Written Answers Nos. 259-276
» ...
»
Written Answers Nos. 259-276
259. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received the report by An Garda Síochána relating to youth diversion programme referrals from July 2010 to July 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4053/19]
View answer260. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the report by An Garda Síochána regarding the youth diversion programme referrals from July 2010 to July 2017 has been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4054/19]
View answer261. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the report by An Garda Síochána regarding the youth diversion programme referrals from July 2010 to July 2017 will include a breakdown of non-prosecutions by Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4055/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 259 to 261, inclusive, together.
As I have previously outlined, it is completely unacceptable that crimes were not properly pursued in many cases. This situation must be thoroughly addressed, not only for the victims and the proper administration of Justice, but also for the future welfare of children who are often themselves quite vulnerable and who may go on to commit other crimes.
In the first instance, it is important to understand that the issues in question relate to youth crime cases deemed unsuitable for the Garda Diversion Programme. There are therefore no negative implications for the effectiveness of the Diversion Programme itself, which has operated successfully for many years, helping generations of young offenders turn away from crime.
The Policing Authority's public meeting with the Commissioner last week arose from an Interim Report from An Garda Síochána. As the Commissioner informed the Authority, further work is required to complete the detailed examination of these matters, including external validation which I understand is ongoing. The Deputy will appreciate that due to the sensitivity of some aspects of the Garda review, consideration of the precise details which might be put into the public domain will remain a matter for the Commissioner.
The Garda authorities have taken a number of organisational steps to prevent recurrence of the failures identified. The Commissioner has also established a National Bureau for Child Diversion to improve future management of this whole area. While there have been significant improvements, there is more to be done to achieve a comprehensive solution.
The Commissioner has been very clear that alleged failings by individual Gardaí will be fully investigated at Divisional level. The Deputy will appreciate that this is a matter for the Commissioner and his management team and any process of that kind has to be allowed to take its course and cannot be pre-judged.
The Policing Authority, which was established to provide independent oversight of policing, has indicated that it will follow through with further detailed examination of this matter and the remedial actions which are being taken. I can assure the Deputy that I will keep in very close touch with the Commissioner, and the Policing Authority, to monitor progress on the steps being taken.
262. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 22 January 2019, if a list of previous members of the advisory group to the Office of the Inspector of Prisons will be provided. [4140/19]
View answerIn my reply to Parliamentary Question 235 of 22 January 2019 to the Deputy on this issue, I said that I understood that the Inspector of Prisons is currently considering the establishment of an advisory group, but that this has not been finalised.
The Deputy may have in mind a now expired panel of experts established in 2013 at the request of the then Inspector of Prisons which had no advisory function. It was put in place to ensure the Inspector had available to him suitably qualified people to assist him if needed with certain aspects of his investigatory work under the Prisons Act 2007.
263. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the circumstances in which the citizenship of a minor can be cancelled in cases in which a passport is issued to a person born here to non-EEA parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4199/19]
View answerThe revocation of citizenship is a very serious matter for either an adult or a minor. Under Section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, a certificate of naturalisation can be revoked, in certain circumstances. The Deputy may be aware that the Committee of Enquiry established to look into the grounds for revocation in particular cases has been convened and met for the first time before Christmas 2018. I understand there are no cases related to the revocation (cancellation) of certificates of naturalisation issued to minors, currently before the Committee.
The issue of passports and the cancellation of same is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
If the Deputy has a specific case in mind my officials would be happy to provide further details. Such queries 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.
264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the size of the recent funding allocation for an organisation (details supplied); and the way in which it is to be used. [4201/19]
View answerThe Victims of Crime Office in my Department is providing funding totalling €1.712 million to 57 services, including the organisation specified in the Deputy's question, to support victims of crime in 2019.
As part of this overall allocation, funding of €18,000 is being made available this year to the organisation specified in the Deputy's question, to provide a court accompaniment service to victims of domestic abuse. The group has been notified of this allocation.
265. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the legislation, including heads of Bills, from his Department that has been sent to EU institutions before publication for the period of the thirty-second Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4253/19]
View answerThe table outlines the pieces of primary legislation including heads of Bills from my Department which have been sent to EU institutions before their publication during the term of the current government, as well as the reasons for doing so.
|
Pieces of legislation including heads of Bills which were sent to EU institutions before final publication |
|
Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2019 – sent to the European Central Bank for observations in January 2019, on the advice of the Attorney General. |
|
General Scheme for the Criminal Records (Exchange of Information) Bill - sent to the EU Commission in 2017, in order to update the Commission as part of an informal dialogue process. |
|
Amendment of Section 20 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 The amendment is included in the draft Criminal Justice (International Cooperation) Bill which has yet to be published and was sent to the Commission as part of an ongoing dialogue. |
266. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of protection applicants residing in emergency beds by location; the number of single males; the number of single females; the number of families; the number of children under 18 years of age; the contact person for each centre in each case; the person or body by which each emergency location was secured; the ongoing Reception and Integration Agency relationship with the party or parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4295/19]
View answerThe statistics Deputy Ó Caoláin requested are compiled in the following table. Families represent the following: couples with no children, one-parent families and two-parent families.
|
Location |
Current Occupancy |
Number of children |
Number of families |
Number of single females |
Number of single males |
|
Cavan |
37 |
5 |
7 |
1 |
24 |
|
Dublin |
15 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
5 |
|
35 |
6 |
14 |
5 |
10 |
|
|
Monaghan |
120 |
9 |
11 |
23 |
77 |
|
18 |
8 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
|
30 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
18 |
|
|
20 |
8 |
11 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
11 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
|
|
Louth |
6 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Waterford |
50 |
7 |
10 |
10 |
23 |
|
Total: |
342 |
44 |
78 |
54 |
166 |
The Reception and Integration Agency of my Department has been encountering significant upward pressure on its accommodation portfolio. This pressure has increased further in recent months with an increase in the number of persons claiming international protection and a growth in the percentage of protection applicants who require assistance with accommodation. There are upwards of 700 persons residing in accommodation who have permission to remain in Ireland or who have received international protection status.
In order to ensure that the State can continue to provide material reception conditions for all protection applicants and continue to comply with the EU Reception Directive which was transposed into Irish law in June of this year, RIA has, since last September, arranged for the provision of emergency beds where the mainstream accommodation centres were at capacity. This was done by contacting a large number of accommodation providers and also through a national print advertisement seeking expressions of interest for providing emergency accommodation on a short term basis. RIA is hoping to increase the capacity of the mainstream system by opening new centres.
The contact person given for each emergency short term accommodation provider is usually the hotel management. RIA does not have exclusive use of any of these emergency hotels and they continue to operate as commercial entities. Applicants are accommodated there for a short period before they are moved into mainstream accommodation system where they will have full access to all the services provided by the State to protection applicants. Staff in my Department and other Departments and agencies that provide assistance are in close contact with the management of each hotel to ensure that needs are met as necessary.
267. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bicycles stolen in each DMR in each of the years 2016 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4303/19]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the information sought by the Deputy and I will respond to him directly when the report is to hand.
|
Reported year |
Bicycles Stolen |
Bicycles Recovered |
|
2016 |
4436 |
367 |
|
2017 |
4365 |
335 |
|
2018 |
3929 |
286 |
268. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a passport for a person (details supplied) in County Cork in direct provision will be returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4307/19]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.
Please be advised that all passport requests for applicants whose case is under consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, should be made in writing to the Acknowledgements Unit, Repatriation Division, Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, Department of Justice and Equality, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.
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.
269. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has given further consideration to the establishment of a full public inquiry or commission of investigation into the death of a person (details supplied) and the subsequent Garda investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4320/19]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I have addressed the matters referred to in this question over the recent weeks and months in some detail. I have also indicated that I had sought the advice of the Attorney General on how I should proceed in the context of the resolution passed by this House last June calling for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident in which Shane O'Farrell lost his life.
I want to reiterate that the outcome of GSOC's criminal investigation into complaints made by members of the family of Shane O'Farrell and following a referral by my predecessor set out in an interim report issued last year. That investigation concluded that no criminal misbehaviour by members of An Garda Síochána was disclosed. GSOC's investigation found that, while no conduct occurred which would require criminal sanction, certain aspects were identified as requiring further investigation which may lead to disciplinary proceedings against one or more members. The investigation of those matters by GSOC is still ongoing. In the circumstances I do not propose to comment further while the investigation is proceeding. 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.
As Minister for Justice and Equality, I am acutely conscious of my responsibility, and that of all Members of the House, to respect the independence of the Ombudsman Commission and guard against improper interference with its investigations.
With regard to the motion passed by this House last June, it referred to the need to examine the actions of the Gardaí, the Director of Public Prosecutions, GSOC and the Courts. I would remind the House of the constitutional independence of the Courts and the statutory independence of the Gardaí, the Director of Public Prosecutions and GSOC. These are important matters which must be taken into consideration if there is to be a further examination or investigation of issues related to this tragic case.
Having considered the options which appear to be available to me, I have, as I have already said, sought the advice of the Attorney General to determine how I may proceed in relation to the terms of the motion.
I have received that advice, and I am currently considering the options open to me. Once I have completed that consideration, which I expect to have done shortly, I will inform all interested parties, including the O'Farrell family.
270. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for delays in issuing correspondence to those granted refugee or International Protection Office status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4422/19]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, of my Department that, if persons have applied to the International Protection Office for international protection and feel that there is a delay in receiving a recommendation letter from the IPO in relation to that application, they or their designated legal adviser should contact the International Protection Office, IPO, 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.
I should point out that a recommendation letter from the IPO is not in itself a grant or status letter but, rather, a recommendation to the Minister that an international protection grant should be made or not made. Receipt of a recommendation letter from the IPO does not necessarily indicate that a Ministerial grant is imminent, as the Minister has to ensure that all due diligence is done before issuing an international protection declaration.
If, having received a negative recommendation from the IPO, applicants have appealed it to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, IPAT, they should contact the IPAT if they feel there is a delay in relation to their appeal. The IPAT operates an email service that can be contacted by individuals with any queries regarding their application: info@protectionappeals.ie. As with the IPO recommendation letters, if an applicant receives a decision letter from the IPAT indicating that a negative recommendation from the IPO has been set aside, she or he should be aware that certain processing procedures are due from this point on and that they should allow a period of time for the Minister's decision to issue and not to anticipate an immediate grant.
Applicants can be assured that, having received a recommendation letter from the IPO or a decision from the IPAT in relation to an appeal, they will hear from the Minister as soon as possible in relation to their application.
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.
271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the international community can be influenced to avoid trade wars which can result in major inequality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4405/19]
View answerIreland is a small, open, export-driven economy and, as such, Free Trade and Free Trade Agreements are vitally important to its ability to develop and prosper. We can see from both our membership of the EU and successful economic strategy, that Ireland has benefited hugely from an open and fair, trading environment. Free trade has increased our collective prosperity, facilitated job creation and has allowed the Irish Government to develop and continue to invest in and support its key strategic objectives, including my Department's Innovation 2020, Enterprise 2025, and the Future Jobs Initiative. These strategies are designed to secure Ireland's economy into the future and an underlying tenant of that overarching objective is our ability to trade globally in an unrestricted and fair way.
Restrictions on foreign trade often results in poorer economic prospects for all trading countries. Restrictions on trade can also have very negative impacts on countries that are less developed, as their access to markets in which to sell their goods and thus generate wealth is unfairly constrained. Consumers here can also feel the impacts on trade restrictions when goods coming into the country are levied with tariffs, making them expensive and unaffordable.
The ability to trade freely is therefore important for our consumers and for driving global economic growth. Free Trade also drives enhanced efficiency, increases innovation, and creates greater fairness. Over time, Free Trade results in higher wages, the ability to invest in infrastructure, and builds a dynamic economy that can create new jobs and opportunities.
Ireland, through its membership of the EU, exerts a great deal of influence in relation to trade and the development of a sustainable trade model through the agreed structures of the WTO.
Within the EU, Ireland works actively with other Member States to ensure that our concerns regarding the impacts of restrictions to free and open trade - which can have a disproportionate effect on small, open economies like ours - are heard at EU level. The EU itself is proactive in trying to address issues at International Level regarding restrictions to free trade.
Of course, International Trade Policy is a competence of the European Commission under the EU Treaties and defined as the Common Commercial Policy. Under this architecture, the Commission makes legislative proposals and leads on international trade negotiations and the Member States approve negotiating directives (mandates) and engage with the Commission on the substance of all trade proposals through various Committees, including the Trade Policy Committee, and at Ministerial level through the Trade Council. Equally, Member States, at Council level, approve or reject the terms of Free Trade Agreements when negotiated. The European Union has in place free trade agreements with Korea and Canada as well as having successfully concluded trade negotiations with Japan Singapore, Vietnam and Mexico and has active negotiations with Mercosur, Chile, Australia and New Zealand. These agreements, on terms that are mutually beneficial to all parties, assist with liberalising trade, removing barriers and de-escalating possible trade tensions.
The European Union proactively engages with 3rd countries to de-escalate trade disputes as can be witnessed in the EU's current engagement with the US over its recently applied tariffs on Steel imports.
The EU has robust measures in place to respond to trade disputes, and officials from my Department are effectively engaged in both Brussels and elsewhere in resolving trade disputes in a fair and transparent manner.
In a broader context, Ireland fully supports the multilateral, rules-based, global trading system, embodied by the WTO, of which it is a member through the EU. An effective WTO system is an essential element of a fully functioning rules-based, free trade system.
A key pillar of the WTO is its mechanisms for resolving trade disputes. Its dispute settlement system is central to ensuring that global trade is fair, and rules-based. It is important that members of the WTO abide by the agreed procedures laid down in the legal texts and due respect is given to the judgments made on cases brought before the adjudicating body of the WTO.
Of course, over time, the functioning of any organisation must be reviewed and renewed to embed what is working well and to update what functions less well. In that regard, Ireland fully supports the European Union's position regarding the need for the WTO to urgently pursue an ambitious reform agenda to address structural problems which for some Member Countries inhibit the WTO from progressing further agreements and potentially limiting its ability to fairly arbitrate trade disputes.
To this end, Ireland has welcomed the ongoing trilateral engagement between the EU, the United States and Japan as a way of seeking to develop constructive proposals to address essential aspects of WTO reform. We have also supported the EU's engagement with the recent Canadian initiative on WTO reform and the communique issued by the EU and several partner countries at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, which aims to further these endeavours. Of course, the EU remains in dialogue with many other WTO members as well.
We remain fully supportive of the EU efforts to lead on WTO Reform and believe the Commission's proposals are key in driving this process forward.
Ireland, through the EU, will continue to work in proposing solutions and responding constructively to proposals from others so that we can improve the WTO's functioning in the delivery of a fair, rules-based, multilateral system in an effort to limit expensive and needless trade wars between important trading partners.
272. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applicants and participants in all Brexit schemes and supports provided by her Department or agencies under her remit; and the amount allocated to and expended under each such scheme in each year since being established, in tabular form. [3802/19]
View answerMy Department and its agencies are working to provide extensive supports, schemes and advice to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. These measures aim to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and the practical preparatory actions to be taken over the coming weeks.
Additional resources have also been distributed across Science Foundation Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority and the NSAI for 2019 to support enterprises adjust to the new relationships with the UK and pursue new opportunities.
In addition to the direct supports outlined in the following table, my Department and I have been very active in the, "Getting Ireland Brexit Ready", public information campaign. This campaign includes workshop events throughout the country aimed primarily at business and people most impacted by Brexit. Officials from my Department and agencies also participated in the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready events, which included Enterprise Ireland, IDA, the LEOs, NSAI and the HSA.
Further to the table, increased funding has been allocated to Brexit-related support from my Department and its agencies as part of Budget 2019. An additional €5 million capital funding has been allocated to the Local Enterprise Offices, an increase of 22%, and a further €1 million allocated to InterTrade Ireland to help SMEs prepare for the particular North-South challenges associated with Brexit. Additional resources have also been distributed across Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority.
The €300 million Brexit Loan Scheme provides relatively short-term working capital, one and three years, to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees to help them innovate, change or adapt to mitigate their Brexit challenges.
The scheme was launched in March 2018 and, as at close of business on 18 January, there have been 376 eligibility applications received, of which 337 eligibility applications have been approved and 65 loans progressed to sanction at Bank level to a value of €14.9 million.
The Future Growth Loan Scheme was announced in Budget 2019. This scheme is jointly funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Loans of €50,000 to €3 million will be available, with loans of under €500,000 being provided on an unsecured basis. The scheme will be available to eligible Irish businesses, including those in the primary agriculture and seafood sectors, to support strategic, long-term investment in a post-Brexit environment. The SBCI has issued an “Open Call” for financial institutions to apply by 11 February 2019 for designation as a lending partner under the Scheme. It is expected that this Scheme will be operational in early 2019.
While many businesses have taken preparedness actions, a number have yet to do so. It is vital that businesses prepare themselves for Brexit impacts and take actions to mitigate. Firms that do business with the UK, whether buying goods or exporting products, should examine their supply chains to determine their vulnerabilities and take appropriate action.
|
Scheme |
Uptake (28.01) |
|
Brexit Loan Scheme |
375 applications received, 336 approved by SBCI, 65 Loans progressed to sanction at bank level to a value of €14.94 million. |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit Scorecard - online platform for Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit |
3,902 Brexit Scorecards have been completed. 681 LEO clients have completed the scorecard. |
|
Enterprise Ireland Be Prepared Grant |
155 Be Prepared Grants have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Market Discovery Fund - A support to EI clients to research new markets |
209 projects have been approved under this initiative |
|
Enterprise Ireland Agile Innovation Fund - Gives rapid fast-track access to innovation funding |
39 Agile Innovation projects have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit Advisory Clinics |
11 Brexit Advisory Clinics have been run with approx. 915 in attendance |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit “Act On Programme” – A support funding the engagement of a consultant to devise report with recommendations to help clients address weaknesses and improve resilience |
165 “Act on” Plans have been completed |
|
Enterprise Ireland Strategic Consultancy Grant – A grant to assist EI clients to hire a strategic consultant for a set period |
1,049 Strategic Consultancy Grants have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit-exposed companies that have completed sustainable growth plans |
706 |
|
Local Enterprise Office Technical Assistance Grant for Micro Export - an incentive for LEO clients to explore and develop new market opportunities |
419 clients were approved assistance under the Technical Assistance Grant |
|
Local Enterprise Office LEAN for Micro - The LEO Lean4Micro offer was developed in collaboration between the EI Lean department and the LEOs to tailor the EI Lean offer for LEO micro enterprise clients |
221 LEO clients have participated in the programme |
|
Local Enterprise Office Mentoring |
471 mentoring participants solely focused on Brexit |
|
Local Enterprise Office Brexit Seminars/Events |
3,996 Participants at the Brexit Information events |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Advisory Service |
4,175 SMEs have directly engaged with the Brexit Advisory Service in 2018 |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Start to Plan Vouchers |
There have been 811 applications, with 657 approved and 25 still pending assessment. |
|
Pilot Online Retail Scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland |
Applications are currently being assessed by Enterprise Ireland and the successful applicants will be announced in Q1 2019. There will also be a second call in 2019 |
273. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of firms that have applied for working capital under the Brexit loan scheme; the number that have been sanctioned financing to date by firm size (details supplied); and the value of same in tabular form. [3803/19]
View answerMy Department and its agencies are working to provide extensive supports, schemes and advice to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. These measures aim to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and to facilitate the practical actions to be taken in response to the UK's exit from the EU.
The 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.
It has been designed to assist eligible Irish businesses in the short-term to deal with the challenges of Brexit, which include the pressures of increased market instability and currency volatility. The scheme is open to both State Agency clients and businesses that do not have any relationship with State Agencies. Sole traders may also apply.
The scheme was launched in March 2018 and, at close of business on 18 January, there have been 376 eligibility applications received, of which 337 eligibility applications have been approved and 65 loans progressed to sanction at bank level to a value of €14.9 million.
The number of eligibility applications received by SBCI at 18 January by company size is shown in the following table.
|
Company Size |
Approved Eligibility Applications |
Ineligible Eligibility Applications |
|
Less than 10 employees |
160 |
3 |
|
11 to 49 employees |
132 |
1 |
|
50 to 249 employees |
45 |
2 |
|
More than 250 employees |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
337 |
7 |
274. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the €300 million Brexit loan scheme fund announced in budget 2019 for SME businesses will be open for applications; the length of time the fund will remain open for applications; the criteria for applying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3804/19]
View answerMy Department and its agencies are providing extensive supports, schemes and advice to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. These measures aim to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and the practical preparatory actions to be taken over the coming weeks.
The Future Growth Loan Scheme was announced in Budget 2019. The scheme will provide a longer-term facility, eight to ten years, of up to €300 million to support strategic capital investment for a post-Brexit environment by business at competitive rates. This is jointly funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Loans of €50,000 to €3 million will be available, with loans of under €500,000 being provided on an unsecured basis. The scheme will be open to Irish SMEs, including those in the primary agriculture and seafood sectors, to support strategic, long-term investment in a post-Brexit environment. Eligible businesses must have an establishment or branch in Ireland.
The scheme will feature a two-stage application process. Applications for eligibility under the scheme will be made through the SBCI website. Successful applicants will be issued a reference number required to apply for a loan under the scheme with one of the participating finance providers.
The SBCI has issued an, “Open Call”, for financial institutions to apply by 11 February 2019 for designation as a lending partner under the Scheme. The scheme is expected to run for three years from its launch date. The SBCI has told me that it hopes to be in a position to launch the Scheme before the end of the first quarter, and I encourage businesses to begin their preparations to support an application for the scheme now.
275. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to protect businesses and jobs here at EU level with respect to upcoming EU-USA trade discussions on a sectoral basis. [3805/19]
View answerOn 25 July 2018, President Juncker and President Trump met in Washington to launch a new phase in the relationship between the US and the EU. They agreed to:
- work together toward zero tariffs, zero non-tariff barriers and zero subsidies (on non-auto industrial goods) and to work to reduce barriers and increase trade in services, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical products, as well as soybeans (the EU will import soybeans from the US);
- strengthen strategic energy cooperation to potentially increase US imports of (LNG) to diversify the EU's energy supply;
- launch a close dialogue on standards to ease trade barriers, reduce bureaucratic obstacles, and slash costs; and
- work closely together with like-minded partners to reform the WTO and to address unfair trading practices, including intellectual property theft, forced technology transfer, industrial subsidies, distortions created by state owned enterprises, and overcapacity.
The meeting was in response to a shift in the direction of US trade policy which had seen the US impose tariffs on steel (25%) and aluminium (10%) imports from the EU to the US from 1 June 2018, following the expiry of a temporary exemption. The US measures were introduced following a, "Section 232", investigation by the US Department of Commerce, into the effect of imports of steel and aluminium on US national security. The EU did not accept the basis for the US action and responded, after initial dialogue with the US Authorities failed to resolve the matter. Our collective response comprised:
- the launching of proceedings by the EU against the US at the WTO for breaching WTO rules, as the measures are designed to protect US domestic industry from import competition and not a national security measure;
- introducing rebalancing tariff measures through removing existing tariff concessions and applying 25% duties on a number of US imports to the EU in a proportionate manner; and
- introducing provisional safeguard measures, following an investigation, for a period of 200 days by imposing a tariff rate quota and an additional 25% tariff on imports of certain of steel products from third countries, with the exception of some developing countries with limited exports to the EU. These safeguards are likely to be made definitive in the coming weeks.
The EU is unanimously of the view that these US tariffs, which remain in place, are unjustified and in conflict with WTO rules. Ireland has fully endorsed the EU strategy, and as part of this process, I met with US Commerce Secretary Ross and other US actors on 7 May 2018 to discuss the issues.
On 10 September 2018, EU Trade Commissioner Malmström met U.S. Trade Representative, USTR, Lighthizer to initiate the Executive Working Group, EWG, established to improve trade relations between the US and EU and address each of the topics in the Joint Statement issued by Presidents Juncker and Trump at their July meeting. The EWG has met a number of times since, to discuss the scope of future formal negotiations, most recently in Washington on 9 January 2019.
I and my other EU Trade Minister colleagues have discussed the issue of EU-US trade relations at our Council meetings in October and November 2018. Ireland has made clear to the European Commission that agriculture must remain excluded from the scope of any future agreement with the US, and I have spoken with Commissioner Malmström, who confirmed to me that this is the European Commission position. Indeed, the EU has made this clear on several occasions.
On 18 January 2019, the European Commission adopted proposals for negotiating directives for its trade talks with the United States: one on conformity assessment, and one on the elimination of tariffs for industrial goods (excluding agricultural products). As part of its commitment to transparency, the European Commission published the draft mandates at the same time as submitting them to the EU Member States. These mandates - or negotiating directives - will be discussed and agreed by Member States in Council to ensure that we are satisfied that EU - including Irish - interests are fully represented. Once approved, they should form the basis that will hopefully see productive and substantive formal negotiations in these areas commence soon after, which would also see the removal of US steel and aluminium tariffs and the EU rebalancing measures. Additionally, it is important to note that while these negotiations are proceeding, both sides are committed to not introducing new tariff measures and if the US were to so do, the proposed mandates make clear that the EU will suspend the negotiations and consider an appropriate and proportionate response.
The USTR also published its Negotiating Objectives this month and is in dialogue with Congress on them.
As with all trade negotiations, my Department will continue to prioritise Ireland's interests and play a full part, especially through the EU's Trade Policy Committee, in securing a mutually beneficial deal between the EU and US. As part of the effort to prioritise Ireland's interests in any future negotiations, my Department has commenced a consultation process with relevant stakeholders on the proposed mandates.
Ireland and the US have a significant bilateral relationship based on the same values and interests that has proved indispensable for the prosperity of both sides of the Atlantic. Ireland and the EU remain fully committed to a continued strong partnership with the US as equal partners. The de-escalation in trade tensions between the US and EU achieved by last July's accord has been of benefit to Irish trade interests and jobs. Equally, continuing to dialogue with the US to achieve a possible agreement on the elimination of tariffs for industrial goods, would be a positive development for Irish trade and jobs.
276. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of complaints lodged with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission regarding gift vouchers in each of the years 2014 to 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3952/19]
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, including its day-to-day operational work regarding complaints made to it and I, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, have no direct function in such matters.
Notwithstanding this, the CCPC have informed me of the aggregated figures for consumer and competition-related complaints in relation to gift vouchers in each of the years 2014 to 2018, that have been logged on their consumer contact line (see table).
|
Year |
No. of complaints |
|
2014 |
477* |
|
2015 |
96 |
|
2016 |
182 |
|
2017 |
187 |
|
2018 |
206 |
|
Total |
1148 |
*The CCPC have stated that the figure for 2014 was impacted by HMV's closure.
