James Browne
Question:111. Deputy James Browne asked the Taoiseach the number of long-term unemployed persons in County Wexford at the end of June 2016, December 2016, June 2017 and December 2017 respectively. [4093/18]
View answerUnemployment Data
Questions (111, 112)
James Browne
Question:112. Deputy James Browne asked the Taoiseach the number of unemployed persons in County Wexford; the rate of unemployment in County Wexford; and the long-term unemployment rate in County Wexford. [4094/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together.
The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The CSO's new Labour Force Survey (LFS) is currently the official source of estimates of Labour Market statistics in the State. This survey replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) from the beginning of Q3 2017.
Estimates of unemployment are produced by NUTS 3 regions and the most recent figures available are for Q3 2017.
The NUTS-3 South-East region includes Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford City, Waterford County and Wexford. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable County Wexford estimates from the LFS.
The following table shows the number of unemployed persons aged 15-74 years classified by NUTS-3 South East region, duration of unemployment, unemployment rate and long-term unemployment rate of those persons in the South-East region from Q2 2016 to Q3 2017.
Unemployed persons aged 15-74 years classified by NUTS-3 South-East region and duration of unemployment (ILO), Q2 2016- Q3 2017
|
Duration of unemployment (ILO) |
Q2 16 |
Q3 16 |
Q4 16 |
Q1 17 |
Q2 17 |
Q3 17 |
|
Less than 1 year ('000s) |
11.6 |
10.5 |
9.2 |
9.9 |
9.2 |
9.6 |
|
1 year and over ('000s) |
15.9 |
15.4 |
14.7 |
13.6 |
10.4 |
8.4 |
|
Not stated ('000s) |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
|
Total ('000s) |
28.2 |
26.5 |
24.3 |
23.7 |
20.6 |
19.6 |
|
Unemployment rate % (Persons aged 15-74) |
11.4 |
10.7 |
9.9 |
9.8 |
8.6 |
8.0 |
|
Long-term unemployment rate % (Persons aged 15-74) |
6.4 |
6.2 |
6.0 |
5.6 |
4.3 |
3.4 |
Unemployed persons aged 15-74 years classified by NUTS-3 South-East region and duration of unemployment (ILO), Q2 2016- Q3 2017
Source: Labour Force Survey, Central Statistics Office.
* Estimates for numbers of persons or averages where there are less than 30 persons in a cell are not produced as estimates are too small to be considered reliable.
Data may be subject to future revision;
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Cabinet Committee Meetings
Questions (113)
Micheál Martin
Question:113. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if Cabinet Committee F (National Security) has met recently. [4327/18]
View answerWritten answers
Cabinet Committee F last met on 9 November 2017 and that meeting was attended by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Trade; Justice and Equality; Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Housing, Planning and Local Government; and the Minister of State for Defence. Also in attendance were key personnel from the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána together with a number of senior Civil Servants.
A further meeting of the Committee is scheduled for early next month.
Public Private Partnerships Data
Questions (114)
Pearse Doherty
Question:114. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the public private partnerships his Department is currently engaged in; the name, cost and timeframe of each; the names of all private parties involved; and the nature of each project in terms of design, build, maintain and so on, in tabular form. [4442/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is not engaged in any public private partnerships.
World Economic Forum
Questions (115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122)
Micheál Martin
Question:115. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he met Irish business owners while attending the World Economic Forum in Davos; and if so, the issues that were discussed. [4588/18]
View answerMicheál Martin
Question:116. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the persons who travelled with him to the World Economic Forum in Davos. [4589/18]
View answerMicheál Martin
Question:117. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the company CEOs he met at the World Economic Forum in Davos; and the issues that were discussed. [4590/18]
View answerMicheál Martin
Question:118. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if Ireland's housing needs were discussed at the meetings he attended at the World Economic Forum in Davos. [4591/18]
View answerMicheál Martin
Question:119. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if immigration across the EU was discussed at the meetings he attended at the World Economic Forum in Davos. [4592/18]
View answerMicheál Martin
Question:120. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if climate change was discussed at the meetings he attended at the World Economic Forum in Davos. [4593/18]
View answerMicheál Martin
Question:121. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the presentations he attended at the World Economic Forum in Davos. [4594/18]
View answerMicheál Martin
Question:122. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he made presentations at the World Economic Forum in Davos. [4595/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 to 122, inclusive, together.
I attended the 2018 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland from 24 to 26 January. I was accompanied by a small delegation from my Department, including my Chief of Staff, the Secretary General of the Department, the Government Press Secretary, my Private Secretary, and a Security Officer from An Garda Síochána. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Paschal Donohoe also travelled to the meeting, accompanied by his officials.
The Annual Meeting, which was attended this year by over 3,000 participants, represented an unparalleled opportunity for me to meet both on a pre-scheduled and on an impromptu basis with people in leadership positions in politics, international development, civic society and business.
Throughout the course of my visit, in my scheduled meetings with companies, my participation in formal WEF events and in a series of informal contacts, I discussed a range of important policy challenges for Ireland, the EU and the global community, including climate change, sustainable development, immigration, defence, security, international trade and taxation, as well as Ireland's perspective on Brexit and the future of Europe.
I attended an event hosted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which focused on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
I held a series of pre-scheduled bilateral meetings with the Chief Executive Officers of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, eBay, Coca Cola and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, as well as the Chief Operating Officers of Facebook and Pfizer. These seven companies between them employ over 12,000 people in Ireland. I hosted an IDA Ireland dinner, which was attended by almost 40 existing and prospective FDI clients. Given that my involvement in Davos was focused on promoting inward investment from foreign-owned companies, I had no bilateral meetings with Irish business owners.
Davos provides an exceptional opportunity to engage with the international press to highlight Ireland's strengths as a location for inward investment, and I undertook several media engagements with Irish and international media, including Bloomberg, Reuters, BBC and CNN. It also provides many informal opportunities to meet business and political leaders. For example, I met briefly with Denis O'Brien, President Macri of Argentina, Prime Minister Cerar of Slovenia and Michel Barnier.
I participated in two of the World Economic Forum’s formal programme events, including a panel discussion entitled ‘New Momentum for Europe’, and a lunchtime discussion with political, academic and business leaders. I also attended US President Trump’s speech to close this year's meeting.
Urban Renewal Schemes
Questions (123)
Micheál Martin
Question:123. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the status of the Dublin inner city forum. [4599/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme Implementation Board chaired by Michael Stone is overseeing implementation of actions recommended in the Mulvey Report for the social and economic regeneration of the North East Inner City. The Board, which contains representatives from the community and business sectors and the key Government agencies, has met every month since it was established last June and will shortly publish its 2017 Report.
The Board is responsible for the delivery of the actions in the Mulvey Report and oversight of funding, and has established four dedicated sub-groups linked to the priority areas of crime and drugs; education, training and employment opportunities; services for families and young people; and physical improvements.
Like the Board, the sub-groups have strong community involvement and track progress on their respective actions and report to the Board on ongoing developments. Minutes of the monthly Board meetings and regular newsletters are available online on www.neic.ie.
The chair of the Board is reporting on a regular basis to the oversight group of senior officials chaired by the Secretary General of my Department. This is to ensure continued strong engagement across all Government departments and agencies and deal with any structural barriers and issues highlighted by the Board. I will continue to ensure that Ministerial oversight and support of this initiative is provided through the Cabinet Committee system.
Departmental Staff Retirements
Questions (124)
Peter Burke
Question:124. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Taoiseach the number of persons at assistant principal level under the aegis of his Department due to retire in the next six months due to age in counties Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Clare. [4979/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office - the only body under the aegis of my Department - are both located in Dublin.
Curragh Plains Representative Forum
Questions (125)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:125. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the significant challenges facing the conservation of the Curragh, County Kildare; the measures he is undertaking to help preserve the Curragh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4474/18]
View answerWritten answers
I am very aware of the challenges facing the conservation of the Curragh. To this end, my Department established the Curragh Forum, to provide an opportunity for key stakeholders to consider and progress a wide range of issues regarding the use and management of the Curragh Plains.
The most recent meeting of the Forum took place on Friday 12 January 2018 where the issues discussed included legislation, traffic, signage and parking issues, illegal encampments, sheep grazing rights, and the ongoing land management and maintenance of the Curragh Plains. It was agreed that progress in all of these areas requires Forum members to take ownership and work collaboratively in identifying and working towards implementing solutions.
A number of key actions were agreed by the members of the Forum to assist in addressing some of these issues. A work-programme was established for 2018 that will build on the progress made in the areas under discussion and will be supplemented by new issues arising. In addition, Kildare Co. Council has agreed that in conjunction with Kildare Fáílte, it will produce a Vision document for the Curragh that will be presented to the Forum for discussion.
On the work-programme, work has already been undertaken in identifying suitable locations for the construction of car parking spaces on the Curragh, thus reducing damage to grasslands. The design and associated costings will be progressed in 2018. It is hoped that a new lands management team will be put in place in 2018 to oversee all activities on the ground including, but not limited to, litter, sheep branding, patrolling, monitoring users of lands, inspection of property boundaries, engagement with the public, and a proposed new role of engaging in education and outreach. A new environmental maintenance contract will also be sent to tender shortly.
Military Records
Questions (126)
John McGuinness
Question:126. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 527 of 14 November 2017 and 542 of 5 December 2017, the person that issued the certificate of service; the date it was issued; and the timeframe for the certificate to be issued (details supplied). [4023/18]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the military authorities that the reissued certificate of service was sent by registered post on the 9th January 2018 to the individual concerned, to the address on file for said individual. The letter was signed for on the 15th January.
Naval Service Vessels
Questions (127)
Seamus Healy
Question:127. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 286 of 26 October 2017, the estimated cost of the additional multi-role vessel that is proposed for purchase for the Naval Service; if a decision to put the provision of the MRV out to tender has been taken in view of a news report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4263/18]
View answerWritten answers
The White Paper provides for the replacement of the current Naval Service flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel (MRV) which will be enabled for helicopter operations and will also have a freight carrying capacity. It is the Government’s intent that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks, both at home and overseas.
Planning has commenced on this project and it is intended to hold a public tender competition in due course to cover the supply of the MRV. This, of course, is subject to the availability of funding within the overall Defence capital funding envelope. The cost of the MRV will only be known once the tender competition is concluded.
The acquisition of a modern vessel will ensure that the operational capabilities of the Naval Service, as the State’s principal seagoing agency, are maintained to the greatest extent and taking account of the overall policy approach in the White Paper on Defence.
Legal Costs
Questions (128)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:128. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the legal costs to the State in respect of a case (details supplied) relating to the anti-malaria drug Lariam; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4407/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that the State Claims Agency manages Personal Injury claims on behalf of the Department. The case referred to by the Deputy was settled on 30th November 2017 without admission of liability. The Plaintiff withdrew any part of his claim in relation to the choice by the Defendants of Lariam as a chemoprophylactic. All other matters are settled and the case was struck out. You will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any individual case including the associated legal costs.
Public Private Partnerships Data
Questions (129)
Pearse Doherty
Question:129. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the public private partnerships his Department is currently engaged in; the name, cost and timeframe of each; the names of all private parties involved; the nature of each project in terms of design, build, maintain and so on, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4432/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Defence is not engaged in any public private partnership projects.
Departmental Staff Retirements
Questions (130)
Peter Burke
Question:130. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of persons at assistant principal level under the aegis of his Department due to retire in the next six months due to age in counties Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4973/18]
View answerWritten answers
Staff at Assistant Principal Officer grade are required to give a minimum of 1 months notice of retirement. Therefore, retirement on age and other grounds are kept under ongoing review as part of workforce planning across all my Department's locations including its offices in Galway. It would be inappropriate to provide information by location in respect of grade and age retirements as individuals may be identifiable.
My Department has no offices in Mayo, Roscommon or Clare.