Imelda Munster
Question:268. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which the specific improvement grants were closed; and his plans to reopen this grant. [35551/16]
View answerRoad Improvement Schemes
Questions (268)
Written answers
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
The extent of the cutbacks in grant funding during the recession meant that the position in relation to Specific and Strategic grants had to be reviewed in 2013. Because of the cuts, expenditure on maintenance/renewal was falling well short of what was required to maintain the regional and local road network adequately. For this reason the then Minister informed Government in February 2013 that given the impact of the expenditure cuts on maintenance/renewal of roads the decision had to be made to prioritise expenditure on the protection of the existing network and to curtail road improvement grants with effect from 2014.
Since then the main focus of the grant programme has been on maintenance/renewal including bridge rehabilitation. In this context my Department is not operating a general application process for Specific and Strategic grants at present.
Where funding is being provided for Specific Grant type projects, it is primarily to meet existing commitments, address important safety issues and progress projects included in the Capital Investment Plan. While 2017 will see a modest increase in funding for regional and local roads, it will still take some years for funding to reach "steady state" levels and the main focus in 2017 will continue to be on maintenance and renewal. It is expected the 2017 allocations will be announced early in the new year.
It is open to Councils to fund road improvement projects from their own resources. The purpose of Exchequer funding is to supplement the own resources of local authorities, not to meet the full cost of schemes.
Taxi Regulations
Questions (269)
Clare Daly
Question:269. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that the NTA is advertising and running small public service vehicle, SPSV, tests for persons who wish to become taxi drivers and charging a fee of €170 to issue a new wheelchair-accessible taxi licence following successful completion of the SPSV test, despite the fact that such newly licensed taxi drivers will not be able to work because insurance companies will not insure drivers with less than two years' experience driving a taxi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35564/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am acutely aware that the rising costs of motor insurance for drivers generally are also affecting the taxi industry. There are reports of large increases for existing policy holders and significant difficulties in obtaining insurance for new operators. The implications of the current insurance difficulties faced by those in the taxi sector are of serious concern to me.
The Minister for Finance has established a task force to review policy in the insurance sector. As part of its work, it is examining the factors which have led in recent times to the significant increase in motor insurance costs and will be recommending steps to influence the situation. The difficulties of taxi and hackney operators in obtaining insurance have been highlighted to the task force by my Department and the National Transport Authority (NTA). I am advised that the NTA has also had a bi-lateral meeting with the Department of Finance to apprise them of the situation pertaining to small public service vehicle (SPSV) licence holders in relation to both the availability and cost of SPSV insurance. It is expected that a report of the work of the task force will be completed late this year and the Government will then consider the appropriate actions to be taken.
As the Deputy has alluded to, the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the SPSV Entry Test, is a matter for the NTA under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland Expenditure
Questions (270)
Robert Troy
Question:270. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 479 of 8 November 2016, if it is the case, as implied in his response, that his Department does not hold estimates of, and does not know the amount invested in, maintaining the national roads network in each year from 2008 to 2016 and is unwilling to provide this information; his views on concerns that his Department does not consider that this is under its policy remit; and if he will provide such information, which undoubtedly pertains to road policy and the overall funding framework rather than simply operational matters. [35616/16]
View answerWritten answers
As you are aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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.
I understand that TII wrote to you directly on the 15th November 2016 (in answer to PQ No. 173 of 26 October 2016) detailing the funding for ordinary maintenance on the national road network for 2008 to 2016. These figures are in the public domain.
However, when it comes to calculating steady state requirements, capital expenditure related to road pavement renewals, bridge rehabilitation and safety works are also included in the assessment. As indicated to you previously, "Background Paper 13: Analysis of Steady State Cost of Transport in Ireland", published by my Department last year, includes an estimate of the level of expenditure required to maintain the current land transport system, including the national road network, in its steady state.
As also indicated previously, TII, as the agency with operational responsibility for the network, is best placed to provide an updated assessment based on its ongoing evaluation of the condition of the network, including pavements, bridges and tunnels. I understand that TII has indicated to you that it estimates that the current level of annual funding available for ordinary maintenance, operations, road pavement renewals, bridge rehabilitation and road safety works is in the region of €150 million less than the amount required to maintain the network in a steady state in the long run. If there is additional information you require from TII, please let my office know.
Driver Test Data
Questions (271)
Michael McGrath
Question:271. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of approved driving instructors for learner drivers of cars currently in the State; if his attention has been drawn to the number of those instructors who are franchisees of a company (details supplied); the percentage of the overall essential driver training lessons accounted for by these franchisees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35656/16]
View answerWritten answers
Oversight of the system of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in these matters. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
Third Level Funding
Questions (272)
James Lawless
Question:272. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total funding allocated to the programme for research in third level institutions in the period 2010 to 2016 annually in tabular form; the programme funding that has been allocated in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35674/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) was launched in 1998, with five cycles of expenditure to date. The PRTLI supports the provision of top-class research infrastructure (buildings, laboratories and cutting edge equipment) as well as human capital development, through Structured PhD/Emergent Technology programmes across Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes (HEIs).
The Programme is designed to facilitate Ireland’s HEIs to produce world class research in key strategic areas, including but not limited to bioscience/biomedical; medical technologies; energy, environment and marine; food and drink; social sciences and humanities; ICT and advanced communications; and platform technologies and materials.
The total funding allocated by Government to PRTLI for each of the years 2010 to 2016 is set out in Table A.
Table A - PRTLI funding 2010-2016
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
€m |
49.9 |
57.9 |
54.7 |
45.2 |
39 |
55.5 |
10.4 |
My Department is using the PRTLI allocation to meet remaining liabilities from Cycle 5 of PRTLI. The funding allocation for 2017 is €14.2m.
The planning and design of a successor to Cycle 5 of PRTLI is a commitment in Innovation 2020 and is being progressed by my Department working with the Department of Education and Skills.
Disability Support Services
Questions (273)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:273. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there are specific measures or schemes overseen by her Department to promote or support self-employment as a viable option for persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35566/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the First-Stop-Shop front line service assisting in delivering business growth and jobs for the micro-enterprise sector. They pull together Government Departments and Agencies to support anyone with a good business idea and to strengthen the enterprise sector in the local area. The LEOs can support anyone considering entrepreneurship as a career option, including the self-employed and persons with disabilities. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs can offer direct financial assistance to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities.
The LEOs may also be able to offer ‘soft’ supports in the form of training, or providing a mentor to work with the business proposer. In addition, the LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant state supports available through agencies such as Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, Education and Training Boards, Credit Review Office and Microfinance Ireland. The LEOs can also offer advice and guidance in areas such as Local Authority rates, public procurement and other regulations affecting business.
Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports, both financial and non-financial, to foster entrepreneurship throughout the country. These supports are available to all entrepreneurs who meet the eligibility requirements. People with disabilities can avail of these supports once they meet the required eligibility for the respective support.
The ‘Supporting SMEs’ online search tool (www.actionplanforjobs.ie), contains information on the range of Government supports for SMEs.
Local Enterprise Offices Staff
Questions (274)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:274. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if staff at local enterprise offices have received disability awareness training; the cost of training staff in disability awareness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35567/16]
View answerWritten answers
The staff of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) have not yet received disability awareness training since their inception in 2014.
However, as part of the LEO Customer Service Charter, I have asked Enterprise Ireland to liaise with the Local Authorities (as the LEOs are now units within the Local Authorities) and the National Disability Authority in order to determine the needs for disability awareness training for LEO staff in order to enhance the delivery of accessible and inclusive supports for disabled persons. The cost of the training will be determined following the assessment of the specific training requirements.
Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities
Questions (275, 276)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:275. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific actions taken by her Department to support and encourage employers to develop more inclusive recruitment and workplace practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35568/16]
View answerMargaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:276. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific actions taken by her Department to support employers to hire people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35569/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 together.
My Department’s mission is to encourage the creation of high quality and sustainable full employment by championing enterprise across government, supporting a competitive enterprise base, and promoting fair and competitive markets. My Department does not have a direct role in the formulation of policy on the provision of employment or other supports for people with disabilities.
My Department does however participate on the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for Persons with a Disability Implementation Group (CES) and the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Group (NDIS), both of which are being led by the Department of Justice & Equality.
My Department has implemented the CES action, whereby we were requested to highlight the supports that are available to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities in the open labour market, or to retain in the workforce employees who acquire a disability. This will operate through the provision of appropriate links by the relevant Departments and agencies to the DJEI’s website.
The Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 prohibit discrimination on nine grounds including the ground of disability. The Acts apply to prospective employees in claiming discrimination in access to employment. 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, which is an Office of my Department. 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.
IDA Ireland Portfolio
Questions (277)
Denise Mitchell
Question:277. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if IDA Ireland has plans on future enterprises occupying an industrial estate (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35574/16]
View answerWritten answers
IDA Ireland continues to bring Clonshaugh Business and Technology Park to the attention of companies that are interested in situating themselves in the area. The Park is already home to a number of the Agency’s clients – including Forest Labs and Amazon – but there are a number of vacant industrial units there which could be suitable for investors.
Agrifood Sector
Questions (278)
Brendan Smith
Question:278. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her proposals to introduce an employment subsidy similar to such support provided in 1992 and 1993 for the mushroom sector, which faced serious difficulties at that time due to currency fluctuations and similar problems which have also arisen for that sector since June 2016; if she will give this request urgent consideration in view of the importance of this industry and its dependence on the sterling area for exports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35642/16]
View answerWritten answers
I do not intend to introduce an Employment Subsidy Scheme for the mushroom sector at this time, in the context of economic difficulties arising from the UK vote to leave the EU, and the resultant currency fluctuations.
I am aware that a similar Scheme was introduced here in 2009, during the most difficult period of the world economic downturn, to assist Irish companies in overcoming those difficulties. This Scheme was approved by the EU Commission under its Temporary Framework state aid rules for that downturn, which concluded at end-2010.
However, a whole of Government approach is in place here today to address the UK vote.
As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I am responsible for supporting Irish firms, especially our SMEs, across the whole of the economy. That is why I am making sure that I am in possession of all the detail of how Brexit impacts on each and every sector and company type – be they micro, small, medium, or even larger companies in some instances - before I finalise my proposals or make any announcements about specific measures.
My Officials have also engaged with the European Commission to gain clarification on, and a full understanding of, the scope of EU State Aid rules that currently apply. The Commission is also aware from our contacts with them that Ireland, above all other Member States, stands to be uniquely impacted by Brexit.
In order to build further on the foregoing, my Department is currently scoping out various possible responses to the short term currency challenge and I expect to be in a position to announce more detail, based on actual company needs, shortly. Any new initiative must be tailored, targeted and evidence-based in order for our SMEs to receive the maximum support possible, and in the sectors most needed.
From the strategic perspective, Enterprise Ireland, an Agency under my remit, is assisting companies to maintain and grow UK exports and extend their international reach, as well as helping companies to enhance their competitiveness. In addition, the Local Enterprise Offices, also under my remit, are working closely with those clients likely to be impacted by Brexit.
Finally, I am also aware that my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, and Agencies under his remit, are equally engaged in monitoring the impacts of Brexit on all relevant sectors, including the mushroom sector, and is drawing the attention of all firms to supports being provided to the industry through national and EU Schemes.
Enterprise Ireland Staff
Questions (279)
Niall Collins
Question:279. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of staff that availed of Enterprise Ireland's voluntary leaving programme in 2015 and 2016; the approximate number of new posts that will be created at the agency in 2017 following budget 2017 allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35664/16]
View answerWritten answers
In recent years, Enterprise Ireland has implemented an ambitious reform agenda to ensure more effective delivery of services to Enterprise Ireland clients. As part of the organisation’s resource plan, Enterprise Ireland launched a Voluntary Leaving Programme in November 2014, which closed in January 2015. Fifty-one staff availed of the Voluntary Leaving Programme in 2015 and 2016. The reform agenda included an ongoing process to analyse the skills and capabilities of the organisation. Recruitment has been ongoing within the agency to address critical gaps in the management structure and current skill gaps in emerging and future sectors to reflect the needs of Irish industry.
In Budget 2017, I secured additional pay monies which will provide for 50+ new posts for the Department and its agencies to respond to Brexit and to work with companies to help them respond to the challenges and opportunities.
Enterprise Ireland has a critical contribution to make in my Department’s overall strategic response to Brexit. Therefore, Enterprise Ireland will create 39 new posts in 2017 in targeted overseas markets including in the UK and also in Dublin, to prepare companies at home and in market to manage the challenges that arise as a result of Brexit. This immediate need is aligned with Enterprise Ireland’s ongoing strategic objective to diversify Ireland’s export trade by supporting clients to continue to sustain and win new business in existing markets while exploring opportunities in new markets.
New posts will be created in a number of overseas markets where Enterprise Ireland and their client companies see strategic opportunities. It will be hugely important to intensify export growth to other markets, to reduce reliance on the UK, re-orienting companies towards North America, Canada, Asia and the Middle-East. On foot of 2015 export figures, there is immediate opportunity and potential for strengthening our foothold in existing established markets and for diversified export growth. Last year sales to North American grew by 27%, Northern Europe by 8% and Asia-PAC by 11%.
The additional staff placed in the UK will provide market expertise in support of clients dependent on the UK market, to help them sustain existing sales and to win new business. Some 1500 Enterprise Ireland client companies have recorded exports to the UK and it will remain a priority market for many Irish exporters, particularly first-time exporters.
In relation to additional staff in Dublin, the experience of the Department, through Enterprise Ireland, is that those clients who are more prepared before entering the market and engaging with in-market Enterprise Ireland teams, have a greater chance of sustained success. To maintain and grow market share in the UK and broaden the global exporting figures, companies need to be more competitive and innovative. For Enterprise Ireland, that means proactive engagement with clients in delivering their suite of programmes, such as LEAN, innovation and R&D projects, management and leadership capability as well as sales and marketing and export diversification strategies. This suite of supports will help companies reduce supply-chain costs and increase efficiencies as a means of improving operating margins, building market share and creating new market opportunities.
Enhancing EI’s Irish based team will increase client preparedness before they enter the market and ensure that the resources in market are being used strategically and to best effect.
Other key elements of the 2017 Enterprise Ireland strategy include an enhanced programme of trade and investment missions and other trade promotional events and the rollout of EI’s new ‘Global Ambition Campaign’ which will promote Irish companies and their products and services to international buyers.
Company Law
Questions (280)
Niall Collins
Question:280. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will extend the expiry date as provided under section 279(2) of the Companies Act 2014 to enable qualifying companies to use the United States of America's generally accepted accounting principles financial reporting standard here following the recent public consultation; if so, the timetable for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35665/16]
View answerWritten answers
Section 279 of the Companies Act 2014 provides that in limited cases for a particular transitional period, US Accounting Standards may be used by certain companies. This is conditional on compliance with Irish company law and is subject to the company meeting a number of qualifying criteria.
This transitional arrangement was first introduced in 2009 in the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and was later amended and extended in the Companies (Amendment) Act 2012 to run until 31 December 2020. Section 279 of the Companies Act 2014 re-enacts the 2012 provision with the same period.
A number of factors need to be considered before a decision is made on any possible extension. Accordingly, my Department conducted a public consultation on the matter in September and is currently consulting with the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority and the Department of Finance. I expect to consider the outcome of that process in the coming weeks.
If the deadline is to be extended, it will need to be done in primary legislation, which is ultimately a matter for the Oireachtas.