Written Answers Nos. 545-564
545. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if Enterprise Ireland has filled all 39 additional Brexit-related staff posts; if not, when the remaining posts will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36425/18]
View answerMy Department has ensured that Enterprise Ireland (EI) has the necessary resources to drive awareness and to assist companies to prepare for Brexit.
EI were provided with additional resources in 2017 and again in 2018 to enable the agency to ramp up supports in light of Brexit to drive improvements in:
- productivity,
- competitiveness,
- innovation, and
- management capability and leadership skills.
Enterprise Ireland’s funding for 2017 included an additional €1.7 million to assist in the recruitment of 39 Brexit specific posts. 37 of these posts have been filled to date and recruitment is ongoing for the remaining posts.
A further €1.3m was provided in budget 2018 to enable EI to recruit approximately 18 additional staff this year. To date, 8 staff have been recruited and the remaining posts will be recruited as soon as possible.
546. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the budget allocation for Enterprise Ireland since its establishment up to 2018; the number of domestic staff employed by Enterprise Ireland; the number of Enterprise Ireland staff based abroad in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36486/18]
View answerEnterprise Ireland work with approximately 5,000 companies through a network of market and sector advisors based across 10 national offices and 33 international offices. They also work with the network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices through their Centre of Excellence to support small and micro businesses.
Enterprise Ireland currently employs 556 (FTE) staff in its Irish offices. This figure includes permanent staff and staff on fixed term contracts but excludes Irish Graduates and Work Experience Placement Students.
EI also currently employs 169.5 (FTE) people in its overseas offices. This number includes expats, locally hired staff and staff participating on EI’s International Graduate Programme.
My Department has ensured that Enterprise Ireland has the necessary resources to drive awareness and to assist companies to prepare for Brexit.
Enterprise Ireland’s funding for 2017 included an additional €1.7 million to assist in the recruitment of 39 Brexit specific posts. 37 of these posts have been filled to date and recruitment is ongoing for the remaining posts.
A further €1.3m was provided in Budget 2018 to enable EI to recruit approximately 18 additional staff this year. To date, 8 staff have been recruited and the remaining posts will be recruited as soon as possible.
The specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to the budget allocation for Enterprise Ireland since its establishment up to 2018 is a large volume of information. Therefore it was not possible to collate all the information in the relevant timeframe. This additional information will be supplied separately as soon as it is available.
|
Enterprise Ireland Budget Allocation. Incorporating allocations across the following DBEI Programme Areas: A – Jobs Enterprise Development B - Innovation |
|
|
Year |
Total |
|
1999 Subheads D - 1,2,3 - €139,576m |
€139,576m |
|
2000 Subheads D - 1,2,3 - €161,043m |
€161,043m |
|
2001 Subheads D - 1,2,3 - €152,569m Subhead F - €71,105m |
€223,675m |
|
2002 Subheads D - 1,2,3 - €163,978m Subhead F - €56,832m |
€220,810m |
|
2003 Subheads D - 1,2,3 - €151,534m Subhead F - €73,995m |
€225,529m |
|
2004 Subheads D - 1,2,3 - €148,390m Subhead F - €82,880m |
€231,270m |
|
2005 Subheads D - 1,2,3 - €153,841m Subhead F - €91,945m |
€245,786m |
|
2006 Subheads D- 1,2,3 - €150,666m Subhead F -€104,482m |
€255,148m. |
|
2007 Subheads D - 1,2,3 - €157,395m Subhead F -€117,511m |
€274,906m. |
|
2008 Subheads D - 1,2,3 - €161,831m Subhead F - €132,613m |
€294,444m. |
|
2009 Subheads D - 1,2,3 - €197,022m Subhead F - €133,688m |
€330,710m |
|
2010 Subheads D -1,2,3 - €171,454m Subhead F - €128,087m |
€299,541m. |
|
2011 Subheads D -1,2,3 - €164,223m Subhead F - €140,259m |
€304,482m. |
|
2012 Subhead A7 - €155,787m Subhead B4 - €139,942m |
€295,729m |
|
2013 Subhead A7 – EI €135,841m Subhead B4 – EI €131,685m |
€267,526m |
|
2014 Subhead A7 – EI €125,218m Subhead B4 – EI €115,255m |
€242,786m |
|
2015 Subhead A7 – EI €129,584m Subhead B4 – EI €117,568m |
€247,152m |
|
2016 Subhead A7 – EI €131,749m Subhead B4 – EI €121,738m |
€253,487m |
|
2017 Subhead A7 – EI €143,254m Subhead B4 – EI €126,248m |
€269,502m |
|
2018 Subhead A7 – EI €146,550m Subhead B4 – EI €126,448m |
€272,998m |
547. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has finalised its report on the operation of the household waste collection market; if the report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36538/18]
View answerOn 4 July 2017, a motion was passed by Dáil Éireann which called on the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to ask the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to report on the operation of the household waste collection market.
Following a formal request on 25 September 2017 from the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the then Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, in accordance with section 10(4) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014, requested the CCPC to carry out a study on the operation of the household waste collection market.
The study will assess the nature and scale of consumer and operator issues in the household waste collection market and consider if the introduction of an enhanced regulatory regime could efficiently address these issues, in the short and long term. It will include the following elements:
1. Research on Current Issues in the Waste Sector;
2. An Economic Assessment of the Household Waste Collection Market;
3. An Overview of Waste Collection in Other Countries; and
4. Recommendations
To date, I am informed that the CCPC has carried out an extensive analysis of the household waste collection sector. Actions carried out include a public consultation exercise, a series of interviews and meetings with approximately 20 key stakeholders in the waste market, including those with policy and enforcement roles, and engagement with consumer representative groups, academics, industry representative groups, and individual household waste collection operators.
The CCPC commissioned consumer market research, engaged with other EU national competition agencies on how waste markets operate in their jurisdiction, sought extensive information from over 40 operators and commissioned an external econometric analysis of the data received.
I am informed that the report is currently being finalised and it is likely that it will be published shortly.
548. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if funding is available to support a business (details supplied); the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36550/18]
View answerThe Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Monaghan is the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for anyone who wishes to start or grow their own business in the area.
The LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant State supports available through agencies such as Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, Education and Training Boards, the Credit Review Office and Microfinance Ireland. The LEOs can also offer advice and guidance in areas such as Local Authority rates, Public Procurement and other regulations affecting business.
The LEOs can offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs can provide financial assistance within three main categories: Feasibility Grants (investigating the potential of a business idea); Priming Grants (to part-fund a start-up); and Business Development Grants for existing businesses that want to expand. (It should be noted that the LEOs do not provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services, construction/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses). In addition, there is a Technical Assistance Grant available for eligible micro-exporter applicants who are seeking to explore alternative markets for their product or service.
For anyone interested in starting or growing a business, the LEOs may be able to offer ‘soft’ support in the form of training (e.g. a Start Your Own Business course); a mentor to work with the business proposer; or targeted programmes such as Lean for Micro (to help boost business productivity and competitiveness).
Micro-enterprises may also avail of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVS) from the LEOs. The Scheme offers the opportunity for businesses to develop their website or digital marketing strategy by availing of vouchers of up to €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure.
Anyone with a viable business proposal can also use the LEO to make an application to MicroFinance Ireland, which offers support in the form of loans of up to €25,000 to start-ups with viable business propositions that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by the banks. Successful applicants can avail of a more favourable interest rate from MFI if they make their application through the LEO.
I should also draw your attention to the ‘Supporting SMEs’ Online Tool, which is a cross-governmental initiative to help start-ups navigate the range of Government business supports for which they could be eligible. The tool is available at www.supportingsmes.ie. By answering the eight questions in the Online Tool, a small business will, in one location, be able to:
- find out which of the over 170 Government business supports from 27 different Government Departments, Agencies and Initiatives are available to them;
- obtain information on the range of Government supports for accessing credit;
- identify their nearest Local Enterprise Office where they can discuss the outcomes of the guide further;
- download all these filtered results into a document for their further use.
For further information on LEO supports see https://www.localenterprise.ie/monaghan.
549. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if consideration is being given to adding chiropractors to the list of highly skilled eligible occupations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36627/18]
View answerWhere specific skills prove difficult to source within the State and wider EEA, an employment permit may be sought by an employer to hire a non-EEA national. The employment permits system is managed in part through the operation of the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List (HSEOL) and Ineligible Categories of Employment List (ICEL) for the purposes of granting an employment permit.
Changes to access to the Irish labour market for specific occupations via the employment permits system are made on the basis of research compiled in the annual National Skills Bulletin and the annual Vacancy Overview Report, which is undertaken by the Expert Group of Future Skills Needs, the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SOLAS) and coordinated by the National Skills Council. This data, in tandem with a public consultation process which will involve the submission of evidence based cases for inclusion on, or removal from the HSEOL and ICEL, to the appropriate Government Department by sectoral stakeholders, will form the basis of the bi-annual review process.
Since a review of the lists completed in 2015, Chiropractors (who are members of the Chiropractic Association of Ireland) were removed from the Ineligible List and became eligible for a General Employment Permit. This permit type is the primary vehicle used by the State to attract third country nationals for occupations experiencing a labour or skills shortage and holders are eligible to apply for family reunification with the Department of Justice and Equality after 12 months.
My Department recently conducted a review of economic migration policies underpinning the current employment permits system and the report is due to be published shortly with a review of the lists of occupations for employment permits scheduled to commence in the Autumn.
In order to consider an occupation for inclusion on the HSEOL, there would need to be a clear demonstration that recruitment difficulties are solely due to shortages across the EEA and not to other factors. Organisations in the sector would need to provide the necessary data to substantiate their claim as part of a detailed evidence-based case which would be forwarded by the Department of Health as the lead Department for the sector, to my Department for review and consideration.
550. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of prosecutions initiated and convictions, director disqualifications and director restrictions secured, respectively, by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36636/18]
View answerThe figures to date (4 September) for 2018 are set out in tabular form below:
|
No. of prosecutions initiated |
Number of convictions |
No. of Director Disqualifications |
No. of Director Restrictions |
|
1 |
2 |
9 (1 by Disqualification Undertaking; 8 by Court Orders) |
78 (61 by Restriction Undertakings; 17 by Court Orders) |
The ODCE also exercised its right to make certain compliance applications to the High Court under Section 371 of the Companies Act 1963, now Section 797 of the Companies Act 2014, to secure compliance with Orders sought.
However, it should be borne in mind that, working within the context of a rectification policy, many issues can be addressed by exercise of powers without the necessity of bringing issues to the Courts for determination, for example: production of registers; directing the holding of Annual General Meetings; production of minutes of meetings; and regularising breaches of the director loan provisions which, in 2017, secured the rectification on a non-statutory basis, of suspected infringements of the Companies Act 2014, in relation to Directors’ loans in 39 cases, to an aggregate value of €15.5m approximately.
The ODCE took a decision in recent years to concentrate its resources on more serious and complex investigations, the result of which is usually the submission of a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for consideration, as opposed to a summary prosecution.
In terms of prosecutions, the Director of Corporate Enforcement is only statutorily empowered to initiate summary prosecutions (i.e. prosecutions of relatively minor offences in the District Court).
More serious alleged breaches of company law are prosecuted on indictment in the Circuit Court and only the Director of Public Prosecutions (“DPP”) can direct that charges be preferred on indictment.
Furthermore, since June 2015, company directors facing restriction or disqualification proceedings before the Courts, can avoid Court proceedings by voluntarily agreeing to be restricted or disqualified for certain periods. This provision ensures that company directors, who are considered to be in breach of the Companies Act 2014 and facing restriction or disqualification proceedings, are dealt with in an efficient and effective administrative manner without the need for the involvement of the Courts.
551. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to develop and promote public lands at a location (details supplied) as a suitable location for inward investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36730/18]
View answerThe IDA Ireland business park in Knockaconny, County Monaghan covers approximately 17 hectares of which 7.56 hectares are currently available for marketing. The IDA is working with Monaghan County Council on planning permission for technology units on the Park to assist in attracting investors to the area.
The Agency is also exploring the potential to attract non-traditional investments into the region. These are projects which do not fall under the general remit of IDA or Enterprise Ireland but which could create investment and employment opportunities.
552. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff recruited in Enterprise Ireland, LEOs, InterTradeIreland and the IDA since the Brexit referendum in June 2016; the number of new staff hires and replacement staff in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36911/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, an additional €3 million was secured for my Department in respect of Pay in Budget 2017 targeted specifically to assist with increased staffing needs for the Department and a number of our Agencies to deal with the evolving Brexit scenario. In Budget 2018, an additional pay allocation of a further €3 million was gained for further strengthening staff resources in respect of Brexit, within the Department and some of its Agencies. These funds have, and are, enabling the Department and, primarily, our Agencies to recruit additional staff to supplement existing staffing numbers in the context of the workload associated with Brexit.
It is important to note however that the work of very many Business Units both within my Department and its Agencies are impacted by Brexit and are working on responding to it despite not being recruited specifically for this purpose.
The specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to recruitment in Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices, InterTradeIreland and the IDA has been sought, and will be supplied separately as soon as it is available.
|
Agency |
New Hire |
Replacement Staff |
Total |
|
Enterprise Ireland * |
237 |
161 |
398 |
|
LEO’s |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
IntertradeIreland |
10 |
8 |
18 |
|
IDA** |
23 |
84 |
107 |
553. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA site visits in each county in quarter 1 and 2 of 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36912/18]
View answerIDA Ireland continues to highlight the benefits of expanding or locating in all counties of Ireland to its client base. It is important to remember, however, that the final decision as to where to invest always rests with the company concerned. It is also the case that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as at least 70% of all new foreign direct investment (FDI) comes from existing IDA Ireland client companies.
Site visits nevertheless do represent an important tool through which investors can be encouraged to invest in regional areas and the IDA always does its utmost to ensure that investors consider all potential locations when visiting Ireland.
The table below sets out the number of IDA Ireland site visits to each county in Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 2018.
|
County |
Q1 2018 |
Q2 2018 |
|
Dublin |
69 |
72 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
0 |
|
Meath |
1 |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
1 |
|
Laois |
4 |
2 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
3 |
9 |
|
Clare |
4 |
3 |
|
Limerick |
8 |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
1 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
1 |
|
Louth |
6 |
6 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
1 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
3 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
3 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
2 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
9 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
1 |
|
Cork |
10 |
14 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
5 |
|
Galway |
10 |
20 |
|
Mayo |
2 |
2 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
135 |
172 |
554. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the figures regarding the Brexit SME loan scheme launched in 2018 by category (details supplied) in tabular form. [36913/18]
View answerThe Brexit Loan Scheme provides affordable working capital to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees that are or will be Brexit impacted and which meet the scheme criteria. The €23 million exchequer funding announced in the 2018 Budget (€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 over the lifetime of the scheme.
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. Businesses can 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 their Brexit challenges. The SBCI assesses 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 using their eligibility reference number. Participating finance providers are the Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank and Allied Irish Bank. Approval of loans is subject to the finance providers' own credit policies and procedures.
The figures in the table below are those as to end of June 2018. The Department will receive a report each quarter from the SBCI on the uptake of the scheme. A number of requested figures have not been included in this table as they pertain to the relationship between banks and their client SMEs and so are beyond the remit of these reports. Some questions requested the same information and have, therefore, been answered once.
|
Requested Details (as at 30 June 2018) |
- |
|
Number of businesses which have applied to the SBCI to confirm eligibility for the scheme |
151 |
|
Number of businesses which have had their applications assessed by SBCI |
138 |
|
Number of businesses which have not had their applications assessed by SBCI |
13 |
|
Number of businesses which have had a successful application and received an eligibility reference number |
132 |
|
Number of businesses which had a successful application and received no eligibility reference number |
N/A |
|
The number of businesses who did not have a successful application and received no eligibility reference number |
6 |
|
List of current finance providers |
Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank and AIB |
|
Number of SMEs which have progressed to sanction at finance provider level |
10 |
|
Total value of loans progressed to sanction at finance provider level |
€2.49m |
|
Current interest rate for those in receipt of approved loans |
Maximum interest rate under the scheme is 4% |
555. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the supports for SMEs by her Department and agencies under her remit, such as LEOs, to help small businesses through training and so on to transition to the PAYE and PRSI payroll reporting requirements from January 2019; and if she has submitted a submission to the Revenue Commissioners or the Department of Finance in this regard to provide support to SMEs. [36917/18]
View answerSince October 2016, when the then Minister for Finance launched the PAYE Modernisation project in his Budget speech, Revenue has worked extensively with all relevant stakeholders in a co-design approach to ensure the new reporting system reduces the administrative burden on employers to the greatest extent possible. The move to real-time reporting is the most significant change to the PAYE system since its introduction more than fifty years ago. The modernisation programme will bring improved accuracy and transparency for all stakeholders, including employers, employees and Revenue, while also significantly streamlining the entire administration process.
The new real-time reporting requirements will simplify the PAYE reporting process for employers and their agents by eliminating various forms (e.g. P.30, P.45, P60) which are currently required. For the most part the new reporting requirements will seamlessly integrate with the existing payroll process without any additional burden on the current employer. Revenue is working very closely with the Payroll Software Developers Association to design the employer payroll reporting requirements.
Employers who do not use payroll software will be able to comply with the requirements by completing a simple online form on ROS, the data required is in line with what they are currently required to provide on an employee’s payslip under employment law.
I am assured that Revenue is also conscious of the very small minority (0.3%) of employers who are unable to use online services. These would typically include situations where internet access is insufficient, or where the employer is elderly or suffers from a disability. Such employers can apply to be excluded from the obligation to submit PAYE returns online and Revenue will make specific arrangements to facilitate manual reporting using customised stationery, to record and submit employees’ payroll information in hard copy.
One of the main advantages of the new real-time reporting arrangements is that employees, employers, and Revenue, will always have the most accurate and up-to-date information available in respect of pay and statutory deductions. For example, in the context of an increasing variety of employments, where people change jobs more frequently and multiple concurrent employments are more commonplace, the availability of this information will assist Revenue in ensuring that each employee gets the full benefit of her/his entitlements each year, particularly if s/he has more than one employment. The current annual (P35) system does not facilitate this and can leave employees at a disadvantage because information is captured on an annual (historic) basis, rather than in real-time.
In terms of communicating the message to all employers, Revenue has been actively engaged in information briefing sessions nationwide. Since January 2017 to date, Revenue teams have presented at over 240 PAYE focused events for a variety of stakeholders including the Small Firms Association, The Irish Farmers Association, Chartered Accountants Institute, Irish Taxation Institute, Age Action, Payroll Providers, Tax Agents and many other representative bodies.
I also understand that Revenue has written to every registered employer in the country and is currently engaged in a large number of regional customer service visits to assist employers with their preparations for PAYE Modernisation. Revenue Seminars are planned for September and October as well as an extensive advertising campaign.
My officials have engaged with Revenue on this matter and will continue to monitor the impact of the new requirements on businesses of all sizes. In 2017, the Revenue Commissioners gave a presentation and hosted a question and answer session for members of the Advisory Group on Small Business (AGSB) on the new PAYE reporting requirements. The AGSB (chaired by Minister Breen) is the principal conduit for SMEs and their representative groups to interact with my Department. It is envisaged that Revenue will attend future meetings of the AGSB for further discussions and to receive feedback on the new system.
556. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applicants and participants in Brexit schemes (details supplied) by county; and the amount allocated and expended to each such scheme in each year since being established. [36918/18]
View answerEnterprise Ireland’s (EI’s) focus for 2018 is to help clients increase their competitiveness and to diversify their global footprint - key attributes required to be resilient to economic shocks, such as those emerging from any kind of Brexit.
To this end, EI has engaged in a programme of:
- Building resilience in Irish exporting companies focused on innovation, market diversification and competitiveness; and
- Addressing awareness and preparedness of companies to Brexit.
It should be noted that the Schemes detailed below are not a full representation of the wide range of supports offered by my Department and its Agencies to help businesses prepare for Brexit.
Brexit Scorecard
To date over 2,669 companies have used the Scorecard. In 2018, EI spent €11,742 on the Brexit Scorecard.
|
County |
Scorecards |
|
Antrim |
38 |
|
Armagh |
12 |
|
Carlow |
34 |
|
Cavan |
49 |
|
Clare |
35 |
|
Cork |
214 |
|
Derry |
7 |
|
Donegal |
65 |
|
Down |
21 |
|
Dublin |
941 |
|
Fermanagh |
5 |
|
Fingal |
37 |
|
Galway |
112 |
|
Kerry |
51 |
|
Kildare |
87 |
|
Kilkenny |
33 |
|
Laois |
27 |
|
Leitrim |
24 |
|
Limerick |
63 |
|
Longford |
14 |
|
Louth |
74 |
|
Mayo |
34 |
|
Meath |
71 |
|
Monaghan |
89 |
|
Offaly |
29 |
|
Roscommon |
24 |
|
Sligo |
33 |
|
Tipperary |
66 |
|
Tyrone |
7 |
|
Waterford |
46 |
|
Westmeath |
44 |
|
Wexford |
45 |
|
Wicklow |
86 |
|
Grand Total |
2669 |
Note: Not all Scorecards reported County
Brexit Act-On Initiative
To date 86 Brexit Act-On Initiatives have been completed. EI has paid €172,000 to date under the Brexit Act-On initiative.
|
County |
Completed |
|
Carlow |
5 |
|
Cavan |
7 |
|
Clare |
5 |
|
Cork |
6 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
|
Dublin |
25 |
|
Galway |
5 |
|
Kerry |
5 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
|
Kilkenny |
5 |
|
Laois |
5 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
|
Louth |
5 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
|
Meath |
5 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
6 |
|
Wexford |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
|
Total |
86 |
Be Prepared Grant
EI has approved 127 Be Prepared grants to companies since its launch, and paid €113,084 out to client companies under this initiative.
|
County |
No. of companies |
|
Carlow |
5 |
|
Cavan |
5 |
|
Clare |
5 |
|
Cork |
8 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
|
Dublin |
56 |
|
Galway |
7 |
|
Kerry |
5 |
|
Kildare |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
5 |
|
Laois |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
5 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
|
Longford |
5 |
|
Louth |
5 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
|
Meath |
5 |
|
Monaghan |
5 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
|
Wexford |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
|
Grand Total |
127 |
Strategic Consultancy Assignment
EI has approved 129 Strategic Consultancy Grants to companies. Since the initiative was established EI has paid €1,081,898 to client companies under this scheme.
|
Client County |
No. of companies approved |
|
Carlow |
5 |
|
Cavan |
5 |
|
Clare |
5 |
|
Cork City |
6 |
|
Cork County |
16 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
|
Dublin |
41 |
|
Galway |
5 |
|
Kerry |
5 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
|
Kilkenny |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
5 |
|
Limerick |
8 |
|
Longford |
5 |
|
Louth |
5 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
|
Meath |
5 |
|
Monaghan |
5 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
|
Wexford |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
9 |
|
Grand Total |
129 |
Market Discovery Fund
Since it was launched in 2018, 47 Market Discovery Grants have been approved, and a total of €83,060 has been paid out to client companies under this initiative.
|
Client County |
No. of companies |
|
Cavan |
5 |
|
Clare |
5 |
|
Cork |
5 |
|
Dublin |
18 |
|
Galway |
5 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
|
Kilkenny |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
5 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
|
Longford |
5 |
|
Louth |
5 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
|
Meath |
5 |
|
Monaghan |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
|
Grand Total |
47 |
Agile Innovation Fund
EI has approved 24 Agile Innovation Grants to companies since its launch, and a total of €72,336 has been paid out to client companies under this initiative.
|
Client County |
No. of companies |
|
Cavan |
5 |
|
Clare |
5 |
|
Cork |
5 |
|
Dublin |
9 |
|
Galway |
5 |
|
Kerry |
5 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
|
Meath |
5 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
|
Grand Total |
24 |
Note: This table was launched in 2018 and contains no 2017 or 2016 approvals.
The tables shown present the number of approvals under each scheme. EI does not track application numbers for reporting purposes. All received applications are reviewed in line with grants evaluation criteria. EI does not release the number of approvals per county when the value is five or below to preserve client confidentiality.
557. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the labour force participation rates and in particular the female labour force participation rate in comparison with other EU countries and the EU average. [36920/18]
View answerThe latest Labour Force Survey release from the CSO for Q2 2018 has shown that participation rates are increasing across the labour force. When comparing year-on-year data, our overall participation rate has increased by 0.5 percent to 62.3 percent. The male participation rate has shown a slight increase (0.1 percent) to bring total male participation to 68.6 percent. The female participation rate has increased by 0.8 percent to bring the total to 56.4 percent. This level of female participation is the highest rate that has been recorded in Ireland since Q3 2009.
In order to make accurate EU comparisons, data is taken from Eurostat’s EU Labour Force Survey as published for 2017. This data shows that female participation in Ireland in 2017 was 55.7 percent. This is significantly higher than the 2017 EU average of 51.8 percent. This data identifies Sweden as the country with the highest female participation rate (62.1 percent) in Europe and Italy as the country with the lowest female participation rate (40.9 percent).
My Department recognises the importance of enhancing female participation rates in the labour market. Increasing female participation in the labour market provides us with the potential to both deliver significant social and gender equality benefits, and to address the growing need for skills and talent. With this in mind, the Action Plan for Jobs 2018 has a dedicated action aimed at facilitating female participation in employment. Action 28 aims to identify relevant policy issues for cohorts with low participation rates based on analysis of patterns of labour market participation. My Department is leading on this action and work is currently underway. It is expected that this study will be completed by the end of this year.
558. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the advertising and promotion expenditure to date, including television, radio, newspapers and online, for the InterTradeIreland Brexit grant scheme and Enterprise Ireland’s Brexit Be Prepared grant scheme. [36924/18]
View answerITI is particularly well-placed, given its remit to develop cross-border trade, to help SMEs prepare for the particular North-South challenges associated with Brexit. This has been a key priority for the body since the decision by the UK to leave the European Union.
The Brexit Advisory Service was established in May 2017 to provide a focal point for SMEs working to navigate any changes in cross-border trading relationships on account of Brexit. The service includes a range of tailored supports to help businesses prepare for the challenges ahead. As part of the service, ITI has organised a series of awareness events focused on improving knowledge of customs processes and procedures and identifying actions that can be taken in areas such as logistics and supply chain management. ITI also offers vouchers which enable companies to get professional advice on how best to plan and prepare for the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. This support helps businesses obtain advice on specific areas such as tariffs, currency management, regulatory and customs issues and movement of labour, goods and services. ITI vouchers are worth up to £2000/€2000 (inclusive of VAT) each.
ITI has incurred expenditure of £220,000, which is approximately €244,000, on advertising and promotion for their Brexit Advisory Service.
Enterprise Ireland’s expenditure to promote their ‘Be Prepared’ grant amounts to €7,000, which was incurred in respect of digital media platforms only. Enterprise Ireland continue to drive awareness of the wide range of supports available with the roll out of regional Brexit Advisory Clinics this Autumn, which will be in Galway, Dundalk, Waterford and Limerick.
559. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on correspondence (details supplied). [36925/18]
View answerThe Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for the enforcement of competition and consumer 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. As investigations and enforcement matters are part of the day-to-day operational work of the CCPC, I, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation have no direct function in the matter.
Additionally, I understand that the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 confers powers on the Commission for Utility Regulation to regulate electrical contractors with respect to safety. That Act falls under the remit of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment.
560. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of contracts for market research worth more than €10,000 awarded by the Department of Health in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the value of each contract; the steps taken to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises were encouraged to apply for the contracts; the number of tenders in each case; the name of the successful company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35536/18]
View answer598. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of contracts for market research worth more than €10,000 awarded by his Department in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the value of each contract; the number of tenders in each case; the name of the successful company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35535/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 560 and 598 together.
The Healthy Ireland Survey provides an up-to-date picture of the nation's health, with a robust and credible set of data on a range of health related behaviours and health service utilisation patterns. The Survey involves in-home, face-to-face interviews lasting approximately 45 minutes, with a sample of approximately 7,500 individuals from across all regions, deemed representative of the Irish population aged 15 and over.
The Survey allows the Department to report credibly on a range of issues with significant impact on health outcomes, such as smoking, drinking, diet and obesity, physical activity, and mental health, as well as being able to provide reliable and timely data to fulfil international reporting requirements, to measure demand for health services and to provide up-to-date information to inform policy development and implementation.
In 2014, the Department contracted Ipsos MRBI to conduct the first Waves of the Healthy Ireland Survey, which has been conducted annually since 2015, at a cost per annum of €562,640 (€692,045 including VAT).
This contract expired in 2018, therefore, in line with best practice and the Department's legal obligations in relation to procurement, a Request for Tender was issued in April, 2018, inviting submissions for the conduct of the Survey over the next three to four years. Three tenders were received and evaluated by a Tender Evaluation Panel that included external experts in addition to Departmental officials. In line with the recommendation of the Tender Evaluation Panel, the contract was again awarded to Ipsos MRBI. The annual cost of the Survey under new contractual arrangements will be €719,346 (€884,796 including VAT).
Both the 2014 and 2018 contracts were advertised on the Office of Government Procurement's e-Tenders website in compliance with regulations and best practice guidelines in place at the time of publication. e-Tenders incorporates measures for SME inclusion. It should be noted there are a limited number of companies with the capacity to undertake such research in Ireland. Most, if not all, of these companies either registered an interest in the Request for Tender (RFT) or submitted tenders, indicating sufficient awareness of the RFT.
It should also be noted that the Healthy Ireland Survey is health research, not market research.
|
Unit Name |
Description of services/project |
Name of Company |
Date (time period) |
Cost (inclusive of VAT)€ |
|
Health and Wellbeing Programme |
Healthy Ireland Survey 2016 |
Ipsos MRBI |
August 2015 - September 2016 |
692,047 |
|
Health and Wellbeing Programme |
Healthy Ireland Survey 2017 |
Ipsos MRBI |
August 2016 - September 2017 |
692,047 |
|
Health and Wellbeing Programme |
Healthy Ireland Survey 2018 |
Ipsos MRBI |
August 2017 - September 2018 |
692,047 |
|
Health and Wellbeing Programme |
Healthy Ireland Survey 2019 |
Ipsos MRBI |
August 2018 - September 2019 |
884,796 |
561. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to address issues with the fair deal scheme for farmers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35757/18]
View answerThe proposed policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, to cap contributions from farm assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. Minister Daly hopes to progress legislation in the Oireachtas in the autumn session.
The impact of potential changes to the NHSS will be considered as part of Budget 2019, with changes expected to take effect next year. It is intended that this proposed policy change, the 3 year cap, will be extended to eligible existing participants in long term residential care so that they are not disadvantaged, but that there would be no retrospective recoupment of contributions for those who have paid contributions over and above the 3 year period.
562. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will receive additional funding to allocate to those section 39 organisations that have pay restoration obligations as indicated in the HSE report submitted on 11 June 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36090/18]
View answer672. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of pay restoration for HSE staff aligned with disability organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35768/18]
View answer785. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1592 of 24 July 2018, if the situation between the HSE and section 39 organisations has now been resolved; if the organisations will receive the requisite funding to meet pay restoration entitlements under national pay agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36089/18]
View answer949. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the negotiations regarding section 39 workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36927/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 562, 672, 785 and 949 together.
You will be aware that in February 2018, an agreement was reached at the WRC between my Department, the HSE and health sector Trade Unions in relation to a process aimed at resolving the pay restoration issue for staff employed by section 39 bodies.
I asked the HSE to engage with the Section 39 organisations to establish the facts around what cuts were applied and how and when they were implemented. The HSE has completed the first phase of their work in relation to the 50 agencies identified as part of the WRC process. This exercise has shown that of the agencies who returned data, a majority did apply pay reductions of some form. It also showed that some agencies made some form of pay restoration between 2016 and 2018.
Two conciliation meetings took place between the parties at the Workplace Relations Commission in July 2018. Regrettably, the unions withdrew from this process and SIPTU has indicated its intention to proceed with industrial action on 18 September 2018.
My Department remains willing to return to discussions at the Workplace Relations Commission.
563. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if correspondence from a person (details supplied) has been received and examined; and if a response has been issued. [36282/18]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
564. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the arrangements being made for the provision of education in the Gaeltacht for a child (details supplied) with severe speech and language difficulties that would include speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36344/18]
View answerAs the Deputy's question refers to the provision of education, I have contacted my colleagues at the Department of Education and Skills and they have informed me that parents of children with special needs who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) as soon as possible for information on available places. The local SENO contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) works in collaboration with the Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency which is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child or can offer assistance where a child is out of school. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at: www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/.
Children who require speech and language therapy can access assessment and intervention through their local HSE primary care services or disability services. Parents can find out how to access the most appropriate service by calling their local HSE centre.
I hope that this information may be of assistance to you.
