Written Answers Nos. 259-281
259. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will report on the large number of employment legislation contraventions in the equine sector arising from inspections by the Workplace Relations Commission in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8461/18]
View answerIn 2017, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) initiated a compliance and enforcement campaign within the equine sector generally, including the horse racing industry.
Over the course of the year (Phase I) some 74 employers were identified and 73 inspections had been carried out for the purposes of checking compliance with, among other requirements, national minimum wage rates, employment permit obligations and working hours provisions including those relating to rest breaks, leave, public holiday and Sunday work entitlements.
During Phase 1 of the WRC campaign some 228 contraventions were detected. Of these:
- 29% related to work records,
- 25% related to a failure to grant Sunday, Public Holiday or Annual Leave entitlements,
- 16% related to terms of employment,
- contraventions of working hours, rest provisions and payslip provisions each accounted for 8%,
- 7% of contraventions involved a failure to pay National Minimum Wage rates or contracted amounts.
Some contraventions were also detected under Employment Permits and Protection of Young Persons legislation.
Just under half of the 74 cases opened under Phase I were completed before the end of 2017 and the associated 102 contraventions addressed. The remainder are in process.
Contraventions are initially drawn to the attention of employers by means of a Contravention Notice. Where the employer does not demonstrate compliance within the time limits imposed by the Inspector, and, depending on the legislation involved, the matter may be escalated in terms of the issue of Compliance or Fixed Payment Notices and/or the initiation of prosecution proceedings.
The WRC's activities in the equine sector also include an awareness and educational programme and engagement with stakeholders with the overall objective of achieving employment rights compliance. A Working Group, comprising the WRC, Horse Racing Ireland, Horse Sport Ireland and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, was established in October, 2017 on the recommendation of the WRC. This is with a view to collaborating and engaging with employers in the industry on measures to enhance compliance, including the production of a guide for equine employers on employment rights and obligations. The Group expects to launch this Guide before the end of March 2018.
The WRC is currently examining the outcomes from Phase I of its campaign. This examination will inform the scope and content of operations under Phase II which is expected to commence shortly.
260. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the situation in the UK in which a national minimum wage compliance scheme has identified and secured payment of arrears of pay amounting to at least £400 million for underpayments of minimum wage to overnight workers in the social care sector; if the labour inspectorate here has identified a similar issue; if so, the level of underpayments of minimum wage identified in this sector in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and the arrangements that have been put in place to secure full redress for such underpayments on behalf of the employees affected. [8778/18]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to comment on a national minimum wage compliance scheme operating in another jurisdiction.
I should point out that policy responsibility for the social care sector comes within the remit of the Minister for Health who, I understand, has previously commented on the particular issue of overnight workers in the social care sector. The Minister confirmed in the context of a parliamentary question in May 2017 that social care staff employed in the public health service are subject to the requirements of the European Working Time Directive as transposed into Irish law by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
In 2014, the Labour Court issued a recommendation in 2014 that confirmed that time spent on sleepovers should be acknowledged as constituting working time and that staff should be paid at a rate that is equal to the national minimum hourly rate. It is my understanding that the Department of Health, the HSE, Social Care employers and unions are participating in a conciliation process on this issue which is independently chaired by the conciliation services of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
The WRC comes within the remit of my Department and is responsible for compliance with employment rights legislation generally. Inspectors from the WRC routinely carry out inspections in all employment sectors, including the social care sector, with a view to checking for and enforcing employment rights compliance by employers.
The WRC carries out inspections of employer employment records:
- In response to complaints received of alleged non-compliance with relevant employment rights legislation;
- As part of compliance campaigns which focus on compliance in specific sectors or specific pieces of legislation, or
- As routine inspections, which act as a control measure.
The WRC’s aim is to achieve voluntary compliance with employment law through the provision of education and awareness, inspection of employers’ employment records and enforcement where necessary. While every effort is made to secure compliance, some employers either refuse or fail to rectify the breaches identified and/or pay money due to their employees. These cases are referred for prosecution.
The following is the outturn of inspections activities in the broader sector from 2014 to 2018. The figures for the sector were not captured separately prior to 2014.
Inspections in Health Nursing and Childcare Sector
|
|
No. of Inspections |
Unpaid Wages Recovered |
|
2014 |
88 |
€32,250 |
|
2015 |
83 |
€67,043 |
|
2016 |
73 |
€156,071 |
|
2017 |
78 |
€200,198 |
|
2018 |
4 |
€0 |
261. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to enhance the ability of the Workplace Relations Commission’s inspection services to proactively pursue widespread breaches of basic employment rights with particular reference to measures (details supplied). [8779/18]
View answerI want to assure the deputy that my Department works in close co-operation with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to ensure that the WRC has sufficient capacity and mechanisms available to it to assist in the effective enforcement of employment law.
This builds on the significant reform package put in place in the employment rights enforcement area that was voted through the Oireachtas in the Workplace Relations Act 2015.
I note that in 2017, the WRC was successful in recouping some €1.75m in underpaid wages for employees which is up 16% on the amount collected in the previous year. Also in 2017, the WRC issued 122 compliance notices requiring rectification of breaches detected under certain employment rights. This included, where appropriate, the payment of any unpaid or underpaid annual leave/public holiday entitlements. In that context, I am satisfied that the current enforcement regime of employment rights legislation being pursued by the WRC is working well.
As the deputy will be aware, the WRC was established on 1 October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. Inspectors of the WRC carry out inspections of employer records with a view to determining compliance with employment rights legislation. These inspections arise:
- in response to complaints received of alleged non-compliance with relevant employment rights legislation;
- as part of compliance campaigns which focus on compliance in specific sectors or specific pieces of legislation, or
- as routine inspections, which act as a control measure.
In the first instance the WRC makes every effort, through the conduct of information and awareness campaigns, to secure voluntary compliance with employment law. Where this constructive and proactive approach does not work and employers either refuse or fail to rectify the breaches identified and/or pay money due to their employees, the WRC will progress these cases through the prosecution route.
In relation to the specific issues raised, the deputy will be aware that the WRC is an independent, statutory body. Therefore, it conducts its functions independently, having regard to applicable law, as to how best to achieve effective compliance with employment rights legislation. This includes such remedial activities as the restitution of unpaid wages by non-compliant employers. Where an employer does not make good the wages owed the WRC initiates criminal proceedings in the District Court.
As regards workers’ annual leave and public holiday entitlements, under Section 28 of the Workplace Relations Act 2015, WRC inspectors are empowered to issue a Compliance Notice to employers found in breach of annual leave/public holiday entitlements. The notice requests rectification of the breach or breaches detected including, where appropriate, the payment of any unpaid or underpaid annual leave/public holiday entitlements. I note that in 2017, of the 122 compliance notices issued by the WRC requiring rectification of breaches detected under certain employment rights, 105 related to matters pertaining to employee’s entitlements under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
On the issue of appropriate penalties under employment law, this is a matter for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection which now has responsibility for employment rights legislation and policy, including the Minimum Wage Act.
Provisions in legislation governing employment permits serve to protect the employment rights of migrant workers as statutory employment rights and protections apply to migrant workers in exactly the same manner as they do to native Irish workers. On application by either employer or employee, the employment permit is granted to the employee; and the permit contains a statement of the entitlements of the migrant worker including their remuneration, and a summary of the principle employment rights of employees.
The WRC Inspectors’ powers under the Employment Permits Acts are not considered to interfere with the effective discharge of their duties or prejudice in any way the authority and impartiality which are necessary for inspectors in their relations with employers and workers as set out in Article 3(2) of the Inspection Convention of the ILO.
262. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of her Department's review into the work permit regime; when she expects this review to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8241/18]
View answerThe State's economic migration policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the State and other EEA states. Where specific skills prove difficult to source within the State and EEA, an employment permit may be sought by an employer to hire a non-EEA national. As the State approaches full employment, labour as well as skills needs are beginning to manifest and as a consequence, consideration of the State's approach to the accessibility of the employment permit regime for lower skilled workers in certain sectors and occupations is appropriate.
Economic migration alone is not a sustainable long-term solution to skills and labour shortages and indeed can, in some circumstances, help to perpetuate those shortages in the economy. The development of particular skills in the resident labour force can depend upon a judicious deployment of economic migration as a supplementary rather than a primary source of those skills, and adjustments must be made with this in mind.
While there is some anecdotal evidence of a tightening labour market in some sectors, the fact remains that there are 238,000 on the live register, and with a potential pool of 18 million unemployed in the EU 28. Thus my Department needs to be prudent in considering whether to open up the labour market to unskilled non-EEA workers on wage levels at or just above the national minimum wage.
In this context, I have asked my officials to undertake a review of the economic migration policies which underpin the current employment permits system, to ensure it is fully supportive of Ireland’s emerging labour market needs, be they skills or labour shortages in certain sectors.
An Inter-Departmental Group has been established to inform the review and it is made up of relevant State Departments, including Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform; Justice and Equality; Housing Planning and Local Government; Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Health; Transport, Tourism and Sport; Education and Skills; Employment Affairs and Social Protection. .
The review process will also include a public consultation, with feedback sought from relevant stakeholders and interest groups. The group met for the first time on 9 February last and I have asked that a report be submitted to me before the end of June.
263. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of information officers available in her Department to deal with Brexit queries form the general public and members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; if her Department will consider appointing such information officers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8383/18]
View answerWhile my Department does not have designated information officers to deal specifically with Brexit queries, I am satisfied that there are existing supports available for dealing with queries submitted from the general public and members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. In this regard, my Department is committed to maintaining and improving its commitment to, and delivery of, the highest standards of quality customer service across its full remit.
The Press Office deals with all queries from the media. This office also informs the public via the media and social media about all policies, functions and activities of the Department.
My Office and the Offices of the Ministers of State, act in a liaison capacity between sections within the Department, and with other Government Departments and relevant public bodies, to provide information to the general public and members of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Individuals can also contact the Department about any of it's activities at info@dbei.gov.ie.
Given the wide mission my Department has, the UK’s decision to leave the European Union continues to impact significantly on all Divisions across my Department as well as our family of Agencies. In this context, officers across all policy areas may deal with Brexit related queries depending on the nature of the query.
To coordinate and represent the Departmental and Agencies response to Brexit and to support me in my position at the Cabinet Committee dealing with Brexit, a dedicated Brexit Unit was established in my Department in 2016. This Unit is led at Assistant Secretary level within the EU Affairs and Trade Policy Division. The Assistant Secretary is supported by a staff compliment of seven (one Principal Officer, three Assistant Principal Officers, two Higher Executive Officers and one Clerical Officer). The Unit also leads on engagement with a broad range of stakeholders to inform and validate our response to Brexit.
Staff expertise has also been drawn from across a number of different policy areas and they have been assigned to additional postings across the whole Department that have been most impacted by Brexit.
We are continually prioritising the Brexit challenges and will actively keep the staffing requirements under review through workforce planning. We will also continue to invest in our staff to ensure service delivery and quality customer services.
264. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the actions taken by her and the State's industrial development agencies to prevent job losses at a manufacturing plant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8565/18]
View answerI am disappointed with the announced redundancies at the company. At a time when the country as a whole is moving towards full employment, that does not make it any easier for any person who finds themselves faced with redundancy. It also underlines that though the economy overall is performing well, there are challenges out there that require every company to make sure it is competitive and is capable of satisfying the needs of their customers.
According to the company, the objective of the announcement is to improve the overall competitiveness of the site and to future proof it so that it can continue to operate effectively in Monaghan.
The company envisages that post this process, the site will be better prepared to continue to supply and sustain their commercial opportunities in the market place where they currently have a strong position. The formal consultation process began a month ago and is ongoing. The company envisages that the redundancies will be achieved on a voluntary basis.
I would strongly urge the parties to continue their extensive engagement locally with a view to reaching a resolution to the satisfaction of both employees and the company.
I will certainly work with my colleague, Minister for Employment and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, to ensure that redundant workers are given the support they need to find alternative employment. I would hope that alternative employment can be found quickly in the region. My own objective, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and as a local representative, is to ensure that new job opportunities are created in the local area.
The national economic picture is strong and in fact the numbers on the live register in Monaghan are down by 15% in the last year alone. But I am very conscious that more needs to be done. I will be working, together with my Department and agencies to ensure there is an even greater focus on the border and in particular on counties like Monaghan and Cavan.
The North-East/North-West Regional Action Plan for Jobs is the key policy response for supporting employment growth in the region. The core objective of the Plan is to have a further 28,000 at work in the region by 2020. Importantly, the Plan has been embraced by public and private sector bodies in the region and over 90% of the Plan’s actions are on track to be delivered. In terms of impact, more than 12,000 more people are in employment in the Border region since the Plan commenced.
265. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of legacy adjudication complaints initially submitted to the Rights Commissioner Service of the Labour Relations Commission and the Equality Tribunal which were to receive a hearing by the adjudication service of the Workplace Relations Commission as of 31 December 2017; and the equivalent figures for 31 December in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive. [8593/18]
View answerThe establishment of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) created a more streamlined structure for the submission of employment rights and equality complaints. All first instance complaints are now submitted to the WRC, whereas before they could be submitted to the Rights Commissioner Service in the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), the Equality Tribunal, or the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
On establishment of the WRC on 1 October 2015, it assumed responsibility for some 3,965 combined legacy complaints of the Equality Tribunal and the Rights Commissioners. Currently, 3,670 or 93% of the legacy caseload that the WRC assumed have been dealt with.
At the end of 2014, the Equality Tribunal had 1,426 complaints on hand. A corresponding figure is not available for Rights Commissioner cases although the service received 9,800 complaints that year. By the end of 2016, the legacy caseload was reduced by 60% to 1,628.
At year end 2017, the legacy caseload of 3,965 complaints assumed by the WRC in October 2015 has reduced to just 295.
Of the outstanding 295 cases, legacy complaints from the Rights Commissioner service totals just five cases which cannot be processed further at this point pending decisions of the High Court.
Of the 290 legacy complaints from the Equality Tribunal, a number of these cases cannot be processed further by the WRC at this point as they are pending decisions of other courts. In a number of other cases, decisions of the WRC are either pending or have hearing dates assigned over the next two month period. It is expected that all of these cases before the WRC will be processed to completion in the near future.
It should be noted that over the same period, the Adjudication Service of the WRC has received some 28,500 new complaints. Within this number, c. 92% of these current complaints are being fully processed, i.e. a decision is given on a complaint or it is otherwise resolved, in six months or less, where no postponement requests or late submissions.
266. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the sum of unpaid wages recovered by the Workplace Relations Commission in 2017 by area and sector. [8594/18]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)’s aim is to achieve voluntary compliance with employment law through the provision of education and awareness, inspection of employers’ employment records and enforcement where necessary. While every effort is made to secure compliance, some employers either refuse or fail to rectify the breaches identified and/or pay money due to their employees. These cases are referred for prosecution.
Details of the amount of unpaid wages recovered by the WRC in 2017 by area and by sector are provided in the following table.
|
County |
Unpaid Wages Recovered |
Sector |
Unpaid Wages Recovered |
|
CARLOW |
80,048 |
AGRICULTURE |
56,229 |
|
CAVAN |
12,312 |
CONSTRUCTION |
44,497 |
|
CLARE |
45,800 |
CONTRACT CLEANING |
29,395 |
|
CORK |
23,256 |
DOMESTIC WORKER |
30,190 |
|
DONEGAL |
33,117 |
ELECTRICAL |
2,933 |
|
DUBLIN |
404,275 |
EQUINE |
7,759 |
|
GALWAY |
78,707 |
FISHERIES |
6,252 |
|
KERRY |
12,697 |
FOOD & DRINK |
444,634 |
|
KILDARE |
116,698 |
HAIR AND BEAUTY |
19,955 |
|
KILKENNY |
57,880 |
HEALTH NURSING AND CHILDCARE |
200,198 |
|
LAOIS |
7,150 |
HOTEL |
109,227 |
|
LEITRIM |
2,499 |
MANUFACTURING |
33,576 |
|
LIMERICK |
22,462 |
OTHER |
220,464 |
|
LONGFORD |
4,256 |
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES |
52,612 |
|
LOUTH |
49,637 |
SECURITY |
13,167 |
|
MAYO |
29,493 |
TRANSPORT |
164,680 |
|
MEATH |
69,326 |
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL |
333,718 |
|
MONAGHAN |
54,772 |
TOTAL |
1,769,484 |
|
OFFALY |
94,654 |
||
|
ROSCOMMON |
24,642 |
||
|
SLIGO |
2,805 |
||
|
TIPPERARY |
97,956 |
||
|
WATERFORD |
57,734 |
||
|
WESTMEATH |
84,046 |
||
|
WEXFORD |
197,317 |
||
|
WICKLOW |
105,946 |
||
|
TOTAL |
1,769,484 |
267. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of employment rights compliance investigations launched by the Workplace Relations Commission’s inspection services in 2017 in relation to Acts (details supplied), in tabular form. [8595/18]
View answer268. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of compliance notices, fixed payment notices and summary prosecutions issued by the Workplace Relations Commission’s enforcement services in 2017 for alleged failures to comply with employment rights legislation, broken down by the Acts which those notices and prosecutions are in relation to. [8596/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.
The Workplace Relations Commission carries out inspections of employer employment records
- In response to complaints received of alleged non-compliance with relevant employment rights legislation;
- As part of compliance campaigns which focus on compliance in specific sectors or specific pieces of legislation, or
- As routine inspections, which act as a control measure.
The aim is to achieve voluntary compliance with employment law through the provision of education and awareness, inspection of employers’ employment records and enforcement where necessary. While every effort is made to secure compliance, some employers either refuse or fail to rectify the breaches identified and/or pay money due to their employees. These cases are referred for prosecution.
The metric used for recording inspection activity is by economic sector as opposed to specific statutes. The following table sets out inspection activity by economic sector in 2017.
|
Sector |
No. of inspections |
|
AGRICULTURE |
48 |
|
CONSTRUCTION |
75 |
|
CONTRACT CLEANING |
18 |
|
DOMESTIC WORKER |
20 |
|
ELECTRICAL |
6 |
|
EQUINE |
54 |
|
FISHERIES |
95 |
|
FOOD & DRINK |
645 |
|
HAIR AND BEAUTY |
79 |
|
HEALTH NURSING AND CHILDCARE |
78 |
|
HOTEL |
55 |
|
MANUFACTURING |
38 |
|
MISCELLANEOUS OTHERS |
332 |
|
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES |
124 |
|
SECURITY |
20 |
|
TRANSPORT |
61 |
|
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL |
258 |
|
TOTALS |
2,006 |
|
UNANNOUNCED VISITS |
2,741 |
|
GRAND TOTAL |
4,747 |
The following tables set out the number of compliance notices, fixed payment notices and summary prosecutions issued by the Workplace Relations Commission’s enforcement services in 2017.
|
Total Issued |
Number |
Legislation |
|
|
Compliance Notices |
122 |
17 |
Payment of Wages Act 1991 |
|
105 |
Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 |
|
Total Issued |
Number |
Legislation |
|
|
Fixed Payment Notices |
30 |
30 |
Payment of Wages Act 1991 |
|
Prosecutions |
*95 |
62 |
Employment Permits Acts 2003 and 2006 |
|
14 |
National Minimum Wage Act, 2000 |
||
|
30 |
Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 |
||
|
7 |
Payment of Wages Act, 1991 |
||
|
2 |
Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996 |
||
|
19 |
Workplace Relations Act, 2015 |
*Some of these prosecutions were for breaches of more than one Act.
269. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the actions she is taking to protect jobs at a factory (details supplied) in view of recent media reports. [8598/18]
View answerI am disappointed with the announced redundancies at the company. At a time when the country as a whole is moving towards full employment, that does not make it any easier for any person who finds themselves faced with redundancy. It also underlines that though the economy overall is performing well, there are challenges out there that require every company to make sure it is competitive and is capable of satisfying the needs of their customers.
According to the company, the objective of the announcement is to improve the overall competitiveness of the site and to future proof it so that it can continue to operate effectively in Monaghan.
The company envisages that post this process, the site will be better prepared to continue to supply and sustain their commercial opportunities in the market place where they currently have a strong position. The formal consultation process began a month ago and is ongoing. The company envisages that the redundancies will be achieved on a voluntary basis.
I would strongly urge the parties to continue their extensive engagement locally with a view to reaching a resolution to the satisfaction of both employees and the company.
I will certainly work with my colleague, Minister for Employment and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, to ensure that redundant workers are given the support they need to find alternative employment. I would hope that alternative employment can be found quickly in the region. My own objective, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and as a local representative, is to ensure that new job opportunities are created in the local area.
The national economic picture is strong and in fact the numbers on the live register in Monaghan are down by 15% in the last year alone. But I am very conscious that more needs to be done. I will be working, together with my Department and agencies to ensure there is an even greater focus on the border and in particular on counties like Monaghan and Cavan.
The North-East/North-West Regional Action Plan for Jobs is the key policy response for supporting employment growth in the region. The core objective of the Plan is to have a further 28,000 at work in the region by 2020. Importantly, the Plan has been embraced by public and private sector bodies in the region and over 90% of the Plan’s actions are on track to be delivered. In terms of impact, more than 12,000 more people are in employment in the Border region since the Plan commenced.
270. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of site visits conducted by the IDA in County Galway in each of the past three years; the number of these visits that were to locations in Galway city and county respectively, by area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8606/18]
View answer271. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of site visits conducted by the IDA in counties Limerick and Cork in each of the past three years; and the number of these visits that were to locations in the two cities and other areas of those counties respectively, in tabular form. [8607/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.
This Government remains strongly committed to regional development. My Department and its agencies are working towards ambitious targets to ensure that employment and investment are distributed as evenly as possible across the country, including in Counties Cork, Galway and Limerick.
IDA Ireland always does its best to highlight suitable sites in regional areas to potential investors. It is sometimes the case, however, that IDA clients will have specific requirements that may preclude certain locations. It is important to remember as well that the final decision on where to invest always rests with the company concerned.
Site visits are also not necessarily indicative of the potential for foreign direct investment in an area, as at least 70% of all new investment comes from existing IDA clients that are already present in Ireland.
IDA Ireland collates data for site visits at a county level only so information is not available on visits to particular cities. The table below sets out the number of site visits to Counties Cork, Galway and Limerick over the past three years.
|
County |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Limerick |
40 |
49 |
42 |
|
Cork |
48 |
49 |
51 |
|
Galway |
41 |
42 |
62 |
272. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to commission an independent report into the economic benefits a united Ireland economy would bring to all sectors of the economies on the island of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8641/18]
View answerThe Government remains committed to deepening economic cooperation between North and South. This clearly benefits communities on both sides of the border and helps to create employment and economic opportunities all over Ireland.
A key instrument for helping to grow such economic activity is InterTrade Ireland (ITI), the cross-border body established under the Good Friday Agreement. ITI, which is co-funded by my Department, undertakes a range of programmes and initiatives to develop North-South business. This includes measures to help SMEs explore new cross-border markets, develop new products and grow their respective businesses.
The UK's forthcoming withdrawal from the European Union is likely, however, to present a range of challenges for North-South trade and the firms that depend on it. That is why both my Department and ITI are currently so focused on working to help companies prepare for Brexit. That will remain one of our main priorities for the foreseeable future.
Given the emphasis that has been placed on Brexit-related work, there are currently no plans to commission any independent report into the economic benefits of a united Ireland economy. However, we will continue to support cross-border commerce and the strengthening of commercial ties between our two jurisdictions.
273. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of vacant habitable dwelling units and vacant derelict residential dwelling units in the ownership of or part ownership of or under the control of both her Department and agencies under her remit; the county in which each unit is located; the length of time each unit has been vacant, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8658/18]
View answerAccommodation for my Department is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by OPW on our behalf. Therefore, my Department does not directly own, part own or control any habitable or derelict dwelling units.
Any such dwelling units under the remit of Agencies of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned for which I have no direct function. However, I have asked all Agencies to advise me of any such details, and I will communicate that information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
274. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the implications of Brexit for European research and innovation funding; if the Government has conducted an analysis of the implications of Brexit on European research and innovation funding as it relates to Ireland; if so, the findings of the analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8801/18]
View answerHorizon 2020 is the current EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Funding is secured for the final work programme for Horizon 2020 which will run until the end of 2020. Brexit is therefore not expected to have a significant impact upon funding for Horizon 2020.
In terms of European research and innovation activities, the UK is one of a number of important collaborators for Ireland in Horizon 2020. In addition to the UK, Ireland has a diversified range of collaborative links with Member States, particularly Germany, Spain and France. An analysis of Ireland's collaborations under Horizon 2020 indicates that collaborations occur in multi partner projects and that Ireland is not overly-dependent on the UK for scientific collaboration in successful EU programmes.
My Department’s agencies, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland, undertook analyses on the potential impact of Brexit following the UK vote in late 2016. In addition to ongoing review by officials from my Department, these analyses have been updated for presentation to inter-department groups on Innovation 2020 and Horizon 2020. The recent report published by my Department Building Stronger Business: Responding to Brexit by competing, innovating and trading identifies some of the potential opportunities (including research) for Ireland arising from Brexit as well as the actions which are being taken.
The successor to Horizon 2020, Framework Programme 9 (FP9), will be proposed by the European Commission later in 2018. Funding for this new European research and innovation programme will be allocated as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework. As discussions on this financial framework are ongoing, funding for FP9 is yet to be determined.
275. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the Government has reviewed Innovation 2020 in view of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8802/18]
View answerThe vision as set out in Innovation 2020, for Ireland to become a Global Innovation Leader, is even more relevant in the face of Brexit. Creating an internationally competitive research and innovation system which drives a sustainable economy is a key strand of our Brexit response. The cross-Government Innovation 2020 Implementation Group is critical in driving delivery of the strategy’s commitments in order to achieve national innovation objectives.
A key commitment in Innovation 2020 is to enable firms to innovate which has been demonstrated to build resilience in enterprise to manage, exploit and survive global challenges such as Brexit. ‘Building Stronger Business’, launched in November 2017 also sets out my Department’s approach to managing Brexit impacts on the national research and innovation system.
Together with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Enterprise Ireland (EI) and IDA Ireland, my Department is driving and supporting greater engagement in research, development and innovation by both Irish and foreign owned enterprises and by both SMEs and large scale enterprises. We are responding to the changing needs of the enterprise sector and are tailoring our supports to meet these needs.
SFI, EI and IDA Ireland are targeting R&D funding to support innovation in new products and processes which firms need to compete and grow and to invest in the pipeline of the next generation of innovators through a new postgraduate researcher programme.
Budget 2018 saw a €4.25 million increase in SFI’s budget for a new Research Centre bringing to 17 the number of large scale Research Centres. SFI is working to identify potential opportunities for Ireland in the context of EU-funded researchers wishing to relocate post-Brexit and is strengthening the research collaborations with the UK and Northern Ireland.
EI is helping clients to access external sources of innovation, enhancing internal innovation capabilities through training and supporting an increase in client research, development and innovation investment.
As innovation is a key cornerstone of enterprise policy, a review of ‘Enterprise 2025’ will be published shortly which will ensure that the enterprise policy framework remains robust in the context of Brexit. The Action Plan for Jobs 2018 will also be published in Q1 this year with a specific focus on Brexit mitigation policies and will outline actions which can commence in 2018 to support firms to overcome the challenges and to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Brexit.
Furthermore, I intend to have a mid-term evaluation of Innovation 2020 undertaken this year to determine the extent to which the specific actions outlined in the strategy remain robust and so that any relevant adjustments may be made in a timely manner to ensure successful delivery on the vision and objectives.
276. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of engagement of a number of Departments in the national drugs and alcohol strategy in respect of input at national level and participation at drug and alcohol local and regional task force level; and the steps he will take to address this matter in view of the interrelated nature of the problem of misuse. [8120/18]
View answerThe Government's drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery – a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025, recognises that drug and alcohol use is a complex issue requiring an inter-departmental response, focused on promoting healthier lifestyles within society.
A National Oversight Committee (NOC), which I Chair, gives leadership and direction to support the implementation of the strategy. A Standing Sub-Committee drives the implementation of the strategy and promotes coordination between national, local and regional levels. All relevant government departments and agencies have a representative on these committees.
Government departments and agencies are also represented on Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Taskforces. My Department is currently carrying out a review of their membership.
I am committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the strategy.
277. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health if Versatis patches will be reinstated and made available to persons with medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8058/18]
View answer280. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the difficulties faced by persons suffering from the withdrawal of Versatis patches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8072/18]
View answer281. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health his plans to make Versatis medicated patches available to persons with medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8073/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 277, 280 and 281 together.
Medicines play a vital role in improving the health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines is a key objective of the health service. However, the challenge is to do this in an affordable and sustainable manner. The medicines bill for the community drugs schemes – primarily the GMS, Long Term Illness and Drugs Payment schemes and the High Tech Arrangement – was approximately €1.8 billion in 2017.
To ensure patients receive the highest quality care, resources invested in medicines must be used efficiently and effectively. This requires an integrated approach to secure best value for money for all treatments, greater efficiencies in the supply chain and the use of the most cost-effective treatments.
Lidocaine 5% medicated plaster is licensed for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain associated with previous herpes zoster (shingles) infection, known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), in adults. It has been reimbursed in the community drugs schemes since 2010. The projected budget impact on introduction was low due to the specific licensed indication but total expenditure trebled between 2012 and 2016, from €9.4 million to over €30 million, mainly from off-license use for pain not associated with shingles.
An HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) review of this product highlighted that the clinical evidence for its use in PHN is limited due to lack of comparative data, and its value is uncertain for other types of pain. The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics estimated that, in Ireland, only 5-10% of prescribing of this product has been for the licensed indication of PHN.
Following the MMP review, the HSE introduced a new reimbursement system for the product from 1 September 2017. This process supports its appropriate use, ensuring that PHN patients continue to receive this treatment. The HSE estimates that this protocol will reduce annual expenditure on this product by approximately 90%.
Under the protocol, all patients who were receiving antivirals for shingles were automatically approved for the lidocaine medicated plaster. No action was required by GPs and the patient’s pharmacy was notified of his or her approval status.
However, since 1 December 2017, non-shingles patients no longer automatically receive this item under the community drugs schemes. In August 2017, the HSE advised GPs and pharmacies of the changes and of treatment alternatives.
It is possible for non-shingles patients to be approved for the patch through the community drug schemes. The patient's GP should apply to the Medicines Management Programme through the online system, and the MMP will review the application and inform the GP of its decision.
I am advised that the MMP has received over 4,500 applications from GPs, of which some 10% have been approved. For many of the conditions applied for, prescribing of the patch was inappropriate, for example for conditions such as deep venous thrombosis, angina, gout and endometriosis.
Where a GP’s application is rejected, it may be appealed. The HSE advises that over 50% have been accepted on clinical grounds.
Full details of the review are available on the HSE website at http://hse.ie/eng/about/Who/clinical/natclinprog/medicinemanagementprogramme/yourmedicines/lidocaine-plaster/lidocaine-medicated-plaster.html.
This decision is a matter for the HSE. However, I fully support the objectives of the HSE Medicines Management Programme.
278. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health when a general practitioner will be appointed to Waterville, County Kerry, in view of the fact that this area is without a permanent general practitioner since January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8059/18]
View answerAs this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
279. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health his plans for a MRI scanner in the Midlands Regional Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8062/18]
View answerThe Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects.
