Written Answers Nos. 1652-1668
1652. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the involvement her Department or agencies under her Department's aegis have had in the proposed establishment of a company (details supplied) in Nenagh, County Tipperary; if any confirmation has been given when employment will begin at the proposed company site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1152/17]
View answer1653. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details of any supports that her Department or agencies under the aegis of her Department have offered to a company (details supplied) which is proposing to establish a site in Nenagh, County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1153/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1652 and 1653 together.
My Department, through IDA Ireland, has worked closely with the company on this proposed project since September 2014. This included the provision of different supports to the company, including Research and Development financial assistance. This led to the announcement, in January 2016, that a technology development facility would be established in Nenagh, with the creation of 300 jobs on completion of the project.
I understand that works are continuing on the facility and that it will be ready for occupation later this year. I have been informed as well that the company is currently in the process of recruiting a number of positions for the operation.
1655. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of full-time equivalent Civil Service workers in gross income ranges (details supplied) in her Department for each of the years 2007 to 2015. [1228/17]
View answerDetails of the number of staff paid through the Department’s payroll for the period 2007 to 2015, inclusive, are outlined in the tables below. The details include the gross pay for all staff of the Department, its Offices and Ministerial private staff.
The Deputy will see that the tables set out the employee count for each of the requested pay bands. The employee count represents the total number of staff in each of the pay bands and includes full-time staff and those on less than 100% working patterns.
The Department’s payroll system, from which the information has been collated, is oriented to ensure the correct payment of salaries at defined Civil Service pay rates and at the correct multiplier for the relevant working pattern. Payroll is not a tool to measure the full-time equivalency of the staffing cohort.
The numbers shown in each category from year to year would have been impacted by a number of factors including overall numbers reductions, pay reductions under FEMPI legislation, restructuring, and additional functions being taken into the Department including Forfas, the Equality Tribunal, Construction Contracts and the Low Pay Commission.
|
2015 |
Gross Pay Cost per band |
Employee Count per band |
|
Pay Bands |
||
|
€0 - €29,999 |
€4,748.302.51 |
202 |
|
€30,000 - €39,999 |
€7,199,728.57 |
205 |
|
€40,000 - €49,999 |
€9,080,608.32 |
199 |
|
€50,000 - €59,999 |
€5,749.579.58 |
103 |
|
€60,000 - €69,999 |
€2,358,041.59 |
36 |
|
€70,000 - €79,999 |
€6,003,440.23 |
80 |
|
€80,000 - €89,999 |
€2,301,930.88 |
27 |
|
€90,000 - €99,999 |
€2,505,876.93 |
26 |
|
€100,000 -€124,999 |
€341,955.11 |
3 |
|
€125,000 - €149,999 |
€1,228,244.67 |
9 |
|
Over €150,000 |
€332,729.94 |
2 |
|
2014 |
Gross Pay Cost per band |
Employee Count per band |
|
Pay Bands |
||
|
€0 - €29,999 |
€4,852,018.61 |
206 |
|
€30,000 - €39,999 |
€7,214,838.07 |
205 |
|
€40,000 - €49,999 |
€9,259,465.45 |
206 |
|
€50,000 - €59,999 |
€6,237,389.78 |
112 |
|
€60,000 - €69,999 |
€2,128,544.04 |
32 |
|
€70,000 - €79,999 |
€5,400,229.78 |
72 |
|
€80,000 - €89,999 |
€2,291,526.18 |
27 |
|
€90,000 - €99,999 |
€2,674,766.63 |
28 |
|
€100,000 -€124,999 |
€222,383.07 |
2 |
|
€125,000 - €149,999 |
€1,091,748.57 |
8 |
|
Over €150,000 |
€332,729.94 |
2 |
|
2013 |
Gross Pay Cost per band |
Employee Count per band |
|
Pay bands |
||
|
€0 - €29,999 |
€5,537,812.52 |
239 |
|
€30,000 - €39,999 |
€7,044,513.68 |
198 |
|
€40,000 - €49,999 |
€8,681,022.23 |
193 |
|
€50,000 - €59,999 |
€5,686,648.41 |
103 |
|
€60,000 - €69,999 |
€1,981,226.59 |
30 |
|
€70,000 - €79,999 |
€4,818,411.30 |
64 |
|
€80,000 - €89,999 |
€1,688,134.40 |
20 |
|
€90,000 - €99,999 |
€1,997,485.10 |
21 |
|
€100,000 -€124,999 |
€118,839.95 |
1 |
|
€125,000 - €149,999 |
€955,472.68 |
7 |
|
Over €150,000 |
€332,729.94 |
2 |
|
2012 |
Gross Pay per band |
Employee Count per band |
|
Pay Bands |
||
|
€0 - €29,999 |
€5,705,661.23 |
241 |
|
€30,000 - €39,999 |
€7,481,763.81 |
212 |
|
€40,000 - €49,999 |
€8,742,383.56 |
195 |
|
€50,000 - €59,999 |
€5,992,943.96 |
109 |
|
€60,000 - €69,999 |
€918,658.90 |
14 |
|
€70,000 - €79,999 |
€3,740,033.07 |
50 |
|
€80,000 - €89,999 |
€3,176,312.96 |
38 |
|
€90,000 - €99,999 |
€2,024,651.31 |
21 |
|
€100,000 -€124,999 |
€1,139,604.94 |
11 |
|
€125,000 - €149,999 |
€1,150,336.28 |
8 |
|
Over €150,000 |
€357,999.94 |
2 |
|
2011 |
Gross Pay per band |
Employee count per band |
|
Pay Bands |
||
|
€0 - €29,999 |
€6,643,805.98 |
280 |
|
€30,000 - €39,999 |
€8,332,624.46 |
238 |
|
€40,000 - €49,999 |
€8,532,637.97 |
191 |
|
€50,000 - €59,999 |
€5,989,082.64 |
110 |
|
€60,000 - €69,999 |
€1,040,421.19 |
16 |
|
€70,000 - €79,999 |
€3,749,383.99 |
50 |
|
€80,000 - €89,999 |
€3,342,926.83 |
40 |
|
€90,000 - €99,999 |
€1,932,526.22 |
20 |
|
€100,000 -€124,999 |
€1,138,473.42 |
11 |
|
€125,000 - €149,999 |
€1,277,667.48 |
9 |
|
Over €150,000 |
€573,589.95 |
3 |
|
2010 |
Gross Pay per band |
Employee Count per band |
|
Pay Bands |
||
|
€0 - €29,999 |
€7,014,216.66 |
298 |
|
€30,000 - €39,999 |
€8,858,544.59 |
254 |
|
€40,000 - €49,999 |
€8,833,697.52 |
197 |
|
€50,000 - €59,999 |
€6,341,052.92 |
117 |
|
€60,000 - €69,999 |
€1,437,691.80 |
22 |
|
€70,000 - €79,999 |
€4,394,211.90 |
58 |
|
€80,000 - €89,999 |
€3,712,688.14 |
44 |
|
€90,000 - €99,999 |
€2,318,690.31 |
24 |
|
€100,000 -€124,999 |
€1,240,714.12 |
12 |
|
€125,000 - €149,999 |
€1,303,132.10 |
9 |
|
Over €150,000 |
€383,590.05 |
2 |
|
2009 |
Gross Pay per band |
Employee Count per band |
|
Pay Bands |
||
|
€0 - €29,999 |
€6,890,488.23 |
296 |
|
€30,000 - €39,999 |
€10,440,772.38 |
298 |
|
€40,000 - €49,999 |
€8,554,706.98 |
187 |
|
€50,000 - €59,999 |
€7,434,337.93 |
137 |
|
€60,000 - €69,999 |
€2,861,609.12 |
45 |
|
€70,000 - €79,999 |
€2,269,812.26 |
30 |
|
€80,000 - €89,999 |
€4,895,223.65 |
58 |
|
€90,000 - €99,999 |
€2,872,342.55 |
31 |
|
€100,000 -€124,999 |
€4,159,368.51 |
39 |
|
€125,000 - €149,999 |
€571,320.91 |
4 |
|
Over €150,000 |
€1,335,453.96 |
7 |
|
2008 |
Gross Pay per band |
Employee Count per band |
|
Pay Bands |
||
|
€0 - €29,999 |
€7,810,020.89 |
344 |
|
€30,000 - €39,999 |
€10,386,020.43 |
302 |
|
€40,000 - €49,999 |
€8,795,590.21 |
193 |
|
€50,000 - €59,999 |
€6,709,173.43 |
124 |
|
€60,000 - €69,999 |
€3,263,383.90 |
51 |
|
€70,000 - €79,999 |
€2,287,752.53 |
30 |
|
€80,000 - €89,999 |
€5,563,402.12 |
66 |
|
€90,000 - €99,999 |
€2,416,433.10 |
26 |
|
€100,000 -€124,999 |
€4,355,602.62 |
41 |
|
€125,000 - €149,999 |
€708,282.97 |
5 |
|
Over €150,000 |
€1,184,741.94 |
6 |
|
2007 |
Gross Pay per band |
Employee Count per band |
|
Pay Bands |
||
|
€0 - €29,999 |
€9,314,141.22 |
411 |
|
€30,000 - €39,999 |
€7,408,054.09 |
217 |
|
€40,000 - €49,999 |
€9,303,860.98 |
210 |
|
€50,000 - €59,999 |
€6,051,800.92 |
112 |
|
€60,000 - €69,999 |
€1,164,438.97 |
18 |
|
€70,000 - €79,999 |
€4,474,973.24 |
59 |
|
€80,000 - €89,999 |
€4,234,573.72 |
50 |
|
€90,000 - €99,999 |
€1,828,725.43 |
20 |
|
€100,000 -€124,999 |
€2,612,058.01 |
25 |
|
€125,000 - €149,999 |
€1,221,787.92 |
9 |
|
Over €150,000 |
€734,746.06 |
4 |
1656. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the current position of the work permit renewal application of a person (details supplied); when she expects a decision to be made on this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1234/17]
View answerThe Employment Permits Section of my Department received an application for a new Critical Skills Employment Permit for the person (details provided) on 2nd November 2016.
All applications for Employment Permits are dealt with on an individual basis and are processed in accordance with the Employment Permits Act 2006, as amended, which sets out in legislation the criteria in relation to the application, grant, refusal and review of an Employment Permit.
While the permit was being considered, discrepancies came to light concerning the foreign national’s current employment status. A letter seeking clarification issued to the applicant on 29th December 2016. Under the provision of the Act, the applicant has 28 days from that date in which to provide the clarification sought.
It is expected that a decision will be made in relation to this application when this period has elapsed or when the clarification sought is received, whichever is earlier.
1657. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons that accessed the local enterprise offices nationwide for their services in each of the years 2014 to 2016; the number of staff employed in each location; the amount of funding each location has drawn down in each of the years 2014 to 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1264/17]
View answerGiven the wide range of the Local Enterprise Offices remit, their engagement with their clients takes many forms: from drop-in visits; telephone calls; emails and meetings; to social media contacts via platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, among others. Data on the volume of all such client engagement is not currently available across the 31 individual LEOs.
However, in respect of key LEO services, data for 2014 and 2015 can be provided as set out in the tables.
Table 1: Capital Grants Paid and Training and Mentoring Participants
|
|
No. of Measure 1 Capital Grants Paid |
No. of Measure 1 Capital Grants Paid |
No. of Training Participants |
No. of Training Participants |
No. of Mentoring Participants |
No. of Mentoring Participants |
|
LEO |
2014 |
2015 |
2014 |
2015 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Carlow |
39 |
25 |
1,754 |
1296 |
98 |
114 |
|
Cavan |
24 |
28 |
492 |
665 |
50 |
56 |
|
Clare |
26 |
23 |
433 |
594 |
58 |
83 |
|
Cork City |
27 |
20 |
503 |
566 |
162 |
147 |
|
Cork North and West |
26 |
30 |
1,063 |
1158 |
442 |
510 |
|
Cork South |
35 |
32 |
758 |
1005 |
128 |
175 |
|
Donegal |
29 |
25 |
984 |
1311 |
36 |
32 |
|
Dublin City |
71 |
58 |
1,581 |
1759 |
1,059 |
1,560 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
50 |
36 |
1,302 |
1377 |
439 |
427 |
|
Fingal |
39 |
49 |
1,443 |
1504 |
825 |
766 |
|
South Dublin |
29 |
38 |
667 |
722 |
424 |
487 |
|
Galway |
21 |
24 |
490 |
532 |
62 |
38 |
|
Kerry |
26 |
31 |
837 |
1044 |
237 |
332 |
|
Kildare |
18 |
18 |
1,050 |
1008 |
311 |
411 |
|
Kilkenny |
35 |
27 |
693 |
828 |
273 |
335 |
|
Laois |
12 |
10 |
416 |
562 |
85 |
193 |
|
Leitrim |
22 |
23 |
386 |
339 |
102 |
107 |
|
Limerick |
47 |
63 |
873 |
1103 |
72 |
87 |
|
Longford |
36 |
28 |
367 |
331 |
87 |
73 |
|
Louth |
26 |
28 |
533 |
413 |
50 |
85 |
|
Mayo |
32 |
33 |
927 |
809 |
227 |
196 |
|
Meath |
22 |
28 |
304 |
460 |
360 |
416 |
|
Monaghan |
19 |
22 |
653 |
530 |
46 |
45 |
|
Offaly |
30 |
34 |
492 |
540 |
71 |
98 |
|
Roscommon |
17 |
12 |
290 |
493 |
171 |
231 |
|
Sligo |
35 |
32 |
415 |
374 |
91 |
152 |
|
Tipperary |
49 |
46 |
962 |
2106 |
91 |
193 |
|
Waterford |
69 |
53 |
410 |
589 |
311 |
171 |
|
Westmeath |
33 |
42 |
948 |
1086 |
77 |
99 |
|
Wexford |
38 |
27 |
1,136 |
942 |
113 |
101 |
|
Wicklow |
39 |
39 |
1,454 |
1139 |
332 |
455 |
|
TOTAL |
1,021 |
984 |
24,616 |
27185 |
6,890 |
8,175 |
Note: Data for 2016 are currently being finalised and are not yet available.
Table 2: Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Applications and Trading Online Vouchers Approved
|
|
No. of IBYE Applications |
No. of IBYE Applications |
No. of IBYE Applications |
No. of Trading Online Vouchers Approved |
No. of Trading Online Vouchers Approved |
No. of Trading Online Vouchers Approved |
|
LEO |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 (to Mid-Oct)* |
|
Carlow |
27 |
40 |
27 |
18 |
29 |
17 |
|
Cavan |
19 |
34 |
43 |
6 |
12 |
12 |
|
Clare |
23 |
27 |
46 |
321 |
21 |
30 |
|
Cork City |
41 |
47 |
167 (3 Cork LEOs combined) |
19 |
30 |
15 |
|
Cork NWest |
22 |
43 |
167 (3 Cork LEOs combined) |
16 |
84 |
49 |
|
Cork South |
17 |
45 |
167 (3 Cork LEOs combined) |
16 |
76 |
39 |
|
Donegal |
36 |
59 |
65 |
28 |
34 |
16 |
|
Dublin City |
102 |
114 |
127 |
40 |
90 |
69 |
|
DLR |
30 |
52 |
72 |
30 |
92 |
47 |
|
Fingal |
60 |
53 |
110 |
53 |
48 |
25 |
|
South Dublin |
53 |
41 |
67 |
8 |
24 |
25 |
|
Galway |
52 |
63 |
128 |
6 |
24 |
51 |
|
Kerry |
24 |
68 |
78 |
33 |
73 |
71 |
|
Kildare |
32 |
52 |
54 |
28 |
45 |
19 |
|
Kilkenny |
26 |
25 |
37 |
26 |
41 |
20 |
|
Laois |
24 |
73 |
64 |
5 |
20 |
18 |
|
Leitrim |
19 |
16 |
35 |
22 |
15 |
15 |
|
Limerick |
29 |
35 |
60 |
25 |
52 |
51 |
|
Longford |
19 |
15 |
31 |
3 |
12 |
7 |
|
Louth |
31 |
65 |
76 |
14 |
28 |
33 |
|
Mayo |
41 |
51 |
61 |
12 |
22 |
17 |
|
Meath |
28 |
37 |
69 |
6 |
15 |
13 |
|
Monaghan |
18 |
29 |
44 |
2 |
22 |
19 |
|
Offaly |
18 |
34 |
36 |
6 |
24 |
12 |
|
Roscommon |
22 |
28 |
35 |
4 |
23 |
14 |
|
Sligo |
28 |
31 |
37 |
32 |
21 |
18 |
|
Tipperary |
29 |
43 |
47 |
20 |
43 |
26 |
|
Waterford |
34 |
47 |
46 |
29 |
32 |
41 |
|
Westmeath |
27 |
42 |
54 |
9 |
30 |
23 |
|
Wexford |
39 |
43 |
64 |
16 |
37 |
44 |
|
Wicklow |
49 |
43 |
57 |
50 |
82 |
49 |
|
TOTAL |
1019 |
1395 |
1837 |
590 |
1201 |
905 |
*Latest available data
Given the range of contact options, Enterprise Ireland has initiated a project to develop a single Customer Relationship Management System (CRMS) for use by all the LEOs. The aim of the CRMS project is to provide a more structured approach to contact management across all of the LEOs.
Details of the number of staff in each of the LEOs and the amount of current and capital funding drawn down in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to date are set out in Table 3.
Table 3: Staff Numbers and Funding Drawdowns
|
- |
- |
Funding Drawn Down |
Funding Drawn Down |
Funding Drawn Down |
|
LEO |
No of Staff* |
2014 |
2015 |
2016* |
|
Carlow |
4 |
€639,473.48 |
€667,092.26 |
€704,306.77 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
€620,158.18 |
€616,135.00 |
€549,102.00 |
|
Clare |
3 |
€804,050.00 |
€639,191.00 |
€767,870.29 |
|
Cork City |
5 |
€682,557.46 |
€747,219.00 |
€798,603.00 |
|
Cork North and West |
6 |
€1,269,941.65 |
€1,185,717.00 |
€1,217,417.00 |
|
Cork South |
5 |
€1,093,458.89 |
€1,158,914.00 |
€1,175,469.00 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
€863,526.07 |
€710,835.00 |
€765,603.00 |
|
Dublin City |
10 |
€1,322,193.67 |
€1,143,267.00 |
€1,363,523.00 |
|
South Dublin |
6 |
€845,348.20 |
€814,051.00 |
€925,626.00 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
6 |
€1,224,551.24 |
€813,914.00 |
€861,944.00 |
|
Fingal |
7 |
€906,824.44 |
€951,020.00 |
€1,009,685.00 |
|
Galway |
5 |
€917,993.00 |
€823,759.08 |
€765,615.00 |
|
Kerry |
7 |
€985,962.75 |
€926,618.00 |
€789,160.00 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
€756,848.00 |
€683,709.00 |
€805,095.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
€789,371.59 |
€777,715.00 |
€760,681.00 |
|
Laois |
3 |
€674,790.28 |
€649,010.00 |
€583,423.00 |
|
Leitrim |
5 |
€699,971.72 |
€696,594.46 |
€672,792.00 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
€1,423,118.55 |
€1,329,407.00 |
€1,163,392.00 |
|
Longford |
3 |
€705,383.10 |
€651,914.00 |
€541,507.00 |
|
Louth |
5 |
€717,614.75 |
€668,247.00 |
€656,200.00 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
€839,383.00 |
€775,072.00 |
€864,405.00 |
|
Meath |
5 |
€711,092.00 |
€456,292.00 |
€743,898.00 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
€768,177.03 |
€711,200.79 |
€667,022.00 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
€764,611.56 |
€630,408.00 |
€671,587.16 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
€670,858.00 |
€623,381.00 |
€587,251.00 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
€776,187.00 |
€892,576.00 |
€964,352.00 |
|
Tipperary |
7 |
€1,348,560.82 |
€1,113,205.00 |
€1,198,741.00 |
|
Waterford |
7 |
€1,053,565.74 |
€1,000,666.00 |
€1,037,795.31 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
€931,494.10 |
€806,009.00 |
€951,990.00 |
|
Wexford |
4 |
€833,164.09 |
€729,246.00 |
€769,403.00 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
€930,979.31 |
€848,409.55 |
€803,356.00 |
|
TOTAL |
155 |
€27,571,209.67 |
€25,240,794.14 |
€26,136,814.53 |
*Provisional as at 31st December 2016. On foot of agreement with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities, staffing in the LEOs will increase in the early part of 2017.
1658. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when IDA Ireland intends to publish details of grants given to international companies; the names of these companies; the amount the individual payments total; the purposes of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1363/17]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to the EU Directive on Transparency of Grants.
Under this Directive, new EU transparency rules for state aid became effective from 1 July 2016 with requirements that relevant information be published on the EU State Aid Competition Transparency Public Search database.
IDA Ireland is in full compliance with the Directive and all relevant information will be published as per its provisions.
1659. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the feedback received from IDA Ireland in relation to the potential impact of the policies of the new US Government on existing and future US multinational investment; if any of the existing companies have cancelled investment plans or curtailed investment plans since 8 November 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1444/17]
View answerThere is no denying that American investment is very important to Ireland’s economic well-being. The US is the largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) here, accounting for over 70% of the country’s total overseas investment. Approximately 140,000 people in Ireland are also directly employed by US companies.
As regards the policies of the new US administration, we are still waiting to see what may be introduced. I have also been advised that IDA Ireland is not aware of the cancellation or curtailment of investment plans by any of its existing clients since 8 November.
I am confident, regardless of what may lay ahead, that US companies will still require a global presence and Ireland will continue to position itself as the number one location from which American firms can internationalise their business. I believe as well that US companies will continue to be drawn here by our talented workforce, membership of the EU and access to the EU single market, track record as a home to FDI and our transparent and competitive tax regime.
1660. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the counties in which the 6,200 jobs were created in the Border region between the first quarter of 2015 and the second quarter of 2016 according to Enterprise Ireland, in tabular form; if she has received more up-to-date figures on job creation in the Border region for the third and fourth quarters of 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1460/17]
View answerIn 2015, Enterprise Ireland created 21,118 new jobs resulting in a net gain of 10,169 jobs across the country. 2,099 jobs were created in the border regions.
I launched Enterprise Ireland’s 2016 end of year results on Monday, 9 January 2017. In 2016, Enterprise Ireland supported companies employed 201,108 people. Within this, 19,244 new jobs were created resulting in a net gain of 9,117 jobs. Every region benefitted from this growth including the border region where 2,182 new jobs were created in 2016.
Sixty five per cent of employment in Enterprise Ireland supported companies is located outside of Dublin. The contribution of Enterprise Ireland client companies to the Irish economy is very important, particularly from a regional and rural perspective. Enterprise Ireland supported companies sustain 400,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide. In addition, the total spend of Enterprise Ireland clients in the Irish economy across payroll and goods and services purchased reached €23.7bn in 2015.
Table 1 identifies employment in Enterprise Ireland supported companies located in the Border Region (Louth, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo) as measured in the 2015 and 2016 Annual Employment Surveys.
Table 1.
|
Border Region |
Total Employment (2015) |
Total Employment (2016) |
|
Cavan |
4,905 |
5,221 |
|
Donegal |
3,295 |
3,581 |
|
Leitrim |
743 |
922 |
|
Louth |
5,431 |
5,819 |
|
Monaghan |
4,499 |
5,168 |
|
Sligo |
1,846 |
1,546 |
|
Total |
20,719 |
22,257 |
Through the implementation of the Action Plan for Jobs for the Border Region and Enterprise Ireland’s Strategy 2017-2020, Enterprise Ireland will continue to work with enterprise players and client companies in the Border Region to foster job creation.
1661. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the work permit for a person (details supplied); if assistance can be offered taking into account the specialised need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1482/17]
View answerAn application for the renewal of a General Employment Permit for the person referred to by the Deputy was received on 4th October 2016. Having considered all the available information, a decision to refuse to grant an employment permit issued on 18th November 2016. The reasons therein included that it appeared from information submitted that the foreign national did not receive the annual remuneration stated on their previous employment permit and that the foreign national is now being employed by a different employer.
A request for review of that decision was received from the applicant on 12th December 2016. We are currently processing requests for reviews received at the end of September and, accordingly, this application will receive consideration as soon as possible.
1662. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of industrial visits organised by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland for the past five years, by location, in counties Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Cavan, and by potential investors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1558/17]
View answerIDA Ireland maintains statistics in relation to site visits by potential investors on a quarterly basis. Since 2010 to the end of quarter 3 in 2016 there were a total of 92 IDA sponsored site visits to counties Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Cavan. The table below sets out the breakdown by county of these visits. Data on site visits for quarter 4 2016 will be available shortly.
It is important to remember that the number of site visits to a particular county is not necessarily an accurate measure of the level of foreign direct investment (FDI) activity in the area. That is because approximately 70% of all FDI won by IDA Ireland comes from its existing client base rather than new companies.
As Enterprise Ireland’s core focus is supporting the internationalisation of indigenous companies the Agency does not arrange site visits of a type similar to IDA Ireland.
The table shows a breakdown of the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits for 2012 to quarter 3 2016:
|
County |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 - (end Q3) |
|
Cavan |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Louth |
12 |
4 |
10 |
20 |
17 |
|
Meath |
0 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
7 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
15 |
8 |
13 |
29 |
27 |
1663. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the work of the Company Law Review Group; if it has considered greater regulation of receiverships; her views on the need for stronger regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1595/17]
View answerThe Company Law Review Group (CLRG) is a statutory expert body that reviews and advises me on company law matters. I set the work programme in consultation with the CLRG at least once in every two years under section 961 of the Companies Act 2014. The current CLRG work programme runs from the beginning of June 2016 to the end of May 2018 and work on these matters is ongoing. A copy of the work programme is available on the CLRG website (www.clrg.org).
The regulation of insolvency practitioners, including receivers, was evaluated by the CLRG in the CLRG First Report 2001. The Companies Act 2014 contains provisions in relation to the qualifications of liquidators and examiners.
Receivership is a remedy that derives from the courts of equity. The relevant law in relation to receivership is largely made up of rules which the courts have developed by applying general contract law and equitable principles. Section 433 of the Companies Act 2014 sets out the categories of persons who are disqualified to act as the receiver of a company e.g. an undischarged bankrupt; an employee or an officer of the company concerned or a person who was such within the period of 12 months before the date of the commencement of the receivership; and certain specified family members of an officer of the company concerned.
A receiver has specific statutory duties under section 439 which provides that:
- receivers must achieve the best price reasonably obtainable at the time of sale; and
- the receiver must not sell by private contract a non-cash asset of a company to a person who is or who, within three years prior to the date of appointment of the receiver, has been an officer of the company unless the Receiver has given 14 days’ notice of his or her intention to do so to all creditors of the company who are known to him or her or who have been intimated to him or her.
These statutory duties make it imperative that the receiver obtains expert legal and valuation advice in relation to the sale of property, consistent with the duty “to obtain the best price reasonably obtainable”. Breach of a receiver’s statutory duties may result in the receiver being held personally liable for any loss incurred.
The need for strengthening the regulation of receivers will be kept under review.
1664. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding an application for a work permit by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1632/17]
View answerThe Employment Permits Section of my Department received an application for a General Employment Permit on 5th January 2017 for the foreign national as detailed in the attachment. Applications are assessed strictly by date of receipt of fee and current processing date for applications relating to non-trusted partner employers is 7th November 2016.
The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation examines a number of criteria when assessing an employment permit application including, inter alia, the role, remuneration and immigration status of foreign national plus requirement to complete a labour market needs test, if applicable. These elements must all be in order for an employment permit to be granted.
Employment permits operate in parallel with the State's immigration process. I note from the information provided that the person concerned will be applying for a visa through our Irish consulate outside the State. The immigration status of the foreign national does have a bearing on eligibility for an employment permit. On the date of application for an employment permit the applicant should not have a status that precludes them from taking up employment in the State. Neither should the individual be working illegally in the State.
1665. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 257 of 8 December 2016 (details supplied) the reason this part of the recommendations has not been honoured by the company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1634/17]
View answerThe position is that the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967–2014 provide a minimum entitlement to a redundancy payment for employees who have a set period of service with the employer. This redundancy payment is an individual’s statutory entitlement under employment legislation.
An employer may agree a redundancy payment above the statutory minimum and, in such circumstances, this payment is ex-gratia and comes about through agreement; not through any statutory entitlement.
The Labour Court recommendation at issue here came about as a result of a voluntary industrial relations process entered in to under the Industrial Relations Act 1969, culminating with a Labour Court hearing, which I understand was not attended by the employer side. As previously stated, the Labour Court operates as an industrial relations tribunal and is not a court of law. Recommendations made by the Court concerning the investigation of disputes under the Industrial Relations Acts 1946-2015 are not binding on the parties concerned; however, the parties are expected to give serious consideration to the Court's recommendation.
Ultimately, under the Industrial Relations Acts, responsibility for the settlement of a dispute rests with the parties.
1666. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 257 of 8 December 2016, if she will write to the company (details supplied) to urge it to honour the full recommendations of the Labour Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1635/17]
View answerI must reiterate to the Deputy that the Labour Court operates as an independent adjudicative body in carrying out its statutory function and as such it is not appropriate for me to intervene in this or any other matter relating to that function.
The statutory position under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967-2014 is that a minimum entitlement to a redundancy payment for employees who have a set period of service with the employer is provided for.
While agreement on a redundancy payment above the statutory minimum may be entered into at local level or as part of an industrial relations process involving the machinery of the State, this payment is ex-gratia and comes about through agreement; not through any statutory entitlement.
The Labour Court forms part of the voluntary system of industrial relations which operates in Ireland and recommendations made by the Court under the Industrial Relations Acts 1946-2015 are not binding on the parties concerned.
1667. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the grants, subsidies or supports of any other kind, including favourable lease terms, that have been made available to the online subsidiary of a company (details supplied) as part of its recent establishment of an operation in the Digital Hub in Dublin. [1640/17]
View answerNeither my Department nor IDA Ireland has provided any assistance of any kind to the foreign company referred to by the Deputy.
1668. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department is conducting or planning to conduct an industrial development policy review in view of the results in the elections in the UK and the USA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1945/17]
View answerAs a small open economy, Ireland operates in an environment of continuous and fast-paced change globally – and has done for decades. In today’s increasingly inter-connected world, geopolitical, technological and financial forces that happen elsewhere have implications for Ireland’s economic growth. Competition to attract FDI has intensified significantly, and all FDI is hard won.
Enterprise 2025 was published just over a year ago and sets a roadmap for longer term enterprise development. Our vision for Ireland is to be the best place to succeed in business, delivering sustainable employment and higher standards of living for all. Enterprise 2025 sets out actions that focus on building competitive advantage, on ensuring a supportive business environment, and on realising a significant uplift in the performance of enterprises based here in terms of innovation, export potential and productivity, and on attracting further investment.
We have put in place policies that ensure we are anticipatory and responsive and build resilience in our enterprise base. These policies are working. I have already secured additional resources so that we can redouble our efforts in light of global developments over the past year. The enterprise development agencies are actively engaged in supporting enterprises as they navigate through today’s particular trials, and to identify potential FDI opportunities.
We are making significant progress to reach our ambition to have 2.18 million people in employment by 2020, with growth delivered throughout the country. Based on the latest CSO data there are now over 2 million people at work. There are almost 190,000 additional people are at work since the start of the Action Plan for Jobs Process in 2012. Over the last twelve months alone, an additional 56,500 are at work. The enterprise development agencies recorded another successful year in 2016 in terms of supporting job creation and investment. The unemployment rate is now down to 7.2%, from over 15.1% in 2012. Ireland is now ranked 7th overall in the IMD’s World Competitiveness Yearbook - a significant improvement since 2009.
Nevertheless while Enterprise 2025 remains relevant in terms of its focus on resilience of the enterprise base, I have asked my officials to review its progress and identify additional actions or changes necessary in light of more recent global challenges.
