Written Answers Nos. 683-94
683. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to attract the Web Summit to return here in view of the hugely successful web summit in Portugal recently and considering that this event was originally held in Dublin; if he has held any discussions with the promoters in terms of the supports that can be provided to facilitate such a return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34937/16]
View answerIt is disappointing that the Web Summit made the decision in 2015 to move to Lisbon for the following three years, particularly as it had been such a great success in Dublin and grown so impressively over the previous five years. However, the organisers were very clear about their intention to leave and that was a commercial matter for the organisers to consider and decide.
That said, I am very open to engaging with the organisers of the Web Summit with regard to them returning to Dublin.
It should be noted that Fáilte Ireland continues to work with the international conferencing sector to win events and many other events are continuing to choose Dublin and Ireland as their host destination.
Business tourism was worth approximately €670 million to the Irish economy in 2015 and every indication is that 2016 will mark a further increase in business tourism activity in Ireland. It accounts for 20,000 jobs in Ireland and is one of our highest yielding sectors in tourism.
684. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there is a designated Bus Éireann bus shelter located at a location (details supplied) but no stop or pick up point; and if it will be made a designated pick-up and drop-off point. [34969/16]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure including bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, bus stands and bus fleets in the State.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
685. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Fáilte Ireland has refused to advertise and fill the head-of-marketing job internally; the reason this is now being contracted to a private company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35143/16]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. The Deputy should contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
686. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of proposals to boost tourism on Dursey Island (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35146/16]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism primarily lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not involved in the management or development of individual projects, which are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply with ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
687. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projected population in County Meath, according to the National Transport Authority, for 2016, 2021 and 2026. [35212/16]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
688. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average daily number of cars using the M3 in 2015 and 2016. [35213/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
689. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the body that is responsible for the regulation of dispensing oil products on forecourts to ensure standards and quantities dispensed are as they should be; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34427/16]
View answerThe body responsible for the regulation of dispensing all products on forecourts is the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). Legal Metrology is responsible for the implementation of the Metrology Acts 1980-1996 and related Regulations. It does this through certifying and inspecting measurement instruments and the quantities of pre-packaged products. A wide range of measuring instruments, including liquid fuel dispensers on service station forecourts are subject to legal metrological control when used for trade purposes.
The Metrology Act 1996 and Legal Metrology (General) Regulations 2008, provide that only nationally approved instruments or instruments that have undergone European conformity assessment and bear the CE mark can be used for trade. The primary responsibility for design approval and conformity assessment rests with the manufacturer. The trader is obliged to ensure that only such a measuring instrument is used for trade and that it is correct and verified at all times. Re-verification must be carried out after the instrument has been repaired, re-calibrated or failed inspection. The process of re-verification involves establishing that the instrument complies with regulations, in particular, testing for accuracy against applicable measurement tolerances and the application of tamper evident seals.
In order to ensure sufficient resources are available for traders to keep their instruments in compliance, Legal Metrology has authorised private operators, subject to specific conditions, under Section 12 of the 1996 Act, to undertake verifications at the request of the instrument owner. To monitor compliance, NSAI Legal Metrology Inspectors, operating out of seven offices countrywide, carry out inspections of liquid fuel dispensers on the basis of risk-based enforcement.
Legal Metrology Inspectors have inspected 7420 liquid fuel dispensers to date in 2016. Compliance levels are satisfactory.
Approximately 60% of liquid Fuel dispensers were metrologically tested to determine if they were dispensing within legal tolerances while approximately 40% were visually inspected to ensure that they were verified and sealed.
NSAI Legal Metrology continues to review its enforcement strategy on the basis of inspection information allocating resources as necessary to the areas of highest risk.
690. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the hourly rate for contract cleaners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34412/16]
View answerDeputy, you will be aware that I signed the Employment Regulation (Amendment) Order (Contract Cleaning Joint Labour Committee) 2016 on 27 October 27 last. (https://www.djei.ie/en/Legislation/SI-No-548-of-2016.html).
The making of the Order follows a public consultation on draft proposals that were developed by the Contract Cleaning Joint Labour Committee for an amended Employment Regulation Order for the Sector. This process was undertaken in August of this year when notice of making of the proposals was advertised in national newspapers on 18 August. That notice invited observations on the proposals to be submitted by 16 September. Copies of the draft proposals were available from the Joint Labour Committees Secretariat and were also uploaded on the Workplace Relations website.https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/news-media/Workplace_Relations_Notices/Contract_Cleaning_JLC_Draft_ERO.html
The Joint Labour Committee (JLC) for the Sector, made up of representatives of the main unions and employers in the sector, considered submissions made and submitted their final proposals for pay and other terms to apply to workers in the Sector, to the Labour Court for consideration. Amongst other things, the JLC must have regard to the legitimate financial and commercial interests of the employers in the sector in question. In this instance the Labour Court adopted the proposals and sent them to me. Being satisfied that the provisions of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2012 were complied with, I signed the Order to effect the proposals.
If enterprises that are covered by Employment Regulation Orders are experiencing severe financial difficulties they may apply to the Labour Court for an exemption from their obligation to pay the rates provided for in the Orders for a specified period of time. The criteria relating to these exemptions are provided for in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2012. (https://www.djei.ie/en/Legislation/Legislation-Files/Act32of2012.pdf).
The membership of the Contract Cleaning Joint Labour Committee is set out as follows:-
Contract Cleaning Industry Joint Labour Committee
|
Chairman Vice Chairman |
Brendan Cunningham Michael Keegan |
||
|
Employer Representatives (7) |
Worker Representatives (7) |
||
|
Name |
Nominated by |
Name |
Nominated by |
|
Jackie O’ Brien (ICCA) OCS |
IBEC |
Diane Jackson (SIPTU) |
ICTU |
|
Mary Horgan (ICCA) Grosvenor Cleaning Services |
IBEC |
Jerry Browne (SIPTU) |
ICTU |
|
Colin Maybin (ICCA) Momentum Support |
IBEC |
Paul Hansard (SIPTU) |
ICTU |
|
Shane Doherty (ICCA) ISS Ireland Limited |
IBEC |
Christine Quinn (SIPTU) |
ICTU |
|
Avril McCarthy (ICCA) Derry Court Co. Ltd |
IBEC |
Teresa Thompson (SIPTU) |
ICTU |
|
Jan Hayden (ICCA) Mitie Facilities Management |
IBEC |
Tony Kelly (UNITE) |
ICTU |
|
Tiernan Doherty (IBEC) |
IBEC |
Robby Purfield (SIPTU) |
ICTU |
|
Alana Dunican (ICCA) Momentum Support |
IBEC |
Orlagh Fawl (SIPTU) |
ICTU |
|
Maeve Coffey (ICCA) Noonan |
Noonan |
Valerie Chambers |
ICTU |
691. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there are any sources of funding in her Department or in any agencies under her Department's remit for a company expanding a commercial marina development with associated economic, community and social benefits. [34434/16]
View answerMy Department or enterprise agencies do not provide supports for this type of development. However, the promoter could engage with the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) who may be able to offer advice on any other form of support from various sources. At the appropriate time, the relevant Local Enterprise Office could also examine whatever spin-out projects that might emerge to consider if they would fall within the range of activity eligible for LEO support.
There is a possibility that Fáilte Ireland or the Local Authority in the area could be sources of funding support. In addition, if the marina is a Gaeltacht location the promoters could also check with Údarás na Gaeltachta if any form of support could be considered.
692. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the persons who sat on the evaluation panel that assessed applications for the community enterprise initiative; the persons who chose the panel; the date the appointments were made; the persons who made the initial decision to expand the scheme beyond community enterprise centres; if applications were accepted from organisations that did not meet the applying criteria on the closing date of 10 July 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34450/16]
View answerAnnounced in February 2015 as part of the Government’s Regional Action Plan for Jobs, the Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme is part of the Government’s €250 million regional strategy aimed at accelerating jobs recovery in every part of the country.
In line with the Government’s regional strategy, the primary objective of the Community Enterprise Initiative is to support public, private and community organisations to create new collaborative projects to stimulate and support enterprise and job creation at local, community and regional level. The competitive call for applications was open to new and existing organisations, groups and alliances, who could collaboratively seek to promote entrepreneurship, create jobs, foster innovation and enhance export opportunities for small business.
The Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme was administered by Enterprise Ireland. The details of the scheme – eligibility, objectives and evaluation criteria - were stated in the Scheme’s Reference Document published on Enterprise Ireland’s website.
Enterprise Ireland appointed the members of the evaluation panel for this Scheme based on required expertise. The evaluation panel was comprised of one Enterprise Ireland representative, one representative from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, three representatives from the private sector and an independent evaluator / facilitator. Under data protection, Enterprise Ireland is not in a position to release the names of the persons on the evaluation panel.
The Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme closed on 4 September 2015, after an extension to the closing date (original closing date 10 July 2016). In line with the Scheme Reference Document, applications were accepted from applicants who met pre-stated eligibility criteria.
693. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 27 October 2016, the number of the work permits refused on appeal that were subsequently granted by her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34593/16]
View answerI refer to my response to Question No. 188 of 27 October 2016 which provided figures as requested by the Deputy for the years 2014, 2015 and to end September 2016. The tables therein set out the number of employment permit applications received, the number of appeals to refusals received and the number of permits granted on foot of those appeals.
Where an employment permit application is refused, it is open to an applicant to submit a request for a review to be conducted. Under the provisions of the Employment Permits Act, 2006 as amended, this review decision is final and cannot be revisited. Thereafter, it is open to an applicant to submit a new employment permit application and if the conditions that gave rise to the refusal change, it may lead to an employment permit being granted in relation to the new application.
694. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a statistical breakdown of economic activity from imports from Britain and Northern Ireland on an annual basis from 2014 to 2016 to date, inclusive. [34603/16]
View answerEnterprise 2025, the Government's long-term enterprise policy, is an ambitious strategy, with the objective of delivering growth over the next decade that is sustainable. The objective is to achieve full employment over the period to 2020, underpinned by innovation, productivity, cost effectiveness and competitiveness. The competitiveness of our imports as inputs to the productive sector of the economy is an important consideration in terms of overall enterprise performance.
According to the latest CSO Trade Statistics, total merchandise imports reached €70 billion in 2015, of which 24% were from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as set out in Table 1.
These imports are inputs to production processes throughout the economy in addition to consumer markets as set out in Table 2.
Imports of services totalled over €109 billion in 2014, the latest year for which a detailed breakdown is available, of which €11.3 billion were from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as set out in Table 3.
My Department will continue to monitor developments in import patterns over the coming months as data becomes available on the competitiveness impacts for enterprises and consumers.
Table 1. Imports from Great Britain, 2014, 2015 and 2016, €m
|
- |
2014 |
2015 |
January to July 2016 |
|
Total imports from Great Britain |
16461 |
16897 |
8663 |
|
Total imports from Northern Ireland |
1104 |
1091 |
588 |
|
Total imports |
62,157 |
70,007 |
38,177 |
|
GB and Northern Ireland as % of Total |
28% |
26% |
24% |
CSO Trade Statistics July 2016 Release
Table 2. Value of Merchandise Imports by main Use
|
- |
All Countries |
Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
Other EU Member States |
GB and NI as % of total |
|
Producer Capital Goods (Euro Thousand) |
17,657,700 |
1,462,700 |
9,492,500 |
8% |
|
Consumption Goods (Euro Thousand) |
19,815,100 |
.. |
.. |
|
|
Consumption Goods (Food, Drink and Tobacco) (Euro Thousand) |
5,746,700 |
2,931,500 |
2,186,500 |
51% |
|
Other Consumption Goods (Other Than Food, Drink and Tobacco) (Euro Thousand) |
14,068,400 |
4,601,800 |
3,598,300 |
33% |
|
Materials for Production (Euro Thousand) |
31,068,100 |
.. |
.. |
|
|
Materials for Agriculture Production (Euro Thousand) |
2,068,400 |
569,700 |
698,800 |
28% |
|
Materials for Production (Other Than Agriculture) (Euro Thousand) |
28,999,700 |
7,505,200 |
7,896,500 |
26% |
|
Not Classified (Euro Thousand) |
1,570,100 |
.. |
.. |
CSO Statbank external trade statistics (10 November 2016)
Table 3. Imports of Services, 2014
|
- |
All countries and international organisations |
United Kingdom |
UK as % of total |
|
Services total |
109,376 |
11,361 |
10.4% |
|
Transport |
1,842 |
567 |
30.8% |
|
Tourism and travel |
4,561 |
840 |
18.4% |
|
Communications |
979 |
.. |
|
|
Insurance |
5,970 |
1,347 |
22.6% |
|
Financial services |
6,662 |
.. |
|
|
Computer services |
647 |
102 |
15.8% |
|
Royalties/licences |
48,482 |
770 |
1.6% |
|
All business services |
38,816 |
5,336 |
13.7% |
|
Business services: Merchanting |
.. |
.. |
|
|
Business services: Other Trade related services |
.. |
.. |
|
|
Business services: Operational leasing |
1,269 |
30 |
2.4% |
|
Business services: Legal, Accounting and other professional services |
1,074 |
140 |
13.0% |
|
Business services: Advertising and market research |
4,541 |
701 |
15.4% |
|
Business services: Research and development |
6,615 |
362 |
5.5% |
|
Business services: Architectural engineering and other technical services |
110 |
45 |
40.9% |
|
Business services: Management services between affiliates |
.. |
.. |
|
|
Business services: Other |
11,712 |
2,727 |
23.3% |
|
Business services: Trade related services |
13,496 |
1,330 |
9.9% |
|
Other services not elsewhere stated |
266 |
64 |
24.1% |
|
Repairs and processing |
1,153 |
23 |
2.0% |
