Written Answers Nos. 143-167
143. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the services for victims of crime provided by or funded by his Department; the level of such funding in 2017, 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44152/19]
View answer145. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff working in the national office for the prevention of domestic, gender and sexual-based violence in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44178/19]
View answer146. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding provided to the national office for the prevention of domestic, gender and sexual-based violence in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44179/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 to 146, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled and I will write to her directly when it is available.
144. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of young persons engaged with by Garda youth diversion programmes in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44153/19]
View answerThe Garda Youth Diversion Programme is a statutory programme under Part 4 of the Children Act 2001, as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which focuses on preventing criminal behaviour as well as diversion from the criminal justice system and rehabilitation of children between 10 and 18 years of age. The programme is an essential part of Government strategy to help tackle youth crime, administered by An Garda Síochána, and it is very important that it operates effectively.
As the Deputy may be aware, the operation of the Garda Diversion Programme is monitored by a Committee established under Section 44 of the Children Act 2001, whose annual reports are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. These reports include statistics on referrals to the Garda Diversion Programme.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of children referred for consideration under the Garda Diversion Programme in 2017 was 10,607. The figures for 2018 and to date in 2019 are not yet available. However, I am informed the 2018 Report will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas before the end of this year.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that an expert Steering Group is currently developing a new Youth Justice Strategy, including a review of the Children Act. The Steering Group commenced its work in February and has had a series of meetings during this year which will continue into next year.
The Group is tasked with advising and guiding the development of the new Strategy, including consideration of the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system, from early intervention and preventative work, including family support, diversion from crime, through to court processes and facilities, supervision of offenders, detention and reintegration and support post release. It is intended to have a draft Strategy for public consultation by the end of this year and that the Strategy will be finalised in the first half of 2020.
147. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the number of work permits is being increased to allow for the genuine shortage that is impacting on hospitals and the community and nursing home sectors; if she has met or written to the Minister for Health to discuss same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43866/19]
View answerThe State's general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the State and other EEA states. Where specific skills prove difficult to source within the State and EEA, the employment permits system offers a conduit into the Irish labour market for non-EEA nationals with in-demand skills and is operated as a vacancy led system.
The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List for the purposes of granting an employment permit. The Lists are subject to twice-yearly review which is predicated on a formalised and evidence-based process and involves consideration of the research undertaken by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (Solas), the Expert Group of Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the National Skills Council, and input by relevant Government Departments in addition to the public consultation phase. Submissions to the review process are also considered by the Economic Migration Policy Interdepartmental Group chaired by DBEI and which includes a representative from the Department of Health.
Healthcare assistants are currently on the Ineligible Occupations List and in order to have an occupation removed from the ineligible list, there would need to be a clear demonstration that recruitment difficulties are solely due to shortages across the EEA and not to other factors such as salary and/or employment conditions. Organisations in the sector would need to provide the necessary evidence to substantiate their claims.
Following completion of a review in March 2019, the role of Healthcare Assistant was not proposed for amendment at that time. The views of the lead policy Government Department for the sector, in this case, the Department of Health, are an important part of the decision-making process. Officials of that Department have advised the sector of the need for further evidence to clearly demonstrate efforts to address sectoral recruitment/retention issues and to recruit across the EEA . In particular the sector needs to engage with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social protection who have responsibility for EURES the (European Employment Services), and who are well positioned to help sectors to recruit from within the EEA.
A further review of the Occupational Lists is currently underway. Submissions received, including those for the role of healthcare assistant, are currently under consideration. I expect to receive recommendations, based on available evidence, in relation to possible changes to the lists before the end of the year.
148. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the financial supports available to a private equestrian centre that wishes to expand its business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43872/19]
View answerAcross Government, we are providing a wide range of firm-level supports to ensure our businesses can start, grow and scale in Ireland. The Local Enterprise Offices are the first-stop-shop for all businesses in every county, and will be able to help guide entrepreneurs and business owners on the most appropriate supports for their circumstances. Alternatively, the full range of supports available to Irish businesses can be accessed through my Department's dedicated SME web-portal at www.supportingsmes.gov.ie.
Without more detailed information on, for example, the size of the business described or its number of employees, it is difficult to identify which specific supports may be most relevant to the business. However, it is most likely that an expansion by such a business would be suitable for funding under the Future Growth Loan Scheme, which provides funding for long-term strategic investment.
This scheme makes up to €300 million worth of loans available with a term of eight to ten years and is open to eligible Irish businesses, including those in the agriculture and seafood sectors. Finance provided under the scheme is competitively priced and has favourable terms, for example, no security is required for loans up to €500,000. Loans to businesses under the scheme can be used to fund investments in equipment, machinery, buildings and associated overhead costs for organisational and/or process innovation.
This scheme features a two-stage application process. Applications for eligibility under the scheme are made through the SBCI website. The SBCI assesses the applications and successful applicants are issued an eligibility reference number, which they can then use to apply for a loan under the scheme with one of the participating finance providers. Approval of loans is subject to the finance providers’ own credit policies and procedures.
As of 18 October, there have been 1,551 successful applications for eligibility under the scheme, of which 376 have progressed to sanction at bank level to a total value of €64.39 million.
I am committed to ensuring that every business with growth ambition has access to the most appropriate and coherent set of supports to meet their needs. To that end, my Department has recently released an Overview of Government Supports for Indigenous Businesses, which is available on my Department's website.
149. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has listed healthcare assistants as one of the groups that should receive work permits in view of the shortage of same here and across the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43880/19]
View answerThe State's general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the State and other EEA states. Where specific skills prove difficult to source within the State and EEA, the employment permits system offers a conduit into the Irish labour market for non-EEA nationals with in-demand skills and is operated as a vacancy led system.
The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List for the purposes of granting an employment permit. The Lists are subject to twice-yearly review which is predicated on a formalised and evidence-based process and involves consideration of the research undertaken by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (Solas), the Expert Group of Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the National Skills Council, and input by relevant Government Departments in addition to the public consultation phase. Submissions to the review process are also considered by the Economic Migration Policy Interdepartmental Group chaired by DBEI and which includes a representative from the Department of Health.
Healthcare assistants are currently on the Ineligible Occupations List and in order to have an occupation removed from the ineligible list, there would need to be a clear demonstration that recruitment difficulties are solely due to shortages across the EEA and not to other factors such as salary and/or employment conditions. Organisations in the sector would need to provide the necessary evidence to substantiate their claims.
Following completion of a review in March 2019, the role of Healthcare Assistant was not proposed for amendment at that time. The views of the lead policy Government Department for the sector, in this case, the Department of Health, are an important part of the decision-making process. Officials of that Department have advised the sector of the need for further evidence to clearly demonstrate efforts to address sectoral recruitment/retention issues and to recruit across the EEA . In particular the sector needs to engage with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social protection who have responsibility for EURES the (European Employment Services), and who are well positioned to help sectors to recruit from within the EEA.
A further review of the Occupational Lists is currently underway. Submissions received, including those for the role of healthcare assistant, are currently under consideration. I expect to receive recommendations, based on available evidence, in relation to possible changes to the lists before the end of the year.
150. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 229 of 10 July 2019, if there has been success in marketing the site by the IDA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43894/19]
View answerAs I have indicated previously, the IDA met with the new owners of the Liffey Business Campus last December. The Agency has been provided with marketing information for the site and it continues to actively market the campus to potential investors looking to locate or expand in County Kildare.
More broadly, the Agency's efforts to attract more investment to Kildare will be assisted by the County's already strong profile as a home to overseas firms in the Technology, Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors. IDA client companies such as Intel, Pfizer, and International Fund Services are all located there and continue to perform well. There are now almost 8,900 people employed across 29 IDA client companies in Kildare with 386 net new foreign direct investment (FDI) jobs added in 2018. I am hopeful that this positive trend will continue as the IDA continues to engage with their clients to create new jobs and source new investment for County Kildare.
151. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding provided to the health innovation hub in each year since 2012. [43913/19]
View answerA pilot project was established in 2012, based in University College Cork, as a precursor to the establishment of a National Health Innovation Hub in order to test the Hub model.
An independent evaluation of the pilot was carried out in Q2 2014 and concluded that the Health Innovation Hub has the potential to be a vital component of national innovation infrastructure and its value has been recognised by the relevant stakeholders in the healthcare sector. On the basis of this positive evaluation, Government agreed in July 2014 to establish the Hub at a national level with direct financial support from Enterprise Ireland and in-kind support from the HSE including assigned staff.
The National Health Innovation Hub (Health Innovation Hub Ireland), a joint initiative of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Health, was launched in 2016.
Direct payments by Enterprise Ireland to the Health Innovation Hub in each year 2013-2018 are as follows:
|
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
€87,091 |
€183,858 |
€201,581 |
€500,803 |
€688,029 |
€426,343 |
No payment was made in 2012.
152. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of full and part-time staff employed in local enterprise offices nationally and by county in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the current and capital funding allocated to LEOs in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and in budget 2020, including staff and non-staff costs; the number of LEOs in each county and local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43997/19]
View answerEnterprise Ireland is responsible for the overall administration of the Local Enterprise Offices in partnership with my Department and the Local Authorities. This is a partnership which is working extremely well. The LEOs working locally on the ground are at the coalface of business supports for micro businesses in all their variations throughout Ireland and understand the needs of their local business community.
The data requested for the Local Enterprise Offices is presented as follows in tabular form and includes all data in respect of the years 2016 to 2019. With regard to Budget 2020 and the data for the coming year, the Deputy will be aware that Budget 2020 sets out the Current and Capital ceilings for my Department (€339 million and €632 million respectively). However, the definitive allocations for each of the subheads will not be finalised until the annual Revised Estimates process is completed. The Revised Estimates Volume is usually published in early December and will set out the final agreed 2020 allocation for each subhead.
Table 1 – LEO employee data for 2016 to 2019
|
Local Enterprise Office |
Total 2016 Employed in LEO |
2017 Total Employed in LEO |
2018 Total Employed in LEO |
2019 Total Employed in LEO |
|
Carlow |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Clare |
4 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Cork City |
5 |
5 |
8 |
8 |
|
Cork North/West |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
|
Cork South |
6 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
|
Donegal |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Dublin City |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
Dublin South |
7 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
7 |
7 |
6 |
8 |
|
Fingal |
8 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
|
Galway |
7 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
8 |
7 |
8 |
|
Kilkenny |
6 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
|
Laois |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
|
Limerick |
6 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|
Longford |
3 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
|
Louth |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
|
Mayo |
6 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
|
Meath |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
|
Waterford |
8 |
8 |
7 |
8 |
|
Westmeath |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
5 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
Wicklow |
6 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
|
TOTAL |
176 |
184 |
194 |
204 |
- LEO staff data provided is the aggregate of full and part time staff. There is variation in the part time status of LEO staff ranging from 0.5 whole time equivalent (WTE) to 0.95 WTE. Therefore the provision of aggregate part time date may infer that staff are half time rather than 0.8 WTE which is majority status for part time staff.
- The total employed in the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) each year is as reported to Enterprise Ireland in the fourth quarter of each year to claim their pay contribution.
- The Pay contribution model was agreed between Enterprise Ireland and the County and City Managers Association with sanction from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation to fund 178 LEO staff.
- Local Authorities may employ additional LEO staff but these are not recorded by Enterprise Ireland.
- The data above includes those employed by the Local Authority, those employed by Enterprise Ireland and seconded to the LEO and those on the LEO Graduate programmes.
Table 2 - Current and capital funding allocated to LEOs in 2019 including staff and non-staff costs
|
LEO |
Pay Allocation 2019 € |
Non-staff Allocation[1] 2019 € |
Current Allocation 2019 € |
Capital Allocation[2] 2019 € |
|
Carlow |
196,061 |
43,049 |
239,110 |
847,098 |
|
Cavan |
207,745 |
43,049 |
250,794 |
792,034 |
|
Clare |
237,373 |
43,049 |
280,422 |
734,736 |
|
Cork City |
304,626 |
69,860 |
374,486 |
792,495 |
|
Cork North/West |
331,345 |
61,074 |
392,419 |
1,056,299 |
|
Cork South |
267,132 |
43,049 |
310,181 |
789,074 |
|
Donegal |
152,194 |
43,049 |
195,243 |
1,093,809 |
|
Dublin City |
390,395 |
89,163 |
479,558 |
1,507,726 |
|
Dublin South |
355,106 |
61,074 |
416,180 |
871,411 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
292,201 |
61,074 |
353,275 |
978,108 |
|
Fingal |
234,220 |
61,074 |
295,294 |
1,021,165 |
|
Galway |
327,904 |
61,074 |
388,978 |
895,231 |
|
Kerry |
237,373 |
43,049 |
280,422 |
681,841 |
|
Kildare |
321,320 |
61,074 |
382,394 |
1,027,173 |
|
Kilkenny |
225,339 |
63,049 |
288,388 |
696,328 |
|
Laois |
183,425 |
43,049 |
226,474 |
613,030 |
|
Leitrim |
202,083 |
43,049 |
245,132 |
564,315 |
|
Limerick |
333,364 |
61,074 |
394,438 |
1,115,829 |
|
Longford |
198,323 |
43,049 |
241,372 |
629,481 |
|
Louth |
191,828 |
43,049 |
234,877 |
732,094 |
|
Mayo |
233,844 |
53,049 |
286,893 |
746,598 |
|
Meath |
292,149 |
61,074 |
353,223 |
867,282 |
|
Monaghan |
197,805 |
43,049 |
240,854 |
669,891 |
|
Offaly |
196,158 |
43,049 |
239,207 |
638,162 |
|
Roscommon |
195,246 |
43,049 |
238,295 |
652,181 |
|
Sligo |
207,745 |
43,049 |
250,794 |
647,714 |
|
Tipperary |
228,889 |
61,074 |
289,963 |
1,034,612 |
|
Waterford |
316,053 |
61,074 |
377,127 |
989,197 |
|
Westmeath |
237,373 |
43,049 |
280,422 |
1,077,426 |
|
Wexford |
237,373 |
43,049 |
280,422 |
766,441 |
|
Wicklow |
217,824 |
43,049 |
260,873 |
699,337 |
|
TOTAL |
7,749,814 |
1,617,694 |
9,367,508 |
26,228,115 |
Table 3 - Current and capital funding allocated to LEOs in 2018 including staff and non-staff costs
|
LEO |
Pay Allocation 2018 € |
Non - staff Allocation[3] 2018 € |
Current Allocation 2018 € |
Capital Allocation[4] 2018 € |
|
Carlow |
202,083 |
43,049 |
245,132 |
709,294 |
|
Cavan |
194,422 |
43,049 |
237,471 |
636,384 |
|
Clare |
237,373 |
43,049 |
280,422 |
717,891 |
|
Cork City |
308,238 |
61,074 |
369,312 |
649,018 |
|
Cork North/West |
316,721 |
61,074 |
377,795 |
995,345 |
|
Cork South |
279,697 |
43,049 |
322,746 |
850,860 |
|
Donegal |
153,350 |
43,049 |
196,399 |
1,011,456 |
|
Dublin City |
390,395 |
61,074 |
451,469 |
1,314,870 |
|
Dublin South |
319,704 |
61,074 |
380,778 |
830,616 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
319,120 |
61,074 |
380,194 |
950,397 |
|
Fingal |
232,959 |
61,074 |
294,033 |
944,744 |
|
Galway |
308,146 |
61,074 |
369,220 |
908,287 |
|
Kerry |
237,373 |
43,049 |
280,422 |
635,469 |
|
Kildare |
318,896 |
61,074 |
379,970 |
849,951 |
|
Kilkenny |
231,710 |
43,049 |
274,759 |
571,032 |
|
Laois |
184,171 |
43,049 |
227,220 |
555,002 |
|
Leitrim |
202,083 |
43,049 |
245,132 |
510,610 |
|
Limerick |
340,422 |
61,074 |
401,496 |
1,024,146 |
|
Longford |
196,130 |
43,049 |
239,179 |
513,855 |
|
Louth |
167,207 |
43,049 |
210,256 |
675,980 |
|
Mayo |
237,226 |
43,049 |
280,275 |
647,704 |
|
Meath |
297,165 |
61,074 |
358,239 |
704,299 |
|
Monaghan |
196,341 |
43,049 |
239,390 |
527,059 |
|
Offaly |
196,158 |
43,049 |
239,207 |
585,078 |
|
Roscommon |
196,239 |
43,049 |
239,288 |
522,104 |
|
Sligo |
207,745 |
43,049 |
250,794 |
630,647 |
|
Tipperary |
204,827 |
61,074 |
265,901 |
1,079,311 |
|
Waterford |
316,053 |
61,074 |
377,127 |
910,442 |
|
Westmeath |
237,373 |
43,049 |
280,422 |
852,133 |
|
Wexford |
224,981 |
43,049 |
268,030 |
666,278 |
|
Wicklow |
147,106 |
43,049 |
190,155 |
670,922 |
|
TOTAL |
7,601,414 |
1,550,819 |
9,152,233 |
23,651,182 |
Table 4 - Current and capital funding allocated to LEOs in 2017 including staff and non-staff costs
|
LEO |
Pay Allocation 2017 € |
Non - staff Allocation[5] 2017 € |
Current Allocation 2017 € |
Capital Allocation[6] 2017 € |
|
Carlow |
202,083 |
71,049 |
273,133 |
590,295 |
|
Cavan |
87,274 |
70,549 |
157,823 |
589,614 |
|
Clare |
221,164 |
43,049 |
264,213 |
667,734 |
|
Cork City |
277,966 |
61,074 |
339,041 |
687,095 |
|
Cork North/West |
325,440 |
83,580 |
409,020 |
982,054 |
|
Cork South |
271,004 |
63,049 |
334,054 |
872,575 |
|
Donegal |
108,695 |
68,949 |
177,644 |
969,591 |
|
Dublin City |
390,395 |
61,074 |
451,469 |
1,073,471 |
|
Dublin South |
319,429 |
61,074 |
380,503 |
758,994 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown |
227,216 |
61,074 |
288,290 |
839,481 |
|
Fingal |
175,841 |
61,074 |
236,915 |
932,777 |
|
Galway |
340,865 |
61,074 |
401,939 |
825,879 |
|
Kerry |
236,240 |
43,049 |
279,290 |
624,410 |
|
Kildare |
321,214 |
61,074 |
382,288 |
680,999 |
|
Kilkenny |
226,366 |
63,049 |
289,416 |
701,137 |
|
Laois |
176,737 |
43,049 |
219,786 |
526,226 |
|
Leitrim |
202,083 |
43,049 |
245,133 |
494,676 |
|
Limerick |
338,684 |
61,074 |
399,758 |
1,145,436 |
|
Longford |
189,080 |
43,049 |
232,129 |
482,290 |
|
Louth |
112,065 |
43,049 |
155,114 |
624,785 |
|
Mayo |
227,432 |
73,049 |
300,481 |
621,018 |
|
Meath |
239,843 |
61,074 |
300,917 |
667,325 |
|
Monaghan |
193,264 |
56,486 |
249,750 |
595,072 |
|
Offaly |
200,688 |
43,049 |
243,737 |
564,203 |
|
Roscommon |
190,232 |
43,049 |
233,282 |
508,788 |
|
Sligo |
207,745 |
43,049 |
250,795 |
588,192 |
|
Tipperary |
129,047 |
71,074 |
200,121 |
966,070 |
|
Waterford |
316,053 |
61,074 |
377,128 |
918,610 |
|
Westmeath |
231,840 |
43,049 |
274,889 |
835,096 |
|
Wexford |
174,309 |
43,049 |
217,359 |
626,490 |
|
Wicklow |
147,006 |
43,049 |
190,056 |
600,564 |
|
TOTAL |
7,007,300 |
1,748,172 |
8,755,472 |
22,560,947 |
Table 5 - Current and capital funding allocated to LEOs in 2016 including staff and non-staff costs
|
LEO |
Pay Allocation 2016 € |
Non - staff Allocation 2016 € |
Current Allocation 2016 € |
Capital Allocation[7] 2016 € |
|
Carlow |
165,860 |
97,750 |
263,610 |
427,688 |
|
Cavan |
52,301 |
90,885 |
143,186 |
475,427 |
|
Clare |
175,356 |
71,750 |
247,106 |
673,968 |
|
Cork City |
209,588 |
95,750 |
305,338 |
498,411 |
|
Cork North/West |
297,089 |
121,750 |
418,839 |
858,524 |
|
Cork South |
281,403 |
112,750 |
394,153 |
766,217 |
|
Donegal |
85,190 |
106,995 |
192,185 |
589,441 |
|
Dublin City |
212,776 |
62,750 |
275,526 |
1,080,998 |
|
Dublin South |
191,093 |
96,750 |
287,843 |
620,346 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
206,536 |
70,750 |
277,286 |
637,543 |
|
Fingal |
106,553 |
81,750 |
188,303 |
823,739 |
|
Galway |
249,599 |
75,822 |
325,421 |
559,946 |
|
Kerry |
259,551 |
61,750 |
321,301 |
471,006 |
|
Kildare |
211,210 |
70,750 |
281,960 |
612,913 |
|
Kilkenny |
223,582 |
74,750 |
298,332 |
473,167 |
|
Laois |
155,267 |
68,750 |
224,017 |
379,569 |
|
Leitrim |
238,101 |
48,750 |
286,851 |
348,271 |
|
Limerick |
305,982 |
80,750 |
386,732 |
1,022,419 |
|
Longford |
195,968 |
48,750 |
244,718 |
360,475 |
|
Louth |
103,867 |
65,750 |
169,617 |
679,414 |
|
Mayo |
179,197 |
105,500 |
284,697 |
570,308 |
|
Meath |
237,424 |
77,750 |
315,174 |
487,908 |
|
Monaghan |
224,712 |
74,512 |
299,224 |
419,796 |
|
Offaly |
198,853 |
48,750 |
247,603 |
385,274 |
|
Roscommon |
166,598 |
58,750 |
225,348 |
364,009 |
|
Sligo |
231,480 |
63,750 |
295,230 |
505,280 |
|
Tipperary |
126,310 |
84,750 |
211,060 |
1,005,844 |
|
Waterford |
258,906 |
94,750 |
353,656 |
697,900 |
|
Westmeath |
228,448 |
64,750 |
293,198 |
617,826 |
|
Wexford |
179,665 |
69,750 |
249,415 |
543,832 |
|
Wicklow |
158,398 |
59,200 |
217,598 |
472,541 |
|
TOTAL |
6,116,862 |
2,407,664 |
8,524,526 |
18,430,000 |
[1] Includes an allocation of €7,000 per LEO for Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Marketing and Promotion
[2] Funding as allocated to each LEO by the Enterprise Ireland Board and any subsequent reallocations. This is not the same as funding drawdown/received by the LEOs as LEOs may de-commit funding that has been allocated to them.
[3] Includes an allocation of €7,000 per LEO for Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Marketing and Promotion
[4] Funding as allocated to each LEO by the Enterprise Ireland Board and any subsequent reallocations. This is not the same as funding drawdown/received by the LEOs as LEOs may de-commit funding that has been allocated to them.
[5] Includes an allocation of €7,000 per LEO for Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Marketing and Promotion
[6] Funding as allocated to each LEO by the Enterprise Ireland Board and any subsequent reallocations. This is not the same as funding drawdown/received by the LEOs as LEOs may de-commit funding that has been allocated to them.
[7] Funding as allocated to each LEO by the Enterprise Ireland Board and any subsequent reallocations. This is not the same as funding drawdown/received by the LEOs as LEOs may de-commit funding that has been allocated to them.
153. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the FUSION programme of InterTradeIreland; the current and capital budget allocation for the programme in each year over the 2018 to 2020 period in tabular form; the number of participants in each year in the programme; and the maximum funding permitted to a successful applicant. [43998/19]
View answerFUSION is InterTradeIreland’s flagship technology transfer programme. It provides companies, which require assistance related to new products or process development, access to a three-way partnership that includes a third-level research institution with specialist expertise and a high-calibre science or technology graduate. Over 80% of FUSION graduates are offered jobs by their host companies and many of these continue to lead innovation projects in the business itself.
During 2018 the FUSION team processed more than 400 enquiries which resulted in the approval of 79 projects for support. A total of 59 graduate jobs have been created this year.
In 2018 companies that had previously completed FUSION projects reported a business value of £37.2m/€41.3m and a jobs impact of 409.
The budget and number of participants is given in the table.
|
Years |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Budget |
£3.23m |
£3.4m |
£3.4m |
|
Participants |
79 |
77 |
77 |
The maximum funding provided to the participant (Company) is €33k for an 18 month project
154. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the current and capital allocation made to the competitive feasibility fund for female entrepreneurs of Enterprise Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and in budget 2020; the number of applicants to the scheme in each year; the number of successful applicants approved for funding; the value of approved funding in each year in tabular form; and the maximum funding permitted to a successful applicant. [43999/19]
View answerMy Department, through Enterprise Ireland (EI), is committed to supporting female entrepreneurs to achieve their potential in global markets. Its main vehicle for encouraging female-led export businesses is its Competitive Start Fund for Female Entrepreneurs.
The aim of this fund is to accelerate the growth of female founded start-up companies that have the potential to employ more than ten people and achieve €1 million in export sales. Under the scheme, companies receive up to €50,000 equity investment to enable them to reach key commercial and technical milestones which will ensure the delivery of their product or service to an international audience.
The maximum support available is €50,000 for a 10% ordinary equity stake in the start-up company and €1,750 for mentor assignments per company. The investment is released in two equal tranches.
The most recent Competitive Start Fund for female entrepreneurs was launched in June 2019 and a total of €776,250 was made available for up to 15 female led companies.
As EI does not differentiate between current and capital allocation under this Fund, Table 1 refers to the total allocation for each of the specified years. In relation to the Competitive Feasibility Fund referred to in the question above, the Competitive Feasibility Fund is no longer in operation. In addition, the Competitive Feasibility Fund for Female Entrepreneurs was not active during the period 2016-2019.
Table 1: The Total Allocation under the Competitive Start Fund for Female Entrepreneurs in each of the years 2016 to 2019
|
Year |
€ |
|
2016 |
€1,293,750 |
|
2017 |
€1,552,500 |
|
2018 |
€1,035,000 |
|
2019 |
€776,250 |
Table 2: The number of applicants to the Competitive Start Fund for Female Entrepreneurs in each year 2016 to 2019
|
Year |
€ |
|
2016 |
238 |
|
2017 |
296 |
|
2018 |
100 |
|
2019 |
96 |
Table 3: The number of successful applicants approved for funding under the Competitive Start Fund for Female Entrepreneurs for each year 2016-2019
|
Year |
€ |
|
2016 |
25 |
|
2017 |
27 |
|
2018 |
9 |
|
2019 |
15 |
Table 4: The value of approved funding under the Competitive Start Fund for Female Entrepreneurs in each year 2016-2019
|
2016 |
€1,293,750 |
|
2017 |
€1,397,250 |
|
2018 |
€465,750 |
|
2019 |
€776,250 |
EI is currently developing a new strategy for female entrepreneurship to enable ambitious female-led companies to scale in international markets, as well as continuing to focus on increasing female founded High Potential Start-Ups. The 2020 budget allocation for the Competitive Start Fund for Female Entrepreneurs has not yet been defined.
155. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of financial settlements reached by her Department and statutory bodies within her remit nationally; and the number which included confidentiality clauses in each of the past five years by organisation. [44055/19]
View answerIn the time available it has not been possible to provide the requested information. I have asked the state agencies under the remit of my Department to provide the details requested and I will respond in full to the Deputy as soon as the information is collated.
156. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his plans to replace the mobility allowance which was terminated in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44093/19]
View answerThe Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in 2013.
The Deputy may be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Health and I, brought a Memorandum to Government on proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme. Following Cabinet consideration, the Memorandum was withdrawn at that time. I intend to revert to Government in due course with revised proposals to reflect the discussions at that Cabinet meeting and further discussions between myself and Minister Harris, on the best way to progress the Transport Scheme.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme, operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular scheme.
The Deputy may wish to note that in July last, my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development, announced CLÁR funding of €890,632 to 20 voluntary community organisations. This funding will support the purchase and/or fit out of vehicles to provide transport for people in rural areas with mobility issues. It will support voluntary organisations that provide:-
- transport for people with significant mobility issues, including those requiring specialised wheelchair accessible vehicles, to day-care or other medical, therapeutic or respite services; or
- transport to/from designated cancer treatment hospitals/centres under the National Cancer Care Programme.
The Deputy might be interested to know that the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty T.D., has commissioned research into the cost of disability. The cost of disability can be defined as the amount it costs a person with a disability to achieve the same standard of living as those persons without a disability. This includes extra living costs such as heating; disability aids and equipment; medical and drug costs; care costs and transport costs. Following a procurement process, Indecon International Consultants have been commissioned by that Department to carry out this research. It is hoped that the research, when complete, will inform policy direction in relation to the provision of adequate supports to meet the needs of people with disabilities, from a whole-of-Government perspective.
There are improvements in access to a range of transport supports available to persons with disabilities in the State and on-going work is being carried out by Government Departments, agencies and transport providers to further improve access to public transport services. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of public transport for people with a disability.
157. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the shortage of the BCG vaccine here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43859/19]
View answerAs the Deputy would be aware, the BCG vaccine is given to protect babies against tuberculosis (TB). It is important to note that the number of cases of TB in Ireland is low. Most European countries do not give the BCG vaccine routinely to all babies.
Due to a lack of vaccine from the sole EU supplier, the BCG vaccine has not been available in Ireland since April 2015. The HSE National Immunisation Office and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) have sought an alternative supply of BCG vaccine that meets safety, quality and effectiveness standards that could be used in Ireland. To date no appropriate alternative manufacturer has been found.
I am informed that in 2013, a joint recommendation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the National TB Advisory Committee proposed moving from a universal neonatal BCG vaccination programme to a selective BCG vaccination programme targeting high risk groups only.
Following this recommendation, the Department of Health requested the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a Health Technology Assessment. HIQA reported in 2015 noting that selective vaccination is more effective and less costly than universal vaccination.
Given that both reports predate the discontinuation of vaccine supply, the HSE were requested earlier this year to undertake an updated review of the epidemiology of TB in Ireland, considering the public health impact of having no BCG vaccination since April 2015. This review will be used to inform an updated recommendation to my Department regarding the future provision of BCG vaccination in Ireland.
158. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if he will consider carrying out a cost based analysis of the amount of home care support hours outsourced to private operators standing at 50% to examine whether this is value for money (details supplied). [43863/19]
View answerHome Support services for older people are provided either by directly employed staff or by voluntary and private providers who have formal tender arrangements with the HSE to deliver the services.
The National Service Plan 2019 set a target to deliver 18.26 million hours to over 53,000 people, including 360,000 hours as part of an Intensive Home care Package. By the end of July more than 10 million hours of home support had been delivered nationally and almost 52,000 people were in receipt of the service. The latest preliminary data available to me indicates that this has increased to over 11.8 million hours by the end of August.
Despite this significant level of provision, demand for home support continues to grow and nationally over 7,000 people have been assessed and are waiting for either new or additional services.
I acknowledge that in some cases access to the service may take longer than we would like. However, the HSE has assured the Department that people on the waiting list are reviewed, as funding becomes available, to ensure that individual cases continue to be dealt with on a priority basis within the available resources and as determined by the local front line staff who know and understand the clients’ needs, and who undertake regular reviews of those care needs to ensure that the services being provided remain appropriate.
In line with commitments given in the Programme for Government we have made improved access to home support services a priority in Budget 2020. An additional investment of €52 million is being made in 2020 which will provide over 19.2 million hours of home support. This is 1 million hours more than the 2019 target and represents a substantial increase in service provision. This investment is focused on enabling older people to remain at home and, as appropriate, provision of hours will also be targeted at times of peak demand, at the beginning and end of the year, to ensure more timely egress from hospital for older people.
I have asked the HSE to address the cost-based analysis aspect of the Deputy’s question.
159. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the 686 persons who are waiting for placement under the fair deal scheme; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the figures have increased drastically since 17 September 2019 when there were 525 persons waiting (details supplied). [43864/19]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme, commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost.
As outlined in the HSE's National Service Plan for 2019, the NHSS is expected to support 23,042 people in 2019. The NHSS budget for 2019 is €985.8m which is an increase of €24.3m over its 2018 budget.
Over the last two years, an additional €45 million has been provided to NHSS budget for the continued provision of services in line with pricing and demand. As part of normal governance and performance management arrangements The Department and the HSE maintain regular service area engagements, which also form part of ongoing collaborative work on issues relating to older persons policy and service delivery.
The HSE have noted that the number of residents in nursing homes whom are supported by the NHSS to be ahead of forecast for the year to date.
Having regard to the available budget and the demand for support, the HSE releases funding in a managed way to ensure that the operation of the NHSS remains within the budgetary allocation. To manage the available funds throughout the year, a national placement list for the release of funding is operated by the HSE, to enable it to operate within budget. Funding issues to applicants in chronological order, to ensure equity nationally. Approved applicants are placed on the national placement list in order of their approval date and funding is released to applicants in order of their place on this list. The length of time spent on the placement list depends on the number of applicants currently receiving financial support and the number of new applications. Where demand is higher, the time spent on the waiting list may increase having regard for the prudent management of the Scheme's budget.
In the context of planning and preparing for the challenges of the winter period, the Department and the HSE have been considering a comprehensive approach to delayed transfers of care (DTOCs). An additional €26m has been made available for the last quarter of 2019 to support the hospital and community system to improve patient egress. The investment is supporting home support and transitional care as well as keeping the waiting time for access to support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) at 4 weeks to the end of the year. The HSE were authorised to take immediate action in that regard last month, and released significant support to over 700 people to take up places under the NHSS and over 300 transitional care bed approvals. My Department is continuing active engagement with the HSE with regard to planning for the winter ahead. I understand that, as of 21st October, there are 433 people on the NHSS National Placement List and the wait time for funding release is within 4 weeks on average.
160. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital and current funding required to have electrophysiology activity in the cardiovascular laboratory at the Mater Hospital increased on site from three to five days per week. [43867/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
161. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of recruiting three additional whole-time equivalent senior pharmacists for the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. [43868/19]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the first point on the salary scale for a senior pharmacist is €61,641. When 12% PRSI is added to this figure, the cost per new senior pharmacist in Year 1 would come to €69,037.92.
The cost of recruiting three additional full-time senior pharmacists for the NCPE would amount to approximately €207,113 in Year 1.
162. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when work on the new 20-bed cystic fibrosis unit at Beaumont Hospital will commence; when it will be completed; and when it will be fully operational in view of the fact it was included in the programme for partnership Government in May 2016. [43878/19]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare facilities and infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
163. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if resources will be provided to the oncology unit in Wexford General Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43879/19]
View answerStaff who are trained in the utilisation of fluorouracil (5FU) chemotherapy pumps are located in the oncology day ward in Wexford General Hospital.
Where a chemotherapy pump is used, patients will usually return to the hospital providing their treatment to have the pump disconnected.
If a patient wishes to have a pump disconnected at another location, arrangements can normally be put in place by the hospital providing the patient’s care to ensure that a patient can be facilitated, depending on local capacity at the time in the second location.
164. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the locations to which he plans to extend a programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43889/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
165. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding an antenatal service (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43890/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
166. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a post (details supplied) at Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43891/19]
View answerThe HSE Model of Care for Neurology, was developed by the HSE’s National Clinical Programme for Neurology in collaboration with consultants, nurses, health and social care professionals and patient support groups. It provides a framework for neurology services, including for Parkinson's Disease patients, using international best practice and describes care provision using an integrated service approach. The model is fully aligned with the objectives of Slaintecare and proposes a hub and spoke model, with services provided as close to home as possible but with access to specialist services where required.
The roles performed by Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialists include identifying the patient’s needs and coordinating their care; monitoring symptoms; helping with drug management; and providing emotional and lifestyle support.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
167. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in 2018 a team from hospitals (details supplied) carried out two operations on the damaged spinal cords of babies in the womb, the first surgeries of their kind in the UK; if such specialist foetal surgery for spina bifida will be available in here; if it is likely to become available under the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43909/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
