Written Answers Nos. 306-325
306. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if overnight accommodation will be put in place for asylum seekers living in direct provision in remote areas (details supplied) when travel to Dublin is necessitated to attend their interview at the international protection office and access associated supports and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48239/18]
View answerIn January and again in September of this year, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department published a call for expressions of interest in the national press for premises to meet the increasing demand for accommodation for persons in the protection process (asylum seekers).
This call sought expressions of interest from parties who may be interested in providing accommodation and related services on an urgent and emergency basis. This was issued in response to the urgent and unforeseen demand for accommodation and related services from those persons arriving in the state seeking international protection.
Following on-site assessments carried out by staff in the Department, the Caislean Mara Hotel in Moville, Co. Donegal, the King Thomond Hotel in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare and the Atlantic Lodge, Kenmare, Co. Kerry were deemed to be suitable premises for the needs of the Department.
In relation to the accommodation centre in Moville, asylum seekers in the state cannot commute through Northern Ireland to access services elsewhere in the state. With this in mind, my Department has agreed with the contractor running that centre to arrange overnight accommodation/rest and comfort breaks for those travelling to Dublin at the accommodation centre that they currently run in Sligo for anyone attending interviews in the International Protection Office or indeed accessing any other state services in Dublin.
The Department will also source overnight accommodation in Dublin if required for residents of all three centres and RIA will liaise with the International Protection Office to arrange for grouped interview appointment times, where possible, so that residents from each of these centres can travel together.
I have requested the Department to examine the logistical and resource implications to establish if such business could be carried out from remote locations.
307. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to revise the visa requirements for Colombian visitors particularly in view of increased diplomatic relations with Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48251/18]
View answerThe list of countries whose citizens are visa-required to come to Ireland is kept under regular review in consultation with my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. There are no plans at present to revise the visa requirement for Colombian nationals.
As the Deputy may know, my Department is pursuing a Government approved strategy of greater co-ordination and co-operation on visa issues with the United Kingdom in the context of the Common Travel Area (CTA). This is exemplified by the operation of the British Irish Visa Scheme in China and India which allows for travel to and around Ireland and the UK on a single visa.
As part of this co-operation, the matter of alignment of those States whose citizens are visa-required is also being kept under review. The greater the extent of alignment between the two jurisdictions, the greater the opportunity to increase the numbers of tourism and business visits to the CTA. At present, both Ireland and the UK require all citizens of Colombia to be in possession of a visa for travel to their jurisdiction and thus it remains the position that any proposals for change will need to be considered in this context.
Officials met recently with the Colombian Ambassador and explained the current position. It was agreed nonetheless to consider the matters raised and to provide any assistance possible in the context of the development of the bilateral relationship.
308. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons Ireland has committed to accepting here under the resettlement and relocation programmes; the number of persons who have been admitted here under the resettlement and relocation programmes; the number of unaccompanied minors admitted here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48252/18]
View answerThe Government established the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) in September 2015, as part of Ireland’s response to the migration crisis in central and southern Europe. Under this programme, the Government committed to accept up to 4,000 people into the State. This was to be done through a combination of the EU Relocation mechanism established by two EU Council Decisions in 2015 to assist Italy and Greece, and the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme, which is currently focused on resettling refugees from Lebanon.
Under the EU Relocation programme, Ireland admitted 1,022 persons into the State.
Ireland committed in 2015 and 2016 to accept 1,040 programme refugees under the resettlement strand of the programme. Thus far, 925 people have arrived and the remaining individuals are due to arrive in the coming months.
In addition, the Government has pledged to take a further 945 programme refugees by the end of 2019. 345 of these persons have already been selected in 2018.
Unaccompanied minors admitted through the Calais Special Project (CSP) are granted programme refugee status and form part of the IRPP. 41 young people were admitted under the CSP, which has now concluded. A further 6 minors were admitted under the EU relocation programme.
309. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position with regard to an application for international protection for a person (details supplied) in County Laois. [48257/18]
View answerIf an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State, for confidentiality reasons it is not the practice to comment on such applications. The applicant or their designated legal advisor should contact the International Protection Office directly, either by email to info@ipo.gov.ie, by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
Similarly, the International Protection Appeals Tribunal operate an email address (info@protectionappeals.ie) which can be contacted by individuals with any queries regarding their application.
Under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, it is an offence to identify an international protection applicant. The offence is punishable by summary conviction to a Class A fine or a term of imprisonment of 12 months or both.
The Chief International Protection Officer, following consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published a statement on the Prioritisation of Applications for International Protection under the International Protection Act 2015 on 27 February 2017, which is available on the website of the International Protection Office www.ipo.gov.ie.
310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will reconsider the decision to deport persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48264/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 15 September 2017.
As previously advised it is open to the person concerned to submit further representations requesting that the Deportation Order be revoked, pursuant to Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). However, I wish to make clear that such an application would require substantial grounds to be successful.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
311. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by his Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48304/18]
View answerMy Department engages in public information campaigns, where appropriate, in order to draw attention to important issues in the Justice and Equality sector. In recent years, the focus in my Department has been on drawing attention to domestic violence and human trafficking. Some information relating to this expenditure can be seen in the following response to a previous Parliamentary Question: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-03-29/section/213/#pq-answers-216.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of each of the past 5 years is currently being compiled and verified and I will forward this information directly to the Deputy in due course.
312. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he has taken to set up a public inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) as per the vote of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48326/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission conducted an investigation into certain matters related to the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Shane O'Farrell. This investigation arose out of a series of complaints to GSOC from members of the family of Shane O'Farrell. Certain aspects of the case were also referred to GSOC for investigation by a previous Minister.
The outcome of GSOC’s investigation was set out in a report earlier this year which was provided to the O'Farrell family. The investigation concluded that no criminal misbehaviour by members of An Garda Síochána was disclosed. However, a number of matters had been identified that warranted investigation in respect of potential breaches of discipline. The investigation of those matters by GSOC is still on-going. In the circumstances I do not propose to comment further while the investigation is proceeding.
The Deputy's question refers to the motion passed by the House in June this year. As I have previously made clear to the House, it is imperative that the independence of the Ombudsman Commission is respected and that there is no improper interference with its investigations. I believe, therefore, that it is important that its investigation should be concluded before deciding on what further action may be necessary.
Nonetheless, I am writing to the Attorney General seeking his advice on how I can best give effect to the wishes of the House. When that advice is available I will be in a position to outline how I propose to proceed.
313. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the length of time GSOC has taken to investigate complaints surrounding the investigation into the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48327/18]
View answerFrom the outset, I want to remind the Deputy that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is the independent statutory body which investigates complaints against members of the Gardaí. Its independence is the guarantee to members of the public and Gardaí that complaints will be investigated fairly and free from outside influence. I believe that GSOC does an excellent job in difficult circumstances and, as Minister for Justice and Equality, I will fully respect their independence and will not do or say anything which could be interpreted as infringing GSOC's independence.
In the case referred to in the Deputy's question, GSOC has already provided a report following a referral from a previous Minister and a number of complaints made by members of the family of the person who died so tragically as a result of a road traffic incident. The outcome was that the investigation did not find any criminal misbehaviour by members of the Garda Síochána. However, a number of matters were identified that warrant investigation in respect of potential breaches of discipline. That investigation is on-going.
I know that it can be frustrating that investigations are not completed as quickly as people would like. However, our overriding concern must be that investigations are comprehensive and conducted to the highest standards.
The Deputy will be glad to know that, following a request for additional staffing, GSOC has recently been granted sanction to recruit up to 42 additional staff. I am confident that when these extra staff are recruited and fully operational, the time taken for the completion of investigations will be reduced.
314. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of a work permit application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48339/18]
View answerThe Employment Permits section of my Department inform me that an application for a Critical Skills Employment Permit for the person concerned was received on 23rd September 2018.
The Employment Permits section is experiencing high levels of demand for employment permits this year and this has contributed to increased processing times for applications. At end October 2018, 13,953 applications had been received, a 28% increase on the same time last year. My Department regrets the current delays, and those involved are working hard to bring processing times back to within customer service target times.
Through a combination of additional resources, fast-tracked training for new processors and various operational and ICT improvements, , processing times are now reducing. Trusted Partner processing times have reduced to 5 weeks (from a peak of 7 weeks) and Standard application processing times have reduced to 12 weeks (from a peak of 16 weeks).
Further reductions in processing times are anticipated in the coming weeks as the changes being implemented by my officials continue to show results.
The Employment Permit application in question will be considered within the next 3-4 weeks.
I am determined to bring employment permit processing times back to within our customer service targets as soon as possible.
315. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount spent by the Health and Safety Authority on farm safety initiatives, campaigns and projects in County Donegal in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47799/18]
View answerThe Health and Safety Authority (HSA) does not have a breakdown of the annual spend on farm safety initiatives, campaigns and projects on a county by county basis. The HSA carries out a range of countrywide farm safety initiatives, campaigns and projects each year which include; attending and exhibiting at farm shows (e.g. Tullamore Show, National Ploughing Championship), running television and radio advertisements, carrying out inspections and focused safety inspection campaigns.
The figures set out in the following table detail the overall national spend by the HSA on farm safety initiatives from 2011 to 2017;
|
Year |
Expenditure * |
|
2011 |
€264,481 |
|
2012 |
€589,870 |
|
2013 |
€449,669 |
|
2014 |
€327,953 |
|
2015 |
€396,251 |
|
2016 |
€416,917 |
|
2017 |
€533,995 |
|
2018 (estimated) |
€624,000 |
*Note: Annual figures for expenditure include some cross sectoral initiatives where the expenditure is also relevant to other sectors. As it is not possible to extract this it has been included as the full figure.
316. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to protect jobs in Russian owned companies based here that may be threatened by increased tariffs and trade sanctions; and the discussions she has had with officials from the United States of America administration in this regard. [47880/18]
View answerIn April this year, the US Government imposed sanctions on a number of Russian individuals and companies. These measures have unfortunately impacted the Limerick-based company Aughinish Alumina (AA), which is owned by one of the sanctioned Russian firms.
The Government has been working hard, ever since the sanctions were announced, to help find a solution. We have been in regular communication, particularly through our Embassy in Washington, with the US about the particular issues facing AA. This included letters from myself, the Tánaiste and Minister Donohoe to our respective American counterparts. Ministers of State Pat Breen and Patrick O'Donovan also travelled to Washington in July to meet with the relevant US authorities, as well as members of Congress, to underline the importance of this for Ireland.
We remain, of course, in close contact with AA itself about the situation. The Taoiseach and Tanaiste have both met with the firm's senior management and Minister of State Breen and I have also been heavily engaged. At official level, my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continue to work very closely together on this, with officials from both in regular contact with the company.
As regards wider international engagement, the Government has consulted with the European Commission, who understand fully how important AA is to the Mid-West of Ireland and the Irish economy. We are also working together, both in Brussels and on the ground in Washington, with other affected EU Member States in order to achieve a positive outcome.
The Government welcomes the most recent extension of a licence deadline - which effectively allows AA to continue to operate despite the sanctions - by the US authorities to 7 January 2019. We hope that this additional time will now facilitate a definitive resolution of the issues in a way that safeguards AA's future and protects jobs at the Askeaton facility. We will continue to do everything we can to secure such an outcome.
317. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a free trade agreement between the EU and Thailand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47922/18]
View answerNegotiations for an EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were launched in March 2013 and four rounds of negotiations were held. Following the military takeover of Thailand in 2014, political contacts, including FTA negotiations, between the EU and Thailand were suspended.
Thailand and the EU had finalised a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in November 2013 to provide a comprehensive framework for EU-Thailand relations. It is the position of the EU and its Member States that the PCA will not be signed until a democratically elected government is in place in Thailand.
On 10 October 2017, Thai authorities issued a statement that a general election would be held in November 2018. The election is now expected to take place in February 2019.
On 11 December 2017, while reiterating the need for the urgent restoration of the democratic process and for improvements on human rights issues in Thailand, ministers at the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council decided to gradually resume political contacts at all levels. However, there are no specific plans to resume FTA negotiations with Thailand at this time.
Thailand is a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The EU is working towards achieving a region-to-region FTA with ASEAN by first concluding FTAs with individual ASEAN members. The first of these was signed with Singapore in October and an FTA with Vietnam has also been successfully negotiated. Discussions with Indonesia are at an advanced stage and the EU hopes to conclude these negotiations during 2019.
318. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA supported jobs by county at the end of each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48089/18]
View answerRegional development is a key priority of mine and I am focused on increasing investment in every county in Ireland. The IDA shares this objective and remains committed to increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) in every region of Ireland by 30% to 40% by the end of the Agency's current strategy in 2019.
IDA Ireland's performance in 2017 resulted in the fifth consecutive year of strong growth under the Agency's current strategy. By the end of last year, total employment in the Agency's client companies stood at 210,443. There are over 122,000 people employed across 649 firms in IDA client companies located outside of Dublin, with 45% of all new FDI jobs created last year based in regional locations.
The following table provides details of employment by IDA Ireland client companies in each county from 2013 to 2017. The figures for 2018 will not be available until the Department’s Annual Employment Survey (AES) is carried out at the end of 2018.
|
County |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Carlow |
735 |
749 |
768 |
802 |
875 |
|
Cavan |
1,135 |
1,136 |
1,165 |
1,203 |
1,155 |
|
Clare |
6,056 |
6,232 |
6,353 |
6,735 |
6,775 |
|
Cork |
27,257 |
28,251 |
32,101 |
33,831 |
35,248 |
|
Donegal |
2,382 |
2,607 |
2,918 |
3,039 |
3,389 |
|
Dublin |
66,050 |
69,673 |
74,459 |
81,925 |
88,318 |
|
Galway |
14,273 |
14,638 |
15,367 |
16,932 |
17,696 |
|
Kerry |
1,659 |
1,895 |
1,948 |
2,097 |
2,186 |
|
Kildare |
10,327 |
10,285 |
10,628 |
10,229 |
9,282 |
|
Kilkenny |
617 |
716 |
650 |
762 |
782 |
|
Laois |
106 |
87 |
105 |
115 |
119 |
|
Leitrim |
606 |
682 |
745 |
803 |
889 |
|
Limerick |
7,448 |
7,930 |
8,702 |
9,827 |
10,677 |
|
Longford |
701 |
650 |
686 |
672 |
474 |
|
Louth |
2,568 |
3,053 |
3,236 |
3,593 |
3,702 |
|
Mayo |
3,728 |
3,932 |
4,070 |
4,234 |
4,462 |
|
Meath |
1,540 |
1,536 |
1,533 |
1,526 |
1,491 |
|
Monaghan |
365 |
275 |
146 |
137 |
150 |
|
Offaly |
896 |
874 |
887 |
914 |
940 |
|
Roscommon |
962 |
916 |
994 |
985 |
1,128 |
|
Sligo |
2,230 |
2,219 |
2,221 |
2,290 |
2,184 |
|
Tipperary North Riding |
306 |
298 |
318 |
328 |
335 |
|
Tipperary South Riding |
3,055 |
3,246 |
3,215 |
3,040 |
3,330 |
|
Waterford |
5,183 |
5,248 |
5,574 |
6,253 |
6,850 |
|
Westmeath |
2,202 |
2,386 |
2,519 |
2,573 |
2,794 |
|
Wexford |
2,402 |
2,547 |
2,527 |
2,680 |
2,948 |
|
Wicklow |
2,348 |
2,324 |
2,199 |
2,234 |
2,264 |
|
Grand Total |
167,137 |
174,385 |
186,034 |
199,759 |
210,443 |
319. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA visits by prospective clients by county in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48090/18]
View answerI am focused on doing everything I can to deliver the fairest possible spread of foreign direct investment (FDI) across the country. Creating more jobs in the regions in particular is a clear priority for both my Department and the IDA.
Since 2015, IDA Ireland has been working towards regional development targets set out in their strategy for the period between 2015-2019. This includes a goal of increasing investment in every region of Ireland by 30%-40%. Real progress is being made towards that objective. In 2017, for example, 45% of all jobs created were based outside of Dublin. The Agency is working hard to increase that percentage further for 2018 and beyond.
IDA 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 almost 70% of all new FDI comes from existing IDA client companies.
The Government has taken a number of positive steps to increase FDI in the regions and the IDA’s Regional Property Programme is important in encouraging more FDI into regional locations. As part of Budget 2019, I was pleased to announce an allocation of €10m to the next phase of that Programme on top of the €150m that was announced when it was launched in 2015. Project Ireland 2040 names the Border and Midlands regions as priority areas for this Programme, and so the funding will be used to start building advanced facilities in a number of regional locations, including in Carlow, Dundalk, Monaghan, Sligo, Athlone, Waterford, Limerick and Galway.
The following table sets out the number of IDA Ireland site visits to each County from 2013 to 2017, as well as for the first three quarters of 2018.
|
County |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
Q1 2018 |
Q2 2018 |
Q3 2018 |
|
Dublin |
180 |
205 |
242 |
284 |
327 |
69 |
72 |
68 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
|
Meath |
1 |
2 |
7 |
8 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Laois |
2 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
1 |
8 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
9 |
12 |
28 |
36 |
42 |
3 |
9 |
6 |
|
Clare |
5 |
9 |
12 |
18 |
22 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
23 |
22 |
40 |
49 |
42 |
8 |
7 |
10 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
3 |
12 |
8 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Louth |
4 |
10 |
20 |
24 |
22 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
2 |
8 |
8 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
10 |
7 |
15 |
20 |
18 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
4 |
10 |
10 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Waterford |
14 |
11 |
31 |
17 |
11 |
5 |
9 |
5 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cork |
31 |
30 |
48 |
49 |
51 |
10 |
14 |
21 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
9 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
|
Galway |
15 |
19 |
41 |
42 |
62 |
10 |
20 |
12 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
326 |
359 |
565 |
638 |
682 |
135 |
172 |
154 |
320. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the investment provided by the IDA to its client companies by county in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48095/18]
View answerAs Minister, my objective is to create the best possible environment for enterprise, entrepreneurship, innovation and investment. Ireland continues to perform very strongly in terms of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and encouraging further investment from multinational companies is a major priority of mine. I am pleased to say that there are now over 210,000 people employed in IDA Ireland client companies here, the highest in the State's history.
However, we must recognise that global competition for FDI is increasing all the time, and we must therefore work harder than ever to retain and promote our competitive advantages and to secure new investment projects. That means improving, if possible, on our already compelling and attractive offering for multinationals to invest here. The IDA is authorised by my Department to provide a range of financial supports in the form of employment, capital, research and development, environmental and training grants. These grants are an important means of encouraging companies to invest in Ireland, particularly in regional locations.
The following table provides a breakdown of grants paid by IDA Ireland to its client companies between 2013 and 2017. The figure provided for Dublin includes payments to the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT). Grant payment figures are released on an annual basis and I have been informed by the IDA that information on the total of grants paid to client companies in 2018 will be made available once they have been audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
It is important to note that grants paid in a particular year are not necessarily linked to either the investments won or the jobs created in that 12-month period. Grants are generally drawn down over the lifetime of a project which is normally over a period of three to five years. Some investments which result in job creation may not be grant aided and some well-established firms may no longer be receiving grant payments.
|
County |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
TOTAL |
|
Carlow |
€5,093,152 |
€72,000 |
€2,027,393 |
€1,080,631 |
€82,725 |
€8,355,901 |
|
Cavan |
€0 |
€0 |
€120,622 |
€418,271 |
€64,180 |
€603,073 |
|
Clare |
€0 |
€3,172,202 |
€4,463,951 |
€3,023,557 |
€2,521,600 |
€13,181,310 |
|
Cork |
€12,380,130 |
€18,353,580 |
€13,260,876 |
€13,220,973 |
€20,843,403 |
€78,058,962 |
|
Donegal |
€3,071,490 |
€1,889,800 |
€1,697,150 |
€685,500 |
€1,602,200 |
€8,946,140 |
|
Dublin |
€24,803,491 |
€19,952,938 |
€19,826,741 |
€20,136,706 |
€19,949,601 |
€104,669,477 |
|
Galway |
€17,277,141 |
€8,422,227 |
€18,357,383 |
€13,611,022 |
€7,681,690 |
€65,349,463 |
|
Kerry |
€584,145 |
€16,800 |
€3,220,609 |
€1,024,766 |
€2,357,952 |
€7,204,272 |
|
Kildare |
€4,690,248 |
€728,457 |
€5,798,570 |
€3,573,544 |
€2,096,053 |
€16,886,872 |
|
Kilkenny |
€0 |
€0 |
€350,000 |
€440,000 |
€156,000 |
€946,000 |
|
Laois |
€0 |
€25,000 |
€75,000 |
€5,000 |
€24,500 |
€129,500 |
|
Leitrim |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Limerick |
€4,434,483 |
€15,374,032 |
€10,596,531 |
€13,589,484 |
€7,036,757 |
€51,031,287 |
|
Longford |
€0 |
€0 |
€397,750 |
€169,542 |
€3,297,973 |
€3,865,265 |
|
Louth |
€2,935,800 |
€3,672,307 |
€993,000 |
€3,031,765 |
€924,060 |
€11,556,932 |
|
Mayo |
€4,180,577 |
€6,376,253 |
€2,406,422 |
€1,498,389 |
€3,184,082 |
€17,645,723 |
|
Meath |
€1,540,920 |
€0 |
€300,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€1,840,920 |
|
Monaghan |
€0 |
€58,022 |
€200,000 |
€200,000 |
€0 |
€458,022 |
|
Offaly |
€150,042 |
€324,662 |
€120,000 |
€355,540 |
€960,089 |
€1,910,333 |
|
Roscommon |
€110,000 |
€0 |
€733,000 |
€0 |
€185,500 |
€1,028,500 |
|
Sligo |
€796,831 |
€750,892 |
€4,229,218 |
€922,814 |
€2,875,340 |
€9,575,095 |
|
Tipperary |
€2,729,055 |
€3,654,309 |
€2,939,811 |
€2,580,100 |
€3,428,740 |
€15,332,015 |
|
Waterford |
€1,938,976 |
€1,867,329 |
€1,341,864 |
€10,914,081 |
€7,794,598 |
€23,856,848 |
|
Westmeath |
€272,624 |
€1,948,923 |
€2,513,508 |
€1,768,687 |
€2,078,588 |
€8,582,330 |
|
Wexford |
€934,569 |
€783,794 |
€1,534,136 |
€568,307 |
€1,473,521 |
€5,294,327 |
|
Wicklow |
€27,623 |
€43,738 |
€234,048 |
€159,372 |
€321,734 |
€786,515 |
|
TOTAL |
€87,951,297 |
€87,487,265 |
€97,737,583 |
€92,978,051 |
€90,940,886 |
€457,095,082 |
321. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by her Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48301/18]
View answerThe following table provides details of expenditure incurred since 2014 by my Department and its Offices on advertising campaigns to promote the Department’s policies and programmes.
My Department and its Offices use external advertising providers having regard to the business needs for such services. In engaging such providers, the Department and its Offices are mindful of the need to secure value for money and, accordingly, strive to keep costs to the minimum.
Expenditure incurred by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and its Offices over the period 2014 to date on Advertising Campaigns to Promote Policies or Programmes implemented by the Department
|
Description of Advertising Campaign |
Company Engaged to Promote Department’s Policy/Programme |
Cost Incurred in 2014 |
|
Newspaper advertisements regarding the introduction of the Companies Act 2014. This affected every company on the register who was obliged to effect changes. |
Mediavest Ltd |
€30,750 |
|
Total Expenditure Incurred in 2014 |
|
€30,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
Description of Advertising Campaign |
Company Engaged to Promote Department’s Policy/Programme |
Cost Incurred in 2015 |
|
Web development and creative video and radio production costs associated with the actionplanforjobs.ie awareness campaign to promote business supports for SMEs. |
Atomic Advertising Ltd |
291,311 |
|
Newspaper and radio advertisements and production of newsletter regarding the introduction of the Companies Act 2014. This affected every company on the register who was obliged to effect changes. |
Mediavest Ltd An Post |
€347,747 |
|
Total Expenditure Incurred in 2015 |
|
€639,058 |
|
Description of Advertising Campaign |
Company Engaged to Promote Department’s Policy/Programme |
Cost Incurred in 2016 |
|
Advertising campaign to raise awareness of the Prompt Payment Code |
Strategem b.t.l. Ltd. |
€36,232 |
|
Information campaign for the implementation of the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 |
Mediavest Ltd |
€19,523 |
|
Newspaper advertising regarding mandatory e-filing campaign. Companies obliged to file annual returns with CRO electronically in 2017. |
Mediavest Ltd |
€40,617 |
|
Web development and creative video and radio production costs associated with the actionplanforjobs.ie awareness campaign to promote business supports for SMEs. |
Atomic Advertising Ltd |
€12,054 |
|
Total Expenditure Incurred in 2016 |
|
€108,426 |
|
|
|
|
|
Description of Advertising Campaign |
Company Engaged to Promote Department’s Policy/Programme |
Cost Incurred in 2017 |
|
Advertising campaign to raise awareness of the Prompt Payment Code |
Strategem b.t.l. Ltd. |
€25,165 |
|
Information campaign for the implementation of the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 |
Mediavest Ltd |
€1,765 |
|
Workplace Relations Commission advert in National Ploughing Championship catalogue |
Guerin Media Ltd |
€1,230 |
|
Radio and newspaper advertising relating to the Workplace Relations Commission’s “Walk Through Working Life” campaign launched at the 2017 Ploughing Championships |
Fuzion Communications |
€4,404 |
|
Advertising in relation to the opening of the Workplace Relations Commission Sligo Office |
Sligo Weekender Sligo Champion |
€3,198 |
|
Newspaper and radio advertising regarding mandatory e-filing campaign. Companies now obliged to file annual returns with CRO electronically. |
Mediavest Ltd |
161,249 |
|
Total Expenditure Incurred in 2017 |
|
€197,011 |
|
|
|
|
|
Description of Advertising Campaign |
Company Engaged to Promote Department’s Policy/Programme |
Cost Incurred to date in 2018 |
|
Advertisement in the August 2018 edition of the Accountancy Ireland magazine to create awareness of the supportingsmes.ie online tool |
Chartered Accountants Ireland |
€3,247 |
|
Design of advertising for Workplace Relations Commission stand at National Ploughing Championships |
Fuzion Communications |
€2,277 |
|
Workplace Relations Commission employment rights public awareness campaign – Market Garden |
Irish Farmers Journal |
€8,467 |
|
Advertisement promoting Workplace Relations Commission stand at the National Ploughing Championships |
Irish Farmers Journal |
€3,764 |
|
Advertisement promoting Workplace Relations Commission stand at the National Ploughing Championships |
Westmeath/Offaly Independent Print Co Ltd |
€708 |
|
Radio advertisement promoting Workplace Relations Commission stand at the National Ploughing Championships |
Midlands 103 |
€5,910 |
|
Advertisement promoting Workplace Relations Commission stand at the National Ploughing Championships |
National Ploughing Catalogue |
€431 |
|
Newspaper and social media advertising to promote awareness of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund and the launch of the first call for funding |
Mediavest Ltd |
€13,419 |
|
Total Expenditure Incurred to date in 2018 |
|
€38,223 |
322. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the changes that were made in budget 2019 regarding free access to anti-coagulation strips for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47666/18]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
323. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if funding was made available to the HSE in budget 2019 for the roll-out of the neuro-rehabilitation implementation framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47669/18]
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 recently announced by the Government, the overall Health budget for 2019 is €17 billion. This is the highest level of health investment in the history of the State.
The Health Service Executive is currently in the process of finalising its National Service Plan for 2019, in consultation with officials from my Department. Detailed Operational Plans for the coming year for each of the Executive’s service areas, including disability services, will stem from this process. Decisions in terms of the Disability Programme priorities for 2019 will be made within the context of the national service planning process. Pending the conclusion of this process, I am not in a position to comment further on the matter raised by the Deputy.
324. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason there has been no investment in clinical services providing neuro-rehabilitation across the country since the publication in 2011 of the National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47670/18]
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 a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
325. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the accommodation opportunities that will become available for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47677/18]
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.
