Thursday, 16 Feb 2017

Written Answers Nos. 301-320

Employment Data

Questions (301)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

301. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the jobs created by companies supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Industrial Development Authority between 2011 and to date in 2017, by county, in tabular form. [7839/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Employment data for both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland is collected annually as part of my Department’s Annual Employment Survey.  Last month, IDA Ireland announced the highest level of employment in its client companies in its history, with 199,877 people now employed in companies supported by the Agency.  Enterprise Ireland has also reported a record year.  Total employment in Enterprise Ireland client companies now stands at 201,108 with the creation of 19,244 new jobs in 2016.

The following tables provide a breakdown of total jobs and new jobs created in IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland client companies on a county by county basis from 2011 to 2016.  The figures for 2017 will be available early in 2018 when the next survey is completed.

Table shows the total number of jobs and new jobs created in IDA Ireland companies from 2011 to 2016.

County		2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
Carlow	Total Jobs	514	645	735	749	768	802
Carlow	New Jobs	197	132	91	45	19	83
Cavan	Total Jobs	1,172	1,128	1,135	1,136	1,165	1,203
Cavan	New Jobs	5	10	15	27	29	41
Clare	Total Jobs	6,640	6,441	6,353	6,486	6,607	6,662
Clare	New Jobs	408	322	243	443	530	295
Cork	Total Jobs	25,051	26,316	27,426	28,445	32,301	33,976
Cork	New Jobs	2,202	2,395	2,134	2,209	4,535	2,602
Donegal	Total Jobs	2,101	2,223	2,382	2,607	2,918	3,039
Donegal	New Jobs	277	164	183	247	330	145
Dublin	Total Jobs	57,989	62,136	67,003	70,445	76,492	82,622
Dublin	New Jobs	7,295	8,488	7,313	7,695	10,202	9,000
Galway	Total Jobs	13,055	13,699	14,266	14,664	15,342	16,851
Galway	New Jobs	1,999	937	958	1,123	1,457	1,896
Kerry	Total Jobs	1,497	1,605	1,638	1,874	1,931	2,083
Kerry	New Jobs	171	120	101	247	89	186
Kildare	Total Jobs	10,445	10,416	10,275	10,222	10,566	10,139
Kildare	New Jobs	355	546	339	463	849	291
Kilkenny	Total Jobs	447	572	617	716	650	762
Kilkenny	New Jobs	1	125	80	124	9	113
Laois	Total Jobs	108	84	106	87	105	115
Laois	New Jobs	2	0	22	9	18	10
Leitrim	Total Jobs	903	714	447	411	423	413
Leitrim	New Jobs	24		31	4	16	3
Limerick	Total Jobs	6,642	7,165	7,448	7,930	8,702	10,153
Limerick	New Jobs	308	575	574	764	950	1,634
Longford	Total Jobs	658	696	701	650	686	665
Longford	New Jobs	6	44	25	10	46	70
Louth	Total Jobs	1,511	1,881	2,568	3,029	3,217	3,574
Louth	New Jobs	264	426	778	494	317	453
Mayo	Total Jobs	3,514	3,537	3,728	3,932	4,070	4,234
Mayo	New Jobs	152	96	242	294	159	181
Meath	Total Jobs	1,542	1,463	1,540	1,536	1,533	1,496
Meath	New Jobs	88	53	135	68	67	84
Monaghan	Total Jobs	352	348	365	275	146	137
Monaghan	New Jobs		7	29	13	52	7
Offaly	Total Jobs	847	901	896	890	902	929
Offaly	New Jobs	41	54	21	44	58	49
Roscommon	Total Jobs	873	935	962	916	994	985
Roscommon	New Jobs	98	62	29	85	108	34
Sligo	Total Jobs	2,407	2,367	2,230	2,219	2,221	2,290
Sligo	New Jobs	187	175	214	83	166	190
Tipperary North Riding	Total Jobs	301	294	306	298	318	328
Tipperary North Riding	New Jobs	22	1	15		25	10
Tipperary South Riding	Total Jobs	3,395	3,393	3,055	3,246	3,215	3,040
Tipperary South Riding	New Jobs	25	67	180	229	70	138
Waterford	Total Jobs	5,259	5,112	5,183	5,248	5,574	6,135
Waterford	New Jobs	173	137	191	353	523	697
Westmeath	Total Jobs	2,119	2,256	2,212	2,396	2,529	2,571
Westmeath	New Jobs	161	175	131	221	212	185
Wexford	Total Jobs	2,386	2,350	2,413	2,503	2,486	2,630
Wexford	New Jobs	111	100	149	196	101	171
Wicklow	Total Jobs	2,279	2,305	2,332	2,307	2,174	2,043
Wicklow	New Jobs	84	105	69	29	45	59
Total	Total Jobs	154,007	160,982	168,322	175,217	188,035	199,877
Total	New Jobs	14,656	15,316	14,292	15,519	20,982	18,627

Table shows the total number of jobs and new jobs created in Enterprise Ireland companies from 2011 to 2016.

	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
Total Jobs	2,481	2,327	2,441	2,691	2,852	2,973
New Jobs	299	184	277	429	234	373
Total Jobs	5,853	4,547	4,280	4,663	4,905	5,221
New Jobs	709	367	242	534	487	466
Total Jobs	1,731	1,774	2,866	3,271	3,255	3,444
New Jobs	345	255	382	562	235	282
Total Jobs	19,795	20,828	22,212	22,609	23,955	24,936
New Jobs	2,281	2,106	2,142	2,805	2,712	2,154
Total Jobs	3,518	3,361	3,342	3,302	3,567	3,581
New Jobs	435	265	407	223	534	422
Total Jobs	55,417	61,771	63,800	61,203	66,866	70,365
New Jobs	4,778	5,287	6,329	9,179	8,062	7,579
Total Jobs	6,684	7,182	6,923	6,823	7,278	7,294
New Jobs	859	744	732	712	999	836
Total Jobs	3,602	3,796	4,010	4,314	4,678	4,677
New Jobs	300	353	500	656	556	272
Total Jobs	5,299	6,082	6,520	7,512	8,308	8,632
New Jobs	399	633	1,005	1,187	981	711
Total Jobs	3,474	3,669	3,351	3,605	3,921	4,167
New Jobs	176	335	272	495	342	348
Total Jobs	1,077	1,111	1,088	1,179	1,297	1,385
New Jobs	194	130	179	160	131	165
Total Jobs	611	636	623	722	820	922
New Jobs	54	64	72	155	97	168
Total Jobs	6,755	7,024	6,970	7,013	6,777	7,954
New Jobs	382	755	1,071	642	485	1,158
Total Jobs	1,650	1,677	1,820	2,360	2,628	2,886
New Jobs	119	137	277	493	267	281
Total Jobs	5,273	5,009	5,032	5,434	5,600	5,819
New Jobs	517	434	522	400	566	535
Total Jobs	3,427	3,416	3,679	3,784	3,667	3,856
New Jobs	711	349	397	383	206	273
Total Jobs	5,120	5,368	6,072	6,658	6,855	7,007
New Jobs	502	746	749	776	702	550
Total Jobs	3,606	3,871	3,946	4,539	4,819	5,168
New Jobs	495	398	478	436	467	471
Total Jobs	3,026	2,892	3,047	3,452	3,794	3,941
New Jobs	264	196	382	356	452	277
Total Jobs	1,285	1,225	1,454	1,560	1,686	1,688
New Jobs	196	147	254	311	180	133
Total Jobs	1,525	1,638	1,792	1,853	1,723	1,546
New Jobs	162	293	264	145	115	120
Total Jobs	5,197	5,013	4,853	4,917	5,264	5,352
New Jobs	460	251	434	490	518	290
Total Jobs	5,717	4,477	4,586	5,060	5,561	5,721
New Jobs	959	737	683	890	693	397
Total Jobs	2,411	2,592	2,854	3,436	3,548	3,653
New Jobs	359	387	502	397	229	329
Total Jobs	4,561	4,402	4,567	4,484	4,696	4,816
New Jobs	247	360	428	381	465	214
Total Jobs	3,597	3,763	3,622	3,628	3,903	4,104
New Jobs	322	472	391	436	403	440
Total Jobs	162,692	169,451	175,750	180,072	192,223	201,108
New Jobs	16,524	16,385	19,371	23,633	21,118	19,244

Employment Data

Questions (302)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

302. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the jobs created by companies supported by her Department through local enterprise offices, LEOs, from 2011 to date in 2017, by county, in tabular form. [7840/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), established in 2014, are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice, signposting, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business.

Statistics in relation to the number of jobs created each year through support provided by the LEOs are obtained by way of an Annual Employment Survey of LEO clients, which is undertaken towards the end of each year. Details of the full-time and part-time jobs created by LEO client companies in 2014 and 2015 are set out in the following table. The results of the survey for 2016, including on an individual LEO basis, are currently being collated and will be announced as soon as the exercise is completed.

It should be noted that following dissolution of the CEBs in 2014 and the subsequent establishment of the LEOs, an extensive cleansing of the former CEB client portfolio was undertaken by Enterprise Ireland. This means that data prior to 2014 cannot be compared with data from 2014 onwards.

Local Enterprise Office Annual Employment Survey Results 2014 + 2015

LEO Name	2014 Gross All Job Gains (FT & PT)	2015 Gross All Job Gains (FT & PT)
Carlow	341	267
Cavan	203	223
Clare	486	170
Cork City	227	138
Cork North & West	339	263
Cork South	263	215
Donegal	361	370
Dublin City	615	426
Dublin DLR	237	164
Dublin Fingal	138	197
South Dublin	202	223
Galway	138	183
Kerry	328	396
Kildare	201	222
Kilkenny	263	234
Laois	85	156
Leitrim	162	89
Limerick	327	360
Longford	206	208
Louth	143	182
Mayo	66	168
Meath	262	247
Monaghan	126	153
Offaly	175	144
Roscommon	72	145
Sligo	133	127
Tipperary	240	201
Waterford	348	416
Westmeath	197	309
Wexford	267	326
Wicklow	154	200
Grand Total	7,305	7,122

Farm Safety

Questions (303)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

303. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funds allocated by the Health and Safety Authority for farm safety initiatives in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7926/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I am advised by the Health and Safety Authority that the budgets for various sectoral activities for 2017 is currently being finalised. However, the HSA has assured me that the budget for farm safety initiatives will, at a minimum, be maintained at the same level as that for 2016. The Authority has also indicated that in light of the continuing high level of fatalities in the farming sector further funding, if required, can be provided for farm safety initiatives in 2017 once the overall budget is finalised.

In 2016 there were 21 fatalities on Irish farms with 1 recorded fatality so far in 2017. As agriculture continues to be the highest sector for workplace fatalities farm safety remains a very high priority for the HSA and this is reflected in the level of resources being assigned by the HSA to that sector. I also recently met with my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss the issue and to explore how our Departments and the HSA can work closer together to improve this situation in relation to farm safety.

HSA Expenditure on Farm Safety Initiatives 2016 and 2017

Year	Expenditure
2016	€416,918
2017 Estimate	€417,000

Land Acquisition

Questions (304)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

304. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress which has been made regarding the purchase of industrial land (details supplied). [7943/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

IDA Ireland markets Loughrea as part of its West Region.  Under its current strategy, “Winning Foreign Direct Investment 2015 – 2019”, the Agency has set ambitious foreign direct investment (FDI) targets for every region in the country. This includes an increase of 30%-40% in the number of investments for the West Region.

To support the delivery of these regional targets, an IDA Regional Property Programme was launched by the Government in February 2015.  This Programme includes the delivery of Advance Technology Buildings (ATBs), infrastructure investment in a number of sites and the upgrade of business and technology parks across the Agency’s national portfolio.

In the West Region, ATBs will be constructed in Castlebar and Parkmore East under the Programme. Planning permission was also approved in August 2016 for the construction of an advance office building in Galway, which will be delivered through a Public Private Partnership.

IDA Ireland will continue to work closely with Galway County Council to ensure that there is sufficient industrial and commercial zoned land available in Loughrea, and in the wider area, to facilitate further foreign direct investment in the region.

Community Enterprise Centres

Questions (305)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

305. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the role Enterprise Ireland has in establishing a community enterprise centre in Loughrea; the financial support scheme available to facilitate the development; the buildings Enterprise Ireland considered or will consider as suitable for the purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8010/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Enterprise Ireland, working with other enterprise partners, such as the Local Authorities and other local community organisations, co-funded the establishment of Community Enterprise Centres across Ireland. Since the launch of the first of four Community Enterprise Centres (CEC) schemes in 1989, €46 million has been paid for the development of CECs across the country. 157 CECs have been approved for funding by Enterprise Ireland, 117 of which have been constructed to date. Enterprise Ireland’s investment in CECs to-date has assisted in accommodating in the range of 1,300 companies employing approximately 6,000 people across all regional locations in Ireland.

No funding has been provided to a community enterprise center in Loughrea under the CEC Scheme administrated by Enterprise Ireland. In that context, I understand that EI representatives have met with Loughrea Community Enterprise Development Company last October.

It is important to highlight that for any community planning on establishing an enterprise centre in their locality, Enterprise Ireland provides references of relevant enterprise spaces already developed in other communities around the country.

To stimulate regional growth, as detailed in Action Plan for Jobs 2017, Government is committed to supporting the implementation of the eight Regional Action Plan for Jobs and to provide investment of up to €60 million across 2017 – 2020 to support collaborative approaches to boost enterprise and job creation throughout the country. This competitive funding is aimed at accelerating economic recovery in every part of the country by delivering on the potential of local and regional strengths.  As part of this commitment, Enterprise Ireland will announce a new competitive fund in the near term.

Health and Safety Inspections Data

Questions (306)

Niall Collins

Question:

306. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funding the Health and Safety Authority spent on all safety initiatives and the number of inspections it carried out in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8020/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The following tables set out the number of inspections and investigations and spend on safety initiatives by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) for the period 2011 - 2017.

Year	Inspections and Investigations
2011	15,340
2012	13,835
2013	12,244
2014	10,719
2015	10,880
2016	10,460
2017 – to 14 Feb.	1,136

Year	Spend on Safety Initiatives
2011	€1.567m
2012	€1.907m
2013	€1.595m
2014	€1.154m
2015	€1.776m
2016	€1.297 m
2017	Proposed €1.53m

Health and Safety Authority Inspectors carry out inspections across all work sectors and work activities that come under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Chemicals Act 2008. Most inspections are targeted at the high risk sectors such as construction, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, mines, quarries, transport of dangerous goods by road, or the chemical sectors. Other inspections can be part of a particular safety awareness campaign e.g. on manual handling, on slips, trips or falls or on compliance with the REACH Regulation.

The HSA produces a Programme of Work each year setting out its plan for all areas of its work, including inspection targets. The 2017 Programme of Work set a target of 11,100 inspections and investigations. At such an early point in the year it is not possible to predict actual numbers compared to targets.

Brexit Issues

Questions (307)

Niall Collins

Question:

307. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of times at each specific EU Competitiveness Council Ministers' meeting she made the case for the need for a revision of state aid rules to protect Irish enterprises and related jobs during the UK's two-year exit phase from the EU and subsequent transition phase; the date of every such meeting at which this was raised; the progress which has been made at EU level to increase current state aid thresholds to support Irish enterprises from a hard Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8021/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The Government is conscious of the need to consider the types of supports that Irish businesses may require to address business adversity arising as a result of Brexit Referendum. This is likely to represent a structural shift in the UK trading relations and short, medium and long term responses from market diversification through to price repositioning will be needed.

My Department is engaged in a structured dialogue with industry designed to construct an evidence base on which appropriate, tailored and targeted responses can be delivered. Work on this is well advanced.

Last autumn, officials of my Department initiated discussions with DG Competition to sensitise the Commission to potential difficulties likely to be encountered by Irish firms from the Brexit referendum result. These discussions will continue at the highest levels to address all relevant issues relating to any proposals emerging from our work with industry.

The outcome of the structured engagement with industry, along with market developments, will continue to inform further discussions.  All appropriate options, both within existing State Aid rules and, if necessary, requiring notification for permission to grant exceptional aid, will be pursued with the relevant EU authorities.

Since the Brexit Referendum, I have attended two meetings of the Competitiveness Council. State Aid rules did not feature on the agenda.  However, in my engagements with both EU Commissioners and Ministers from other Member States since the UK decision, Brexit has been a central part of the discussions at these meetings.

Exports Data

Questions (308)

Niall Collins

Question:

308. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of domestic enterprises that export to the UK; the approximate number of employees employed by such enterprises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8024/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The UK is one of Ireland’s most important trading partners, accounting for about 17% of national exports. It is not possible to give the number of companies nationally that export to the UK.

However, in 2015, approximately 1,476 Enterprise Ireland (EI) clients exported to the UK, with reported exports of €7.5bn, up 12% on 2014. The UK is a natural first market for EI clients. These client companies employ over 100,000 people.

Since the Brexit vote in June 2016, the international economic environment has changed. Enterprise Ireland’s new Strategy 2017 – 2020 is cognisant of this and is therefore focused on inspiring and driving Irish enterprise to Build Scale, Expand and Reach by driving:

- Competitiveness: Improving the competitiveness of Irish companies through Lean programmes and new client engagement model, which will provide targeted supports based on agreed milestones.

- Diversification: Increasing the diversification of client company exports into new markets, with two-thirds of exports going beyond the UK. This includes a major focus on the Eurozone where we are targeting a 50 per cent increase in exports.

- Ambition: Inspiring more companies to have global ambition.

- Innovation: Driving innovation in Irish enterprise to unprecedented levels through new supports to reach the target of €1.25bn in R&D expenditure per annum by 2020.

In the immediate aftermath of the Brexit vote in June 2016, Enterprise Ireland established a Brexit Unit to co-ordinate supports and activities and launched a five point plan focused on Information and Guidance, Market Diversification Support, International Sector Clustering Strategy, UK Market Support and Competitiveness and Market Development supports. Enterprise Ireland’s Development Advisers are proactively engaging with clients in tailoring an appropriate response at individual company level, for example in Lean manufacturing and Innovation projects to help companies improve and sustain their competitiveness in meeting the challenges arising from BREXIT.

The UK will continue to be a priority market due to Ireland’s size, geographic proximity and cultural ties. In the UK market, Enterprise Ireland is particularly working with companies who are most exposed in areas such as engineering, food, construction and timber to maintain their market share.

EI will be implementing a UK Market Development plan which focusses on sustaining exports in key sectors such as construction, agritech, aerospace and engineering and also identifying new growth opportunities in financial services, infrastructure/public sector, as well as a renewed focus on Scotland.

Legislative Programme

Questions (309)

Niall Collins

Question:

309. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when Report Stage of the Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016 will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8025/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Enactment of the Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016 is a legislative priority for the Government. Accordingly, I hope Dáil Report Stage will be scheduled as soon as possible.

Industrial Disputes

Questions (310)

Niall Collins

Question:

310. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on industrial action planned at a company (details supplied) on 14 February 2017; the steps she is taking to ensure workers' contracts are not unilaterally changed without their agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8026/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I understand the dispute at Tesco relates to proposed changes to pre 1996 employee contracts that set out the terms and conditions of employment for about 280 of the 14,500 staff that are employed at Tesco.

In situations such as this I would always advise and encourage parties to use the offices of the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court and they have done so on this occasion.

I understand there was an extensive process of engagement and negotiation which culminated, in August 2016 last, with the Workplace Relations Commission making its own proposals for resolution of the issues at the request of the parties. In the event those proposals were rejected by the Union side.

The matter was then referred to the Labour Court.

On 21 November 2016 the Labour Court recommended that the parties should, over a period of eight weeks, engage in a locally based process in an attempt to allow settlement at local store level.  The Court recommended that the process should be guided generally by the content of the Workplace Relations Commission proposals.  I understand that if this did not succeed the Labour Court recommended that the Workplace Relations Commission proposals should then be accepted as the means of national resolution of the issues.

I understand that the union side rejected the Labour Court recommendation and did not engage in this local process. After balloting its members, Mandate served strike notice on Tesco and industrial action commenced on Tuesday 14 February at 8 stores. The stores involved are Baggot Street, Ballyfermot and Finglas in Dublin, as well as stores in Tralee, Longford, Navan, Tullamore, and Bray. I understand another 8 stores will commence industrial action this Friday, 17 February and that a further 22 stores will be balloted from Monday next.

This is disappointing given the efforts of the WRC and Labour Court.

Our industrial relations institutions have been heavily involved in this dispute and have put forward independent proposals and recommendations. They will be monitoring how this situation evolves over the coming days. I hope that you can join with me in encouraging all sides to make every effort to reach a resolution by agreement between the company management and the workers represented by their trade unions.

Departmental Legal Costs

Questions (311)

John Deasy

Question:

311. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount spent during 2016 by her Department and by each named public body under her Department's remit on legal services, by reference to each firm or individual engaged, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8043/17]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The following table sets out the amount spent on external legal advice by my Department and its Offices in 2016. My Department seeks, where possible, to minimise legal costs. The Department avails of the services of the Chief State Solicitor’s office and the Attorney General’s office for the provision of legal advice where possible. The services of legal cost accountants are availed of where fees demanded appear to be high.

Expenditure on legal services by agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day operational matter for the agencies involved. I have asked each agency to provide the information sought to the Deputy.

Legal Service Provider	Description of Service	Cost
Conor Feeney	Legal Scrutiny and Settlement of Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Electromagnetic Fields) Regulations 2016	€1,845
Conor Feeney	Legal Scrutiny and Settlement of Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) (Amendment) Regulations 2016	€307.50
Kilroy’s Solicitors	Legal advice on Export Credit Insurance issues	€925.58
Lisa Maher B.L.	Legal Research	€31,980
Anthony Thuillier B.L.	Legal Research	€4,095
Simon Halpin B.L.	Legal Research	€34,905
Darren Lynch	Legal Research	€4,290
Nessa Cahill BL	Legal services for the Report by Nessa Cahill BL and Kevin Duffy, Chairman of the Labour Court “Expert examination and review of laws on the protection of employee interests when assets are separated from the operating entity”	€12,300
Jennifer Goode, BL	Advice to settle two S.I.s transposing EU Directives 2014/29/EU and 2014/35/EU	10,455
Aillil O’Reilly	Counsel’s Advices for ODCE	€5,934.75
Aillil O’Reilly	Representation of ODCE (Court)	€2,398.50
Brian Murray	Representation of ODCE (Court)	€861.00
Declan Murphy	Representation of ODCE (Court)	€16,555.80
Douglas Clarke	Representation of ODCE (Court)	€8,317.26
Douglas Clarke	Counsel’s Advices for ODCE	€6,563.28
Maurice G. Collins	Representation of ODCE (Court)	€9,225.00
Sean Gillane S.C.	Representation of ODCE (Court)	€984.00
Sean Gillane S.C.	Counsel’s Advices for ODCE	€3,690.00
Rochford Brady Legal Services	Presentation of Court Documents for ODCE	€981.60
Brosnan Investigations	Service of Summons for ODCE	€282.12
J + A Davis	Service of Summons for ODCE	€795.66
Kellkee Services	Service of Summons for ODCE	€151.60
Peter Fallon	Service   of Summons for ODCE	€1,269.16
O Mara, Geraghty McCourt	Professional Fees for Consultations	€984.00
CONNELLAN & CO SOLICITORS	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€615.00
DERMOT G O'DONOVAN & PARTNERS	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€747.75
DONAL W. DUNNE	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€8,702.25
EMMA MULDOWNEY BL	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€8100.00
FIONA SHEEHAN BL	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€571.95
FRANK NYHAN & ASSOCIATES	Civil enforcement fees	€735.54
GARY IRWIN SOLICITORS	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€1,168.50
GERALD MEANEY STATE SOLICITOR	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€2,952.00
GERALDINE GILLECE B.C.L.	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€2,583.00
JEREMIAH HEALY, HEALY CROWLEY & CO   SOLICITORS	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€4,674.00
JOHN BROSNAN & COMPANY	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€1,230.00
JOHN HUGHES, SOLICITOR	Legal services (Prosecutions) and Civil enforcement fees	€10,276.75
LEAHY & PARTNERS	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€12,982.70
LIDDY SCOLLAN SOLICITORS	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€3,874.50
MARTIN G LINNANE	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€1,168.50
MILLARDS SOLS.&NOTARY PUBLIC	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€2,829.00
NIAMH TUITE & COMPANY SOLICITORS	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€12,883.81
O'DOHERTY WARREN & ASSOCIATES	Civil Enforcement fees	€1,045.50
PAUL FITZPATRICK	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€1,527.66
PETER D JONES & CO	Legal services (Prosecutions) and Civil enforcement fees	€3,249.66
RORY HAYDEN & COMPANY	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€6,949.50
RORY P. BENVILLE	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€8,425.50
ROSEMARY HEALY-RAE BL	Legal services (Prosecutions) and Legal	€5,043.00
SHARON E MURPHY STATE SOLICITOR	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€10,086.00
STEEN O'REILLY SOLICITORS	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€1,168.50
VINCENT DEANE & CO	Legal services (Prosecutions)	€1,291.50
WOLFE & CO SOLICITORS	Legal services (Prosecutions)	10,190.19
Mazars	Legal Advice	€11,047.86
Allan Crann BL	Legal Representation, High Court	€4,800.00
Gerard Durcan SC	Legal Representation, Supreme Court	€6,150.00
Grainne Gilmore BL	Legal Representation, Supreme Court	€12,915.00
Conor Power SC	Legal representation, Supreme Court	€18, 450.00
Breffni Gordon BL	Judicial Review 2016 344 JR	€64,218.30
Emma Muldowney, BL	Judicial Review 2016 344 JR	€5,750.00
Michael McDowell BL	Judicial Review 2016 344 JR	€9,225.00
Niamh Tuite & Co	Judicial Review 2016 344 JR	€78,451.08
Shane Murphy BL	Judicial Review 2016 344 JR	€51,045.00
Ivan Gramatikov	Legal Research	€23,985.00
Conor Feeney	Employment Permit Regulations	€1030.00

The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

School Starting Age

Questions (312)

Noel Rock

Question:

312. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address the contradiction between the law stating the mandatory school starting age as six years old and her Department's early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme which forces children born in the last quarter of each year to start school between the ages of four years and nine months and four years and 11 months rather than allowing parents to have the freedom of having their child start preschool and school at a later age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7810/17]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

As the Deputy is aware, the initial Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme had one entry point (September) from when children could begin pre-school, and children had to be aged between 3 years and 2 months and 4 years and 7 months by the September to avail of the free pre-school year (i.e. 38 weeks). The programme was then expanded by reducing the age of eligibility to 3 years and by increasing the number of entry points to three throughout the programme year (September, January and April). This means that children can begin to avail of their free place on the pre-school programme as soon as possible after they reach the age of 3. As with any scheme, there must be entry and cut off points. These rules for ECCE reflect evidence based policy and are necessary from an administrative and budgetary management perspective. Regrettably, it is the nature of such rules that they benefit some more than others.

Providing free pre-school for children from the age of 3 was a key recommendation of the Expert Advisory Group on the Early Years Strategy. Expansion of ECCE was also given significant consideration by the Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment in Childcare which reported in July 2015. Senior officials from the Department of Education and Skills contributed to the discussions on an upper age limit for the scheme, taking a child centred approach.

I would note that this summer we will come to the end of the first delivery cycle of the newly expanded ECCE programme. My Department will ensure that the scheme is kept under ongoing review and that learning from this cycle informs its ongoing development.

I would also note to the Deputy that plans are currently in train to provide for a new national scheme of financial support for parents towards the cost of their childcare entitled the Affordable Childcare Scheme, which will replace the existing targeted childcare subsidisation schemes with a single, streamlined and more user-friendly scheme. The new scheme will provide a system from which both universal and targeted subsidies can be provided towards the cost of childcare. In the case of targeted subsidies, these will be payable for children from 6 months of age up to 15 years of age. The level of subsidy will depend on the investment available and on a family’s income. The new Affordable Childcare Scheme will "wraparound" ECCE for pre-school and school-age children.

Homeless Persons Supports

Questions (313)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

313. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 298 of 8 February 2017, if she will confirm whether risk assessments are being carried out for children living in hotel and bed and breakfast type accommodation for their health and well-being and not just mental health assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7845/17]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I understand from Tusla that all referrals meeting the threshold for social work assessment receive an initial assessment in line with standard operating procedures. The purpose of this initial assessment is to determine whether the matter of concern relates to a child protection matter or whether it is related to a child welfare concern and to what potential harm the child may be exposed. It should also consider the need for immediate intervention.

Referrals that do not meet this threshold are, if deemed appropriate, referred to early intervention services and are coordinated through a Meitheal process or are referred to an appropriate agency for support.

Children, where general health and wellbeing needs are raised, in the main have their needs met through early intervention. However, where a child’s needs are more complex a Meitheal process may be used to coordinate appropriate responses.

Child and Family Agency Remit

Questions (314)

Clare Daly

Question:

314. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla has a legal right to access school and medical records of a minor without parental consent or if a court order is required to access such records. [7937/17]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The functions of Tusla in relation to the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection are set out in Section 3.1 of the Child Care Act 1991 as follows:

"It shall be a function of the Child and Family Agency to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection.

(2) In the performance of this function, the Child and Family Agency shall—

(a) take such steps as it considers requisite to identify children who are not receiving adequate care and protection and co-ordinate information from all relevant sources relating to children;

(b) having regard to the rights and duties of parents, whether under the Constitution or otherwise—

(i) regard the welfare of the child as the first and paramount consideration, and

(ii) in so far as is practicable, give due consideration, having regard to his age and understanding, to the wishes of the child; and

(c) have regard to the principle that it is generally in the best interests of a child to be brought up in his own family.

(3) The Child and Family Agency shall, in addition to any other function assigned to it under this Act or any other enactment, provide child care and family support services, and may provide and maintain premises and make such other provision as it considers necessary or desirable for such purposes, subject to any general directions given by the Minister under section 69."

It would not be appropriate for me to give a legal opinion in relation to Tusla's functions in this regard.

Child and Family Agency Remit

Questions (315)

Clare Daly

Question:

315. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if parental consent for Tusla to gain access to school and or medical records is not forthcoming, if Tusla will automatically apply to the courts for an order allowing it to access the records mentioned. [7938/17]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Tusla's statutory responsibilities in relation to the welfare of children are set out in the Child Care Act 1991. In dealing with child welfare and protection concerns Tusla will have regard to all the circumstances of each individual case.

It is open to Tusla in dealing with such cases to make applications to the courts, as required, including in relation to access to records.

Child and Family Agency

Questions (316, 317)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

316. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when her attention was first drawn to the existence of the Tusla files in respect of a person (details supplied); the action she took on learning of the existence of these files; if she alerted any of her Cabinet colleagues at the time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8013/17]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

317. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the name of the data protection officer in Tusla; the actions he or she undertook to ensure the security of personal data and the storing of such to prevent their entry into the public domain in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8014/17]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 317 together.

I met with the person referred to on 25th January, 2017 last and heard first hand of their experience with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I was informed at that meeting of the existence of files held by Tusla. I was extremely concerned for their individual situation and the serious impact it has had on the person concerned, his wife and their family. This individual case, and the public response to the mistakes made, has shown the necessity that agencies invested with responsibility for such important, sensitive and complex work can be trusted to be both competent and fair in their procedures and practices. I am concerned to know, and the public rightly requires assurance, that all possible measures are taken to ensure that the mistakes acknowledged in this case cannot arise again in Tusla's Child Protection and Welfare Services.

I have asked the Health Information and Quality Authority to undertake an independent Statutory Investigation, under Section 9 of the Health Act 2007, into how Tusla manages allegations of child abuse.

I can confirm that the Tusla Data Controller is Mr. Aidan Waterstone. I have been assured by Tusla that all possible measures are taken ensure that personal information is kept safe and secure as required under Data Protection legislation. Tusla has a responsibility to protect the privacy and wellbeing of the children and families with whom they work.

Departmental Legal Costs

Questions (318)

John Deasy

Question:

318. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent during 2016 by her Department and by each named public body under her Department's remit on legal services, by reference to each firm or individual engaged, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8035/17]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the expenditure incurred by my Department in 2016 towards the provision of legal services is set out in the following table:

Name of firm/individual	Cost in 2016
State Claims Agency	€30,768

Particulars relating to the State Agencies under the remit of my Department are as follows –

Adoption Authority of Ireland

Name of firm/individual	Cost in 2016
Matheson	€776,376
Robert Alexander	€5,023

It might be noted that the details above refer to the provision of legal services only and exclude settlements or payment of plaintiffs' legal fees. The Deputy might also note that details in respect of the Child and Family Agency, the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and the Oberstown Children Detention Campus will be forwarded directly to him by the organisations concerned.

The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

Defence Forces Representative Organisations

Questions (319)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

319. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has considered the request by the Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association, RDFRA, for additional funding to run the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7799/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

RDFRA currently receive quarterly payments of €12,697.38 (i.e. €50,789.52 per annum) and an annual telephone allowance payment of €1,906.40 from the Department of Defence. RDFRA also receives subscription payments from its members. Paid training days are also allocated in respect of the work of the RDFRA Executive, representing a further contribution by the State in support of RDFRA.

Officials in my Department are carefully considering RDFRA’s request for increased funding in the context of the request being an additional call on the exchequer. My officials are in communication with RDFRA and are seeking additional information with a view to reaching a resolution in the matter. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is important that any solution proves to be sustainable over the long term in terms of exchequer funding and member subscriptions. I will make the necessary decision subsequent to such considerations.

Departmental Legal Costs

Questions (320)

John Deasy

Question:

320. Deputy John Deasy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount spent during 2016 by his Department and by each named public body under his Department's remit on legal services, by reference to each firm or individual engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8037/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The Chief State Solicitor’s Office is responsible for the costs of the State’s legal teams in litigation cases that it manages on behalf of my Department. The State Claims Agency (SCA) manages and provides legal representation in relation to personal injury cases taken against the Minister for Defence.  External legal costs incurred by the SCA arising from the defence of any claims managed by the Agency for my Department are refunded to the Agency by the Department.  In 2016, my Department refunded €500,538 to the SCA in respect of the Department’s legal costs.  My Department does not hold details of the fees paid to the individual legal firms engaged by the SCA. In addition while my Department does not engage the services directly it funds the provision of legal aid in respect of Court Marital Appeals Court cases.

Outside of the cases managed by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the State Claims Agency, a payment of €23,954 was made to Colm Smyth, Senior Counsel in 2016 to carry out an independent review into a disclosure made under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.