Written Answers Nos. 266-277
266. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to recent research which found two thirds of disabled persons were out of work; the steps he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54184/17]
View answerI am aware of the statistic to which the Deputy refers. It is a priority for me to ensure that people with disabilities, who are able to and want to work, are fully supported and enabled to do so.
As the Deputy will be aware, in July of this year I launched the new National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021. This Strategy is a whole of Government approach to improving the lives of people with disabilities both in a practical sense, and also in creating the best possible opportunities for people with disabilities to fulfil their potential. The Strategy focuses on eight vital areas, one of which is Employment. Five high level objectives in relation to Employment are identified as follows:
- People with disabilities are encouraged and motivated to develop to the maximum of their potential, with a view to participating in further education and employment.
- People with disabilities have the opportunity to work and have a career.
- People who become disabled are given the supports they need to remain in or return work if they so choose.
- People with disabilities are financially better off in work.
- Employers can easily access information about employing a person with a disability.
These objectives are underpinned by 11 specific, measureable and time bound actions. In particular I would bring the Deputy's particular attention to Action 47, “We will fully implement the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for persons with disabilities.”
As the Deputy will be aware, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy was launched in October 2015. The Strategy sets out a ten-year cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment. The Strategy's six strategic priorities are:
- Build skills, capacity and independence
- Provide bridges and supports into work
- Make work pay (the Make Work Pay Report was launched in April 2016 and many of its recommendations are already being implemented).
- Promote job retention and re-entry to work
- Provide coordinated and seamless support
- Engage employers
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy includes a range of practical measures to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. For example, a national employer helpline was launched in January 2016 to provide expert guidance and peer support to employers in relation to the employment of staff with disabilities. There will be an increase in the public sector employment quota from 3% to 6% on a phased basis to 2024, and arrangements are also being put in place for dedicated recruitment channels for people with disabilities.
Given the complex cross-government nature of the strategy, an oversight implementation group was established in 2015 under the independent chairmanship of Fergus Finlay. This group is tasked with monitoring the progress of the six strategic priorities of the strategy, ensuring that each Government Department is fulfilling its obligations and meeting its targets. The Chair's first annual report is available here: http://justice.ie/en/JELR/Report_of_the_Chair_of_the_Comprehensive_Employment_Strategy_Implementation_Group-2016.pdf/Files/Report_of_the_Chair_of_the_Comprehensive_Employment_Strategy_Implementation_Group-2016.pdf.
The Chair will publish his second Annual Report in early 2018.
268. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the photography costs for his Department in each year since March 2011 inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used, in tabular form; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54232/17]
View answerI wish to refer the Deputy to the previous Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 13 December 2016 (39474/16), which provides details of photography costs incurred by my Department from 2011 – 2016.
Details of photography costs for my Department in 2017 are as follows:
|
Occasion |
Year |
Photographer |
Cost |
|
Video of the launch of the new National Disability Inclusion Strategy |
2017 |
Hurrah Hurrah Limited |
€20,295 |
I can inform the Deputy that external photographic services are only occasionally used by my Department, to mark and provide a record of significant occasions - in-house communications staff are used on most occasions. Consideration is given at all times to the costs involved and best value for money is always a priority when sourcing such services.
The Deputy may wish to note that questions concerning Ministerial allowances are solely a matter for the Oireachtas.
269. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department in each year since March 2011; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54248/17]
View answerDuring the period in question, my Department has only used the services of external public relations firms to provide training to staff, strategy development, and facilitation services at conferences/meetings, as set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Public Relations Firm |
Training |
Strategy Development |
Conference/Meeting Facilitation |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
||
|
2011 |
Carr Communications |
550 |
||
|
2013 |
Carr Communications |
3,275 |
||
|
2014 |
The Communications Clinic |
1,374 |
||
|
2015 |
The Communications Clinic |
756 |
||
|
2016 |
The Communications Clinic |
24,221 |
||
|
2016 |
Carr Communications |
1,450 |
It is my Department's policy to use in-house resources as much as possible for the provision of such services.
270. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date, in tabular form. [54264/17]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that the information sought cannot be provided in the time allowed. As soon as the information has been collated I will write to the Deputy on the matter.
271. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the level of expenditure by his Department from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017 on advertising of Government information campaigns published specifically in national and regional newspapers in addition to all online advertising for all such Government information campaigns; the name for each such information campaign to which this expenditure related; the cost of each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54280/17]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question, please see below a table setting out the details of costs in respect of public information campaigns.
|
Dates of campaign advertisement |
Name of Campaign |
Where advertisement was placed i.e. regional/national paper/online |
Cost of campaign€ |
|
15-31 October 2017 |
Blue blindfold campaign (Human Trafficking awareness |
Metro Éireann, a multicultural newspaper. |
€1,291.50 |
|
Throughout 2017 |
National awareness campaign ‘What would you do?’ (in relation to domestic violence) |
Online (digital, search and social advertising) |
€94,518.69 |
|
Throughout 2017 |
National awareness campaign ‘What would you do?’ (in relation to domestic violence) |
National, regional and specialist print |
€38,298.70 |
|
October 2017 |
Victims of Crime Office 2018 Funding - Advertisement in National Newspapers: Irish Times/Irish Independent/Irish Examiner |
National newspapers |
€2,691.88 |
|
25 August 2017. |
Public consultation on tackling the gender pay gap. |
National newspapers |
€3,029.25. |
|
22 October to 31 October 2017 (inclusive) |
Fireworks Information Notice regarding the severe criminal penalties that apply for igniting illegal fireworks and the possession of same with intent to supply others |
National newspapers |
€36,676.44 |
272. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017 on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54296/17]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that the information sought cannot be provided in the time allowed. As soon as the information has been collated I will write to the Deputy on the matter.
273. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the name of all internal reports and research studies conducted or commissioned by her Department and the agencies under her aegis since June 2016 on Brexit regarding SMEs, exports, trade and tariffs; the publication date of all such studies; the reports and research studies that remain incomplete; the date they are expected to be completed; and if each publication will be published. [53687/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware of the various research projects underway in my Department to help build an understanding of the possible implications of Brexit on Ireland for enterprise, consumers and trading relations. These studies will provide an evidence base to inform Ireland’s policy positions as part of the wider negotiation on the UK’s future relationship with the EU and further mitigation measures to respond to Brexit.
The details of Brexit related research currently being commissioned by my Department are as follows:
- A survey “Brexit – The View of Irish SMEs” was commissioned in December 2016, and was published in May 2017
- A subsequent survey “Brexit Vote – The impact on Irish SMEs and their Capital Funding” was commissioned in July 2017, and has been completed. It is due to be published in Q1 2018.
- The study into the “Strategic Implications arising from EU-UK Trading Patterns” was commissioned in June 2017, is on target for completion at the end of 2017 with key findings due to be published in Q1 2018.
- The study into “ Firm level implications arising from Brexit: Most exposed sectors” was commissioned in June 2017 with key findings due to be published in Q2 2018.
- The study on the “Import Content of Irish Exports and Implications of Brexit” was commissioned in September 2017 and is due to be completed by Q1 2018 and published in Q2 2018.
274. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the trade missions that are scheduled for 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53967/17]
View answerProposals for trade missions are developed by Enterprise Ireland in consultation with my Department on the basis of priority markets and specific interests of Enterprise Ireland client companies. Enterprise Ireland’s proposals for 2018 are currently under consideration and have not yet been finalised. Once finalised, Enterprise Ireland will submit the proposals to me for approval and the planned schedule of trade missions and events will be made public.
The extensive trade mission list will focus on enabling Enterprise Ireland client companies take advantage of global growth opportunities. The Enterprise Ireland Strategy 2017-2020 ‘Build Scale, Expand Reach’ is about strengthening Irish enterprise, across all regions, and expanding their reach in diverse global markets. In the context of the significant international economic challenges facing Ireland, most notably the United Kingdom decision to leave the EU, it is imperative that Irish companies build new and stronger trade links around the globe. Ministerial-led trade missions and international events are essential to supporting Irish companies expand their global footprint and realise their full growth potential.
Enterprise Ireland has delivered an impressive programme of international trade events to date in 2017, giving Irish companies the opportunity to meet with potential buyers and network with key influencers in countries around the world. In total, 57 internationally focused trade events were organised by Enterprise Ireland in 2017 including ministerial-led trade missions to Canada, Singapore and Japan, the UAE and Oman, and a major trade programme as part of the State visit to Australia.
275. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if consideration will be given to designating Naas, County Kildare and surrounding areas as a food hub, in view of the strong agri-food sector in the locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53536/17]
View answerIn this year’s, Action Plan for Jobs, we made the decision to place a specific focus on strengthening the rural and regional economy.
Last Monday 11th December 2017, I announced the results of the first round of the new €60m competitive Regional Enterprise Development Fund. This Fund allows us to drive growth in key sectors or geographies across the country and build on our strengths, particularly in the context of Brexit. Therefore, while there is no Government plan to formally designate Naas as a food hub, we are backing local and regional stakeholders to drive the future of their own communities by supporting their innovative proposals which will help to deliver job creation and sustainable employment.
Twenty-one successful applicants representing all regions of the country have secured up to €30.5m for their projects in the first competitive call. The Fund, which is an open national competitive call to support regional projects, is provided by my Department through Enterprise Ireland and is a key action to support the Regional Action Plan for Jobs and the Action Plan for Rural Development.
Our aim is to provide financial support for organisations set up specifically to bring together stakeholders on projects that will benefit the local community, the region or nationally. The successful applicants include an exciting range of projects which will develop strong entrepreneurial or innovation ecosystems, encourage clusters of similar businesses, or develop specific sectors where there is the potential for competitive advantage.
The second call opens in March 2018 and we expect to see a similar level of interest from new applicants as well as applications from some first-round applicants who may wish to reapply. My Department through Enterprise Ireland look forward to supporting more regionally-based projects as they support business growth through this exciting, regionally-focused initiative.
Details of the Regional Enterprise Development Fund second call is available on Enterprise Ireland’s website www.enterprise-ireland.com/REDF.
276. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the Acts, or parts of Acts, awaiting commencement within her area of statutory responsibility; the reason for the delay in the commencement of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53561/17]
View answerDetails of Acts, or parts of Acts, for which I have responsibility and which have not been commenced, and the reasons that commencement orders have not been made, are set out in the table.
|
Act/Section of Act that has not been Commenced |
Reason Commencement Order has not been made |
|
Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments) Act (No. 31 of 2017) |
The Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments) Act 2017 was signed by the President on 28 November 2017. That Act transposes Articles 1 and 3 of Directive 2014/32 EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of measuring instruments. The remainder of that Directive is being transposed by way of Statutory Instrument (S.I.) under section 3 of the European Communities Act 1972. On the advice of the Attorney General, the Act and S.I. must come into effect on the same date. Drafting of the S.I. is virtually completed. Accordingly, I hope to commence the Act and the S.I. later this month. |
|
S. 98 of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 |
There is no intention to commence this section barring exceptional circumstances |
|
S. 199 of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 |
There is no intention to commence this section barring exceptional circumstances |
|
S. 247 of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 |
There is no intention to commence this section barring exceptional circumstances |
|
Consumer Protection Act 2007 Sections 48 and 49 |
Sections 48 and 49 of the Consumer Protection Act 2007 have not been commenced as the Attorney General has advised that their provisions are incompatible with the maximum harmonisation nature of the Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices which was transposed into Irish law by the Consumer Protection Act 2007. Section 48 prohibits traders, who accept payment for goods and services by different relevant methods (defined as cash, credit card, direct debit, or any other method prescribed by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation) from imposing an additional charge by reason of customers choosing to pay for goods or services by one relevant method as against another. Section 49 provides that, where it is permissible for a trader to impose a payment charge in accordance with section 48 (i.e. where the trader accepts only one relevant method of payment or imposes the same charge in respect of all relevant methods of payment), the trader must state the price of the goods or service as a single amount inclusive of any such charge. |
|
Companies Act 2014 Section 4(2) Section 1325 |
Section 4(2) in so far as it relates to Regulation 6 of the EuropeanCommunities (Mergers and Divisions of Companies) (Amendment)Regulations 2011 (S.I. No.306 of 2011) The full repeal of Regulation 6 of the European Communities (Mergers and Divisions of Companies) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 was not possible due to a difference in national law requirements on mergers concerning notice requirements and those provided for in the EU regulations on cross-border mergers. The reason why this section has not commenced is because it would repeal the foundation documents of the Bank of Ireland. The section will only be commenced once Bank of Ireland decides to convert to a company incorporated under the Companies Act 2014. |
|
Companies (Accounting Act) 2017 Section 80 |
Commencement of this section was delayed to ensure that the new filing requirements of unlimited companies that are registered outside of Ireland are aligned with the new filing requirements on unlimited companies that are registered in Ireland. Section 80 of the 2017 Act amends the definitions of an “EEA company” and a “non-EEA company” in section 1300 of the Companies Act 2014. These definitions are for the purposes of Part 21 of the 2014 Act, which provides for “external companies”. An external company is a company incorporated outside of Ireland with a branch in Ireland. The main change is that the two definitions now extend to external companies registered as companies with unlimited liability but whose members’ liability is in fact limited. As a result, some unlimited companies incorporated outside of Ireland that do not qualify currently as external companies, will, once section 80 is commenced, become classified as external companies and so will be required to comply with the obligations on an external company almost. As a result, some of those companies could have had to provide financial information in respect of financial years earlier than those beginning on 1 January 2017. Under the commencement arrangements for the rest of the Act, a similarly structured company, registered in Ireland, is required to first file financial statements in respect of years that begin on or after 1 January 2017. Delay of section 80 will align the requirements for similar companies, whether registered in Ireland or not. A revised order that will commence the section on 9 June 2018 is being prepared by the OPC. |
|
Sections 65 to 70 of the Workplace Relations Act, 2015 |
The Workplace Relations Commission was established on the 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act, 2015 and saw the merging of the activities of the National Employment Rights Authority, the Labour Relations Commission, the Equality Tribunal and the first instance functions of the Labour Court and the Employment Appeals Tribunal into a new Body of First Instance - the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The appellate functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal were incorporated into an expanded Labour Court. Sections 65 to 70 inclusive of the Workplace Relations Act, 2015 relate to the dissolution of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) and cannot be commenced until the legacy caseload of the EAT has been finalised. The legacy caseload relates to cases submitted prior to the commencement of the Act on 1 October 2015 and has decreased to the point that there are currently less than 100 cases on hands. |
|
Subsections (5)(b) and (6) of section 15 of the Employment Permits (Amendment) Act 2014 |
Commencement of these provisions will be subject to the outcome of pending consultations. The provisions provide for a portion of the employment permit fee to be refunded to a person nominated by the applicant where the application is withdrawn or refused. Currently, fees are refunded to the applicant only. These provisions may commence when the necessary changes are made to the employment permits processing system to support such a policy change, subject to further consultations. The employment permit processing system has not yet been adapted to support the refund of fees to a person other than applicant. If it is considered necessary to do so, consultation will need to take place with the relevant bodies as regards other legislation and any unintended impact of this provision, e.g. The Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, as amended, etc. |
|
Section 4(2) of Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (No. 10 of 2005) in respect of the revocation of certain enactments |
(i.)Mines and Quarries Act 1965 (in as much as it relates to Mines), Regulations to bring occupational safety and health for mines under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 are currently being settled by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and it is hoped will be introduced in 2018 to allow for the introduction of a Commencement Order to enact this subsection of the Act. (ii.)Dangerous Substances Acts 1972 and 1979, The Dangerous Substances regime is subject to an ongoing review and upon completion appropriate legislation will be introduced. (iii.)Safety in Industry Acts 1955 and 1980, Regulations relating to certain work sectors remain to be finalised and brought under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, these are currently with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government for settlement and it is hoped will be introduced in 2018 to allow for the introduction of a Commencement Order to enact this subsection of the Act. (iv.) Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) Acts 1987 and 1995. It is the intention to introduce Regulations under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to ensure the sector specific provisions are protected and aligned under the umbrella of the Act. |
|
Part II of the Dangerous Substances Act 1972 (No. 10 of 1972), Section 7 (1) and the Schedule to that Act in so far as they refer to the Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act 1854, the Explosives Act 1875, the Customs and Inland Revenue Act 1883, the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 and the Revenue Act 1909 Section 7 (2) of that Act, and any other provision of the Dangerous Substances Act 1972, to the extent that the provision is applicable to or for the purposes of explosives within the meaning of section 9 (1) of that Act |
There is no intention to introduce a commencement order for these sections as the responsibility for legislation on explosives rests with the Minister for Justice and Equality |
277. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of progress to date by the CCPC regarding enforcement of the grocery goods regulations and monitoring compliance; the number of investigations undertaken in response to complaints under the grocery goods regulations; the number of enforcement actions made; the number of cases which concluded with fines issued; the amount in euro of fines issued; and the number of collected and uncollected fines, in tabular form. [53641/17]
View answerThe Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory independent body responsible for the enforcement of domestic and EU competition and consumer protection law in the State. Section 9 (5) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 provides that the CCPC is independent in the performance of its functions. I, as the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, have no direct function in such matters.
The Consumer Protection Act 2007 (Grocery Goods Undertakings) Regulations 2016 entered into force on 30 April 2016.
Under Section 18(1) of the Regulations, a relevant grocery goods undertaking (RGGU) is required to submit an annual compliance report in respect of its obligations under the Regulations for the previous 12 months to the CCPC by 31 March each year. The first annual compliance reports covering the period from 30th April 2016 to 31st December 2016 were due on 31st March 2017. I am informed that annual compliance reports were received from all undertakings that have notified the CCPC of their status as an RGGU under the Regulations. The next compliance reports which cover the period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017 will be due for submission to the CCPC on 31 March 2018.
The enforcement information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table.
|
Information sought |
Current position |
|
The number of investigations undertaken in response to complaints under the grocery goods Regulations. |
The CCPC has received no complaints to date regarding non-compliance with the Regulations and therefore has not initiated any investigations or undertaken any enforcement action. |
|
The number of enforcement actions made. |
Nil |
|
The number of cases which were concluded with fines issued. |
Nil. |
|
The amount in euro of fines issued. |
Nil. |
|
The number of collected and uncollected fines. |
Nil. |
