Written Answers Nos. 6-25
6. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the call by organisations (details supplied) for the establishment of a Brexit adjustment fund for businesses adversely affected by the United Kingdom leaving the customs union; the measures her Department proposes to meet this demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38032/17]
View answerThe Government is conscious of the need to consider the types of supports that Irish businesses may require including that to which the Deputy refers, to address challenges arising as a result of the Brexit Referendum, which is likely to represent a structural shift in the UK trading relations. Short, medium and long term responses from market diversification through to price repositioning will be needed.
On foot of extensive engagement with industry, my Department is working with the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland and the SBCI to develop appropriate, tailored and targeted responses. This work, along with market developments as a result of Brexit, and ongoing engagement with the business community, will inform further discussions with the Commission and the development of any further initiatives to business.
A lot can be done within the existing EU State Aid Framework. We are confident that the measures currently in development will be State Aid compliant, and we are taking steps to ensure that we can use all options available under the State aid framework to provide support to companies impacted by Brexit.
Should issues arise that require an approach that does not fit within the existing rules, we will move quickly to advance this with the EU Commission.
7. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the annual Exchequer funding provided to the ODCE in each of the past ten years and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [38444/17]
View answer58. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the annual budget for the Office of Corporate Enforcement in each of the years 2008 to 2017, inclusive, in tabular form. [38526/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 58 together.
The Pay and Non-Pay allocation and actual expenditure by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement for the years 2007 to the end of August 2017 is set out in the following table.
|
- |
Pay allocation |
Pay expenditure at year end |
Non-Pay allocation |
Non-Pay expenditure at year end |
|
2007 |
€2.119m |
€2.140m |
€2.704m |
€2.215m |
|
2008 |
€2.681m |
€2.412m |
€2.276m |
€1.912m |
|
2009 |
€2.655m |
€2.664m |
€2.880m |
€2.941m |
|
2010 |
€2.579m |
€2.625m |
€3.507m |
€1.074m |
|
2011 |
€2.660m |
€2.629m |
€3.307m |
€0.768m |
|
2012 |
€2.620m |
€2.463m |
€3.077m |
€0.973m |
|
2013 |
€2.475m |
€2.394m |
€2.855m |
€0.729m |
|
2014 |
€2.465m |
€2.216m |
€2.207m |
€0.797m |
|
2015 |
€2.884m |
€2.156m |
€2.207m |
€0.917m |
|
2016 |
€2.808m |
€2.006m |
€2.207m |
€0.721m |
|
2017 (to end August 2017) |
€2.838m |
€1.361m |
€2.057m |
€0.483m |
It should be noted that there were 27 fortnightly payroll periods in 2015 applicable to the majority of ODCE staff and a return to the norm of 26 fortnightly payroll periods in 2016, hence the modest reduction in the 2016 Pay allocation.
8. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the review of the Succeed in Ireland initiative (details supplied); if the terms of reference of the review have been finalised; if the independent reviewer has been appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36810/17]
View answerAs was announced previously, my Department will be commissioning an independent review of the Succeed-in-Ireland programme. That review, which will be carried out after details of the initiative’s full and final costs are available, will equip us with a thorough understanding of the programme’s results and its contribution to employment generation in the State.
The terms of reference for the review will be finalised in due course.
9. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of each specific EU Competitiveness Council Ministers' meeting at which she made the case for the need for a revision of state aid rules of regulation (EU) No. 1407/2013 to protect enterprises and related jobs here during the UK's two-year exit phase from the EU and the subsequent transition phase; the date of each such meeting at which this was raised, in tabular form; the status of progress being made at EU level to increase state aid thresholds to support enterprises here in the event of a hard Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36842/17]
View answerSince the Brexit Referendum, my predecessor, Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor, attended three meetings of the Competitiveness Council on 29th September 2016, 28th November 2016 and 20th February 2017. State Aid rules did not feature on the agenda. However, in our 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. 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. I also informed Michael Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, of these discussions when I met him in Brussels on 10th July 2017. These discussions continue at the highest levels to address all relevant issues relating to any proposals emerging from our work with industry.
The Government is conscious of the need to consider the types of supports that Irish businesses may require to address challenges arising as a result of the Brexit Referendum, which is likely to represent a structural shift in the UK trading relations. Short, medium and long term responses from market diversification through to price repositioning will be needed.
On foot of extensive engagement with industry, my Department is working with the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland and the SBCI to develop appropriate, tailored and targeted responses. This work, along with market developments as a result of Brexit, and ongoing engagement with the business community, will inform further discussions with the Commission and the development of any further initiatives to business.
A lot can be done within the existing EU State Aid Framework. We are confident that the measures currently in development will be State Aid compliant, and we are taking steps to ensure that we can use all options available under the State aid framework to provide support to companies impacted by Brexit.
Should issues arise that require an approach that does not fit within the existing rules, we will move quickly to advance this with the EU Commission.
10. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of cases of bogus self-employment dealt with by WRC labour inspectors annually in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [36845/17]
View answerIreland has a well-resourced and proactive labour inspectorate, which forms part of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Inspections are undertaken on the basis of risk analysis and as a result of complaints received.
Where the WRC inspection service receives complaints in relation to bogus self-employment or bogus sub-contracting they are forwarded to the Department of Social Protection (Scope Section) and/or to the Revenue Commissioners for investigation either solely by those bodies or jointly with the WRC. Investigation of the employment status and the PRSI insurability of individuals is a matter for the Department of Social Protection. Complaints regarding the abuse of the sub-contracting or the Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT) system are solely a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. Thus, the WRC does not keep statistics in relation to complaints of bogus self-employment.
In most cases it will be clear whether an individual is employed or self-employed. Where there is doubt in relation to the employment status of an individual the relevant Departments and Agencies will have regard to the Code of Practice for Determining Employment or Self-Employment Status of Individuals. This Code was drawn up and agreed in 2007 by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Department of Social and Family Affairs, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Irish Business and Employers Federation.
The WRC has statutory authority to share information with both the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection. Such information sharing takes place regularly between WRC inspectors and their counterparts in these bodies. In cases of mutual interest, joint operations and/or inspections may be carried out. This exchange and sharing of information, together with the joint operations, is a valuable element of the inspection process and contributes to uncovering non-compliance in the areas covered by the relevant bodies.
The WRC provides information on employment, equality & industrial relations legislation, through the Workplace Relations Customer Service and Information Unit. It can be contacted at Lo-call: 1890 80 80 90 or via its website www.workplacerelations.ie.
11. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the timeframe to implement the recommendations for increasing transparency and oversight in the way in which employees and creditors are dealt with in insolvency; her views on each finding of the company law review group report on the protection of employees and unsecured creditors (details supplied); and her further views on whether legislative changes are needed. [36848/17]
View answerThe Company Law Review Group (CLRG) was asked to examine and recommend ways in which company law could be amended to ensure better safeguards for a company’s employees and unsecured creditors. In response to this request, a root and branch review was carried out of all relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2014 and, in particular, whether new provisions should be proposed. The CLRG Report on the Protections of Employees and Unsecured Creditors was published on 13 July 2017. Proposals for legislative change are suggested in the Report which, while not representing a panacea, could potentially address some of the difficulties experienced by employees and unsecured creditors in situations of company insolvency, while improving transparency and accountability.
The recommendation in the Report relating to the proposed Self-Administered Liquidation has been referred for further consideration and elaboration to a subcommittee of the CLRG on Corporate Insolvency, which is currently reviewing the provisions in relation to winding up in the Companies Act 2014 as part of the CLRG Work Programme for 2016-2018. The remaining recommendations are also under consideration by officials in my Department. It is intended that any proposals for legislative change arising from these recommendations will be forthcoming as soon as is practicable. Finally, I understand that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has convened an interdepartmental working party to examine how employees’ access to the Social Insurance Fund could be improved in circumstances where their employer has not entered formal insolvency. The work of this group is progressing.
12. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funding Enterprise Ireland has provided from the high-potential start-up funding scheme in each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of companies which have received funding from this specific scheme; the cumulative number of jobs that have been created after this form of funding was provided to these companies; the cumulative amount of additional exports in euro that have been generated by these companies after they received this form of funding for the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36849/17]
View answerIn January 2017, Enterprise Ireland, an agency of my Department, published its strategy for the period 2017-2020. The strategy was developed in the context of Brexit and focuses on supporting clients to both Build Scale and Expand Reach. Despite economic and market uncertainties, Enterprise Ireland’s strategic targets are to:
- Assist clients to create 60,000 new jobs by 2020 and to sustain the existing record level of jobs.
- Grow annual exports by €5bn to €26bn per annum.
- Increase the level of spend in the Irish economy by €4bn to €27bn per annum by 2020.
Enterprise Ireland works to increase the number of companies starting up, succeeding, expanding, exporting and ultimately creating jobs in Ireland. Of the total 629 start-ups supported by Enterprise Ireland across the period 2014-2016, over half - 52% - were located outside Dublin.
Enterprise Ireland’s start-up activity is focused on supporting High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs). Encouraging the establishment and supporting the development of innovation-led HPSUs with a strong export focus is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland and is fundamental to building the next generation of world class Irish companies. HPSU companies are defined as start-up ventures that are:
- Introducing a new or innovative product or service to international markets.
- Involved in manufacturing or internationally traded services.
- Capable of creating 10 jobs in Ireland and realising €1 million in sales within three to four years of starting up.
- Led by an experienced management team.
- Headquartered and controlled in Ireland.
- Less than six years old.
Enterprise Ireland’s HPSU Fund supports the start-up and development costs of HPSU companies through an equity investment that is provided on a co-funded basis. This investment goes towards the achievement of an overall business plan, rather than funding towards discrete elements of a business plan, such as R&D or employment creation. The funding of a business plan in this way is similar to a venture capital (VC) approach. The HPSUs that Enterprise Ireland works with are developing and commercialising new or substantially improved technologies, products, processes or service offerings when compared to state-of-the-art in industry players in the European and global marketplace.
The table below presents the number of companies in the HPSU Class 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017. Data on the jobs created, exports and total payment to each cohort by Enterprise Ireland is also presented.
|
Year Achieved |
No of HPSUs approved |
Jobs Created Permanent Full Time |
Jobs Created Other |
Additional Exports € |
Total Payments from year approved as HPSU to 04/09/17 € |
|
2015 |
105 |
486 |
136 |
14,769,000 |
19,002,640 |
|
2016 |
101 |
154 |
25 |
7,337,000 |
16,489,081 |
|
2017 |
46 |
- |
- |
- |
3,398,664 |
|
Grand Total |
252 |
640 |
161 |
22,106,000 |
38,890,385 |
Notes:
The number of HPSUs approved is based on July end of month figures as reported to the Board. The August figures are not available at this point.
The jobs created figure is based on job numbers per Annual Employment Survey (AES) in the year preceding ‘year achieved’ v AES for 2016. Employment figures for 2017 will not be available until 2018 when the AES for that year is complete.
The exports figure is based on exports per Annual Business Review (ABR) in the year preceding ‘year achieved’ v ABR 2016. Exports figures for 2017 will not be available until 2018 when the ABR survey is for that year is complete.
The payments figure is based on payments made for all HPSU grant types from the ‘year achieved’ to 4 September 2017. Companies do not receive their first payment immediately on grant approval and payment may be gradual over the following years.
The year achieved column refers to the HPSU Class of each respective year. This means for example, that payments to the HPSU Class in 2015, to date, is €19 million. The €19 million does not represent the total payment made to all HPSUs in the year 2015. Payments to each annual HPSU class are tranched so this means the payments column is live and subject to updating as payments are made.
13. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding an application for a critical skills permit by a person (details supplied). [36944/17]
View answerThe Employment Permits Section informs me that a Critical Skills Employment Permit issued in this case on the 21st July 2017.
14. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of political staff employed in her Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, drivers and other relevant positions; the number of civil or public service staff seconded to work within her Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; and the duty or role of each, in each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [36956/17]
View answerStaffing numbers in the offices of Government Ministers and Ministers of State are managed in line with Instructions issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). This includes both civil servants and ministerial personal appointments. Civil Service staff are assigned to Ministers’ Private Offices and also the Constituency Office in recognition of the additional workload required of Ministers. Under the current Instructions, the staffing complement each Minister or Minister of State had in their capacity as a Member of the Oireachtas remains in place and these staff remain on the payroll of the Oireachtas.
The staffing of my offices in my capacity as Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and that of my Minister of State colleagues, and our predecessors who are covered by the years 2015 and 2016, is as set out below in tabular format. Details for 2015 and 2016 reflect the numbers in post at the end of the year in question and display the salary scales at that time. 2017 details reflect the numbers in post at present and set out the current salary scales. In this regard the Standard (PPC) Salary Scales have been referred to as a matter of course for the purpose of consistency. For more information on the various Civil Service salary scales currently in place please visit www.circulars.gov.ie and circular 8 of 2017.
In addition to the details below, I can advise the Deputy that in my capacity as Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation I have a sanctioned complement of three Special Advisers. Also in that capacity, two Garda drivers are assigned to me. I have not included these Gardaí in the table below because the salary costs are not borne by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
My colleague, John Halligan, TD, Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, has one Special Adviser. For administrative reasons, Minister of State Halligan's Special Adviser and civilian drivers are assigned to the staffing complement of the Department of Education and Skills where Minister Halligan is also assigned and are recorded on the payroll of that Department; they are therefore not included in the table below. Similarly the civilian drivers are not listed for Damien English, TD, former Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation at my Department, as they were also assigned to the staffing complement of the Department of Education and Skills.
Finally, the Department has a Press Office in situ staffed by Departmental civil servants - generally 4 in number - who support the Ministerial team. However, these are not listed in the table below as they are not "political staff".
Ministerial Staffing Complement at 8th September 2017
Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation
|
Office |
Grade |
Civil Servants |
Ministerial Appointees |
Salary |
|
Minister's Private Office |
Higher Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
1 |
HEO Scale: €47,081 - €59,924 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Executive Officer |
2 |
EO Scale: €28,739 - €48,975 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Clerical Officer |
2 |
CO Scale €22,879 – €38,341 |
|
|
Minister’s Constituency Office |
Personal Secretary |
1 |
Personal Secretary Scale: €26,325 - €51,268 |
|
|
Minister’s Constituency Office |
Clerical Officer |
3 |
CO Scale €22,879 - €38,341 |
|
|
Special Adviser (see note 1) |
1 |
1 x PO Scale €81,767 - €100,333 |
||
|
Special Adviser (see note 1) |
1 |
1 x PO Scale €81,767 - €100,333 |
||
|
Civilian Driver |
2 |
see note 2 |
1 The appointment of a third Special Adviser is currently in progress.
2 As Tánaiste I am assigned the services of 2 Garda drivers but the associated salary costs are not borne by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
Minister Pat Breen, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection
|
Office |
Grade |
Civil Servants |
Ministerial Appointees |
Salary |
|
Minister's Private Office |
Assistant Principal |
1 |
AP Scale: €65,093 - €78,451 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
1 |
EO Scale: €28,739 - €48,975 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Executive Officer |
1 |
EO Scale: €28,739 - €48,975 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
CO Scale: €22,879 – €38,341 |
|
|
Minister's Constituency Office |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
CO Scale: €22,879 – €38,341 |
|
|
Civilian Driver |
2 |
€684.17 per week |
Minister John Halligan, Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development
|
Office |
Grade |
Civil Servants |
Ministerial Appointees |
Salary |
|
Minister's Private Office |
Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
1 |
EO Scale: €28,739 - €48,975 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Clerical Officer |
2 |
CO Scale: €22,879 – €38,341 |
Ministerial Staffing Complement at December 2016
Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
|
Office |
Grade |
Civil Servants |
Ministerial Appointees |
Salary |
|
Minister's Private Office |
Higher Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
1 |
HEO scale: €46,081 - €58,294 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Executive Officer |
2 |
EO Scale: €27,739 - €47,975 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Clerical Officer |
2 |
CO Scale: €21,879 - €37,341 |
|
|
Minister’s Constituency Office |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
CO Scale: €21,879 - €37,341 |
|
|
Special Adviser |
1 |
PO Scale: (non-ppc) €75,647 - €92,550 |
||
|
Civilian Driver |
2 |
€665 per week |
Minister Pat Breen, Minister of State for Employment and Small Business
|
Office |
Grade |
Civil Servants |
Ministerial Appointees |
Salary |
|
Minister's Private Office |
Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
1 |
EO Scale: €27,739 - €47,975 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Executive Officer |
1 |
EO Scale: €27,739 - €47,975 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Staff Officer |
1 |
SO Scale: €34,771 - €46,171 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
CO Scale: €21,879 - €37,341 |
|
|
Minister's Constituency Office |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
CO Scale: €21,879 - €37,341 |
|
|
Civilian Driver |
2 |
€665 per week |
Minister John Halligan, Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation
|
Office |
Grade |
Civil Servants |
Ministerial Appointees |
Salary |
|
Minister's Private Office |
Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
1 |
EO Scale: €27,739 - €47,975 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Clerical Officer |
2 |
CO Scale: €21,879 - €37,341 |
Ministerial Staffing Complement at December 2015
Minister Richard Bruton as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
|
Office |
Grade |
Civil Servants |
Ministerial Appointees |
Salary |
|
Minister's Private Office |
Higher Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
1 |
HEO scale: €46,081 - €58,294 |
|
|
Minister's Private Officee |
Executive Officer |
2 |
EO Scale: €27,739 - €47,975 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Clerical Officer |
2 |
CO Scale: €21,879 - €37,341 |
|
|
Minister’s Constituency Office |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
CO Scale: €21,879 - €37,341 |
|
|
Special Adviser (Policy) |
1 |
€118,840 |
||
|
Special Adviser (Press) |
1 |
€87,258 |
||
|
Civilian Driver |
2 |
€665 per week |
Minister Ged Nash then Minister of State (attending Cabinet) for Business and Employment
|
Office |
Grade |
Civil Servants |
Ministerial Appointees |
Salary |
|
Minister's Private Office |
Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
1 |
EO Scale: €27,739 - €47,975 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Executive Officer |
1 |
EO Scale: €27,739 - €47,975 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Clerical Officer |
2 |
CO Scale: €21,879 - €37,341 |
|
|
Minister’s Constituency Office |
Executive Officer |
1 |
EO Scale: €27,739 - €47,975 |
|
|
Minister’s Constituency Office |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
CO Scale: €21,879 - €37,341 |
|
|
Special Adviser (Policy) |
1 |
€87,258 |
||
|
Special Adviser (Press) |
1 |
€87,258 |
||
|
Civilian Driver |
2 |
€665 per week |
Minister Damien English, Minister of State for Skills, Research and Innovation
|
Office |
Grade |
Civil Servants |
Ministerial Appointees |
Salary |
|
Minister's Private Office |
Higher Executive Officer (Private Secretary) |
1 |
HEO scale: €46,081 - €58,294 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Staff Officer |
1 |
EO Scale: €27,739 - €47,975 |
|
|
Minister's Private Office |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
CO Scale: €21,879 - €37,341 |
15. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new companies that the IDA has supported to locate in County Sligo; and the jobs created by these companies in each of the years 2002 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [37152/17]
View answerThis Government and IDA Ireland remain committed to regional development and to growing foreign direct investment (FDI) driven employment all over Ireland, including Sligo. Progress is being made towards this goal, with over half of all new Agency-supported jobs in 2016 created outside of Dublin. This trend is continuing in 2017 with increased jobs growth in the regions expected over the remainder of this year.
IDA Ireland maintains employment statistics over 10 year periods and details of job creation in County Sligo between 2007 and 2016 by the Agency's client companies are set out in the table below. Information on 2017 job creation is not yet available.
No. Of Companies & Jobs in Sligo - 2007 to 2016
|
- |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
1. No of Companies |
20 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
23 |
22 |
24 |
23 |
|
2. Total Jobs |
2,481 |
2,494 |
2,440 |
2,285 |
2,407 |
2,367 |
2,230 |
2,219 |
2,221 |
2,290 |
|
3. Gross Gains |
92 |
68 |
102 |
187 |
175 |
214 |
83 |
166 |
190 |
|
|
4. Losses |
-79 |
-122 |
-257 |
-65 |
-215 |
-351 |
-94 |
-164 |
-121 |
|
|
5. Net Change |
13 |
-54 |
-155 |
122 |
-40 |
-137 |
-11 |
2 |
69 |
16. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made in securing a replacement manufacturing industry for a site (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37420/17]
View answerSince HP Inc made the regrettable decision to close its facility in Leixlip, the IDA has been actively promoting the site to existing clients and potential investors and will continue to do so. I am hopeful that a new investor will be identified in due course and that further employment opportunities will in turn be created for the people of Leixlip and the surrounding area.
While HP Inc's decision was very disappointing, there remain over 20 other multinational companies in Kildare that employ over 10,000 people across a broad range of sectors. IDA Ireland continues to work with this client base to both sustain and grow employment further in the County.
17. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if consideration has been given to Ireland joining the European Southern Observatory; if there are plans in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37428/17]
View answerThrough Innovation 2020, the national strategy for research and innovation, the Government recognises that in order for Ireland to become a Global Innovation Leader, our research and innovation system must be open with strong international collaboration links. Membership of leading International Research Organisations is an important mechanism for facilitating this engagement.
I can confirm that serious consideration has been given to Ireland joining the European Southern Observatory, as outlined below.
In Innovation 2020, Article 6.13, the Government gave a specific commitment to initiate negotiations with ESO on Ireland's membership options. The then Minister of State for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English, wrote to the ESO in January 2016 to initiate the process. My department had significant engagement with the European Southern Observatory, at both official and Ministerial level, throughout 2016 and 2017.
A delegation of senior officials from my Department, Science Foundation Ireland and Enterprise Ireland visited ESO headquarters in July 2016 when they met with the Director General of the ESO, Professor Tim de Zeeuw and his senior management team. Professor de Zeeuw visited my Department in September 2016 and met with senior officials. The Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development met with Professor de Zeeuw at the European Space Agency Ministerial Council last December.
Minister of State Halligan also met with representatives of the Irish astronomy community in March 2017 to hear first-hand of their research activities and of their interests in joining ESO.
The information gathered during these engagements has provided my officials with a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits of membership. These benefits include participation in research in science and technology, opportunities for enterprise, creation of human capital/skills and promotion of STEM. However, while the potential benefits of membership of ESO are significant, the cost of membership is also significant.
My Department is currently engaged in discussions on the Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan. There will be more clarity on the Department’s position on ESO when the review is concluded and the funding envelope for research and innovation, as well as other Departmental projects, is finalised.
18. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if there was a delay to, or a freeze placed on, the issuing of new work permits and the renewal of work permits for work riders in the horse racing industry in each of the years 2001 to 2006, respectively; and if her Department at that time received representations from the horse racing industry to overturn the freeze. [37430/17]
View answerMy Department has been unable to establish if there were any issues relating to the awarding of employment permits for work riders in the horse riding industry in respect of the years 2001-2006. Data on the numbers of employment permits issued is available from 2005 with 216 issuing to work riders in that year, and 324 in 2006.
Up until 1 June 2009, work riders were eligible for Work Permit Employment Permits (now known as General Employment Permits). In early 2009 my Department undertook a review of the employment permit regime to ensure its ongoing relevance to the needs of the then Irish labour market. Following this review revised eligibility requirements for new employment permits were applied to prospective first-time entrants to the Irish labour market from 1 June 2009. These measures were principally concerned with strengthening the qualifying conditions for the granting of new Work Permit Employment Permits to non-EEA nationals for occupations requiring lower skills and qualifications and in respect of vacancies which could increasingly be filled by Irish and other EEA citizens.
With effect from 1 June 2009, work rider became an ineligible occupation for new Work Permit Employment Permits. However, permits granted in respect of this occupation prior to that date continued to be eligible for renewal. Work riders remains on the Ineligible Categories of Employment List.
19. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to address low pay and poor working conditions in the private home care sector in view of the fact that the sector is being increasingly privatised as a consequence of Government and HSE policy. [37431/17]
View answerFollowing the coming into effect of the Labour Affairs and Labour Law (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 on 1st September last, responsibility for employment rights policy and legislation transferred to my colleague, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Ireland has a comprehensive suite of employment rights legislation which provides strong protections including measures to prevent exploitation in the workplace. All employers, including those in the private homecare sector, carry the same obligations in relation to compliance with employment law. Where an individual believes they are being deprived of employment rights applicable to employees they may refer a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) where the matter can be dealt with by way of mediation or adjudication leading to a decision that is enforceable through the District Court. WRC inspectors can also be asked to investigate certain breaches. Complaints can be made on a single complaint form available at the WRC’s website www.workplacerelations.ie.
On 2nd May last, the Government approved legislative proposals in response to the commitment in the Programme for Government to address the problems caused by the increased casualization of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious employment. The draft proposals aim to address key issues which have been identified as being areas where current employment rights legislation can be strengthened to the benefit of employees, particularly low-paid, more vulnerable workers, without imposing unnecessarily onerous burdens on employers and businesses.
It will now fall to my colleague the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to progress this legislation. In this respect, I understand that officials in her Department are working closely with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the drafting of this legislation and it is intended to publish this Bill in the Autumn session, subject to Government approval.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to reduce poverty levels by supporting an increase in the national minimum wage to €10.50 per hour by 2021 and the Government will rely on the annual recommendations of the Low Pay Commission on the level of adjustment to the rate each year. The Commission submitted its third recommendation to Government in July this year. The recommendation is that the rate increase by 30 cents per hour from €9.25 to €9.55 for an adult worker. The Government will consider the recommendation in the context of Budget 2018 and, if it accepts it, the increase is likely to come into effect on 1st January 2018.
Finally, responsibility for health policy and the HSE is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health.
20. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of women and men respectively employed in her Department, in tabular form. [37434/17]
View answer21. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of men and women respectively in her Department who hold posts (details supplied). [37435/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
The information the Deputy has requested, as at 1st September 2017, is set out in tabular form below.
|
TOTAL DEPARTMENTAL STAFF |
OF WHICH MALE |
OF WHICH FEMALE |
|
875 |
357 |
518 |
|
GRADE |
TOTAL |
MALE |
FEMALE |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Director General, Workplace Relations Commission (Deputy Secretary Equilavent) |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Chairperson, Labour Court (Deputy Secretary Equivalent*) |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
7 |
5 |
2 |
|
Deputy Chairperson, Labour Court (Assistant Secretary Equivalent) |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
Director of Corporate Enforement (Assistant Secretary Equivalent) |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Director, Construction Contracts Adjucation Service (Director level) |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Principal |
40 |
23 |
17 |
|
Ordinary Member, Labour Court (Principal Equivalent) |
8 |
5 |
3 |
|
Ministerial Special Adviser (Principal Equivalent) |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Legal Adviser (Principal Equivalent) |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
115 |
60 |
55 |
|
Professional Accountant Grade 1 (Assistant Principal Equivalent) |
10 |
8 |
2 |
|
Solicitor (Assistant Principal Equivalent) |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Legal Adviser (Assistant Principal Equivalent) |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
199 |
112 |
87 |
*Remuneration is analogous to the Deputy Secretary Grade.
22. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the cost her Department incurred in each of the past five years due to debit and credit card payment services and banking fees; the financial institutions to which the payments were made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37436/17]
View answerMy Department, including a number of its Offices, holds a number of Public Bank Accounts to enable it to conduct its financial transactions, including paying staff and suppliers and collecting payment for services provided to clients of the Department and its Offices. The Department’s Public Bank Accounts are currently held with Danske Bank. This follows on from a procurement process conducted by the Department for the provision of banking services. Previously, the Department held accounts with Bank of Ireland and Investec and a number of its Offices held accounts with Ulster Bank. The Department received the necessary sanction to hold these accounts from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Insofar as banking fees are concerned, details of the bank charges and fees, as well as interest earned in each of the past five years, paid in respect of the aforementioned accounts are set out in the table below.
|
Bank charges |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Ulster Bank |
1,531 |
1,236 |
834 |
420 |
526 |
|
Ulster Bank (interest received) |
-741 |
-689 |
-715 |
-1,025 |
-1,202 |
|
Bank of Ireland |
935 |
973 |
1,096 |
658 |
742 |
|
Investec |
306 |
56 |
0 |
50 |
14 |
|
Total |
2,031 |
1,576 |
1,215 |
103 |
80 |
The majority of the Department’s financial transactions are effected through Electronic Funds Transfer. It is the case, however, that a number of the Department’s business units, including a number of its Offices, provide services to clients in respect of which charges are imposed. Clients have the facility to pay for certain services by means of credit and/or debit card. To facilitate payment by card, the business units concerned entered into agreements with a number of merchant acquiring and gateway services providers. These agreements are delivered under a supplier framework agreement entered into by the Office of Government Procurement, which runs until June 2020.
The payments made to the merchant acquiring and gateway services providers concerned to facilitate payment by debit and credit cards in each of the past five years are set out in the table below.
|
Payment service charges |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Elavon |
129,802 |
121,397 |
125,821 |
111,247 |
132,606 |
|
Local Government Management Board (LGMA)* |
22,961 |
22,873 |
24,351 |
25,470 |
16,610 |
|
Realex |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2,525 |
|
Total |
152,763 |
144,270 |
150,172 |
136,717 |
151,741 |
*The payments to the Local Government Management Board are in respect of payment card charges incurred prior to the introduction of the OGP framework agreement.
23. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which her Department is improving services and increasing supports for persons with disabilities. [37659/17]
View answerMy Department, and the agencies under its remit, are involved in a number of measures which are aimed at improving services and supports for disabled persons.
The Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 prohibit discrimination on nine grounds including the ground of disability. The Acts apply to prospective employees in claiming discrimination in access to employment. Any person who believes that s/he has experienced discrimination which is contrary to the Employment Equality Acts may seek redress by referring a complaint to the Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission, which is an Office of my Department.
Ireland’s new National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility, ‘Towards Responsible Business 2017-2020’, was launched in June 2017. It is aimed at supporting businesses and organisations across all sectors to adopt responsible business practices and improve their sustainability, competitiveness and ability to attract and retain talent, whilst also fostering social cohesion and protecting the environment. The Plan aims to encourage businesses to develop strategies to integrate diversity and to promote gender equality at all levels in the workplace and for the employment of people with disabilities.
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Centre of Excellence facilitated a training event for 18 LEO staff, who interact with people from disadvantaged or underrepresented communities, including persons with disabilities, in Q.1 2017. The training event addressed the additional and distinctive challenges faced by people from these communities in terms of starting their own business and how LEO staff can be better prepared in terms of appreciating the client’s unique situation. There are three similar training events scheduled for Q.4 2017.
Enterprise Ireland is actively working with partners across Government to support the vision of the Strategy for Employment for People with Disabilities. In line with Enterprise Ireland’s strategic objectives, the agency is actively supporting inclusiveness in this area as follows:
- Working with the National Disability Authority, the agency is formulating a strategy focused on fostering and supporting entrepreneurship for people with disabilities.
- Engaging with the National Disability Authority’s Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, the agency is looking at routes to commercialising universal design product ideas from National Disability Authority’s Centre’s annual Design Challenge. This includes providing general advice on funding and IP to the commended entries under the Homes for Smart Aging Competition.
In addition, in Q2 Enterprise Ireland hosted a knowledge sharing event under the Employer Support Initiative in conjunction with the National Disability Authority.
Officials of my Department are currently assisting the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in drafting the Copyright and Related Rights (Miscellaneous Intellectual Property) Bill. One of the primary intentions of this Bill is to improve access to copyright works for persons with a disability. The Bill will allow an individual to make a personal copy of a work modified to meet their particular needs. Moreover, certain designated bodies will be able to make multiple copies of a work to meet the specific needs of persons with a disability and to share these with other designated bodies as well as directly to individuals with a disability.
Separately, Ireland has recently reached agreement at EU level on the text of a Directive and Regulation that will jointly ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or otherwise Print Disabled. Following publication of the Directive in the Official Journal of the European Union, Ireland will have 12 months to transpose it into Irish law; the Regulation will automatically enter into force after 12 months. My Department is actively preparing for this transposition, to ensure that it is carried out quickly and effectively within the deadline.
The Companies Registration Office (CRO) has a dedicated Access Officer who provides the assistance necessary to enable customers with disabilities to effectively access all its services. CRO have recently moved to a new premises which is wheelchair accessible. The website is designed to ease access for customers with disabilities with a variety of technical measures to ensure accessibility. CRO is in a position to assist customers with disabilities by providing documents at no charge in a form which will support their needs.
My Department is also committed to complying with the Code of Practice for Appointment of Persons with Disabilities to Positions in the Civil Service and Certain Public Bodies. This sets out the principles and standards to be applied in the case of external and internal recruitment of persons with disabilities and enables the Civil Service and other public bodies to fulfil their obligations to comply with government policy in this regard.
Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the following obligation on Government Departments and public services bodies with regard to the employment of people with disabilities:
Public bodies must, insofar as practicable, take all reasonable measures to promote and support their employment of people with disabilities.
- Public bodies shall ensure, unless there are good reasons for not doing so, that at least 3% of their employees are people with disabilities.
- Public bodies must report on an annual basis to a statutory monitoring committee in their parent Department on the number of people with disabilities in their employment and the measures they are taking to promote and support their employment. The monitoring committees in turn submit their reports on such compliance to the Minister of their parent Department and the National Disability Authority (NDA).
Department stats as at 31 December 2016
|
DJEI and Agencies* which report through the Department to the National Disability Authority (NDA) on compliance with meeting the 3% target for the employment of persons with a disability (known as Reporting under “Part 5 of the Disability Act”). |
Total number of employees. |
Percentage of employees with a disability under the definition in the Disability Act 2005. |
|
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation |
840 |
5.16% |
|
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission |
70 |
7.1% |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
587 |
3.41% |
|
Health & Safety Authority |
167 |
3.59% |
|
IDA Ireland |
307 |
5.86% |
|
InterTrade Ireland |
38 |
2.63% |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) |
133 |
3.76% |
|
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
80 |
1.25% |
|
Science Foundation Ireland |
48 |
4.17% |
24. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans specifically in the Border region to interact with, inform and assure businesses ahead of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37660/17]
View answerI fully appreciate the importance of ensuring that Irish businesses, including those located in border regions, are best able to withstand the pressures that Brexit may exert.
In Budget 2017, I was able to provide additional funding to InterTrade Ireland, the Cross Border Body which has specific responsibility for developing Cross Border Trade to enable that body to undertake a range of initiatives for SMEs trading across the border and to help them adapt to the changed circumstances. Assistance will include the provision of factual advice, supports for capability building and the provision of other specialist expertise. These initiatives are now underway.
The 2017 Action Plan for Jobs has also identified a range of actions to facilitate the resilience of Irish businesses in anticipation of Brexit. Seventeen actions are aimed at promoting market diversification, improving competitiveness, realising opportunities in foreign markets and attracting research and innovation talent to Ireland. Three actions focus on the specific sectors of agri-food and tourism which is a very important aspect of cross border trade. All twenty actions will be of particular benefit to the border region with one of them (Action 13) focusing on delivering economic growth and jobs through the North-South Council and outreach activities.
The North East/North West Regional Action Plan for Jobs is a key policy response, in the context of Brexit, for supporting employment growth in the Border region. The Plan aims to deliver 28,000 extra jobs in the counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Louth by 2020. The Plan is stimulating job creation across the region by facilitating collaborative initiatives between the public and private sector.
There has been a substantial improvement in the North East / North West region since the commencement of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs initiative in Q1 2015, with 4,700 more people in work in the region by Q1 2017. In addition, the unemployment rate in the region has fallen from 10.2% in Q1 2015 to 7.5 % over the same period, compared to the national rate of 6.7%. The value of the Regional Plans, with all of the key stakeholders involved, means that more than ever, we have a finger on the pulse of each region.
Enterprise Ireland continues to support companies, including their many clients in the border counties, on a one to one basis to enhance their competitiveness and capability and build on their success in existing and new markets. Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’, a new interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit, is available on www.prepareforbrexit.ie. This tool is a starting point for SME management teams looking to develop an action plan to help mitigate risks and leverage opportunities which may arise from Brexit.
Finally I am continuing to look at new ways to support companies to address the Brexit challenge. In particular work is progressing on a proposed Brexit-related Working Capital Guarantee Scheme and also scoping out the need for a longer term Business Development Loan Scheme which would assist firms in investing for a post-Brexit environment.
25. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of IDA visits to counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath and throughout the country in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37661/17]
View answer35. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA site visits in each county in quarter 2 of 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38293/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 35 together.
The table below outlines the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits to each County of Ireland for the period encompassing 2015 to the second quarter of 2017.
I want to emphasise that the IDA remains committed to increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) in every region of Ireland by 30-40% by the end of the Agency's current strategy in 2019. The IDA continues, with that goal in mind, to highlight the benefits of expanding or locating in the regions to its client base and it makes every effort to ensure that FDI is spread as widely as possible across the country. The final decision as to where to invest, however, always rests with the company concerned.
IDA Site Visits by County from 2015 to Q2 2017
|
County |
2015 |
2016 |
Q2 2017 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
9 |
4 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Clare |
12 |
18 |
17 |
|
Cork |
48 |
49 |
21 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
7 |
1 |
|
Dublin |
242 |
284 |
155 |
|
Galway |
41 |
42 |
34 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
3 |
2 |
|
Kildare |
7 |
8 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
10 |
10 |
3 |
|
Laois |
4 |
6 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
8 |
8 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
40 |
49 |
17 |
|
Longford |
2 |
6 |
6 |
|
Louth |
20 |
24 |
10 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
5 |
2 |
|
Meath |
7 |
8 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
8 |
4 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
15 |
20 |
8 |
|
Tipperary |
12 |
8 |
5 |
|
Waterford |
31 |
17 |
4 |
|
Westmeath |
28 |
36 |
22 |
|
Wexford |
4 |
7 |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
5 |
2 |
|
Total |
565 |
638 |
323 |
