Thursday, 19 Jan 2017

Written Answers Nos. 314-328

State Aid

Questions (314, 315)

Niall Collins

Question:

314. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the current State aid and de minimis thresholds, by enterprise, currently in operation; if she and her Department have had discussions with the EU Directorate General of Competition with regard to increasing the de minimis levels as a policy response to safeguard jobs and domestic enterprises that would be negatively impacted by the UK leaving the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2507/17]

Niall Collins

Question:

315. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the current State aid and de minimis thresholds, by enterprise, with specific reference to each of the enterprise stabilisation measure including the State-backed credit insurance, export trade financing, export credit guarantees and employment subsidy schemes; if she and her Department have had discussions with the EU Directorate General for Competition with regard to increasing de minimis levels for each one of these measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2508/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 315 together.

EU Regulation No 1407/2013 (the de minimis Regulation) sets out the rules for granting small amounts of financial aid to enterprises which are unlikely to affect trade and distort competition (de minimis aid). Generally, public bodies are allowed to grant aid to a single undertaking of up to €200,000 over a 3 year fiscal period without prior notification or approval from DG Competition. The Regulation requires that the aid is ‘transparent’.

Specific arrangements on de minimis aid apply in the following sectors:

- road freight transport sector - the de minimis ceiling is €100,000 to any industrial road freight transport operator over any consecutive three year fiscal period

- primary production of agricultural products - the de minimis ceiling is €15,000 to any agricultural producer over any consecutive three year fiscal period and an overall cap for Ireland in any 3 year period of €66,280,000.

- production, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products - the de minimis ceiling is €30,000 for any producer, processor or marketer of fishery or agriculture products and an overall cap for Ireland of €20,820,000.

As part of the revision of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) under the State Aid Modernisation Agenda, Member States and the Commission discussed a proposal to increase the de minimis threshold in 2013. A number of Member States suggested increasing the de minimis threshold to €500,000 over a three year fiscal period. The European Commission rejected the proposal on the basis that the amount was substantial and could distort the competition in the Internal Market. A more modest increase to €300,000 was also declined. The current State Aid framework does not allow for the re-calibration of aid intensity rates under the GBER or de minimis thresholds. 

Against the backdrop of the UK vote to leave the EU, my Department has initiated engagement with senior officials from the DG Competition to ensure Ireland can deliver the necessary supports to Irish enterprises within the EU State Aid rules. Discussions will continue in 2017.

With regard to supports for export finance I would direct the Deputy to the Minister for Finance’s recent announcement that his Department, with the support of my Department, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and Enterprise Ireland (EI), is working on developing and rolling out an Integrated Export Finance Strategy.  In this regard, work is continuing on the delivery of an export finance pilot initiative, due to be delivered by Q2 2017. 

Brexit Issues

Questions (316)

Niall Collins

Question:

316. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the bilateral meetings she had with her European counterparts, outside of Council of the EU meetings, since the UK referendum to leave the EU took place at which the issue of Brexit and the unique challenges faced by the island of Ireland was discussed, including the name of each European ministerial counterpart and the location and date of each meeting, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2521/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

An extensive programme of engagement with all other EU Governments and the EU institutions, including the Commission’s Brexit Negotiations Task Force, is under way.  This engagement is being intensified in 2017.

Since the UK referendum to leave the EU took place, I have met with a number of my European counterparts.

In September I travelled to Brussels, where I had a series of meetings with the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Elzbieta Bienkowska and the Commissioner for Trade, Cecelia Malmstrom and also Vicky Ford MEP, Chair of the Internal Market Committee of the European Parliament.

In November, I met Lord Price, Minister of State at the Department for International Trade in Dublin.

In the same month I travelled to London where I met with the then Minister of State for Energy and Intellectual Property, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, the Secretary of State for Business, Greg Clark, and Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, to ensure that the importance of the unique circumstances for Ireland is fully understood at Cabinet level in the UK.

In line with the agreement at EU level, there have been and will be no negotiations with the UK until Article 50 has been triggered. I used these meetings, and will continue to use other opportunities when meeting EU colleagues from other Member States, to convey the unique impact of Brexit on Ireland, at the earliest stage in advance of the commencement of the detailed exit negotiations.

The Taoiseach and my Ministerial colleagues will continue to meet and engage with our EU counterparts over coming weeks to emphasise Ireland’s concerns and to ensure that they are fully reflected in the EU position once negotiations commence.   

This activity is reinforced by extensive engagement at diplomatic and official level.  The Government is acutely aware of the potential risks and challenges for the Irish economy and will remain fully engaged on this aspect as the negotiations proceed.  An important part of our preparations for the Brexit negotiations is ensuring that our particular concerns are heard and understood across Europe, and engagement with our EU partners and with the EU institutions is therefore critical.

Of course, Ireland will be part of the EU27 team and looks forward to working with our fellow Member States in delivering the best possible result for Ireland and for the EU.

5th September 2016	European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Industry,   Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Elzbieta Bienkowska	Brussels
5th September 2016	Commissioner for Trade, Cecelia Malmstrom	Brussels
5th September 2016	Chair of the Internal Market Committee of the European Parliament,   Vicky Ford MEP	Brussels
1st November 2016	Minister of State at the Department for International Trade, Lord   Price	Dublin
2nd November 2016	Minister of State for Energy and Intellectual Property, Baroness Neville-Rolfe	London
2nd November 2016	Secretary of State for Business, Greg Clark	London
2nd November 2016	Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox	London

Intercountry Adoptions Agreements

Questions (317)

Michael McGrath

Question:

317. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a list of countries that are open and eligible for inter-country adoption by eligible persons here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2407/17]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Ireland ratified the Hague Convention on the protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption on 1 November 2010. The Adoption Act 2010 provides for inter country adoption between countries that have ratified the Hague Convention, or between countries with whom Ireland has a bilateral agreement. The Act, which incorporates the provisions of the Hague Convention, provides a framework to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed and that all adoptions are effected in the best interests of the child.

Applicants for inter country adoption must apply to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in the first instance and then undergo a detailed assessment process. Adoptions are currently ongoing from Vietnam, the USA, China, Thailand, the Philippines, and Bulgaria. Further information regarding inter country adoption is available on the Adoption Authority website at www.aai.gov.ie.

Child Care Services

Questions (318)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

318. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the timeframe for the national child care information system being developed by Tusla to be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2409/17]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Investment in ICT infrastructure is essential to support both social workers and other staff in their work. The capital provision for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in 2016 included provision for the continued roll out of the National Child Care Information System (NCCIS). Tusla has also been provided with the requested level of capital funding for 2017 to continue the roll out of the system. The NCCIS will operate as the central national database supporting the provision of child welfare and protection services and it is a key priority for Tusla.

The system has been piloted in Tusla’s Mid-West region (North Tipperary, Clare and Limerick). Tusla intends to roll out the system nationally in all areas between now and the end of 2018.

Access to the NCCIS system will ensure that every social work department has a user-friendly technology solution to record the case history of every child, who is the subject of a child protection or welfare concern, from the point of initial referral to case closure. The system will also have the capacity to facilitate the integration and sharing of information on child protection and welfare cases between Tusla areas where appropriate. Individuals using the system will be required to have authorised access to ensure access security, data security and client privacy.

Intercountry Adoptions

Questions (319)

Michael McGrath

Question:

319. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she expects a social worker to be appointed to persons (details supplied) in County Cork who are going through the inter-country adoption process; the remaining steps in the process; the estimated timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2410/17]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has advised me that upon receipt of the necessary documentation Tusla will allocate a social worker as soon as is practically possible.

Brexit Issues

Questions (320)

Niall Collins

Question:

320. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the bilateral meetings she had with her European counterparts, outside of Council of the EU meetings, since the UK referendum to leave the EU took place at which the issue of Brexit and the unique challenges faced by the island of Ireland was discussed, including the name of each European ministerial counterpart and the location and date of each meeting, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2513/17]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I have had no bilateral meetings of the type described by the Deputy. However, I have participated in a number of fora where the issue of Brexit and its challenges were discussed. I have met with my Northern Ireland counterpart in the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Health and Food Safety Sector meeting in Armagh on 9 November 2016 and also at the NSMC Plenary meetings in Dublin Castle on 4 July 2016 and in Armagh on 18 November 2016. The implications of Brexit were discussed at each meeting and will be part of the ongoing dialogue within the NSMC at Sectoral and Plenary level. I also attended, along with the Taoiseach, the British Irish Council Summit in Cardiff on 25 November 2016 at which the impact of Brexit was again considered by Ministers with a range of responsibilities, details of which are already in the public domain.

Furthermore, as a follow-up to the All Island Civic Dialogue in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on 2 November 2016, I am hosting a sectoral dialogue on 30 January 2017 in Croke Park. The aim of this event is to have a focused and practical discussion of the key implications of Brexit on the lives of children and young people on the island of Ireland.

Defence Forces Recruitment

Questions (321)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

321. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his recruitment plans for the Army; the procedure for applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2459/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 30 November 2016, was 9,147, comprising 7,381 Army, 708 Air Corps and 1,058 Naval Service. These figures exclude 74 personnel who are on secondment/career break.

The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force targeted recruitment has been and is currently taking place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels.

It is intended that this targeted recruitment will continue during 2017, from the recruitment panels formed from the current General Service recruitment competition, launched in April 2016, until they are exhausted. Plans are being put in place to run a new General Service recruitment competition for the Army and for the Naval Service in the first quarter of 2017. Details of these competitions and application forms will be available on the Defence Forces website www.military.ie when the competitions commence. Applications for each competition will also be accepted via the Defence Forces Facebook page.

The intake of Cadets into the Permanent Defence Force is normally carried out on an annual basis, taking into consideration the operational requirements of the Defence Forces and the resource envelope allocated to Defence. It is planned to launch the 2017 Cadetship competitions in the first quarter of 2017.

Direct Entry Competitions are also held as required from which specialist appointments are filled. In this regard it is proposed to launch an Air Corps Apprentice Aircraft Technician competition during 2017.

With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, it is intended to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.

Defence Forces Training

Questions (322)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

322. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason members of the Naval Service Reserve are prohibited from training new recruits for the Naval Service Reserve, unlike their Army Reserve counterparts who are permitted to train their own new recruits; the reason Permanent Defence Force members of the Naval Service are exclusively required to train the Naval Service Reserve despite the availability of willing Naval Service Reserve instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2413/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

I am informed by the military authorities that there is no prohibition on members of the Naval Reserve training new recruits for the Naval Service Reserve. Participation by members of the RDF as training staff is encouraged and Naval Service Reserve instructors have previously assisted with the delivery of NSR recruit training.

All Naval Recruit, Branch and Professional Training is conducted under the aegis of the Naval College which is located between the Naval Base in Haulbowline and the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) campus in Ringaskiddy. The Naval College is the sole Naval Service training authority. It ensures quality assurance in regard to the maintenance of the required training standard for both PDF and RDF personnel who, on completion of training, may deploy across a range of sea-going or shore units throughout their careers. In this regard the Naval College provides a centre of excellence for training and allows concentration of recruits into viable class sizes.

Defence Forces Reserve

Questions (323)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

323. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason several Reserve Defence Force members of 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment were posted as non-effective since 1 January 2017 despite having satisfied the criteria to remain effective, as laid down in Defence Forces regulation R5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2414/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The posting of individuals to the non effective list is a matter of devolved authority for military management in line with relevant Defence Force Regulations. In line with good management and having regard to the needs of the Reserve Defence Force, the military authorities keep the issue of effectiveness under review.

I am advised that such a review is ongoing. However, as of 1 January 2017 no Reserve Defence Force members of 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment have been posted as ‘non-effective’.

Defence Forces Reserve

Questions (324)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

324. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of applications that have been received to join the Naval Service Reserve up to December 2016 in view of the fact an RDF recruitment competition was launched in September 2015; and the number of these applicants that have been attested into the Naval Service Reserve as of 1 January 2017. [2415/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

From the launch of the most recent campaign of recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) which commenced in September 2015, a total of 771 applications were made to join the Naval Service Reserve.

Of the total number of applications up to 31 December 2016, sixteen people have successfully progressed through all stages of the competition so far. It is planned that induction of those Reserve personnel will take place as part of the Recruit Class in April 2017. I am hopeful that these 16 will be joined by additional candidates who meet all the necessary criteria prior to commencement of training.

Recruitment to both the RDF and the PDF is ongoing. Recruitment to both is a matter in which I am actively engaged with Departmental officials and the military authorities and it continues to be one of my priorities.

Defence Forces Reserve

Questions (325)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

325. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 27 September 2016, the number of RDF applicants that were awaiting security clearance as of that date; and the number of those applicants whose security clearance was fully processed as of 1 January 2017. [2416/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The data requested by the Deputy is not recorded in such manner which would allow it to be collated as requested.

For recruitment into the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) and Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) vetting and security clearance is conducted by the Defence Forces in conjunction with An Garda Siochana (AGS).

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Questions (326)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

326. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the average time taken before the Defence Forces forward Garda security vetting applications to An Garda Síochána once an applicant for the RDF has successfully completed a fitness test and interview; the average time taken before the Defence Forces subsequently apply to An Garda Síochána for Garda security clearance upon return of these applications; and the average forwarding times in the case of both vetting and clearance for applicants joining the PDF. [2417/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

Security vetting takes place appropriate to the role of the Defence Forces and is equally applied to RDF and PDF applicants.

All security vetting applications, both RDF and PDF are processed similarly and in line with the DF recruitment competition schedule. The Garda Security vetting procedure for all applicants (PDF and RDF) commences immediately after fitness test and interview.  Once completed, all vetting applications are forwarded to An Garda Síochána.

Since November 2016, vetting by An Garda Síochána has moved online to electronic or ‘E-Vetting’ in line with The National Vetting Bureau (NVB) Children and Vulnerable Persons Act (2012).  At the interview stage all candidates complete an E-Vetting Invitation Form consenting to this process. 

This basic personal information is then inputted by the DF within 3 working days for all candidates.  This inputted data automatically prompts the NVB to send an online link, via email, to each candidate for them to input further data in order for the vetting process to be completed. 

Candidates have 30 days from receipt of the link to respond.

The overall security processing time can take up to 12 weeks (twelve). This timeline is equally applicable to RDF and PDF applicants. I am assured by the Military Authorities that they are actively addressing any avoidable delays which may occur during the recruitment process, without diminishing the necessary rigour and utility of the procedure.

Defence Forces Reserve

Questions (327)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

327. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason the Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association has yet to receive a reply to letters sent to his office dated 13 July 2016 and 13 September 2016 regarding the case for commissioning a qualified leading seaman to become an officer in the Naval Service Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2418/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The issues raised in the correspondence from the Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association (RDFRA) dated 4 July 2016 (received on 13 July) and 13 September 2016 required careful consideration as they touch on matters relating to the protection of personal data. A response will issue shortly to the Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association.

Brexit Issues

Questions (328)

Niall Collins

Question:

328. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the bilateral meetings he had with his European counterparts, outside of Council of the EU meetings, since the UK referendum to leave the EU took place at which the issue of Brexit and the unique challenges faced by the island of Ireland was discussed, including the name of each European ministerial counterpart and the location and date of each meeting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2515/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and all Ministers continue to meet and engage with our EU counterparts to emphasise Ireland’s concerns in relation to Brexit and to ensure that these concerns are fully reflected in the EU position once negotiations commence. This activity is reinforced by extensive engagement at diplomatic and official level.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has adopted a contingency framework to deal with all issues arising in respect of the UK vote to leave the EU. Accordingly any issues arising whether bilateral or regarding our wider international multilateral engagements will be also addressed within that framework.

While Brexit does not give rise to fundamental strategic issues for Defence Forces operations or for Ireland’s continuing engagement within the EU in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), it is expected that Brexit will have an impact on future developments in the Defence sphere.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the formal and informal meetings of Ministers at EU level provide a significant opportunity to engage bilaterally with Ministers from other member States on issues of concern to Ireland, both within the scope of the Ministerial but also more broadly. When attending European Council meetings , I avail of the opportunity to engage in informal bilateral discussions with my EU counterparts en-marge of the meetings which is an important aspect of Ministerial attendance and have raised the issue of Brexit and Ireland’s key considerations as and when the opportunity arises.

In terms of formal bilateral meetings, I have met with Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon, MP Secretary of State at the UK Ministry of Defence and the Maltese Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, Mr Carmelo Abela as set out in the following table. Our discussions covered a wide range of topics mainly in the security and defence domain but also focused on Brexit and the implications for Ireland and the EU.

Date	Location	Minister
08 09/07/2016	Warsaw, Poland	Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon MP Secretary of State, UK Ministry of Defence
18 18/01/2017	Dublin	Maltese Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Mr Carmelo Abela