Written Answers Nos. 1881 - 1909
1881. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on calls for a suspension of TTIP negotiations between the EU and the USA at the upcoming meeting of trade ministers in view of the reported comments from the French trade Minister (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25468/16]
View answer1902. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the comments of Germany's Vice-Chancellor and economy minister, Sigmar Gabriel, who said that talks over Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) have failed; her views on his statement; and if Ireland will refuse to support the continuation of the TTIP negotiations. [26294/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1881 and 1902 together.
The EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement will be the world’s largest bilateral trade and investment deal, and a successful pact is expected to benefit Ireland more than any other EU Member State. It is very important to Ireland as it will build on the deep economic and wider relationship Ireland has with the US and create new opportunities to stimulate growth, create employment and continue to grow our economy.
Given our historic economic and cultural ties, Ireland’s enterprises are particularly well placed to take up opportunities to trade more easily with the US. The study estimates that the benefits in Ireland will be proportionally greater than in the EU as a whole. It suggests a boost to GDP of 1.1%, growth in Irish exports of almost 4%, increases in investment of 1.5%, and an increase in real wages of 1.5%. It estimates somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 additional export related jobs. The findings are backed up in a recent comprehensive interim independent report contracted by the EU Commission, carried out by Ecorys Consultancy and published on the 13th May 2016. The report estimates that a comprehensive agreement would boost Irish GDP by 1.4%.
The issue of growing market share in other markets is made even more important by the result of the recent UK referendum on its membership of the EU. An EU-US free trade agreement and the EU’s other trade agreements help to open new markets, break down barriers and provide new opportunities for Irish firms.
While some have questioned the basis for continuing the negotiations, I believe that the EU and the US can work to reconcile any of the identified trade differences. I share the view of many other Member States and of the EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, whom I met last week, that negotiations should continue and I look forward to further progress in the coming months.
1882. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the expected completion date for the new advanced IDA factory in County Sligo will still be Q4 of 2016 as had been advised in 2015; the progress that has been made with attempting to attract new companies to this location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25469/16]
View answerUnder the Regional Action Plan for Jobs 2015, IDA Ireland is set to invest €150 million over five years in property solutions designed to allow it to create opportunities to win additional foreign direct investment (FDI) for all regions. A key target of this programme is the delivery of nine advance facilities around the country. This includes the delivery of an advance facility in Sligo. The new advanced IDA facility in Sligo is currently under construction with an expected completion at end Q4 of 2016, as previously advised.
IDA Ireland is actively marketing the new advance facility together with the other existing facilities through its global network, highlighting the flexible property solutions on offer in Sligo.
1883. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total spending by her Department and by Enterprise Ireland, including details of all increases or decreases on an annual basis, for each of the years 2013 to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25486/16]
View answerThe table details the total gross and net spending by my Department for each of the years from 2013 to 2015 and to the end of August 2016.
DJEI Total Expenditure
|
Year |
2013 |
2014 |
2015* |
To date |
|
€’000 |
€’000 |
€’000 |
€’000 |
|
|
Gross Expenditure |
791,949 |
765,560 |
834,845 |
404,179 |
|
Appropriations in Aid |
51,295 |
49,248 |
51,925 |
32,697 |
|
Net Expenditure |
740,654 |
716,312 |
782,920 |
371,482 |
|
Annual change |
-24,342 |
+66,608 |
*The 2015 expenditure includes a supplementary estimate of €50 million in capital funding which was approved by the Oireachtas in December 2015.
The Table below details the expenditure by Enterprise Ireland for each of the years from 2013 to 2015 and to the end of August 2016.
Enterprise Ireland Expenditure
|
Year |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 to date |
|
€’000 |
€’000 |
€’000 |
€’000 |
|
|
Expend from DJEI Vote |
249,726 |
232,217 |
250,496 |
142,546 |
|
Expend from other Votes* |
13,196 |
13,434 |
11,690 |
2,738 |
|
Own Resource Income** |
46,349 |
67,800 |
74,991 |
68,779 |
|
Total |
309,271 |
313,451 |
337,177 |
|
|
Annual change |
+4,180 |
+23,726 |
*Enterprise Ireland is also in receipt of additional Exchequer funding from a number of other Government Departments, namely the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Education and Skills and Department of Communications, Climate Change & Environment
**In addition to Exchequer funding, Enterprise Ireland generates Own Resource Income (ORI) from a range of activities and services. The retention and use of Own Resource Income by Agencies is subject to annual sanction by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The above figures represent the totals of ORI sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for retention and use by EI in the years in question and does not necessarily represent the actual totals of ORI expended by EI in that period.
My Department’s mission and the focus of expenditure by the Department and its Agencies is essentially to encourage the creation of high quality and sustainable employment by championing enterprise across the regions, to support a competitive enterprise base and to promote fair and competitive markets. Our Agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, play a key role in helping the Department to carry out its mission.
1884. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding work permits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25622/16]
View answerIn accordance with our EU obligations, employment permits policy is calibrated to encourage the meeting of general labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the EU and other European Economic Area (EEA) countries. Where specific skills prove difficult to source within the EEA, an Employment Permit may be sought to hire a non-EEA national.
To facilitate this policy, my Department maintains a Highly Skilled Eligible Occupation List (HSEOL) and an Ineligible Categories of Employment List (ICEL), both of which are compiled based on advice received from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) and in consultation with Solas, relevant Government Departments, Agencies, trade unions and industry. These lists are reviewed on a bi-annual basis and the public consultation phase has recently commenced for the latest review.
The occupation of Massage Therapist falls within the Ineligible Categories of Employment. However, Employment Permits granted before the role was included on the ICEL may be renewed subject to all criteria being met. New permits cannot be granted for ineligible employments unless the application is for a Reactivation Employment Permit or a Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit.
I note that four employees in the business referred to by the Deputy hold current Employment Permits in respect of employment as massage therapists.
The Deputy has also indicated that permits may be sought for two employees who are in need of permits. As indicated above, the occupation of massage therapist is an ineligible category of employment. Under the Employment Permits Acts as amended it is an offence for a foreign national requiring an Employment Permit to enter employment in the State prior to the granting of an Employment Permit.
1886. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts her Department and agencies under its remit have made to use Eircode when communicating with households via An Post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25874/16]
View answerAt the introduction of Eircode, the relevant Eircodes for the various locations of my Department and its offices were circulated to all staff who were instructed to use these in all correspondence going forward. In addition, our website has been updated to include Eircode and as stocks of stationery are depleted, replacement printed material includes Eircode information. Where an Eircode has been provided by a correspondent with my Department, the Eircode will be used in future correspondence to that address.
The various agencies under the aegis of my Department manage their day to day matters independently of the Department. They have provided the following information.
Companies Registration Office (CRO)
The CRO has employed address validation mechanisms for many years. As part of the strategy for the roll out of Eircode by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, CRO was invited in early 2015 to be an early adopter of Eircode. The existing addresses on the CRO database were updated to include Eircodes where possible and a new Eircode enabled address matching application has been in use in CRO since January 2016.
Health and Safety Authority (HSA)
The HSA does not communicate with households but it does communicate with businesses. In that regard, all new inspections are input into HSA systems using Eircodes and subsequent communication uses the Eircode as part of the address. Eircodes for each HSA office are displayed on the website and all correspondence from the HSA contains the relevant Eircode so that correspondence is properly addressed.
IDA
IDA Ireland does not currently use Eircode but intend to do so in future.
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
This question is not applicable to SFI as it does not in the normal course of business issue correspondence to households.
Enterprise Ireland
The Eircode has been incorporated into tender templates and is used on new tender documentation being produced. Enterprise Ireland replies to any postal correspondence using the address provided by the writer.
National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)
NSAI has added Eircode to its website for contact information for its headquarters and countrywide offices. Publications and stationery are being replaced with the updated address information as and when stocks are replaced. NSAI sends correspondence to members of the public or business users who contact the organisation by post to the address provided by the writer.
Local Enterprise Office (LEO)
The LEOs communicate by post with businesses rather than households and they include the Eircode where it has been provided by the client.
Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB)
PIAB respond by post using the address provided by the incoming correspondence, including the relevant Eircode where it is provided. PIAB include Eircode on their website. PIAB also use a PO Box for correspondence but Eircodes have not yet been issued for PO Boxes at this time.
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
CCPC respond by post using the address provided by the incoming correspondence, including the relevant Eircode where it is provided. CCPC include Eircode on their website. CCPC also use a PO Box for correspondence but Eircodes have not yet been issued for PO Boxes at this time.
The Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA)
IAASA respond by post using the address provided by the incoming correspondence, including the relevant Eircode where it is provided. IAASA include Eircode on their website.
1887. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will seek a supplementary estimate for Science Foundation Ireland for 2016, as occurred with the €5 million for capital in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25990/16]
View answerThe Deputy should appreciate that there are still over 3 months remaining in the financial year. Consideration as to whether a Supplementary Estimate is required across any aspect of my Department’s Vote is premature as any such consideration would fall closer to year end.
In terms of process, if any additional monies were required across any Subhead of the Department’s Vote, including Science Foundation Ireland, by year end 2016, my Department would be required to engage with officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the matter. Such an engagement would explore the possibility of finding solutions from within the Department’s existing 2016 Estimate allocation and from the sanctioned own resource income limit of the enterprise agencies.
If no such funding solution could be identified from within the Department’s overall financial envelope then the provision of any additional Exchequer monies would require, in the first instance, the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. It would then have to be brought to Government for approval. It would then have to be approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
1888. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a breakdown of the €157 million provided to Science Foundation Ireland in 2015; the project and description of which the funding was used for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25991/16]
View answerThe original capital allocation for Science Foundation Ireland in 2015 was €157 million. In addition, a Supplementary Estimate of €5 million was approved for SFI, which was allocated to SFI in December 2015.
In 2015, SFI funded a balanced portfolio of programmes, many involving national and international collaborations with both small and large companies, charities and international funders as well as national funders such as the Irish Research Council and Health Research Board. Details of all the programmes funded and payments made in 2015 are available in the SFI Annual Report 2015. Full details of SFI’s suite of programmes is available on its website www.sfi.ie
The breakdown of total grant payments made by Science Foundation Ireland in 2015 by Programme area is provided in the Table below.
2015 Payments by Programme
|
€000s |
|
|
Research Centres |
€44,909 |
|
Investigators |
€36,146 |
|
Research Infrastructure awards |
€28,766 |
|
Centres for Science Engineering & Technology (CSET) |
€9,228 |
|
Strategic Research Centres (SRC) |
€4,563 |
|
Technological Innovation Development Award (TIDA ) |
€4,467 |
|
Starting Investigator Research Grant (SIRG) |
€3,918 |
|
Research Professorship Programme |
€3,091 |
|
SFI Discover Programme |
€3,035 |
|
Research Centres - Spokes Awards |
€3,392 |
|
Strategic Partnership Programme |
€2,674 |
|
US Ireland R&D Partnership |
€2,390 |
|
European Research Council Support Programme |
€2,325 |
|
Industry Fellowship Awards |
€1,751 |
|
Career Development Award |
€1,722 |
|
President of Ireland Young Researcher Award (PIYRA) |
€1,455 |
|
Inv Catalyst Award |
€1,123 |
|
European Research Council Development Award |
€1,106 |
|
SFI-Pfizer Biotherapeutics Innovation Award Programme |
€896 |
|
Research Frontiers Programme |
€735 |
|
ERC Development |
€669 |
|
Advance Award Programme |
€661 |
|
SFI ERC Support Programme |
€535 |
|
SFI Fellowship Programme |
€509 |
|
SFI / Irish Research Council - Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme |
€522 |
|
ICS-SFI Collaborative Cancer Research Centre (CCRC) Programme 2014 |
€367 |
|
EU Joint Programme Initiative |
€346 |
|
Conference & Workshop |
€351 |
|
RS-SFI University Research Fellow |
€263 |
|
Translational Research Awards |
€222 |
|
SFI Maternity Allowance |
€208 |
|
HRB/Wellcome Trust awards |
€111 |
|
SFI/Irish Universities Association (IUA) Partnership |
€90 |
|
SFI-HRB-Wellcome Trust Biomedical Research Partnership |
€70 |
|
Joint Programming Initiatives |
€58 |
|
NSF/SFI Graduate Research opportunities Worldwide (GROW) Programme |
€32 |
|
STOKES - Professor & Lectureship Programme |
€31 |
|
Walton programme |
€16 |
|
Supplements |
€11 |
|
US-Ireland R&D Partnership Planning Grant |
€9 |
|
Engineering - Professorship & lectureship Programme |
€6 |
|
Charles Parsons Energy Research Awards |
-€2 |
|
International Strategic Cooperation Award |
-€69 |
|
Grand Total |
€162,706 |
1889. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a breakdown of the €119.43 million provided to Enterprise Ireland in 2015 for direct and indirect research, development and innovation supports and commercialisation of State-funded research; the project and description of which the funding was used for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25992/16]
View answerEnterprise Ireland operates a range of supports to help companies mitigate these issues, and many others, by supporting them with in-company R&D funding and helping them to engage with higher level researchers to undertake collaborative research for the benefit of the company.
The €119.43M funding for Enterprise Ireland’s innovation programmes provide direct and indirect research development and innovation supports for indigenous companies, equity funding for new start-ups and supports the commercialisation of State funded research. Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation budget is spent under three main Activity Areas:
Activity 1 – Transforming R&D Activity in Enterprise: €48.8M .
This comprises direct supports for R&D activity within Irish firms, and supports for companies to build R&D capability and acquire new technology through licensing. This activity is an important element in supporting companies to bring new products to market and to drive down costs through product and process innovation. In–company R&D support amounted to €17.7M in 2015 supporting 86 new company projects where the project scale was over €100k.
In addition to in-company R&D support €31M of equity investments were made in 105 Innovative High Potential Start-ups (HPSUs). HPSUs are companies that, in the view of Enterprise Ireland, can develop innovative technologies, products and services for sale on world markets. Encouraging the establishment and supporting the development of innovation-led HPSUs with a strong export focus is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland and is fundamental to building the next generation of world class Irish companies.
Enterprise Ireland established the Innovative HPSU Fund to support the start-up and development costs of High Potential Start-Up companies. The Innovative HPSU Fund allows Enterprise Ireland to offer equity investment to HPSU clients, on a co-funded basis. This investment goes towards the achievement of an overall business plan, rather than towards discrete elements of a business plan, such as R&D or employment creation. The funding of a business plan in this way is similar to a venture capital (VC) approach. HPSUs that receive investment from the Innovative HPSU Fund are developing and commercialising new or substantially improved technologies, products, processes or service offerings when compared to industry players in the European and global marketplace.
Activity 2 – Industry Collaboration with the Third Level Sector: €40.4M comprises programmes to increase the level of collaborative R&D activity between industry and academia.
As a first step companies can avail of €5,000 Innovation Vouchers (€4.8M in 2015) which are designed to build links between Ireland's public knowledge providers and small businesses and are helping to create a cultural shift in the small business community's approach to innovation. A recent independent evaluation of the Innovation Voucher scheme found that for every €1 invested in this scheme company turnover increased by over €7. As such, the Innovation Vouchers programme is a cost effective solution to the challenge of encouraging SME businesses to engage in collaborative research with universities and Institutes of Technology. Over 500 such projects are completed each year for industry.
Innovation Partnerships (€10M in 2015) offer financial support to companies who engage in collaborative research projects with Irish universities and institutes of technology with Enterprise Ireland providing grants of up to 80% towards eligible costs of the research project. As a result the Innovation Partnership Initiative helps industry to engage in collaborative research projects with Irish universities and Institutes of Technology to develop new products and services. A recent independent evaluation of the Innovation Partnership programme found that for every €1 invested in this scheme company turnover increased by over €6.69. 70 such projects are completed each year for industry.
Larger collaborative research projects involving groups of companies are also actively supported. The Enterprise Ireland/IDA Ireland Technology Centre initiative (€14.1M in 2015) allows industry groups to set a commercially valuable research agenda which academics in the higher education sector will deliver on. This programme is Ireland’s largest initiative to support industry-led research, development and innovation. These Centres focus on identifying new sources of industrial growth and job creation and achieving competitive advantage for industry in Ireland by accessing and leveraging the innovative capacity of the Irish research community. 415 companies already benefit in such areas as services and business processes; ICT; manufacturing and materials; energy, sustainable food and health and medical technologies while hundreds of other companies are benefiting from the know-how and capabilities of these centres every year. A recent independent interim evaluation of the Technology Centre programme found that for every €1 invested in this scheme company turnover increased by over €2 after only 3-4 years of these centre’s operation. This return is expected to increase greatly as the centres continue to mature and more commercially relevant know-how and technology flows to industry partners.
Enterprise Ireland also funds small industry facing “Technology Gateways” (€3.5M in 2015) in Institutes of Technology, aimed at providing technology solutions for companies in a particular sector and, where possible, within a region. The Technology Gateway Programme was established by Enterprise Ireland to provide Business Development resources to the Institutes of Technology to help them engage with industry on a local, regional and national basis and manage the ensuing research projects for industry. Around 500 industry projects a year are supported via this scheme.
New Frontiers (€4.4M in 2015) is Enterprise Ireland’s national entrepreneur development programme for innovative, early-stage start-ups. It is a three-phased programme, based in 14 campus incubation centres across the country. Each year, New Frontiers funds the development of up to 150 new entrepreneurs. It supports individuals who are capable of building sustainable new businesses, trading internationally, creating employment and generating revenue in their locality. In the region of 100 sustainable business are created each year via this initiative with 20-25 achieving High Potential Start-up status. More than 500 jobs will be created by each year’s cohort of companies.
Funding is also available to drive International Collaboration (€3.5M in 2015) which supports and enables innovative researchers to engage with international research groups and to access funding from the almost €80B Horizon 2020 European research funding programme. Irish academics and companies are awarded around €150M in research funding per annum from this important source of non-exchequer funding.
Activity 3 – Realising the Commercial Potential of Ireland’s Research Community: €30.1M in 2015)
These programmes accelerate the commercialisation of the over €600M+ worth of higher level research undertaken in the state each year and includes the Commercialisation Fund (€24M in 2015) which supports researchers to take the outputs of research with commercial potential to a point where they can be transferred into industry or form the basis of a new start-up company, the Technology Transfer Strengthening Initiative (€3.8M) which funds dedicated staff within the Universities to ensure that best use is made of research outputs with commercial potential, and the Campus Incubator Scheme (€2.1M) which provides space for spin out & spin-in companies (At present there are over 400 companies in Enterprise Ireland funded incubation centres and these companies employ nearly 1700 people.) These activities deliver around 60 commercialisation projects in Academia, the creation of over 30 high technology disruptive spinout companies and the transfer of over 150 commercially valuable technologies to industry per annum.
1890. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a breakdown of the €62 million provided to IDA Ireland in 2015 through its research, development and innovation support programme; the project and description of which the funding was used for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25993/16]
View answerIn 2015, the Oireachtas allocated €98 million for Grants to Industry to IDA Ireland. Of this, the Agency paid €55,595,025 in Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) grants to IDA Ireland client companies. For reasons of commercial sensitivity, it is not possible to give details of the individual projects themselves but a breakdown of the payments is provided in the attached table.
Investments in RD&I play a significant role in building Ireland’s Smart Economy. RD&I investments not only embed existing operations and employment but pave the way for further investment and job creation.
Ireland’s dynamic RD&I sector is driven by an exceptional level of collaboration between industry, academia, government agencies and regulatory authorities. All stakeholders work together, building a national team to consolidate Ireland’s position as a knowledge-based economy and as a primary location for RD&I. The active co-operation of a highly skilled workforce allied with world class research, development and innovation (RD&I) facilities will help ensure that ambitious national job creation targets are achieved.
IDA Ireland also continues to place a strong focus on transformation within client companies, and has continued to work with existing clients on up-skilling programmes, investments in technology uplift and new process developments, in order to deepen their commitment to Ireland. This encourages further business in areas which are compatible with our skills base and which are sustainable within our economy in the longer term.
IDA Ireland RD&I Grants Paid 2015
|
Company Name |
Amount Paid |
|
Abbott Ireland |
€451,369 |
|
AbbVie Ireland NL B.V. |
€1,380,019 |
|
Accenture |
€1,062,249 |
|
Alcatel-Lucent Ireland Limited |
€727,460 |
|
Amcor Flexibles Sligo Limited |
€42,733 |
|
Analog Devices International |
€1,631,502 |
|
Atlantic Industries |
€369,682 |
|
Avaya International Sales Limited |
€3,757,107 |
|
Boston Scientific Limited |
€7,256,917 |
|
Brivant Limited |
€29,602 |
|
Burgmann Packings Limited |
€103,912 |
|
Business Objects Software Limited |
€2,890,368 |
|
Buy4Now Limited |
€200,604 |
|
CG Power Systems Ireland Limited |
€154,724 |
|
Connaught Electronics Limited |
€58,603 |
|
Cook Ireland Limited |
€841,552 |
|
D&B Business Information Solutions |
€1,061,918 |
|
Dell Products |
€714,380 |
|
DePuy (Ireland) |
€1,225,459 |
|
EMC Information Systems International |
€826,845 |
|
Emergency Response Limited |
€7,020 |
|
FAZ Technology Limited |
€223,978 |
|
FISC-Ireland Limited |
€2,389,479 |
|
Fujitsu Ireland |
€204,080 |
|
GE Sensing EMEA |
€64,790 |
|
Gilt Global Trading & Procurement Company |
€211,933 |
|
Glass Lewis Europe Limited |
€147,051 |
|
Hewlett-Packard (Manufacturing) Limited |
€5,090,699 |
|
IBM Ireland Production Distribution Limited |
€5,082,074 |
|
IFDS Percana Group Limited/IFDS Percana International Managed Services Limited |
€111,391 |
|
Ingersoll-Rand International Limited |
€105,712 |
|
Intel Ireland Limited |
€4,052,136 |
|
Janssen Biologics(Ireland) |
€116,769 |
|
Laboratoires de Biologie Végétale Yves Rocher |
€220,746 |
|
McDermott Laboratories Limited |
€1,026,407 |
|
Medtronic Ireland Manufacturing |
€734,503 |
|
Merck Millipore Limited |
€1,385,693 |
|
Microsoft Ireland Research |
€558,763 |
|
Molex Limited |
€663,390 |
|
MSD International GmbH |
€1,971,393 |
|
Munich Re Automation Solutions Limited |
€104,408 |
|
National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training Limited |
€873,778 |
|
Nellcor Puritan Bennett Ireland |
€470,022 |
|
Northern Trust Management Services (Ireland) Limited |
€193,253 |
|
ON Semiconductor Ireland Research & Design Ltd |
€268,156 |
|
OpenHydro Group Limited |
€173,381 |
|
Resmed Sensor Technologies Limited |
€203,130 |
|
Schering-Plough (Ireland) Company |
€648,069 |
|
SR Technics Airfoil Services Limited |
€85,558 |
|
Stryker Ireland Limited |
€866,351 |
|
Stryker NV Operations Limited |
€211,997 |
|
Sulzer Pumps Solutions Ireland Limited |
€43,728 |
|
Tillotson Limited |
€104,285 |
|
UCB Manufacturing Ireland Ltd. |
€393,358 |
|
Utexam Logistics Limited |
€85,935 |
|
Utexam Logistics Limited |
€85,065 |
|
VCE Technology Solutions Limited |
€737,468 |
|
Wexport Limited |
€72,385 |
|
Xilinx Ireland |
€819,686 |
|
Total |
€55,595,025 |
1891. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Science Foundation Ireland investigator awards currently active; the number of principal investigators currently supported; the number that have been awarded each year since 2010; the annual budget cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25994/16]
View answerThe number of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Investigator Awards (IvP) currently active is 198, the number currently supported is the same, at 198 Awards.
The number of Investigator Awards that have been awarded each year since 2010 and the annual budget cost is outlined in Table A below.
Table A
|
Year |
Number of Awards |
Cost |
|
2010 |
71 |
€8m |
|
2011 |
30 |
€14m |
|
2012 |
0 |
€16m |
|
2013 |
83 |
€31m |
|
2014 |
40 |
€43m |
|
2015 |
23 |
€34m |
|
2016 |
24 |
€30m |
|
Total |
271 |
€176 |
The cost of the programme in a given year cannot be compared with the number of new awards in that year. New awards will lead to costs over the lifetime of the award. The cost of the Programme in a given year also relates to awards made in previous years and award size can vary.
The SFI Investigators Programme supports the development of world-class research capability and human capital in areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that demonstrably support and underpin enterprise competitiveness and societal development in Ireland.
The IvP Awards provide support to researchers to build capacity, expertise and relationships that will allow researchers based in Ireland to lead consortia and to win further support through various non-Exchequer funding schemes, such as Horizon 2020 and support relevant collaborations and partnerships between academia and industry. Thus this significant investment in the Investigators Programme by SFI is a core part of their suite of programmes and the objectives of the programme are clearly aligned to Innovation 2020 goals.
1892. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Science Foundation Ireland investigator awards that have been on the reserve list and the number that were funded in each of the years since 2010; if she expects to be in a position to fund those on the 2016 reserve list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25995/16]
View answerThe response is provided below in Table A.
Table A:
|
Year |
No of awards of Reserve List |
Number funded |
|
2010 |
0 |
0 |
|
2011 |
0 |
0 |
|
2012 |
0 |
0 |
|
2013 |
5 |
4 |
|
2014 |
0 |
0 |
|
2015 |
0 |
0 |
|
2016 |
10 * |
0 |
No decision on funding the projects on the 2016 Reserve List has been taken by SFI. A decision will be taken before the year end and it will depend on whether sufficient funds are available to SFI to fund such proposals and any other reserve lists under other programmes.
1893. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount Science Foundation Ireland spent in 2015 on external communications and public relations advise and support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25996/16]
View answerIn 2015, SFI’s Expenditure on external communications and public relations amounted to €162k.
This expenditure mainly comprised support for the implementation of Science Foundation Ireland’s legal remit in the area of education and public engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). This included support for major public engagement events such as Science Week 2015, which involved 800 events around the country with over 250,000 people participating.
1894. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff that have been directly employed by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) in each year since 2010, including a breakdown of the number of staff in each directorate in 2010 and 2016 in tabular form; if she will provide a list of job titles currently active in SFI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25997/16]
View answerDetails of the number of staff directly employed by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) each year from 2010 to 2016 is set out in table A.
Table A
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Number employed |
51 |
48 |
48 |
49 |
49 |
49 |
49 |
In 2010 SFI had six directorates and directly employed 51 staff. The breakdown of staff in each directorate is outlined in table B:
|
Table B |
2010 |
|
Directorate |
Staff Numbers |
|
Office of the Director General |
3 |
|
Finance & Operations |
19 |
|
Life Sciences |
9 |
|
Information, Communication & Emergent Technologies |
10 |
|
Programmes Administration |
8 |
|
Enterprise & International Affairs |
2 |
|
Total |
51 |
In 2016 the number of directorates in SFI was four. The breakdown of staff in each directorate is outlined in table C:
|
Table C |
2016 |
|
Directorate |
Staff Numbers |
|
Office of the Directorate General |
3 |
|
Finance & Operations |
12 |
|
Strategy & Communications |
9 |
|
Programmes |
25 |
|
Total |
49 |
A list of the job titles currently active in SFI is provided in table D.
|
Table D |
|
Director General |
|
Assistant Secretary |
|
Programmes Director |
|
Strategy & Communications Director |
|
Head of Pre-Award |
|
Head of Post-Award |
|
Partnerships Manager |
|
European Affairs Manager |
|
Scientific Programme Managers |
|
Administration Manager |
|
Administrative Assistants |
|
Manager, Performance Improvement |
|
Senior Strategy Analyst |
|
PR & Communications Manager |
|
Senior Executive, Enterprise & International Affairs |
|
Senior Executive, Communications |
|
Senior Executive, Public Engagement & Education |
|
Finance & Grants Manager |
|
Financial Manager |
|
Grants Executive Assistant |
|
Accounts Payable & Procurement Officer |
|
Accounts Assistant |
|
HR Manager |
|
HR Executive |
|
IT Manager |
|
Helpdesk Analyst |
|
Information Systems Manager |
|
SESAME Technical Lead (SESAME is SFI’s Grants management system) |
|
Business Analyst |
In 2012 SFI reorganised its Directorates, reducing them to four (including the Office of the Director General). It created a new Programmes directorate, which contains its entire grant facing activities. This has resulted in a more efficient and streamlined structure which has allowed SFI to operate more effectively in the delivery of its remit.
1895. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the list of all vacancies that existed on 26 February 2016 and all positions that have arisen since included the date it became vacant for State boards or governing bodies under her control; the names of those appointed since the Government was formed; if the position was advertised and a short list provided to her by the Public Appointments Service; if the appointments were approved by the Cabinet; the positions under her control which are not subject to the PAS system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26086/16]
View answerThere have been 13 vacancies arising and 13 positions filled on State Boards under the aegis of this Department since 26 February 2016.
|
Agency |
Vacancy |
Appointee |
Advertised through PAS (Y/N) |
Shortlist Provided (Y/N) |
Approved by Cabinet (Y/N) |
|
|
Date Created |
Date Filled |
|||||
|
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
29 April 2016 |
30 April 2016 |
Margot Slattery Nominee of IBEC (designated body under the PIAB Act 2003) |
N |
N |
N |
|
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
29 April 2016 |
30 April 2016 |
Walter Cullen Nominee of ICTU (designated body under the PIAB Act 2003) |
N |
N |
N |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
23/07/16 |
29/08/16 |
Colum Horgan (Re-appointment) |
N |
N/A |
N |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
23/07/16 |
29/08/16 |
Geoff Meagher (Re-appointment) |
N |
N/A |
N |
|
Agency |
Vacancy |
Appointee |
Advertised through PAS (Y/N) |
Shortlist Provided (Y/N) |
Approved by Cabinet (Y/N) |
|
|
Date Created |
Date Filled |
|||||
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
14.04.15 |
20.06.16 |
Roger Blackburn |
Y |
Y |
N |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
14.04.16 |
20.06.16 |
Aideen Goggin (Re-appointment) |
N |
N/A |
N |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
14.04.16 |
20.06.16 |
Deirdre O’Hara (Re-appointment) |
N |
N/A |
N |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
14.04.16 |
20.06.16 |
Kieran Ryan (Re-appointment) |
N |
N/A |
N |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
May 2016 |
20.06.16 |
Nina Brennan (Dept Rep) |
N |
N/A |
N |
|
Science Foundation Ireland |
25/07/2016 |
23/08/2016 |
Dr Rita Colwell (Re-appointment) |
N |
N/A |
N |
|
Science Foundation Ireland |
25/07/2016 |
23/08/2016 |
Ms Mary Doyle (Re-appointment) |
N |
N/A |
N |
|
IDA Ireland |
31/12/2015 |
26/08/2016 |
Anne Fitzsimons |
Y |
Y |
N |
|
IDA Ireland |
31/12/2016 |
26/08/2016 |
Marion Corcoran |
Y |
Y |
N |
Positions under the Ministers control not subject to the PAS system
|
Agency |
Positions not subject to the PAS system |
|
Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) |
Irish Congress of Trade Unions nominees as designated by PIAB legislation |
|
Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) |
Irish Business and Employers Confederation nominee as designated by PIAB legislation |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
Department Representative |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
Existing Board Member Re-appointments |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
Existing Board Member Re-appointments |
|
Science Foundation Ireland |
Existing Board Member Re-appointments |
1896. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the projects her Department is prioritising in budget 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26145/16]
View answerSince launching the Action Plan for Jobs in 2012, there are 176,000 additional people at work. The unemployment rate has fallen from 15.1% in 2012 to 8.3% in July this year. The Action Plan for Jobs as a whole of government approach to supporting employment growth across all sectors of the economy is working. As part of the Government’s commitment to create 200,000 jobs by 2020, with 135,000 to be outside Dublin, and to attract back 70,000 emigrants, the enterprise agencies of my Department have been set stretch targets for job creation in their client firms over the coming years. Achieving these targets will be all the more challenging in the context of the UK Referendum result in June 2016.
I welcome progress in last year’s Budget. I am working with the Minister for Finance and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to continue to prioritise funding for the jobs, enterprise and innovation support programmes of the agencies of my Department.
Ensuring that Budget 2017 retains a clear focus on improving competitiveness for talent and regarding work, for investment and for enterprise and entrepreneurship will be essential to delivering those stretch job targets.
The Programme for a Partnership Government is clear on the enterprise development priorities that this Government will seek to advance and the focus of our tax reforms to keep Ireland competitive. We are committed to our 12.5% Corporation Tax rate. We are committed to tackling aggressive international tax planning through the OECD's Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative. We will ensure that the newly introduced Knowledge Development Box encourages both Irish and multi-national companies to develop their knowledge-based capital in Ireland. We are focused on making Ireland's personal taxation system more competitive and to ensure that high personal tax rates do not discourage work and jobs. We are also committed to reducing the rate of Capital Gains Tax for new start-ups and to exploring mechanisms through which SMEs can reward key employees with share options in a tax efficient manner.
I will continue to work closely with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure we sustain the momentum of recent Budgets in prioritising measures that can best support employment and enterprise.
1897. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the proactive measures her Department is currently taking to encouraging diversity in the workplace specifically with regard to the employment of persons with disabilities; and the legislative underpinning which exists to achieve greater workplace participation on the part of persons with disabilities. [26191/16]
View answerIn general all recruitment within my Department is carried out by the Public Appointments Service. Recruitment to all positions within the remit of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 is subject to Codes of Practice published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments, thereby ensuring that a standardised approach to recruitment is adopted.
The Code of Practice – Appointment of Persons with Disabilities to Positions in the Civil Service and Certain Public Bodies, published in 2007, sets out the principles and standards to be applied in the case of external and internal recruitment of persons with disabilities and enables the Civil Service and other public bodies to fulfil their obligations to comply with government policy in this regard.
The most recently published statistics by the National Disability Authority (NDA) relate to 2015 and refer to the Public Sector as a whole. In this regard the overall numbers of persons with disabilities employed in the public sector was 3 1/2 %.
Employment related policies and strategies, for which I have responsibility, including the Action Plan for Jobs, are designed to be all-inclusive throughout the workforce. Enterprise support provided by my Department and its agencies is available to all, including persons with disabilities.
In addition, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES), which is led by the Department of Justice and Equality, provides for a ten year strategy to ensure that people with disabilities who are able to and want to work are supported and enabled to do so. The strategy adopts a cross-cutting approach that brings together actions by different Departments and state agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities. My department is represented on the CES Implementation Group and is responsible for the implementation of a small number of actions which are now either completed or are actively being addressed as part of ongoing interactions between a number of Agencies under the aegis of my department and the relevant disability groups.
The Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 prohibit discrimination on nine grounds including the ground of disability. Obligations are imposed on employers and others covered by the Acts to provide reasonable accommodation, also called “appropriate measures” for people with disabilities. The Acts cover public and private sector employment, employment agencies, vocational training bodies, trade unions, professional and trade bodies, full time, part time, job sharing workers and in certain circumstances, self-employed persons. All aspects of employment are covered including conditions of employment, work experience, training, promotion and dismissals. The Acts also cover access to employment and vocational training.
Any person who believes that s/he has experienced discrimination which is contrary to the Employment Equality Acts may seek redress by referring a complaint to the Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission. A case may be lodged through the Workplace Relations Commission’s website at www.workplacerelations.ie. General information relating to employment rights is available on the website and from the Workplace Relations Commission’s Information Service at Telephone: 1890 80 80 90.
1898. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there has been any engagement by her Department with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on the provision of child care facilities and support to entrepreneurs intending to start up businesses; and the potential cost to the Exchequer of such support. [26233/16]
View answerThere has been ongoing engagement with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in relation to childcare through the Action Plan for Jobs process and APJ 2016 contains an action for that department to continue to invest in childcare to support labour market participation.
I wrote to Minister Zappone in July seeking specific measures within the remit of her Department that could be included in the 2017 Action Plan.
I specifically sought measures to increase labour market participation, including initiatives to support parents to take up employment.
As the Deputy correctly points out, childcare policy and any government programmes are a matter for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, as is the costing of any such programmes.
1899. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost to the Exchequer of establishing a tax credit worth €5,000 for business starting in rural locations which employ three persons or more. [26235/16]
View answerTaxation policy comes under the remit of my colleague, Mr. Michael Noonan, Minister for Finance, so perhaps his Department would be in a position to provide a response on this issue.
1900. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the outcome of any recent discussions at the EU Council of Ministers in relation to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26283/16]
View answerThe EU–US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations were discussed at the last EU Council of Trade Ministers on the 13th May 2016, which I attended. The Council was informed about the latest developments regarding the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations. This 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. The Council acknowledged that important progress had been made in recent months and urged the Commission to advance the negotiations, whilst fully respecting its negotiating mandate and the EU interests.
While some have questioned the basis for continuing the negotiations, I believe that the EU and the US can work to reconcile any of the identified trade differences. I share the view of many other Member States and of the EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, whom I met last week, that negotiations should continue and I look forward to further progress in the coming months.
1901. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the recent business monitor published by InterTrade Ireland in relation to the Brexit referendum and the uncertainty that has arisen for business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26284/16]
View answerI have noted the findings in the recent Business Monitor undertaken by InterTrade Ireland, which shows that 97% of businesses have not made plans to deal with the implications of Brexit.
I am, of course, concerned that companies should be fully prepared for the consequences of the UK leaving the EU. Already InterTrade Ireland have produced information material on Brexit for their companies and it has plans to ramp up their activities and services in order to support SMEs engaging in cross-border activities in relation to the challenges which Brexit will bring.
1903. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 807 of 12 July 2016, if she will outline proposals to assist small and medium enterprises that are totally or very heavily dependent on the Northern Irish and British market for exports, given the weakening of the value of sterling; if her attention has been drawn to such companies which are experiencing difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26345/16]
View answerThe immediate impact of Brexit on exporting companies has been a downturn in sentiment towards the UK market with companies expressing fears around faltering growth, new business orders and export expectations. While this scenario will be monitored over the coming months, the only question seems to be around the degree of impact i.e. whether exports to the UK will fall, stagnate or grow more slowly than they otherwise might have.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) continues to provide support to clients to help identify new business opportunities in the short and medium terms, and provides advice on improving competitiveness and reducing supply chain costs as a result of Brexit.
As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I am continuing to focus on developments in the fallout from Brexit and am deeply engaged with Enterprise Ireland (EI) and IDA Ireland regarding the impacts being felt by client companies. I have ongoing communication with these agencies through my chairing of the high level Group of senior managers which includes the CEOs of the agencies. In addition, my officials are in daily contact with the agencies and keep me informed of any issues arising.
The exchange rate situation is an evolving one and we haven’t felt the full effects of the weakening of the value of Sterling. However, EI has made contact with all of its clients who export to the UK and continues to provide assistance on the implications of Brexit. EI’s UK team, based in London, are providing support to clients to help identify key business opportunities in the short and medium terms and on how clients can take the opportunity to improve competitiveness and reduce supply chain costs. EI will intensify its International Trade and Investment events schedule for the rest of 2016 to include trade missions and events to Northern Europe, USA, China, India and other high growth markets and will also host an International Markets week in the first week of October in Ireland, to provide Irish exporters with access to its overseas market advisors.
EI is running an information campaign to include practical guides, online information and webinars, an updated UK market access guide and regional seminars in Ireland and the UK. These provide guidance on issues including: the implications of trading with the UK, improving competitiveness, reducing supply chain costs, accessing funding, finance, foreign exchange, employment regulations and legal issues. There is also a dedicated email address: brexithelp@enterprise-ireland.com; an Enterprise Ireland helpline: 01-7272727 and dedicated webpage: www.enterprise-ireland.com/brexit.
I will continue to monitor the export and trading environments and the impact of exchange rates with my Departmental officials and with EI, and I will take any new actions to assist Irish businesses as necessary.
I would also urge any businesses who are experiencing difficulties to visit one of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide, or to contact Enterprise Ireland, for advice and support.
1904. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the methodology used for job creation forecasts in Enterprise 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26426/16]
View answer1906. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the methodology used for job creation forecasts in Enterprise 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26428/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1904 and 1906 together.
The Action Plan for Jobs is one of the Government's key instruments to support job creation. Since the launch of the first Plan in 2012, 176,000 more people are in employment, driven by growth in job openings in both the manufacturing and services sectors. Our target under the 2016 Action Plan for Jobs is to add 50,000 new jobs this year. We have made a good start. Over 36,000 new jobs were created in the six months of 2016.
Enterprise 2025 is a whole of enterprise strategy, aimed at delivering opportunities across all regions and across all sectors, including both manufacturing and services activities. It sets the ambition to achieve full employment that is sustainable and resilient over the longer term. Specifically it set the ambition to reach 2.180 million people in employment and an unemployment rate of 6 percent by 2020. The potential to reach 2.180 million in employment by 2020 is based on the premise of export-led growth and would see an additional 266,000 people at work from a 2014 base. The potential to achieve a 6 percent unemployment rate is at a faster pace than that set out in the projections prepared in the context of Budget 2016 which forecast a 6.5 percent unemployment rate by 2020. The enterprise development agencies, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland play a key role in providing direct supports and services to export oriented enterprises. They are targeted with contributing circa 140,000 jobs (i.e. 75,000 direct jobs that will stimulate an additional 65,000 jobs indirectly) to the potential private sector employment growth to the period 2020. There is potential for a further 30,000 tourism related jobs.
Enterprise 2025 notes that we can strongly influence our chances of success by focusing on supporting the productive sector, enhancing our relative competitiveness, leveraging existing comparative advantage in key sectors, addressing structural issues in the economy, improving productivity and our capacity to innovate.
Through a partnership approach with enterprise, representative bodies, the enterprise development agencies, Local Enterprise Offices and others, delivering a step change in enterprise performance and resilience will see a significant increase in Irish owned companies of scale, contributing to Ireland’s reputation for innovation in international markets.
It is also about establishing a vibrant and stimulating ecosystem for entrepreneurship, in particular female entrepreneurship, to deliver an increase the number of start-ups by 25 percent per annum – start-ups that have better survival rates. We also need to ensure that individual enterprises, and the economy more generally, gain from impactful inter-firm relationships throughout the country, through stimulating the establishment of clusters of scale and international visibility in areas of strength. Ireland is, and will continue to be, the best place to succeed in business, delivering sustainable employment and higher standards of living for all.
1905. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details of jobs multiplier models used for employment forecasts by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26427/16]
View answerIreland’s enterprise strategy, Enterprise 2025 is premised on delivering employment that is sustainable over the longer term. As a small open economy, sustainable long term growth is predicated on growth fuelled by foreign earnings derived from exports. It is important to note that an export led strategy is not just about exporters. In addition to generating greater wealth than would be possible through only domestically trading activities, there is a substantial ripple effect in terms of job creation throughout the entire economy and in an increase in skills and management development, technology adoption, innovation, standards and best practice overall. That is why the enterprise development agencies place a strong emphasis on promoting linkages with the domestic economy when they are negotiating with investors and in their assessments of proposals seeking state support. The agencies have well developed methodologies for assessing the direct and indirect impacts of investments made.
The employment multipliers are derived from the Supply and Use and Input-Output tables for the Irish economy published by the CSO and cover all sectors of the Irish economy. Sectoral multipliers for employment are derived from these tables and then applied to IDA client firm employment data. The employment multipliers used include direct, indirect and induced impacts of agency client firm activity (known as Type II Multipliers), taking account of demand on the suppliers and so on down the supply chain as well as induced impacts arising through the additional consumption that takes place as a result of the additional employment incomes created through the indirect impacts. It should be noted that Type II Indicators should be interpreted with caution, as they assume that all additional income generated through indirect employment is spent. Based on a robust methodology, sectoral employment multipliers were calculated and applied to the sectoral employment data of agency client firms.
Employment multipliers are best estimates and may be subject to small changes over time based on structural adjustments in the economy and the composition of the agency client firm base.
1907. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will investigate the reason the Adoption Authority of Ireland has failed to correspond with a person (details supplied) for over nine months regarding an application for adoption; if she will clarify the appropriate level of communication in such a case; and if she will instruct the authority to reopen communication with the person. [25689/16]
View answerI have been advised by the Adoption Authority of Ireland that there is ongoing contact with a person who has been authorised to act as a representative for the person the Deputy has referred to.
I understand the matter will be considered by the Board of the Adoption Authority of Ireland in October.
1908. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of child care costs for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25941/16]
View answerIt is my understanding that the person in question participated in the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Programme for the 2015/2016 Programme year, and it is this Programme to which I believe the Deputy refers. The call for the 2015/2016 Programme Year ended on 19th August 2016, while the call for the 2016/2017 Programme year commenced on the 22nd August 2016. Persons eligible for the CCS Programme in 2016/2017 are invited to apply for the programme through their childcare service. Therefore, if the person in question is still eligible for the Programme I would encourage them to apply as specified.
Approval for funding through the CCS Programme is based on the child being registered in the childcare service during the 'Snapshot' period, which for the 2016/2017 Programme call is the 19th September 2016 to 14th October 2016 inclusive. The applicant must also be in receipt of the relevant social welfare payments and/or hold a valid medical card/GP Visit Card during the same period. CCS registrations open on 19th September 2016.
The CCS Programme provides funding to community/not-for-profit and private childcare services to enable them to charge reduced childcare fees to disadvantaged and low income families. Depending on whether a parent is in receipt of a social welfare payment, or holds a valid medical/GP Visit Card, they will benefit from a weekly fee reduction of between €50 and €95 for a full-time childcare place, between €25 and €47.50 for a part-time childcare place, and between €17 and €31.35 for a sessional (not more than 3 hours and 30 minutes) childcare place. Parents in receipt of Job Seeker's Benefit and Assistance qualify for subvention at the full rate but are restricted to part-time provision (i.e. not more than 5 hours per day or 2.5 days per week).
Parents deemed eligible for subvention, under the CCS Programme, will continue to benefit from reduced fees for the full period in which they qualify. There are no plans, at present, to limit this by reference to a defined period of time.
1909. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if consideration can be given to reduce the preschool pupil teacher ratio from 11:1 to 10:1; and if changes will be made to the system in order that preschools are paid not just for contact hours, but also for administration time or if they are not to be paid for administration, then that the administrative burden should not be placed on the preschools for filling in forms. [26186/16]
View answerThe pupil to teacher ratio, in pre-school settings, was increased from 10:1 to 11:1, at a time when the Capitation Rates for pre-school providers were reduced to meet spending limits. The capitation rates have now been restored to pre-2012 levels (i.e. €64.50 for standard capitation and €75 for higher capitation).
The question of ratios arises in the context of the provision of quality childcare: My Department is to conduct a baseline review of the quality of practice in Early Years in Ireland. The aim of this important new research initiative will be to develop tools for measuring the quality of practice in early care and education services, and then to use those tools to carry out Ireland's first systematic review of quality. The review will involve detailed observation of daily practice within services, including consideration of the staff:child ratios. It is intended to allow for international comparative assessment while being tailored to Ireland's own national quality frameworks (Síolta and Aistear). It is intended that the review can then be repeated periodically, enabling policy makers to see the impact of quality improvement measures over time. It is anticipated that the research will involve a large, representative sample of service providers of all types. The Department expects to commence a tender process later in the autumn for development of the tool, with research and piloting to take place in early 2017. The outcome of this review will guide future policy decisions in relation to the maintenance and improvement of quality in the sector.
It is important to stress that the funding provided for the delivery of childcare programmes is understood by the Department to include the whole cost of delivering these programmes. The Department does not act as employer, so pay for preparation time, holidays, etc, is in the first instance a matter to be settled between the employer and employee, in line with relevant legislation. The Department accepts that the sector is under cost pressure, and will make submissions as part of the estimates process aimed at securing increased capitation for the sector.
The Programme for Government commits to conducting and publishing an independent review of the cost of providing quality childcare. This commitment aligns closely with work on the design and development of a new Single Affordable Childcare Scheme and is currently being progressed in that context. Work is well underway on the development of policy proposals for the new Affordable Childcare Scheme. As part of this, Department officials are reviewing previous published research and analysis on the cost of childcare provision, are assessing available data sources and are scoping the precise requirements for the independent review.
