Written Answers Nos. 186-199
186. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of health and safety inspectors employed by the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, in 2015, 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29890/18]
View answer187. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Health and Safety Authority, HSA, inspections carried out in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29891/18]
View answer188. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the budget of the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29892/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 188, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The budget figure for each year is the budget approved by the HSA Board at the start of the particular year and comprises the original Exchequer allocation for each year and the estimate of what the HSA expects to receive in own resource income at the start of the particular year.
In relation specifically to the farming sector the planned target of farm inspections was significantly increased in 2010 from 1,500 per year to 3,000. However, this increased level of inspection showed no significant reduction in farm deaths. Therefore, since 2015 the HSA has redirected some of its inspection resources toward engaging directly with farmers on other accident prevention initiatives.
|
PQ No |
Question |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 to date |
|
29890/18 |
Number inspectors employed in Authority* |
109 |
103 |
101 |
108 |
|
29891/18 |
Number of HSA inspections |
9,735 |
9,362 |
8,876 |
4,460 |
|
29892/18 |
Budget of HSA |
€20,217,000 |
€20,640,000 |
€20,632,000 |
€21,825,000 |
* The total number of inspectors includes Grade I, Grade II and Grade III inspectors. Note that Grade I inspectors do not inspect as they have a managerial role.
189. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated cost of Ireland becoming an associate member of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, CERN, and a full member of CERN, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29893/18]
View answerInnovation 2020, the national strategy for research and innovation, 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. For this reason, the Government gave a specific commitment in Innovation 2020 to initiate negotiations with CERN on Ireland's membership options.
Discussions with CERN commenced in 2016 and senior officials from my department, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland visited CERN in Geneva in July 2016. The Director-General of CERN, Dr Fabiola Gianotti, visited Dublin in October 2016 and met with the former Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D. The information gathered during these engagements has provided my officials with a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits of membership of CERN. While these benefits are significant, the cost of membership is also significant. Therefore, the case for membership of CERN must be assessed in the context of other investment priorities.
From the most recent correspondence with CERN, the annual contribution for an Associate Member State is subject to bilateral agreement and is a minimum of 10% of the theoretical (full) Member State contribution. The formula used is based upon the State's Net National Income (NNI). CERN estimate that the minimum annual contribution for Ireland as an Associate Member State would be 1.5 Million Swiss Francs, or approx. €1.3 million at current exchange rates. Previous indications from CERN have suggested that full membership could amount to approximately €15 million per annum.
My Department continues to keep the position in relation to CERN membership, and its cost under review, and maintains contact with officials in CERN in relation to Ireland's potential membership.
190. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated cost of re-establishing the co-operative development unit in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29894/18]
View answerI have no plans to establish a co-operative development unit within my Department at this point in time, and therefore, it is not possible to estimate the cost of setting up and running such a unit.
I can say that my Department already works to support co-operatives. The Friendly Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 was aimed primarily at easing the regulatory burden on co-operative societies and making it easier to start up and run a co-operative as an alternative form of enterprise organisation. It addressed particular problems that were identified in the co-operative sector and helps to ensure this model thrives and grows to its potential to promote appreciation of the co-operative as a form of enterprise.
My Department supports co-operatives in the same way as we support other enterprises. The co-operative model is one of a number of legal options that are available to those considering establishing themselves in business and the different models have their own distinct characteristics. It is of course a matter for each individual operation to choose the model that best suits the nature of the business and the desired ethos of the entity.
My Department provides a full range of enterprise supports for new and existing businesses, primarily through its development Agencies, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. I would direct the Deputy to my Department's website: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/Which-support-is-for-you/. This webpage provides links to a number of useful resources including the Supporting SMEs online tool which helps direct SMEs to relevant Government supports (the tool contains over 170 supports).
191. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the budget for the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement for 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29895/18]
View answerThe funding allocation for the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) in respect of 2018 is €5.057m.
The distribution of the funding allocations across my Department’s Vote, including that of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, is determined through the annual Revised Estimates Volume (REV) process.
192. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff working in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement by role in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29896/18]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows.
|
Position |
No. of staff1 |
Role |
|
Director |
1 |
Director |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
Head of Insolvency and Corporate Services Unit |
|
Enforcement Portfolio Manager |
1 |
Head of Assessment Unit and team of Investigative Accountants |
|
Enforcement Portfolio Manager |
1 |
Head of Enforcement Unit including Solicitor and team of Investigative Accountants, and Advocacy Unit |
|
Enforcement Lawyer |
1 |
Legal services to Office |
|
Digital Forensics Specialist |
1 |
Digital forensics services to Office |
|
Investigative Accountant |
6 |
Forensic accounting services to Office |
|
Solicitor |
1 |
Legal services to Office |
|
Assistant Principal |
3 |
Leading, respectively: Insolvency Unit, Assessment Unit, Corporate Services Unit |
|
HEO |
6.8 |
Administrative support to the various Units |
|
EO |
5.4 |
Administrative support to the various Units |
|
CO |
7.8 |
Administrative support to the various Units |
1Refers to Full Time Equivalents, as at 2nd July 2018.
In addition, there are seven members of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau on secondment to the Office.
193. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the budget allocation for Enterprise Ireland for 2016, 2017 and 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29897/18]
View answerThe distribution of exchequer funding allocations as per the 2016 to 2018 Revised Estimates Volumes for Enterprise Ireland as provided through my Department’s Vote is set out in the following table.
Enterprise Ireland
|
Enterprise Ireland Budget allocations (€,000) |
2016(€,000) |
2017(€,000) |
2018(€,000) |
|
Subhead A7 |
125,719* |
113,254** |
146,550 |
|
Subhead B4 |
121,738 |
126,248 |
126,448 |
*After Supplementary Estimate reallocation of €6m in Capital savings following better than anticipated ORI
**After Supplementary Estimate reallocation of €30m in Capital savings following better than anticipated ORI and timing issues with Regional Funding Call and other grant commitments
The Deputy should note that the funding provision to Enterprise Ireland covers two subheads on my Department’s Vote, Subheads A7 and B4, which span general supports to indigenous firms and for research and development/innovation supports.
The table does not capture other Exchequer funding being provided to Enterprise Ireland in 2017 from the Votes of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment.
Enterprise Ireland are also provided with funding from the National Training Fund (NTF).
The operations of Enterprise Ireland are also supported through the generation, retention and use of Agency Own Resource Income, which is subject to annual sanction by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
194. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the budget allocation for the IDA for 2016, 2017 and 2018 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29898/18]
View answerThe distribution of exchequer funding allocations as per the 2016 to 2018 Revised Estimates Volumes for IDA Ireland as provided through my Department’s Vote is set out in the following table.
IDA Ireland
|
IDA Ireland Budget allocations (€,000) |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
147,480* |
176,264** |
180,780 |
* After Supplementary Estimate reallocation of €6.12m in Capital savings following better than anticipated ORI
** After Supplementary Estimate reallocation of €3m in Capital savings following timing issues with drawdown for Regional Property Programme Grants
IDA Ireland are also provided with funding from the National Training Fund (NTF).
The operations of IDA Ireland are also supported through the generation, retention and use of Agency Own Resource Income, which is subject to annual sanction by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
IDA Ireland is now equipped with its highest ever capital budget and staffing level, recognising it’s importance in terms of job creation and the regionalisation agenda.
195. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the budget allocation for InterTradeIreland for 2016, 2017 and 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29899/18]
View answerThe distribution of exchequer funding allocations as per the 2016 to 2018 Revised Estimates Volumes for InterTrade Ireland as provided through my Department’s Vote is set out in the following table.
InterTrade Ireland
|
InterTrade Ireland Budget allocations (€,000) |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Subhead A4 |
7,465 |
7,960 |
8,125 |
The funding provision to Inter-Trade Ireland is provided on a North-South basis and annual allocations are finalised in conjunction with the Northern Administration. The allocation provided through my Department’s Vote is adjusted proportionally given the joint-funding arrangement in place. Also, as the working currency of the Body is Sterling by virtue of being based in Newry, Co. Down, other adjustments can be necessary, to take account of exchange rate fluctuations between the Euro and Sterling.
196. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the budget allocation for Science Foundation Ireland for 2016, 2017 and 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29900/18]
View answerThe distribution of exchequer funding allocations as per the 2016 to 2018 Revised Estimates Volumes for Science Foundation Ireland as provided through my Department’s Vote is set out in the following table.
|
SFI Budget Allocations(€,000) |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Subhead B4 |
193,662* |
183,231** |
177,565 |
*Including additional €27m Capital by way of supplementary Estimate
**Including additional €10.6m Capital by way of supplementary Estimate
Baseline funding for Science Foundation Ireland has increased annually since 2016. Additional funding was allocated in 2016 and 2017 by way of Supplementary Estimates. The additional funding provided to Science Foundation Ireland through the Supplementary Estimates, amounts to over €37.5m since December 2016. This is recognition of how important Research, Development & Innovation is in underpinning our future jobs capacity. It is a cornerstone of our overall economic development policy.
197. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reports commissioned by her Department in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the cost of each report in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29901/18]
View answerDetails of external reports commissioned by my Department, including expenditure on each report, in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 to date are set out in the following tables.
2018
|
Name of external Consultant/Organisation |
Report Title |
Date of Commission |
Cost of Report - € |
|
Ward Solutions |
IT Systems Security Testing |
5/10/2017 but not paid for until 2018 |
€7,349.25 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
An analysis of the level and nature of contingent employment in Ireland |
May 2017 |
Nil to date |
|
O’Herlihy Access Consultants |
Development of access policy, action plan and access audit |
January 2018 |
€12,669 |
|
Copenhagen Economics |
Strategic Implications arising from EU-UK Trading Patterns |
26th June 2017 |
205,900 |
|
Copenhagen Economics |
A study to examine the Potential Economic Benefits of Greater Deepening of the Single Market for Services in the EU. |
16th May 2018 |
€60,000 approximately (excluding VAT). |
|
Deloitte (Extended Contract) |
Sectoral, Firm-Level Impacts of Brexit |
May 2018 |
€2,150 (excluding VAT) |
|
Name of external Consultant/Organisation |
Report Title |
Date of Commission |
Cost of Report - € |
|
The SME and Entrepreneurship Policy Unit have engaged the OECD to conduct a “Review of SME & Entrepreneurship Policies and Issues in Ireland”. The review will take 18 months to conduct. |
The OECD will produce a twenty-page policy roadmap to translate the assessment into a roadmap for policy action, which can be implemented in the context of the envisaged long-term SME and entrepreneurship strategy devised by the Department |
Report due July/August 2019 |
€300,000 - €85,000 of which was paid to the OECD in 2018. |
|
KPMG |
Data Analysis and Benchmarking Exercise for the Personal Injuries Commission |
20th February 2018 |
Report not finalised |
|
Duff and Phelps Ltd. |
Not in the public domain |
26 May 2018 |
Contract not delimited by price but rather by rate. No invoice has been received as yet. |
|
IDC UK Ltd. |
Skills for the Digital Economy |
26th March 2018 |
€60,000 (excluding VAT) |
|
AutoAddress |
Geocoding DBEI companies |
2rd April 2018 |
1663.68 (excluding VAT) |
2017
|
Name of external Consultant/Organisation |
Report Title |
Date of Commission |
Cost of Report - € |
|
Copenhagen Economics |
Strategic Implications arising from EU-UK Trading Patterns |
June 26th 2017 |
174,900 (excluding VAT) |
|
Copenhagen Economics |
Ireland and the Impact of Free Trade Agreements |
December 2017 |
€199,000 |
|
Version 1 Software Ltd |
Oracle Licence Review |
15/11/17 |
30,907.44 |
|
Ward Solutions |
IT systems security testing |
15/03/2017 |
21,648.00 |
|
Indecon/London Economics |
Review of the Economic Appraisal Model for projects supported by the Enterprise Development Agencies in Ireland |
11th May 2017 |
€95,590 (VAT inclusive) |
|
IDC UK Ltd |
Forecasting the Demand for ICT Practitioners in Ireland, 2017-2022 |
26th September 2017 |
€85,731 (VAT inclusive) |
|
AECOM |
Addressing the Skills Needs Arising from the Potential Trade Implications of Brexit |
12th December 2017 |
€68,277 (VAT inclusive) |
|
Prospectus Limited |
Skills Forecast to 2030 for the Early Childhood Education and Care sector |
23rd August 2017 |
€68,000 (inclusive of VAT) |
|
Institute for Manufacturing – Educational and Consultancy Services |
Study on Digitalisation of the Manufacturing Sector and the Policy Implications for Ireland |
2nd August 2017 |
€47,847 |
|
Insight Statistical Consulting |
Annual Employment Survey 2017 |
August 2017 |
€20,910 - (DBEI, IDA, EI) |
|
Insight Statistical Consulting |
Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact |
December 2015 (2 years of survey) |
€138,375 - (DBEI, IDA, EI) |
|
ESRI Research Programme – EI & DBEI |
Import Content of Irish Exports, Implications pf Brexit for inputs and Competitiveness |
Oct 2017 |
€40,000 (EI €20,000, DBEI €20,000) |
|
KPMG |
Ireland and Scaling SMEs An assessment of Ireland’s tax environment for scaling SMEs and new entrepreneurial businesses |
12/05/2017 |
(DBEI – 22,416.66, EI – 30,750, IDA – 8,333.34) |
|
Deloitte |
Sectoral, Firm-Level Impacts of Brexit |
May 2017 |
€69,950 ex VAT |
|
ASM Chartered Accountants |
Four internal audit reports: 1) IDA Ireland- liaison and governance 2) Local Enterprise Offices oversight 3) Export licensing 4) Enterprise Ireland-liaison and governance |
15 May 2017 |
50,088 |
|
Mazars LLP |
Not in public domain. |
September 2014 |
153,670.09 |
|
Deloitte and Touche |
Not in public domain. |
February 2015 |
8,260.68 |
|
Research Matters Limited |
Indicative Baseline Assessment of Corporate Social Responsibility in Ireland |
10th March 2017 |
33,825.20 |
|
Behaviour and Attitudes |
Brexit Vote – The impact on Irish SMEs and their Capital Funding (Survey) |
July 2017 |
€25,000 |
2016
|
Name of external Consultant/Organisation |
Report Title |
Date of Commission |
Cost of Report - € |
|
Sabeo |
Health check on email archive system |
December 2015 |
3,228.75 |
|
Gas Package Solutions (GPS) Ltd., |
Assessment of application for recognised third party recognition status under EU Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC |
22 June 2015 |
6,685.00 |
|
Capita Business Services Ltd |
Review of Science and Technology Development Programme – Draft Audit Report |
October 2015 |
8,250.00 |
|
Ward Solutions |
ICT Security Reviews |
Various Dates |
3,198.00 |
|
Sabeo |
Patents Office ICT System Architecture Review |
March 2016 |
4,305.00 |
|
Insight Statistical Consulting |
Annual Survey of Economic Impact 2015 |
December 2015 |
46,125.00 |
|
ESRI Research Programme with DJEI and EI |
Research Programme – Innovation and Productivity and Services export diversification |
July 2016 |
50,000.00 (DJEI), 50,000.00 (EI) |
|
Indecon Economic Consultants |
Study to Examine the Affordability of Irish Housing and its impact on economic competitiveness. |
March 2016 |
25,239.60 |
|
Indecon Economic Consultants |
Review of RDandI Supports available to businesses in Ireland |
24th May 2016 |
59,133.80 |
|
Insight Statistical Consulting |
Data Analysis to feed into Knowledge Based Capital study |
29th April 2016 |
13,776 |
|
Ward Solutions |
ICT Security Reviews |
29 June 2016 and 10 August 2016 |
16,186.80 |
|
Storm Technology Limited |
Health Check on Microsoft SQL server systems |
29th August 2016 |
3,690.00 |
|
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (CIIA) |
External Quality Assessment for Internal Audit Unit - DJEI |
September 2016 |
€16,974 |
|
Technopolis |
Evaluation of Overseas Office Activities of the Enterprise Development Agencies |
1 August 2016 |
98,400 |
|
Z_punkt The Foresight Company |
A Technology Futures Exercise |
15th July 2016 |
105,792 incl VAT |
|
Insight Statistical Consulting |
Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact Tender for 2 years to cover the 2015 and 2016 surveys |
December 2015 – 2 years |
€276,750.00 total cost of 2015 survey conducted in 2016 and 2016 survey conducted in 2017. Costs split 3 ways between DJEI, EI and IDA each paying €92,250.00 over 2 years or €46,125.00 each p.a |
|
ESRI Research Programme with DJEI and EI |
Research Programme: - Service Exports and Exporters of Services - Innovation and Productivity |
November 2015 |
50,000.00 (DJEI) 50,000.00 (EI) |
|
Indecon Economic Consultants |
Study to Examine the Affordability of Irish Housing and its impact on economic competitiveness. |
March 2016 |
25,239.60 |
|
Insight Statistical Consulting |
Annual Employment Survey 2016 |
December 2015 |
46,125.00 (DJEI) (EI) (IDA) |
|
PA Consulting Services Ltd |
Horizon Scan of Global Markets and Identification of Opportunities for Ireland and Irish Based Enterprise |
August 2016 |
119,925 |
198. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when she plans to publish her account of the report by the Director of Corporate Enforcement into the failings in an investigation (details supplied) by the ODCE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29902/18]
View answerMy Department sought the advice of the Office of the Attorney General on the account of the investigative shortcomings identified by Judge Aylmer. My Department is currently considering that advice. It is important that the account is in line with fair procedures, due process and natural justice.
It is intended that the account will be published as soon as possible.
199. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the banks that are providing moneys under the Brexit loan scheme. [29926/18]
View answerThe Brexit Loan Scheme provides affordable working capital to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees that are or will be impacted by Brexit and meet the scheme criteria. The €23 million exchequer funding (€14 million from my Department and €9 million from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) has been leveraged to provide a fund of up to €300 million.
The scheme features a two-stage application process. First, businesses must apply to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to confirm their eligibility for the scheme. This application process requires businesses to use guidelines provided on the SBCI website to determine if they are eligible, and if so, to complete the eligibility form. As part of the process, businesses must submit a business plan, demonstrating the means by which they intend to innovate, change or adapt to meet the challenges posed by Brexit. The SBCI assess the applications and successful applicants receive an eligibility reference number.
Successful applicants can then apply for a loan under the scheme with one of the participating finance providers. Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank have participated since the scheme’s launch on 28 March, while Allied Irish Bank followed on 25 June. Approval of loans under the Brexit Loan Scheme is subject to the finance providers’ own credit policies and procedures.
