Vol. 670 No. 2
75 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the occasions, since 2000, in which spending on FÁS was included on a risk-register within her Department; the section of FÁS involved; the concern that was raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44973/08]
My Department has introduced a risk management policy to ensure that appropriate actions are taken by management throughout the organisation to identify and manage effectively the risks to which the organisation may be exposed.
The risk management policy seeks to identify and assess the strategic, operational, financial and reputation risks facing the Department and to outline measures to minimise such risks.
As part of the implementation of this policy, risk registers were introduced in my Department in 2005.
The risk register is updated on an annual basis and reference is made to FÁS in the 2005 register and each subsequent register. The register does not include a reference to specific sections within FÁS.
As you will be aware the internal audit section of FÁS commenced work on alleged wrong-doing within FÁS in 2004 following an anonymous letter to the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment. The resulting internal audit report became part of an examination by the C & A G, now the subject of review by the Public Accounts Committee.
76 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will report on her recent meeting with the Small Firms Association to discuss the difficulties facing that sector, particularly in regard to the credit crunch; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44887/08]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 67 earlier in today's Session.
The Tánaiste met with the Small Firms Association (SFA) and the Irish Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Association (ISME) on 19th November 2008 to discuss their concerns on a range of issues impacting on small business, including access to credit from financial institutions, arising from the credit crunch.
While the banking sector is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Lenihan T.D, in my Department we have, nevertheless, working closely with the Minister and officials of his Department on encouraging the banks to assume their responsibility to provide support to economic development and, in particular, to provide credit to SMEs. As I highlighted earlier, a number of Irish banks have over the last week, announced significant financial lending packages to assist SMEs. In addition, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has indicated that it is in discussions with four Irish banks in relation to its recently announced €30 billion facility to provide loans to SMEs through commercial banks. I very much welcome these important developments.
My Department's continuous support for indigenous companies arises through maintaining a positive business environment and through particular interventions from the State development agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, FÁS and the County and City Enterprise Boards. The significant allocations in my Department's Estimates for 2009, will ensure that we continue to build on this strategy for the future.
Enterprise Ireland is the agency with responsibility for supporting the development of Irish companies with ambitions to grow in world markets. Many of its client companies are small to medium in size. Enterprise Ireland recognises the varied challenges facing such companies in the context of the changing economic environment and partners with companies to address their needs in a holistic manner.
Attractive BES and Seed Capital schemes contribute to the provision of capital investment across a range of SMEs. In addition to this, Enterprise Ireland is directly involved in Venture Capital initiatives also attracting investment for businesses. As a result of the Government's investment of €175m channelled through EI, 7 new venture capital funds have raised over €500m which is available to invest in the Irish SME sector.
Also funded through my Department, the 35 County and City Enterprise Boards provide support to small businesses or micro-enterprises with 10 employees or less. CEB funding will increase next year by almost €3 million, or 9%, to €34.8 million and this represents a further indication of the Government's commitment to supporting this sector of business.
FÁS through their One Step Up programme is encouraging employees to increase their competency levels and promoting an ethos of lifelong learning in the workplace. Its key intervention in this regard is the Competency Development Programme. It offers workers different types of training programmes directed at various skill levels across major economic sectors. These training programmes are available to employees of SMEs. FÁS also have a number of other training programmes aimed at upskilling SME's namely, Skillnets and FÁS Strategic Alliance programme.
The Government has also made very considerable progress on the implementation of the Small Business Forum Report's recommendations. This progress is reflected through a substantial package of financial measures and schemes introduced to assist the sector over the last two years, including fiscal measures in the 2007 and 2008 Finance Acts.
SMEs are central to our economic development and the range of measures and supports outlined above will continue to help the sector adapt to the current economic climate. These measures will be kept under review to ensure that they remain appropriate to the current circumstances.
In our Department we will continue to remain in regular contact with the Department of Finance and will ensure that the issue of availability of credit to SMEs is kept under constant review. We will also continue to consult with ISME and SFA on all issues impacting on small businesses and we welcome their continued valuable input.
77 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when cross-Departmental joint labour investigation teams will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44649/08]
89 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures she is considering to improve enforcement of employment law. [44923/08]
118 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the National Employment Rights Authority will be established on a statutory basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44907/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 89 and 118 together.
The Employment Law Compliance Bill 2008 is designed to give effect to shared commitments in Part 2 of the 10 Year Framework Social Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016, to greatly increase public confidence in the system of employment law compliance. The establishment of a new, statutory office to secure better compliance with employment law through information and enforcement activities, supported by up to 90 Labour Inspectors with extensive powers, formed one aspect of these commitments.
Further to the Transitional Agreement under Towards 2016 concluded in September last, an intensive consultation process is currently underway with the stakeholders with a view to finalising issues in the Bill. Discussions are also taking place with the Office of the Attorney General on any remaining amendments and draft provisions. The intention is to have all outstanding work on the Bill completed without delay so that the Bill can proceed to Second Stage early in the first Dáil term of 2009. The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) will be established one month after the Employment Law Compliance Bill 2008 is signed into law by the President.
We have already strengthened inspection and enforcement. Recent media coverage of abuses were a timely reminder of why the Government set up the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) as a key outcome of the Social Partnership process. The issues that have been highlighted are disturbing. However, these issues are not unknown to us — in over 20,000 workplace inspections this year, NERA has determined an average breach rate of 21%. NERA has had considerable success since it started operations in 2007 in ensuring that abuses of workers rights and entitlements will not go unchecked.
The Social Partnership Agreement ‘Towards 2016', provides for greater co-ordination between organisations concerned with employment rights compliance, with a view to realising the considerable potential for synergy that exists in this area. In particular, the Agreement provides that authorised officers of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) will join with officers of the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Revenue Commissioners to work together in Joint Investigation Units. The role of these Joint Investigation Units, or JIUs, is to address areas where evidence suggests that non-compliance with employment rights legislation exists.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2007, which came into operation on 30th March, 2007, provides for the disclosure of relevant employment data between the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment/NERA. This legislation effectively enables NERA to join with the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners to work together in Joint Investigation Units.
Since the enactment of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2007, exchange of information activity has taken place between the bodies in a number of specific cases. In addition, JIUs, involving NERA with Revenue and/or Social and Family Affairs have also taken place. In 2007, joint investigation activity, involving NERA for the first time, took place during the Construction Industry Campaign in May-July 2007. In 2008, joint investigation activity has been undertaken in a number of sectors including the catering, the hotel and the haulage sector.
The three inspectorates are proactively promoting and encouraging joint activity at a central and local level. I understand that a series of regional meetings have been held recently involving the relevant inspectors in those regions. These meetings have ensured that all officers understand their respective roles and potential synergies arising from working together within the parameters set out in the legislation.
78 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she has taken or proposes to take to improve the competitiveness of Irish goods and services traded domestically or on world markets; if she is satisfied that sufficient provision has been made or is expected to be made to ensure the future employment prospects of this economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44926/08]
Government policy remains firmly focused on growing competitiveness and building on the success that has already been achieved by both indigenous and foreign-owned firms competing on world markets. We are also committed to promoting competition, raising consumer awareness and tackling administrative burdens in order to drive competition for goods and services traded domestically.
Enhancing productivity growth is the cornerstone of our competitiveness. The Enterprise Development Agencies under my Department (SFI, EI, IDA and CCEBs) have a capital allocation of €495 million in 2009, which will be spent on productivity enhancing investments such as R&D, innovation, better use of ICT, and training and management development. In addition, part of our long term strategy for achieving productivity improvements is to enhance the skills of the Irish workforce, as set out in the National Skills Strategy.
In the shorter term, the next few years can be seen as a period of opportunity as we seek to re-situate ourselves in terms of our national competitiveness, and to place ourselves in the optimal position to benefit from the eventual upturn in the international economy as well as from our longer-term investments.
IDA Ireland has continued to be successful in attracting new investment to Ireland, even in the current economic climate. Since the beginning of November alone, it has made announcements which are expected to provide a total of 1,000 new jobs in a variety of sectors, across a range of skills (such as manufacturing, R&D and European Headquarters operations) and spread throughout the country.
We are working consistently and successfully to build Irish exports in world markets. For example, contracts worth €40 million in new export sales have been signed by Irish companies during the recent Enterprise Ireland trade mission which the Tánaiste led to the United Arab Emirates.
In order to sustain and grow the manufacturing sector, Irish based manufacturing enterprises will be encouraged and assisted to continue the progression to high value added sectors and activities, and continue to increase productivity through investments in human capital, technology and innovation. We intend to establish shortly a new High Level Manufacturing Forum to progress the recommendations contained in the Manufacturing Report published last April and recently agreed by the Social Partners.
In the future, the major impetus for growth will come from expansion of our services sectors. Last September, the Tánaiste launched the report of the Services Strategy Group, "Catching the Wave: A Services Strategy for Ireland". Ireland is already the 10th highest exporter of services in the world. This report will guide the development of our services policies and strategy into the future, with a view to fully exploiting the opportunities that this sector presents. In particular, the strategy will focus on maximizing the performance of companies that are already active on export markets, on encouraging companies that are currently only trading locally to expand their markets abroad, and on fostering a new breed of start-up services companies with exporting potential. My Department is working in conjunction with other Departments to progress the implementation of these recommendations.
While any job losses are regrettable, and are deeply distressing for those concerned, we must remember that we still have a historically high number of people at work today compared to a decade ago — over 2 million — and that we are still creating high-value jobs across the economy.
Through our pro-enterprise policies, ongoing investment in critical infrastructure under the NDP, our low taxes on business and workers and our balanced regulatory regime, the government are committed to ensuring that we continue to build an environment for enterprise that remains among the most favourable in the world.
79 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she expects to receive a report from the National Consumer Agency on the reason for high fuel prices here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44986/08]
In September this year, I requested the National Consumer Agency to undertake a survey into the underlying reasons as to why pump prices for petrol and diesel had not fallen in line with the drop in the wholesale price of oil. As part of its work, the Agency is benchmarking movements in prices in Ireland against those in other EU countries and it is examining the frequency and the timeliness in which changes in the wholesale price are being passed on to consumers. The Agency has been conducting surveys of retail prices throughout the country, and is engaging in a series of meetings and contacts with, inter alia, the main distributors and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
Notwithstanding that the average retail price of both petrol and diesel is now down to a little over €1 per litre, which represents a considerable reduction from the much higher prices of the summer, it is particularly important in these difficult economic times to ensure that the benefits of the dramatic decline in wholesale fuel prices are passed onto consumers and businesses to the greatest extent possible. It was for this reason that I requested the National Consumer Agency to undertake its survey into this matter. I look forward to receiving the Agency's report, which I understand will be finalized in the coming weeks.
80 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 34 and 67 of 28 February 2008, if the reviews of the wage subsidy scheme and the supported employment schemes have been completed and published; the policy decisions taken or intended to be taken as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44938/08]
A consultancy review of the operation of the Wage Subsidy Scheme has recently been completed on behalf of my Department. Following this review, the Scheme has been placed on a permanent footing and a number of reforms are being made which are aimed at enhancing its operation and improving take-up by both employers and people with disabilities.
The reforms comprise:
removing the productivity labelling process;
introducing a training element to the Wage Subsidy Scheme;
allowing Wage Subsidy Scheme employees and employers to avail of support under the Supported Employment Programme;
promoting the Wage Subsidy Scheme to increase the awareness of the Scheme;
streamlining the administration of the Scheme.
The review includes a recommendation that Wage Subsidy Scheme participants who are medical cardholders should be allowed to retain their medical card eligibility indefinitely. This is currently being discussed with the Department of Health and Children.
The review also includes a recommendation that Wage Subsidy Scheme participants should be able to retain a link to their Disability Allowance status. In this regard the Department of Social and Family Affairs has confirmed that the existing administrative arrangements whereby people in receipt of a disability payment who take up employment, e.g., under the Back-to-Work Allowance scheme, may return directly to that payment in the event that the employment does not continue for any reason, will apply equally to WSS.
It is anticipated that the various reforms to the operation of the Wage Subsidy Scheme will be implemented in 2009.
A consultancy review of the Supported Employment Programme has been completed on behalf of FÁS. Following consultations between my Department, FÁS and key Stakeholders, a number of agreed actions will be adopted in line with the review recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the programme. A key adjustment to the future operation of the programme will be to reduce the minimum number of hours per week work requirement from 18 to 8 hours relating to employment in the open labour market.
The implementation of a FÁS Action Plan relating to the various changes that are being made to the programme has commenced and will continue in 2009.
The reports of reviews of the Wage Subsidy Scheme and the Supported Employment Programme are available respectively on the websites of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and FÁS.
81 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures being taken to tackle the deterioration of Irish manufacturing exports. [44918/08]
The economic growth that Ireland has experienced for more than a decade was built on the co-operation, collaboration and hard work of businesses, citizens and government with the core objective of increased prosperity for all. In this time, Ireland faced a number of critical economic challenges and successfully overcame them while becoming one of the world's most open economies.
The Irish owned enterprise sector has proven itself to be capable of, and critical to, meeting such challenges head-on by adapting, improving and focusing efforts on securing long-term success. Enterprise Ireland, the agency with responsibility for the development of manufacturing and internationally traded services, continues to drive this agenda of meeting current and future economic challenges by supporting the overall development of Irish companies.
The export figures for Enterprise Ireland client companies supports this view. From 2005 to 2007 the agency set itself the target of increasing exports in client companies by €3 billion, and it exceeded this target by over €1 billion in the period. Of course, the global economic downturn will affect exports in 2008 but Enterprise Ireland has been striving to its utmost to ensure the impact is minimised.
Today, it is evident that the Irish enterprise sector faces a difficult international climate, making it imperative that it bolster its competitiveness, focus its investment and generate innovative solutions in the face of testing economic conditions.
Ireland has not been a low cost economy for some time now, and manufacturers in particular have been facing increased competition from producers in lower cost economies. The manufacturing sector in Ireland has evolved noticeably since 2000, in terms of the composition of industry and the nature of activities, and is likely to continue to do so. The model of manufacturing in developed economies has changed and Irish enterprises are adapting to those changes and engaging in higher value added activities in order to compete in the global marketplace. Irish based manufacturing enterprises will have to continue the progression to high value added sectors and activities, and to increase productivity through investments in human capital, technology and innovation. Innovation, and the productivity gains that flow from it are the new foundations for competitiveness.
Enterprise Ireland provides a broad suite of programmes to assist companies adapt and grow by focusing on internationalisation, competitiveness, entrepreneurship, innovation, R&D, business infrastructure and engagement with third level education.
For example, a significant element of Enterprise Ireland's Financial Offer is the Growth Fund which supports Enterprise Ireland SME clients taking on an innovative market-led development plan to increase sales and develop exports through improving their productivity and competitiveness. Funding is available to support a range of activities including capital investment, recruitment of key managers and management development and staff training.
Productivity and management capability improvements are also essential in helping Irish manufacturing companies to reach the standards needed to successfully compete in the global market place. The Enterprise Ireland Productivity Fund provides assistance to help SME client companies achieve greater competitiveness by increasing their export potential.
Apart from the activity of Enterprise Ireland, the Social Partners agreed, as part of the recently concluded review of "Towards 2016", that a Manufacturing Forum should be established, in line with the recommendations of the High Level Group on Manufacturing. This matter is currently being progressed by my Department in consultation with the Department of An Taoiseach and the Social Partners.
82 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will carry out an independent review of the training and education programmes operating under the FÁS organisation. [44922/08]
My Department commenced a review of labour market programmes delivered by FÁS and Skillnets a number of months ago. The objective of this review is to examine these labour market programmes in terms of efficiency and effectiveness and to draw conclusions about the adequacy and balance of resources in the context of current and future labour market policy challenges, including the National Skills Strategy.
The scope of the review will include:
FÁS National Employment Service including FÁS Employment Services and Local Employment Services and the interaction with the Department of Social and Family Affairs;
Training for those in Employment including FÁS One Step Up and Skillnets programmes;
Training for the Unemployed including Local Training Initiative Programmes;
Employment Programmes including Community Employment and Job Initiative.
The Steering Group conducting the review is chaired by a senior official from my Department and includes members from the Departments of Finance, Social & Family Affairs and Education and Science. FÁS and Skillnets are also represented on the Group and it is supported by Forfás. The review is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.
83 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the significant increase in the number of deaths recorded in workplace accidents in the construction sector during 2007; her proposals to ensure a reduction in the number of construction accidents and deaths; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44909/08]
98 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of workplace accidents and workplace fatalities recorded to date in 2008; the way this compares with the same period in each year from 2002; if she is satisfied that all accidents are reported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44910/08]
117 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the 34% increase in the number of deaths recorded in workplace accidents during 2007; her proposals to ensure a reduction in the number of workplace accidents and deaths; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44908/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 98 and 117 together.
I refer the Deputies to my answer on Thursday, 20th November 2008 to Questions Nos. 43, 51 & 52 that relate to the same matters.
The Health and Safety Authority is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated statutory provisions. There have been 54 workplace deaths reported to the Authority so far in 2008 (as at 04.12.08). For the first 11 months of this year, there were 54 workplace deaths.
For the first 11 months of previous years, the figures are: 63 in 2007, 44 in 2006, 70 in 2005, 49 in 2004, 65 in 2003, and 51 in 2002.
The number of deaths recorded in workplace accidents during 2007 was 67 compared to 51 in 2006 with a considerable amount of this increase being accounted for by a number of fishing accidents.
Construction and agriculture are consistently the highest risk sectors in which to work, based on the number of fatalities. Of the 67 fatalities in the year 2007, 18 occurred in the construction sector. This was an increase of 5 fatal accidents on the 2006 figure. The construction sector ranked third in relation to fatality rates, at 5 per 100,000 workers, in 2007. This figure is higher than the rate of 4.3 fatalities per 100,000 workers in 2006 (the lowest recorded rate for the sector) but maintains the general downward trend in the fatality rate seen since 2002.
Non-fatal accidents, resulting in absence of more than three days from normal work following the accident, are required to be reported to the Authority. There have been 6,804 non-fatal accidents reported to the Authority so far in 2008 (as at 04.12.08).
There were 7,757 non-fatal work related accidents reported to the Health and Safety Authority in 2007. This compares with nearly 8,000 for 2006, 8,104 for 2005, 8,453 for 2004, 6,622 for 2003, and 7,746 for 2002.
It is not possible to be satisfied that all accidents at workplaces are reported but I am not aware that the Authority has come across evidence that suggests under reporting of workplace accidents resulting in fatalities.
The Health and Safety Authority is carrying out a programme of 17,500 targeted and random workplace inspections in 2008. The inspection programme is targeted on the basis of risk, relevant accident triggers, levels of compliance and specific identified workplace trends. In relation to the construction sector, I am informed that the Authority has carried out over 6,700 construction inspections to date in 2008. Also, it continues to implement the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006 and the Safe System of Work Plan (SSWP).
Recognising the two highest risk areas, the Health and Safety Authority has a particular focus on the agricultural and construction sectors. Earlier this year, I formally launched the Construction Safety Partnership Plan. On the agriculture side, I attended and addressed the first All Island Farm Safety Conference in Monaghan in June of this year. This conference was co-hosted by the Health and Safety Authority along with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).
I have encouraged the Authority to continue and develop its partnership with Teagasc and to follow through on the development and distribution of the Farm Safety Code of Practice which was distributed to 160,000 farm households in December 2006.
Safe workplaces can ultimately only be delivered by those who work in them. Day to day responsibility for safety at work rests on the shoulders of employers and employees. The Health and Safety Authority in carrying out its inspection function spends a lot of its time advising as to safety at work and safe systems of work. In general, this advice is well received and only where there is a failure to comply with the Authority's advice or a real and immediate threat to health and safety does the Authority commence enforcement procedures.
The Authority, also in its advocacy role, publishes guidelines, codes of practice and other advice on safety on a regular basis as well as organising sectoral seminars or conferences to promote the occupational safety and health message. These activities, as well as the information on the Authority's website, should be heeded by all those in the workplace in order to improve our safety record.
84 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will review the appointment process of members of the board of FÁS. [44917/08]
The Board of FÁS is appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Services Act, 1987. The Board comprises of a Chairman and 16 members.
The members of the Board are four representatives each from employer and trade union interests, one each from education, social welfare and youth interests, two FÁS employee members, a representative of the Minister for Finance and two representatives of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Any vacancies arising during the term of office of a Board are filled for the period remaining. Members may be reappointed.
The representatives from trade union, employer and youth interests are nominated by representative bodies. The representative bodies consulted are, respectively, the Irish Council of Trade Unions, the Irish Business and Employers Federation, and the National Youth Council of Ireland. The education and social welfare representatives are appointed following consultation with the Ministers of Education and Science, and Social and Family Affairs respectively. The FÁS employees are elected in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
The representative nature of the Board means that it includes the varying groups affected by the current economic challenges and as well as those who will be working to find solutions to those challenges. I have no plans at present to make changes to the appointment process to the Board of FÁS.
85 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage by which she has reduced the administrative cost of regulation to business; the extent to which the 25% reduction target has been achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44997/08]
The Report of the High Level Group has identified over €20m in cost savings to business as a result of simplified administrative procedures in various parts of Government. The Government's commitment is to reduce the administrative burden on Irish business by 25% by 2012 and this demanding target is a key priority.
The High Level Group is tasked with identifying where legislation has imposed an administrative burden, or "red tape", on business and with recommending ways to reduce that burden, without undermining the policy objectives behind the regulation. The work of the Group is focused on concrete measures in specific policy areas, including taxation, statistics, environment, health and safety, employment and company law. The first report of the Group sets out a number of instances where procedures have been simplified, making it easier for business to deal with Government, for example: e-filing of annual returns to the Companies Registration Office; on-line access to tax clearance certificates for Government contracts; increased exemption thresholds for VAT registration; and higher thresholds exempting small businesses from having to conduct a statutory audit.
In addition, further changes to reduce the burden on business are expected in the procedures surrounding waste collection permits, road haulage permits and employment permits. In addition to the work of the High Level Group, my Department has put in place a process across all Departments that will measure the administrative cost of red tape on business arising from domestic legislation.
As in all the other countries that have done this, it will take about a year and a half to complete the measurement process. In line with the recommendation of the Business Regulation Forum we are adopting a prioritised approach. Initially, all Government Departments are required to list the Information Obligations which their regulations impose on business. From that listing, Departments will assess, in consultation with business, which requirements are the most burdensome. They will then measure the actual cost to business of the most burdensome requirements. At that point the most appropriate approach to achieving the Government target to reduce the administrative burden of domestic regulation on business by 25% by 2012 will be determined.
With regard to future regulations the Government has agreed that all Departments should measure the administrative cost on business and specifically examine the impact on small business.
86 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has met with representatives of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises to discuss the issue of the length of time small businesses are waiting to receive payments for work and goods delivered. [44921/08]
As already outlined to this House in reply to a similar question from the Deputy on 20 November last, the Tánaiste has met with the Small Firms Association (SFA) and with the Irish Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Association (ISME) to discuss their concerns on a range of issues impacting on small business as a result of the current economic situation. I am very much aware of the difficulties facing small firms in relation to access to credit finance and the impact of late payments on the sector.
It has previously been outlined to this House in the reply to Deputy John O'Mahony's Question No. 13 on 20 November 2008, the position in relation to late payments.
Payment terms in commercial transactions are determined by the parties concerned and the responsibility for the collection of those payments and general credit control rests with the selling enterprise. The issue of late payments in commercial transactions is addressed by the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 388 of 2002).
In accordance with these Regulations, it is an implied term of every commercial transaction that where a purchaser does not pay for goods or services by the relevant payment date, the supplier shall be entitled to interest ("late payment interest") on the amount outstanding. Interest shall apply until such time as payment is made by the purchaser. The current interest rate applicable is 11.00% per annum or 0.0301% per day. This rate is set as at 1 January and 1 July each year at a rate of 7 percentage points above the European Central Bank interest rate on its most recent main refinancing operation. In the absence of any agreed payment date between the parties, late payment interest falls due after 30 days has elapsed. The 2002 Regulations also provide for compensation for debt recovery costs. Greater use of these provisions would assist in achieving earlier payments.
In addition, under the Regulations the use of terms that are grossly unfair may be unenforceable and such terms may be challenged in Court on the basis of criteria specified in the Regulations. Organisations representing small and medium sized enterprises may challenge any terms that they feel breach the Regulations. It is open to any such organisation to pursue this operation. However, I understand that this provision of the Regulations has not been availed of, to date.
The EU Commission has indicated that it will be proposing amendments to the Late Payments Directive early in 2009. Their intention is to simplify the provisions of the original Directive and to clarify issues such as interest payments, with a view to discouraging late payers and guaranteeing that SMEs are paid within time for all commercial transactions. Ireland will work actively in negotiating amendments.
I am happy to continue to consult with SFA and ISME on this issue, and indeed, on all issues impacting on small business.
87 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the examination by the Comptroller and Auditor General of the effectiveness of management and control systems in the FÁS organisation is expected to be complete; and when a report will be made available. [44920/08]
The Comptroller and Auditor General in his report on non-commercial Semi-State bodies, published in May 2008, reviewed the issues raised in one specific FÁS internal audit report.
I discussed this matter with the then Director General of FÁS and have expressed my concerns about the issues raised by both the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Internal Audit report, and in particular, the need to secure value for money in public expenditure.
Following discussions with the Chairman and the Director General of FÁS, I decided that there should be an external investigation into the effectiveness of the financial management and control systems that are generally in place in FÁS, rather than be limited to aspects raised in the internal audit report which gave rise to the earlier Special Report. I therefore requested the Comptroller and Auditor General to consider doing such a review and he has acceded to that request. My intention in requesting this review is to ensure that appropriate public procurement procedures exist to prevent or detect irregularities or wrongdoing and to also examine and report on the activities of the FÁS Corporate Affairs area since 2000, in order to achieve reasonable assurance as to whether there were any occasions of potential fraud or irregularity in that area other than those already brought to light by FÁS Internal Audit Unit.
It is a matter for the Controller and Auditor General to determine the scope of his investigation. In this regard, I welcome the statement by the Comptroller and Auditor General at a recent Public Accounts Committee hearing that he would soon begin his examination of the effectiveness of management and control systems in the FÁS organisation and that he would finalise his terms of reference shortly in consultation with my Department and the Public Accounts Committee.
The question of when the examination will be completed and when a report will be made available are matters for the Comptroller and Auditor General.
88 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions either the industrial development agencies or her Department have had with senior management of a corporation (details supplied) in the past two months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44828/08]
For reasons of client confidentiality and commercial sensitivity, IDA Ireland does not comment on discussions which it has with individual client companies. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter.
90 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she last exercised the powers available to her under the Schedule of the Labour Services Act, 1987 to sanction the remuneration and allowances for expenses to be paid to members of the board of FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44896/08]
Paragraph 13 of the Schedule to the Labour Services Act, 1987, provides that "Each ordinary member of An Foras shall be paid, out of moneys at the disposal of An Foras, such remuneration (if any) and allowances for expenses incurred by him (if any) as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may sanction." This provision is the statutory basis for the actions described below.
The remuneration paid to members of the boards of State bodies is determined by Department of Finance. FÁS is designated as a Category 2 body for the purposes of such remuneration. The current rates since 1 January 2006 are €24,000 for the Chairman and €14,000 for Directors. My Department confirmed these rates in writing to the Secretary of the FÁS Board in 2006 shortly after the current Board's appointment. The serving civil servants on the Board do not receive a fee.
The Department of Finance determines overall travel policy in the Civil Service and the wider public service. My Department has recently asked FÁS to confirm that the Department of Finance circulars are currently being adhered to by FÁS. My Department has also written to the Chairman of the FÁS Board seeking clarification as to whether Department of Finance circulars regarding travel and subsistence have been adhered to in respect of foreign travel for the period since 2001.
91 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the procedures for the appointment of a new chief executive of FÁS; when she expects the process to be completed and the appointment made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44894/08]
Under the terms of the Labour Services Act, 1987, the Director General of FÁS is appointed by An Foras, with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Last week I approved a proposal by the Board of FÁS for the appointment of Mr. Eddie Sullivan to the post of Director General on an interim basis for a period of up to six months. Mr. Sullivan is a former Secretary General (Public Service Management and Development) at the Department of Finance. This will allow FÁS to continue to deliver on its core mandate, given the employment and training challenges currently facing the country.
Given the important and valuable role that FÁS is playing in the context of the very serious challenge that faces the Irish labour market it is important that this post be filled on a permanent basis as expeditiously as possible. My Department and the Chair and Board of FÁS are working together closely on this matter. I have made clear my interest in having the position filled as quickly and as effectively as possible so that FÁS can continue to address the situation affecting redundant apprentices, training for those unemployed, providing supports for people with disabilities, upskilling the workforce and the continued operation of the Community Employment Schemes. In this regard I wish to acknowledge the ongoing commitment of the staff of FÁS in delivering these services.
92 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of redundancies notified to her Department up to the end of November 2008; the way this compares with the same period in each year since 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44890/08]
The following table of figures shows the actual number of employees who qualified for statutory redundancy lump sum payments on a year by year basis from January 2002 to end November 2008. This does not reflect those who lost their jobs having less than two years service in an employment, as this does not qualify for payment under the Redundancy Acts.
The increase in redundancies reflected in 2007 and, more particularly in the current year to date, indicate the considerable downturn being experienced in all of the major employment sectors of the economy and, in particular, in the construction sector. My Department will continue to carefully monitor the trends in the level of redundancies.
|
Year |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Actual |
24,432 |
25,769 |
25,041 |
23,156 |
23,684 |
25,495 |
37,296 |
|
% Increase/Decrease on previous year |
51.9% |
5.5% |
-2.8% |
-7.5% |
2.3% |
7.5% |
57.1% |
94 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the grounds for her concerns in respect of FÁS; the scope of the investigation which she has asked the Comptroller and Auditor General to carry out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44895/08]
The Comptroller and Auditor General in his report on non-commercial Semi-State bodies, published in May 2008, reviewed the issues raised in one specific FÁS internal audit report.
I discussed this matter with the then Director General of FÁS and have expressed my concerns about the issues raised by both the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Internal Audit report, and in particular, the need to secure value for money in public expenditure.
Following discussions with the Chairman and the Director General of FÁS, I decided that there should be an external investigation into the effectiveness of the financial management and control systems that are generally in place in FÁS, rather than be limited to aspects raised in the internal audit report which gave rise to the earlier Special Report. I therefore requested the Comptroller and Auditor General to consider doing such a review and he has acceded to that request. My intention in requesting this review is to ensure that appropriate public procurement procedures exist to prevent or detect irregularities or wrongdoing and to also examine and report on the activities of the FÁS Corporate Affairs area since 2000, in order to achieve reasonable assurance as to whether there were any occasions of potential fraud or irregularity in that area other than those already brought to light by FÁS Internal Audit Unit.
It is a matter for the Controller and Auditor General to determine the scope of his investigation. In this regard, I welcome the statement by the Comptroller and Auditor General at a recent Public Accounts Committee hearing that he would soon begin his examination of the effectiveness of management and control systems in the FÁS organisation and that he would finalise his terms of reference shortly in consultation with my Department and the Public Accounts Committee.
95 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made with regard to the implementation of the Temporary Agency Workers Directive, agreed at the Council of Ministers meeting on 23 May 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44904/08]
The European Parliament by way of its legislative Resolution, of 22 October 2008, have approved the Council common position for adopting a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Temporary Agency Work. I welcome the fact that the Parliament, in Plenary, accepted the Council common position without amendment. This matter will now be scheduled for a forthcoming Council of Ministers' meeting which is the final element in the process of the adoption of the Directive which will be published in the Official Journal.
Under the terms of the agreement reached by EU Ministers and approved by Parliament, there will be a three year period in which Member States will be required to transpose the Directive, following its adoption, into national legislation. The Deputy will recall that following the welcome developments in the European Parliament, I invited the Social Partners to discussions with my Department. These discussions will aim at agreeing a framework within which agency workers in Ireland would achieve equal treatment within an agreed timeframe having regard also to the need for flexibility in enterprises. The proposed Review and Transitional Agreement 2008-2009 concluded by the Social Partners contains a commitment to developing such a framework.
96 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her proposals for the merger of the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency; the savings she expects will be made as a result; when she expects the process to be completed; if legislation will be required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44906/08]
As the Deputy is aware, the merging of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority was announced in the recent Budget. Since then my Department has being working in conjunction with both bodies and the Department of Finance to bring about a smooth transition to a unified single body to oversee the area of competition and consumer protection.
As both the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority were established under statute, it will be necessary to give effect to the newly merged body by way of primary legislation. Whilst I am committed to introducing this legislation as soon as possible, it is not possible at this early stage to give a precise date as to when the necessary legislation will be published. Similarly, whilst it is expected that the synergies arising from the merger of the two bodies will result in savings to the Exchequer, particularly in areas such as shared services, it is not possible to precisely quantify the amount of savings involved at this stage.
97 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 34 and 67 of 28 February 2008, the details of the budget and outturns to date in 2008 of the wage subsidy scheme, the disability awareness and employee retention grants; the efforts she has made to improve take up of these schemes by employers in 2008 in view of the low take up of a number of these grants in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44939/08]
The total FÁS budget specifically for programmes for people with disabilities in 2008 was € 77.3 million.
The relevant budgets and expenditures for the Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Disability Awareness Grant and the Employee Retention Grant in 2008 are as follows:
|
Budget |
Actual (end October) |
|
|
Wage Subsidy Scheme |
€10.5m |
€7.7m |
|
Disability Awareness Grant |
€468,000 |
€57,000 |
|
Employee Retention |
€123,000 |
€14,000 |
The total number of participants on the Wage Subsidy Scheme at end November, 2008 was 614. In addition there were 298 participants on the now closed Employment Support Scheme, which is funded from the Wage Subsidy Scheme budget.
These are demand led programmes which are promoted by FÁS staff in the respective regions on a continuous basis. Following a recent review, the Wage Subsidy Scheme has been placed on a permanent footing and a number of reforms are being made which are aimed at enhancing the operation of the scheme, and improving take up by both employers and people with disabilities. The reforms comprise: removing the productivity labelling process, introducing a training element to the Wage Subsidy Scheme, allowing Wage Subsidy Scheme employees and employers to avail of support under the Supported Employment Programme, promoting the Wage Subsidy Scheme to increase the awareness of the Scheme, and streamlining the administration of the Scheme
The review includes a recommendation that Wage Subsidy Scheme participants who are medical cardholders should be allowed to retain their medical card eligibility indefinitely. This is currently being discussed with the Department of Health and Children.
The review also includes a recommendation that Wage Subsidy Scheme participants should be able to retain a link to their Disability Allowance status. In this regard the Department of Social and Family Affairs has confirmed that the existing administrative arrangements whereby people in receipt of a disability payment who take up employment, e.g., under the Back-to Work Allowance scheme, may return directly to that payment in the event that the employment does not continue for any reason, will apply equally to WSS. It is anticipated that the reforms will be implemented in 2009.
99 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she last gave her consent under section 7(2)(a) of the Labour Services Act, 1987 to the remuneration and allowances for expenses paid to members of the staff of FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44897/08]
In the period since the establishment of FÁS under the Labour Services Act, 1987 the Minister sanctioned, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, the pay and staffing arrangements for FAS and various other grade specific increases from time to time.
Increases in remuneration for the staff of FÁS are normally set in the context of Social Partnership agreements. Under the terms of the current agreement, Towards 2016, payment of each of the public services pay increases is dependent on verification of satisfactory achievement in relation to co-operation with flexibility and modernisation. The verification process applies to each sector, organisation and grade within the public service. FÁS submitted themselves to this verification process and following an examination of its progress the Department approved the payments. The most recent approval in this context was conveyed to FÁS on 28 November 2008 in relation to the increase of 2.5% under Section 27.17 of Towards 2016 with effect from 1 September 2008.
The Department of Finance determines overall travel policy in the civil service and the wider public service. My Department has recently asked FÁS to confirm that the Department of Finance circulars are currently being adhered to by FÁS. My Department has also written to the Chairman of the FÁS Board seeking clarification as to whether Department of Finance circulars regarding travel and subsistence have been adhered to in respect of foreign travel for the period since 2001.
100 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the legislative measures she plans to introduce arising from the new social partnership agreement; the proposed timetable for each such piece of legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44916/08]
The Towards 2016 Transitional Agreement provides for a number of commitments, including some involving legislation, aimed at strengthening protections for employment standards, while also ensuring that Ireland continues to provide an excellent environment for business and job creation. Commitments that are likely to have a legislative dimension include enactment of the Employment Law Compliance Bill, the development of a national framework on the employment and rights of temporary agency workers, while prohibiting their use in the case of official strikes or lock outs, addressing the issue of employee representation and appropriate legislative framework, strengthening the existing legislation underpinning the Joint Labour Committee and Registered Employment Agreement systems, prohibition of the victimisation of employees engaged in trade union activities and of the incentivisation of non-membership of trade unions and transposition of the optional pension provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings Directive.
I look forward to working with the Social Partners and my Ministerial colleagues in making speedy progress on the commitments entered into under this Agreement, including those requiring legislative enactment. It is difficult to be specific about timetables for legislation as this is primarily a matter for the House and for the Seanad and is also influenced by the availability of legal advisory and parliamentary drafting resources which are faced with ever increasing competing demands. However, the Deputy may be assured that no effort will be spared to meet the commitments in the Transitional Agreement.
101 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the net number of jobs being created on a weekly basis in the economy; the extent to which this varies with corresponding periods in each of the past five years; her proposals to improve the situation and restore job creation, competitiveness and confidence in the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44925/08]
Employment and unemployment are measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) and published by the Central Statistics Office. Statistics are available on a quarterly basis only. The latest quarterly data indicates that there were 2,120,800 in employment in Quarter 3 2008, a fall of 25,200 on the corresponding period in 2007. This release also indicates that unemployment had increased by 53,300 in the same period. The difference between the two figures relate to an increase in the Total Labour Force of 28,100. The table hereunder sets out numbers in employment at Quarter 3 for the years 2003-2008 and indicates that employment increased by 284,400 over the five year period. While the rate of employment growth is slowing, it must be viewed in the context of historically unprecedented numbers of people in work. Since 1997, over half a million new jobs have been created in Ireland and the number in employment still exceeds 2.1 million.
FÁS and the Department of Social and Family Affairs are working together so they can respond quickly to the increase in unemployment. As regards employment and job search services, I have provided FÁS with €4 million to subsidise the employment of redundant apprentices in 2009. FÁS has, with the Local Employment Services provided by Area-Based Partnerships, geared up its Employment Services further to provide increased capacity for expected increased referrals from the Live Register.
FÁS has also put in place a series of actions to facilitate redundant apprentices in completing their studies. Among these include redundant apprentices being allowed to progress to their next off-the-job phase of training without having to do the next on-the-job phase. FÁS has specific mechanisms in place to deal with redundancies and/or company closures. It offers a tailored approach as early as possible to the workers affected with a view to assisting them to access alternative employment.
In relation to training for those who become unemployed, I have given FÁS an additional €5 million for training the unemployed and FÁS will increase total training places in 2009. FÁS will also be providing a range of certified, short, flexible, modular programmes in construction sector activities that are expected to remain buoyant, despite the slowdown in construction. FÁS has also established a training fund to enable a speedy response to identified re-training needs, for low skilled and redundant craft workers. In 2009 FÁS will open evening classes to people who are unemployed without payment of a fee.
We are fully committed to strengthening the competitiveness and productive capacity of the economy. Our priority remains the creation of high quality, sustainable employment, driven by companies with higher profitability that are technologically advanced and prove a better fit with the competitive characteristics of our economy.
My Department and its Agencies have a vital part to play ensuring that the country is well-positioned to progress when circumstances improve. One of the main tasks is to ensure that Ireland remains an attractive place to do business.
To underpin long-term competitiveness, my objective is to ensure that we build up the productive capacity of the economy through investing in people. I am doing this directly through the Skills Strategy. We will continue to pursue policies to promote lifelong learning and up-skilling to improve labour market flexibility and, where necessary, ensure that appropriate training supports are provided for workers in sectors that are no longer competitive, should they need to find alternative employment.
Creating the best framework conditions to enable innovation to flourish, which in turn leads to increased productivity and competitiveness, will continue to guide our overall policy approach to tackling the competitiveness challenges ahead. There are a number of key policies, which the Government is implementing to maintain and enhance our competitiveness and to invest for the future. The National Skills Strategy, the Strategy for Science, Technology & Innovation (SSTI) and the National Development Plan will ensure Ireland remains a key location for leading edge research and development, and the quality jobs it can deliver. Achieving higher growth rates in productivity than our competitor countries will be important for international competitiveness and securing sustainable wage growth.
|
2003 Q3 |
2004 Q3 |
2005 Q3 |
2006 Q3 |
2007 Q3 |
2008 Q3 |
|
|
All Persons in Employment |
1,836.4 |
1,893.6 |
1,989.8 |
2,076.9 |
2,146 |
2,120.8 |
Source: CSO database QNHS Employment Data.
102 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she intends to retain the requirement for nationals from Bulgaria and Romania to have work permits in order to participate in the labour force here when the current arrangement expires at the end of 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44891/08]
The Government decided, in October 2006, to continue to require that nationals of Romania and Bulgaria apply for work permits in order to participate in the Irish labour market, but giving those nationals preference over non-European Economic Area nationals. The Government was informed in its decision by the very significant inflow of economic migrants Ireland had experienced since May 2004, when nationals of the EU 10 Member States were allowed to participate in the Irish labour market without work permits. The Government felt at the time that it was appropriate to take stock, be cautious and concentrate on the integration needs of those who had already come to live and work here.
EU countries that imposed transitional restrictions had to justify their decision to the European Commission initially, and must continue to do so at intervals thereafter. Countries were allowed an initial, so-called Phase 1, period of two years ending on 31 December 2008 during which to impose restrictions. Before the end of 2008, Member States must notify the European Commission whether they plan to continue during the Phase 2 period 2009-2011 any restrictions imposed during Phase 1, or whether they intend to remove the restrictions and accordingly the Government will be considering this matter for decision ahead of the end year deadline.
Having regard to options open to the Government, the Employment Permits Act 2006 provides the legal basis for three options in relation to access to the Irish labour market by nationals of Bulgaria and Romania: continue to have Romanian and Bulgarian nationals apply for work permits with the current conditions and requirements, but, as before, giving those nationals preference over non-European Economic Area nationals; have Romanian and Bulgarian nationals apply for work permits (mainly for monitoring purposes) and issue them on the basis of job offers, without the requirement to advertise with FÁS; or grant access to the Irish labour market without any restrictions.
In considering these options, the Government will take into account the following factors: the positions of the other Member States that also imposed restrictions; current and forecast economic and labour market conditions in Ireland; the views of the representatives of employers and trade unions, as well as the views of representatives of the Governments of the two countries concerned. A decision on this matter is due to be made by Government before the end of December.
103 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has made contact with the larger retail stores in relation to their practice of importing supplies directly from England and the North of Ireland rather than through Irish distribution channels. [44919/08]
Cost and managing costs is an increasingly important consideration for all businesses in these difficult economic times, particularly in a competitive sector such as the retail sector. Given the recent downturn in retail sales, retailers are reviewing all aspects of their cost base including their distribution costs. However, the sourcing of supplies is a day to day operational matter for individual retailers and is not one in which I have a direct function.
104 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the legislative or other measures she will take to uphold the right to collective bargaining and particularly the right of a trade union to represent its members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44905/08]
Trade unions holding a negotiating licence are free to engage in collective bargaining on wages and conditions of employment. Ireland's system of industrial relations is based on a voluntary approach with terms and conditions of employment being determined in the main by a process of voluntary collective bargaining between the parties, without the intervention of the State. The collective bargaining process can cover the entire range of issues arising from the employment relationship.
The State has sought to facilitate the bargaining process through establishing, by legislation, a number of agencies to assist in the resolution of disputes, including the Labour Relations Commission/Rights Commissioner Service and the Labour Court. There are also statutoryprovisions designed to back up the voluntary process in areas where collective bargaining does not operate effectively. The most important provisions are those concerning Joint Labour Committees and Registered Employment Agreements. In addition, the 2004 Enhanced Code of Practice on Voluntary Dispute Resolution and the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001, as amended by the Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, provide mechanisms for the resolution of disputes in situations where collective bargaining does not occur and where the internal dispute resolution procedures that are normally used fail to resolve the dispute.
The issue of employee representation was considered in the context of the recent Social Partnership talks. In that context, the Towards 2016 Review and Transitional Agreement 2008-2009 provides for the establishment of a review process which will consider the legal and other steps which are required to enable the mechanisms which were established under previous Agreements to operate as they had been intended. The review is to be completed by the end of March 2009 with a view to enactment of the necessary legislation in June 2009.
105 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of labour inspectors employed by the National Employment Rights Authority; the number of labour inspectors available for assignment on normal duties; the number of labour inspectors in training following recruitment; the status of the recruitment campaign to increase the Labour Inspectorate to 90 inspectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44912/08]
NERA currently has in place a team of 80 Inspectors following recruitment competitions for an additional fifty-nine Inspectors to bring the number of Inspectors from the original level of 31 up to the level of 90 committed to under Towards 2016. Fifty-nine inspectors were assigned to NERA from these competitions. All NERA inspectors were recruited by way of competitive procedures, including internal competition within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and a trawl of other Government Departments, and a number of specialist language inspectors were recruited by the Public Appointments Service.
All new inspectors have completed the NERA Inspection Services Introductory Training Programme and are currently undertaking further training, including on-the-job training with experienced inspectors. This involves working with experienced Inspectors in carrying out inspections and other associated enquiries at places of work with a view to determining compliance with certain employment rights legislation.
Ten Inspectors have left NERA over the past year as a result of promotion or internal and external Departmental transfers and re-assignments. As a result, the total number of NERA Inspectors currently stands at eighty. A competitive selection process was held very recently to form a panel of people who will fill current and future Inspector vacancies as they arise. The results of this competitive process will be announced shortly.
106 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the further rise in unemployment reflected in the live register over recent months; the steps being taken to stem the loss of jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44886/08]
The total number of people recorded on the Live Register for November 2008 is 268,586, showing an increase of about 106,864 in the 12 month period. It should be noted that the Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment. It includes part-time, seasonal and casual workers entitled to unemployment benefit.
Employment and unemployment are measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey or QNHS, and published by the Central Statistics Office. 2,120,800 are in employment while unemployment is at 160,600 for the most recent Quarter, June to August 2008.
The rise in unemployment, while regrettable, must be seen in the light of the unprecedented growth in the economy and in employment in the past number of years. Overall employment growth was driven by significant growth in employment in the construction sector. Such levels of growth could not last indefinitely. The resultant rise in unemployment is now compounded by the international credit crisis in the economy and a general slowdown in employment in all sectors. Ireland is not alone in finding itself it this position; many countries throughout Europe and around the world are experiencing similar difficulties in their labour markets.
FÁS and the Department of Social and Family Affairs are working together so they can respond quickly to the increase in unemployment. For example: As regards employment and job search services, I have provided FÁS with €4 million to subsidise the employment of redundant apprentices in 2009. FÁS has, with the Local Employment Services provided by Area-Based Partnerships, geared up its Employment Services further to provide increased capacity for expected increased referrals from the Live Register. FÁS has also put in place a series of actions to facilitate redundant apprentices in completing their studies. Among these include redundant apprentices being allowed to progress to their next off-the-job phase of training without having to do the next on-the-job phase. FÁS has specific mechanisms in place to deal with redundancies and/or company closures. It offers a tailored approach as early as possible to the workers affected with a view to assisting them to access alternative employment.
As regards training for those who become unemployed, I have given FÁS an additional €5 million for training the unemployed and FÁS will increase total training places in 2009. FÁS will also be providing a range of certified, short, flexible, modular programmes in construction sector activities which are expected to remain buoyant despite the slowdown in construction.
FÁS has also established a training fund to enable a speedy response to identified re-training needs for low skilled and redundant craft workers. In 2009 FÁS will open evening classes to people who are unemployed without payment of a fee. As regards promoting enterprise development to create new jobs, the Enterprise Development Agencies of my Department, including IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, are working to ensure that we continue to grow the economy and jobs even in the current more challenging environment. The pipeline of new business for which IDA Ireland is competing is as strong as at any time in recent years. To facilitate this we need to ensure that our competitiveness is sustained into the future.
107 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she will take arising from recent disclosures regarding expenditure by FÁS on foreign travel and entertainment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44892/08]
I met with the Chairman and some members of the Board of FÁS on 28 November and expressed my disquiet at the events that had taken place in the Public Affairs Division in FÁS. At the meeting the Board assured me that action has been taken to deal with these matters. It also assured me that more robust structures with enhanced controls are now in place. This will help accelerate the audit work already underway in the corporate affairs area. It will also help FÁS to interface with the Comptroller and Auditor General in his examination of the effectiveness of the management and control systems in FÁS, which I understand the Comptroller and Auditor General will begin shortly. The FÁS internal audit function is also being strengthened.
The Board also agreed that a full examination of past practices is required to ensure that the organisation can move forward with best practice corporate governance procedures in place. I understand that the normal annual C&AG internal audit examination is already currently underway in FÁS. This audit will include an examination of internal procedures and governance arrangements within FÁS.
Following my instruction in June 2008, FÁS reports to my Department on a quarterly basis detailing the remedial action taken in respect of the issues raised by the audit reports. In addition, my Department has written to the Chairman of the FÁS Board seeking clarification as to whether Department of Finance circulars regarding travel and subsistence have been adhered to in respect of foreign travel for the period since 2001. The Department has also asked FÁS to clarify that the Department of Finance circulars are currently being adhered to by FÁS.
In my view, FÁS should continue to remain focused on its core mission, given the employment and training challenges currently facing the country, and I would express my strong support for the work of the new interim Director General, the Chairman and the other members of the Board in that regard. I would, in particular, like to acknowledge the on-going commitment and importance of the staff of FÁS in helping us to meet the Labour Market challenges we are facing now and into the future.
108 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on changes to the board of FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44893/08]
The current Chairman and Board of FÁS were appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in 2006 in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Services Act, 1987. I met with the Chairman and some members of the Board of FÁS on 28 November and expressed my disquiet at the events that had taken place in the Public Affairs Division in FÁS.
At the meeting the Board assured me that action has been taken to deal with these matters. It also assured me that more robust structures with enhanced controls are now in place. This will help accelerate the audit work already underway in the corporate affairs area. It will also help FÁS to interface with the Comptroller and Auditor General in his examination of the effectiveness of the management and control systems in FÁS, which I understand the Comptroller and Auditor General will begin shortly. The FÁS internal audit function is also being strengthened.
The Board also agreed that a full examination of past practices is required to ensure that the organisation can move forward with best practice corporate governance procedures in place. I understand that the normal annual C&AG internal audit examination is already currently underway in FÁS. This audit will include an examination of internal procedures and governance arrangements within FÁS.
In my view, FÁS should continue to remain focused on its core mission, given the employment and training challenges currently facing the country, and I would express my strong support for the work of the new interim Director General, the Chairman and the other members of the Board in that regard. I would in particular, like to acknowledge the on-going commitment and importance of the staff of FÁS in helping us to meet the Labour Market challenges we are facing now and into the future. No changes to the Board of FÁS are envisaged at this time.
109 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on recent EU figures which suggested that consumers here are being charged up to 20% more for diesel and petrol; the steps she will take to ensure that consumers receive fair treatment in regard to petrol and diesel prices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44903/08]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the recent Consumer Petroleum Price Products Survey, which was published by the Energy and Transport Directorate General of the European Commission. The latest survey, which relates to retail prices on 1 December, states that retail prices are higher in Ireland than in most other EU member states. However, concerns have been raised about the methods used by member states to collect the price information on which the survey is based. These concerns are shared by my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, whose Department is responsible for forwarding this country's price information to the Commission. The Commission is aware of the need for greater transparency in the reporting and presentation of oil price statistics across member states. In October, the Commission issued a comprehensive questionnaire to member states to survey the collection of prices published in its weekly bulletin. The purpose of the survey was to assess the methods of collection used by member states with a view to harmonising price reporting and removing reporting discrepancies between member states. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is actively engaging with the Commission to ensure that the shared aim of more transparent reporting can be achieved. An illustration of the difficulties with the Commission's current system of reporting retail prices is the fact that the Commission's latest survey shows that the average retail price of petrol in Ireland on 1 December was €1.156 per litre, whereas the average price according to a number of domestic fuel information websites is only €1.02 per litre.
The Deputy may be aware that following widespread concerns earlier this year that the benefits of the decline in the wholesale price of oil were not being passed on to consumers, I asked the National Consumer Agency to undertake a survey into the underlying reasons pump prices for petrol and diesel had not fallen in line with the drop in the wholesale price of oil. As part of its work, the agency is benchmarking movements in prices in Ireland against those in other EU countries. It is examining the frequency and the timeliness with which changes in the wholesale price are being passed on to consumers. The agency has been conducting surveys of retail prices throughout the country. It is engaging in a series of meetings and contacts with, inter alia, the main distributors and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. While the average retail price of petrol and diesel is just over €1 per litre, which represents a considerable reduction from the much higher prices of the summer, it is particularly important in these difficult economic times to ensure that the benefits of the dramatic decline in wholesale fuel prices are passed onto consumers and businesses to the greatest extent possible. It was for this reason that I asked the National Consumer Agency to undertake a survey on this matter. I look forward to receiving the agency’s report, which I understand will be finalised in the coming weeks.
110 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in view of recent disclosures regarding expenditure at FÁS, she has plans to issue a direction under section 17 of the Labour Services Act 1987 to refrain FÁS from carrying out expenditure or to reduce by specified amounts its expenditure on specified services or activities. [44899/08]
111 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she last gave a direction under section 17 of the Labour Services Act 1987 to refrain from carrying out expenditure or to reduce by specified amounts its expenditure on specified services or activities. [44898/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together.
It is the practice for the Minister to request FÁS to adjust its spending on specified services or activities in line with Government labour market policy and available resources. This is normally done in the context of the annual Estimates process. Earlier this year, FÁS was directed to reduce spending in a number of areas including payroll, consultancies, advertising and public relations. If necessary, the Minister may invoke section 17(1)(a)(iv) of the Labour Services Act 1987, which provides that the Minister may give a direction in writing to FÁS requiring it to refrain from incurring expenditure, or reduce by specified amounts its expenditure, on specified services or specified activities. It has not been the practice, nor has it proved necessary, to formally invoke section 17 of the 1987 Act.
112 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will report on her recent official visit to the Gulf; the results achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44902/08]
The mission to the United Arab Emirates, which took place between 24 and 28 November last, was organised by Enterprise Ireland. The mission was undertaken because the UAE represents an exciting market for Irish companies. With its oil reserves and, crucially, significant non-oil economic activities, it offers significant market opportunities to Irish companies. The country is the dominant hub for business operations in the Middle East, has a strong pro-business environment and has very significant state capital expenditure in many sectors. In the year that followed the trade mission of January 2007, which was led by the then Taoiseach, Irish merchandise exports to the UAE increased by 34%. This healthy trend has been maintained for the first seven months of this year, with an increase of 23% on the same period last year. In addition, exports of services are strong and growing rapidly.
Because of the solid prospects for continued growth, this trade mission was undertaken to build on the success that has already been achieved. Some 88 companies and organisations took part in the mission. I officiated at a wide range of events to promote the efforts of the participating companies, to strengthen relationships with key contacts in the UAE market and to raise the profile of Ireland as a source of quality innovative goods and services. I met two Government Ministers to discuss a range of issues, relating to specific State projects of interest to Irish companies, and to develop wider political contacts and build on existing strong levels of Irish-UAE co-operation at official level. During the mission, 32 contracts and agreements were signed by Irish businesses from a variety of sectors, particularly construction, engineering, architecture, software and financial services. The value of the contracts and agreements signed was €40 million. I am confident that the work undertaken on the trade mission will lead to the further expansion of Irish exports to the region.
113 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average industrial wage earned by a male worker and female worker respectively; the average male earnings and average female earnings generally; if she plans additional measures to help bridge the male-female earnings gap; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44915/08]
Data from the CSO quarterly industrial survey shows that average industrial earnings per hour for male industrial workers on adult rates in June 2007 was €16.62. The average rate for female industrial workers was €12.73. The CSO National Employment Survey for October 2006 showed that average hourly earnings were €20.50 for males and €17.67 for females. The latter figures cover the entire economy in October 2006, excluding employees in agriculture, forestry and fishing. The gender pay gap has fallen consistently and is now below the EU average of 15%. The most recent official figures from EUROSTAT, which relate to 2006, put the Irish gender pay gap at 9%, placing us fourth lowest among the 27 member states. This compares with a rate of 14% in 2003, showing a drop of 5% in three years. However, EUROSTAT acknowledges that the data are provisional and therefore may not be wholly comparable between member states. Addressing the factors behind the gender pay gap is a multifaceted task involving a number of Departments and agencies as outlined in the National Women's Strategy 2007-2016, which was launched last year by the Taoiseach. The overall co-ordination of the strategy is led by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The introduction of the national minimum wage in 2000 has had a positive impact on women who were previously more likely to receive very low wages in sectors which were predominantly female. My Department is responsible for chairing and providing the secretariat for the national framework committee on work-life balance policies. The committee, which was established under the social partnership process, comprises representatives from IBEC, ICTU, the Equality Authority and a number of Departments. The committee has undertaken and continues to undertake a range of activities to raise awareness and encourage the provision of work-life balance at enterprise level, including the provision of financial assistance to organisations, information dissemination activities, seminars and research, etc. These activities may help to encourage greater female participation in the workforce, including at senior levels which in turn can help to narrow the earnings gap. Similarly, Expanding the Workforce, which is run by FÁS, is aimed at proactively encouraging women to return to work. The initiative facilitates women returnees by ensuring that training is provided in a flexible manner and is tailored to meet business requirements and skills needs of employers.
114 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the reduction in the number of apprentices registered with FÁS, which has fallen from 29,273 in 2006 to 23,382 in 2008, while the number of newly registered apprentices has fallen over the same period from 8,315 to 3,798; her views on whether it is important to maintain training of apprentices during a period of recession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44900/08]
Given the significant reduction we have witnessed in construction related activity this year it is no surprise that we have also witnessed a similar reduction in the total number of apprentices registered with FÁS and the number of new apprentice registrations this year. However, as apprenticeship is a demand driven education and training programme for employed people it is clear that employers play a key role in ensuring that they recruit apprentices now in order to meet their future skills requirements.
Recent Government forecasts for construction activity indicate that there will be a sharp decline in employment in the construction sector and particularly in new house building in 2008 and 2009. However, these forecasts also indicate that a sharp recovery of 6% is projected for construction output and employment from 2010 onwards.
Based on these forecasts it is important that we continue to train apprentices in order to avoid potential skills shortages in future years. It takes at least four years to fully train an apprentice. Therefore, it would be prudent for those employers that are in a position to do so, to take a longer-term view if they are to take full advantage of the upturn in construction sector.
For its part the Government has over recent years invested significant resources in developing our apprenticeship system to create capacity to meet the needs of industry.
115 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new jobs she expects to be created during 2008 in the manufacturing and other sectors; the way these compare with figures for each year since 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44888/08]
Forecasting employment figures is a perilous business at the best of times, and never more so than in the current economic climate we now find ourselves subject to. As one of the most globalised economies in the world, the uncertainty created by the ongoing international financial crisis and the consequent fall in demand for goods and services both domestically and worldwide has had a significant impact on our economy.
The Government and I share the concerns of all at the levels of unemployment; however, it must be viewed in the context of historically unprecedented numbers of people in work. Since 1997, over half a million new jobs have been created in Ireland and the number in employment still exceeds 2 million.
The following table shows that in the period 2002–2007 over 150,000 new full time permanent jobs were created in companies supported by the enterprise development agencies (IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development). Of this total, 84,619 new jobs were created in the manufacturing sector.
These figures do not take account of the new jobs created with the support of the Government through Udarás na Gaeltachta, which falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The economic environment is more challenging than we have seen for many years; however, we have the foundations in place for long term economic growth through proactive policies such as the Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation, the National Skills Strategy and the National Development Plan. Ireland is well placed to tackle the challenges we are facing, with a strong base of modern industry, a highly skilled and flexible workforce and a pro-business culture. We continue to work to maintain and enhance our framework competitive conditions, and promote new areas of competitive advantage by developing our R&D base, investing in critical physical and communications infrastructures, in line with the NDP and the Programme for Government
In the competitive arena of enticing foreign direct investment (FDI), Ireland still manages to punch above its weight when it comes to attracting overseas investment. While costs are higher, we have responded by positioning ourselves as a location for more advanced activities, with more qualified and better paying jobs. The pipeline of new business for which IDA Ireland is competing is strong and we remain confident that Ireland is well placed to secure significant investment during the remainder of 2008 and beyond, from key target sectors such as Pharmaceuticals, Biopharma, Medical Technologies and Information and Communications Technology.
Competition, both for investment and goods and services in the global economic environment that Irish business functions in, is keener than ever. Innovation, and the productivity gains that flow from it, are the new foundations for competitiveness. In order to sustain and grow the manufacturing sector, Irish based manufacturing enterprises will have to continue the progression to high value added sectors and activities, and continue to increase productivity through investments in human capital, technology and innovation. Our priority remains the creation of high quality, sustainable employment, driven by companies with higher profitability that are technologically advanced and prove a better fit with the competitive characteristics of our economy.
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Total |
|
|
All Sectors |
25,301 |
22,481 |
24,208 |
26,238 |
27,560 |
24,339 |
150,127 |
|
Manufacturing |
14,431 |
13,919 |
13,354 |
14,895 |
14,932 |
13,088 |
84,619 |
|
Services |
10,870 |
8,562 |
10,854 |
11,343 |
12,628 |
11,251 |
65,508 |
*Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Shannon Development.
116 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of EU directives for which her Department has responsibility remaining to be implemented; the directives that are overdue; the number of reasoned opinions received from the EU Commission since 2002 regarding delays or non-implementation of such directives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44911/08]
There are currently a total of eight Directives due to be transposed by my Department up to 2012. Three of these Directives are currently overdue. The first of these, Directive 2007/45/EC on pre-packaged goods, is expected to be transposed by 19 December 2008. It is intended to transpose the second and third overdue Directives, Directive 2006/46/EC on company reporting and Directive 2006/43/EC on statutory audits of annual and consolidated accounts, by 28 February 2009 and 31 March 2009, respectively.
Full details on the state of play of all current EU Directives are maintained on the Department's website, www.entemp.ie.
My Department has received 25 Reasoned Opinions from the European Commission relating to Directives since 2002. The outstanding issues concerning all of these Reasoned Opinions have been resolved satisfactorily, with the exception of Directive 2006/43/EC which, as I said, is expected to be transposed on 31 March 2009.
I have made the transposition of EU Directives an ongoing priority in my Department.
119 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to a television programme (details supplied) which outlined a systematic failure by some employers employing immigrant workers to pay the minimum wage, provide contracts of employment, honour tax and PRSI regulations and adhere to safety standards; the steps she will to take to ensure that immigrant workers are protected from such exploitation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44901/08]
I am fully conscious of the need for vigilance against the exploitation of vulnerable workers, including migrant workers. It is important to bear in mind that migrant workers can and do obtain the full benefits and protection of Irish labour law. Naturally, unscrupulous employers may try to take advantage of those in a vulnerable position. However, the Government will not stand aside while employers try to gain unfair competitive advantage by short-changing workers on their entitlements.
Our extensive and comprehensive body of employment rights legislation is the foundation for our protection of vulnerable workers, including migrants and includes: Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996; The Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997; National Minimum Wage Act, 2000; Payment of Wages Act, 1991.
We also have a Code of Practice on engagement of domestic staff in private houses. The code was introduced in May, 2007 and emphasises that employees in other people's homes have an equal entitlement to the employment rights and protections available to any other employee. It highlights a number of these rights and includes provisions relating to protections that have particular relevance to these employers and employees.
The Employment Law Compliance Bill, 2008 will further strengthen the protective framework. The Bill, which is on the Order Paper of the Dáil, is being finalised at present in consultation with stakeholders and I have asked my Department to ensure that the second stage will be taken early in the next Parliamentary term.
As well as having a strong legislative foundation, we have highly effective Industrial Relations machinery through which to process claims by employees with grievances including the Rights Commissioners, the Labour Court and the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
In addition, we have strengthened inspection and enforcement. The recent media coverage to which the Deputy refers was a timely reminder of why the Government set up the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) as a key outcome of the Social Partnership process. The issues that have been highlighted are disturbing. However, these issues are not unknown to us — in over 20,000 workplace inspections this year, NERA has determined an average breach rate of 21%. NERA has had considerable success since it started operations in 2007 in ensuring that abuses of workers rights and entitlements will not go unchecked.
NERA Inspectors pursue allegations of worker mistreatment and when evidence of non-compliance with the relevant employment rights legislation is found, the Inspection Services seek redress for the individual/s concerned and, if appropriate, a prosecution is initiated. In the year to the end of November, some €2.34 million in arrears was recovered on behalf of employees. 70 cases have, in the year to date, been referred to the Chief State Solicitor's Office for prosecution.
NERA's 2008 inspection programme featured targeted campaigns focusing on areas including security, catering and agriculture. In addition campaigns were carried out to check compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act and the Protection of Young Persons Act.
With the enactment of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2007, which came into operation on 30th March, 2007, NERA inspectors now undertake joint investigations and engage in information exchange with officers of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
The effective promulgation of employment rights information is also a prerequisite to compliance. No matter how efficient an inspectorate we have, not every case of exploitation will be caught. That is why one of the best defences we have against abuse of workers is good quality information and ease of access to redress — both of which will empower the individual vulnerable worker to take the matter further. Information and good communication of worker's rights is a key element of Employment Rights Compliance. Great emphasis is put on this by NERA, which reproduces its Employment Rights information in twelve languages and has 80 labour inspectors currently active who are skilled in foreign languages. These efforts are complemented greatly by the contribution that is made by the Social Partners — both Trade Unions and Employers — as well as the established Employment Rights bodies to greater awareness of responsibilities and rights in the workplace.
I urge anyone who has evidence of contraventions of employment rights legislation to furnish all the relevant details and any related materials to NERA's Inspection Services with a view to pursuing the matter.
120 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details from the survey on income and living conditions in Ireland 2007 on the values at each quintile of the net equivalised income of persons 65 years or over and, if available, 70 years or over; and if he will provide details of the income value at the 95th percentile for persons over 65 years and over 70 years, respectively. [45432/08]
The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table.
|
Quintile 1 |
Quintile 2 |
Quintile 3 |
Quintile 4 |
Quintile 5 |
|
|
Persons aged 65 and over |
Up to €231.88 |
Up to €259.00 |
Up to €319.03 |
Up to €462.33 |
Over €462.33 |
|
Persons aged 70 and over |
Up to €233.36 |
Up to €257.04 |
Up to €304.33 |
Up to €446.98 |
Over €446.98 |
|
All Persons |
Up to €240.69 |
Up to €321.19 |
Up to €440.32 |
Up to €606.31 |
Over €606.31 |
|
95th Percentile |
|
|
€ |
|
|
Persons Aged 65 and over |
700.74 |
|
Persons aged 70 and over |
650.05 |
|
All Persons |
919.67 |
121 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway City by her Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of her Department, or funded by her Department, including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45524/08]
My Department and the 8 Offices which come under the auspices of my Department do not rent, lease or occupy any office accommodation in Galway City either directly or indirectly through the Office of Public Works.
I am not in a position to provide information about office accommodation which may be rented or leased in Galway City in respect of the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department because this would be a day-to-day administrative matter for any State Agency concerned. Neither am I in a position to provide information about office accommodation which may be rented or leased in Galway City in respect of non-Governmental organisations.
122 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will support a matter (details supplied). [45541/08]
The role of the 35 County and City Enterprise Boards is to provide support for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level throughout the country. The CEBs deliver a series of Programmes to underpin this role and they can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter.
The forms of CEB direct financial assistance which are available to small businesses, subject to certain restrictions, include Capital Grants, Employment Grants and Feasibility Study Grants. The criteria under which financial assistance is available is based primarily on factors such as the sector of the economy in which an enterprise is operating or intends to operate and the size, or proposed size, of the enterprise. The enterprise must be in the commercial sphere, must demonstrate a market for the proposed product/service, must have a capacity for growth and new job creation and must not employ more than 10 people. The CEBs give priority to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector and the CEBs must always give consideration to any potential for deadweight and displacement arising from a proposed enterprise.
The provision of non-financial assistance which CEBs can offer can take the form of a wide range of business advice and information services, management capability training and development programmes, e-Commerce training initiatives, mentoring services and the delivery of targeted Programmes to promote female entrepreneurship. In common with the other enterprise agencies which operate under the aegis of my Department the CEBs also provide general advice and guidance on a range of developmental matters relevant to small businesses such as mentoring, business training and business advice all of which help to stimulate indigenous enterprise creation. I would suggest therefore that the person concerned should, in the first instance, make direct contact with their local CEB and explore what level of assistance, if any, may be available to them. Contact details for individual CEBs can be found by accessing the following website; www.enterpriseboards.ie.
The Government has also made very considerable progress on the implementation of the Small Business Forum Report's recommendations. This progress is reflected through a substantial package of financial measures and Schemes introduced to assist the small business sector over the last two years, including fiscal measures in the 2007 and 2008 Finance Acts. These measures were designed to help all small and medium sized businesses across the country and include:
the extension and radical improvement of the Business Expansion and Seed Capital Schemes up to 2013;
important increases in the VAT Cash Accounting — now €1m and VAT Registration Turnover Thresholds — now €75,000 have been introduced in order to simplify administration and reduce working capital requirements on small businesses;
changes to the preliminary tax obligations of certain companies so that small companies are now permitted to calculate their preliminary tax payments based on 100% of the prior-period tax liability if their tax liability for the prior period did not exceed a certain threshold — now €200,000;
new companies, which do not expect their tax liability for the first year to exceed €200,000, are no longer obliged to pay preliminary tax in that first year.
The 2009 Budget in October announced tax relief measures for start up businesses by way of remission in Corporation Tax and Capital Gains Tax in the first 3 years for new and start-up businesses. These measures will help to grow small business and promote an entrepreneurial culture.
123 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Finance the number of motor vehicle imports in 2007 and to date in 2008; his views on the damage to employment in the motor trade arising from the inferior quality of some of those vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45472/08]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners the number of used motor vehicles imported in 2007 and to date in 2008 are as shown in the following table. The weakening of Sterling against the Euro has been a contributory factor in the increase in used car imports.
Revenue currently carries out a risk based examination of a proportion of the used imported vehicles being presented for registration i.e. examining all high-risk (determined by age and value) passenger cars and in addition, some 10% of all other vehicles are examined. The examination ensures that the documentation matches the car being imported, the condition of the car is as stated and that any extras on the car have been declared for VRT purposes. An Interagency Working Group set up to examine issues related to the management of the national fleet from registration to end of life has identified and examined a number of concerns in relation to vehicles using our roads. The Deputy may be aware that I have brought forward proposals in the Finance Bill to assist in addressing this issue, by tightening the rules in relation to the registration of second hand vehicles. I believe these measures will improve the regulatory framework in this area.
|
2007 |
2007 |
2007 |
2008 (Jan to Nov) |
2008 (Jan to Nov) |
2008 (Jan to Nov) |
|
|
Gross |
Exempt |
Net |
Gross |
Exempt |
Net |
|
|
Category A |
||||||
|
Cars |
59,539 |
6,383 |
53,156 |
59,013 |
5,448 |
53,565 |
|
Category B |
||||||
|
Car Derived Vans |
2,767 |
102 |
2,665 |
2,370 |
87 |
2,283 |
|
Category C |
||||||
|
Commercial Vehicles |
22,511 |
212 |
22,299 |
20,301 |
153 |
20,148 |
|
Category D |
||||||
|
Other Vehicles |
102 |
— |
102 |
96 |
— |
96 |
|
Category M |
||||||
|
Motor Cycles |
4,434 |
182 |
4,252 |
4,823 |
156 |
4,667 |
|
Total |
89,353 |
6,879 |
82,474 |
86,603 |
5,844 |
80,759 |
124 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance if he will ascertain if recent purchases made by the Office of Public Works (details supplied) are in line with a scheme. [45427/08]
The purchases are in line with the procedures set out in ‘Public Art: Per Cent for Art Scheme, General National Guidelines — 2004'.
125 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the choice of non-Irish printers for some of the budget 2009 documents; and the percentage of the total budget 2009 documents that were printed by non-Irish printers. [45471/08]
Budget 2009 documents published by my Department were, as is the norm, printed in-house in the Department of Finance.
126 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway City by his Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation — for example, the Revenue Commissioners, Office of Public Works and so on — under the auspices of his Department or funded by his Department, including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45531/08]
The following table details the office accommodation leased by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the Minister for Finance for various Government Departments in Galway City. The information in this regard remains as provided in answer to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 17 June 2008.
Details in respect of any office accommodation leased other than through the OPW in Galway city would be a matter for the particular parties involved.
|
Lease Code |
Name |
Address |
Occupant |
Nett Lett SqM |
Rent P.A. |
|
LSE0335 |
Galway Revenue Tax Office |
Hibernian House, Eyre Square, Galway |
Revenue Commissioners |
194.44 |
27,299.37 |
|
LSE0336 |
Galway Revenue Tax Office |
Hibernian House, Eyre Square, Galway |
Revenue Commissioners |
184.03 |
31,696 |
|
LSE0337 |
Galway Revenue Tax Office |
Hibernian House, Eyre Square, Galway |
Revenue Commissioners |
380.62 |
54,281.3 |
|
LSE0338 |
Galway Revenue Tax Office |
Hibernian House, Eyre Square, Galway |
Revenue Commissioners |
931.34 |
15,0375 |
|
LSE0340 |
Galway Gov Off Hynes Building |
Hynes Building, St Augustine Street, Galway |
Revenue Commissioners |
984.74 |
172,250 |
|
LSE0341 |
Galway Gov Off Hynes Building |
Hynes Building, St Augustine Street, Galway |
Social Comm & Family Affairs |
Not Available |
235,000 |
|
LSE0344 |
Galway Irish Water Safety |
Long Walk, Galway |
Environment & Local Government |
153.19 |
41,722 |
|
LSE0345 |
Galway Garda Training |
Mayoralty House, Flood Street, Galway |
Garda Siochana |
171.77 |
31,420 |
|
LSE0347 |
Galway Gov Off Ross House |
Ross House, Merchants Road, Galway |
Marine & Natural Resources, Unallocated Space |
408.78 |
88,000 |
|
LSE0348 |
Galway Gov Off Ross House |
Ross House, Merchants Road, Galway |
Education & Science |
402.72 |
81,281.25 |
|
LSE0353 |
Galway Prob & Wel Serv |
Abbey Arch Units 1,4, 5, 7 & 8, Upper Abbeygate Street, Galway |
The Probation Service |
181.15 |
42,334.5 |
|
LSE0354 |
Galway Prob & Wel Serv |
Abbey Arch Units 1,4, 5, 7 & 8 Upper Abbeygate Street, Galway |
Prisons Service |
154.77 |
31,144 |
|
LSE0355 |
Galway Education Office |
Victoria Place, Galway |
Education & Science, National Education Psychology Service, National Council for Special Education |
701.4 |
180,000 |
|
LSE0356 |
Galway Driving Test Centre |
Unit 4 Westside, Westside Shopping Centre, Galway |
Transport |
104.51 |
28,600 |
|
LSE0951 |
Galway Environment Office |
Office No. 3, The Plaza, Headford Road, Galway |
Environment & Local Government |
272.3 |
48,000 |
|
LSE0972 |
Galway Garda Office |
Units 2 & 20A/20B Liosban, Liosban Business Park, Galway |
Garda Siochana |
460.23 |
65,899.41 |
|
LSE1021 |
Galway DAF Dockgate |
Dockgate, Dock Road, Galway |
Agriculture Food & Rural Dev |
3,430.37 |
744,825.84 |
|
LSE1031 |
Galway Prob & Wel Serv |
Abbey Arch Units 1,4, 5,7 & 8 Upper Abbeygate Street, Galway |
Probation & Welfare Service |
46.92 |
7,575 |
|
LSE1142 |
Galway SWO — Island House |
Island House, Cathedral Square, Galway Social Comm & Family Affairs |
37.16 |
13,500 |
|
|
LSE1167 |
Galway Gov Off Hynes Building |
Hynes Building, St Augustine Street, Galway |
Social Comm & Family Affairs |
1,333.17 |
222,425 |
|
LSE1222 |
Galway Liosbaun Garda Unit 1B |
Liosbaun Business Park, Tuam Road, Galway |
Garda Siochana |
179 |
25,987.5 |
|
LSE1239 |
Galway Revenue Fairgreen |
Fairgreen Rd and Loughatalia Rd, Galway |
Revenue Commissioners |
4,416.5 |
941,276.16 |
127 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will postpone the introduction of the VAT for inward tour operators, at least until 2011, in order that it can be incorporated in quoted prices, as contracts for 2009 and 2010 are already negotiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45537/08]
The new VAT arrangements for tour operators being introduced under the Finance Bill arise from an Appeal Commissioners' decision which made all tour operators liable to VAT. Any deferral of the proposed measures would mean that the normal VAT rules would apply creating difficulties and inequity of treatment whereby domestic and in-bound tour operators providing holidays in Ireland would pay VAT, while out-bound tour operators would not be obliged to pay VAT, but would still be entitled to recover VAT on their inputs.
The measures under the Finance Bill will ensure equity of treatment for tour operators and will bring their VAT treatment into line with most other EU Member States by introducing what is called a Margin Scheme. Under the Margin Scheme, Irish tour operators will have to account for VAT on the profit margin realised on the supply of a travel package. Inward tour operators established outside of the EU will not be subject to VAT.
The commencement of the Margin Scheme on 1 January 2010 is considered to provide ample opportunity for tour operators to prepare for the changes being made. My officials will be consulting with the sector in order to ensure a smooth implementation and operation of the new arrangements.
128 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the full extent of the overall costs of decentralisation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45550/08]
As I announced in the Budget, the Government has reviewed the Decentralisation Programme in light of the changed economic circumstances and identified priority elements on which implementation should proceed at this time. The Government's decision will result in the relocation of approximately 6,000 posts to over 40 locations outside of Dublin in the current phase of the programme. This is made up of 2,600 posts already moved, together with an additional 3,400 posts which are in train. Decisions on the timing of further work on implementation of the balance of the programme are being deferred pending a review in 2011 in light of budgetary developments.
The total amount of expenditure by the OPW under the Government's Decentralisation Programme to date in relation to the property aspects of the programme is approximately €270m. This includes the cost of site/property acquisitions, fit-out works and rent paid to date. Details submitted to my Department indicate that a further €2.73m has been expended by FÁS in respect of the acquisition of property in Birr, €2.5m was expended by the Health and Safety Authority in respect of the acquisition of property Kilkenny/Thomastown and approximately €305,000 has been expended by Pobal in respect of its premises at Clifden.
The costs to date have been offset by property disposals in Dublin. Total income from property disposed of in Dublin between January 2004 and December 2007 was €355.9m. In addition, property valued at €75 million was transferred to the Affordable Homes Partnership. The OPW has also agreed joint venture redevelopment schemes with a minimum value of circa €125m up to the end of 2007.
At end June 2008, the total non-property costs incurred amounted to approximately €12m.
129 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the expected national debt at the end of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45551/08]
Based on the projections in Budget 2009, the National Debt at end 2009 is forecast to be just under €63 billion. This was based on a forecast Exchequer Borrowing Requirement of €11.5 billion in 2008 and €13.4 billion in 2009.
As set out at Budget time, there are clearly a number of risks to the economic and fiscal forecasts for 2009 and the further deterioration in tax receipts in 2008, as seen at the end of November, is evidence of those risks materialising.
While there are negative pressures on the 2009 economic and fiscal outlook, including in relation to the national debt, the Government's objective is to manage this situation responsibly with a view to stabilising the public finances, particularly by bringing the current budget back to balance as soon as possible, while continuing to invest significantly on the capital budget side.
130 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the steps he has taken or proposes to take to address the issue of competitiveness in this economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45552/08]
The deterioration in the economy's competitiveness relative to that of our main trading partners has been driven by a combination of factors. These include a strong euro, wage increases in excess of productivity, and the relatively high rate of inflation that we have experienced in recent years. While CPI inflation has eased in recent months and may temporarily turn negative during the course of next year, it is important to note the level of prices here stands at more than 20% above the euro area average. Improving our competitive position is essential to facilitate a re-balancing of the economy towards more sustainable, export-led growth and to maintain Ireland's attractiveness as a location for inward investment.
In recognition of this, and notwithstanding the need to underpin the sustainability of the public finances, the Government took a number of steps in Budget 2009 aimed at supporting the economy's competitiveness. These included re-affirming our commitment to the 12.5% rate of corporation tax and maintaining and enhancing pro-employment business tax reliefs. We are also continuing to prioritise productivity enhancing capital investment. These measures will ensure that the Irish economy is well placed to take advantage of the global pick-up when it emerges.
The pursuit of national competitiveness is not, however, solely for Government. Rather it is a shared responsibility of all in society including the social partners — Government, employers and unions. Regaining our competitive position, which as a small open economy is critical to our economic success, will require each of us to play our part and work together to this end.
A key aspect of this will be to ensure sensible wage developments over the coming years. In this regard, the willingness of the various parties to adopt a realistic approach to wage developments will be required to ensure that we address the changed economic circumstances which we now face. In addition, it will be important to ensure that improvements in external factors that favourably impact on domestic costs are passed on in full.
131 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he, his Department or the various borrowing or lending institutions under his Department’s aegis have identified the extent to which developments in the domestic economy in each of the past eight years have contributed to the current situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45553/08]
The main domestic reason for the current economic slowdown is the adjustment in the new house building sector, which is exerting a major drag on overall GDP growth.
For a number of years up to 2007, the annual number of house completions exceeded the estimated medium term requirement. While this very high level of output was a response to very strong demand, it was never expected to be sustained into the longer term. Unfortunately, the downward adjustment towards more sustainable levels of output has occurred much more rapidly than previously envisaged with the level of output undershooting medium term sustainable levels for the foreseeable future.
One of the reasons behind this very rapid turnaround has been the sharp decline in demand which, in turn, reflects an erosion of confidence brought on by the deterioration in global financial markets and the global downturn more generally.
The effects of the adjustment in house building have spread to other sectors of the economy and Government finances have not been immune either. We now need to re-focus our efforts towards enhancing competitiveness in order to promote economic growth based on exporting goods and services to the wider global economy. Otherwise we will not be well placed to benefit from a future resumption in world growth.
132 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that adequate steps are being taken or are expected to be taken to restore traditional banking and lending practices in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45554/08]
136 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the regulatory system has to date served its purposes with particular reference to adherence to lending and borrowing practices; the extent to which this is expected to change in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45558/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 136 together.
The guarantee Scheme for financial institutions put in place by the Government has been successful in safeguarding the stability of the Irish banking sector and in restoring its liquidity position in order to support its normal lending activities. The Scheme is intended to provide a detailed framework for the positive and constructive changes that must flow from this to restore and uphold for the future the traditional banking values of responsible and balanced risk-taking and lending in order to underpin the long-term sustainability of the banking system.
Financial institutions, particularly those participating in the guarantee Scheme, have a key role to play in supporting both individuals and businesses in the current challenging economic and financial environment. As I made clear when presenting the Guarantee Scheme to the Oireachtas in mid-October, the boards and senior executives of the participating institutions have a key role to play in ensuring that the finance is channelled appropriately to support and underpin sustainable economic activities on a prudent and responsible basis which is clearly in the interest of both the bank, the borrower and wider economy. The Deputy will be aware that at recent meetings with certain financial institutions I asked them to consider the contribution that they can make to the economy through appropriate credit initiatives in relation to small and medium sized businesses and otherwise. Subsequently certain institutions have already announced new initiatives to help the SME sectors. I welcome these important announcements and look forward to further dialogue on this important issue in the coming days and weeks.
The regulation of lending practices of Irish financial institutions is the statutory responsibility of the Financial Regulator. In addition to what is contained in the guarantee Scheme, the Financial Regulator has instigated a series of new regulatory measures to take account of the changed financial environment, including an increased focus on the management of credit and liquidity risks of the banks. Among the actions the Financial Regulator is taking are the following:
the immediate recruitment of an additional 20 senior supervisory staff with banking experience to be placed on-site in key banks to monitor developments;
requiring banks to set out new business plans focusing on the need to reduce their risk profile and how their models of banking are sustainable in the new environment; and
enhanced reporting obligations in relation to capital, asset quality and individual large loans to supplement daily liquidity reporting requirements.
Work has begun at an international level on forging a new model to govern the conduct and behaviour of the financial sector. Ireland will play its part internationally and particularly at EU level in seeking to ensure that the re-design of the financial system and in particular of financial regulation is consistent with the objectives highlighted in the Guarantee Scheme. For the future, it is important to focus on the objective of effective regulation of financial services within the common EU framework under which the regulatory system in Ireland operates and on how best to achieve the integrated and more intensified approach which will help maintain financial stability and safeguard the interests of all consumers of financial services.
133 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent of the undertakings received from the various lending institutions in return for Government support of the banking system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45555/08]
Under the terms of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme 2008 (Scheme) each covered institution joins the Scheme by executing a Guarantee Acceptance Deed specified by me. I have held meetings with credit institutions covered by the Scheme in the last two weeks, and asked that they consider the contribution that they can make to the economy through appropriate credit initiatives in relation to small and medium sized businesses and otherwise. I have, therefore, welcomed the fact that certain institutions have announced or are considering initiatives in this regard.
A covered institution party to the Guarantee Acceptance Deed is required to comply with all the terms and conditions of the Scheme. For example, covered institutions shall submit such reports as are requested by the Regulatory Authority on my behalf which are considered necessary to monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of the Scheme and undertake to minimise any risk of recourse to the guarantee. They must comply with the Irish Bank Federation Code of Practice on Mortgage Arrears and the Consumer Protection Code issued by the Regulatory Authority, and appoint public interest directors approved by me. The full extent of their obligations are set out in the scheme.
Covered institutions as part of the acceptance deed also agree to:
pay quarterly charges as specified in the Guarantee Acceptance Deed;
indemnify me against any payments of covered liabilities by me following a claim made under the guarantee or any other liabilities incurred by me in that regard;
indemnify me in respect of any costs, claims, losses or liabilities incurred by me in connection with the provision of the financial support to the covered institution or a subsidiary;
comply with any directions or requirements given by me or on my behalf by the Regulatory Authority or Governor of the Central Bank;
co-operate with me, the Regulatory Authority or Governor of the Central Bank on all matters relating to and acts done or envisaged by the Scheme, objectives of the Scheme and the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008.
134 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if it is intended to apply specific or particular regulatory conditions on the banking system in the future in view of recent experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45556/08]
The legislative regime for financial regulation In Ireland is largely based on a comprehensive EU framework of Directives which applies across the EU. Arising from the recent financial turmoil, the Ecofin Council meetings in October and December 2007 agreed a set of common principles and a roadmap of further actions to enhance financial stability arrangements and the ability of authorities to respond to serious disturbances in EU financial markets. These Ecofin Roadmaps deal specifically with strengthening EU arrangements for financial stability and actions taken in response to the financial turmoil. New regulatory requirements include:
improvements to the Capital Requirements Directive to further strengthen the existing prudential framework for risk management and to put in place enhanced coordination among supervisors in relation to cross-border groups
improved valuation of illiquid assets in accounting standards for financial institutions
amendments to the Deposit Guarantee Scheme Directive to improve coverage levels and payout periods; and
proposals to improve the oversight of independent credit rating agencies.
The role and mandates of national regulators have been the subject of in-depth consideration by the Ecofin Council arising from the Ecofin Roadmaps. Common reporting for financial institutions are being introduced to enable greater EU-wide consistency in supervision and colleges of supervisors are being introduced for cross-border financial groups to allow for easier exchange of information between authorities.
These measures are in addition to the broad range of conditions imposed on participants in the State's guarantee scheme for credit institutions. The Regulatory Authority, which has statutory responsibility for the regulation of credit institutions, has advised me that it will continue to intensify its on-site and off-site supervision of credit institutions. This will build on revised capital and liquidity measures introduced by the Regulatory Authority during 2006 and 2007. The Regulatory Authority will focus on liquidity requirements, capital adequacy, risk management, balance sheet structure and corporate governance. This may involve setting additional regulatory ratios as appropriate in order to reduce the risk in the balance sheet, reflecting the current domestic and global conditions.
135 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that action taken to date to support and reorganise the banking system is adequate to meet requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45557/08]
The objective of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme is to maintain financial stability in the best interests of the public and the economy of the State.
I have met with the CEOs of the six major financial institutions covered by the Guarantee Scheme on a number of occasions. My focus in those meetings has been to secure a stable and active banking sector which services the needs of the Irish economy. I am satisfied that the discussions have been productive.
I announced on the 28th of November that in certain circumstances it would be appropriate for the State to consider supplementing private investment in the banks. Discussions on this are ongoing.
Furthermore, as the Deputy will be aware, I have asked those institutions covered by the Government's Guarantee Scheme to consider the contribution that they can make to the economy through appropriate credit initiatives in relation to small and medium sized businesses and otherwise. I have, therefore, welcomed the fact that certain institutions are already considering or have announced initiatives in this regard.
The Scheme also provides that each of the covered institutions conducts its affairs in a manner that progressively reduces the risk to the Exchequer under its guarantee, for example, by putting in place improved structures to ensure the long-term stability of funding.
I understand that the Financial Regulator is instigating a series of new regulatory measures to take account of the new environment and to deal with the challenges it faces. These measures include, establishing a new unit within the Banking Supervision Department which will be dedicated to the supervision of the institutions covered by the Scheme, transferring existing resources and expertise and recruiting additional staff with banking experience into the Unit, which will be headed by an experienced Head of Function. The Regulatory Authority has requested and received detailed business plans from six of the covered institutions and has commenced a series of engagements with the institutions at the most senior level in order to determine the soundness of the plans.
137 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance when he expects the full impact of the international financial crisis to impact on the economy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45559/08]
Problems in global financial markets are already having a significant impact on the Irish economy. For instance, difficulties in international financial markets are the main reason why the pace of demand in our major trading partners has slowed, with many experiencing periods of contracting economic activity. This poor international economic climate is adversely impacting on our export performance.
There is no doubt that Ireland is in a period of contracting activity this year and next. However, to be able to assess the full impact on the Irish economy would require knowledge of when the global market will pick up and when developments in international financial markets achieve stability. Unfortunately, these cannot be projected with any degree of accuracy.
Through the introduction of the Bank Guarantee Scheme the Government have sought to maintain an environment where the financial markets can continue to function normally and banks can continue to support economic activity through their lending policies. I welcome the fact that many of these institutions have already announced funding schemes aimed at meeting the needs of the SME sector and I will keep this important area of economic activity under review.
138 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to a letter (details supplied) regarding separated children, if she will provide updated figures on the numbers missing and in care; the number of children that have disappeared in each year, who remain missing and would still remain under the responsibility of the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45456/08]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
139 Deputy Rory O’Hanlon asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of health board transport other than the acute ambulance service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45416/08]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
140 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in completing the All Ireland Traveller Health Study. [45421/08]
No delay is anticipated in receiving the final report of this study, which is due in June 2010.
141 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recent reported positive tests (details supplied) at a location, she will list the number of centres at which positive tests have shown up; the actions that have been taken to reduce the risks. [45428/08]
The management of public health aspects of Legionnaires Disease is carried out in accordance with multidisciplinary guidance which has been produced by the Health Service Executive — Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSE — HPSC) and covers the prevention, environmental health management, contact tracing and surveillance of cases of Legionnaires Disease in both hospital and community settings.
Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
142 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children when the application of a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be awarded; and the reason for the delay. [45439/08]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
143 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health and Children the role and responsibilities of the community care dietician in the care of obese patients; and if there will recruitment of community care dieticians for every primary care team in the country in view of the alarming increase in obesity here. [45443/08]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
144 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of bottled water plants that have been inspected in 2007 and 2008 out of the total number, by category; the number of infringements that were found; the nature of the infringements; and the way the public were informed on foot of the infringements. [45444/08]
The information requested is being collated by the Food Safety Authority Ireland in conjunction with the Health Service Executive and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
145 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children when an eight-bed ward for children with eating disorders in Bessborough, Blackrock, County Cork will be operational; the reason for the delay in opening the ward; the number of additional staff required to operate this ward; the cost of its construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45447/08]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
146 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the provision for the inspection of residential homes for migrant children; the provisions under the Children Acts for the inspection of such homes; the date on which each such home was last inspected; and the conclusion and recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45455/08]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
147 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if there will be an increase in the budget for home help services in the mid-west region. [45478/08]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
148 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was refused a repayment of the €15,000 paid on behalf of their father. [45482/08]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
149 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway City by her Department or any agency or non-Governmental organisation under the auspices of her Department or funded by her Department including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45527/08]
My Department has no office accommodation rented or leased in Galway City.
The position regarding the Health Service Executive and the other agencies is a matter for the agencies themselves. My Department is asking them to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard.
150 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [45538/08]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
151 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [45539/08]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
152 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [45540/08]
The Deputy will appreciate that since the end of August 2008, the Housing Aid for Older People (HAOP) scheme, which includes the Essential Repairs Grant has been administered by the local authorities. The Health Service Executive has confirmed that it does not have an application on hand for the individual referred to by the Deputy. The issue raised therefore in this case is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
153 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 304 of 2 December 2008 and the inconclusive reply thereto in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, previously a patient of the psychiatric services in County Kildare at Dunshane Camphill, County Kildare who was referred to the UK as part of their treatment programme, had a breakdown, was charged and imprisoned in Derby, UK, and who it appears is due to be released on 12 December 2008, into whose custody it is not clear, but in view of the care and responsibilities to an Irish citizen who was referred outside the State by the State for specific treatment, if it is intended to contact the prison authorities or the other relevant Government Departments with specific responsibilities in this area with a view to ensuring that this former patient of the health services here is facilitated by way of adequate arrangements to ensure that from the moment of their release they will receive adequate care, supervision and protection and return here forthwith; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45566/08]
I understand from the HSE that the person (details supplied) will be returned to Ireland on the 12th December 2008 and will be under their care.
154 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children the types of cancer treatment available to Donegal cancer patients, both within and outside the county; the further plans and their timetables to extend and enhance these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45438/08]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
155 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans for the development of services at Roscommon County Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45691/08]
156 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children when the second general surgeon at Roscommon County Hospital will be appointed on a full-time permanent basis; if this appointment is dependent on funding being made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45692/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.
The Government is committed to ensuring the delivery of the best quality health services possible, in an effective and efficient way. Ensuring patient safety is of paramount importance, so that people can have confidence in the services and that the best possible patient outcomes can be achieved. It is essential that we prioritise patient safety and quality and that we organise and manage services accordingly. The priority is to provide safe services as close as possible to where people live.
In the past, Roscommon County Hospital and Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe have operated independently, with two consultant general surgeons in each hospital. The difficulties faced by Roscommon and Portiuncula in maintaining surgical services independently, and the need for closer co-operation between them, were highlighted by the former Comhairle na nOspidéal in March 2006. Advances in clinical care and ever-increasing levels of specialisation mean that the present model of care faces important practical difficulties, which must be addressed.
In the light of these factors, the best way of retaining and developing services at Roscommon and Portiuncula hospitals is for these hospitals to work closely together. The Health Service Executive has advised that it is proceeding with the proposal for a Joint Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia at Roscommon County Hospital and Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe.
My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the detailed information sought provided directly to the Deputy.
157 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the targets which have to be delivered for particular grants (details supplied). [45429/08]
I would again refer the Deputy to my reply to his question of 4 December, 2008 (Dáil Question No. 81) in which I indicated that the scheme in question operates on foot of a Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract between the Minister and each of the regional airports. Under this contract, specific targets are not specified. Each airport undertakes to carry out its regional development role on an efficient and cost effective basis. The annual subvention application and assessment process is designed to establish the airport's performance in areas such as cost containment and maximisation of revenues.
158 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed road traffic Bill to provide for the lowering of the blood alcohol level limit to 50 milligrams and for compulsory breath-testing at road traffic accidents; when this Bill is estimated to be before Dáil and Seanad Éireann; and if there are constitutional issues being encountered with the new legislation. [45448/08]
The Government recently gave its approval to the drafting of a Road Traffic and Transport Bill, which inter alia deals with the legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level for drivers and breath testing at road traffic collisions. It is hoped to have the Bill published early next year.
159 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway city by his Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of his Department or funded by his Department including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45530/08]
No office accommodation was rented or leased in Galway City by the Department of Transport in 2007. Insofar as agencies under the aegis of the Department is concerned, the rental or leasing of accommodation is a matter for the agencies concerned.
160 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has reviewed the practice of giving away free alcohol in retail outlets as part of an alcohol promotion or marketing campaign targeting younger people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45442/08]
Section 16 (1) (b) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 provides for the prohibition or restriction of a licensee from selling or supplying intoxicating liquor at a reduced price or free of charge on the purchase of a quantity of alcohol. Regulations are required in order to give effect to this provision. Under the terms of the EU Technical Standards Directives, any such regulations have to be notified in draft form to the European Commission so as to facilitate an examination of whether the proposed regulations interfere with the internal market.
Regulations to give effect to section 16(1)(b) of the 2008 Act have been drafted by my Department in consultation with the Department of Health and Children and the Office of the Attorney General. These draft regulations have recently been notified to the European Commission. This process takes a minimum of three months. The draft regulations are intended to reduce the risk of the excessive consumption of alcohol among young drinkers, although the proposals are not targeted exclusively at this age group.
161 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for naturalisation will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45393/08]
I refer the Deputy to my Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 353 on the 25th November 2008. The position remains as stated.
162 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will establish the commission on integration; the proposed members of the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45407/08]
163 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will establish the ministerial council on integration; if he has identified the members of the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45408/08]
164 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the strategic monitoring committee on the implementation of the national action plan against racism will have a role in the commission on integration or the proposed ministerial council on integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45409/08]
165 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has established the task force on integration; the proposed members of the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45410/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 to 165, inclusive, together.
I do not now propose to establish a commission or a task force but I intend to establish a Ministerial Council on Integration as soon as possible. This will (i) advise me on issues facing immigrants, (ii) examine and report on the issues and challenges arising from integration, and (iii) review on a regular basis progress in the field. I shall place the names of those appointed in the Oireachtas Library when the Council has been established. The Strategic Monitoring Group of the National Action Plan Against Racism 2005-2008 (NPAR) will not, as such, have a role in the Ministerial Council as NPAR is now coming to an end. However the work of NPAR is to be commended and its work programme will be absorbed into the work of my Office.
166 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his office is providing funding to sporting bodies, faith based groups and local authorities; the amount being given annually; the breakdown of the number of bodies and the amount received by each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45411/08]
I announced in the policy statement, Migration Nation, (published on 1 May last) that I intended to make funding available to sporting bodies, faith-based groups and local authorities to help them to promote the integration of legally-resident immigrants. I have approved payments of €185,000 to Basketball Ireland, €235,000 to the FAI and €85,000 to the GAA this year. In regard to local authorities, I have approved the following payments:
|
City/County |
€ |
|
Dublin City |
250,000 |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
55,000 |
|
Fingal |
115,000 |
|
South Dublin |
85,000 |
|
Kildare |
55,000 |
|
Meath |
40,000 |
|
Wicklow |
30,000 |
|
Clare |
25,000 |
|
Cork City |
38,912 |
|
Cork County |
5,000 |
|
Limerick County |
24,657 |
|
Galway City |
40,000 |
|
Mayo |
20,000 |
|
Total |
783,569 |
It is my intention that this funding will last for a period of 5 years subject to review and to adequate monies being provided in the relevant subhead of the Justice, Equality and Law Reform Vote. I have given a grant of €77,300 to the Inter-Church Committee on Social Issues this year to support its integration project. I am committed to funding other faith-based groups for integration related activities, subject to receiving proposals for suitable projects.
167 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the mechanism which will be put in place to pursue anti-racism strategies in relation to Travellers in view of the ending of the national action plan against racism and the disbandment of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism and the fact that the Minister of State with responsibility for integration does not have Travellers included in his remit for inclusion strategies. [45422/08]
Members of the Traveller community come within the scope of the Equality Acts that accord them special protection against discrimination. These Acts charge the Equality Authority with working towards the elimination of discrimination on the grounds, inter alia, of membership of the Traveller community. The provisions of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, under which criminal offences have been created, also protect Travellers. The National Traveller Monitoring and Advisory Committee, which comprises representatives of the Traveller community as well as State bodies, is charged under Towards 2016 with giving “concentrated attention” to achieving progress on Traveller issues. The Committee has a specific remit to advise me on policy in relation to the Traveller community which can include issues in relation to racism.
168 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason Traveller representatives were not included in the high level group on Traveller issues. [45424/08]
The High Level Group on Traveller Issues is a working group under the Senior Officials' Group on Social Inclusion which, in turn, reports to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion, Children and Integration, chaired by the Taoiseach. The High Level Group, as established in 2003, provided a forum for senior policy makers and service providers to discuss barriers to service delivery and explore possibilities of approaching service delivery in a more integrated way. In this regard, the Group was considered as an extension of the Strategic Management Initiative process, an attempt to join up service delivery and to ensure that intended service outcomes for Travellers under the various sectoral strategies were achieved. The Report of the High Level Group was published in March 2006 following approval by the Government.
The High Level Group is now involved in implementing, for example, one of its key recommendations, namely, development of an integrated approach to service delivery at local level using the structures of the City and County Development Boards. Traveller Interagency Groups have since been established in each CDB area and the High Level Group Report specifies meaningful consultation with local Travellers as an essential element in developing the integrated approach.
While Travellers are not included in membership of the High Level Group they continue to be included in a number of national consultative fora and are closely involved in a range of discussions on policy development. I would draw the Deputy's attention in particular to the National Traveller Monitoring and Advisory Committee (NTMAC), which was established following a commitment from all of the social partners, contained in Towards 2016, to give "concentrated attention" to achieving progress on Traveller issues. The NTMAC includes a greater representation from the Traveller Community than it's predecessor, the Traveller Monitoring Committee, which reported on the implementation of the 1995 Task Force Report. Prominent Traveller individuals from different parts of the country are included in the NTMAC. The committee has a specific remit to advise on policy in relation to the Traveller Community and I look forward to it's first report, which is due in 2009.
169 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway city by his Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of his Department or funded by his Department including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45528/08]
I can inform the Deputy that office accommodation is currently leased by the Legal Aid Board at the following addresses: Galway Law Centre, 9, St. Francis St., Galway. Refugee Legal Service, Seville House, New Dock St., Galway
In addition, the Probation Service provides funding to a Community Based Project entitled Dóchas Don Óige, which has offices at Liosban Industrial Estate, Tuam Rd, Galway.
I understand that the total rent paid for the above three premises in 2007 amounted to €147,165.
170 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of investigations that occurred as a result of Operation Snow; the approximate number of children who were monitored; the number of children who were assisted; the amount spent on this operation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45534/08]
I have been advised by an Garda Síochána that Operation ‘Snow' is an initiative undertaken by the Garda National Immigration Bureau which is designed to prevent the trafficking and smuggling of minors into, out of and within the State; to ensure the welfare of suspected victims of such criminal activity is adequately provided for; and to achieve prosecutions where criminal activity of the nature concerned has been detected. This commencement of this initiative coincided with Ireland's commitment to a European G6 Human-Trafficking Initiative which involves an undertaking of a period of enhanced law enforcement relating to human trafficking.
As part of this initiative the Garda National Immigration Bureau has encouraged increased vigilance by members of An Garda Síochána who are engaged in the immigration process, in particular with regard to the movement of minors into and out of the State, in an effort to discover children who may be victims of human trafficking or smuggling of illegal immigrants. In doing so it is recognised that discovering a child who is the victim of human trafficking at the time she/he enters the State may represent his / her only opportunity to avoid the exploitation the traffickers involved have planned for him or her.
Enforcing the relevant provisions of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) and the Child Care Act, 1991 in respect of minors arriving in the State at ports of entry, has proved to be particularly important in offering protection to minors suspected to be victims of human trafficking or smuggling of illegal immigrants.
To date, since the commencement of this initiative in 2007, almost 200 incidents have been subject of investigation, with assistance provided for a total of 164 children, although many of these cases have not transpired or are not expected to be related to trafficking.
The Garda National Immigration Bureau has, on numerous occasions, had cause to place unaccompanied minors in the care of the Health Service Executive, through invoking the provisions of the Child Care Acts, following their arrival at ports of entry to the State, and at Dublin Airport in particular. Such incidents are followed up by investigations undertaken for the purpose of establishing if human trafficking or smuggling, or other criminal acts, have been committed by persons involved in arranging the arrival of the unaccompanied minors concerned into the State. A significant number of these investigations have revealed family reunification and other immigration related reasons as the explanation for suspicious activity regarding non-Irish national minors.
This initiative forms part of the strategy of an Garda Síochána targeting those suspected of being trafficked for the purpose of exploitation (sexual or labour), whether minor or adult, and is performed in the course of ordinary duties undertaken by all members of An Garda Síochána who are tasked with enforcing legislation, in particular immigration-related legislation. No specific budget-head is allocated to this type of duty or this initiative in particular.
One of the most significant detections to date under this initiative involved the holder of a Ghanaian passport, who presented at Garda National Immigration Bureau Headquarters for the purpose of being entered on a register of non-nationals maintained by the Garda Síochána in accordance with the provisions of Immigration Act, 2004. Records indicated that this person was wanted, on foot of a European Arrest Warrant, which had been issued by the Dutch Authorities, on suspicion of involvement in the trafficking of minors. He was arrested and was subsequently removed to the Netherlands, where he is due to stand trial for his alleged involvement in the trafficking of unaccompanied minors, who are Nigerian nationals, into the Netherlands and other European countries, for the purpose of their sexual exploitation.
The most recent incident detected under this initiative relates to a female who was intercepted by Immigration Officers at Dublin Airport in November, 2008. The woman, who was accompanied by three children, had commenced her journey to Ireland in Nairobi. While the woman indicated that she was the mother of these children, the immigration officer concerned was not satisfied that she was in fact the mother of the children concerned, causing him to make appropriate inquiries, which resulted in her being arrested on suspicion of having breached the provisions of section 2(1), Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000. She was subsequently charged with three breaches of section 2(1), and was brought before Dublin District Court, where she pleaded guilty. The woman was dealt with pursuant to the provisions of Probation of Offenders Act, having undertaken to leave the jurisdiction and not return. The three children concerned were placed in the care of the Health Service Executive, pursuant to the provisions of section 8(5) Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) and thereupon the provisions of the Child Care Act, 1991 applied to them.
171 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway city by his Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of his Department or funded by his Department including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45526/08]
Two NGOs who receive funding from Irish Aid, Goal and the Galway One World Centre, have offices in Galway City. The Department itself does not rent or lease any office accommodation in Galway City.
172 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has signed up to the bilateral agreement on child care requested by the Belarus Government in April 2007; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the delay in signing such an agreement has led to a situation in which children from Chernobyl may not be able to travel here for the Christmas 2008 holiday period; and if he will elaborate on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45571/08]
I am delighted to be able to inform the Deputy that an Irish delegation, led by Ambassador Justin Harman and comprising officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, travelled to Minsk on Monday and successfully concluded a bilateral Agreement with Belarus on the conditions of rest and recuperation of children from the Republic of Belarus in Ireland. The Agreement will allow for the continuation of visits to Ireland on the existing basis. This follows months of detailed discussions between the two Governments and is a very positive outcome.
In all my contacts with the Belorussian authorities on this matter, most recently in conversation with the Belorussian Foreign Minister, Sergei Martynov, on 28 November, I have repeatedly stressed the importance of ensuring that visits by the children over the forthcoming Christmas period can take place. I am very pleased that this has also been agreed.
I would like to thank all the Irish charities involved for their tremendous and ongoing contribution to assisting Chernobyl children, including their tireless dedication to facilitating visits by Belorussian children to Ireland over the past 17 years. Their hard work has helped build the confidence in Ireland as a destination for the children that has made this outcome possible.
173 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway city by his Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of his Department or funded by his Department including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45519/08]
In respect of any non-governmental organisations or other bodies that may receive funding from the Department, the renting and/or leasing of accommodation is solely a matter for those organisations and not for the Department.
174 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no funding available for the support of local orchestras and local brass and reel bands; the reason funding for these bands is not available through the Arts Council or his Department; and if funding will be made available for these community based organisations. [45532/08]
In 2008 the Arts Council set aside an amount of €500,000 for the implementation of a Music Capital Scheme, aimed specifically at providing funding for musical instrument purchase and other capital requirement needs of music organisations throughout the country. The scheme is to be rolled out over a three-year period 2008 — 2010. Music Network agreed to partner the Arts Council in the delivery of this initiative across the three-year timeframe.
The 2008 allocations were announced by the Arts Council in association with the IRMA Trust and Music Network (MN) in November last. A total of €347,000 has been awarded to professional musicians, non-professional performing groups and community-based organisations involved in supporting music practice in their area for the purchase of musical instruments and rehearsal equipment. Following a call for proposals under the scheme 298 applications were received across three funding streams with the value of funding requests totalling in excess of €2,200,000.
The Arts Council intends to undertake research into Capital Requirements in music and therefore it is proposed that there will be an action research aspect to the delivery of the Scheme. This will allow the Arts Council to gather critical information in relation to capital needs in music and ultimately will inform Arts Council policy in relation to capital requirements for music going forward.
The Music Capital Scheme is a matter for the Arts Council and I have no statutory function regarding its administration.
175 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a grant (details supplied) will be awarded in 2008; the amount it will cost; the amount drawn down to date; and the overall cost for 2008. [45549/08]
An amount of €3.5 million was provided to the Irish Sports Council in 2008 to fund the gaelic players grant schemes. The administration of the schemes is a matter for the Irish Sports Council and the Gaelic Athletic Association.
176 Deputy Rory O’Hanlon asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the cost of grant aid to voluntary transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45414/08]
I presume the Deputy is referring to the Rural Transport Schemes operated and funded by my Department.
The Rural Transport Night Scheme commenced in mid 2007 on a pilot basis. The groups delivering the Rural Transport Programme, operated by the Department of Transport, deliver the Scheme in the pilot areas and the funding provided by my Department to run the Scheme to December 2008 is €665,000.
In addition the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) provides resources to maintain and improve local amenities and to generate important social inclusion benefits to community members such as supporting rural transport schemes. A number of implementing bodies who run the RSS on behalf of the Department provide drivers for buses used in the provision of rural transport schemes and their estimated cost for 2008 is approximately €280,000.
For completeness, my Department has provided €1.9 million under the Community Services Programme for community transport in 2008.
177 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway city by his Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of his Department or funded by his Department including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45521/08]
The details requested by the Deputy in relation to office accommodation rented or leased in Galway City by my Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of my Department or funded by his Department during 2007 are outlined in the table.
|
Office Address |
Occupant |
Rented or Leased |
Square Area in Square Metres |
Amount of rent paid in 2007 |
|
€ |
||||
|
Westside Resource Centre Limited, Seamus Quirke Rd, Galway |
Westside Community Development Project |
Rented |
51 |
13,294 |
|
Kirwin House, Flood Street, Galway. |
Gaillimh le Gaeilge |
Leased |
67 |
10,875 |
|
Ballybane Community Resource Centre, Ballybane, Galway. |
Ballybane Mervue Community Development Project |
Rented |
19 |
7,044 |
|
The Halls, Quay Street, Galway. |
Rape Crisis Network Ireland |
Not Known |
Not Known |
4,487* |
|
Unit No. 4, First Floor, Tuam Road Centre, Tuam Road, Galway. |
National Traveller Women’s Forum |
Not Known |
Not Known |
1,100* |
|
No. 1 The Plaza Headford Road, Galway |
Galway Traveller Movement Limited |
Leased |
2,315 square feet |
11,872* |
*My Department contributes towards the total rental costs — this amount represents the Department's contribution.
178 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on what the main policy interventions by Government were which were responsible for the significant reduction in consistent child poverty as reported in the European Union survey on income and living conditions 2007 published on 10 December 2007 from 100,000 in 2006 to 75,000 in 2007. [45405/08]
Combating poverty and building an inclusive society are key priorities for the Government. The overall goal of the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (NAPinclusion), is to reduce the number of those experiencing consistent poverty, including children, to between 2% and 4 % by 2012, with the aim of eliminating consistent poverty by 2016.
The latest poverty statistics released last week by the CSO in its annual EU-Survey on Income and living conditions showed that the overall consistent poverty rate reduced from 6.5% in 2006 to 5.1% in 2007. The rate of consistent poverty in the case of children aged 0-17 reduced from 10.3% in 2006 to 7.4% in 2007. A high proportion of children in poverty live in lone parent households. There was a significant reduction in consistent poverty rates for lone parents in 2007 from 33.9% to 20.1%. The results also revealed that the average disposable income in respect of children increased by 16.2% between 2006 and 2007.
The survey covers the period during which the provisions of Budget 2007, which introduced a range of measures costing over €240 million aimed at alleviating child poverty, came into effect. These measures clearly had a major impact on the outcomes achieved in relation to the reduction in child poverty. They included:
Combining the three rates of Child Dependant Allowance payments into a new single high rate Qualified Child Allowance of €22 per week.
Increasing the rate of Child Benefit by €10 per week to bring the rates of payment to €160 for the first and second child and €195 for the third and subsequent child.
Increasing the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance by €60 for children aged 2 to 11, and by €95 for children aged 12 to 22, to bring the rates of payment to €180 and €285 respectively.
Providing additional funding of €3 million to extend the School Meals Programme.
Other budgetary measures, which came into effect during 2007, such as the €20 per week increase in the lowest social welfare rate to €185.80 and increases in the earnings thresholds for One Parent Family Payment and Family Income Supplement, also indirectly benefited children living in poorer households. This package of measures was in addition to initiatives such as the €1,000 a year early childcare supplement, which was introduced in 2006.
One of the most effective routes out of poverty for people in the active age groups, many of whom are parents, is through paid employment. People with families who are in lower paid employment are eligible to receive the family income supplement which increases household income while enabling recipients remain in, or take up, employment. Currently the weekly average payment for a one child family on FIS is approximately €99. Child benefit, which has been increased substantially in recent years, also facilitates employment take up, as a significant portion of child-related income is paid to people returning to work or already in employment.
Employment participation is further facilitated and incentivised by a range of education and employment supports made available by the Department of Social and Family Affairs to people in receipt of welfare payments, particularly the long-term unemployed, lone parents, and sickness related welfare recipients. These include the Back to Education and Back to Work Allowance Schemes.
The Activation and Family Support Programme and the Second Chance Education Opportunities Scheme offer supports to social welfare customers and others to help them to improve their employability and personal and family situations.
In spite of the current economic difficulties, the Government is determined to maintain the significant progress being made in reducing child poverty, especially through improved income support for children and their families and through removing obstacles to and providing incentives for employment take up. The recent budget provided for a range of measures costing over €56 million to benefit children and families. These include an increase of €2 in the qualified child increase payable with social welfare payments, bringing the rate up to €26 per week from January 2009; an increase of €10 per week per child in all family income supplement income thresholds, giving an increase of up to €6 per child per week from January 2009; and an increase of €50 per week in the income threshold for the back to school clothing and footwear scheme to enable more families qualify. These increases will mean that the high level goal of maintaining the combined value of child income support measures at 33% to 35% of the minimum adult social welfare payment rate will continue to be met next year (These range between 33.4% and 43.7%).
In framing budget 2009, the Government has prioritised delivering real increases in social welfare payments to ensure that, in line with the NAPinclusion, the most vulnerable groups in our society are protected. Increases of between 3% and 3.8% in the basic payment rates have been provided for next year, ahead of the projected rate of inflation for 2009 of 2.5%.
The significant reduction in consistent poverty among children in 2007 show that the combination of policies being pursued is working. The Government's priority is to maintain that progress, and its determination to do so is demonstrated in the recent budget measures.
179 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the justification for not paying a Christmas bonus to people in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit; the cost of doing so; and if she will review her decision not to award a double payment to jobseeker’s benefit claimants in 2008. [45431/08]
The Christmas Bonus is paid to all recipients of long-term social welfare payments. The payment was made during the first week of December, at an estimated cost of €201million and some 1.3 million persons comprising 940,000 recipients and 400,000 dependents benefited from the payment.
The estimated cost of extending the payment to recipients of jobseeker's benefit is an additional €33,000,000 approx.
The focus of the bonus has always been on persons who rely on the social welfare system for financial support over the long term. These include recipients of State pension (transition), State pension (contributory and non-contributory), blind pension, widow's, widower's and invalidity pensions, guardian's payment (contributory and non-contributory), one-parent family payment, carer's benefit and allowance, disability allowance, long-term jobseeker's allowance, pre-retirement allowance, farm assist and people in receipt of employment support payments. The bonus is also payable to participants in the Rural Social Scheme, which was introduced in 2004, and operates under the aegis of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
There are no plans at present to amend or extend entitlement to the bonus payment to short-term schemes, and any such extension could only be considered in a budgetary context having regard to the resources available and the significant cost which would be involved.
180 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will reverse the decision to reduce unemployment benefit payable to a person (details supplied) in County Cavan, in view of their family’s inability to meet their household bills on their spouse’s wage and the reduced benefit they now receive. [45461/08]
The review of the one-parent family payment claim of the person concerned is ongoing. The Social Welfare Inspector has been in contact with her and has made arrangements to meet with her shortly to clarify certain aspects of her circumstances. When the inspector's inquiries are complete, a decision will be made as soon as possible and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
A previous Question No. 429 tabled by the Deputy was answered on 25 November 2008.
Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
181 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the social welfare payments for which no Christmas double payment will be made in 2008. [45464/08]
The Christmas Bonus is paid to all recipients of long-term social welfare payments. The payment was made during the first week of December, at an estimated cost of €201 million and some 1.3 million persons comprising 940,000 recipients and 400,000 dependents benefited from the payment.
The focus of the bonus has always been on persons who rely on the social welfare system for financial support over the long term. Schemes which are essentially short-term in nature are not included. These are illness, maternity, health and safety, adoptive, and jobseeker's benefits, jobseeker's allowance (in respect of a continuous period of unemployment of less than 15 months), supplementary welfare allowance and family income supplement.
The bonus is payable to recipients of State pension (transition), State pension (contributory and non-contributory), pre-retirement allowance, widow's, widower's and invalidity pensions, blind pension, guardian's payment (contributory and non-contributory), one-parent family payment, carer's benefit, carer's allowance, disability allowance, long-term jobseeker's allowance, farm assist and to people in receipt of employment support payments.
The bonus is also payable to participants in the rural social scheme, which was introduced in 2004, and operates under the aegis of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
182 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people on the live register by nationality with a further breakdown of the nationality figure by occupation, by gender and by duration on the register. [45483/08]
The number of persons on the Live Register at 28 November 2008 was 268,586. The CSO publishes a breakdown by nationality grouping in the monthly live register release. The department collates nationality data on this basis also.
The main nationality groupings on the live register are as follows: Ireland, United Kingdom (UK) including Northern Ireland, England Scotland and Wales; the 12 Eastern European states that joined the EU on or after April 2004 (AC 12); the 13 original EU states excluding Ireland and UK (EU13); other nationalities (Non-EU) of which there are over 130 represented on the live register.
The numbers on the live register from the main nationality groupings at 28 November 2008 were as follows:
|
Number |
|
|
Ireland |
218,710 |
|
UK |
12,372 |
|
AC 12 |
26,089 |
|
EU 13 |
2,902 |
|
Non EU |
8,513 |
|
Total |
268,586 |
A breakdown of the live register by nationality grouping with a further breakdown of the nationality figure by occupation, by gender and by duration is presented in tabular format as follows. Tables 1-5 show the details for the individual groupings. Duration is broken down between those "Under 1 year "and those "One year or more" on the live register.
|
Category |
SEX |
Over 1 Year |
Under 1 year |
|
Agriculture, Fishing and Related Industries |
M |
1,466 |
1,942 |
|
Agriculture, Fishing and Related Industries |
F |
108 |
204 |
|
Beauty |
M |
41 |
92 |
|
Beauty |
F |
511 |
1,908 |
|
Business and Financial |
M |
182 |
1,139 |
|
Business and Financial |
F |
155 |
1,135 |
|
Construction, Woodwork and Metal and Related Industries |
M |
17,324 |
53,784 |
|
Construction, Woodwork and Metal and Related Industries |
F |
345 |
1,329 |
|
Domestic and Catering |
M |
2,083 |
4,072 |
|
Domestic and Catering |
F |
3,234 |
6,501 |
|
Education |
M |
454 |
1,585 |
|
Education |
F |
689 |
3,295 |
|
General Operatives |
M |
7,341 |
13,588 |
|
General Operatives |
F |
2,419 |
4,480 |
|
Health and Related Industries |
M |
231 |
672 |
|
Health and Related Industries |
F |
1,635 |
4,621 |
|
Information Technology |
M |
408 |
937 |
|
Information Technology |
F |
121 |
279 |
|
Legal Profession |
M |
31 |
143 |
|
Legal Profession |
F |
49 |
364 |
|
Management |
M |
1,024 |
4,144 |
|
Management |
F |
596 |
3,498 |
|
Office Admin, Clerical, Secretarial |
M |
1,688 |
4,595 |
|
Office Admin, Clerical, Secretarial |
F |
3,707 |
13,394 |
|
Printing, Press, Communications |
M |
317 |
766 |
|
Printing, Press, Communications |
F |
104 |
266 |
|
Retail, Sales |
M |
2,086 |
6,378 |
|
Retail, Sales |
F |
3,671 |
10,421 |
|
Security, Military |
M |
1,329 |
2,152 |
|
Security, Military |
F |
66 |
203 |
|
Textiles |
M |
74 |
73 |
|
Textiles |
F |
116 |
79 |
|
Travel, Tourism |
M |
163 |
329 |
|
Travel, Tourism |
F |
211 |
412 |
|
Unknown |
M |
2,935 |
3,950 |
|
Unknown |
F |
1,193 |
1,978 |
|
Vehicle Trade |
M |
1,501 |
4,249 |
|
Vehicle Trade |
F |
41 |
104 |
|
Total |
59,649 |
159,061 |
|
Category |
SEX |
Over 1 Year |
Under 1 Year |
|
Agriculture, Fishing and Related Industries |
M |
64 |
96 |
|
Agriculture, Fishing and Related Industries |
F |
12 |
29 |
|
Beauty |
M |
5 |
5 |
|
Beauty |
F |
22 |
59 |
|
Business and Financial |
M |
7 |
52 |
|
Business and Financial |
F |
8 |
44 |
|
Construction, Woodwork and Metal and Related Industries |
M |
1,019 |
3,045 |
|
Construction, Woodwork and Metal and Related Industries |
F |
37 |
82 |
|
Domestic and Catering |
M |
137 |
378 |
|
Domestic and Catering |
F |
188 |
390 |
|
Education |
M |
35 |
94 |
|
Education |
F |
42 |
140 |
|
General Operatives |
M |
275 |
627 |
|
General Operatives |
F |
107 |
161 |
|
Health and Related Industries |
M |
21 |
53 |
|
Health and Related Industries |
F |
99 |
289 |
|
Information Technology |
M |
43 |
74 |
|
Information Technology |
F |
4 |
18 |
|
Legal Profession |
M |
0 |
6 |
|
Legal Profession |
F |
0 |
22 |
|
Management |
M |
78 |
368 |
|
Management |
F |
37 |
234 |
|
Office Admin, Clerical, Secretarial |
M |
90 |
237 |
|
Office Admin, Clerical, Secretarial |
F |
196 |
762 |
|
Printing, Press, Communications |
M |
26 |
54 |
|
Printing, Press, Communications |
F |
7 |
23 |
|
Retail, Sales |
M |
140 |
436 |
|
Retail, Sales |
F |
178 |
537 |
|
Security, Military |
M |
65 |
125 |
|
Security, Military |
F |
4 |
15 |
|
Textiles |
M |
8 |
6 |
|
Textiles |
F |
6 |
2 |
|
Travel, Tourism |
M |
16 |
27 |
|
Travel, Tourism |
F |
12 |
22 |
|
Unknown |
M |
106 |
221 |
|
Unknown |
F |
58 |
107 |
|
Vehicle Trade |
M |
88 |
278 |
|
Vehicle Trade |
F |
5 |
9 |
|
Total |
3245 |
9127 |
*United Kingdom includes Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.
|
Category |
SEX |
Over 1 year |
Under 1 year |
|
Agriculture, Fishing and Related Industries |
M |
15 |
292 |
|
Agriculture, Fishing and Related Industries |
F |
8 |
107 |
|
Beauty |
M |
1 |
14 |
|
Beauty |
F |
2 |
95 |
|
Business and Financial |
M |
3 |
28 |
|
Business and Financial |
F |
3 |
56 |
|
Construction, Woodwork and Metal and Related Industries |
M |
426 |
9,393 |
|
Construction, Woodwork and Metal and Related Industries |
F |
10 |
247 |
|
Domestic and Catering |
M |
79 |
1,185 |
|
Domestic and Catering |
F |
121 |
2,274 |
|
Education |
M |
4 |
84 |
|
Education |
F |
4 |
101 |
|
General Operatives |
M |
171 |
3,369 |
|
General Operatives |
F |
74 |
1,726 |
|
Health and Related Industries |
M |
0 |
39 |
|
Health and Related Industries |
F |
9 |
244 |
|
Information Technology |
M |
4 |
62 |
|
Information Technology |
F |
3 |
14 |
|
Legal Profession |
M |
2 |
1 |
|
Legal Profession |
F |
0 |
4 |
|
Management |
M |
5 |
183 |
|
Management |
F |
11 |
184 |
|
Office Admin, Clerical, Secretarial |
M |
21 |
382 |
|
Office Admin, Clerical, Secretarial |
F |
21 |
632 |
|
Printing, Press, Communications |
M |
1 |
51 |
|
Printing, Press, Communications |
F |
2 |
22 |
|
Retail, Sales |
M |
47 |
592 |
|
Retail, Sales |
F |
78 |
1399 |
|
Security, Military |
M |
20 |
317 |
|
Security, Military |
F |
0 |
41 |
|
Textiles |
M |
1 |
8 |
|
Textiles |
F |
0 |
22 |
|
Travel, Tourism |
M |
2 |
31 |
|
Travel, Tourism |
F |
2 |
69 |
|
Unknown |
M |
76 |
400 |
|
Unknown |
F |
17 |
234 |
|
Vehicle Trade |
M |
48 |
884 |
|
Vehicle Trade |
F |
0 |
12 |
|
Total |
1,291 |
24,798 |
*AC 12 states are those that joined the EU on or after April 2004.
|
Category |
SEX |
Over 1 year |
Under 1 year |
|
Agriculture, Fishing and Related Industries |
M |
5 |
16 |
|
Agriculture, Fishing and Related Industries |
F |
2 |
16 |
|
Beauty |
M |
0 |
1 |
|
Beauty |
F |
2 |
6 |
|
Business and Financial |
M |
2 |
42 |
|
Business and Financial |
F |
2 |
54 |
|
Construction, Woodwork and Metal and Related Industries |
M |
48 |
352 |
|
Construction, Woodwork and Metal and Related industries |
F |
6 |
65 |
|
Domestic and Catering |
M |
33 |
223 |
|
Domestic and Catering |
F |
32 |
156 |
|
Education |
M |
8 |
36 |
|
Education |
F |
10 |
86 |
|
General Operatives |
M |
37 |
159 |
|
General Operatives |
F |
9 |
65 |
|
Health and Related Industries |
M |
4 |
18 |
|
Health and Related Industries |
F |
17 |
61 |
|
Information Technology |
M |
4 |
51 |
|
Information Technology |
F |
6 |
18 |
|
Legal Profession |
M |
0 |
2 |
|
Legal Profession |
F |
0 |
1 |
|
Management |
M |
20 |
136 |
|
Management |
F |
18 |
133 |
|
Office Admin, Clerical, Secretarial |
M |
9 |
95 |
|
Office Admin, Clerical, Secretarial |
F |
34 |
239 |
|
Printing, Press, Communications |
M |
2 |
8 |
|
Printing, Press, Communications |
F |
2 |
4 |
|
Retail, Sales |
M |
18 |
109 |
|
Retail, Sales |
F |
27 |
175 |
|
Security, Military |
M |
5 |
29 |
|
Security, Military |
F |
0 |
4 |
|
Textiles |
M |
0 |
1 |
|
Travel, Tourism |
M |
2 |
13 |
|
Travel, Tourism |
F |
0 |
29 |
|
Unknown |
M |
3 |
50 |
|
Unknown |
F |
6 |
36 |
|
Vehicle Trade |
M |
4 |
32 |
|
Vehicle Trade |
F |
1 |
3 |
|
Total |
378 |
2,524 |
*EU 13 are the EU states prior to April 2004 but excluding Ireland and the UK.
|
Category |
SEX |
Over 1 Year |
Under 1 Year |
|
Agriculture, Fishing and Related Industries |
M |
25 |
40 |
|
Agriculture, Fishing and Related Industries |
F |
1 |
3 |
|
Beauty |
M |
3 |
7 |
|
Beauty |
F |
26 |
29 |
|
Business and Financial |
M |
26 |
67 |
|
Business and Financial |
F |
8 |
34 |
|
Construction, Woodwork and Metal and Related Industries |
M |
332 |
974 |
|
Construction, Woodwork and Metal and Related Industries |
F |
12 |
63 |
|
Domestic and Catering |
M |
153 |
451 |
|
Domestic and Catering |
F |
92 |
306 |
|
Education |
M |
26 |
67 |
|
Education |
F |
17 |
74 |
|
General Operatives |
M |
302 |
718 |
|
General Operatives |
F |
113 |
222 |
|
Health and Related Industries |
M |
34 |
87 |
|
Health and Related Industries |
F |
111 |
280 |
|
Information Technology |
M |
43 |
65 |
|
Information Technology |
F |
7 |
15 |
|
Legal Profession |
M |
4 |
9 |
|
Legal Profession |
F |
3 |
6 |
|
Management |
M |
53 |
152 |
|
Management |
F |
23 |
89 |
|
Office Admin, Clerical, Secretarial |
M |
95 |
210 |
|
Office Admin, Clerical, Secretarial |
F |
103 |
310 |
|
Printing, Press, Communications |
M |
7 |
22 |
|
Printing, Press, Communications |
F |
1 |
10 |
|
Retail, Sales |
M |
139 |
313 |
|
Retail, Sales |
F |
125 |
362 |
|
Security, Military |
M |
87 |
283 |
|
Security, Military |
F |
1 |
9 |
|
Textiles |
M |
1 |
2 |
|
Textiles |
F |
1 |
1 |
|
Travel, Tourism |
M |
9 |
14 |
|
Travel, Tourism |
F |
3 |
12 |
|
Unknown |
M |
232 |
400 |
|
Unknown |
F |
132 |
234 |
|
Vehicle Trade |
M |
70 |
149 |
|
Vehicle Trade |
F |
1 |
3 |
|
Total |
2421 |
6092 |
*Non-EU states are all those other than Ireland and the EU. There are circa 130 represented on the live register.
183 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway city by her Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of her Department or funded by her Department including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45529/08]
The provision of accommodation for the Department is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. The following information relates to accommodation provided for agencies and other bodies who deliver services on behalf of the Department.
The Citizens Information Board occupies two premises in Galway City. The premises at Dockgate, Merchants Road, Galway comprises 1,970 square feet and the rental cost amounts to €39,400 per annum.
The Citizens Information Centre at Augustine House, St.Augustine Street, comprises 2,585 square feet and the rental cost is €71,119 per annum.
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is based in the Halls Building in Quay Street, Galway and occupies 1,800 square feet. The annual rent paid in 2007 amounted to €44,407.
The Family Mediation Service occupies an office in Ross House, Merchants Road, Galway comprising approximately 1,250 square feet. The annual rent paid in 2007 was €20,340.32.
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA), is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The Department does not engage in leasing property for the HSE but reimburses the HSE for expenditure on rent properly expended for the purpose of administering the SWA scheme. The Department has requested the relevant information from the HSE and it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
184 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway city by his Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of his Department or funded by his Department including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45522/08]
My Department does not rent or lease any office premises in Galway City.
185 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the budget for the Health Service Executive in the mid west for the housing aid for the elderly scheme in 2009. [45477/08]
The allocations to the Health Service Executive under the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly (SHAE) Scheme are determined by a Task Force, which operates under the aegis of my Department. While the scheme has been closed to new applications since 1 August 2008, having been replaced by the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, the HSE is continuing to process applications on hands at that stage. Allocations under the SHAE in 2009, which will be finalised as early as possible next year, will be considered in the light of the number and value of remaining applications on hands.
186 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce legislation governing the use of metal and bag skips which are proliferating in residential areas and which are causing a public nuisance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45481/08]
Section 72 of the Roads Act 1993 confers powers on local authorities to make by-laws governing the use of skips on public roads including the requirement to obtain a permit from the local authority when siting a skip on a public road. The local authority may attach various conditions to the permit including conditions relating to the siting and removal of skips, the dimensions and other characteristics of skips, the lighting and marking of skips for the purpose of making them readily visible to road users, the care and disposal of the contents of skips, the earliest practicable removal of skips once full and the clear and indelible marking of skips with the name, address and telephone number of the owner or provider.
Enforcement of these conditions is a matter for the relevant local authority. Skip bags have become increasingly popular with the public as an alternative to the more traditional skip and particularly in circumstances where there is not enough waste to justify hiring a full-sized skip but too much for the regular household collection. Skip bags are distributed through a network of retailers and are collected by a permitted waste collection company.
187 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Private Residential Tenancies Board provides the Revenue Commissioners with details of all landlords registered with it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45392/08]
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provides for the supply, by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), of tenancy registration details to the Revenue Commissioners, on a case by case basis.
The Public Accounts Committee 2nd Interim Report on the Taxation of Rental Income Receipts, published in September 2008, recommended that the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 should be amended to enable the Revenue Commissioners access the full records of the PRTB. An amendment for this purpose is currently under examination; subject to completing consideration of the issues involved, I intend that an appropriate amendment would be introduced during the passage through the Oireachtas of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008.
188 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason his Department cancelled its scheduled meeting with representatives from a building (details supplied) in Dublin 1; when the meeting will be re-arranged; and if his Department will contact local representatives to advise when the meeting will take place. [45417/08]
No meeting was scheduled between my Department and representatives from Liberty House. However, my Department recently had a meeting with officials from Dublin City Council at which proposals for the redevelopment of Liberty House were formally submitted. My Department will now consider these proposals and will respond to the Council in due course.
189 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will meet with local representatives to agree to ringfence funding for areas (details supplied); and if he will agree to fund these projects on the same scale as Moyross in Limerick. [45418/08]
Since the announcement in May 2008 that a number of housing regeneration Public-Private Partnership projects would not be proceeding as planned, my Department has worked closely with Dublin City Council to ensure that all possible avenues for moving these projects forward are examined. Although I am aware that the multi-disciplinary team, established within the Council to identify the next steps for these three projects, has presented revised proposals for consideration by the City Council, no proposals have been formally received by my Department as yet. In advance of the presentation of proposals for consideration by my Department, decisions in relation to funding for these projects would be premature.
190 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the success of local authorities in achieving targets set by the Traveller accommodation strategies in their localities. [45423/08]
Since the enactment of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, each local authority has adopted two successive Traveller Accommodation Programmes. In the course of the first programmes, covering the four-year period 2000 to 2004, some 1,371 additional Traveller families were provided with permanent, secure accommodation. Over the same period, there was a 50% reduction in the number of families living on unauthorised sites, down from 1,207 families at the start of the programmes to 601 families at their completion.
Significant progress is being made nationally under the second Traveller accommodation programmes, covering the four-year period 2005 to 2008. Some 1,156 additional units of new and improved accommodation have been provided for Traveller families up to the end of 2007. Expenditure under the second programmes up to end November 2008 exceeds €134 million. I will be asking the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee to report, as early as possible in 2009, on the progress made over the full period of the second programmes.
Local authorities are currently preparing the third round of Traveller accommodation programmes, which will cover the five-year period 2009-2013. In accordance with the legislative requirements, these programmes are to be adopted by 30 April 2009 at the latest.
191 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will ensure that the European Central Bank rate cut of 0.75% is passed on in full to local authority mortgage holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45460/08]
As stated in the reply to Question No 220 of 26 November, in general, following consideration by the Board, the rates charged to local authority borrowers are normally adjusted by the Board of the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) in line with movements in European Central Bank (ECB) rates. However, given that the correlation between ECB rates and interbank rates (i.e. the rates at which the Agency itself borrows) is atypical and volatile at present, the Agency, in responding to movements in ECB rates, must give careful consideration, on each occasion, to the fluctuating relationship between its lending rates and the cost of funds.
While it is hoped that it will be possible to pass on the most recent rate reduction announced by the ECB, it will be necessary to monitor the impact of the cut on interbank rates before a decision can be made. I anticipate that, in common with the situation following the previous two cuts in October and November, which are being passed on in full to local authority borrowers, the position in relation to possible movement in the HFA's lending rates should be clear within a number of weeks of the ECB announcement.
In the meantime, rates charged to local authority borrowers continue to offer very good value by comparison to rates charged by commercial lenders, and over the course of 2008 the local authority rate has been almost 0.6% lower than the market average variable rate.
192 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to an EU decision regarding local need clauses imposed by several local authorities in the planning process; the impact that this decision will have on local authorities; if he has instructed local authorities to take cognisance of the ruling in making decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45467/08]
My Department received a Letter of Formal Notice dated 27 June 2007 from the European Commission under Article 226 of the Treaty, seeking the observations of the Government on whether the "local needs" test contained in a number of County Development Plans for the granting of planning permission for one-off dwellings in rural areas is compatible with Articles 43 and 56 of the EC Treaty which guarantee respectively the freedom of establishment and the free movement of capital.
Following discussions with the European Commission, my Department issued Circular Letter SP 5/08 to all County Managers on 30 September 2008, regarding local need policies in cases where there is an application to build a dwelling from which a full-time business will operate. Local authorities were asked to examine their development plans in light of the updated guidance provided in the circular to ensure their compatibility with Articles 43 and 56 of the EC Treaty. A copy of the Circular Letter is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.
193 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his policy relating to the use of local authority vehicles by employees of those authorities outside of working hours; the cost to the authorities in these instances including fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45473/08]
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each County and City Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. The matters raised in the question are, accordingly, appropriately determined at local level.
194 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the effect the reduced funding available in budget 2009 will have on certain projects, including housing, and their altered time lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45475/08]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 359 of 9 December 2008.
195 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway city by his Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of his Department or funded by his Department including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45525/08]
Office accommodation provided for staff of my Department based in Galway City is rented or leased through the OPW. Accordingly, information in respect of those offices will be included in the reply by my colleague the Minister for Finance in respect of the OPW.
The provision of accommodation for agencies or non-governmental organisations under the auspices of, or funded by, my Department is a matter for the bodies concerned.
196 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the possibility that the preferred tender for the national broadband scheme will have unfair advantage over other mobile operators if offering voice services in areas earmarked for the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45395/08]
The possibility that the winning service provider of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) could offer additional services, other than the broadband service required under the scheme, using the NBS infrastructure, was recognised from the outset.
It was necessary to consider the issue in detail in order to ensure the scheme complied with EU rules governing State Aid and competition. The issue was addressed in the State Aid application to the European Commission and in the design of the tender documentation for the NBS. The EU Commission approved the NBS on 25 September 2007.
Specifically, tenderers participating in the NBS procurement process were required to offset any additional revenues arising from the use of NBS infrastructure for purposes other than the provision of broadband when calculating the level of contribution required from the State. An appropriate contractual obligation will be placed on the NBS Service Provider to ensure that the State can recoup any profits generated by the NBS Service Provider beyond those permitted by the Tender process and in light of commitments made in its bid.
197 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway City by his Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of his Department or funded by his Department including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45520/08]
My Department has no office accommodation leased or rented in Galway City.
198 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will support a matter (details supplied). [45542/08]
Section 20(4) of the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960 (as qualified by section 65 of the Broadcasting Act 2001) and section 10(3) of the Radio and Television Act 1988 provide that broadcasters cannot accept advertisements that are directed towards any religious or political end or have any relation to an industrial dispute.
The prohibition on religious advertising does not prevent advertisements, which provide information about a religious magazine or periodical being available for sale, or about a religious event or ceremony taking place. The prohibition does not extend to religious broadcasting; sections 28 and 45 of the Broadcasting Act 2001 explicitly require RTÉ and TG4 to carry religious programming.
The Deputy will be aware that in 2004, the prohibition on religious advertising on radio and television was retained following a lengthy consultation during which over 150 submissions from the public were received by my Department. There was a strong argument that religious interests should not be able to buy air-time to deliver an unchallenged message, which other interests, through lack of resources, might not be able to match or counter.
Section 41 of the Broadcasting Bill stipulates that a broadcaster shall not broadcast an advertisement which addresses the issue of the merits or otherwise of adhering to any religious faith or belief or of becoming a member of any religion or religious organisation. The provision focuses on advertisements that address the issue of the merits or otherwise of adhering to any religious faith or belief or of becoming a member of any religion or religious organisation, as opposed to the existing restriction which relates to advertisements directed towards a religious end. The section also continues the clarification that permits advertisements which provide information about a religious magazine or periodical being available for sale, or about a religious event or ceremony taking place.
199 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if research work is being undertaken on cattle tuberculosis vaccines which could be marked and identified in TB testing as a vaccine strain. [45440/08]
I understand that research is being carried out in the United Kingdom on the development of a BCG vaccine for cattle that could be used in conjunction with the tuberculin test. Officials from my Department are in regular contact with their counterparts in the UK laboratory and are closely monitoring developments. I should point out, however, that EU legislation prohibits the vaccination of cattle against bovine TB because the tuberculin test cannot distinguish between TB infected and vaccinated animals.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that my Department has recently commenced a 3-year field study on the usefulness of protecting wild badgers from TB infection with an orally delivered preparation of BCG vaccine.
200 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in issuing the single farm payment to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [45457/08]
The person named submitted a 2008 Single Payment application on 02/05/2008, declaring 31.82 hectares of forage lands. As a new entrant to farming the person named did not have entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme but also applied to the National Reserve for an allocation of entitlements.
During the processing of the Single Payment application a Dual Claim arose on parcel L12923020. In accordance with the regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme my Department wrote to both claimants, requesting that they submit documentary evidence, such as a Land Registry Folio to support their claims on these lands. The documentation supplied to date by the person named does not support their claim to the disputed lands, and their Single Farm Payment application has now been processed to reflect this.
As outlined in a previous reply to the Deputy the person named submitted an application under Category B of the 2008 National Reserve. This category caters for new entrants to farming after 31 December 2005. A New Entrant is defined as a farmer who did not, pursue any agricultural activity in his/her own name or at his/her own risk in the five years immediately preceding the commencement of the new agricultural activity. A new entrant must also comply with all the other educational and income criteria in order to be deemed eligible for entitlements from the National Reserve.
Two letters requesting additional information were sent to the person named on 15 October 2008 and on 4 November 2008. The required information was received on 4 November 2008 and the person named was deemed eligible under the National Reserve. However it was not possible to apply the National Reserve allocation due to the above-mentioned issues with regard to a Dual Claim. The issue surrounding the Dual Claim has now been resolved and the appropriate National Reserve allocation has been made. A formal letter outlining the National Reserve allocation has issued to the person named and payment due will issue shortly.
201 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the animal health and welfare Bill; the extent of the uptake in the public consultation process; when the Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45458/08]
202 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the section or sections of the promised animal health and welfare Bill that will address issues regarding horses and other equine species; the extent of that address; the issues that were raised in the course of the consultation process regarding horses and other equine species; his intentions regarding this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45459/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together.
A good deal of work has been undertaken on drafting the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill which gives effect to a number of animal health and welfare commitments contained in the Programme for Government.
My officials are currently meeting with a number of organisations that made submissions on the draft Bill following the public consultation process initiated by me earlier in the year. When this element of the consultation process is completed, drafting of the legislation will continue taking account of all comments received.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to consolidate responsibility for the welfare of all animals, including non-farm animals, within my Department. The Bill currently being drafted will therefore include welfare of horses and other equine species within its scope.
203 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a dealing (details supplied) will be completed in the Land Commission in view of the length of time which it has taken to be dealt with. [45466/08]
The dealing in question is currently being dealt with in the Survey Branch of my Department and concerns a mapping conflict between a map lodged under Schedule number 83349 and the existing registered boundaries. All necessary steps are being taken with a view to completing the matter and it is anticipated that this will be done shortly.
204 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway city by his Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of his Department or funded by his Department including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45518/08]
All leases for this Department in Galway city are arranged by the Office of Public Works. The material requested by the Deputy will be included in the reply from the Minister for Finance (ref. Parliamentary Question No. 126).
205 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive their REP scheme three payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45564/08]
Payment will issue to the person named within the next ten days.
206 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on alternative assistance to school bus operators in view of the ending of the derogation of the excise tax on diesel for buses. [45445/08]
As I announced in the budget, the allocation for school transport in 2009 allows for a compensatory allowance to be paid to private operators on contract to Bus Éireann, under the school transport scheme.
Bus Éireann is currently writing to all contractors seeking documentation relating to previous fuel rebate claims submitted to the Revenue Commissioners, with a deadline date of 19th December. The process of determining the level of any compensatory allowance to be paid will be progressed on the basis of the documentation received from contractors.
207 Deputy Rory O’Hanlon asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost of school transport for the most recent year that figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45415/08]
In 2007, the allocation for school transport was €165 million and the outturn was €172.106 million. The allocation for 2008 is €175.206 million.
208 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the advisory committee on Traveller education has not met since 2006. [45419/08]
The Advisory Committee on Traveller Education was established in July 1998, arising from one of the recommendations of the 1995 Report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community. Its terms of reference were to "advise the Minister of Education and Science on the provision of education services for the people of the Travelling community."
Membership of the committee was drawn from the main stakeholders in Traveller education including representatives of the Departments of Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform as well as representatives of the Education Partners and of the main Traveller Representative bodies and the Travelling Community.
In November 2003, a Joint Working Group, consisting of members of the Advisory Committee on Traveller Education, the Educational Disadvantage Committee and three of the principal national Traveller organisations was established to provide recommendations for a new Traveller Education Strategy. The last meeting of the ACTE was in October 2005, when it considered the draft Report of the Joint Working Group.
The Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy was launched in November 2006. The recommendations contained in the report are intended to address the Educational needs of Travellers from pre-school through to further and higher education. My Department established an internal working group to oversee the implementation of the recommendations. The severe educational challenges faced by young Traveller children is recognised and although it is too early to predict the outcomes attributable to the changes which the strategy will bring, there is already some evidence of improvement in school attendance, transfer from primary to post primary and completion of upper second level.
While it is of immeasurable importance, access to education is only one of the serious challenges faced by the Traveller Community. Issues including health, housing, equality, policing and social welfare dependency are also critical to improve conditions of and participation by the Traveller Community in Irish society. In this context the establishment of the National Traveller Monitoring and Advisory Committee (NTMAC) in March 2007 was a very welcome and important development. The NTMAC involves all relevant stakeholders with representation from central and local government, the Traveller Community, Traveller Representative Bodies, Social Partners and the Health Services. The NTMAC is a forum which provides an opportunity, at a very high level, to develop and enhance consultation and collaboration with all stakeholders on the full range of issues, including education, rather than adopting a fragmented approach to consultation. On its establishment the NTMAC appointed a number of sub-committees to consider and consult upon a range of key issues facing Travellers. Central to the terms of reference of one of these sub-committees was the role of education. The sub-committee concluded its work in June 2008.
The strategy which is at an early phase of its implementation has been fully consulted and agreed by stakeholders. At present my department is consulting with the NTMAC on the merits of establishing a new consultative forum which might provide opportunities to engage with relevant stakeholders to review progress and evaluate outcomes after the strategy has embedded. In the meantime my Department will continue to play a full part in the work of NTMAC and its committees.
209 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps being taken to address the fact that two thirds of Traveller children do not sit the junior certificate. [45420/08]
In recent years my Department has taken significant steps in improving the educational outcomes for Traveller Children. Recent reports indicate that transfer from primary to post primary is almost at 100%. The number of Traveller students participating at post primary level has grown from fewer than 100 in 1988 to some 2,500 this year. Notwithstanding these developments, I recognise that there is much room for improvement.
The Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy was launched by my colleague Minister Mary Hanafin T.D. in November 2006. The Report covers all aspects of Traveller Education from pre-school right through to further and higher education within a lifelong learning context. The primary aim of the Strategy is to ensure a quality, integrated education for Travellers underpinned by the principles of inclusion and mainstreaming with an emphasis on equality and diversity and the adoption of an intercultural approach. This is in line with the Government's recommendations in the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) (2005).
The principle of inclusion is at the core of the current strategy and future provision will focus on the development of more inclusive and intercultural school practice and environment through the whole school planning process, admissions policies, codes of behaviour and whole school evaluation. A key aim of the strategy is to enhance access and education service delivery to Travellers. Future provision will focus on ‘individual educational need' rather than ‘Traveller identity'
Education is a key element in supporting greater Traveller participation and empowerment in our society. The link between education, training and enterprise is perhaps the most vital in helping to increase the range of life choices that are available to Travellers. A lifelong learning approach will focus on the journey from Pre-school to Primary, Post-Primary and on to employment or further education and training.
At present my Department spends some €65m directly on Traveller education from pre-school through primary, post primary and further and higher education. Direct supports include some 503 resource teachers at primary level, 42 Visiting teachers and additional teaching hours at post primary level. In addition to this some 651 personnel are deployed in schools serving disadvantaged communities under the School Completion Programme and the Home School Community Liaison Service to address the needs of children and young persons who are at risk of leaving school early by providing a range of in-school and out of school supports and by engaging with the salient adults in the lives of these children. My Department is working to ensure that all of these services, where they are available in schools, will prioritise those children, including Traveller children, who are at risk of early school leaving.
210 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the impact the budget 2009 cutbacks will have on a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; the way he will address the problems which will arise due to the cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45425/08]
211 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the impact the budget 2009 cutbacks will have on a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; the way he will address the problems which will arise due to the cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45426/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
I have consistently said that the 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect Education while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure could not be totally spared. I fully accept that these decisions are not of themselves desirable and that they can only be justified by the imperative of securing the future economic stability of the country. I have called for co-operation from all the education partners in meeting the challenges facing us both as an education community and as a country.
The various impacts at school level were included in the Budget day announcements. Even with the budget measures in place there will still be a significantly increased borrowing requirement in 2009.
My Department will be advising individual schools in the normal way in relation to their staffing and grant allocations. The preparatory work for this has commenced with the processing of enrolment data that has been received from schools. The staffing allocation processes including notification to schools will commence early in the New Year. The allocation process includes appellate mechanisms under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. In addition to the mainstream classroom teachers my Department also allocates teaching resources to schools for special needs and language support. The final allocation to a school is also a function of the operation of the redeployment panels which provide for the retention of a teacher in an existing school if a new post is not available within the agreed terms of the scheme.
I have no difficulty in setting out for this House or for the public generally the overall changes on aggregate teacher numbers or on grant levels in schools for the 2009/10 school year. I will do this when the allocation processes have been completed. Furthermore the staffing schedule will be published and it is a transparent and clear way of ensuring that schools are treated consistently and fairly and know where they stand.
At this time the priority for my Department within the resources available to it is to carry out those processes in a timely manner. Diverting resources in order to create staffing or funding profiles for the individual schools requested by the Deputy, information which at this time could only be speculative, could not be justified and would in fact impede the process.
I am confident that as the global economy improves it will be possible to build again on the significant achievements of recent years and do so in a manner consistent with overall prudent management of the Irish economy.
212 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is his intention to challenge national pay agreements in his request to cut payroll costs in the social inclusion unit by 3%. [45441/08]
As you will be aware, the Education budget for 2009 has been increased by some €302 million. Notwithstanding this, a number of tough and difficult decisions have had to be taken, which have seen a number of spending cuts across the education sector. However, the overall allocation for the School Completion Programme in 2009 will increase by approximately 1% over the allocation for 2007/08.
My Department notified all 124 school completion projects on 21st August last that, pursuant to a Government decision in response to the deterioration in public finances, they would be required to reduce their payroll bill by 3% in 2009 through all appropriate measures identified by local management in the light of local circumstances.
In line with the requirements set out in the letter dated 21st August, Projects are requested to submit the required establishment plans including information on the numbers of existing staff, both full-time and part-time at all salary levels in each project. Under the terms of the Government decision, the allocation for the pay element of the School Completion Programme in 2009 will be framed on the basis that a saving of 3% will be achieved when the pay bill is adjusted to include the full-year cost of Towards 2016 increases payable in 2008.
Projects were advised that they have the authority to manage how the savings are to be achieved. This is to facilitate projects in their efforts to ensure that these necessary steps will be applied in such a manner as to minimise their effect on young people targeted and to prioritise those activities which are found to be of most value in supporting the young people concerned.
In implementing this decision local Management Committees will have an opportunity to consider measures which might include the control of premium pay, the management of existing or future vacancies, the organisation of work processes and the levels at which work is carried out, as well as control of numbers through recruitment and other measures. This requirement will not have a universal effect on all 124 projects, as projects vary in size, number of schools involved and the number and status of personnel employed and the types of interventions in place.
It is envisaged that the savings requested, will lead to rationalisation, with more efficient and cost effective measures being implemented. In this way, it is not expected that there will be any significant diminution of front-line services.
213 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to an application by a school (details supplied) in County Offaly under the permanent accommodation scheme 2007; the position regarding the matter; the reason for the delay on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45446/08]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers, applied for capital funding under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme 2007 for 15 mainstream classrooms, 2 special needs rooms, resource rooms and 2 learning support rooms. Following discussions with the school authority it was agreed that the scope of the works concerned was more appropriate for delivery under the traditional method.
To meet the school's immediate needs, my Department has sanctioned additional temporary accommodation for the 2008/09 school year to accommodate increased enrolments.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of my Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
214 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science when youth organisations will be informed of their actual allocations under the youth service grant scheme and the special projects for youth scheme 2009 which have been cut by 10%; if his attention has been drawn to the delays in providing this information every year and the need for youth organisations to cut front-line services to young people and their inability to make such decisions without this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45450/08]
The 2009 budget allocation for youth services is €48.2m, a decrease of 8% on the 2008 figure. The reduced allocation in the youth budget will require much tighter budget management and prioritisation which may impact on pay and administration costs. Department officials have met with representatives of the youth sector to ascertain the sector's views on how best to minimise the impact of budgetary constraints next year with a view to consolidating, in so far as is practicable, the progress made in recent years. In trying to minimise the effects of these budgetary constraints, the determination of the 2009 allocations under the various schemes needs careful consideration.
I wish to assure the Deputy that very effort will be made to notify the various youth work organisations and administering agencies of their allocations at the earliest possible time in 2009.
215 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason geography is a compulsory subject for the junior certificate and science is not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45468/08]
The compulsory nature of Geography in Voluntary Secondary schools is historical in origin and relates back to the time when it was compulsory in the Intermediate Certificate.
While Science is an optional subject for the Junior Certificate, uptake has been consistently very high, with 87% of the entire junior cycle cohort sitting the examination in the Junior Certificate. 91% sat Geography in the 2008 Junior Certificate examination.
There are no plans to make science compulsory at junior cycle given the importance of curricular choice in ensuring that students have access to a balanced range of options in keeping with their interests and abilities. It is considered more important that as many students as possible should be motivated to remain in school to completion of upper second level education, and curricular relevance and choice have a key role to play in this.
216 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding status of the Centre for Deaf Studies at Trinity College, Dublin; the funding allocated to this centre for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45484/08]
As the Deputy may be aware, the Centre for Deaf Studies at Trinity College Dublin represents a constituent part of Trinity College. The position is that universities are autonomous institutions in relation to the day to day management of their affairs. The universities receive a recurrent block grant from the Higher Education Authority and it is a matter for each institution to determine how it is allocated internally.
In the case of the Centre for Deaf Studies, I understand from the HEA that, in recent years, Trinity College requested and received specific funding for the Centre as part of their overall recurrent block grant. Trinity College again made a request to the HEA for specific funding, amounting to some €440,000, for the Centre for 2009. This funding request has been agreed to by the HEA for 2009.
217 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide details of office accommodation rented or leased in Galway city by his Department or any agency or non-governmental organisation under the auspices of his Department or funded by his Department including square area and the amount of rent paid in 2007. [45523/08]
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the provision of office accommodation on behalf of the Department and meets all related rent/lease costs. OPW have allocated the following Galway city offices to my Department: 1. Office of the Inspectorate, Ross House, Merchants Road, Galway. The area of the office is 402.72 sq. metres and the rent in 2007 was €81,282.25. 2. The Western Regional Office and NEPS Western Regional Office share offices in Victoria Place, Eyre Square, Galway. The total area here is 701.4 sq. metres and the rent in 2007 was €180,000. NEPS hold 450.16 sq. metres and the Western Regional Office has 214.07 sq. metres.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) rents 37.17 sq. metres of office accommodation in Victoria Place, Eyre Square , Galway for which they paid €9,540 to OPW in 2007.
I am not aware of any other aegis body arrangements in relation of office rental in Galway city and consider this a matter for the individual agencies concerned. If the Deputy has any particular aegis body in mind I would be more than happy to have my officials obtain the relevant details and communicate them to the Deputy.
218 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm details of the announcement made on 4 December 2008 in respect of substitution in second level schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45543/08]
I announced last Thursday that proposals had been made to my Department by the second-level management bodies identifying annual savings of €16 million within the supervision and substitution scheme. These savings can be made not only in the current year but on a continuing basis.
The proposals involve replacing heretofore demand-led availability of cover for uncertified sick leave and official school business, costing €21 million per annum, with an allocated or budgeted scheme costing €5 million per annum.
On the basis of these proposals and discussions between the management bodies and my Department, I outlined that I am making available €2.7 million to second-level schools for the remainder of this school year. This will provide each school with a limited number of hours of substitution cover outside of the supervision and substitution scheme.
There will also be a full review of the substitution and supervision scheme in conjunction with the school management bodies and teacher unions during this school year with a view to making up this additional €2.7 million expenditure and thereby ensuring that the budgetary parameters are met.
The implementation of the proposals made by the second-level management bodies will, over the balance of the current school year, provide a new basis for managing the use of substitution cover for school business and enable schools manage unpredictable teacher absences due to uncertified sick leave.
219 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45568/08]
I am aware of the concerns raised by the school referred to by the Deputy. However we are dealing with an economic situation of unprecedented difficulty. The Government has a collective duty to respond to this and to take very difficult decisions in the national interest.
In doing this we have attempted to afford some shelter to the education sector but given the scale of public expenditure on education it is simply not possible to avoid tough decisions. I fully accept that these decisions are not of themselves desirable and that they can only be justified by the imperative of securing the future economic stability of the country. I have called for co-operation from all the education partners in meeting the challenges facing us both as an education community and as a country.
The various impacts at school level were included in the Budget day announcements. Even with the budget measures in place there will still be a significantly increased borrowing requirement in 2009.
When the country was able to afford it we reduced the basis on which primary teachers are allocated to schools from being based on an average number of primary pupils per teacher from 35 pupils in 1995/96 down to the current level of 27 pupils. This is reflected in the improvements that we have made on class sizes over the years and these improvements reflect our commitment to education. The change to a new average of 28 pupils per teacher from September 2009 has to be viewed in that context. Although it reverses some of the progress that we have made in recent years I had no option but to curtail the annual increase in teacher numbers. The reduced class sizes for the most disadvantaged in our DEIS schools of an average of 1 teacher for every 20 pupils in Junior classes and an average of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils in Senior classes will not be changing in 2009.
While the budget measures will impact on class sizes it will be necessary in the more testing economic climate ahead for us to continue to target and prioritise our resources to maximum effect for everyone. While teacher numbers are important numerous influential reports have highlighted the fact that teacher quality is the single most important factor — far and above anything else — in improving educational outcomes for children. Ensuring high quality teaching and learning is a challenge and dealing with factors that inhibit it represent a challenge for the Government, the Department, school management and indeed the teacher unions.
I am confident that as the global economy improves it will be possible to build again on the significant achievements of recent years and do so in a manner consistent with overall prudent management of the Irish economy.
220 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers teaching the English language as a foreign language in second level schools, community and comprehensive colleges and VEC schools. [45666/08]
221 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level schools, community and comprehensive colleges and VEC schools with one of more teachers who teach the English language as a foreign language. [45667/08]
222 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level schools, community and comprehensive colleges and VEC schools with an excess of two teachers teaching English as a foreign language. [45668/08]
223 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science the second level schools, community and comprehensive colleges and VEC schools with one or more teachers teaching the English language as a foreign language; the number of such teachers in the case of each school. [45669/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 to 223, inclusive, together.
Language support teachers are appointed to assist schools in providing additional English language support for pupils for whom English is a second language.
There are currently 554 Language Support Teachers allocated to post- primary schools, at a current cost of approximately €35 million per annum. The number of teaching posts in each second-level sector is broken down as follows: 288 in voluntary secondary, 88 in community and comprehensive and 178 in VEC schools.
The table gives a breakdown of the number of Whole Time Equivalents (WTE) currently allocated to second-level schools.
The budget measures announced recently will mean that the level of language support will be reduced from a maximum of six extra teachers per school to a maximum of two teachers per school, as was the case before 2007.
As I announced on budget day we will provide for some alleviation for the position of those schools where there is a significant concentration of newcomer pupils as a proportion of the overall enrolment. This will be done on a case by case basis.
At this time the priority for my Department within the resources available to it is to carry out the allocation process for 2009/10 in a timely manner. Diverting resources in order to create staffing profiles for individual schools or list of schools could not be justified and would actually impede this process.
Moreover, OECD research in this field (PISA 2006) shows that Ireland is the OECD country with the highest distribution of newcomers across schools meaning that schools with higher concentrations of newcomer children are relatively unusual. ESRI data also shows that only a small percentage of schools have high concentrations of newcomer children.
I realise that standards are not simply achieved by supplying teaching resources and that the quality of the supports that the child receives and the inclusive atmosphere cultivated in schools are important factors influencing the quality of learning achieved by migrant children. My Department recognises that we must monitor and review the educational experiences that are provided to migrant students so that we can improve the quality and effectiveness of our provision. The Department is undertaking a range of research to consider the question of integration in schools and how best to deploy our resources to ensure that all the children in our schools can benefit from learning in an intercultural Ireland.
My Department is providing support and training for teachers of English as an additional language in the current school year. At post primary level, the Second Level Support Service (SLSS) have identified members of their team to provide training and support for teachers of English as an additional language. The training has been designed and will be rolled out in early 2009. The table gives a breakdown of the number of Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) currently allocated to second-level schools:
|
WTE |
No of schools |
|
Between 0.1-1 |
310 |
|
1-2 |
100 |
|
2-3 |
41 |
|
3-4 |
24 |
|
4-6 |
14 |
