and broadband infrastructure is a contributing factor to the lack of new inward investment there over the years 2011 to 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15629/16]
View answerWritten answers
Official employment figures maintained by the Central Statistics Office show that the border region, including Donegal, has seen an increase in employment of 8,300 from the start of 2011 to end of quarter 1 2016.
Donegal has also performed strongly in terms of IDA Ireland supported inward investment since 2011.
In the past 5 years employment in the Agency’s client companies in the county has grown to 2,530 from a base of 1,877 – an increase of 35%.
The announcement last summer by Pramerica Systems Ireland of its intention to expand its operations in Donegal, with the creation of an additional 330 jobs and the construction of a new business campus, is further evidence of the progress that is being made in the county.
This all shows that significant strides have already been made when it comes to securing new employment and investment projects for Donegal and the region.
Both the IDA and the Government remain focused, however, on uncovering new opportunities for the wider area in the time ahead.
With respect to infrastructure in the north-west, IDA Ireland continues to work closely with the local authorities, where appropriate, to ensure the region continues to improve its offering and increase its attractiveness to potential investors.
Wage-setting Mechanisms
Questions (51)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:51. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to examine the sub-minimum wage rate for young persons and bring it up to the standard minimum wage rate in the interests of ensuring that young persons are not discriminated against; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15839/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Low Pay Commission which is independent in the performance of its functions was established on a statutory basis in July 2015. Its principal function is to annually examine and make recommendations, which are evidence based, on the national minimum hourly rate of pay.
The Commission’s first Report recommended an hourly rate of €9.15 for experienced adult workers. This increase from €8.65 per hour came into effect on January 1st 2016. The sub-minima rates were also automatically increased then too.
As well as making recommendations on the national minimum wage, the Commission has been asked to examine the appropriateness of the lower sub-minima rates that currently exist. Their report was due by the end of February 2016, but an extension to the end of October 2016 was sought and has been granted to the Commission. This is to allow the Commission avail of new data due to come on stream over the coming months as a result of an additional question added to the Q2 2016 Quarterly National Household Survey on a pilot basis.
Trade Agreements
Questions (52)
Thomas Pringle
Question:52. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of discussions on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in May 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11891/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement were discussed at the last EU Council of Trade Ministers on 13th May 2016, which I attended.
The Council had an exchange of views on the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the process towards signature and provisional application of the agreement. The European Commission and Member States highlighted the high quality of the agreement reached with Canada and expressed the desire to work towards signature of the agreement at the October EU-Canada Summit. The Commission advised the Council of its intention to submit a proposal for a decision on signature of CETA before the Summer.
The Council was also informed about the latest developments regarding the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations. These included prospects for conclusion of the negotiations under the Obama administration. Member States considered that maintaining a high level of ambition in these negotiations was just as important as the ambitious timetable. They urged the Commission to advance the negotiations, while fully respecting its negotiating mandate and the EU interests.
It is in Ireland’s interest to see strong progress on both these negotiations as they will provide opportunities for Irish based firms and make the trading environment more predictable.
Question No. 53 answered orally.
Industrial Disputes
Questions (54)
Mick Barry
Question:54. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the dispute involving vital 999 emergency workers whom BT Ireland has subcontracted to a service centre (details supplied), and if she should recommend to other Departments that they insist on higher standards of workplace relations where private companies are operating State contracts. [15830/16]
View answerWritten answers
I understand this dispute involves several issues, including pay and work practices. I would like to assure the Deputy that the State’s industrial relations machinery remains available and engaged to assist.
Even what often appears to be the most intractable of disputes is capable of resolution where both sides engage constructively and in good faith in this voluntary process. The principle of good faith implies that both sides in a dispute make every effort to reach an agreement and endeavour, through genuine and constructive negotiations, to resolve their differences.
Ireland’s system of industrial relations is, essentially, voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers, whether in redundancy or other collective disputes, rests with the employer, the workers and their representatives. The State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement to support parties in their efforts to resolve their differences.
The obligations that are provided for in Ireland’s robust suite of labour law apply equally to employers engaged in private and public sector work.
Low Pay
Questions (55)
Bríd Smith
Question:55. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is concerned at a recent report that shows that young persons and women are hardest hit by the growth of low wages; and if the phenomenal increase in the low wage sector undermines any claim this or the previous Government made regarding economic success. [15832/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Low Pay Commission which is independent in the performance of its functions was established on a statutory basis in July 2015. Its principal function is to annually examine and make recommendations, which are evidence based, on the national minimum hourly rate of pay.
The Commission’s structure is designed to ensure a balanced statutory minimum pay rate that is fair and will assist low-paid and vulnerable workers.
The Commission’s first Report submitted in July 2015 recommended an increase in the national minimum hourly rate of pay from €8.65 to €9.15. This rate came into effect on January 1st 2016.
The next report of the Low Pay Commission regarding the national minimum wage is due on the 19th July this year.
I look forward to responding to any recommendation of the Low Pay Commission in relation to the national minimum wage as part of Budget 2017.
As well as making recommendations in relation to the national minimum wage, the Commission has also been asked to examine the appropriateness of the lower sub-minima rates that currently exist.
The Commission has also been asked to examine why almost 65% of those on the minimum wage are women.
Both reports are due by end October 2016.
Industrial Disputes
Questions (56)
Mick Barry
Question:56. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation for views on the unresolved dispute at a company (details supplied) and specifically her position on employers unilaterally changing the contracts of employees. [15829/16]
View answerWritten answers
I understand the dispute at issue relates to proposed changes to employee contracts that set out their terms and conditions of employment. I also understand that the parties have engaged with the State’s industrial relations machinery and would like to assure the Deputy that the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court if required remain available to assist in this dispute. I welcomed the suspension of the industrial action that was proposed for mid-May. This allowed further talks to take place. Those talks have now adjourned. The parties are considering their positions.
Even what often appears to be the most intractable of disputes is capable of resolution where both sides engage constructively and in good faith in this voluntary process. The principle of good faith implies that both sides in a dispute make every effort to reach an agreement and endeavour, through genuine and constructive negotiations, to resolve their differences.
Joint Labour Committees
Questions (57)
Bríd Smith
Question:57. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action she proposes to take to encourage the joint labour committees to sit, formulate and impose employment regulation orders where the JLCs have not met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15831/16]
View answerWritten answers
A Joint Labour Committee (JLC) is composed of equal numbers of representatives of employers and workers in a sector and they meet regularly, under an independent chairman to discuss proposals for terms and conditions to apply to specified grades or categories of workers in the sector. If agreement is reached the JLC publishes details and invites submissions from interested parties. If, after consideration of any submissions received, the Committee adopts the proposals it will submit them to the Labour Court for consideration. The Labour Court will then make a decision on the adoption of the proposals. If the Court decides to adopt the proposals, a copy is presented to the Minister. If the Minister considers it appropriate to do so an Order giving effect to the proposals will be made by the Minister. Such Orders are known as Employment Regulation Orders.
For vulnerable workers, JLCs can agree fair terms and conditions such as wage rates, sick pay and so which are given effect by Employment Regulation Order, while for employers the plus side is that they can agree and set minimum pay and conditions, agree on work practices which are custom-made to their industry – a flexibility which cannot be achieved by primary legislation. Where both parties to a JLC see commonality of purpose and outcome then an agreement may emerge.
The JLC system is only a framework and engagement in it is voluntary on the part of the stakeholders concerned.
Joint Labour Committees
Questions (58)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:58. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action she will take to ensure the joint labour committees sit, formulate and impose employment regulation orders where the joint labour committees have not met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15840/16]
View answerWritten answers
A Joint Labour Committee (JLC) is composed of equal numbers of representatives of employers and workers in a sector and they meet regularly, under an independent chairman to discuss proposals for terms and conditions to apply to specified grades or categories of workers in the sector. If agreement is reached the JLC publishes details and invites submissions from interested parties. If, after consideration of any submissions received, the Committee adopts the proposals it will submit them to the Labour Court for consideration. The Labour Court will then make a decision on the adoption of the proposals. If the Court decides to adopt the proposals, a copy is presented to the Minister. If the Minister considers it appropriate to do so an Order giving effect to the proposals will be made by the Minister. Such Orders are known as Employment Regulation Orders.
For vulnerable workers, JLCs can agree fair terms and conditions such as wage rates, sick pay and so on which are given effect by Employment Regulation Order, while for employers the plus side is that they can agree and set minimum pay and conditions, agree on work practices which are custom-made to their industry – a flexibility which cannot be achieved by primary legislation. Where both parties to a JLC see commonality of purpose and outcome then an agreement may emerge.
The JLC system is an important framework and engagement in it is voluntary on the part of the stakeholders concerned.
Job Creation
Questions (59)
Bernard Durkan
Question:59. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she will encourage, facilitate and incentivise job creation and replacement and new job opportunities in the manufacturing and services sectors over the next five years; if she expects the job market to grow in line with demographics during this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15823/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for a Partnership Government sets an ambitious target to have an additional 200,000 at work by 2020, with an unemployment rate of 6 per cent. Achieving this ambitious target is premised on a recovery in employment growth by enterprises across all sectors of the economy and in particular will be dependent on our success in driving export led growth and growing the additional indirect jobs stimulated by the activities of exporting enterprises in the wider economy.
A key objective of the Action Plan for Jobs process, which Government commenced in 2012, was to rebuild our economy based on enterprise and entrepreneurship, talent, innovation and exports and provide a solid foundation for future growth. We have 155,000 more people at work than when we launched the first Action Plan for Jobs in 2012, with a strong contribution from both manufacturing and services sectors across the economy to employment growth. Our export performance of manufactured goods and value-added services has been exceptional, with exports by Enterprise Ireland clients estimated at over €20 billion last year. Employment in EI and IDA supported firms has grown by over 60,687 since 2012.
Enterprise 2025, the Government’s long-term enterprise policy was launched in 2015. It is an ambitious strategy, with the objective of delivering growth over the next decade that is sustainable, led by strong export performance, builds on our sectoral strengths, and that is underpinned by innovation, productivity, cost effectiveness and competitiveness. The strategy sets out the key actions needed across government to build resilience into our economy so that we do not suffer again as we have done in the past number of years and has the commitment across government. Enterprise 2025 envisages the creation of a range of employment and career opportunities across a broad spectrum of skills and across manufacturing and services activities. Our policies will continue to facilitate the creation of quality employment, taking into account the multi-dimensional aspects that define quality including: ensuring opportunities for advancement that involves workplace learning and development; ensuring that people are educated and trained to meet the needs of industry; recognising the opportunities presented by entrepreneurship as an alternative career path; and ensuring a system that facilitates flexibility without exploitation.
In terms of future demographics, research conducted in 2013 by the Central Statistics Office offers a number of projections of future working-age population based on various different assumptions. Projected fertility rates remain low and so, based on this factor alone, population growth will occur at modest rates over the next five years. The most significant factor to determine the future size of working-age population will be the level of net immigration and the Government has set a target to attract back 70,000 emigrants over the period to 2020. Our success in achieving this target will be determined to a great extent by the country’s future economic performance.
Enterprise 2025 sets out the manufacturing and services sectors in which Ireland has comparative advantage and that contribute the greater proportion toward exports. These sectors account for a significant proportion of the enterprise agency client portfolio and include ICT (hardware and software), Health Lifesciences (that includes pharma, biopharma and medical technologies), International Financial Services, Internationally Traded Services, Engineering/Industrial Products and Agri-Food. New areas of opportunity and untapped potential are highlighted in Enterprise 2025.
The agencies of my Department, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices will contribute significantly to achieving the ambition for employment creation set out in Enterprise 2025. We know that sectors themselves are constantly evolving and that both manufacturing and services activities will continue to play a part in realising our ambition for sustainable full employment across Ireland.
EU Membership
Questions (60, 61)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:60. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach her plans to protect Irish jobs in the event of the United Kingdom voting to exit the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16108/16]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:61. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach if he and the bodies under his aegis promote Ireland as an attractive location for foreign direct investment, with particular reference to the situation in the event of Britain exiting the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16308/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 61 together.
Our Government’s position on the EU-UK question is clear: We want the UK, as our closest neighbour and trading partner and EU ally, to remain a member of a reformed EU.
Our relationship with the UK is closer than with any other Member State. We believe Ireland has a unique perspective and interest in the outcome of the referendum: as a neighbour sharing a land border; as a partner with the UK in transforming British-Irish relations in recent years; and as a facilitator and co-guarantor, with the UK, of successive agreements aimed at securing peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.
However, Ireland will have a clear plan in place to deal with the implications of a UK vote to Leave.
A unit in the Department of the Taoiseach, established in April 2015, has been coordinating work on this issue and is in the process of fine tuning cross-Departmental inputs on contingency management and key communication issues with senior Departmental representatives.
Government Departments have scoped the range of risks and opportunities that would fall to be addressed in the two year period following a Leave vote. This analysis will continue to be deepened in advance of the referendum.
A framework has been developed on a whole of government basis to identify contingencies that may arise in the days, weeks and months that follow.
This will be the framework within which each Minister, Department and agency will manage the policy, operational and programmatic implications that could arise from a UK leave vote. It will be capable of adapting to changing circumstances, depending on developments in the context of ongoing negotiations on new arrangements between the EU and the UK and bilateral discussions between the UK and Irish Governments.
The plan will clearly identify the Government's priorities and set out a detailed plan of action for communications and diplomatic contact. It will also take account of how the EU landscape might change in the event of a UK departure and the consequent loss of a key ally with which we share so many priorities including in relation to jobs, growth and investment. It will consider the possible re-balancing of relationships and priorities within the EU in this context.
Work in this area is being progressed by all Departments in conjunction with key agencies and will cover all areas of Government business. Dialogue with wider stakeholders including business groups, trade unions and NGOs across all relevant sectors will continue. Official and diplomatic contact with the UK, other EU Member States and the EU Institutions will be intensified in the event of a leave vote.
The key priority for Government will be to protect and promote Ireland’s key interests in the event that the UK votes to leave, including in relation to jobs and Foreign Direct Investment.
Some have suggested that a UK exit could give Ireland a marketing advantage in terms of Foreign Direct Investment. We compete strongly all the time for global FDI and will continue to do so whether or not the UK is in the EU.
Job Creation Data
Questions (62)
Bernard Durkan
Question:62. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number of jobs lost and created in County Kildare in each of the years 2010 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16320/16]
View answerWritten answers
The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q1 2016.
Estimates of employment are produced by NUTS 3 Regions. The NUTS 3 Mid-East region includes Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable Kildare County estimates from the QNHS.
Table 1a below shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by NUTS 3 Mid-East region in Q1 of each year from 2009 to 2016.
Table 1b shows the annual change in the numbers of persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by NUTS 3 Mid-East region in Q1 of each year from 2010 to 2016.
As Table 1a shows the overall stock of persons employed at given points in time, the annual changes which are calculated using these stock figures depend both on the number of jobs lost and jobs created over the period in question. The QNHS does not record whether a job is newly created
Table 1a Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by Mid-East region, Q1 2009- Q1 2016.
|
- |
Q1 09 |
Q1 10 |
Q1 11 |
Q1 12 |
Q1 13 |
Q1 14 |
Q1 15 |
Q1 16 |
|
In employment |
232.2 |
228.6 |
222.7 |
228.8 |
220.6 |
225.1 |
234.6 |
231.4 |
Table 1b Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by Mid-East region, Q1 2010- Q1 2016 - Annual change
|
Q1 10 |
Q1 11 |
Q1 12 |
Q1 13 |
Q1 14 |
Q1 15 |
Q1 16 |
|
|
In employment |
-3.7 |
-5.9 |
6.1 |
-8.3 |
4.6 |
9.5 |
-3.2 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
Reference period: Q1=Jan-Mar
Garda Training
Questions (63, 64)
Jonathan O'Brien
Question:63. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of training a member of An Garda Síochána. [16089/16]
View answerJonathan O'Brien
Question:64. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of training a member of the Garda Síochána Reserve. [16090/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that payroll costs for new Garda recruits include a basic allowance of €184 per week plus a living allowance of €77.92. After 32 weeks of training, Garda recruits are attested and move on to the first point of the Garda pay scale €23,750 rising to a maximum of €45,793 per annum after 19 years. They may also qualify for other allowances depending on their assignments.
Members of the Garda Reserve as part of their training programme spend 15 days in attendance at the Garda College, including the graduation ceremony, and 40 hours assigned to a Garda Station. Following attestation, the annual allowance payable to Reserve members as a contribution towards their expenses is set at €1,000 per annum. In addition, the uniform cost per Reserve member is in the region of €1,300.
I am further advised that the cost of training both recruits and members of the Reserve is subsumed into the overall training costs of the Garda College and is not easily identifiable. However, the total cost of running the Garda College in 2015 was approximately €19m, which includes the salary costs of all College personnel.
Garda Recruitment
Questions (65)
Jonathan O'Brien
Question:65. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has considered reviewing the age requirements for entry to An Garda Síochána. [16091/16]
View answerWritten answers
The age at which any candidate may apply to join An Garda Síochána as a full time member is set by Regulation 4 (a) of the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 under which the maximum recruitment age at which candidates may apply to join An Garda Síochána as a full time member is set at not more than 35 years.
This upper age limit of 35 was set having regard to equality legislation and also took into account the following criteria:
(1) the cost of training and the need for recruits to serve for a sufficient period of time as full members of the service to recoup this cost,
(2) the operational requirements of the service in terms of having an age profile appropriate to the physical demands placed on members in the course of their duty.
This Regulation applies without discrimination and no concessions are available to any person. There are currently no plans to change this situation.
Equality Tribunal Cases
Questions (66)
Jonathan O'Brien
Question:66. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has taken action to prevent the Equality Tribunal from investigating discrimination claims being brought against the Garda Commissioner and the status of this action. [16092/16]
View answerWritten answers
I have not taken any such action and there is no question of me seeking to do so. As the Workplace Relations Commission, into which the Equality Tribunal has been merged, is an independent body, it would not be appropriate for me, as Minister for Justice and Equality, to intervene in any way in relation to any matter being dealt with by that Commission.
Bail Law
Questions (67)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:67. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who breached bail in 2015 and in 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16132/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of the official recorded crime statistics, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.
I have asked the CSO to forward relevant statistics directly to the Deputy.