Written Answers Nos. 1-45
7. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the average waiting time for a person to have an unfair dismissal case heard at the Employment Appeals Tribunal; and the measures she will take to reduce the waiting time to a maximum of two months. [39124/16]
View answerWith effect from the 1st October 2015, the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Labour Court, together with the activities of the National Employment Rights Authority, the Labour Relations Commission (including the Rights Commissioner Service) and the Equality Authority were merged into a new Body of First Instance known as the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The Labour Court has also been expanded and serves as a separate appeals body.
The putting in place of the Workplace Relations Act 2015 is the most far-reaching legislative reform in the area of employment and industrial relations in almost 70 years and replaces the previously existing five workplace relations bodies. The result is a more straightforward and user friendly system allowing both expert and non-expert users navigate their way around the employment and industrial relations machinery.
As a result of this fundamental reform programme, the Employment Appeals Tribunal is being wound down. No new claims or appeals have been received by the Tribunal since 30 September 2015. All cases have been offered a first hearing which means the Employment Appeal Tribunal has no backlog.
There are approximately 700 cases remaining to be heard by the Tribunal before it can be formally dissolved.
14. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide an update on the revised Book of Quantum by injuriesboard.ie; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39110/16]
View answerThe revised Book of Quantum was published on the 5th of October 2016. The Book was compiled by independent consultants and commissioned by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB).
The revised Book of Quantum provides the most comprehensive research available on levels of personal injuries awards prevailing in Ireland. It is based on a detailed analysis of 51,000 closed personal injury claims from 2013 and 2014 and includes compensation awards from Court cases, insurance company settlements, State Claims Agency cases and data relating to awards of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. It also contains more granular detail on injuries and new injury types and more narrowly defined compensation bands.
The Book of Quantum sets out the amounts that may be awarded or assessed in personal injury claims for workplace, public liability and road accidents. It does not set personal injury award levels. It reflects settlements arrived at by insurance companies, PIAB, the State Claims Agency and the Courts so that all stakeholders involved in settling personal injury claims have an independent reference guide when assessing claims.
In order for the economy to grow, and maintain competitiveness, it is vital to address insurance costs. The Book of Quantum should allow for earlier settlement of claims and have a stabilising effect on compensation awards.
I note in recent judgments of the High Court, the revised Book of Quantum has been referenced in the written judgments. Universal application of the revised Book by all stakeholders will bring consistency in settlements. This should reduce the volume of litigation and help reduce the cost of insurance. This measure supports the work of Minister of State Murphy on the Cost of Insurance Working Group, aimed at tackling increasing insurance costs.
I understand from PIAB that they propose to revise the Book of Quantum every three years.
15. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will address the ongoing issue of business closures in rural towns across Ireland; the way in which her Department is working towards regional and rural job creation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38953/16]
View answerThe Regional Action Plan initiative is working to address regional and rural job creation by bringing different stakeholders in each of the 8 regions together to identify innovative and practical actions, to be taken across a range of Departments and agencies, with clear timelines for delivery over the period 2015 – 2017.
The plans are currently being monitored and driven in each region by Implementation Committees, comprising representatives from the Enterprise Sector, as well as the Local Authorities, Enterprise Agencies, and other public bodies in the region. Collaboration between the private and the public sector has been a core element in each plan’s development, and will be central to each plan’s delivery. The first progress reports on these Plans have been finalised and will be published shortly.
A key objective of the plans is to have a further 10 to 15 per cent at work in each region by 2020, with the aim of having the unemployment rate of each region within one per cent of the national average.
The success of the Regional Action Plans for Jobs is crucial to the Government in meeting the ambition to create an additional 200,000 jobs, 135,000 of which are outside the Dublin region, by 2020.
Employment has been growing continuously for the past 16 quarters and over the past year employment has grown in all regions.
The most recent figures from the CSO also show that 72% of all jobs created in the past year were created outside Dublin.
Continuing to work towards the ambitious targets at regional level requires a renewed focus on building on regional strengths, assets and areas of competitive advantage to develop the attractive and competitive environments for business to start, grow and succeed on international markets and to attract inward investment.
17. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the recourse available to a person (details supplied) with regard to a case of unfair dismissal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39121/16]
View answerWith regard to the details supplied by the Deputy, I am informed by the Employment Appeals Tribunal that an unfair dismissal case was lodged with the Tribunal in 2013. The case was heard on 24 October 2014 and the determination issued to the parties on 20 November 2014. The details of the determination are available on the Workplace Relations Website www.workplacerelations.ie.
In summary, the Tribunal were satisfied that a dismissal had occurred in this case and upheld the claimant's application under the Unfair Dismissals Acts. The Tribunal found that the appropriate remedy was reinstatement and an award for losses suffered.
Once the determination of the Employment Appeals Tribunal has issued, the Tribunal has no further function in the matter; it is functus officio.
Determinations of the Employment Appeals Tribunal can be appealed by either party and the appeals procedures are set out in the relevant legislation under which each determination is made. The mechanism for enforcing determinations of the Employment Appeals Tribunal is also prescribed in the relevant legislation and generally, this involves an application to the Circuit Court for an order directing compliance, or instituting proceedings in the District Court.
The collection of any money outstanding in respect of a Circuit Court order is the responsibility of the relevant County Sheriff.
Where the person's former employer goes into liquidation or receivership the insolvency payments scheme may apply. The purpose of the insolvency payments scheme, which operates under the Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) Act, 1984, is to protect certain outstanding pay-related entitlements due to employees in the event of the insolvency of their employer. These entitlements include wages, holiday pay, sick pay, payment in lieu of minimum notice due under the Minimum Notice & Terms of Employment Acts, 1973-2001, and certain pension contributions. Various other statutory awards made by the Employment Appeals Tribunal, Rights Commissioners, etc., are also covered by the scheme.
My colleague the Minister for Social Protection, has responsibility for the administration of payments from the insolvency payments scheme.
18. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the mechanisms that have been explored through which SMEs can reward key employees with share options in a tax efficient manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39102/16]
View answerEnterprise 2025 has ambitions for our Irish owned enterprises to scale and compete effectively in international markets. Strong leadership together with a skilled workforce that is committed to high performance is key to achieving this ambition. SMEs in Ireland compete not only internationally to attract skills, but also nationally given the presence of large scale foreign owned enterprises here.
Employee participation in their company’s ownership increases competitiveness and supports employment.
To progress the commitment set out in the Programme for Government, the Department of Finance carried out a consultation and review of share-based remuneration earlier this year.
The current share based incentives do not take account of the specific circumstances of SMEs, and are not an attractive proposition. My Department, working together with the enterprise development agencies, submitted to the consultation process.
The Tax Strategy Group papers that are available online provide an outline of the current mechanisms, international comparisons and alternatives for change.
I am delighted that the Minister for Finance announced his intention to develop a new SME-focused share-based scheme to be introduced in Budget 2018. This will require engagement by his Department with the European Commission to ensure that it will comply with State Aid rules.
I and my officials will continue to engage with the Department of Finance as the scheme design is progressed over the coming months.
19. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide an update on regional IDA site visits and vacant properties in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39107/16]
View answerRegional development is a top priority of mine. Increasing and sustaining foreign direct investment (FDI) outside of Ireland’s main urban areas forms a vital part of this.
IDA Ireland’s strategy for 2015-2019 includes a commitment to increase FDI in every region outside of Dublin by 30-40%. Site visit statistics indicate that progress is being made towards that goal. In 2015, 57% of site visits took place outside of Dublin, up from 43% in 2014. The latest available figures for 2016 show this trend is continuing, with 58% of visits this year outside of the capital.
To attract more FDI to the regions, the IDA must maintain an adequate supply of marketable serviced land and buildings that can be offered to potential investors. There are currently 21 vacant IDA Ireland-owned properties which are available for investment. If IDA did not have such properties available it would severely diminish Ireland’s ability to compete for mobile FDI, particularly in regional Ireland.
The IDA actively encourages clients to locate in regional locations. I also encourage companies to do likewise. The final decision, however, always lies with the investor itself. It must also be borne in mind that the number of site visits to a county does not necessarily reflect FDI activity there, especially as 70% of all new FDI comes from existing IDA clients.
20. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the six monthly reports on inspections that used to be produced by the National Employment Rights Authority can be reinstituted. [39123/16]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Act 2015 provides for the establishment of a new two-tier workplace relations structure to replace the previously existing five workplace relations bodies. A new single body of first instance called the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) was created from 1st October 2015 and a separate appeals body, which is effectively an expanded Labour Court.
The WRC incorporates the functions of the Labour Relations Commission (including the Rights Commissioner Service), the Equality Tribunal, the Employment Appeals Tribunal (first instance jurisdiction only), and the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA).
Since its establishment the WRC has published its Annual Report for 2015 and two six monthly Progress Reports and Commentaries. These Progress Reports include activity reports and data on the work of the Information and Customer Services and Inspection and Enforcement Divisions of the Commission. Both the Information and Customer Services and Inspection and Enforcement Divisions of the WRC carry out the functions of the former National Employment Rights Authority (NERA).
The Progress Reports set out the work undertaken by the WRC in its first year of operation and also identify trends emerging in dispute resolution, adjudication, labour inspection, and enforcement.
The Progress Reports and Commentaries are published on the Workplace Relations Website and can be accessed at www.workplacerelationsie.
21. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total employment in the State in agri and food companies assisted by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland respectively; the policies being pursued by her to increase this employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38948/16]
View answerEnterprise Ireland is the agency under my aegis which helps companies throughout Ireland start and scale, innovate and remain competitive on international markets. Companies that Enterprise Ireland works with, including the agri-food sector, are a vital source of employment in every county in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland is also responsible for attracting overseas Food & Beverage companies into Ireland and for developing new Food & Beverage start-ups.
The Food sector is one of Enterprise Ireland’s key exporting sectors and employs in excess of 48,000 people throughout the country. In line with Enterprise Ireland’s development plan for the food industry, and the Foodwise 2025 Strategy led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland is committed to working with Food and Beverage companies to help them to scale, be competitive and innovative, and to create sustainable jobs across every region in Ireland.
In 2015, IDA Ireland’s portfolio included five food ingredient companies, employing approximately 1200 people. Some of these companies carry out a diverse range of manufacturing, services and R&D activities serving global markets.
There are undoubtedly challenges globally, including Brexit, to the development of the Food Industry in Ireland. I am confident however, that the Agencies under my remit will continue to work closely with the sector, and that they will have a range of supports to offer, to ensure the industry remains competitive in export markets.
22. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on unemployment rates in County Wexford and the south east region, which have been consistently higher than the national average; if she has read the South East Economic Monitor Report from June 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39112/16]
View answerThe economic crisis hit the South East’s job numbers badly with the loss of 37,800 jobs between 2007 and 2012.
As a result of a focused collaborative approach and a range of reforms delivered in the region over recent years, the unemployment rate has fallen from a peak of 20.1% in 2012 to the current rate of 10.4%.
The numbers on the Live Register in County Wexford have fallen by over 1,800 in the past year.
215,000 are now at work in the South East - an increase of 33,800 since 2012.
Since 2012 the South East has had the fastest rate of jobs growth, in percentage terms, of any region in the country.
While the current unemployment rate is still too high, these figures demonstrate that the overall trend is one of steady improvement – even since the publication in June of the South East Economic Monitor Report referred to by the Deputy.
The Regional Action Plans for Jobs initiative is a concrete example of the targeted approach undertaken to boost regional employment.
The core objective of the South East Plan is to realise the potential to have a further 25,000 at work in the region, including Wexford, by 2020 and the unemployment rate within the 1% of the State average.
In keeping with the medium to longer term ambition of the Regional Plans, these plans are not broken down on a yearly basis or by individual county.
Key sectors targeted as part of the Plan include agri-food, tourism, life sciences, manufacturing, retail and financial and business services.
I am committed to working with the various agencies and stakeholders in the South East to ensure that this trend continues and that sufficient sustainable jobs are ultimately created.
The first progress report has been completed and will be published shortly. The report will show that good progress is being made in the implementation of the South East Plan.
23. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the next steps for the PRTLI programme; when a successor phase will be rolled out; and the funding it will carry and its strategic focus. [39106/16]
View answerThe planning and design of a successor to Cycle 5 of PRTLI is a key action in Innovation 2020 and is being progressed by my Department working closely with the Department of Education and Skills.
Innovation 2020 has set ambitious targets to realise the potential of research and innovation in Ireland. The development of a new cycle of the PRTLI programme is a key component of Innovation 2020.
There are specific human capital development actions and targets in Innovation 2020. Cycle 6 will be a key mechanism to achieve these targets, and will support us to grow our research capability and build our talent pool by funding human capital programmes, in addition to research equipment and buildings.
In line with Government policy, funding will be allocated to the Government’s 14 priority areas of research, which mostly involve STEM. Funding will also be allocated to the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) and to STEM disciplines outside of the 14 priority areas. It will also fund Challenge based funding, which is research to address areas of social and economic challenge.
We are currently in the early planning stages of Cycle 6. In terms of next steps, my intention is to start a period of consultation with the research community and other stakeholders on our proposed approach early in the New Year.
24. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a detailed breakdown of the way she plans to use the €52 million capital allocation to her Department; the details of the way in which she intends to use the €3 million allocation for Brexit, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38942/16]
View answerThe 2017 Revised Estimates Volume will be published by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in the coming weeks.
Capital funding of €555 million is being made available to my Department next year.
This is a €52 million increase on the 2016 Revised Estimate Volume.
This 10% increase will support Government’s Regional jobs plans.
The additional moneys for 2017 will:
Firstly underpin the Programme for Government commitment to deliver an additional 200,000 jobs by 2020, of which 135,000 jobs will be in the regions, secondly, allow us to proactively respond to Brexit, thirdly assist in strengthening Ireland’s FDI offering and fourthly underpin our R&D plans through Government’s “Innovation 2020” strategy.
The extra €3 million in Pay will enable the recruitment of approximately 50 additional Brexit related staff in my Department and Agencies.
This additional Pay will be distributed to Enterprise Ireland €1.7 million, IDA Ireland €750,000, the Department €250,000 and €150,000 each to Science Foundation Ireland and the Health & Safety Authority.
I have already established a dedicated Brexit Unit in my Department.
I would add that each Agency will be provided with an overall Pay ceiling for 2017 within which they will have some flexibility to align their staffing resources to effectively manage their overall operations, including Brexit specific actions.
25. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the confidence levels among Dublin businesses falling for a third consecutive quarter in 2016 according to Dublin Chamber of Commerce surveys; her 2017 job creation targets for IDA and Enterprise Ireland in the greater Dublin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38952/16]
View answerConfidence levels among Irish businesses are an important factor in Ireland’s economic performance. The usual way of gauging business sentiment at a point in time is by way of survey. The reliability of survey results depends on many variables such as sample size, timing of the survey and questionnaire design.
The Dublin Quarterly Business Trends Survey referred to involved surveying 222 businesses in August 2016. Given the timing of the survey, just post Brexit, it is likely that the UK’s vote to leave the EU was a contributing factor in the results of that survey, particularly as there were a number of questions specifically on Brexit.
More recently a survey released on 23 November, at the Enterprise Ireland/Deloitte CEO Forum, found that 96% of Irish CEOs are planning to expand over the next 12 months, while 86% are confident of revenue growth in their companies in 2017. It also found 73% of CEOs citing Brexit as an opportunity for more Irish companies to export to Europe.
My own view is that, on balance, business confidence is broadly stable at the moment. We will continue to work across sectors and regions to drive opportunity, exports and jobs growth.
While IDA and Enterprise Ireland do not publish regional targets, the Dublin Regional APJ aims to increase employment in the Dublin region by 10-15% over the period to 2020, delivering 66,000 additional jobs.
26. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of the 40,000 to 45,000 new jobs she expects to deliver in 2017 that will be created in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39115/16]
View answerThe economic crisis hit the South East’s job numbers badly with the loss of 37,800 jobs between 2007 and 2012.
As a result of a focused collaborative approach and a range of reforms delivered in the region over recent years, the unemployment rate has fallen from a peak of 20.1% in 2012 to the current rate of 10.4%.
The numbers on the Live Register in County Wexford have fallen by over 1,800 in the past year.
215,000 are now at work in the South East - an increase of 33,800 since 2012.
Since 2012 the South East has had the fastest rate of jobs growth, in percentage terms, of any region in the country.
While the current unemployment rate is still too high, these figures demonstrate that the overall trend is one of steady improvement.
The Regional Action Plans for Jobs initiative is a concrete example of the targeted approach undertaken to boost regional employment.
The core objective of the South East Plan is to realise the potential to have a further 25,000 at work in the region, including Wexford, by 2020 and the unemployment rate within the 1% of the State average.
The job creation targets in the plan are for the South East region, and do not contain county-specific or annual targets.
Key sectors targeted as part of the Plan include agri-food, tourism, life sciences, manufacturing, retail and financial and business services.
I am committed to working with the various agencies and stakeholders in the South East to ensure that this trend continues and that sufficient sustainable jobs are ultimately created.
The first progress report has been completed and will be published shortly. The report will show that good progress is being made in the implementation of the South East Plan.
27. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the CETA trade talks and their current status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36270/16]
View answer30. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the CETA negotiations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39122/16]
View answer34. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of developments in relation to the CETA ahead of the final vote to provisionally apply the deal in the coming weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38954/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 30 and 34 together.
At the 16th EU-Canada Summit on the 30th October 2016 in Brussels, EU leaders and the Canadian Prime Minister signed the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). CETA is a comprehensive and progressive trade agreement between the EU and Canada. It removes over 99% of tariffs that currently hinder trade between the EU and Canada. It is expected to increase bilateral trade by €12 billion per year, and to generate growth and new jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.
Given the position taken by Ireland and other Member States, the Commission submitted CETA to the Council for decision as a mixed Agreement. That is one requiring both EU and individual Member States ratification. As this process may take a number of years to complete the Agreement provides for provisional application. Provisional application allows businesses and consumers to enjoy the benefits and new opportunities of the agreement as soon as possible in respect of good and services.
The European Parliament vote on the provisional application of the Agreement is scheduled to take place in February 2017. Should the Parliament give its consent, the agreement will be provisionally applied. The process of ratification of the Agreement can then commence in Member States according to their constitutional requirements. The provisions regarding investment protection will only apply after the agreement has been ratified by all Member States.
28. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the immediate contingency steps she is taking with European colleagues to ensure EU research and development funding is not reduced following the decision by the UK voters to leave the EU. [39105/16]
View answerOn the 24th of July the Government adopted a Contingency Framework identifying key policy issues to be managed by Government Departments arising from the referendum vote in the UK to leave the EU.
In that Framework we commit to undertaking a full assessment of the opportunities and threats arising from the future disengagement of the UK from the EU, including in relation to Horizon 2020 funded research. This will include an assessment of the possibility of a reduced overall fund if and when the UK’s contribution to the EU is withdrawn at some point. This work is being led by my Department in association with other Government Departments and relevant state agencies which fund research.
The full impact of the UK’s departure on the EU Research and Innovation budget will depend on the conclusion of negotiations between the UK and the EU. The UK exit could potentially mean a smaller EU budget for research. However, this could be offset by the opportunity for researchers and companies in Ireland to secure a greater percentage of EU funding due to the reduced competition.
The successor programme to Horizon 2020 will commence in 2021 and my officials continue to maintain regular contact with the European Commission and Member States to maximise the commitment of EU funding to Research and Innovation in that programme.
29. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to facilitate the return of at least 70,000 emigrants here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39101/16]
View answerThe Action Plan for Jobs is the Government’s key instruments to support job creation. Since the first Action Plan for Jobs was launched in 2012, almost 190,000 more people are at work.
My Department and agencies have a range of initiatives underway to connect with emigrants and other interested in a career in Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland has specific targets to attract entrepreneurs to Ireland and has a focused marketing programme underway in international markets in this regard. IDA Ireland actively promotes Ireland as a location for new investment. Science Foundation Ireland encourages leading researchers to move to Ireland raising Ireland's profile as a location for excellent research and career advancement.
In June 2016, I launched Tech/Life Ireland, a new national initiative to brand Ireland as a top destination to pursue a career in technology. My Department funds this new initiative, which will help attract up to 3,000 top tech professionals to Ireland each year.
I am currently working with Ministerial colleagues to develop the 2017 Action Plan for Jobs. My priority is to ensure that the Plan is ambitious and impactful and keeps us on track to deliver on this Government’s goal to help create 200,000 additional jobs by 2020 and attract back at least 70,000 emigrants from aboard.
31. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to the publication of the autumn legislative programme, when legislative proposals regarding protections for workers on insecure low hour contracts will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39109/16]
View answerMy colleague, Minister Mitchell O’Connor, and I intend to bring forward proposals in this area for consideration by Government. In this respect, work has progressed well on developing a policy response to the University of Limerick (UL) study on zero hour contracts and low hour contracts.
The policy response is being informed by the UL study itself as well as the extensive material and practical examples provided by respondents to the public consultation conducted by my Department. Our proposals will address the issue of workers on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts do not reflect the reality of their hours worked. The proposals will also seek to ensure that employees are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements and their core terms at an early stage in their employment. Furthermore, I intend to include provisions aimed particularly at low-paid, more vulnerable workers.
My Department is currently engaged in a dialogue process with ICTU and IBEC to secure broad agreement before proposals are finalised. This work is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and is at an advanced stage.
32. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific measures, outside of the south east region action plan for jobs, being taken to create jobs in counties with high levels of unemployment and in County Wexford in particular; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39114/16]
View answerThe South East Action Plan for Jobs is the key policy response for supporting employment growth in the South East region, including Wexford, with public and private stakeholder actively engaged in delivering a range of innovative and practical actions set out in the Plan, with clear timelines for delivery over the period 2015 – 2017.
The core objective of the South East Plan is to realise the potential to have a further 25,000 at work in the region by 2020 so as to ensure the unemployment rate is within the 1 per cent of the State average.
The national Action Plan for Jobs is the Government’s key instrument to support job creation. The Action Plan for Jobs is working. Almost 190,000 more people are at work today than in 2012 when the first Plan was launched. The original target was to add an extra 100,000 jobs by the end of 2016. 48,500 new jobs were created in the first nine months of 2016.
Employment has been growing continuously for 16 quarters and over the past year employment has grown in all regions. 72% of all jobs created in the past year were created outside Dublin.
The unemployment rate in the State was 7.3% in November 2016, down from 15.1% when the first Action Plan was launched in Q1 2012.
Employment growth in the South East is strong. Over 13,000 jobs have been created in the region since Q1 2015. However, the unemployment rate for the region at 10.4%, while down from 12.5% in Q1 2016, remains the highest in the country.
While the national Action Plan is a whole of Government approach to support job creation, I am responsible for developing the 2017 Plan. My priority is to deliver on the Government’s goal to help create 200,000 additional jobs by 2020, including 135,000 jobs outside Dublin. The success of the Regional Plans plans will be crucial to the Government in meeting this ambitious target.
I am currently working with Ministerial colleagues to develop the 2017 Action Plan for Jobs. My priority is to ensure that the 2017 Plan is ambitious and impactful and keeps us on track to deliver on our 2020 jobs targets through the delivery of a business environment which enhances our competitiveness and supports sustainable enterprise and employment growth in all regions.
33. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the companies and businesses that have accessed the micro finance loan fund by sector, the number of employees and region, in tabular form; the amount they received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38943/16]
View answerThe Board of Microfinance Ireland (MFI) provides me with Quarterly Reports of progress, and these are published on the websites of both MFI and my Department. Details of individual loan applications and approvals are subject to data protection legislation and it will not be possible to provide further information on same.
I have extracted for the Deputy the following highlight statistics from MFI’s inception on 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2016:-
- Of some 2,275 applications received, loans were approved for 1062;
- Total value of loans approved, €15.766 million for 1,062 micro-enterprises
- Total value of loans drawn down, €13.254 million by 915 micro-enterprises;
- Average value of loan drawn down, just under €15,000;
- Percentage of approvals to micro-enterprises employing 3 or fewer, 81%;
- Percentage of approvals to start-ups (< 18 months in business), 55%; and
- Geographical split - Dublin 21%, and rest of country 79%.
I have also set out in the table:-
- The County distribution by number of approvals; and
- The Sectoral distribution by percentage of approvals.
Geographical Spread
|
County |
Received |
Approved |
|
Dublin |
490 |
225 |
|
Cork |
188 |
83 |
|
Limerick |
111 |
53 |
|
Galway |
90 |
51 |
|
Meath |
113 |
47 |
|
Tipperary |
98 |
46 |
|
Wexford |
85 |
43 |
|
Mayo |
65 |
42 |
|
Kildare |
84 |
41 |
|
Cavan |
76 |
37 |
|
Sligo |
48 |
35 |
|
Waterford |
81 |
34 |
|
Wicklow |
72 |
34 |
|
Clare |
66 |
34 |
|
Kerry |
67 |
27 |
|
Westmeath |
61 |
27 |
|
Laois |
60 |
26 |
|
Longford |
56 |
24 |
|
Roscommon |
48 |
24 |
|
Louth |
66 |
22 |
|
Carlow |
47 |
20 |
|
Donegal |
45 |
19 |
|
Leitrim |
37 |
19 |
|
Offaly |
41 |
18 |
|
Kilkenny |
38 |
16 |
|
Monaghan |
42 |
15 |
|
Totals |
2275 |
1062 |
Sectoral Spread
|
Sector |
% |
|
Wholesale & Retail Trade: repair of motor vehicles & motorcycles |
23 |
|
Manufacturing |
14 |
|
Construction |
8 |
|
Arts, Entertainment & recreation |
8 |
|
Accommodation & food service activities |
7 |
|
Transportation & Storage |
6 |
|
Information & Communication |
6 |
|
Administrative & Support Services |
6 |
|
Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities |
5 |
|
Other Service Activities |
5 |
|
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing |
4 |
|
Human Health & Social Work Activities |
3 |
|
Other |
3 |
|
Education |
2 |
35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she and her Department have plans to offset the potential impact of Brexit; if she expects to concentrate on the Single Market, the freedom of movement or other issues in this context; her views on the importance of the need for Ireland to retain access to this market and the EU as an entity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39074/16]
View answerIreland remains a strong and committed member of the EU and in this context fully intends to continue to retain full access to the Single Market, which is of enormous benefit to Irish businesses and consumers. It should be remembered that this will continue to give Ireland access to a market of 450 million people, even after the UK’s departure.
While Government is working to ensure a close future relationship between the UK and the EU, our position is that access to the Single Market must be on the basis of acceptance of all four freedoms – free movement of goods, services, capital and people. It is clear that everyone should play by the same rules.
Ireland has consistently advocated greater progress being made in further strengthening the Single Market. Indeed, as recently as the week before last, I led an initiative where my Ministerial counterparts from nine other Member States and I signed a joint letter to President Juncker calling on the European Commission to be ambitious in advancing the Single Market for services. This demonstrates the positive influence that Ireland can bring to shaping the future success of the Single Market, through building alliances with a wide range of Member States across the Union, and which can ultimately enhance the benefits accruing to Irish businesses and consumers. Deepening the Single Market and negotiating improved access to third country markets under EU FTA's are key elements in offsetting the adverse impacts of Brexit.
36. 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 use the United States of America 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. [39108/16]
View answerSection 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 will consider the outcome of that process shortly, with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the next few weeks. I am aware that the companies concerned wish to know the Government’s intention at the earliest opportunity.
If the deadline is to be extended, it will need to be done in primary legislation, which is ultimately a matter for the Oireachtas.
37. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she has had discussions with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA in relation to the possibility of opening up IDA sites and buildings that are not occupied at present in rural Ireland to indigenous industries supported by Enterprise Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38947/16]
View answerThe Government and I are committed to regional development and increasing the number of long-term, sustainable jobs outside of Dublin. Key to achieving this will be the provision of suitable property solutions in the regions for both indigenous and international businesses.
IDA Ireland holds land and property for the purposes of promoting industrial development throughout Ireland. These property solutions service both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland client companies.
IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland regularly engage with each other regarding the availability of IDA Ireland owned sites and buildings. Available units are actively marketed and are offered to the clients of both agencies.
38. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress of the protections for workers on insecure low hour contracts legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38944/16]
View answerMy colleague, Minister Mitchell O’Connor, and I intend to bring forward proposals in this area for consideration by Government. In this respect, work has progressed well on developing a policy response to the University of Limerick (UL) study on zero hour contracts and low hour contracts. I intend to include protections aimed particularly at low-paid, more vulnerable workers.
The policy response is being informed by the UL study itself as well as the extensive material and practical examples provided by respondents to the public consultation conducted by my Department. Our proposals will address the issue of workers on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts do not reflect the reality of their hours worked. The proposals will also seek to ensure that employees are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements and their core terms at an early stage in their employment.
My Department is currently engaged in a dialogue process with ICTU and IBEC to secure broad agreement before proposals are finalised. This work is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and is at an advanced stage.
39. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the steps taken by her Department to address the problem of zero hour contracts; her policies in relation to pay and conditions in if-and-when and other uncertain and broken hour contracts in many areas of the economy including in the so-called sharing economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38951/16]
View answerMy colleague, Minister Mitchell O’Connor, and I intend bringing forward proposals in this area for consideration by Government. In this respect, work has progressed well on developing a policy response to the University of Limerick (UL) study on zero hour contracts and low hour contracts. It should be remembered that the UL study found that zero hour contracts, as defined within current Irish employment rights legislation, are not extensively used in Ireland.
The policy response is being informed by the UL study itself and also the extensive material and practical examples provided by respondents to the public consultation conducted by my Department. Our proposals will address the issue of workers on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts of employment do not reflect the reality of their hours worked. The proposals will also seek to ensure that employees are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements and their core terms at an early stage in their employment. Furthermore, the proposals will include provisions aimed particularly at low-paid, more vulnerable workers. These protections will apply to all employees working under contracts of service whether working in the shared economy or otherwise.
My Department is currently engaged in a dialogue process with ICTU and IBEC to secure broad agreement before proposals are finalised. This work is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and is at an advanced stage.
Where an individual believes they are being deprived of employment rights applicable to employees they may refer a complaint to the WRC where the matter can be dealt with by way of mediation or adjudication leading to a decision that is enforceable through the District Court. WRC inspectors can also be asked to investigate certain breaches. Complaints can be made on a single complaint form available at the WRC’s website www.workplacerelations.ie.
The WRC’s Customer Service Section, which provides information to both employers and employees in relation to employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations, can be contacted at Lo-call: 1890 80 80 90 or 059-9178990.
40. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the full year cost and, separately, the cost in 2016 of changes to Garda pay and allowances as per a Labour Court recommendation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39207/16]
View answerI welcome the decision by Garda Representative Association and Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors members to accept the independent recommendation of the Labour Court which sought to address the concerns that have been articulated in relation to their pay and conditions, the pay and conditions of new recruits, and their access to the statutory dispute resolution bodies. The Recommendation provides for:
- the restoration of the rent allowance of €4,155 per annum to new recruits as of the date of acceptance, the 5 December;
- an increase in the value of the rent allowance by €500 bringing it to €4,655 per annum with effect from 1 January 2017;
- the integration of the rent allowance in the new amount of €4,655 into salary with consequential increases in unsocial hours and overtime payments also with effect from 1 January 2017;
- the introduction of a €15 premium payment per annual leave day to compensate for the uncertainty attaching to the taking of leave by Gardaí.
- the implementation of a long-standing recommendation of the Garda Inspectorate by way of the introduction of paid 15 minute pre-tour briefing or tasking sessions with effect from 1 January 2017.
The restoration of the rent allowance to new recruits will cost approximately €190,000 in 2016.
My Department is assessing the estimated full year costs which due to the nature of the Labour Court's recommendation will depend to some extent on the amount of overtime worked in any year. That said, I am advised that, depending on a number of variables, the estimated gross annual cost of implementing the Labour Court's recommendation could exceed €50m; however, this gross cost will be offset by statutory deductions for tax, PRSI, etc., which will reduce the net Exchequer cost.
41. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Syrian refugees resettled here in 2016; the anticipated number to be settled here during the first quarter of 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39289/16]
View answerThe Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Under this programme, the Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State by the end of 2017, of whom 1,040 refugees (520 in 2015/2016 and 520 in 2017) will come to Ireland under the UNHCR led refugee resettlement programme currently focused on resettling refugees from Lebanon.
The resettlement strand of the programme is focusing on cases displaced by the Syrian conflict into Lebanon and proposed to Ireland by UNHCR. Most but not all of the cases referred are Syrian. In 2016, 312 Syrian refugees were admitted. In total, 507 persons displaced by the Syrian conflict (448 of whom are Syrians) have arrived in Ireland from Lebanon since 4 August 2015 and a further 12 refugees (all Syrians) are scheduled to arrive from Lebanon in mid December 2016. By mid-December 2016, all but one of the quota of 520 resettled refugees for 2015/2016 are expected to have arrived
In addition, the Government recently announced that it is extending the resettlement programme to take in a further 520 refugees from Lebanon in 2017. 260 refugees have already been selected during a selection mission to Lebanon in October 2016 and are expected to arrive in Spring 2017. Most of these refugees are also Syrian. A further selection mission to Lebanon will be arranged in the coming months to select the remaining refugees due to come to Ireland in 2017 under the resettlement programme.
42. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the motion passed by the European Parliament on 23 November 2016 regarding Irish Sign Language and sign interpreters (details supplied); her plans to provide for regulation and training of interpreters here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39168/16]
View answer43. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the recognition of the Irish Sign Language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39169/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 43 together.
The Department of Justice and Equality has recently completed a three-phase consultation process with a view to developing a new National Disability Inclusion Strategy. It is within this framework that I aim to address, in a practical way, the needs of the approximately 5,000 users of Irish Sign Language (ISL) in the State.
Issues in relation to the Deaf Community featured strongly in the consultation process and I intend that the new Strategy will respond credibly to the issues raised, including making a real difference in relation to facilitating the use of ISL. The key action in relation to this is a proposal for legislation that will ensure that all public bodies provide ISL users with free ISL interpretation when availing of their statutory services. In order to respond effectively to the needs of ISL users, a pragmatic and feasible approach is required, and I am certain that this action - and another action in the Strategy which relates to expanded translation services - will be an effective way forward once implemented.
A draft of the Disability Strategy will be prepared with the assistance of the National Disability Strategy Steering Group for consideration by Government in early January, and I intend that the Strategy will be in place shortly afterwards.
I am aware of the European Parliament motion referred to. Interpretation services for deaf people on a state-wide basis are provided by the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS), which is funded by the Citizens Information Bureau (CIB) and also undertakes training of interpreters.
44. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a Garda position (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39171/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
An Garda Síochána maintains close liaison with other law enforcement agencies internationally and the work of Garda liaison officers who are permanently based in other jurisdictions and in international bodies such as Interpol and Europol greatly facilitate the prompt exchange of information and intelligence on criminal activity. Such international liaison has led to many parallel investigations with international law enforcement agencies.
The State is committed to providing two members of An Garda Síochána to Europol. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that in August 2016, one of the two members of An Garda Síochána based at Europol Headquarters in the Hague was successful in an internal Garda competition and was assigned to a position in Dublin. I am further informed that arrangements are in-hand for a competition to be held to fill the vacancy arising on a permanent basis. In the interim, An Garda Síochána is represented by the full-time Garda Liaison Officer and an additional member of An Garda Síochána assigned on temporary secondment to work at Europol. I can assure the Deputy that there has been no reduction in Ireland’s commitment to the operational strength of Europol.
45. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the percentage of fines that were paid since the enactment of the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 in January 2016, specifically in relation to those that are fined for smuggling or selling illicit cigarettes, fuel and alcohol; the number of persons sent to prison for non-payment; the number of attachment orders imposed; her plans to extend the legislation to allow for recovery of fines by the attachment of social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39186/16]
View answerSince the commencement of the Fines (Payment and Recovery) 2014 Act on 11 January 2016, where fines remain unpaid by the due date, the fined persons must be notified to return to court to enable the Judge to impose whatever sanction the court considers appropriate in default of payment. The options available to the Judge are as follows: attachment of earnings; recovery order; community service; or, if none of these options are appropriate, imprisonment.
I have been informed by the Courts Service that default notices will issue from Quarter 1 2017 to fined persons notifying them of their default court hearing date, when the Judge will consider the appropriate sanction. Since default hearings have not yet commenced no fined person has been sent to prison for non payment of fines nor have any attachment orders been imposed. I have no plans to extend the legislation to allow for recovery of fines by the attachment of social protection payments.
The table provides details of fines imposed specifically in relation to those who are fined for smuggling or selling illicit cigarettes, fuel and alcohol.
|
Offence |
Appeal Pending |
Due |
Paid |
Part Paid |
Superseded/ Set Aside |
Grand Total |
|
Fines for Illicit Fuel |
1 |
89 |
12 |
3 |
2 |
107 |
|
Fines for illicit Tobacco |
1 |
35 |
14 |
12 |
1 |
63 |
|
Fines for Illicit Alcohol |
1 |
37 |
22 |
2 |
0 |
62 |
|
Total |
3 |
161 |
48 |
17 |
3 |
232 |
