Vol. 694 No. 3
7 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she is satisfied with the resources available to the National Employment Rights Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40922/09]
NERA's activities can be divided into three major areas: Information services including to members of the public, employers and employees; Inspection services and, Legal services including enforcement and prosecution services.
Overall, NERA's staffing complement is down from the level of 132 which obtained at the end of December 2008 to 122 at the current time. The number of inspectors currently stands at 73 which is down from 80 at the beginning of 2009. In common with all public bodies, NERA are expected to show a reduction in costs for 2009 mainly as a result of efficiencies and lower staff costs. The introduction of a moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the public service by the Minister for Finance on 27 March 2009 has made it very unlikely that NERA will be able to increase staff levels for the foreseeable future.
In relation to its information activities, NERA provides a wide range of information in relation to employment rights to employers and employees through its website and Information Centre and also through publications, email and responses to written queries. Additionally, it has replied to over 10,000 emails, distributed over 18,000 employment rights publications and participated in 22 presentations and exhibitions.
In its Information Centre, there are currently 13.5 full-time staff taking calls and answering queries from members of the public. This is supplemented by 11 other trained staff who provide support at peak periods and other periods where extra resources are required. So far this year, NERA has answered over 127,000 telephone calls or an average of 560 per day on employment rights issues, which represents an increase of almost 37% on the same period in 2008.
Additionally, since April 2009 NERA took over responsibility for answering calls relating to redundancy claims on behalf of the Redundancy Payments Section of the Department and answered an estimated 76,000 redundancy related calls so far in 2009. This additional work undertaken on behalf of the Department now accounts for 60% of calls received.
The number of inspections visits and calls made for the year so far is 22,136 compared to 25,530 for the same period last year. This difference is mainly accounted for by the lower number of Inspectors operating in 2009. The figures also reflect the fact that there has been less of a focus on targeted sectoral campaigns this year as compared with 2008. In addition, in 2009 NERA commenced inspection activities in relation to compliance with the Employment Permits Acts 2003 and 2006. So far this year, a total of 708 Employment Permit inspections have been undertaken under this legislation.
In relation to its enforcement and prosecution activities, NERA has so far this year initiated court proceedings in 66 cases as compared with 44 in 2008 and proceedings have so far been concluded in 72.
In line with Government policy on advertising spend, NERA no longer has a budget for advertising and awareness campaigns. However, it has engaged in awareness-raising activity in cooperation with key stakeholders such as the Small Firms Association, IMPACT, IBEC, ICTU, the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland, Chambers of Commerce, Enterprise Boards and Citizens Information Centres.
8 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress being made with the approved funding of €10 million by the FÁS board to provide training for small and medium enterprise managers or supervisors under the strategic alliance programme, agreed in the Social Partnership Programme Towards 2016, which was to be rolled out more than two years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40764/09]
The importance of upskilling the Irish workforce to meet present and future economic and social goals is well established. Upskilling improves competitiveness and hence business success and economic growth. It also significantly contributes to ensuring the future employability of the workforce. The remit of FÁS in this respect is to contribute to such upskilling through encouraging and supporting the training, re-training and upskilling of the workforce.
Management training and development has been identified as a key national priority for maintaining and increasing the competitiveness of Irish businesses in a series of relevant reports including the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs report SME Management Competence in Ireland (2006), the Small Business Forum report Small Business is Big Business (2006) and the Enterprise Strategy Group report Ahead of the Curve (2004).
In order to address this priority, training programmes were provided under the FÁS SME Management Development Initiative as part of its Strategic Alliance Programme. Training began in September 2007 and will conclude on 31st March 2010. An evaluation of the initiative will take place after that.
Under the Initiative training courses are being delivered in key areas such as: -
Business Performance and Capacity-building,
Sales & Marketing,
Finance,
Personal Professional Development,
Employment Law, and
Human Resources.
Initially some €10 million was budgeted for the Initiative to train some 8,000 participants. It is currently estimated that approximately €5 million will have been expended on the initiative upon completion, providing training to some 5,000 participants at a cost to the state of c. €1,000 per participant. Over €4 million has been spent to date on this initiative to the benefit of almost 3,800 participants.
This projected underspend is due to a variety of factors including the need to design and deliver new training programmes adapted to meet the new business realities.
9 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recommendations of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme regarding her Department and agencies under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41053/09]
The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes presented its report to the Government in July of this year. In its report, the Group outlined options to achieve savings in public expenditure across all Departmental Vote groups.
In relation to my own Department, the Group made proposals for the rationalisation of some services provided by my Department's agencies, and for reductions in certain programme and staffing costs. Some of the proposals made by the Special Group in relation to my Department cut across a number of other Departments and agencies.
Implementation of the Groups proposals is being considered in the context of current discussions at Government on Estimates 2010.
10 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to update the current partnership law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40932/09]
The Company Law Review Group (CLRG) was asked, as part of its Work Programme for 2007, to examine the issue of ‘Limited Liability Partnerships' (LLPs). This follows from concerns, particularly of the legal and auditing professions, about the consequences of unlimited liability on partners in a firm.
The Report of the CLRG on its 2007 Work Programme has been presented to me and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
In its Report, the CLRG outlined the problems which current partnership law is perceived to cause for certain types of business organisation in Ireland and concludes that the problems are real and substantial. The CLRG explored how the introduction of LLP legislation could address these problems and the types of safeguards which might need to be put in place to protect clients, customers and third parties generally in their dealings with LLPs. The CLRG also considered whether the problems raised by current partnership law could be resolved by other means, without the need to amend the law of partnership.
The CLRG came to the conclusion that a final decision on whether legislation on LLPs should be introduced, and the shape and form LLP legislation should take, can only be reached after a full consultation process involving all of those affected by the issues arising. Such consultation should also include consideration of whether the general statutory limitation on twenty members should be maintained. The consultation process took place during the Autumn 2008-Spring 2009 period as part of the CLRG's 2008-2009 Work Programme and the Group are reconsidering the matter based on the responses received. I await the CLRG's recommendations in relation to this issue.
11 Deputy Emmet Stagg 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 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41069/09]
Under the terms of the Directive Temporary Agency Work, there is a three-year period in which Member States are required to transpose the Directive into national legislation i.e. by 5 December 2011.
While the Directive provides for equal treatment for agency workers from the first day of employment, there is provision for a derogation within limits by way of collective agreement or by agreement between the national social partners. In effect the derogation would set out an agreed time limit, or qualifying period, after which the agency worker would qualify for equal treatment.
Earlier this year, the Minister for Labour Affairs invited the Social Partners to discussions with my Department, with the aim of 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 Towards 2016 Review and Transitional Agreement 2008-2009 concluded by the Social Partners and the Government contains a commitment to developing such a framework.
My Department has already facilitated an initial meeting between the Social Partners to help them to develop a national framework within the parameters established in the EU Directive. The successful conclusion of a Framework Agreement will enable the Government to consider transposing the terms of the Directive, including the terms of the Framework Agreement, at a date in advance of the maximum period allowed under the Directive i.e. end 2011.
In the meantime my Department is liaising with the European Commission and other Member States in anticipation of the transposition of the Directive into national law.
12 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she is taking to facilitate the recently unemployed to start their own businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41081/09]
Enterprise Ireland is the lead government agency responsible for the development of Irish enterprise. Its mission is to accelerate the development of world-class Irish companies to achieve strong positions in world markets resulting in increased national and regional prosperity. While Enterprise Ireland does not have a specific mandate in relation to addressing unemployment, the agency is focused on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies, the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies and in enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through support of research in companies and third level institutions.
Promoting entrepreneurship and facilitating the key infrastructural needs of Irish enterprise is vital to ensuring a vigorous pipeline of new business leaders, new business ideas and stability in employment numbers in Irish industry. To support the development of high potential start up companies, Enterprise Ireland offers the Innovative High Potential Start-up Offer where a financial contribution towards the company's business plan is provided to develop products, services or processes which are technologically new or substantially improved. In this way the overall development of the company is likely to lead to increases in sales, exports and employment.
In addition to the Innovative HPSU offer, Enterprise Ireland has other supports aimed at supporting entrepreneurs who wish to set up their own business, these include: Entrepreneurship programmes; Regional Fora; Going for Growth; Community Enterprise Centres; Seed and Venture Capital Funding; Investment in Research and Development; Innovation Vouchers; Industry Led networks and Investment in third level institutions.
Enterprise Ireland also works closely with the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) to support entrepreneurs. The role of the CEBs 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, with priority being given to manufacturing and internationally traded services. CEBs recognise that business growth and job creation are inherent considerations in their activities. CEBs can support individuals, firms and community groups provided that they have the capacity to achieve commercial viability which is vital to job creation.
The CEBs deliver a series of Programmes to underpin this role and they can provide assistance through both financial and non-financial means, in the form of grants and/or a wide range of business advice such as Programmes covering Business Management, Mentoring, E-commerce, Enterprise Education and Women in Business networks to a project promoter.
The CEBs will continue to support enterprise development in their local areas throughout the country through the provision of both direct and indirect assistance and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development at county level. I would therefore encourage any persons who are contemplating the idea of setting up in business to contact their local Enterprise Board to discuss what options may be available to them.
13 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of fully trained and deployed labour inspectors with the National Employment Rights Authority; the number of inspectors in training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40895/09]
24 Deputy Enda Kenny 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. [40937/09]
73 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the cross-departmental joint labour investigation teams will be operational; the number of labour inspectors actively performing inspections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40943/09]
75 Deputy Seán Sherlock 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. [41075/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 24, 73 and 75 together.
Joint investigation arrangements between the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners have been operational since 2007.
The Social Partnership Agreement, ‘Towards 2016', provided 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, 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 the agencies in question to work jointly in a more targeted, co-ordinated way.
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 2007, joint investigation activity, involving NERA for the first time, took place during the Construction Industry Campaign in May-July 2007. In 2008, 12 joint investigations were undertaken in a number of sectors including the catering, hotel and haulage sectors. In 2009, joint investigation activity has continued both through exchanges of information and through joint inspections. NERA has undertaken a total of 38 joint inspections with Revenue and/or Social and Family Affairs to date this year.
The three bodies are proactively promoting and encouraging joint activity at a central and local level.
I believe that the effective operation of Joint Investigations provides a key opportunity to maximise the impact of the three inspectorates and to deal with employees in a co-ordinated way.
With regard to current levels of Labour inspectors, the position is as follows — NERA currently has a team of 73 inspectors in place. Recruitment competitions have been held to bring the number of Inspectors from the original level of 31 Inspectors up to the level of 90 committed to under Towards 2016. 60 inspectors were assigned to NERA from these competitions. 18 Inspectors have left NERA over the past two years 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 73.
All new inspectors completed the NERA Inspection Services Introductory Training Programme and have undertaken 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 different employment rights legislation. Sixty inspectors have completed the Introductory Training Programme to date. The knowledge and skills of NERA Inspectors are continuously being developed through the provision of targeted training programmes and on-the-job training. All of these Inspectors are currently available for normal duties.
The moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the Public Service introduced by the Minister for Finance on the 27th March has made it very unlikely that NERA will be able to increase the number of inspectors for the foreseeable future.
14 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the gravity model study by the Economic and Social Research Institute, which shows that trade between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is 81.7% below expected levels; her views on the fact that trade between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland has not increased since 1998; if she is satisfied that only 28% of Republic of Ireland manufacturing firms export to the only contiguous trading partner; her plans to stimulate south north and north south trade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40972/09]
InterTradeIreland commissioned the Economic and Social Research Institute to undertake the Report "A Gravity Model Approach to estimating the expected volume of North/South Trade". The Report aims to assess whether aggregate and sectoral cross-border trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland is at, above or below the expected level.
The deviations of actual trade from the expected level is estimated using a "gravity" model which accounts for the key factors that determine the level of trade flows between trading partners. The key finding, once important economic and geographic factors are taken into account, is that the level of both aggregate and sectoral trade between the two jurisdictions is below the expected level. The analysis in the Report focused on manufactured goods. For total manufacturing from 1998 to 2007, the gap between expected and actual North to South trade was 82%, while for South to North trade it was 77%.
While the analysis was focused on the level of trade, the findings may be explained, in part, by structural differences in the economies of the two jurisdictions; Ireland, for example, having multinationals dominating a number of sectors which would impact trade flows.
The Report concludes that the gap between expected and actual levels of trade highlights that there are potential gains from trade to be exploited on the island of Ireland. InterTradeIreland consider that the Report will help in targeting policy interventions as part of its trade and business development programmes.
According to a survey undertaken for the InterTradeIreland Business Monitor (October 2009), while 28% of Irish firms are engaged in trading with Northern Ireland, 52% of Irish manufacturing firms are trading with Northern Ireland.
Contrary to what the Deputy has stated, total cross-border trade, in fact, increased since 1998. Indeed, from 1998 to 2007 total cross-border trade rose by 20% to €3.1bn, and in spite of the economic downturn in 2008 cross-border trade levels are 8.8% higher than in 1998, at €2.8bn.
InterTradeIreland, the all-island trade and business development body, has a range of trade and business development programmes designed to provide opportunities for businesses across the island of Ireland to improve their competitive performance, and these include technology transfer, sales and marketing, sectoral business networks and promoting equity finance to accelerate business growth. It also undertakes vital research, provides information and offers advice to companies.
InterTradeIreland is exploring the scope for further trading opportunities with a view to the optimisation of the levels of trade on the island of Ireland.
15 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of workplace inspections carried out by the labour inspectorate to date in 2009; the way this compares with the same period in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41076/09]
The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) has carried out a total of 22,136 calls, visits and inspections up to the 6th of November 2009. This compares with 25,530 for the corresponding period in 2008. The number of actual inspections decreased by 1,419 while the number of calls and interviews decreased by 1,040 and 935, respectively.
The decreased level of inspection activity in 2009 is mainly reflective of the decrease in the number of Inspectors available to NERA. In the course of 2009, the number of inspectors has fallen from 80 to the current level of 73. It also reflects the fact that there has been less focus on targeted sector specific campaigns organised by NERA in 2008 as compared with 2009. In 2009, the focus of NERA has been on a wide range of inspection activities including for the first time, a focus on carrying out inspections in relation to compliance with the Employment Permit Acts 2003 and 2006. To date 708 inspections have been carried out under this legislation.
Since it commenced operations on an interim basis in 2007, NERA has had considerable success in raising awareness of employment rights. Early in 2008, NERA undertook a nationwide information and awareness campaign, which has been instrumental in bringing about a much greater level of awareness both by employers and by employees of their respective rights and obligations under employment law.
16 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she has taken to implement the recommendations in the Forfás report of the overview of the main infrastructure issues for enterprise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40941/09]
Forfás provide policy advice to my Department on a range of issues including infrastructure priorities for enterprise. Their most recent Statement on Infrastructure Priorities was published in January 2009.
This Report identified priorities in the areas of transport, energy, telecommunications, waste and water infrastructure. The views and advice in the Forfás Report are taken into consideration in the context of Cabinet deliberations on the Budget and in the context of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal. This Cabinet Committee is leading implementation of the Government's Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal which recognises the importance of continued investment in critical infrastructure to improve the environment for enterprise.
17 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the high level of unemployment among persons aged 20 to 25 years; the measures she proposes to introduce in order to address this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40785/09]
According to the QNHS, at the end of Quarter 2 the unemployment rate for the age group 20-24 years of age stood at 23% (51,700 unemployed) an increase of 12.6% (25,400) from 2008. While the percentage and the number of people in this cohort has increased, there has been a fall in the participation rate by 2.4%. The recent October Live Register statistics show that 84,948 under 25s are signing on which is a decrease of 4,862 from September.
In addition, the FÁS Quarterly Labour Market Review confirmed that young males have been particularly affected with the unemployment rate reaching 40% for 15-19 year-olds and 30% for 20-24 year-olds. However, it did suggest that many people of these age groups have continued to stay on in education, as a fall in labour force participation rates has occurred.
The Government are acutely aware of the challenge of providing suitable opportunities for young people in the current economic situation. The Government decided in the October 2008 Budget that unemployment benefit would be reduced to €100 per week for those unemployed under 20 unless they participate in education/training programmes when they will receive the normal weekly rate of €204. Along with this decision an initiative was put in place to immediately activate 18/19 year olds by the Department of Social and Family Affairs referring them to FÁS Employment services for job search support, instead of waiting the usual 3 months for this automatic activation.
My Department through FÁS is also actively working to ensure increased accessibility to the range of services and supports for all jobseekers including those who are under 25 years of age. We have almost doubled the National Employment Action Plan referral capacity of the FÁS and Local Employment Services to 147,000 places.
In addition, the number of activation training and work experience places provided by FÁS has doubled to over 130,000. This is clearly a substantial increase on the 66,000 places, which were available at the end of last year. At the end of September 104,000 unemployed were currently participating or had completed FÁS training or employment programmes. Those under 25 years of age are accessing both the job search services and training and work experience programmes in significant numbers.
Under the Youthreach Programme FÁS also delivers 2,300 places through its Community Training Centres. The programme is directed at unemployed young early school leavers aged 15-20 who are offered the opportunity to identify and pursue viable options within adult life, and provides them with opportunities to acquire certification.
The main specific FÁS provision for early school leavers continues to be training at Community Training Centres under the Youthreach Programme and there are currently 2,300 places on the programme. The programme is directed at unemployed young early school leavers aged 15-20. The programme provides basic skills and work experience and facilitates early school leavers with opportunities to acquire certification and progress to further training or employment. However, FÁS also provides other training programmes for school leavers through Bridging/Foundation and other ‘mainstream' programmes through its network of Training Centres.
Another initiative, which is a way of preparing the unemployed for future job opportunities, is the Work Placement Programme. This Programme is aimed at providing 2,000 six-month work experience placements for young people, graduates and other unemployed persons. The programme consists of two streams each consisting of 1,000 places. The first stream is for graduates, the second stream is for all others with 250 places ring-fenced for those under 25 years of age. Participants on the programme will retain their existing social welfare entitlements for the duration of their placement.
The Government are determined to assist redundant apprentices complete their apprenticeships, many of whom are under 25 years of age. We have introduced a range of measures that will enable 4,000 redundant apprentices progress their apprenticeship. These measures include the Employer based redundant apprentice programme, the agreement between FÁS and ESB Networks to provide on-the-job training for 400 redundant apprentices and the new Institutes of Technology training programme for 700 redundant apprentices.
The Minister for Education and Science also announced an additional 2,500 third level places for the unemployed in the Budget in April. My Department are jointly funding with the Department of Education and Science 1,500 third level places on a part time basis for the unemployed so that they may pursue a third level qualification. The Higher Education Authority also earmarked funding from within existing resources to create an additional 1,000 places at marginal additional cost for unemployed graduates who have been unemployed for a minimum of six months prior to the starting of the course.
18 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to support exports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40910/09]
Notwithstanding the challenging trading environment, global opportunities for Irish businesses remain significant. My Department, through Enterprise Ireland, is active both in assisting Irish indigenous companies to find new markets for their products and services and to increase their existing level of market share. Encouraging companies to re-orientate towards the Eurozone in the first instance and, for those which are most capable, into areas such as the Gulf, Brazil, India and China, where economies are still growing is a priority. I have been active in leading trade missions to develop new opportunities for Irish exporters and will continue to do so, to both existing long-established markets, to the new EU Member States and also to other emerging high-growth markets, with a view to increasing the share of exports by Irish companies worldwide.
Continuous productivity improvements are essential if Irish companies are to increase their export potential and reach the world-class standards necessary to meet the challenges of the international market place. Sustainable economic recovery will be driven by enterprises focused on increasing their exports of innovative products and services in global markets. To support this, I launched the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund earlier this year, which enables internationally trading companies survive the current global downturn by supporting their drive to reduce costs and, through increased competitiveness, gain sales in overseas markets.
Enterprise Ireland has identified new opportunities for clients emerging from the stimulus packages announced by Governments particularly in the UK, US, Germany and France, and directed its dedicated units to work with Irish companies to take advantage of opportunities such as the 2012 London Olympics build programmes. The agency has also established a specialised unit to help companies drive down costs and focus on lean processes. Other Enterprise Ireland supports available to exporting companies include the Going Global Fund, the International Selling Programme, the Growth Fund and the Research and Development Fund.
This week I announced that 7,478 jobs are to receive direct support under the first round of the Employment Subsidy Scheme (ESS). A total of 453 companies engaged in manufacturing and/or internationally traded services are being informed of their successful applications. The Scheme provides a subsidy of €9,100 over fifteen months per qualifying employee in vulnerable but viable firms. Due to a lower than anticipated take-up, I will be announcing details of a second broader call for ESS applications with extended eligibility criteria open to both exporting and non-exporting firms next week.
19 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of claims waiting to be processed within her Department at the latest date for which figures are available; the average time taken to process a claim; the steps taken to speed up this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41068/09]
33 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the time delay in refunding redundancy payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40958/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 33 together.
The latest figures available to end October 2009 indicate that the number of redundancy claims awaiting processing stands at 43,826.
The Redundancy Payments Section of my Department is currently processing applications filed online from March 2009 and those submitted by post from February 2009 but expects shortly to be processing online claims submitted from April 2009 and manual claims from March 2009. In respect of lump sum payments paid directly to employees in instances where employers are unable to pay the statutory redundancy entitlements, the Section is, in general, processing claims dating from June 2009.
Given the unprecedented increase in Redundancy Payment claims lodged with my Department since late 2008 it has proved impossible to maintain the customer service targets that previously obtained. The scale of the challenge is evident from the statistics that show incoming redundancy claims with a cumulative figure for the first ten months of 2009 at 67,346. This figure exceeds the claims lodged for the full year 2008 (40,607) and 2008 was, of itself, an exceptional year as compared with earlier years when claims received were of the order of 25,000.
Efforts continue to be made by my Department to deliver more acceptable turnaround processing times for redundancy payments given the difficulties that this gives rise to for both individual employees and the business community. Measures already taken include:
the reassignment of 26.7 additional staff (full time equivalents) from other areas of the Department to the Redundancy Payments area since early 2009 with ongoing review of trends and demands. The current number of staff serving in the Redundancy Payments Section in terms of full time equivalents is 51.5 although the Section is currently carrying two vacant positions which are due to be filled;
the prioritisation of the Department's overtime budget towards staff in the Redundancy Payments Section to tackle the backlog outside normal hours;
the establishment of a special call handling facility to deal with the huge volume of telephone calls from people and businesses who are naturally concerned about their payments, using the facilities and cooperation of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA). This centre has received an average of 12,500 calls per month this year with an estimated 60% relating to redundancy payments;
The provision of better quality information relating to current processing times on the Department's website;
Engagement with the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate the offset of redundancy rebate payments by employers against outstanding tax liabilities with the Revenue Commissioners.
The Tánaiste and I continue to monitor closely the impact of these changes against the continuing influx of redundancy claims and will consider further measures to deal with the situation should current measures prove to be inadequate.
20 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to streamline the issuing of work permits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40938/09]
The introduction of the Employment Permits Act 2006 entailed a radical overhaul of the administrative arrangements and work practices of the Employment Permits Section. Employment permits are now issued on the basis of different permit types with dedicated staff trained in decision making on specific types. This system has streamlined the work of the section allowing faster times for issuing and maximising use of resources. During 2008, fully completed applications for all employment permit types were processed within our business target of 15 working days.
In the priority high skills area of Green Cards and Intra Company Transfers, applications are currently being processed within 15 working days. In relation to Work Permits and Spousal applications, measures have been put in place to address the current 12 week wait-time. I can report that significant progress has been made in reducing the backlog in these areas.
The Employment Permits Section is also currently developing a back office IT system to reduce the administrative burden on all applicants for Employment Permits and to further streamline the process. As a result, a number of documents currently required with each application (as set down in the Employment Permits Act 2006) will be directly verified with the appropriate authority avoiding the need for paper submission.
In addition, An Tánaiste, in conjunction with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, announced on 28th August 2009 that it will not be necessary for those who have been working lawfully and who have held an employment permit for 5 consecutive years to have an employment permit to remain in employment. On presentation of the relevant documentation to the Immigration Authorities they will now be facilitated with a Stamp 4. This has streamlined the process for all concerned.
21 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she will publish the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report on misappropriation and misuse of public money by FÁS; if she will act on its findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40944/09]
The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) is carrying out an investigation into certain matters within FÁS. A copy of the report that deals with the examination of advertising and promotion in FÁS, which forms part of the investigation, was laid before the House on 9 September. I understand that a further report from the C&AG will be issued in the coming months. This report will focus on the arrangements for internal control and governance that pertained in FÁS.
In the meantime a number of measures have been taken by FÁS to improve financial control and governance across the organisation including the following:
The Corporate Affairs function, which is at the centre of the C&AG's investigation, has been restructured and controls in this area have been tightened.
The Board of FÁS has approved a revised structure for its Internal Audit including resources for additional staff and external co-sourced audits. An external quality review of its Internal Audit has also been completed and a number of recommendations have been made that identify how the function can develop in line with best practice.
A full audit of all procurement locations has been scheduled by FÁS Internal Audit for completion by the end of the year.
All executive credit cards have been cancelled. The one credit card retained by FÁS has a maximum credit limit of €7,000 and is used primarily to purchase research material, textbooks, and other support material to assist the work of the organisation.
The FÁS advertising budget has been reduced to a minimum and a new communications strategy will be developed to ensure efficient customer communications.
In addition to these measures my Department has carried out an internal review of the FÁS Science Challenge Initiative following publicly aired expenditure concerns last year. The review was completed in April 2009 and on the basis of its findings I directed that Science Challenge be closed down once all its existing commitments for the academic year 2008/9 had been met. This has now been completed.
Finally, legislation to amend the Labour Services Act in order to improve the effectiveness and governance of the Board of FÁS and strengthen the accountability of the Director General of FÁS to the Oireachtas is currently being considered by the Oireachtas. The Amendment Act takes account of the recommendations made by the Public Accounts Committee in its fourth interim report and the work of the Comptroller and Auditor General, as well as the debate in this House when the Bill was being presented.
22 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the continuing problems facing small and medium sized enterprises as a result of difficulty in securing credit; the steps she is taking to deal with this situation in view of the implications for employment and job creation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41046/09]
As previously outlined to the House, in supporting small and medium enterprises, Government focus has been on actions to sustain a positive business environment, including the proper functioning of the banking system, allied with specific targeted supports for SMEs through the enterprise development agencies.
Developments in the financial sector and wider economy during the last year have broadened the concerns for SMEs in relation to gaining access to finance and bank credit.
My Department and I have held regular meetings with the representative bodies of the SME sector and other stakeholders in relation to issues impacting on the sector and have established the Roundtable on Access to Bank Credit and subsequently the Credit Supply Clearing Group with a dedicated e-mail contact point to specifically deal with access to bank credit issues.
The Government has focused on creating a fit for purpose banking system and taken actions to sustain the banks and facilitate the flow of credit to the wider economy. The Bank Guarantee Scheme, the Banks' Recapitalisation Scheme, the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank and the NAMA Bill currently before the Oireachtas are all aimed at this. This has been further strengthened by the Government amendment to that Bill providing the Minister for Finance with a power to issue guidelines to the participating institutions in the NAMA process on lending practices and procedures to improve the flow of credit to small and medium-sized enterprises and, if necessary, to other sectors.
Under the Recapitalisation Scheme additional measures were introduced to support SMEs including a commitment to increase lending capacity to SMEs by 10%, the establishment of a €100m environmental and clean energy innovation fund by each bank, the contribution of a further €15m by each bank to new or existing seed capital funds, the introduction of the banks' Code of Conduct on Business Lending to SMEs, and the undertaking of an Independent Review of Bank Credit.
In the context of access to finance, Irish Banks have drawn down European Investment Bank (EIB) funding for loans for SMEs. In 2009, the EIB made €300m available to Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks and Ulster Bank for onward lending to SMEs carrying out investment projects. This was additional to €50m previously made available to Bank of Scotland Ireland through its UK parent.
Within my own Department, the enterprise development agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, FÁS and the County and City Enterprise Boards have continued to assist enterprises through their grant and advisory schemes. Significant allocations were made in my Department's Estimates for 2009 to sustain the work of the development agencies. The €100m Enterprise Stabilisation Fund and the €250m Employment Subsidy Scheme are additional measures to make funding available to assist SMEs through the current difficulties. I announced a broadening out of the Employment Subsidy Scheme earlier this week.
Government has also introduced formal arrangements to reduce the payment period by central Government Departments to their business suppliers from 30 to 15 calendar days. This commitment has an effect on all valid invoices received on and from 15 June 2009 and is helping cash flow difficulties for enterprises.
I recently announced my intention to reconvene the Small Business Forum to gain its assessment and views on the impact of the current economic situation on the needs of the SME sector as it positions itself for recovery. The SBF will also consider the new arrangements now necessary for ongoing structured dialogue between policy makers and stakeholders in the sector to ensure a continued common understanding of all the issues and the potential means of address. This meeting of the Small Business Forum will take place in the coming weeks.
SMEs are central to our economic development and the range of measures and supports in place will continue to help the sector adapt to the current economic climate.
23 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to review the work permit rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40890/09]
39 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to review the green card rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40892/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 39 together.
Earlier this year my Department completed a review of employment permit arrangements, the purpose of which was to ensure that such arrangements continued to be appropriate to the needs of our changing labour market. Following the outcome of consultations with the Social Partners and other interest groups, a number of changes were implemented for non-EEA nationals applying to enter the Irish labour market under the Work Permit and Green Card and schemes from 1 June 2009.
In recognition of the fact that skills and labour shortages no longer exist in various sectors of employment, a number of occupations were added to the list of those ineligible for work permits, and a significant number of job categories have been removed from the Green Card eligible list where the salary payable for the job is in the range €30,000-€59,999 per annum.
It has been, and continues to be, Government policy to require that employers make a meaningful effort to give preference to Irish and EEA nationals in filling job vacancies. The labour market needs test now requires advertisement of the job vacancy for eight weeks with FÁS/EURES plus six days advertising in the national media, so as to allow the maximum opportunity for the position to be filled from within the Irish labour market and wider EEA. Other changes were introduced for non-EEA nationals entering the labour market from 1 June including revised provisions for the renewal of permits and the requirement for spouses and dependants of principal work permit holders to apply for permits in their own right subject to the standard eligibility criteria and fees for work permits.
However, such changes to our system were not unmindful of the impact on immigrant workers here, or of the views of groups representing their interests. Government recognises the fact that permit holders who have been living in Ireland for several years have made a real contribution to the economy, and that they too are potentially impacted by adverse labour market conditions, including redundancy situations. Therefore, subject to satisfactory presentation of documents to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, foreign nationals who have held a permit for more than five years and have been working lawfully during that time are now entitled to an immigration permission that enables them to reside in Ireland and to work without the need for an employment permit. Foreign nationals working on a permit prior to 1 June 2009 and who have held a permit for less than five years may remain, for a six month period following redundancy, in order to seek work in an ineligible as well as an eligible category. The labour market needs test has also been removed for current and future work permit holders who have been made redundant.
My Department will continue to keep employment permit arrangements under review to ensure they remain suitable and relevant to current labour market conditions. As before, the views of relevant stakeholders and interest groups will be taken into account in this ongoing review process.
25 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in the interests of clarity and accountability she will in future ensure that all parliamentary questions relating to the day to day expenditure at FÁS or other bodies, groups or agencies under her aegis are answered by her in the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41080/09]
As Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I am directly accountable to the Oireachtas for the activities of my Department and my Department's own expenditure decisions. In that regard, together with the Ministers of State assigned to the Department, I answer parliamentary questions, adjournment debates, etc, on our departmental policies and strategies. I also present my Department's Annual Output Statement to the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment each year.
Consistent with the duties and responsibilities assigned under the Ministers and Secretaries Acts, the Comptroller and Auditor General Acts and the Public Service Management Act, the Secretary General of the Department is the Accounting Officer and appears before the Public Accounts Committee to answer questions on the detail of the Department's expenditures. Furthermore, those expenditures are examined each year by the Comptroller and Auditor General, who publishes his findings, and whose report informs the annual PAC consideration of the Department's Appropriation Account.
In addition, a number of agencies operate under the aegis of my Department in supporting the development and delivery of our enterprise and labour market programmes in particular. The roles and responsibilities of these agencies are set out in their establishment legislation, as amended from time to time. The chief officer of each agency, and the chairman of each agency board, is directly accountable to the Oireachtas through our committee system where they can be called to account for individual elements of agency expenditures. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to answer for the day-to-day decisions and expenditures of the individual agencies when Oireachtas members have such a direct facility to call to account the heads of each agency in relation to their stewardship of the agency and the day-to-day expenditure decisions they take.
I believe that these systems, which are well-established over a long period of time, operate in a manner that strikes the appropriate balance between the principle of democratic accountability by me as Minister and the demands on the agencies to perform efficiently and effectively the functions for which they were established in their own right. They ensure that the Oireachtas can accesses all pertinent information on "day to day expenditure" directly from those who are immediately responsible for taking such decisions, while also holding Ministers directly accountable for overall policy decision or directions.
26 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the deficit in the Industrial Development Authority’s pension fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40962/09]
44 Deputy James Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the deficit in the pension fund of each semi-State agency under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40967/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 44 together.
Four of the 14 agencies in my Department have pension funds. Based on returns from the bodies in question, the following tabular statement below lists the assets and liabilities of the relevant pension funds at 31 December 2008.
|
Agency |
2008 Assets |
2008 Liabilities |
|
FÁS |
328,193,000 |
631,428,000 |
|
IDA (Forfás) |
182,800,000 |
209,340,000 |
|
Irish Goods Council (Forfás) |
2,081,000 |
3,529,000 |
|
SFADCo |
48,000,000 |
64,900,000 |
I understand that Asset figures have improved in the interim, but are subject to market fluctuations.
27 Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on publication of the research report entitled Issues and Challenges in the Recruitment and Selection of Immigrant Workers in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40888/09]
The report "Issues and Challenges in the Recruitment and Selection of Immigrant Workers in Ireland", published in July 2009, was prepared by the WRC, Social and Economic Consultants, for the Employers' Diversity Network of the Public Appointments Service. Part-funded by the Office of the Minister for Integration, the research report recounted the experiences of job seekers from different ethnic groups in seeking employment in Ireland and identified particular difficulties that they encountered. The report also examined and commented on the practices and experiences of employers in relation to the recruitment of non-Irish nationals. Set against the background of current difficult labour market conditions, the report offers a valuable insight into the challenges facing immigrant workers and underscores the necessity for employers to ensure that their recruitment processes are fair, diversity friendly and based on equality of opportunity. I would consequently urge employers to make themselves aware of the findings of the report and, where recruitment procedures are found wanting, to act on the guidance it provides.
The Government is determined to manage economic migration in a way that protects the rights of all workers, maintains unemployment at the lowest level possible and ensures successful integration of migrants into Irish society. I welcome the report's recognition of the managed approach to labour migration policy that has been achieved in recent years.
My Department has been concerned to ensure that policies in this area can respond quickly and effectively to changes in Ireland's economic performance. The Employment Permits Act 2006 enabled the implementation of economic migration and employment permits arrangements designed to ensure flexible, responsive and co-ordinated measures for facilitating migrants' entry to the country for the purposes of employment. The granting of an employment permit for a non-EEA national now requires a job offer from a prospective Irish employer who has made every effort to recruit an Irish or EEA national for the post. Through the development of this vacancy-driven policy, Ireland's employment permits system has become more efficient at meeting the needs of the labour market, while at the same time ensuring that those workers who are subject to an employment permit are afforded the protection of the full range of employment rights legislation on a par with Irish and EU nationals.
28 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to support indigenous exporters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40915/09]
49 Deputy John Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to support small business to export; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40913/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 49 together.
Notwithstanding the challenging trading environment, global opportunities for Irish businesses remain significant. My Department, through Enterprise Ireland, is active both in assisting Irish indigenous companies to find new markets for their products and services and to increase their existing level of market share. Encouraging companies to re-orientate towards the Eurozone in the first instance and, for those which are most capable, into areas such as the Gulf, Brazil, India and China, where economies are still growing is a priority. I have been active in leading trade missions to develop new opportunities for Irish exporters and will continue to do so, to both existing long-established markets, to the new EU member states and also to other emerging high-growth markets, with a view to increasing the share of exports by Irish companies worldwide.
Continuous productivity improvements are essential if Irish companies are to increase their export potential and reach the world-class standards necessary to meet the challenges of the international market place. Sustainable economic recovery will be driven by enterprises focused on increasing their exports of innovative products and services in global markets. To support this, I launched the enterprise stabilisation fund earlier this year, which enables internationally trading companies survive the current global downturn by supporting their drive to reduce costs and, through increased competitiveness, gain sales in overseas markets.
Enterprise Ireland has identified new opportunities for clients emerging from the stimulus packages announced by Governments particularly in the UK, US, Germany and France, and directed its dedicated units to work with Irish companies to take advantage of opportunities such as the 2012 London Olympics build programmes. The agency has also established a specialised unit to help companies drive down costs and focus on lean processes. Other Enterprise Ireland supports available to exporting companies include the Going Global Fund, the International Selling Programme, the Growth Fund and the Research and Development Fund.
This week I announced that 7,478 jobs are to receive direct support under the first round of the employment subsidy scheme (ESS). A total of 453 companies engaged in manufacturing and/or internationally traded services are being informed of their successful applications. The scheme provides a subsidy of €9,100 over 15 months per qualifying employee in vulnerable but viable firms. Due to a lower than anticipated take-up, I will be announcing details of a second broader call for ESS applications with extended eligibility criteria open to both exporting and non-exporting firms next week.
29 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the burden on small and medium sized companies of local authority rates; if she will take some responsibility for ensuring that this burden is lightened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41082/09]
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley and I have met with the county managers, to discuss local authority charges in the context of easing cost pressures on business at local level and promoting economic activity. We have made the concerns of businesses very clear to the county managers and I would like to assure the Deputy that local authorities are fully aware of the financial realities facing businesses across the country.
In addition, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, has issued a letter to all county/city managers asking them to consider "whether there are any measures open to the local authority to support new or existing enterprises in their area by, for example, reduced development contribution rates, deferral of payments, etc".
I have been assured by the County and City Managers' Association that, in engaging with elected members in the run up to and adoption of the Annual Rate on Valuation for Budgets for 2010, managers will continue to take a balanced and prudent view and will continue to bear in mind the concerns of business at this difficult time.
The average increase on local authority rates in 2009 was 1.15% with many rating authorities introducing no increase this year.
30 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she last held a meeting with the Director of Corporate Enforcement; the issues discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40899/09]
I last met with the Director of Corporate Enforcement on 19 of February this year. Among the matters discussed were a general outline of the director's functions and powers, a general briefing in relation to the ongoing work of his office and current resources.
31 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on her proposed code of conduct for the grocery sector. [41052/09]
59 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress being made on the establishment of a code of practice for doing business in the grocery goods sector; the proposed timeframe for its completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40786/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 59 together.
The renewed programme for Government contains a specific commitment to "implement a Code of Practice for doing business in the grocery goods sector to develop a fair trading relationship between retailers and their suppliers" and "to review progress of the code and if necessary to put in place a mandatory code".
The House will be aware that I launched a public consultation process seeking the views of all stakeholders in relation to the introduction of a code of practice for grocery goods undertakings earlier this year. A total of 29 responses were received to the consultation process. These responses are currently being analysed by my Department. It is intended that this analysis will inform how best to give effect to the commitment in the programme for Government.
The Government's efforts in this area are essentially based on the need to ensure that Ireland continues to have vibrant and successful food and retail sectors, given the important role these sectors play in the national economy. In this regard, the Government fully recognises the importance of achieving a balance in the relationships between the various players in the grocery goods sector, which takes account of the interests of all the various parties, including the consumer's interests and the need to ensure that there is no impediment to the passing-on of lower prices to consumers.
32 Deputy John Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the deficit in the FÁS pension fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40964/09]
The valuation figures for the FÁS Closed Superannuation Scheme, which solely covers former AnCO staff, as at 31 December 2008 are the following:
the market value of pension fund assets is €328 million;
the present value of pension liabilities is €631million. This leaves a deficit in the FÁS pension fund of €303 million.
The valuation has been prepared by a qualified independent actuary under accounting standard FRS17. This standard was issued by the Accounting Standards Board in November 2000. The standard deals with the treatment of pensions and other retirement benefits in company accounts. Its principal focus is to make reported accounts for pensions more transparent to ensure greater consistency between entities in the way pension costs are disclosed. It effectively provides a snapshot of assets at current value and the present value of liabilities into the future based on actuarial assumptions e.g. annuity rates, inflation, mortality rates, etc.
The current deficit in the fund reflects the collapse in equity values over 2008 and the early part of 2009, which has led to a significant fall in the total market value of pension scheme assets. While the present value of funded pension liabilities has also dropped over the same period, it has done so to a lesser extent. The asset figures have improved in the interim but remain subject to market fluctuations.
In April 2008 following consideration by the Government of a proposal that the assets of the funds and the liabilities of a number of State pension schemes be taken over by the State, the Government decided in principle to:
authorise the Department of Finance to enter into discussion with the trustees and administrators of the respective Pension Funds with a view to winding up the funds;
have the NPRF take over the assets of the Pension Funds and
have the liabilities of the schemes taken over by the State and
once the transfer of the assets was effected, the schemes would be operated on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The Pension Funds in question included several non-commercial State bodies schemes under the aegis of my Department: FÁS, SFADCO, IDA and the National Goods Council. The FÁS Closed Superannuation Scheme provides benefits for pensionable staff of FÁS who were former AnCO staff.
Following the consultation with the trustees and administrators of the schemes concerned, legislation was prepared in order to enable the transfer of the assets and liabilities of the pension funds. The necessary powers were included in the Financial Measures (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. A transfer order must be made under the Act to give effect to the transfer of each fund.
In preparation for the transfer of assets from the FÁS superannuation fund to the National Pension Reserve Fund, the superannuation scheme, which was set up under Statutory Instrument 515 of 1998, has recently been amended by Statutory Instrument 414 of 2009. Provisions in respect of the Closed Spouses' and Children's Contributory Pension Scheme are set out in Statutory Instrument 420 of 2009.
34 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of foreign investors she has, through the Industrial Development Authority, brought to each of the counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim and Donegal to date in 2009; if she is satisfied that an effort is being made to find foreign investors for the Border region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40773/09]
I have been informed by IDA Ireland that to date in 2009 the agency hosted 29 itineraries by potential investors to Louth and three to Donegal. The agency has also informed me that in the same period there have been no such site visits to Monaghan, Cavan or Leitrim. While IDA Ireland can and does encourage clients to visit particular locations, the final decision on where to visit or locate is taken in all cases by the clients.
Through its network of overseas offices, IDA Ireland is actively marketing the counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan Leitrim and Donegal for new and expansion investments across a wide range of sectors. In line with the National Spatial Strategy, the agency is concentrating its efforts in this area on the Gateway and Hub locations. This strategy involves matching investor requirements with the competencies, infrastructure and critical mass of the Gateway and Hub locations to secure the maximum number of investments for Ireland.
In the present competitive global market, as Ireland competes for new investments at the highest end of the value chain, the concept of scale is crucial to our ability to win FDI projects. Leading corporations require a significant population of highly qualified talent, effective physical and digital infrastructure, coupled with availability of sophisticated professional support services. If we are to continue being successful in realising a large proportion of FDI investments outside of the larger cities, we must adhere to the framework on which the NSS is constructed. IDA has in recent years set a high level target to deliver in excess of 60% of investments outside the Greater Dublin Area. In 2008 this target was achieved and in these five counties mentioned here the area total of 51 IDA supported companies employing a total of 6,117 people. Enterprise Ireland and the county enterprise boards continue to play a critical role in nurturing indigenous industry across the Border region. Important infrastructural investment in roads and broadband are taking place to increase the attractiveness of the region for start ups and companies wishing to expand.
35 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she has taken to implement the recommendations of the report entitled Towards a Framework for Research Careers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40907/09]
As a key support for leveraging growth and productivity Ireland has substantially increased the public investment in R&D in recent years and therefore substantially increased the size of its research community.
The development of sustainable career paths is vital if we are to continue to attract talented young people into research, as our human and intellectual capital is an important draw for attracting and embedding innovative FDI companies here and stimulating indigenous companies to grow their R&D capacity.
The Advisory Science Council produced its report, "Towards a Framework for Researcher Careers”, at end-2008. The Council recommended a career path with distinct stages and with a rigorous competitive selection process at each stage. A national programme that provides advice to researchers on career planning is also recommended.
The task of progression of a framework along those lines has been entrusted to the Higher Education Research Group (HERG), an implementing mechanism of the strategy for science, technology and innovation chaired by the Department of Education and Science and representative of all the key stakeholders. The progression of this framework will have to take account of the developing budgetary position and any associated developments with regard to public sector employment.
In the interim research funding agencies have sought to align their approach consistent with the broad general principles to be addressed in the researcher career framework. A notable example is the SFI Starting Investigator Research Grant (SIRG) which addresses a significant issue that currently exists in the Irish researcher community, namely, the transition from a post-doctorate researcher to being an independent, self-funded investigator.
The SIRG award provides the support and infrastructure to enable early career researchers to carry out novel research in areas that underpin biotechnology, information and communications technology, and sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies. The awards offer funding opportunities that help third-level institutions attract and develop researchers. The first SIRG awards were made in October 2009, with 15 awardees from seven institutions, with a total value of €7.9 million including overheads.
36 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her intention to appoint an advisory council of business leaders as outlined in her smart economy document; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40951/09]
I receive ongoing advice from my Department and the heads of the enterprise development agencies that report to my Department, as well as from business leaders and representative groups around the country. This has assisted in framing the Government's response to the current economic situation. I should also acknowledge the public spirited response from many individuals and groups who have written to me and other members of Government with their ideas and proposals.
The business sector is regularly invited to feed expert knowledge into the policy making system and to join with Departments and Government in evaluating and implementing enterprise policies. For example, the recent Global Irish Economic Forum held at Farmleigh captured the ideas and advice of key business leaders in the diaspora. I have received reports from the services strategy group and the high level group on manufacturing, both chaired by business leaders and recommendations contained in these reports are being advanced within the Framework for Economic Renewal. Furthermore, the R&D enterprise feedback group and the high level group on business regulation bring forward proposals and identify specific measures to support the enterprise sector and improve the regulatory environment on a regular basis.
More recently we have established the high level group on green enterprise and also the innovation task force to support the development of the smart economy. The considerable knowledge and expertise of the various members of these groups will contribute substantially to future enterprise policy.
Furthermore, I will shortly be re-convening the small business forum to gain its assessment and views on the impact of the current economic situation on the needs of the sector as it positions for recovery. In light of the range of advice available to me and the work of these groups, I have no proposals at this point to establish a business advisory council as outlined in the smart economy document.
37 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to lower the business cost base here in view of the assertion of the Competition Authority that the problem of the Republic of Ireland’s higher cost base is a much more long term threat to the competitiveness of retailers, suppliers and all businesses here; her further plans to tackle energy costs to business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40952/09]
This Government recognises the critical importance of reducing business costs at this time, when all sources of efficiency are in focus and when jobs are at stake in all sectors of the economy. Restoring cost competitiveness is a vital part of driving export led growth.
Under the Framework for Economic Renewal we are taking a number of measures across Government to improve our competitiveness. Cost competitiveness has been a particular focus of attention and we are already seeing results. Firstly, Irish inflation reached minus 6.5% in the year to September 2009 — the sharpest fall in Ireland since the 1920s. We have also seen a decline in unit labour costs, which has a direct effect on competitiveness. We continue to exert further downward pressure on costs, including reviewing those recommendations of the Competition Authority that have most effect on competitiveness. We are working to ease costs to enterprise in administered sectors of the economy under State control such as local authority charges. We are also easing the administrative burden that regulations can create.
The Government recognises that the cost of energy in Ireland is a serious competitiveness issue facing the enterprise sector during this difficult period for the economy. The provision of secure, sustainable and competitive energy supplies is critical for the economy. Ireland's high energy costs, by comparison with much of Europe, are primarily due to significant dependence on imported fossil fuels, particularly gas, as well as a requirement for very significant investment in energy infrastructure. Recognising the concerns of business, the Government has put in place a number of measures to mitigate the cost of energy for business.
The trend of energy prices for business has been downward in recent months. Following the double-digit energy price reductions in May 2009, from this October there has been a further significant reduction in gas prices and a modest reduction in electricity prices for medium business customers. Overall, all categories of business, including SMEs, have benefited from significant energy price decreases in 2009. These reductions will result in a further easing on cost pressures for businesses.
The CER has also recently announced that the PSO levy will be zero for 2009/2010. The level of capacity payments, that compensate electricity generators for their long run costs, will also be 15% lower in 2010 compared with 2009. This represents a direct saving to all electricity consumers in 2010. Working with the CER, the Government is also investigating the scope for further permanent structural changes to our electricity markets that will benefit business. These changes include some re-balancing of network tariffs, as well as recovering carbon windfall gains from electricity generators. The CER is also about to commence work on a five-year review of network expenditure.
The Government remains firmly committed to increasing competition as the best means of exerting downward pressure on electricity prices, and also towards ensuring diversity of energy supply to reduce our exposure to high and volatile external energy prices. Significant progress has been made to date, most notably with the all-island Single Electricity Market now in place, the sale of ESB generation capacity, entry of new players and new generation capacity coming on-stream in the Irish market.
38 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created and lost by the Industrial Development Authority to date in 2009 on a county basis in tabular form; the way in which this compares to the same period in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40977/09]
The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are supported by the industrial development agencies. Data is compiled on an annualised basis and is aggregated at county level. The latest date for which figures are available is 2008. Data in respect of 2009 will not be available until early in 2010. Details of the number of jobs lost and new jobs created in IDA supported companies in 2008 is set out in the following tabular statement.
|
County |
Number of new jobs created |
Number of jobs lost |
|
Carlow |
39 |
28 |
|
Cavan |
32 |
26 |
|
Clare |
139 |
14 |
|
Cork |
2,036 |
1,487 |
|
Donegal |
67 |
49 |
|
Dublin |
4,041 |
4,060 |
|
Galway |
688 |
712 |
|
Kerry |
86 |
108 |
|
Kildare |
109 |
634 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
9 |
|
Laois |
0 |
20 |
|
Leitrim |
35 |
43 |
|
Limerick |
286 |
694 |
|
Longford |
30 |
88 |
|
Louth |
121 |
433 |
|
Mayo |
132 |
128 |
|
Meath |
83 |
83 |
|
Monaghan |
15 |
14 |
|
Offaly |
24 |
47 |
|
Roscommon |
41 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
103 |
64 |
|
Tipperary North |
13 |
46 |
|
Tipperary South |
262 |
26 |
|
Waterford |
176 |
600 |
|
Westmeath |
134 |
265 |
|
Wexford |
91 |
73 |
|
Wicklow |
53 |
293 |
40 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she has taken to implement the recommendations of the services strategy group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40905/09]
The report of the Services Strategy Group, "Catching the Wave: A Services Strategy for Ireland”, sets out new policy proposals on how we can ensure the continued development and growth of Ireland’s services sector and outlines how to maximise the future returns to the country from services activities in all enterprises, both current and potential. Three strategic aims for future services policy in Ireland are identified in the report:
Realising the opportunities to further grow and diversify Irish services exports;
Encouraging internationalisation, where Irish service enterprises establish operations in overseas markets;
Recognising the important role of Irish service enterprises that trade locally on the domestic market, and ensuring that these are efficient and productive
Since the launch of the Services Strategy in 2008, considerable progress has been made in respect of many of the recommendations.
Enterprise Ireland's strategy for the internationalisation of Ireland's services sector, aims to promote a significant increase in exports sales in this sector by 2015 while Enterprise Ireland's "Going Global Fund" is aimed specifically at locally traded companies that have successfully established businesses in Ireland and wish to explore opportunities to sell abroad. EI's Growth Fund is designed to assist small to medium sized clients achieve greater competitiveness by improving their export potential. This will be achieved by increasing gross output and productivity whilst also maintaining existing employment levels.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) has carried out an in-depth sectoral analysis to identify areas with most potential for services export growth. The market opportunity in 19 individual sub-sectors has been assessed and an action plan developed for each, in consultation with clients and industry players to accelerate international sales and maximise the number achieving scale. The Internationally Traded Services (ITS) business unit client group is expected to contribute in a significant way to scaling exports in the medium/long term. My Department is in the process of extending the Services Industries Order 2003, to incorporate the area of educational services. The education sector provides significant opportunities for Ireland to increase exports and value added in international education and to develop new initiatives in the training and executive development areas.
My Department is also working on the transposition of the EU services directive which should be finalised by the end of this year. The directive is designed to create a genuine EU single market in services with benefits for Irish service providers and Irish consumers. A fully functioning single market in services will substantially enhance Ireland's competitiveness as well as that of the EU as whole.
The agencies are actively assessing ways in which collaboration may be enhanced or systemised to the ultimate benefit of client companies. Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland co-operate very closely in relation to the internationally traded services area. Joint work is currently under way in: fostering competence centres in the services sector; overseas marketing on ministerial led trade missions; and in progressing the development of capabilities and competencies critical to services. The IVI Consortium Competence Centre (IVIC3), with support from EI, represents a large consortium of companies with common research needs in the area of IT services and IT innovation. The consortium is comprised of a number of private and public sector organisations including Intel, Microsoft, SAP, ENZO, Xilinx, BP, Boston Consulting, ESB, Ernst & Young, Aviva, Compugen, Chevron and Air Tricity. It is expected that as the competence centre is established, that other companies (particularly SMEs), will join.
The expert group on future skills needs recently published a report Skills in Creativity, Design and Innovation. This report contains a number of recommendations, which are relevant to building an economy based on creativity and innovation.
Arising from the work of the IDA services innovation team, a specific strategy and action plan to promote services innovation and R&D in all IDA companies, not just services companies, has been identified. IDA Ireland is implementing this action plan, aimed at providing a suite of support measures to promote and develop services innovation within multinational companies.
41 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she has taken to support small business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40909/09]
47 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to support the small and medium enterprise sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40970/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 47 together.
In supporting small and medium enterprises, Government focus has been on actions to sustain a positive business environment, including the proper functioning of the banking system, allied with specific targeted supports for SMEs through the enterprise development agencies. Developments in the financial sector and wider economy during the last year have broadened the concerns for SMEs in relation to gaining access to finance and bank credit.
My Department and I have held regular meetings with the representative bodies of the SME sector and other stakeholders in relation to issues impacting on the sector and established the Roundtable on Access to Bank Credit and subsequently the Credit Supply Clearing Group with a dedicated e-mail contact point, to specifically deal with access to bank credit issues.
The Government has focused on creating a fit for purpose banking system and taken actions to sustain the banks and facilitate the flow of credit to the wider economy. The bank guarantee scheme, the banks' recapitalisation scheme, the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank and the NAMA Bill currently before the Oireachtas are all aimed at this. This has been further strengthened by the Government amendment to that Bill providing the Minister for Finance with a power to issue guidelines, to the participating institutions in the NAMA process, on lending practices and procedures to improve the flow of credit to small and medium-sized enterprises and, if necessary, to other sectors.
Under the recapitalisation scheme additional measures were introduced to support SMEs including a commitment to increase lending capacity to SMEs by 10%, the establishment of a €100 million environmental and clean energy innovation fund by each bank, the contribution of a further €15 million by each bank to new or existing seed capital funds, the introduction of the banks' code of conduct on business lending to SMEs, and the undertaking of an independent review of bank credit.
In the context of access to finance, Irish Banks have drawn down European Investment Bank (EIB) funding for loans for SMEs. In 2009, the EIB made €300 million available to Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks and Ulster Bank for onward lending to SMEs carrying out investment projects. This was additional to €50 million previously made available to Bank of Scotland Ireland through its UK parent.
Within my own Department, the enterprise development agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, FÁS and the County and City Enterprise Boards have continued to assist enterprises through their grant and advisory schemes. Significant allocations were made in my Department's Estimates for 2009 to sustain the work of the development agencies. The €100 million enterprise stabilisation fund and the €250 million employment subsidy scheme are additional measures to make funding available to assist SMEs through the current difficulties. I announced a broadening out of the employment subsidy scheme earlier this week.
Government has also introduced formal arrangements to reduce the payment period by central Government Departments to their business suppliers from 30 to 15 calendar days. This commitment has effect on all valid invoices received on and from 15 June 2009 and is helping cash flow difficulties for enterprises.
I recently announced my intention to re-convene the small business forum to gain its assessment and views on the impact of the current economic situation on the needs of the SME sector as it positions itself for recovery. The SBF will also consider the new arrangements now necessary for ongoing structured dialogue between policy makers and stakeholders in the sector to ensure a continued common understanding of all the issues and the potential means of address. This meeting of the small business forum will take place in the coming weeks.
SMEs are central to our economic development and the range of measures and supports in place will continue to help the sector adapt to the current economic climate.
42 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the differential between the redundancy figures and the live register figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40961/09]
The redundancy payment scheme is administered by my Department on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs and makes payments in respect of eligible employees who qualify for statutory redundancy entitlement. Redundancy payments are paid out of the Social Insurance Fund (SIF).
Under the scheme, all eligible employees are entitled to a statutory redundancy lump sum payment on being made redundant. A redundancy situation arises in general where an employee's job no longer exists and he/she is not replaced. To qualify for redundancy the following criteria must obtain:
The employee must have at least two years continuous service (104 weeks).
The employee must be in employment which is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. Full-time employees must be in employment which is insurable for all benefits under the Social Welfare Acts. For part-time employees, this does not apply.
The employee must be 16 years or older
The employee must have been made redundant as a result of a genuine redundancy situation. Therefore, the redundancy payment statistics compiled by my Department measure the number of persons in employment with a minimum of two years continuous service and who meet the other criteria that I have mentioned in order to obtain redundancy entitlements. By definition, this would exclude persons in employment who do not qualify under the terms of the redundancy payments.
In relation to the Live Register figures, it should be noted that the Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment. It includes part-time, seasonal and casual workers who are entitled to unemployment benefit. At the end of October 2009 there were 412,400 people on the Live Register claiming unemployment benefits, which is 7,440 (1.8%) less than in September 2009. The live register is, however, 161,700 (64.5%) higher than this time last year. The year-on-year increase (currently measured from October 2008 to October 2009) is continuing to decline from the peak of 197,800 recorded in June 2009. The seasonally adjusted figure for October is 422,500, which is a monthly decrease of 3,000 from September.
As the Deputy may know, the quarterly household survey collated and published by the Central Statistics Office measures employment and unemployment. According to the most recent survey there were 264,600 persons unemployed in the second quarter of 2009, an increase of 137,900 (+109%) over the corresponding period in the previous year.
43 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the former Director General of FÁS resigned voluntarily from his position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41051/09]
62 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the circumstances surrounding the approval of an enhanced pension for the former Director General of FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40971/09]
69 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her part in approving the enhanced financial package for the former Director General of FÁS on his departure from the agency; if she is satisfied that the package was consistent with the law and with all regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41050/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 62 and 69 together.
The resignation of the person concerned from the position of Director General of FÁS was secured as it was considered to be in line with the best interests of the FÁS organisation and its clients. The former Director General resigned on the basis that severance arrangements acceptable to him were agreed.
The severance arrangements were granted in accordance with section 6 (3) of the Labour Services Act, 1987, and with the required approvals under SI 514/1998.
45 Deputy Pat Rabbitte 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 to date in 2009 regarding delays or non-implementation of such directives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41074/09]
There are currently a total of 10 EU Directives due to be transposed by my Department up to 2012. Three of these Directives are currently overdue, namely Directive 2008/47/EC on aerosol dispensers, Directive 2006/43/EC on statutory audits of annual and consolidated accounts and Directive 2006/46/EC on company reporting. My Department aims to transpose these Directives by 13 November, 30 November and 31 December 2009 respectively.
Full details on the state of play of all current EU Directives due for transposition are maintained on the Department's website, www.entemp.ie.
My Department has received 26 Reasoned Opinions from the European Commission relating to Directives since 2002. All but two of the outstanding issues have been settled satisfactorily. The remaining issues concern the two Directives 2006/43 and 2006/46 as mentioned above.
The transposition of EU Directives is an ongoing priority in my Department and is reported to the Management Board on a regular basis.
46 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will report on the progress of the national skills strategy; if she will ensure that the implementation plan of the national skills strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40768/09]
54 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to address the skills shortages within the economy over the next five to ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40903/09]
89 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to address the issues highlighted by an expert group on future skills needs in its annual review of employment and skills here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40901/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 54 and 89 together.
The National Skills Strategy (NSS) provides details of an ambitious vision for the skills profile in Ireland in 2020. It contains a long-term target for some 500,000 workers to increase their levels of educational attainment by at least one level of the National Framework of Qualifications. This remains the long-term objective. However, the immediate national priority is to provide, to the greatest extent possible and with limited resources, for the needs of the increasing numbers of unemployed.
An Inter-Departmental Committee was established in February 2008 with a view to drawing up an Implementation Plan for the NSS. The drafting of the Implementation Plan is at an advanced stage. However, the changed economic circumstances will certainly have an impact on the implementation of the NSS. The Implementation Plan is currently being updated to reflect the changed circumstances which include a significant increase in the unemployed.
Significant progress has been made both in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and in the Department of Education and Science towards providing additional training opportunities for the unemployed so as to increase their potential for re-employment. These new initiatives to reflect the changed employment situation will also be addressed in the Implementation Plan.
In addition, a recently appointed innovation taskforce will advise Government on options to increase innovation and entrepreneurship and to maximise the benefits of investment in science, technology and research. It is vital that activation initiatives currently being planned fit into the overall framework and targets of the NSS and Active Labour Market Policies. In addition, resources must be targeted and prioritised to maximum effect across the education sector.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) advises the Irish Government on current and future skills needs of the economy and on other labour market issues that impact on Ireland's enterprise and employment growth. It has a central role in ensuring that labour market needs for skilled workers are anticipated and met.
In addition to identification of any need for policy or structural changes over time and being aware of:
associated operational programmes to meet national skills requirements;
the commitment to progressively promote greater recourse to learning throughout life; and
capitalising on instructive developments internationally, the group is also mandated to discharge a central role in ensuring that labour market needs for skilled workers are anticipated and provided for.
The EGFSN reports to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Education and Science.
Representatives of all publicly funded education and training providers are represented on the group. In addition the group ensures that copies of its reports are sent to individual providers. EGFSN reports provide a valuable input to the development and amendment of course curricula to allow education and training provision to meet current and future skills needs.
48 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on references in the 2006 bilateral agreement on an all-island economy (details supplied) regarding packages offered to investors by Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland; if she will address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40954/09]
The ground-breaking Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy, to which the Deputy refers, sets out a strong rationale for beneficial all-island economic activity. The strategic context for North/South co-operation, which is outlined in the study, highlights the “market-widening effect” of a larger market on the island of Ireland, where previously unexplored business opportunities are exploited and companies may redesign their logistical strategies to respond to these business opportunities.
InterTradeIreland, the all-island trade and business development body which is jointly sponsored by my Department and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland, has a central role to play in helping businesses North and South to tap into the all-island market place. It is implementing a wide range of North/South programmes, which provide opportunities for businesses to improve their competitive performance, and these include technology transfer, sales and marketing, sectoral business networks and promoting equity finance to accelerate business growth. It also undertakes vital research, provides information and offers advice to companies.
Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland have separate remits and operate in two different jurisdictions. Enterprise Ireland assists companies based in Ireland and has no role in providing support to companies based in Northern Ireland. Equally, Invest Northern Ireland offers grant-aid to potential investors in Northern Ireland and has no remit in this jurisdiction.
Enterprise Ireland is fully committed to an all-island economy and is working on a number of initiatives/programmes both independently and in conjunction with Invest Northern Ireland and InterTradeIreland. For example, Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding which provides a practical and sensible approach to enabling companies North and South to benefit from the overseas trade activities of each organisation and the Trade Mission/Trade Fair activities of each organisation. To date in 2009, 15 Northern Ireland companies have participated in Enterprise Ireland Trade visits/missions to Japan, US East Coast and Russia, and 6 on a Ministerial Embassy networking event in the UK. A number of Northern Ireland companies have also had access to Enterprise Ireland overseas offices and its Marketplace Service.
Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and InterTradeIreland have held seven "Bridging the Border" events over the last three years. These events are designed to promote joint opportunities between firms North and South in areas such as licensing agreements, commercial agreements, sub-contracting, technical co-operation and business partnerships. Information is provided on agencies' support programmes as well as one-to-one meetings with potential business partners.
Other Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland initiatives include:
Propel Programme: A cross-Border entrepreneurship initiative for fledgling entrepreneurs in the six counties of Northern Ireland and border counties in Ireland. The Programme follows the success of a previous cross border entrepreneurship initiative (the Transform Programme).
Innovation Voucher Scheme: This all-island scheme initiative was launched jointly by Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland in May 2008. The scheme provides SMEs based in Ireland with access to a further 10 knowledge providers based in Northern Ireland and allows Northern Ireland based SMEs access expertise in a further 38 knowledge providers in Ireland. To date 14 companies based in Ireland have completed projects with Northern Ireland knowledge providers and 8 Northern Ireland companies have completed projects with Ireland based knowledge providers. The agencies are continually engaged in close co-operation on the development of this efficient and effective cross-border initiative.
50 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made with regard to preparation of the promised legislation to ban cross-directorships and to prevent chief executives from becoming chairman of their companies; when she expects that legislation will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41063/09]
On foot of the commitment in the Renewed Programme for Government of October 2009, the Government will consider the optimum legislative mechanisms to regulate in these areas in the light of the Financial Reporting Council reviews of the Combined Code of Corporate Governance and taking into account the views of the Company Law Review Group in the matter.
51 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the announcement of the loss of 119 jobs at a plant (details supplied) in County Cork; the discussions she has had with the industrial development agencies with a view to securing replacement jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41077/09]
I am aware that Harris Incorporated has advised its 70 permanent and 49 temporary employees that it intends closing its newly acquired operation (formerly Tyco Electronics) at Ballytrasna, Little Island, County Cork. The operation is to close in June 2010, with manufacturing to cease by March 2010. The primary reason for the closure is that Harris has surplus capacity at its Rochester New York facility.
I very much regret the company's decision to cease operations in Cork. The decision to close follows a review of operations by the company over the last few months. During that period IDA met with both local and corporate executives in the US, advocating the continued operation of the Cork unit, however ultimately the company decided to close the Cork facility.
The industrial development agencies, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, continue to work to secure new investments for the Cork area. IDA Ireland actively promotes the advantages of locating in Cork to overseas investors, which include a young skilled workforce, the presence of a University and Institute of Technology, and the availability of first class business parks, good infrastructure and an international airport.
There are currently 132 IDA supported enterprises in Cork City and County. Recent announcements of new investments in Cork include Big Fish Games (Mahon), Hovione (Ringaskiddy), Solarwinds (Mahon), Apex Fund Services (Midleton) and Marriott International (Blackpool). These projects will significantly add to the value and depth of the overseas industry in Cork. In addition to attracting new foreign direct investment, IDA continues to work closely with its existing clients in Cork to encourage the expansion of their operations. The success of this is demonstrated by the recent expansions of several companies in the county including McAfee, Blizzard, Gilead, Boston Scientific (R&D), Trend Micro, Alps Electric, Option Wireless, Alcon, Pfizer (pilot biologics facility), EMC (R&D), Siemens, dePuy (R&D), Arris and Alcon.
Despite the difficult global conditions which are impacting on international companies, Cork continues to demonstrate its attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment with over 850 new jobs having been announced in IDA supported client companies in Cork since the beginning of 2009.
52 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recommendation of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes that the enterprise functions of Shannon Development should be transferred to Enterprise Ireland and the Industrial Development Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41054/09]
As with all Group recommendations relevant to my Department, I am examining the recommendation in the context of Estimates for 2010 and evaluating its potential impact on the provision of services to enterprise and on my efforts to promote employment.
53 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the growing number of industrial disputes in which employers have ignored or failed to abide by adjudications of the labour relations agencies; if this problem has been raised with the employer organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41057/09]
The system of industrial relations in Ireland is essentially voluntarist in nature with the terms and conditions of employment of workers being determined in the main by a process of voluntary bargaining without the direct intervention of the State.
The law on trade disputes does not generally seek to impose a solution on the parties to a dispute but rather seeks to assist them in arriving at a solution. The State facilitates the bargaining process by providing a framework and institutions through which good industrial relations can prosper. Institutions that have been established to assist in the resolution of disputes between employers and workers include the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court. The Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court are independent statutory bodies that act independently in carrying out their functions.
Conciliation is a voluntary process in which a professional facilitator assists employers and employees to resolve disputes when their own unassisted efforts have not succeeded. The Labour Relations Commission's Conciliation Services Division is a core element of the Commission's contribution to promoting the improvement of industrial relations. Its record in a voluntary dispute environment is impressive, successfully resolving an average of 80% of cases. The Commission also offers a Rights Commissioner Service to deal with disputes involving individuals or small groups.
If the issues in a trade dispute cannot be resolved at conciliation, or a party appeals the recommendation of a rights commissioner, the Labour Court maybe called upon to issue its recommendations for resolving the matter. The Labour Court is a court of last resort in the industrial relations process, and it is expected that the parties come to the process in good faith and consequently are prepared to give serious consideration to the Court's recommendations.
Ultimately, however, responsibility for the resolution of trade disputes is a matter for the parties involved.
55 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to support science and innovation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40928/09]
The Government has made a commitment, through the substantial investment set out in the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) 2006-2013 and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013, to making a transition to a knowledge economy to enable Ireland to compete in a highly competitive global market. The importance of the SSTI lies not only in the scale of investment but as a whole-of-government strategy, coordinated by an Inter Departmental Committee chaired by my Department and reporting to and taking direction from the Cabinet Committee on STI.
In December 2008, the Government reinforced the importance of the investment in SSTI in ‘Building Ireland’s Smart Economy — A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal’, which prioritised continued investment in science and engineering infrastructure and research. Building a Smart Economy is about the development and application of human capital — the knowledge, skills and creativity of people — and our ability and effectiveness in translating ideas into valuable processes, products and services. The actions in Building Ireland’s Smart Economy both reflect and build on the objectives of the SSTI.
The renewed Programme for Government recognises the importance of productive public and private investment in R&D and sets a target of achieving a national R&D investment of 3% of GDP. The significant infrastructure investment underpinning the SSTI over the period to 2013 is central to economic recovery. The commercialisation of our research investment and the generation of a strong reputation for higher education and research, as well as output of quality graduates at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, will allow us to build a sustainable enterprise base underpinned by productive innovation activity across the economy.
Innovation activity is the foundation of future competitiveness and growth. Currently, the OECD notes that the economic crisis can magnify the competitive advantage of research-intense firms who seize the opportunity to reinforce market leadership through increased spending on innovation and R&D.
Our enterprise and investment landscape must continually transform itself to stay competitive. The model we strive for is the Smart Economy built on the dual strengths of our innovation and entrepreneurship. The establishment of a strong research base and culture in Ireland is proving to be a vital driver of major investment decisions by both overseas and indigenous companies.
With regard to the outputs of R&D we are building strong linkages to ensure diffusion and commercialisation of an increased flow of new ideas and knowledge to produce innovative products and services that will win export markets and create much needed sustainable employment.
Within my own Department the 2009 provision of €316m for Science and Technology activities enables Enterprise Ireland to operate three primary mechanisms aimed at helping companies to engage in R&D both within the company and in collaboration with third level institutions: promoting market-led innovation & R&D in manufacturing and services companies, supporting effective and flexible collaborations between companies and third-level researchers, and capitalising on the research investment made in higher education by taking commercially useful technology on to the market.
Enterprise Ireland's company R&D supports are designed to provide support for research, development and technological innovation relevant at all stages of company development, and which will enable companies to progress from undertaking an initial research project to higher level innovation and R&D activities. This transformation of R&D activity in enterprise programme is being supported through an expected investment of €61m in 2009.
Enterprise Ireland operates a range of supports to help companies engage with third level researchers to undertake collaborative research for the benefit of the company. Companies can be supported to undertake individual research projects from initial small scale collaborations, supported by means of €5,000 Innovation Vouchers or larger Innovation Partnerships. Larger collaborative research projects involving groups of companies are also supported. Industry Led Research Programmes and the new EI/IDA Competence Centre initiative allow industry groups to set a commercially valuable research agenda which academics in the higher education sector will deliver on. This programme — industry collaboration with the third-level sector — is being supported in 2009 by an expected investment of €29m.
Enterprise Ireland continually drives the commercial return on the State's research investment through direct funding to researchers to commercialise their research and supports to institutions to help build the commercialisation system. These include supports for effective Technology Transfer Offices in Universities, commercially relevant research centres in Institutes of Technology and Campus Incubation facilities to support new technology companies in their formative years. This programme to realise the commercial potential of Ireland's research community is supported in 2009 by an expected investment of €36m.
Complementary to the supports to Enterprise Ireland my Department also supports investment in SFI, to the extent of €165.4m in 2009. This investment allows SFI to support 29 world-class research centres across the Irish universities and Institutes of Technology. The 29 SFI centres comprise 10 Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology and 19 Strategic Research Clusters. These world-class centres are a major magnet of attraction which significantly enhances IDA Ireland's capacity to win research intensive investments to Ireland. Currently over 125 leading multinationals and indigenous firms are formally connected to these SFI funded centres with many more having informal interactions with them.
The SFI Principal Investigator programme is also a major instrument of world-class human capital delivery, developing and enhancing research talent in Ireland, so that Ireland retains the finest researchers working in, or attracted to, the country. Through the centres and individual competitive grants SFI funded researchers are collaborating and interacting with in excess of 300 leading multinationals and indigenous firms.
The recently published report ’Science, Technology and Innovation — Delivering the Smart Economy’ available online at
www.entemp.ie/publications/science/2009/delivering_the_Smart_Economy.pdf confirms that substantial progress has been made in the achievement of SSTI objectives. Key indicators of progress include:
Total Research and Development spending has almost trebled over 10 years. Total R&D investment across all sectors of the economy climbed to an estimated €2.6 billion in 2008, which is equivalent to 1.66% of GNP. The proportionate investment in R&D is one-third public investment and two-thirds business investment.
Business Expenditure on R&D (BERD) rose to €1.56 billion in 2006 — a 17% increase on the previous year — almost double the level recorded in 2000. It is estimated that BERD reached €1.68 billion in 2008.
Higher Education R&D investment has almost quadrupled in current terms over 10 years and is now at the EU and OECD average levels. This increased investment in the higher education sector is having a significant impact in terms of human capital development, feeding through to attraction of Foreign Direct Investment and commercialisation.
Science Foundation Ireland is creating a stream of highly skilled research talent and building Ireland's reputation as a location for R&D activity. Currently, the SFI funded world-class research teams work with over 300 companies which include many blue chip multinationals, such as GlaxoSmithKline, Intel, Hewlett Packard and Pfizer. It is through this close industry engagement, primarily through their Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology and Strategic Research Cluster Programmes, that SFI is supporting the employment of over 56,000 people in Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland are working closely with companies to strengthen the research and technological base of the enterprise sector in order to drive productivity, competitiveness, exports and jobs. In 2008 EI approved €61.42m under the R&D Fund in support of in-company R&D projects. Growth in researcher capacity, led by Science Foundation Ireland, coupled with the enhanced R&D tax credit, continues to be a major attraction for overseas investors, and is resulting in a series of significant industrial R&D investments in Ireland by IDA supported companies. Over 40% of IDA investments in 2008 were in R, D&I with approx. €420 millions of investment.
By the end of 2008, EI's Campus Incubation Programme supports over 230 companies located in Business Incubation Centres employing over 1,000 people. This provision of valuable business facilities is supplied in conjunction with the existing work of the Enterprise Ireland Community Enterprise Centres which are home to 735 companies employing over 3,600 people.
To increase the amount and quality of technologies emerging from the Higher Education System, Enterprise Ireland also approved support for 138 research projects under the Commercialisation Fund. This funding, combined with the resources Enterprise Ireland has put into the Technology Transfer Offices in Higher Education Institutes in Ireland has led to an increase in the number of disclosures of inventions, patent applications and start-up companies emerging from the education sector.
Enterprise Ireland also helped Irish companies to secure €19.3m in EU research funding and contracts worth €7.2m from the European Space Agency.
There were 588 Innovation Vouchers issued to small and medium-sized companies to help them acquire technical solutions from third-level institutions. Each voucher is worth €5,000 and 203 were redeemed by year-end. To increase levels of innovation in regional locations, five new Applied Research Enhancement Centres were opened in Irish Institutes of Technology, bringing the total number of these centres to 17 in 11 Institutes of Technology.
56 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to support enterprise development in the midland and western regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40934/09]
Enterprise Ireland delivers a wide range of supports to Irish companies, targeted at the specific requirements of clients to ensure that they develop to their full potential in terms of employment, innovation and exports. The Agency works with almost 490 client companies in the West Region which employ 10,535 people. In 2008, €19.7m was approved by Enterprise Ireland for clients in the West Region. In the Midlands, Enterprise Ireland works with over 330 client companies which employ over 8,800 people. In 2008, over €23m was approved by Enterprise Ireland for clients in the Midlands.
An important feature of Enterprise Ireland's work in the West and Midlands Region is the development of High Potential Start Up Companies. Eight such companies were supported in the Midlands & West in 2008. Additionally, Enterprise Ireland has been actively involved in promoting the availability of the Seed Capital and the Business Expansion Schemes in the Region.
The Enterprise Platform Programme is a partnership between Enterprise Ireland, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) and Athlone Institute of Technology. Twenty entrepreneurs, ten from the West based in GMIT in Galway and Castlebar and 10 from the Midlands, based in Athlone IT, are completing the 2009 programme. These entrepreneurs will spend the next year transforming their ideas into sustainable export oriented businesses with high growth potential.
IDA Ireland is actively marketing the midland counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly Westmeath and Roscommon and the western counties of Galway and Mayo for new inward investment across a range of sectors. In line with the National Spatial Strategy, IDA is concentrating its efforts on the Gateway and Hub locations in this area. This strategy involves matching investor requirements with the competencies, infrastructure and critical mass of the Gateway and Hub locations to secure the maximum amount of investment for Ireland. In this connection, under the revised EU Regional Aid Guidelines, the BMW and South East Regions are the only areas where Regional aid is available up to 2013. IDA has in recent years set a high level target to deliver in excess of 60% of investments outside the Greater Dublin Area. In 2008 this target was achieved.
Shannon Development offers the same range of State Aid / EU Approved Programmes, similar to IDA and Enterprise Ireland, for its indigenous and overseas clients in the Shannon Free Zone. During 2009, a number of Shannon Free Zone client companies have been approved for grant support under capability enhancement programmes including Training and Upskilling of employees, Strategic Management Consultancy and Market Development Supports. These include Job Retention Programmes. The Agency continues to place a strong focus on R&D supports to its client base.
The role of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) in the Midland and Western Region is to provide a source of support for micro-enterprise 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.
During 2008 the Midland Region CEBs, composed of Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly paid out over €1.26m in grant assistance to 114 clients. The CEBs in the Western Region, comprising Galway, Mayo and Roscommon have paid out over €1.2m in grant assistance to 104 clients. During 2009, the CEBs in the Midlands and Western Region will continue to support enterprise development through the provision of both direct financial assistance and through indirect or "soft support" assistance.
57 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when it is intended to publish the legislation to amend the Competition Acts 1991 to 2006 to uphold right of certain freelance workers such as actors and musicians to collective bargaining, which was promised as part of the Review of the Towards 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41072/09]
How best to give effect to the Towards 2016 commitment to exclude certain workers from the provisions of the Competition Act 2002 is being examined in the context of on-going work on the preparation of draft legislation which will give effect to the amalgamation of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority. In addition to including the amendments to section 4 of the Act subject to consistency with EU competition law, the proposed legislation will also encompass the outcome of the review of the operation and implementation of the Competition Act 2002 and the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Media Mergers.
While it is not possible at this point to give a precise date for publication, the earliest expected date for publication of the Bill is mid 2010.
58 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to streamline the public procurement process for small business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40969/09]
My Department recently established and chaired a Procurement Innovation Group who have developed new policy guidelines in conjunction with the National Public Procurement Policy Unit (NPPPU) in the Department of Finance and the National Public Procurement Operations Unit (NPPOU) in the OPW. The Group have produced two documents, which were published in July 2009: a Report with 13 recommendations — "Using Public Procurement to Stimulate Innovation and SME Access to Public Contracts” and a handbook entitled “Buying Innovation, The 10 Step Guide to SMART Procurement and SME Access to Public Contracts”. This Guide has been distributed across the entire public sector. My Department will continue to chair the Procurement Innovation Group to oversee the implementation of the Report.
Across Government, we are committed to implementing this initiative and improving access for SMEs. One of the specific aims of the National Public Procurement Operations Unit in the OPW is to streamline tender and contract documentation where practical across the Public Sector to facilitate easier access for SMEs. The Unit has embarked on a programme to implement this policy aim. I look forward to seeing a level playing field for all innovative companies, increased numbers of SMEs winning public contracts and also the benefits that this will achieve in terms of long-term quality and value for money, both for the public sector and for the taxpayer.
60 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding she provided to maintain jobs in small industries which has been committed and paid out to date in 2009; if she is satisfied that the funding is tailored towards the smaller units that are critical, particularly in areas such as the counties of Cavan and Monaghan. [40774/09]
My Department's continuous support for enterprises arises through maintaining a positive business environment and through particular interventions from the State development agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and the County and City Enterprise Boards.
Enterprise Ireland is focused on providing support to clients to maximise export sales and consequently employment, by investing in companies to help them plan strategy, build capability, access markets and research, finance start-ups and innovation. Continued support of our indigenous exporting companies is an indirect investment in creating and sustaining employment.
Enterprise Ireland has approved support of over €7.5m to individual Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) based in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2009. A total of €1m of the total €7.5m has been supported under the Government's Enterprise Stabilisation Fund.
I launched the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund earlier this year. The Fund, administered by Enterprise Ireland, is an initiative aimed at supporting viable but vulnerable exporting companies who are experiencing difficulties because of the current economic climate.
To date in 2009, Enterprise Ireland has made payments totalling €4,228,845 directly to companies in counties Cavan and Monaghan. €2,161,973 was paid directly to SMEs in Cavan and €2,066,872 in Co. Monaghan.
In addition, Enterprise Ireland has invested €1,882,846 in six Community Enterprise Centres (CECs) in county Cavan and has invested €1,308,033 in seven Community Enterprise Centres in county Monaghan.
This week I announced that 7,478 jobs are to receive direct support under the first round of the Employment Subsidy Scheme (ESS). A total of 453 companies engaged in manufacturing and/or internationally traded services are being informed of their successful applications. The Scheme provides a subsidy of €9,100 over fifteen months per qualifying employee in vulnerable but viable firms. Due to a lower than anticipated take-up, I will be announcing details of a second broader call for ESS applications with extended eligibility criteria open to both exporting and non-exporting firms next week.
In addition, to Enterprise Ireland, the County Enterprise Boards play a pivotal role in stimulating local economic development and entrepreneurship and in developing, sustaining and growing the micro-enterprise sector. To date in 2009, total amounts of €247,542 and €287,494 have been paid out by the CEBs of Cavan and Monaghan respectively.
61 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recommendation of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes that the jobs initiative should be closed down; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41056/09]
The Job Initiative Programme (JI) which was launched in July 1996 continues to provide full time employment for people who are 35 years of age or over, unemployed for 5 years or more, and in receipt of Social Welfare payments over that period.
The main purpose of the programme is to assist long-term unemployed people to prepare for work opportunities by providing participants with work experience, training and development opportunities. The programme is sponsored by voluntary organisations and public bodies involved in not-for-profit activities.
Following changes introduced on 10 November 2004 by Minister Micheál Martin no new entrants have been admitted onto the Job Initiative Schemes. However, contracts for existing participants are renewed allowing them the option to continue until they are 65 years of age.
The 2009 budget for the Job Initiative is €39m and there are currently 1,444 participants with this number decreasing annually due to retirement and other reasons.
This Government will continue to support the positive role of FÁS Employment Schemes in meeting the needs of long-term unemployed persons while at the same time providing essential services to communities. The operation of the Scheme is being kept under constant review in the context of the current difficult unemployment situation.
63 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on FÁS published on 10 September 2009. [41049/09]
As the Deputy is aware, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) is carrying out an investigation into certain matters within FÁS. A copy of the report that deals with the examination of advertising and promotion in FÁS, which forms part of the investigation, was laid before the House on 9 September. I understand that a further report from the C&AG will be issued in the coming months. This report will focus on the arrangements for internal control and governance that pertained in FÁS.
In the meantime a number of measures have been taken by FÁS to improve financial control and governance across the organisation including the following:
The Corporate Affairs function, which is at the centre of the C&AG's investigation, has been restructured and controls in this area have been tightened.
The Board of FÁS has approved a revised structure for its Internal Audit including resources for additional staff and external co-sourced audits. An external quality review of its Internal Audit has also been completed and a number of recommendations have been made that identify how the function can develop in line with best practice.
A full audit of all procurement locations has been scheduled by FÁS Internal Audit for completion by the end of the year.
All executive credit cards have been cancelled. The one credit card retained by FÁS has a maximum credit limit of €7,000 and is used primarily to purchase research material, textbooks, and other support material to assist the work of the organisation
The FÁS advertising budget has been reduced to a minimum and a new communications strategy will be developed to ensure efficient customer communications.
In addition to the measures outlined above legislation to amend the Labour Services Act in order to improve the effectiveness and governance of the Board of FÁS and strengthen the accountability of the Director General of FÁS to the Oireachtas is nearing completion. The Amendment Act takes account of the recommendations made by the Public Accounts Committee in its fourth interim report and the work of the Comptroller and Auditor General, as well as the debate in this House when the Bill was being presented.
64 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of workplace accidents and workplace deaths recorded in each year from 2002 to date in 2009; her proposals to ensure a reduction in the number of such accidents and deaths; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41073/09]
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 35 workplace deaths reported to the Authority to date in 2009 (as at 09.11.09). The numbers of workplace deaths reported to the Authority for the years 2002-2008 are as follows: 57 in 2008; 67 in 2007; 51 in 2006; 74 in 2005; 50 in 2004; 68 in 2003 and 61 in 2002.
Non-fatal accidents resulting in an absence of more than three days from normal work following the accident are required to be reported to the Authority.
There have been 5,446 non-fatal work related accidents reported to the Authority to date in 2009 (as at 09.11.09). There were 6,998 in 2008, 7,816 in 2007, 7,844 in 2006, 8,104 in 2005, 8,453 in 2004, 6,622 in 2003, and 7,746 in 2002.
The Health and Safety Authority's 2009 Programme of Work, which was launched in February last, sets out a comprehensive range of activities to make workplaces safer and it contains a good balance between prevention, advice and enforcement. It is planned to continue in this vein in 2010 with a focus on high-risk sectors.
Day to day responsibility for workplace safety rests with those in the workplace — employers and employees and safe workplaces can ultimately only be delivered by those who control and work in them. Even in these challenging economic times, it is important to maintain the focus on workplace safety.
The Health and Safety Authority 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, as part of its advocacy role. These activities, together with the information on the Authority's website, are of critical importance to all those in the workplace if Ireland's safety record is to be improved.
65 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to support the role of county enterprise boards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40930/09]
The role of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) is to provide support for the micro-enterprise sector in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate entrepreneurship at local level. The overall priority for Capital expenditure by the Boards is on the development of sustainable growth-orientated micro-enterprises, which, over time, can develop into strong export entities.
The forms of assistance that are available from the CEB network, subject to certain criteria, include financial assistance (grants), and non-financial supports in the form of a wide range of business advice and training for owner-managers and their staff, such as Programmes covering Business Management, Mentoring, E-commerce, Enterprise Education, and Women in Business networks.
I have supported the CEBs in delivering on their role by securing a Capital Allocation of €20.229m for the Boards in 2009. This funding ensures the provision of targeted supports to micro-enterprise, enables the Boards to be actively involved in economic development of their local area, and that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development.
I also announced recently that I have approved a broadening of the financial supports that the Boards can offer their client businesses. The effect of this is to broaden the scope of the start up and development costs that can be assisted. Financial assistance will now be available for all legitimate business costs directly attributable to starting a new business, or growing and developing a business, rather than being restricted to asset acquisition. These changes will align CEB supports more closely with those of the other enterprise support agencies and ensure a consistency in approach. While the changes do not affect the existing client eligibility criteria for financial support they will allow for much greater flexibility in how the CEBs support start-up and small growing enterprises which will be of particular relevance in the current economic climate.
My Department, in association with the CEB Central Coordination Unit within Enterprise Ireland (CCU), and with the CEB network, will continue to monitor the level of funding and range of support services offered by the CEBs to the micro-enterprise sector, particularly in the light of the current economic climate.
66 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recommendation of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes that funding should cease for the FÁS services to business and Skillnets programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41055/09]
Funding of FÁS Services to Business and Skillnets is a matter for the Estimates process for 2010. The outcome of that process will be published in Budget 2010, which will be released on 9 December 2009.
67 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of company start ups there been since 1 January 2009; the way this compares to the figures from past years; her plans to encourage company start ups and thus job creation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40766/09]
My Department does not compile specific annual statistics on the number of new start-ups that have commenced trading in the State. As an assistance to the Deputy, the closest approximation to the information sought may be derived from the number of new companies registered each year and the yearly number of new VAT registrations. However, these figures in themselves must be seen as indicative only, bearing in mind that start-ups may involve unincorporated entities e.g. sole traders and /or may not require immediate VAT registration. Tables 1 and 2 below provide the relevant information.
I am very much aware that the key to creating employment is to provide the necessary support to the enterprise sector. My Department's continuous support for enterprises 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 for the development agencies ensures that we can continue to build on this strategy for the future. This year in excess of €500 million was provided for capital investment in enterprises.
|
Year |
No. of New Companies Incorporated |
|
1999 |
18,761 |
|
2000 |
18,232 |
|
2001 |
14,345 |
|
2002 |
13,845 |
|
2003 |
14,388 |
|
2004 |
15,690 |
|
2005 |
17,302 |
|
2006 |
19,297 |
|
2007 |
18,797 |
|
2008 |
14,784 |
|
2009 Jan to 31 Oct |
10, 965 |
Source: Companies Registration Office.
|
Year |
New VAT Registrations |
|
2000 |
19,061 |
|
2001 |
25,472 |
|
2002 |
25,014 |
|
2003 |
28,501 |
|
2004 |
31,937 |
|
2005 |
35,842 |
|
2006 |
39,827 |
|
2007 |
33,757 |
|
2008 |
25,727 |
|
2009 Jan to 9 Nov |
14,408 |
Source: Revenue Commissioners.
68 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she is satisfied with the resources available to the office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40918/09]
The current approved staff complement for the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) is 45. In addition, eight gardaí are assigned to the office.
In March this year the Director requested six additional staff to assist in carrying out the work of his office. The six staff requested have since been assigned through the redeployment of staff from within my own Department.
The 2009 budget allocation for the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement is €5.535 million.
70 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recommendation of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes that the Health and Safety Authority and the National Employment Rights Authority should be merged to form one Work Place Inspectorate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41059/09]
The recommendations contained in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes are one of the inputs to the Government's formulation of a response to the challenges which face the economy.
I am examining the potential impact of all the recommendations which refer to my Department in the context of Estimates for 2010.
In the light of this it would be premature to indicate a position in regard to the specific recommendation referred to by the Deputy.
71 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she has taken to address the exploitation of migrant workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40896/09]
I am fully committed to the prevention of exploitation of migrant workers and to ensuring that all workers benefit from the full range of our employment rights protections.
In this respect the provisions of the Employment Permits Act 2006 have added substantially to this range of protections. The employment permit is granted to the employee, rather than to the employer and it contains a statement of the rights and entitlements of the migrant worker, including that the employee may change employment through the application for another permit by a new employer. The Act prohibits employers from retaining the personal documents of employees, including passports, driving licenses or identity cards, as well as a provision preventing employers from deducting recruitment expenses, including employment permit fees, from the remuneration of employees. There is also provision to ensure that migrant workers in respect of whom an application is made for an employment permit are entitled to the national minimum wage under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000.
It should also be noted that Ireland's extensive range of employment rights legislation is applicable equally to nationals and non-nationals alike, without differentiation as to country of origin.
I would also point out that the provisions of the Social Partnership agreement "Towards 2016" contain an employment rights compliance package for all workers, including new legislation and the establishment of a new office for employment rights compliance — the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), which has already been established on an interim basis. Under the Employment Law Compliance Bill 2008, the National Employment Rights Authority will be required to promote, encourage and secure compliance with the provisions of the Employment Permits Acts as well as other employment legislation. It is intended, through the cooperation of NERA labour inspectors and the Gardaí, particularly the Garda National Immigration Bureau, in enforcement of provisions under the Employment Permits legislation, to increase compliance and to act as a deterrent to illegal work as a pull for illegal immigration to Ireland.
I would advise that, if the Deputy is aware of specific cases of alleged exploitation of migrant workers, these should be reported to the appropriate authority for further investigation.
72 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the interim report of the mid west task force established following the announcement of job losses at a company (details supplied) in County Limerick; the action she has taken arising from the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41065/09]
The Mid-West Task Force, which I established under the Chairmanship of Mr Denis Brosnan, completed an interim Report and presented it to me on the 2nd of July.
The wide range of recommendations in the report cover both local and national issues. In that respect, the Government has been responding to the economic downturn generally and has taken numerous initiatives, for example in relation to competitiveness and cost competitiveness, industrial employment stabilization, and employment activation measures. All of these measures have benefited regions affected by or threatened with job losses, including the Mid West region. Workers in the Mid West are the subject of a substantial package assembled by the Government in response to the redundancies arising from developments at Dell in Limerick and knock-on effects in other companies in the region. The package addresses many of the issues raised in the interim Task Force recommendations and it is expected to be co-funded by the European Union under an application I have made to the EU Globalisation Fund which is currently being decided on at EU level, with a decision expected soon.
In addition to the measures mentioned above, the state agencies IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development and the County Enterprise Boards have redoubled their efforts to stimulate industrial employment in the Mid West region. For example, IDA is supporting eight industrial projects with a job potential of 1,073 which were announced by multinational companies in the Mid West in 2008 and 2009 and are now being brought into operation.
The measures mentioned above are outlined more fully in an initial response to its recommendations which I sent to the Task Force in late September. Given the wide range of recommendations in the report, I have also brought the report to the attention of my colleagues in Cabinet and it is currently being further considered in a number of other Government Departments as well as in my own Department. Ministers will, in the context of finalising their spending proposals for 2010, consider what further measures can be taken in response to the Task Force recommendations. I had asked the Task Force to feed into this process by indicating items in their recommendations which they see as having particular potential for the Mid West region. I am now examining its response, which has just been received, and I will also bring it immediately to the attention of the other Ministers who are examining the Task Force's interim recommendations.
I am very grateful for the work Mr Brosnan and the other members of the Task Force have undertaken to date. I shall continue to keep the Task Force informed on the Government's work on matters covered in the interim recommendations. The Task Force has identified a number of issues for further study in its Final Report which I look forward to receiving early in 2010.
74 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of redundancies notified to her Department in respect of each year from 2002 to date in 2009; the number of projected redundancies for 2009; the amount of money paid out in statutory redundancy payment in respect of each year from 2002 to 2008; the projected figure for 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41067/09]
Table 1 below sets out the number of statutory redundancies for years 2002 to 2008 and provisional figures for January to October 2009. These figures reflect the number of employees who actually qualified for statutory redundancy lump sum payments. They do not reflect those who lost their jobs with less than two years service in employment. It is not possible to project the number of redundancies which will accrue in 2009 as this will depend on a number of factors, including economic indicators, and the rate of recovery in the economy. However, it may be helpful to the Deputy to note that currently the intake of new claims received each week is on average 1,500 a week.
Table 2 sets out the monies paid out of the Social Insurance Fund in respect of redundancy claims for the years 2002-2008 and up to the end of October, 2009. It should be noted that the figures provided for 2008 and to date in 2009 are provisional figures. Equally, it is not possible to project the amount which will be paid out in 2009 given that this will hinge on a number of variables including the number of claims received, the length of service of the claimants etc.
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009* |
|
24,432 |
25,769 |
25,041 |
23,156 |
23,684 |
25,459 |
40,607 |
67,207 |
*Provisional.
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008* |
2009* |
|
53,978 |
88,933 |
152,162 |
149,172 |
166,483 |
183,328 |
193,711 |
248,000 |
*Provisional.
76 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons participating in the graduate placement and short-term work schemes which were announced in the supplementary budget on 7 April 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40949/09]
79 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will extend the short-time working training programme to support more workers in vulnerable employment; her views on whether earlier access for unemployed persons to education and training will prevent the flow of persons into long-term unemployment and this programme needs to rolled out on a larger basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40769/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos.76 and 79 together.
The Work Placement Programme is a labour market activation initiative that provides 2,000 six-month work experience places to individuals who are unemployed, including graduates. The programme is broken down into Stream 1, which is for graduates and Stream 2, which is for other individuals. Participants on the scheme will retain their social welfare entitlements.
FÁS are managing the programme and to date a total of 72 graduates from Stream 1 have been placed in positions with companies and 30 individuals in Stream 2 have also been placed, this brings the total of participants to 102.
In relation to expressions of interest, to date, 1,121 graduates from Stream 1 have met the eligibility criteria while 898 individuals from Stream 2 have also met the eligibility criteria, totalling 2,019 individuals. To date there are currently 527 vacancies to be filled.
FÁS are also managing the short-time working training programme, which provides training to 277 people on systematic short time for the days they are not working. The training will last for a year and individuals will retain their social welfare entitlements while on the programme. FÁS have developed a specific curriculum for this programme and its participants and are currently identifying appropriate companies and their employees to participate in the programme. Decisions regarding the possible expansion of the programme will be made once it has commenced and it can be evaluated.
77 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received a report from the Labour Court regarding a possible change in the national minimum wage; if not, when she expects to receive its report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41060/09]
I understand that in November 2008, ICTU requested the Labour Court to review the national minimum wage and to make a recommendation to me concerning its adjustment. The Court subsequently invited submissions on the issue. Various submissions were received, including from IBEC, ICTU and the Department of Finance. The Labour Court also held discussions with these parties.
Under the National Minimum Wage Act, 2000, the Labour Court is required to have regard to the prospects for any general agreement that may be reached between employer and employee representatives on the appropriate national minimum hourly rate of pay.
As the Deputy is aware, discussions are still underway between the Government and the Social Partners on the possibility of reaching an agreement on an integrated national response to the current crisis. Accordingly, I understand that the Labour Court has not yet concluded — as it is required to do under the Act — that there is no prospect of a general agreement being reached between the parties. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further while the matter is still under consideration by the Court.
78 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she will take to address the continuing employment crisis in view of the continuing high level of unemployment indicated by the live register figures for October 2009; her plans to provide new training opportunities for those who have lost their jobs and to encourage the creation of new employment opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41047/09]
Ireland is currently experiencing, as is the rest of Europe, high unemployment, with latest figures indicating our unemployment rate at 11.6%. According to the Live Register there were 412,400 people claiming unemployment benefits at the end of October 2009. This is 7,440 (1.8%) less than September 2009. The Live Register is 161,700 (64.5%) higher than this time last year. Positively, the year-on-year increase for October is continuing to decline from its peak of 197,800 and furthermore theSeasonally Adjusted figure for October is 422,500, which is a monthly decrease of 3,000 from September.
A key priority for the Government is to support those most vulnerable to detachment from the labour market through active labour market. This is achieved through active labour market policies and our aim is to minimise the drift of people into long term or very long-term unemployment. In order for the Government's labour market policies to be effective, it requires a sustained, co-ordinated, integrated approach to jobsearch, training, education and work placement supports.
This is why I have doubled the provision of training and work experience places managed by FÁS to over 130,000 and I have increased the referral capacity of FÁS Employment Services from the Department of Social and Family Affairs to 147,000 persons in 2009. I have also introduced a number of labour market activation policies that will provide support to those who need it most.
The Work Placement Programme, which provides 2,000 six-month places to individuals who are unemployed, is in operation. Participants on the scheme retain their social welfare entitlements. In response to interest in the programme the criteria of the Work Placement Programme are currently being reviewed and it is expected that once this review has been completed the programme will be more accessible to companies and participants.
FÁS are also managing the short-time working training programme, which provides training to people on systematic short time for the days they are not working. The training will last for a year and individuals will retain their social welfare entitlements while on the programme.
An additional 400 places have been provided in the Community Employment Scheme bringing the total number of places to 22,700 this year. My Department and the Department of Education and Science are jointly funding the provision of 1,500 part time third level places at undergraduate level for the unemployed. The Department of Education and Science are also funding 1,000 part time places at postgraduate level. Individuals participating in either programme will retain their social welfare entitlements.
The Government has also introduced specific initiatives, which will enable approximately 4,000 redundant apprentices to progress their apprenticeships or receive training.
The Employment Subsidy Scheme has been introduced to support the maintenance of vulnerable jobs and prevent people from being made redundant in this challenging national and global economic environment. Given the surprising low level of interest in the original Employment Subsidy. I have decided to have a Second broader Call for applications with extended eligibility criteria open to both exporting and non-exporting firms. The Second Call will be open to many companies that were not eligible to apply for the First Call. Enterprise Ireland will again manage the Scheme and will shortly advertise details of the Second Call.
The Government is taking specific measures to ensure that job creation is optimised to its full potential. Enterprise Ireland has prepared a new recovery strategy to identify the actions that are being undertaken to help clients in 2009. This strategy has refocuses Enterprise Ireland efforts in strengthening and sustaining companies of strategic importance through a range of initiatives focused on the needs of their client base. To date they have supported over individual companies this year.
In addition the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund was launched earlier this year. The Fund, administered by Enterprise Ireland, is an initiative aimed to support viable but vulnerable exporting companies who are experiencing difficulties because of the current economic climate. Client companies of Enterprise Ireland, IDA, Údarás Na Gaeltachta and Shannon Development across all sectors within manufacturing and internationally traded services are eligible to apply. To the end of October, Enterprise Ireland has approved approximately €47.7m for 109 projects under this fund.
On a daily basis, IDA is working with its client companies making every effort to keep those clients operating in Ireland while minimising the job losses encountered. Despite the economic downturn, Ireland continues to be an attractive location for FDI. IDA Ireland has already had a significant number of new investment projects approved and announced in 2009. To date this year there has been 44 announcements, with a combined investment of €622.5m and the potential to create 2,560 jobs.
In addition, during 2009 the County and City Enterprise Boards have reported a significant increase in the number of informal queries from members of the public in relation to setting up their own businesses over the last few months with many Boards providing additional Start Your Business Courses and increased levels of mentoring for owner managers who are experiencing trading difficulties in order to meet the demand out there. The Boards will continue throughout 2009 to support enterprise development and job creation through the provision of both direct and indirect assistance to micro-enterprises and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development at local level.
80 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies that have applied for assistance under the €100 million European Stabilisation Fund to date in 2009; the number of applications accepted; the amount paid out to date in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41048/09]
The Government approved an amount of €100m in total for the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund for the years 2009 and 2010. €50m has been included in the estimate of my Department for this purpose in 2009. Under the scheme, Enterprise Ireland may provide up to €500,000 to viable companies with robust business models that are facing difficulties as a result of the current economic environment. The fund supplies direct financial support to internationally trading enterprises that are investing in cost reduction or other measures to gain sales in overseas markets.
Since the launch of the Fund, approval has been given for 126 projects, in respect of which €38m has been paid to successful applicants to date. Enquiries have also been received from a further 100 companies. However, these enquiries have not as yet progressed to formal applications.
81 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the International Monetary Fund’s opinion that Ireland is the most expensive country in the Eurozone for business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40956/09]
In its report on Ireland published in June, the IMF acknowledged Ireland's transformation from a location for low cost manufacturing to a centre of high value-added production and services. In this context, it noted that, with the possible exception of Luxembourg, Ireland had become the most expensive location in the Eurozone in recent years. However, the IMF also noted the "incipient" decline in wages, which has been evident in recent months.
Restoring Ireland's cost competitiveness is a key action set out in the Framework for Economic Renewal. We are aware that strong domestic demand in recent years led to significant increases in the costs of doing business in Ireland. However, the economy is now undergoing a radical adjustment that can lead to the necessary change required to restore external competitiveness. As part of this process there are a number of factors that can influence our cost base.
Irish inflation declined by 6.5 percent in the year to September 2009, for the ninth month in succession. Inflation fell significantly across most goods and services groups in 2009. The NCB purchasing manager's index for October shows that input costs have fallen for the 12th consecutive month. Similarly, the Services Purchasing Manager Index showed a steep decline in input costs was recorded in October. Input costs in services have fallen for the past 10 months.
While Irish wage levels are moderate when compared to other high income economies, wage inflation in Ireland had been running at up to 50 percent higher than the eurozone average during the 2005-2008 period. The Government has stepped in to exert downward pressure on prices and costs through the pension levy that was imposed on all public sector workers. In the European Commission's Autumn Forecasts, which were published last week, growth in unit labour costs was forecast to be significantly lower in Ireland than the EU average between 2009 and 2011. This will lead to considerable gains in competitiveness in the medium term.
In line with the commitment in the Smart Economy Framework, we will implement the recommendations of the Competition Authority and tackle excessive costs in the non-traded sectors, where they can best contribute to overall competitiveness. A report will be submitted to Government before the end of this year outlining progress on the implementation of the various recommendations.
We are working to bring costs in administered sectors of the economy under control such as local authority charges and also easing the administrative burden that regulations can create. Minister Gormley and I have met with the County Managers on a number of occasions regarding possible actions that may be implemented.
Finally, with regard to energy costs for businesses, the trend of energy prices has been downward in recent months. Following the double-digit energy price reductions in May 2009, from this October there has been a further significant reduction in gas prices and a modest reduction in electricity prices for medium business customers. Overall, all categories of business, including SMEs, have benefited from significant energy price decreases in 2009. These reductions will result in a further easing on cost pressures for businesses.
82 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date by the high level action group on green enterprise; when she expects to receive this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41061/09]
The High Level Action Group on Green Enterprise was launched on 21 May 2009 and the Group continued to meet until 21 September 2009. The Group also held a number of consultation sessions with interested parties over the Summer. The Report was finalised in October 2009 and submitted to Government on 3 November 2009. The Secretariat is in the process of having the Report printed and it will be published shortly.
83 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on introducing a new type of work scheme for skilled workers in receipt of social welfare payments; if there is a potential for linking in new work schemes with current or planned capital infrastructure projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40975/09]
The Government has and will continue to formulate and implement new innovative, active labour market polices that have been designed with the aim of maintaining the unemployed, skilled or unskilled, close to the labour market, while crucially providing them with the necessary skills set and experience to ensure they are better equipped to return to employment as soon as possible.
The Work Placement Programme, launched earlier this year, is providing 6 months work experience through-out the country in numerous sectors, for an initial 2,000 unemployed individuals, including graduates. Furthermore, participants on the programme maintain their social welfare entitlements.
To date the programme has been implemented in both the public and private sectors and FÁS are continually in the process of trying to match participants with the needs of potential providers. As the programme is currently designed it is possible that participants could receive work opportunities with enterprises engaged in building capital infrastructure projects. This is of course subject to those enterprises registering with FÁS work placement opportunities and I would encourage them to do so.
84 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will honour the commitment made to allow employers to offset against tax a redundancy scheme refund that have not been paid by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40946/09]
Arising from concerns expressed to both the Tánaiste and myself by businesses experiencing particular difficulties in meeting tax payment obligations because of a delay in receiving rebate repayments from the Redundancy Payments Section of the Department, we have agreed an arrangement with the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate such situations. This allows employers to have the redundancy rebate payments owing to them offset against the same amount of outstanding tax liability.
In order for a company to arrange for payment of an outstanding tax liability to Revenue via their redundancy rebate payment they must request and agree this arrangement in writing with Revenue, authorizing my Department to make the company's redundancy rebate payable to Revenue. When agreement with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners is in place, Revenue contact my Department referring to the company's request, attaching a copy of such request, and instructing my Department to forward the payment directly to Revenue.
On receipt of this correspondence from Revenue, my Department follows up with the Revenue official dealing with the case informing him/her of the approximate value of claims on hand for that Company so that appropriate action can be taken in relation to the tax liability.
This arrangement is proving to be extremely useful to businesses and is being availed of in a number of situations.
85 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps taken to ensue compliance by Government Departments with the new arrangements announced on 20 May 2009 to reduce the payment period by central Government Departments to their business suppliers from 30 to 15 days; her plans to extend this arrangement to semi-State companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41062/09]
The Secretary General of my Department wrote to all Government Departments on 26th May, asking them to take the necessary steps to implement this commitment and to ensure that Department line staff and Finance Units are made aware of the need to prioritise payments to suppliers to meet the 15 day deadline.
The Government Decision of 19 May included a requirement for Departments to report quarterly to my Department on their performance in meeting these requirements. These reports are to be submitted by the 15th day of the month following the end of the quarter. The first such reports were due by 15 October 2009. Departments are also required to include information on the implementation of the measures in their subsequent Annual Reports.
As a result of the above measures, Departments are required to give greater priority to making timely payments and to ensure that suppliers themselves are aware of how they can assist the process by meeting the requirements of Departments in relation to the submission of invoices.
My Department is currently in the process of collating the first returns received from Government Departments. An initial examination of returns received for payments made by Government Departments during the period 16 June 2009 to 30 September 2009, shows that the majority of these were made within 15 days.
As part of the Government Decision of 19th May, the Government also stated that an assessment would be completed of the impact of extending this requirement to the local authority, health and education sectors and this remains under review. Organisations within the sectors are committed to meting their current payment periods. Suppliers experiencing difficulties in securing timely payments should, in the first instance, contact the relevant section within the organisation with which the contract was agreed.
The application of the 15 day payment period requirement does not extend to semi-state companies but semi-state companies too are already committed to meeting their current payment periods.
My Department has made an arrangement through the auspices of the Credit Supply Clearing Group, whereby representative bodies of the SME sector can bring to the attention of the Clearing Group, individual cases of late payments by semi-state bodies which are adversely impacting on the cash-flow/working capital of SMEs. Under this arrangement, my Department will have such late payment practices examined by the parent Government Department involved and reported back on to my Department.
In the light of the above arrangements, I anticipate that compliance with the new procedures, should improve overall cash flow to suppliers, including in particular for small and medium enterprises.
87 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will extend the work placement programme to support more workers in vulnerable employment; her views on whether work experience for unemployed persons, particularly graduates, will make workers more desirable in the labour market and this programme needs to rolled out on a larger basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40770/09]
The Government is determined and committed to keeping the unemployed as close to the labour market as possible during these challenging times. It is widely accepted that keeping people close to the labour market is important to improve their future employability. That is why the Government introduced the Work Placement Programme.
This Programme is providing an initial 2,000, 6 month, work experience places to unemployed individuals, including graduates. The work experience that participants receive will provide portable and transferable skills in a range of areas that will increase their employability. There are currently 102 participants on the programme and a further 2,019 have registered their interest in participating with FÁS Employment Services. At the present FÁS are currently advertising 527 positions and are continuing to promote the programme at local, regional and national levels.
Owing to the level of interest that has been expressed by a number of stakeholders in the programme, a review of the programme is near completion and has included the eligibility criteria of the programme. It is expected that upon completion of the review, the Work Placement Programme may be amended to allow it to be more accessible to participants and providers.
The Employment Subsidy Scheme, which has been designed specifically as a preventative measure to retain jobs in vulnerable but viable firms that are in danger of being lost. Earlier this week I announced that 7,478 jobs in 453 enterprises are to receive direct support under the first round of the Employment Subsidy Scheme. As a result of this scheme, companies have now committed, as part of their application, to retaining 35,283 jobs. In addition, I announced that a second broader call for applications with extended eligibility criteria open to both exporting and non-exporting firms would be launched next week.
88 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the existence of a group (details supplied), an independent non-profit making enterprise support group which alleviates unemployment in the area by fostering the growth of small businesses and employment in the local community; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that the group provides office facilities at a reasonable cost, together with professional business supports, mainly to start up businesses; if funding will be made available to this group to enable it to continue providing suitable accommodation and other services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40772/09]
State funding for indigenous enterprise support is primarily channelled through the relevant State Agencies. The thirty-five County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) were established by the Government to develop indigenous enterprise potential and stimulate economic activity at a local level, primarily through the provision of financial and technical support for the development of small and micro enterprises. Enterprise Ireland offers a wide range of services to SMEs and to High Potential Start Up companies (HPSUs) and ensures that suitable supports are available across those areas critical to business functions. Financial and non-financial supports are provided to companies with a business strategy that encompasses all elements required for business success.
The group referred to by the Deputy has already had dealings with the enterprise development agencies and received support from Enterprise Ireland in the past under the Community Enterprise Centres (CEC) Scheme. A Capital Grant totalling €91,421* was paid in stages over the years 1997/8/9 towards the Capital Costs of the Centre. The Community Enterprise Centres Scheme is a community led initiative in the form of a partnership between the local community and the State. Its objective is to enhance the development of an enterprise climate through the provision of infrastructural facilities to support the establishment and expansion of micro enterprises through local community participation in both urban and rural locations.
In addition, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Enterprise Board (CEB) further assisted the development of the Enterprise Centre in the 1996-98 period by way of Capital Grants of €56,731* and an Employment Grant of €6,348.69*. During the period 1998-2003 the Group were at various times contracted by the CEB to provide enterprise support services on its behalf. The total support under these service provider contracts was €52,700* in the period.(*Note — Amounts are stated in converted Euros).
My Department is not in a position to directly fund this group, but I would encourage them to continue to engage with relevant bodies such as their local CEB and to avail of opportunities to work with the CEB as they arise and as appropriate.
90 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she is taking to curtail the drop in volume and value of retail sales here since the volume of retail sales in August 2009 was 9% lower and the value of sales fell 13.4% compared with August 2008; the measures she is taking to protect jobs in the retail and sales sectors; if the employment subsidy scheme is applicable to this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40771/09]
The downturn in retail sales is an inevitable consequence of the current difficult economic climate.
The Government fully recognises the difficulties currently being faced by retailers and the importance of ensuring that we continue to have a viable and successful retail sector. It is all the more important in these difficult times that businesses, particularly those with a direct presence in the marketplace, ensure that they present as competitive an offering to the public as possible.
At the macro level, restoring our national competitiveness is a key priority of the Smart Economy Document published by the Government at the end of last year. In this context a number of specific actions aimed at addressing current economic challenges have been taken by the Government.
With regard to access to credit the Government has provided a number of supports for SMEs, including:
A commitment that recapitalised banks should increase their lending capacity to SMEs by 10 per cent over 2008.
A Code of Conduct on Business Lending to SMEs, published by the Financial Regulator and in force since March 2009.
Funding for SMEs of €300 million provided by the European Investment Bank for lending through three Irish banks.
The National Asset Management Agency legislation will also empower the Minister for Finance to issue guidelines on credit supply to participating institutions on an ongoing basis. In addition, together with the Minister for Finance I established the Credit Supply Clearing Group to identify appropriate solutions where flows of credit to viable businesses appear to be blocked.
In the area of local authority charges I and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government met with representatives of the City and County Managers Association on a number of occasions to reiterate the importance of providing a supportive environment for business and ensuring that all local charges and levies are applied in a transparent, fair and proportionate manner. Minister Gormley also wrote to the local authorities earlier this year outlining a number of measures that local authorities should consider in order to further support economic activity. Local Authorities are aware of these needs and have already reorganised to provide one-stop shops, or equivalent services, for local businesses.
Insofar as energy prices are concerned, following significant energy price reductions in May 2009, there has been a further significant reduction in gas prices and a modest reduction in electricity prices for medium business customers from this October. Data from the CSO highlight this continuing downward trend. The costs category that includes electricity, gas and other fuels has declined by almost 14% in the past twelve months.
In the area of wage costs my colleague, Minister Kelleher met with representatives of the retail grocery sector in February 2009 regarding the pay rates set down in the Retail Employment Regulation Order (ERO). At that meeting Minister Kelleher urged the employer interests in the retail grocery sector to use their best endeavours, through a process of constructive dialogue with their trade union counterparts, to devise practical measures to tackle the severe challenges facing the sector, so that these might be agreed and implemented through the established mechanism of the Joint Labour Committee (JLC). The employer and trade union interests on the Retail JLC have recently agreed to a 12-month deferral of minimum pay rate increases that had been due to come into effect from 25 October 2009.
In addition, my colleague the Minister for Labour Affairs, will introduce an" inability to pay" mechanism into the JLC/ERO system so as to "re-balance" the existing statutory wage-fixing mechanisms. A reform along these lines will assist in protecting employment in situations where employers are faced with severe economic challenges.
Insofar as the Employment Subsidy Scheme is concerned, this week I announced that a second broader call for applications with extended eligibility criteria open to both exporting and non-exporting firms including companies in the retail sector would be launched next week.
The foregoing demonstrates the concrete actions taken by the Government to assist businesses, including those in the retail sector, to regain their competitive edge. I am confident that the measures which I have outlined will help restore our national competitiveness and ultimately will help in the ongoing fight to protect, maintain and indeed create as many jobs as possible, not least in the retail sector.
91 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent she directly or in conjunction with other Departments proposes to put in place a job creation plan with particular reference to creating the proper climate for employers to increase their workforce, boost investor confidence and enhance the competitiveness of the manufacturing and service sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41079/09]
100 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the introduction of a jobs creation and protection plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28108/09]
113 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her future job creation proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41256/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 100 and 113 together.
The Industrial Development agencies, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland as well as the City and County Enterprise Boards are extremely active in the drive towards job creation and job protection.
IDA Ireland is working to keep its client companies operating in Ireland, to maximise employment and minimise job losses in those companies. There is a constant need for foreign direct investment companies to transform their Irish operations into higher value activities and increase their strategic importance within their parent company. The Agency continues to encourage and assist its client companies to move up the value chain in terms of carrying out higher skilled operations and expanding their presence in Ireland. The aim is to retain existing clients and improve the quality of employment opportunities.
Ireland continues to be an attractive location for foreign direct investment. The Agency has already had a significant number of new investment projects approved and announced in 2009. To date, there have been 44 announcements with a combined investment of €622.5m and the potential to create 2,560 jobs.
Enterprise Ireland delivers a wide range of supports to Irish companies, targeted at the specific requirements of clients throughout all regions to ensure that they develop to their full potential in terms of innovation and exports and ultimately in additional jobs in Ireland.
The Agency has prepared a new recovery strategy to identify the actions that are required to help clients in the present difficult economic environment. Enterprise Ireland has refocused its efforts on strengthening and sustaining companies of strategic importance through a range of initiatives focused on the needs of their client base.
I launched the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund earlier this year. The Fund, administered by Enterprise Ireland, provides support to viable but vulnerable exporting companies who are experiencing difficulties because of the current economic climate. The objective is to assist these companies to invest in cost reduction and other measures. Approval has been given for 126 projects in respect of which €38m has been paid to successful applicants to date.
This week, I announced that 7,478 jobs are to receive direct support under the first round of the Employment Subsidy Scheme (ESS). A total of 453 companies engaged in manufacturing and/or internationally traded services are being informed of their successful applications. The Scheme provides a subsidy of €9,100 over 15 months per qualifying employee in vulnerable but viable firms. Due to a lower than anticipated take-up, I will be announcing details of a second, broader call for ESS applications with extended eligibility criteria open to both exporting and non-exporting firms next week.
I have decided to have a second call for applications with extended eligibility criteria open to both exporting and non-exporting firms. The second call will be open to many companies that were not eligible to apply for the first call. Enterprise Ireland, who will manage the scheme, will shortly advertise details of the second call.
The role of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) is to provide support for small businesses with up to 10 employees in the start-up and expansion phase, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. Business growth and job creation are inherent considerations in the activities of the Boards. The Boards deliver a series of programmes to underpin this role and provide assistance through financial and non-financial means. The CEBs provide business advice to project promoters and a wide range of programmes covering Business Management, Mentoring, E-commerce, Enterprise Education and Women in Business networks.
It is particularly important to reduce business costs at this time when all sources of efficiency are in focus and when jobs are at stake in all sectors of the economy. In October, research undertaken by the Irish Management Institute highlighted the major cost concerns of multinationals in Ireland. Energy and labour costs were to the forefront of these concerns. This is also the message that we are getting from the SME sector, along with the separate issue of credit availability. This Government has focused on the actual priorities of businesses, such as energy and labour costs, and we are addressing these concerns. Where Government charges are an issue, we have maintained downward pressure.
Restoring cost competitiveness in Ireland is made more difficult by the current weaknesses in the dollar and sterling — the currencies of two of our more important trading partners. However, in spite of these difficulties, we have made good progress in controlling costs and we are restoring competitiveness. Following significant energy price reductions in May 2009, there has been a significant reduction in gas prices since October and a modest reduction in electricity prices for medium business customers. Overall, all categories of businesses, including SMEs have benefited from significant energy price decreases this year.
With regard to labour costs, it is the view of this Government that controlling pay costs, both in the public and private sector, is a key element in restoring competitiveness. Both the NCB Manufacturing and Services Purchasing Managers' Indices have shown a sustained and deep period of declining input costs for businesses in Ireland, driven, in part, by lower wage costs. This is matched by a decline in Irish inflation that reached minus 6.5% in the year to September 2009 — the sharpest fall in Ireland since the 1920s.
We are committed to maintaining low business taxes and a favourable regulatory environment, and will ensure that our policies keep pace with the way business is changing. The ESRI recently predicted that, with our current control of costs, productivity should grow by over 3% in 2010. Combined with projected wage decreases of 2.5%, this should entail a significant improvement in the competitiveness of the Irish economy.
92 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she will publish legislation to address employee representation at work which was promised by June 2009 under the Review of Towards 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41071/09]
95 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when it is intended to publish anti-victimisation legislation, designed to protect those workers that choose to join a trade union and which was promised by March 2009 under the Review of Towards 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41070/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 95 together.
The Towards 2016 Review and Transitional Agreement 2008-2009 (paras 9.1 — 9.3) provides for the establishment of a review process which would consider the legal and other steps necessary to enable the employee representation mechanisms that had been established under previous agreements — and in legislation — to operate as they had been intended. The Agreement (para 9.4) also commits the Government to bringing forward legislative proposals to prohibit the victimisation of trade union members and to prohibit the incentivisation of persons not to be members of a trade union.
With a view to progressing work on both commitments, a Review Group — chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach and on which my Department, the Department of Finance, trade unions, and employers are represented — has been put in place to examine the issues under both commitments.
Two informal meetings of the Group have taken place to date — on 14th September and 13th October, 2009 — and position papers have been submitted by the employer and trade union representatives on the issues requiring the Group's consideration.
I understand that the Group's work will now focus on the issues raised in these position papers and that further engagement between the parties is anticipated over the coming weeks. The Group has not set a date for the completion of its activities.
93 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to introduce an export focused short-term State supported credit insurance scheme to supplement the capacity of the existing commercial insurance market; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the lack of State supported export credit insurance is inhibiting business, especially small and medium enterprises from expanding into export orientated activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40765/09]
As a result of the difficulties being experienced by some companies seeking Export Credit Insurance, I arranged that a forensic examination of the Export Credit Insurance market in Ireland should be carried out to establish what assistance the State could provide in enabling exporters and to assist recovery in the credit insurance market.
This Assessment, by international consultants KPMG, who also advise the UK Government on credit insurance issues, was completed just recently. The study analysed a significant level of confidential and detailed company-specific information from the credit insurers. It was established that only a very small level of Irish exports are insured, that the existing cover is heavily concentrated on a single sector and a single market, that total withdrawals of cover (i.e. where the market decides that the risk is too great to provide any level of cover) are much more prevalent that reductions, that the introduction of a State ‘Top –up’ scheme, as has been sought for such reductions, would be expensive and of very limited impact, and that a negligible number of jobs would be supported by such an initiative. Significantly, the level of premia to be paid by companies under any such scheme, would, under EU State-Aid rules, be a multiple of regular premia and therefore very expensive for business. In addition, it was established that there are indications that this market is showing signs of recovery and that the insurance companies should therefore begin to provide better levels of cover.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal and the Government considered this issue earlier this month and, based on the overwhelming weight of evidence in the KPMG report, decided that a State-supported scheme of short-term export credit insurance should not be introduced. However it was also decided, as suggested by the KPMG report, that my Department should actively considering the merits of introducing a State supported Medium-term Export Credit Insurance Scheme (where the risk period is over 2 years), as part of their forthcoming Action Plan on Trade, Investment and Tourism.
94 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the announcement of the loss of 350 jobs at a plant (details supplied) in County Waterford; the discussions she has had with the industrial development agencies with a view to securing replacement jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41078/09]
I am aware that in September 2009 Teva Pharmaceuticals announced they were closing down their solid dosage generics plant in Waterford over the next year, with the loss of 350 jobs. The company currently employs approximately 690 permanent and 74 temporary people.
The company informed IDA that the closure was due to competitive reasons and that the solid dosage part of the business was moving to a lower cost location. The inhaler part of the business, which employs approximately 340 people, will remain.
IDA Ireland continues to actively promote the Waterford region to overseas investors. Currently there are 31 IDA Ireland supported companies in Waterford City and County employing approximately 5,960 people. Clear evidence of a transition to more knowledge based and higher value activity is seen in the resilience of companies such as Bausch & Lomb, Honeywell, and GlaxoSmithKline, as well as newer additions to the county's portfolio, such as Citi Hedge Fund Services, Genzyme and Sun Life Financial.
Key interventions in support of attracting investment in recent years have been the development of the Waterford Business & Technology Park (28 hectares), the Dungarvan Business Park (additional 14 hectares developed) and a large scale 55 hectare Greenfield site in Belview, specifically targeted for larger scale utility intensive overseas investments. A further 20 hectare site (Knockhouse lands) adjacent to the Genzyme facility on the Kilmeaden road in Waterford City is also available for Greenfield investment.
96 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the introduction of additional social economy or job initiative schemes to assist with the current unemployment situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41066/09]
On 1 January 2006 responsibility for the Social Economy Programme transferred to the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs and it has been re-named as the Community Services Programme. FÁS as an agency of my Department operates Job Initiative (JI).
The Job Initiative Programme (JI) was launched in July 1996 and provides full time employment for people who are 35 years of age or over, unemployed for 5 years or more, and in receipt of Social Welfare payments over that period.
The main purpose of the programme is to assist long-term unemployed people to prepare for work opportunities by providing participants with work experience, training and development opportunities. The programme is sponsored by voluntary organisations and public bodies involved in not-for-profit activities.
Following changes introduced on 10 November 2004 by Minister Micheál Martin no new entrants have been admitted onto the Job Initiative Schemes. However, contracts for existing participants are renewed and CE participants to support the service being provided may replace those who leave voluntarily.
This Government will continue to support the positive role of FÁS Employment Schemes in meeting the needs of long-term unemployed persons while at the same time providing essential services to communities. The operation of the Scheme is being kept under constant review in the context of the current difficult unemployment situation.
97 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the report of the sales law review group on the proposed consumer rights directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41064/09]
I established the Sales Law Review Group in November 2008 to report on several issues relating to consumer and commercial law, including the proposal for a Directive on Consumer Rights published in October 2008.
The Review Group's report, which was published in June 2009, is a thorough, expert analysis of the provisions of the proposed Directive. The proposed Directive will have a major influence on the future of Irish consumer law and it is important that we are in a position to understand fully its provisions and their implications while discussions on the proposal are still ongoing. The report identifies a number of areas where the proposed Directive might adversely affect Irish consumer rights and suggests ways in which these potential adverse effects can be ameliorated. The Review Group's report is a substantial input into the Irish response to the proposed Directive and its contents have already been of significant benefit to the officials of my Department involved in discussions on the proposal.
98 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons who were assisted under the technical employment support grant since its inception; the number of persons assisted under the technical employment support grant since 1 January 2009; if she will increase the budget for the technical employment support grant in view of the fact that retraining for redundant craft workers is more important than ever to stop the flow of persons into long-term unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40767/09]
The Technical Employment Service Grant (TESG) provides FÁS Employment Service Officers (ESOs) with a flexible fund to provide a tailored response to meet the needs of specific client groups. This support is provided as part of the jobseeker's Action Plan, which is agreed between FÁS and the client as a means of entering/re-entering the labour market. This funding is available to those who are experiencing major barriers to progression from unemployment to the workforce and where this need cannot be met by FÁS directly or by any other state provider within a reasonable timeframe or at a location convenient to the jobseeker.
The following client groups are eligible at present for support under Technical Employment Support Grant (TESG):
Jobseekers who are considered to be distant from the labour market e.g.
Homeless people;
Ex-prisoners;
Members of the Traveller Community;
People made redundant with low skills;
Ex-Job Initiatives participants or current participants who wish to explore alternative training/employment options;
Employment Action Plan (EAP) jobseekers;
People with a Disability.
Redundant craft workers who are referred to FÁS under the NEAP are also eligible for TESG.
TESG is an important fund which helps support a fast and flexible response to the job-seeking needs of unemployed clients. It is being reviewed at present to ensure that it remains targeted and focused on those who will most benefit.
Since its inception, approximately 19,000 clients have benefited, of whom over 8,600 have benefited from 1 January 2009 to 30 September 2009. The budget has increased significantly from almost €3 million in 2008 to €6.475 million in 2009.
99 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recent report prepared by the Comptroller and Auditor General into management and control procedures at FÁS; if she will commit to publishing this report as soon as possible; if she proposes to take action on the basis of the report’s findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27981/09]
As the Deputy is aware, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) is carrying out an investigation into certain matters within FÁS. A copy of the report that deals with the examination of advertising and promotion in FÁS, which forms part of the investigation, was laid before the House on 9 September. I understand that a further report from the C&AG will be issued in the coming months. This report will focus on the arrangements for internal control and governance that pertained in FÁS.
In the meantime a number of measures have been taken by FÁS to improve financial control and governance across the organisation including the following:
The Corporate Affairs function, which is at the centre of the C&AG's investigation, has been restructured and controls in this area have been tightened.
The Board of FÁS has approved a revised structure for its Internal Audit including resources for additional staff and external co-sourced audits. An external quality review of its Internal Audit has also been completed and a number of recommendations have been made that identify how the function can develop in line with best practice.
A full audit of all procurement locations has been scheduled by FÁS Internal Audit for completion by the end of the year.
All executive credit cards have been cancelled. The one credit card retained by FAS has a maximum credit limit of €7,000 and is used primarily to purchase research material, textbooks, and other support material to assist the work of the organisation.
The FÁS advertising budget has been reduced to a minimum and a new communications strategy will be developed to ensure efficient customer communications.
In addition to the measures outlined above legislation to amend the Labour Services Act in order to improve the effectiveness and governance of the Board of FÁS and strengthen the accountability of the Director General of FÁS to the Oireachtas is nearing completion. The Amendment Act takes account of the recommendations made by the Public Accounts Committee in its fourth interim report and the work of the Comptroller and Auditor General, as well as the debate in this House when the Bill was being presented.
101 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she is taking to protect and maintain a critical aviation engineering industry for air transport here; if he will report on the status of all expressions of interest in establishing a successor business for a company (details supplied) at the Dublin operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28406/09]
On 12 February 2009, SR Technics Group (SRT) announced that it planned to exit its business at Dublin Airport and layoff 1135 employees.
Following the decision, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland formed a project team to promote the operation through the IDA Ireland overseas network and to meet with and assess expressions of interest in the operation.
As part of the decision to close their Dublin operations, SRT implemented an expression of interest process to sell parts (or all) of the business. 40 expressions of interest were received by SRT, most of which were interested in assets only. 12 parties expressed an interest in purchasing one or more business units and rehiring the redundant staff. 5 bona-fide proposals were received by the agency's project team to continue an MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) business at Dublin Airport.
On 2nd September 2009, I announced the establishment of Dublin Aerospace Ltd, a new aviation maintenance provider supported by Government through Enterprise Ireland. Dublin Aerospace aims to establish a best-in-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Dublin Airport, servicing APUs, Landing Gear, Base Maintenance and Training. The company has commenced operations with 32 initial employees recruited. This number is anticipated to grow to 226 jobs.
The Garage business unit of SR Technics has been taken over by the M50 Truck and Van Centre who were successful in securing the airside vehicle maintenance contract from SR Technics.
SR Technics will continue to operate the Line Maintenance contract for Aer Lingus until a suitable acceptable operator is agreed between both companies.
102 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties facing exporters here in view of the recent strengthening of the euro against the dollar and sterling; her proposals to help sustain the export sector here and to help it overcome these difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37694/09]
My Department, through Enterprise Ireland, is active both in assisting Irish indigenous companies to find new markets for their products and services and to increase their existing level of market share. Encouraging companies to re-orientate towards the Eurozone in the first instance and, for those which are most capable, into areas such as the Gulf, Brazil, India and China, where economies are still growing is a priority. I have been active in leading trade missions to develop new opportunities for Irish exporters and will continue to do so, to both existing long-established markets, to the new EU Member States and also to other emerging high-growth markets, with a view to increasing the share of exports by Irish companies worldwide.
Continuous productivity improvements are essential if Irish companies are to increase their export potential and reach the world-class standards necessary to meet the challenges of the international market place. Sustainable economic recovery will be driven by enterprises focused on increasing their exports of innovative products and services in global markets. To support this, I launched the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund earlier this year, which enables internationally trading companies survive the current global downturn by supporting their drive to reduce costs and, through increased competitiveness, gain sales in overseas markets.
In August 2009, I announced the €250 million Employment Subsidy Scheme. The objective of the scheme is to provide an employment subsidy to vulnerable but viable manufacturing and/or internationally traded services enterprises that are currently engaged in exporting to maintain their full time workforce. This will help the economy retain its productive capacity and employers retain the labour, knowledge and skills of the workforce in a variety of sectors which are under particular pressure as a result of the current global economic situation thereby supporting a faster return to sustainable growth.
103 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on a redundancy issue (details supplied). [41113/09]
My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent.
Payment of statutory redundancy is, in the first instance, a matter for the employer. When an employer has paid statutory redundancy to a former employee the Department, which administers the Redundancy Payments Scheme on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, will then pay the employer a 60% rebate.
In the case of lump sum redundancy claims where the employer is unable to pay the redundancy entitlement and provides evidence of such to the satisfaction of the Department, payment is made from the Social Insurance Fund and the Department then seeks to recoup 40% of the amount paid out from the employer.
If the employee believes he/she is entitled to a redundancy payment and the employer fails to complete the RP 50 form and/or fails to provide the evidence of inability to pay to the Department to allow the former employee to claim the lump sum, it is then open to the employee to bring a claim against his former employer before the Employment Appeals Tribunal for a decision in the matter. If the Tribunal decides in favour of the employee, the Department is then in a position to pay the statutory lump sum to the employee out of the Social Insurance fund on foot of the Tribunal determination. The Department then views the employer as a defaulter and seeks to recover from the employer the full amount of the redundancy payment to the Social Insurance Fund.
In all cases where a redundancy lump sum claim is lodged by the employer on behalf of an employee but the employer pleads inability to pay the statutory redundancy entitlement, the Department requests evidence of inability to pay from the employer. This includes a copy of the latest set of audited accounts and a statement from the company's accountant or solicitor attesting to this situation. If this is provided the Department will make the payment from the Social Insurance Fund and if this is not provided, the Department then advises the employee to take a case to establish redundancy entitlement to the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT). If a positive determination is obtained from the EAT, the Department will pay the employee the statutory redundancy lump sum and then seek to recoup the relevant amount from the employer.
Eligibility for statutory redundancy requires that:
The employee must have at least two years continuous service (104 weeks).
The employee must be in employment which is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts.
The employee must be 16 years or older
The employee must have been made redundant as a result of a genuine redundancy situation.
104 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 63 of 13 October 2009, if a college (details supplied) in County Limerick will be included for grant aid from the European Globalisation Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41120/09]
A broadly representative working group is considering the most appropriate mechanisms for the deployment of the anticipated support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for workers made redundant at the DELL computer manufacturing plant in Raheen and associated enterprises.
The probability is that EGF interventions and supports will be largely delivered through State agencies and educational institutions. However, any role which other service providers such as private colleges can usefully play in this context is also being considered. In the event that redundant workers involved wish to avail of developmental programmes delivered by the private sector, I intend to facilitate them in doing so.
105 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will expedite payment of a redundancy payment to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [41152/09]
My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to the Redundancy Payments Scheme on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have already paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation. Payment of statutory redundancy is, in the first instance, a matter for the employer.
The records available to my Department indicate that a redundancy rebate application was lodged by the former employer in respect of the individual concerned on 19 May, 2009. Where a redundancy rebate is being claimed from the Department, there is a declaration on the form which must be signed by the employer and the employee. From the employer's perspective, this attests to the fact that the employer is confirming that payment of the statutory redundancy entitlement was made to the employee concerned. The signature of the employee is required as evidence that the employee has received the redundancy payment due to him. My Department is somewhat at a loss in this case as the form has been signed by both parties so it is not clear how the employee is awaiting payment of his statutory redundancy entitlement from the employer. It would be appropriate in these circumstances that the Redundancy Payments Section of my Department would pursue this issue directly with the company and I have asked them to do so.
106 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the committees, sub-committee, monitoring group and advisory group below board level within FÁS where the members receive remuneration; the members of each committee, sub-committee, monitoring group and advisory group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41187/09]
I have been informed that FÁS does not pay remuneration for members of any committees, sub-committees, monitoring groups and advisory groups below Board level.
I understand that the Independent Chairman of the FÁS/Enterprise Ireland National Register of Trainers receives an honorarium in the order of €6,000 per annum dependent on the number of Committee meetings held.
107 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be awarded their redundancy payments in view of the fact that the application has been with her Department since 31 March 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41196/09]
My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to Redundancy payments on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. In respect of Redundancy, there are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation and are unable to pay.
I am advised that there is no record in my Department of a claim for redundancy payment in respect of the individual concerned.
The EAT is an independent body under the aegis of my Department. As it is an independent body, I have no role in the day to day operation of the EAT. I am advised, however, that the individual's recourse to the EAT has already been exhausted.
It is the case that an employee must make application for a redundancy payment or seek a determination from the EAT within twelve months of ceasing employment although the EAT has the power to extend the deadline from 52 weeks to 104 weeks. The 52 week deadline applies both to the making of a claim to the employer (Form 77) and to the making of a claim to the EAT in a situation where the employer disputes payment of redundancy.
108 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 7 July 2009, if she will provide an update with regard to her reply to this Deputy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41204/09]
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas who sit on sponsoring committees of Community Employment projects has not been recorded centrally by FÁS and therefore it has to be compiled manually. The table represents the information gathered to date. I am informed that the process will be completed shortly and any remaining information will be forwarded to the Deputy at that time.
|
Name |
Sponsor |
|
John Perry TD (FG) |
Ballymote Community Enterprise Ltd. |
|
Thomas P Broughan TD (LP) |
Northside Partnership |
|
Mattie McGrath TD (FF) |
B, N & B Scheme |
|
Senator Mark Daly (FF) |
Kenmare District Community Development |
|
Minister John Moloney (FF) |
Mountmellick Development Association |
|
Charles O’Connor TD (FF) |
Tallaght Welfare Society |
|
Aongus O’Snodaigh TD (SF) |
Liberties Recycling Training & Development |
|
Senator Dermot Wilson (FF) |
Cavan Youth & Environmental |
|
Máire Hoctor TD (FF) |
Young Nenagh CTC |
|
Senator Labhrás O’Murchú (FF) |
Brú Ború Cashel Tourism |
|
Joe Costello TD (Ind) |
DALC |
|
Senator Martin Brady (FF) |
Northside Partnership |
|
Finian McGrath TD (Ind) |
Northside Partnership |
|
Minister Dara Calleary TD (FF) |
Ballina Salmon Festival |
109 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will qualify for training under a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41235/09]
The redundancy date of the person in question predates the entry into force of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) on 1st January 2007 by several years. Accordingly, and subject to the requirements of the EU Regulation governing the Fund that person is not eligible to receive supports which may be co-funded by the EGF in due course. However, the individual would be free to access the full range of FÁS employment and training services supports.
110 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when her attention was drawn to the problems in relation to FÁS in the north east; if she has received representations in relation to this matter; the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41239/09]
Representations were received by both myself and my Department regarding certification issues earlier this Autumn. FÁS is dealing with the findings of an internal audit report relating to the issues concerned.
111 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps, if any, she has taken to ensure that consumers here do not have to go outside the jurisdiction for their shopping requirements; the action she proposes to take to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41254/09]
112 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which she has studied the reason that consumer goods here are more expensive than in adjoining jurisdictions and other EU countries; her plans to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41255/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together.
Consumer Price Index returns from the Central Statistics Office show that overall prices in Ireland fell by 6.5% in the year to September 2009. This compares with a fall of only 1.4 % in the UK for the same period. At the European level, the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, which is accepted as the most appropriate measure for community wide price comparisons, shows that in the year to August 2009 there was a fall of 0.7% in prices in Ireland as compared with an increase in prices of 1.3% throughout the EU as a whole.
The above returns clearly show that prices are falling more rapidly in Ireland than in Northern Ireland, the UK and in the EU as a whole. This narrowing in the differential in prices is very much to be welcomed and clearly will help the competitiveness of Irish businesses.
Whilst undoubtedly the single market offers opportunities to Irish consumers to shop anywhere within the European Union, the reality is that the majority of cross border shopping by Irish consumers occurs in Northern Ireland, which is not to be unexpected given our common land border.
The Government has been engaging with the various elements of the retail chain to try to bring greater transparency as to the reasons for the differentials in retail prices, particularly between this jurisdiction and Northern Ireland. To this end, my Department and its agencies have directed a series of actions within the last 12 to 18 months aimed at ensuring that there is the greatest degree of transparency possible as to the reasons for the north south price differentials. These actions included National Consumer Agency Price Comparison Surveys; the Forfás Report on the Cost of Running Retail Operations in Ireland; and the Competition Authority Study on the Retail-Related Import and Distribution Sector.
114 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to ensure the competitiveness of Irish exports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41257/09]
While ultimately it is individual businesses that must take advantage of global markets, it is the responsibility of my Department to foster the conditions which can support Irish enterprise in meeting these global challenges and opportunities and to ensure that no barriers are placed in their way. It is critical that the broad business environment is conducive to improved export opportunities and can thereby facilitate a return to sustainable export growth. We will continue to provide the appropriate supports to the enterprise sector, restore our cost competitiveness and safeguard the significant achievements of recent years.
The Smart Economy Framework sets out clearly the necessary steps for establishing a sound basis for future economic growth, taking advantage of the tide of change in world business. The overall aim of the Framework is to refocus the economy for a return to sustainable, export-led growth.
Our current enterprise policies are focussed on driving export growth momentum by supporting companies to pursue growth strategies. Our priorities include strengthening and sustaining companies of strategic importance through a series of targeted initiatives provided by the development agencies. A central priority is to ensure that companies with high growth potential and in which the State has already invested are brought through this difficult period. These are companies that will continue to be successful on world markets and will provide essential high-value employment in the future. The Enterprise Stabilisation Fund, administered through Enterprise Ireland and totalling some €100m was introduced by the Government to support companies such as these.
With regard to energy costs for businesses, which are a very significant competitiveness issue, the trend of energy prices has been downward in recent months. Following double-digit energy price reductions in May 2009, from this October there has been a further significant reduction in gas prices and a modest reduction in electricity prices for business customers.
Irish exporters have proved themselves well able to compete decisively on world markets. Between 2003 and 2007 our total Irish exports increased by more than 6% per annum year-on-year. While exports were virtually static in 2008, for the first six months of 2009 exports rose again compared to the same period in 2008.
Our performance is especially significant when compared to our EU partners. The latest figures released by Eurostat shows Ireland has the second largest trade surplus of the EU Member States for the first seven months of 2009. It is significant that some of the larger economies, such as the UK, France and Spain have very significant trade deficits. These data also show that Ireland is the only one of the 27 member states to have positive merchandise export growth in the period January-July 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008. In most other Member States, exports fell by over 20% during this period.
Over recent years, net exports have made a very significant contribution to GDP growth. In 2008 the contribution of net exports was +2.7% and in the first half of 2009 it was +4.1%. In both cases this made a significant contribution to counteracting other elements of GDP that were negative.
115 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs lost in the economy in each of the past 24 months and to date in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41259/09]
117 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new jobs created in the economy in each of the past 36 months to date in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41262/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 117 together.
There are no official statistics which record job gains or losses in the wider economy. The Quarterly National Household Survey or QNHS published by the Central Statistics Office, records the numbers in employment on a quarterly basis only and shows only the net change in the numbers in employment. In the second quarter of 2009, the most recent quarter for which data are available, the figures indicate that the numbers in employment stood at 1,938,500 approx which represents a decrease of 175,400 approx relative to Quarter 2 2007.
Employment data in respect of companies supported by the Enterprise Agencies (Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Shannon Development) are collated by Forfás on an annual basis only, and accordingly monthly figures are not available and data in respect of 2009 will not be available until early 2010. Table 1 hereunder provides details on the numbers of full-time new jobs created in the three year period 2006-2008. In total almost 74,000 permanent full time jobs were created in the three year period.
Table 2 hereunder provides details on the numbers of full-time jobs lost in the two year period covering 2007-2008. In total 53,053 permanent full time jobs were lost in the two year period.
In addition to the foregoing 3,577.5 net new jobs were created in companies supported by the County enterprise Boards in the three year period between 2006 and 2008.
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
Total |
|
|
Number of Full Time Jobs Created in Enterprise Agency* Assisted Companies 2006-2008 |
27,657 |
26,296 |
20,014 |
73,967 |
*IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development.
|
2007 |
2008 |
Total |
|
|
Number of Full Time Jobs lost in Enterprise Agency* Assisted Companies 2007-2008 |
24,168 |
28,885 |
53,053 |
*IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development.
116 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which she has identified the most salient issues creating a barrier to job creation; her proposals to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41260/09]
Restoring Ireland's competitiveness and, in particular, cost competitiveness is a key priority for this Government and essential for sustaining and creating employment. Growing our exports is the only sustainable path to reduce unemployment and secure long term prosperity. In order to enable Irish exporters to compete successfully in global markets, we need to increase productive investment in the economy, reduce the costs of doing business, and improve productivity in the internationally trading enterprise base. There are a wide range of competitive strengths which we retain, including a young and comparatively well educated work force, growing levels of research and development activity, a modern internationally-traded enterprise base as well as a long track record as an attractive location for overseas investment.
It is particularly important to reduce business costs at this time when all sources of efficiency are in focus and when jobs are at stake in all sectors of the economy. Energy and labour costs are the foremost concerns of the enterprise sector, together with the issue of credit availability particularly for the small and medium enterprise sector. This Government is committed to addressing these concerns. Where Government charges are an issue, we have maintained downward pressure. We are committed to maintain low business taxes and a favourable regulatory environment, and will ensure that our policies keep pace with the way business is changing.
Restoring cost competitiveness in Ireland is made more difficult by the current weaknesses in the dollar and sterling — the currencies of two of our more important trading partners. However, in spite of these difficulties, we have made good progress in controlling costs and we are restoring competitiveness. All categories of businesses have benefited from significant energy price reductions during 2009.
With regard to labour costs, it is the view of this Government that controlling pay costs, both in the public and private sector, is a key element in restoring competitiveness. Both the NCB Manufacturing and Services Purchasing Managers' Indices have shown a sustained and deep period of declining input costs for businesses in Ireland, driven, in part, by lower wage costs. This is matched by a decline in Irish inflation that reached minus 6.5 per cent in the year to September 2009 — the sharpest fall in Ireland since the 1920s.
A stable macroeconomic environment is a pre-requisite to enabling export driven growth. It is essential that we implement a credible and widely supported programme to restore the sustainability of the public finances and ensure the banks are channelling credit to viable businesses. The ongoing availability of credit to business is a critical issue for our small and medium sized enterprises as they trade through the current economic downturn and work to protect jobs in our economy. The actions already taken by this Government to stabilise the banking sector and to ensure that the banks meet their commitments under the recapitalisation package are all focused on getting banks once again to support our broader enterprise economy by extending appropriate credit to viable projects. The Credit Supply Clearing Group will continue to play a key role in this process by addressing the legitimate concerns of both businesses and the lending banks.
Notwithstanding current economic difficulties, we must continue to upskill our workforce to ensure that the necessary skills are in place to meet current and future enterprise needs and as a way of driving the economic upswing when it comes. In keeping with the objectives of "Building Ireland’s Smart Economy — A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal” and the “National Skills Strategy”, Ireland must continue to build upon its strength of a skilled labour force, in order to attract inward investment and ensure sustainable employment.
118 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if all of the groups, bodies or agencies under the aegis of her Department are accountable to her or the Houses of the Oireachtas for expenditure incurred throughout the course of the financial year; her plans to ensure that all such expenditure in future is accountable by her or the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41263/09]
In general the groups, bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department are accountable to me as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment or the Oireachtas for expenditure incurred throughout the year. The principles of Government accounting are mainly derived from the Constitution, and from the institutions and financial relationships between the Oireachtas and the executive which have been developed over the years. Accountability structures vary depending on the nature of the organisations concerned as set out in their establishing legislation and where applicable:
The Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924
The Comptroller and Auditor General Acts 1923 and 1993
The Public Service Management Act, 1997
Oireachtas Committees including the Public Accounts Committee
Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995
Standards in Public Office Act, 2001
Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2009
Report of the Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers 2002 (Known as the Mullarkey Report) and
Public Financial Procedures, updated in 2008
Within these structures, I will continue to ensure that organisations under the aegis of my Department are accountable for their expenditure and that every effort is made to achieve value for money.
119 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of bodies, groups, agencies or other entities under the aegis of her Department; the budgetary allocation in each case, in each of the past five years and to date in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41264/09]
The table below lists the Offices, agencies, and other bodies and groups currently under the aegis of my Department. The funding allocated to each of these entities by my Department between 2004 and 2009 inclusive is also provided. The allocations include Exchequer funding and, where appropriate, National Training Fund monies.
Some of the agencies also receive funding from other sources, such as fees, property rental, grant refunds, and from other Departments or bodies. Funding from these sources is not included in the table.
|
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
|
Allocation |
Allocation |
Allocation |
Allocation |
Allocation |
Allocation |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
Offices |
||||||
|
Labour Court |
2,489 |
2,601 |
2,728 |
3,085 |
3,193 |
3,115 |
|
Labour Relations Commission |
4,342 |
4,860 |
5,012 |
6,194 |
6,600 |
6,286 |
|
Companies Registration Office and Registrar of Friendly Societies1 |
8,355 |
8,693 |
9,308 |
10,097 |
10,091 |
8,912 |
|
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement |
4,250 |
4,538 |
4,713 |
4,823 |
4,957 |
5,535 |
|
National Employment Rights Authority2 |
— |
— |
— |
8,553 |
10,817 |
8,731 |
|
Patents Office3 |
See footnote |
|||||
|
Employment Appeals Tribunal3 |
See footnote |
|||||
|
Agencies |
||||||
|
County & City Enterprise Boards (35 in existence) |
28,587 |
29,114 |
30,421 |
31,856 |
31,985 |
27,812 |
|
Competition Authority |
3,969 |
5,079 |
5,831 |
6,104 |
6,776 |
5,568 |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
150,890 |
156,341 |
155,216 |
160,555 |
164,831 |
199,972 |
|
FÁS |
837,426 |
916,337 |
955,515 |
1,046,312 |
1,096,192 |
1,063,936 |
|
Forfás |
23,446 |
28,576 |
31,649 |
35,035 |
38,475 |
37,164 |
|
Health & Safety Authority |
14,334 |
16,098 |
20,598 |
22,513 |
24,440 |
22,638 |
|
IDA Ireland |
122,601 |
135,073 |
141,718 |
143,243 |
146,250 |
117,971 |
|
Inter TradeIreland4 |
8,705 |
8,932 |
9,325 |
11,892 |
10,682 |
8,499 |
|
Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA)5 |
641 |
1,159 |
919 |
1,528 |
1,547 |
1,532 |
|
ODCA/National Consumer Agency6 |
3,933 |
4,137 |
7,289 |
8,397 |
10,000 |
8,588 |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
5,406 |
6,519 |
6,526 |
7,719 |
8,787 |
8,241 |
|
2004 REV Allocation |
2005 REV Allocation |
2006 REV Allocation |
2007 REV Allocation |
2008 REV Allocation |
2009 REV Allocation |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
Personal Injuries Assessment Board7 |
5,000 |
2,500 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Science Foundation Ireland |
113,730 |
128,251 |
149,436 |
165,772 |
183,643 |
170,524 |
|
Shannon Development |
3,118 |
5,178 |
3,784 |
3,350 |
3,357 |
957 |
|
Other Bodies8 |
||||||
|
Skillnets |
5,305 |
7,633 |
15,206 |
24,500 |
27,179 |
16,595 |
|
Joint Labour Committees |
90 |
92 |
95 |
135 |
135 |
135 |
|
Company Law Review Group |
114 |
117 |
130 |
133 |
133 |
113 |
|
Sales Review Group |
20 |
|||||
|
Business Regulation Group |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
Notes
1 Up to 2007, the budget for the Registrar of Friendly Societies was included as part of the Department’s central Administrative Budget.
2 The National Employment Rights Authority was established on an interim basis by the Government in February 2007.
3 The Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Patents Office are funded from the Department’s central Administrative Budget and do not have separate budgetary allocations.
4 InterTrade Ireland is co-financed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland. The figures provided on the table refer to the contribution of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
5 Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) is co-financed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and industry associations. The figures provided on the table refer to the contribution of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
6 The functions of the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs (ODCA) were transferred to the National Consumer Agency when the Agency was established on a statutory basis in 2007.
7 Start-up funding was provided to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board in 2004 and 2005. The Board’s statutory activities have been self-financing since 2006.
8 In addition to the entities shown on the above table, the following bodies/groups which come under the aegis the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are funded through the Department’s agencies:
Crafts Council of Ireland
National Competitiveness Council
Expert Group on Future Skills Needs
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs reports jointly to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Education and Science.
120 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she proposes to take to reduce costs in the manufacturing and services sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41265/09]
121 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which she has identified the main issues causing lack of competitiveness in the manufacturing and services sectors; her plans to combat these; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41266/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.
Restoring Ireland's cost competitiveness has been a priority for the Government. Over the past few months we have seen significant downward pressure on costs and on prices generally.
Following significant energy price reductions in May 2009, from this October there has been significant reduction in gas prices and a modest reduction in electricity prices for medium business customers. Overall, all categories of businesses, including SMEs have benefited from significant energy price decreases in 2009.
Both the NCB Manufacturing and Services Purchasing Managers' Indices have shown a sustained and deep period of declining input costs for businesses in Ireland, driven, in part, by lower wage costs. This is matched by a decline in Irish inflation that reached minus 6.5 per cent in the year to September 2009 — the sharpest fall in Ireland since the 1920s.
The ESRI recently predicted that, with our current control of costs, productivity should grow by over 3 per cent in 2010. Combined with projected wage decreases of 2.5 per cent, this represents a significant improvement in the competitiveness of the Irish economy.
122 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance if discussions have taken place with an airline (details supplied) regarding the €10 air travel tax; if he will report on these discussions; if not; if he will hold discussions with the airline in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41109/09]
123 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance if, following his comments that the discussions are taking place with an airline (details supplied) regarding the €10 air travel tax, he will report on those discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41110/09]
130 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to comments made (details supplied) stating that discussions are taking place with an airline regarding the €10 air travel tax; if he will report on those discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41111/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 123 and 130 together.
A meeting took place with Ryanair to discuss a range of issues and the air travel tax arose in that context. It is policy to review all taxes in the lead up to the Budget, however, there is no specific review of the air travel tax.
124 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue raised from the health levy to date in 2009; the amount raised for each of the past five years; the number of persons paying the levy for same; the exemptions to the levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41225/09]
The 2009 estimate of receipts in respect of the health levy is €1,892m following the doubling of the levy in the 2009 Supplementary Budget. Health levy receipts to end-October amount to €1,217m.
The Health Levy is charged at 4 per cent on all income once above the threshold of €26,000 and 5 per cent on all income in excess of €75,036 per annum. Those with incomes below the income threshold, certain categories of social welfare recipients, holders of Medical Cards here or their EU equivalents and persons over the age of seventy years are statutorily exempt from the levy.
The amount raised from the Levy and the numbers of persons paying the levy over the past five years are set out:
|
Amount |
Number liable for levy* |
|
|
€m |
||
|
2005 |
1,117 |
1,180,078 |
|
2006 |
1,189 |
1,173,005 |
|
2007 |
1,298 |
1,200,066 |
|
2008 |
1,327 |
1,149,255 |
|
2009 (to end-October) |
1,217 |
1,035,693 |
*Numbers liable is based on Revenue Commissioners Income Tax model of the numbers of income earners who are liable to pay the Health Levy for the years 2005 to 2009.
It should be noted that a married couple who has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one unit. The figures are estimates using actual data for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007. For the years 2008 and 2009 the figures are based on the actual data for 2007 adjusted as necessary for income and employment growth.
125 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the correct level of tax credit or allowances in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who works 12 hours per week and is in receipt of disability allowance or benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41250/09]
I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that based on the information available to them the persons concerned are entitled to a married personal tax credit of €3,660 and two employee tax credits (PAYE) of €1,830, giving gross tax credits of €7,320 per annum.
126 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has inquired into the cause or causes of substantial increases in motor insurance premiums in the past 12 months; his proposed action arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41258/09]
127 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has studied insurance costs with particular reference to motor insurance over the past two years; if he will provide an explanation for the steep increases in insurance premiums in this period; her plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41261/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together.
I am aware that there has been an increase in motor insurance premiums this year. This increase however has to be considered against a backdrop of the continuing stress in the financial markets and the recessionary pressures in the economy which is affecting all financial service providers including the insurance industry.
My Department has been advised by the Financial Regulator that while the non-life insurance market performed well up to the end of 2006, market sources indicate that much non-life business was written at a loss in 2007. This trend continued in 2008, but the companies were still willing to write business at a loss in order to maintain their market share. They were able to do this as a result of the reserves they had built up during profitable years. However, the situation could not go on indefinitely and indications are that firms are now taking action on pricing to underpin their financial positions, including in the motor insurance area.
This position is supported by a report published earlier this year by Standard & Poor's titled ‘ A Testing 2009 for the Irish Non-Life Insurance Market, Despite Fundamental Strengths’. It provides an insight into the problems facing the industry at the moment. The report envisages a difficult year for the non-life industry as a result of rising claims and continuing intense competition which they say is limiting price increases. They add that this combined with anticipated lower investment returns is expected to hinder profitability.
In the current difficult trading climate, there is a delicate balance to be struck between ensuring the long-term sustainability of the non-life insurance industry and at the same time making sure that the consumer obtains good value for money. I am particularly conscious of the impact of a significant increase in premiums for both the consumer and business and I have informed the industry that it must be a priority for them to ensure that insurance cover is provided as competitively as possible consistent with long term commercial sustainability and viability.
In conclusion, the recent upward trend in insurance prices including motor insurance reflects a range of factors outside the control of the industry. It would not, therefore be appropriate from a policy perspective to seek to intervene in the commercial conduct or decision making of insurance firms in the absence of clear evidence of market failure in respect of which there is scope to address from a national perspective.
128 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Finance his plans regarding the taxation of public sector retirement lump sum payments in budget 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41105/09]
In line with the normal practice, I do not propose to comment at this time on what may or may not be included in Budget 2010.
129 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Finance the rental cost of all Department offices in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41106/09]
A table schedules leases with an annual rent of €10,000 or more that are leased by the Office of Public Works on behalf of all Departments in Cork City.
|
Building Name |
Address |
Lease Name |
Annual Rent |
Department |
|
€ |
||||
|
Cork C&E Centre Park House |
Centre Park House, Centre Park Road |
Centre Park House, Ground Floor |
48,000.00 |
NERA |
|
Cork C&E Centre Park House |
Centre Park House, Centre Park Road |
Cork Centre Park House |
110,000.00 |
Revenue Commissioners |
|
Cork C&E Centre Park House |
Centre Park House, Centre Park Road |
Cork Centre Park House, Floor 3 |
43,940.00 |
Revenue |
|
Cork Education Office |
Block C Heritage Business Park, Mahon |
Cork Heritage Park, Block C |
240,000.00 |
Education & Science, National Education Welfare Board, National Council for Special Education |
|
Cork Environment Office |
Unit 7, Eastgate Avenue, Little Island |
Cork Environment, Little Island Office |
68,906.00 |
Dept of Environment |
|
Cork Gov Off Connolly Hall |
Connolly Hall, Lapps Quay |
Cork Connolly Hall, Ground Floor |
17,000.00 |
Social & Family Affairs |
|
Cork Gov Off Connolly Hall |
Connolly Hall, Lapps Quay |
Cork Connolly Hall, Floor 1 |
28,000.00 |
Agriculture, Food & Rural Development, Social & Family Affairs |
|
Cork Gov Off Hibernian House |
Hibernian House, South Mall |
Cork Hibernian House |
321,500.00 |
Agriculture, Food & Rural Development |
|
Cork Gov Off Hibernian House |
Hibernian House, South Mall |
Cork Hibernian House, Floor 4 |
18,284.23 |
Social & Family Affairs |
|
Cork Gov Off Hibernian House |
Hibernian House, South Mall |
Cork Hibrnian House, Floor 3 |
20,677.48 |
Social & Family Affairs |
|
Cork Gov Off Irish Life Bldg |
Irish Life House, 1A South Mall |
Cork Irish Life, 1A |
18,500.00 |
Foreign Affairs |
|
Cork Gov Off Irish Life Bldg |
Irish Life House, 1A South Mall |
Cork Irish Life 6 |
190,800.00 |
Agriculture, Food & Rural Development, Education & Science, Prisons Service, OPW |
|
Cork Gov Off Irish Life Bldg |
Irish Life House, 1A South Mall |
Cork Irish Life 1 |
205,933.00 |
Foreign Affairs |
|
Cork Gov Off Irish Life Bldg |
Irish Life House, 1A South Mall |
Cork Irish Life, Floor 4 |
61,448.00 |
Foreign Affairs, Revenue Commissioners |
|
Cork Gov Off Irish Life Bldg |
Irish Life House, 1A South Mall |
Cork Irish Life, Floor 5 |
69,914.52 |
Passport Office |
|
Cork HIQA Decent Office |
Unit 1301,Building 1000, City Gate, Mahon |
Cork HIQA Decentralisation Office |
370,420.00 |
HIQA |
|
Cork International Freight Ctr |
Unit 2400B Cork Airport Bus Park, Kinsale Road |
Cork International Freight Centre |
10,200.00 |
Revenue Commissioners |
|
Cork Marine Office |
Riverview Business Park, Mahon Industrial Estate |
Cork Marine Oak House |
58,500.00 |
Comm Marine & National Resources |
|
Cork Marine Office |
Acorn Business Campus, Mahon Industrial Park, Blackrock |
Cork Marine Acorn Campus |
41,478.00 |
Comm Marine & National Resources |
|
Cork Marine Office |
Riverview Business Park, Mahon Industrial Estate |
Cork Oak House, Bessboro |
53,320.00 |
Marine |
|
Cork Probation & Welfare Service Cove St |
St Nicholas Church, Cove Street |
Cork Probation & Welfare Service Cove Street |
300,368.00 |
Probation & Welfare Service |
|
Cork SWO — ESB Premises |
ESB Premises, Marina |
Cork Marine, ESB |
120,000.00 |
Social & Family Affairs |
131 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the new flexibility introduced by the European Union regarding the application of VAT in member states, he will consider proposals from the national newspapers of Ireland to reduce the 13.5% VAT rate to a lower rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41131/09]
VAT law is governed by the EU VAT Directive to which Irish VAT law must comply. Under the VAT Directive it is possible for Member States to operate up to two reduced rates, as low as 5% to all the goods and services that are listed in Annex III of the Directive. Newspapers are listed in Annex III and are subject to the reduced rate of 13.5% in Ireland.
With regard to further reducing the 13.5% reduced rate of VAT, you will appreciate that it is the usual practice for the Minister for Finance not to speculate or comment in advance of the Budget what it will contain and I do not propose to deviate from that practice.
However, it should be noted that reducing the reduced VAT rate by 1 percentage point would cost the Exchequer around €250 million in a full year.
132 Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Meath is entitled to a tax refund for the tax year 2009. [41143/09]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, as the person in question ceased their employment on the 2nd October 2009, they may accordingly be entitled to an unemployment repayment for this year. Revenue have forwarded this customer a repayment claim form, P50, and, on receipt of the completed form, will be in a position to examine the claim and repay any refund due.
133 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 279 of 16 September 2009, the position regarding the way in which the different types of panels will be dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41159/09]
As I have stated previously, the position regarding persons on panels arising from Civil Service competitions is that panels from open competitions generally stay in place until the next competition is held. Interdepartmental promotion panels have a definite life span and this is agreed centrally with the relevant Civil Service union. In the context of the Moratorium, a decision has been taken that interdepartmental promotion panels will be allowed to lapse as the closure dates are reached. Decisions in respect of Departmental promotion panels are taken at Departmental level.
In respect of the wider public service, decisions on the continuation or otherwise of recruitment panels is a matter for the relevant Minister and organisation, in the context of the Moratorium. Decisions in respect of future recruitment campaigns will be taken in the context of the business needs of the relevant organisation, the Moratorium on recruitment and promotion and any redeployment arrangements agreed for the civil and public service.
134 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the loss of tax revenue from abolishing the Air Travel Tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41169/09]
It is currently estimated that the air travel tax will yield €125 million in a full year. I have no plans to abolish the air travel tax.
135 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance when the works in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, will be complete; when the Castleknock gate will be re-opened to traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41206/09]
The road works for the reconstruction of Mountjoy Cross in the Phoenix Park will be completed before the end of November and the introduction of Operation Freeflow. The Castleknock Gate will be removed at the same stage.
136 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance if the current works in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, will include the resurfacing of the main road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41207/09]
The present works at Mountjoy Cross in the Phoenix Park will not include the resurfacing of the Main Road (Chesterfield Avenue).
137 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance his estimate of the yield from an income levy of 3% rate applied to all income including social welfare and rental income with no threshold or ceiling but exemption for those who earn less than €352 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41208/09]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2010 incomes, from applying a 3% income levy to all personal income including rental income, excluding social welfare income and with no threshold or ceiling but exempting those who are earning less than €352 per week (annual equivalent €18,304), is estimated to be of the order of €2.05 billion. I should also point out that the income levy is already applied to rental income under the existing legislation.
Payments from the Department of Social and Family Affairs comprise means-tested payments and non-means tested payments. In accordance with the 2009 estimates, the total cost of these payments in 2009 would be about
€20 billion and 3% of this figure is €600 million.
Apart from those related to Social Welfare payments, the figures are estimates from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the year 2007, adjusted as necessary to take account of the most recent data available for income and employment trends for the year 2010. They are therefore provisional and likely to be revised.
138 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Finance his views on a reduction in VAT in Budget 2010 due to difficulties encountered by Border towns and traders; his further views on a special tax designation status for all towns designated hubs and gateways in the national spatial strategy with a view to regeneration of business. [41236/09]
With regard to reducing VAT, you will appreciate that it is the usual practice for the Minister for Finance not to speculate or comment in advance of the Budget on what it will contain and I do not propose to deviate from that practice. In relation to proposals for a special tax designation status for all towns designated hubs and gateways in the national spatial strategy, I have been informed by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that the National Spatial Strategy outlined core principles and policies to provide for a better regional spread of development across the country, to provide for more sustainable and economic patterns of development through consolidation of key urban areas and preservation of environmental and heritage resources and to grow those key strategic gateways and hubs that have the capacity to achieve critical mass and become economic drivers for the wider regions.
The 2004 Regional Planning Guidelines which are currently being updated for adoption in 2010 translate NSS principles into regional and local priorities and also include regional economic analysis and actions, prepared in partnership with the development agencies, to promote and drive the region's growth, including through facilitating and attracting businesses to the region. There are currently no plans to introduce a tax designation status for all gateway cities and hub towns.
139 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the proposals to review the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concession scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41243/09]
A special Interdepartmental Review Group reviewed the operation of the Disabled Drivers Scheme. It examined the current benefits, the qualifying medical criteria, the Exchequer costs, relationship with other schemes and similar schemes in other countries. The report also made a number of recommendations, both immediate and long-term, referring respectively to the operation of the appeals process and options for the future development of the scheme. The Group's report is published on my Department's website. Some 13,000 people benefited under the scheme in 2008 at an overall estimated cost of €76 million. Any changes would have to be considered in the context of the annual Budget.
140 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will disclose information pertaining to a fatal accident (details supplied) regarding the dispatch of the ambulance service, the ambulance service arrival at the scene and the subsequent request for fire service assistance. [41103/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
141 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to assistance for their medical condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41192/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
142 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo. [41097/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
143 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children how many of the 52 additional infection control staff promised in 2006 have been recruited to date; the number which have yet to be recruited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41107/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
144 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will address the issues raised in correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [41115/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the free Preschool Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which is being introduced in January 2010.
Under the ECCE scheme, participating services will be paid a standard annual capitation fee of €2,450 in return for the provision of the free preschool year to each child. The payment will be made, in advance, at the beginning of each term. A higher capitation rate of €2,850 per annum will be available to sessional playschool services in which all child care workers have qualification levels above the minimum requirements for the scheme. To qualify for the higher capitation rate all PreSchool leaders in the service must hold a major award in early childhood care and education or equivalent (title of courses may vary) at a minimum Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications and have 3 years' experience working in the sector, and all assistants must hold a relevant FETAC Level 5 qualification or its equivalent.
Sessional playschools participating in the scheme are expected to provide the preschool year over 183 days in a full year, as is the case for primary schools. This will require them to be open over 38 weeks per annum. It is considered that the capitation rates are reasonable and will accommodate the greater majority of services. This is borne out by the fact that 90% of preschool services operating in the State have applied for entry to the scheme. Services participating in the scheme should ensure that the capitation fee is sufficient to cover their full operational costs including the statutory entitlements of staff to paid leave. The scheme represents an investment of almost €170 million annually in preschool services and in light of the current economic situation there are no proposals to increase this provision.
The scheme will normally be required to be provided over five days each week. This is considered the most appropriate framework to ensure that children receive an appropriate level of early learning involving appropriate programme based activities in the critical developmental year before they commence primary school. To facilitate services which currently accommodate a greater number of children than they have places for (i.e. on a pro-rata basis), services may participate in the ECCE scheme during January to September 2010 on this basis, in which case they will be paid in respect of the number of children attending per day rather than the total number of children per week. For the reasons stated above, this will not be continued beyond September 2010.
With regard to the pre-school voucher system introduced in the United Kingdom in the 1990s, I understand that this has been abandoned in favour of a scheme broadly similar to the ECCE scheme. Voucher systems generally result in many services charging additional "top up" fees to parents who can afford to pay. Over time, parents increasingly lose the benefit of the funding provided and, in addition, a two-tier preschool system develops, which is contrary to the objective of equal access for all children to preschool education. It is a fundamental principle of the ECCE scheme that it will be provided free of charge to parents. Participating services can charge parents for additional services where these are clearly optional to parents and appropriate programme based activities continue to be provided to children not availing of such services during the preschool year hours.
145 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the moneys that remain unpaid under the general medical scheme to general practitioners in each of the years since the establishment of the Health Service Executive; the unpaid number of GPs involved in each year; the steps that are being taken to ensure that all moneys due are awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41118/09]
The information sought by the Deputy is not provided by the Health Service Executive to my Department as a matter of routine. Therefore, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
146 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [41122/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. As the Deputy may be aware, the National Treatment Purchase Fund arranges treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.
147 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is not entitled to the H1N1 injection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41147/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
148 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the case of a person (details supplied). [41148/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
149 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting times for an MRI scan at Waterford General Hospital; and when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will expect to be called for an appointment for an MRI scan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41149/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
150 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive will part fund the rent of an art assist appliance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the applicant needs the apparatus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41176/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
151 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of beds, inpatient, outpatient, psychiatric, private and other in public hospitals here in tabular form; the total population the hospital serves; if the hospital has an accident an emergency department; if the hospital provides maternity services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41177/09]
My Department has asked the HSE to compile the detailed information requested by the Deputy and to communicate it directly to him.
152 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41182/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
153 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 13 of 17 September 2009, if the Health Service Executive review is completed; if phase 3c of Naas General Hospital, County Kildare, is included in the Revised Capital Programme 2007 to 2013; and the details of same. [41197/09]
The Health Service Executive's review of its capital programme, including consideration of options to progress projects through alternative funding arrangements, is ongoing.
On completion, the Executive is required to submit its proposals for my approval with the agreement of the Minister for Finance. Details of the individual projects included in the approved capital investment programme will be made available following its approval.
154 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommendation that the National Treatment Purchase Fund be required to use private facilities here and abroad when these are available, with estimated savings of €7.5 million in a full year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41211/09]
The recommendation from the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Programmes was based on the findings of a 2004 Comptroller and Auditor General's report. That report found that, of a sample of cases, 44% were undertaken in public hospitals and 36% were in the public hospital on whose waiting-list the patient had been. However, this does not represent the current position. There is a ceiling of 10% of NTPF activity which may be undertaken in the public sector and this is intended for areas, such as paediatric surgery, which cannot be done in private hospitals.
The NTPF does not normally send patients for treatment outside Ireland. This was done some years ago, when there was insufficient capacity in some specialties in the private system in Ireland. That capacity now exists here. The Fund does arrange, where convenient, for patients living in border counties to be treated in private facilities in Northern Ireland. There have been 1,024 such cases to date in 2009.
155 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the Exchequer funding that supplements funding from the proceeds of the National Lottery, including details of all programmes; the amount allocated by programme per annum for each of the past five years; the percentage of Exchequer funding as part of the total; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41212/09]
Grants to health agencies and similar organisations are provided annually by my Department through voted expenditure as set out in the table below.
|
Subhead |
€ |
|
|
2005 |
B2 |
3,722,000 |
|
2006 |
B2 |
3,815,000 |
|
2007 |
B2 |
3,903,000 |
|
2008 |
B2 |
3,985,000 |
|
2009 |
B2 |
2,984,261 (to date) |
Since 2005, the total allocation for subheads which had formerly been funded entirely from the proceeds of the National Lottery has exceeded the funds available from the National Lottery. Subheads that, prior to 2005, were exclusively funded by National Lottery funds are now funded by a combination of National Lottery and Exchequer funding. Funds from the National Lottery as a percentage of the total allocation for all part-funded subheads amounted to 64% in 2005, 50% in 2006, 52% in 2007 and 56% in 2008. The corresponding percentage for 2009 is estimated at 64%.
The programme breakdown for these grants, as requested by the Deputy, is supplied in the table.
|
€ |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
Acute Hospitals |
836,500 |
|
Childcare |
316,799 |
|
Disability Services |
528,400 |
|
Health Promotion |
143,901 |
|
Mental Health |
450,020 |
|
Services for Older People |
1,206,330 |
|
Social Inclusion |
242,250 |
|
Nursing |
3,000 |
|
Total |
3,727,200 |
|
2006 |
|
|
Acute Hospital |
1,010,000 |
|
Childcare |
570,473 |
|
Disability Services |
285,158 |
|
Health Promotion |
209,500 |
|
Mental Health |
695,000 |
|
Services for Older People |
957,319 |
|
Social Inclusion |
60,000 |
|
Primary Care |
27,550 |
|
Total |
3,815,000 |
|
2007 |
|
|
Acute Hospitals |
1,158,800 |
|
Childcare |
586,500 |
|
CMO |
27,000 |
|
Disability Services |
286,715 |
|
Health Promotion |
45,000 |
|
Mental Health |
677,000 |
|
Services for Older People |
749,035 |
|
Primary Care |
3,450 |
|
Social Inclusion |
369,500 |
|
Total |
3,903,000 |
|
2008 |
|
|
Childcare |
623,500 |
|
Disability Services |
745,178 |
|
Acute Hospitals |
522,500 |
|
Services for Older People |
609,222 |
|
Primary Care |
10,000 |
|
Mental Health |
589,000 |
|
Cancer and Blood Policy |
475,000 |
|
Health Promotion |
191,500 |
|
Adoption Board |
142,000 |
|
Social Inclusion |
77,100 |
|
Total |
3,985,000 |
|
2009 |
|
|
Childcare |
266,500 |
|
Disability Services |
179,800 |
|
Acute Hospitals |
124,700 |
|
Services for Older People |
892,798 |
|
C.M.O.’s Office |
73,000 |
|
Mental Health |
451,721 |
|
Cancer and Blood Policy |
450,000 |
|
Health Promotion |
214,942 |
|
Patient Safety Unit |
150,000 |
|
Social Inclusion |
180,800 |
|
Total |
2,984,261 |
€1,000,739 has yet to be expended from the 2009 National Lottery allocation.
156 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the Exchequer funding allocated to the Hepatitis C Tribunal and other tribunals to date in 2009; the cost of each tribunal per annum since their establishment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41213/09]
The cost to date in 2009 of the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal is €45.236m. The cost per annum to end 2008 is as follows:
|
Year |
€m |
|
1996 |
31.981 |
|
1997 |
77.047 |
|
1998 |
149.475 |
|
1999 |
63.808 |
|
2000 |
55.709 |
|
2001 |
68.220 |
|
2002 |
49.397 |
|
2003 |
50.039 |
|
2004 |
64.870 |
|
2005 |
67.723 |
|
2006 |
74.734 |
|
2007 |
81.906 |
|
2008 |
62.744 |
The amounts paid by my Department in respect of Tribunals of Inquiry are set out:
Tribunal of Inquiry into the Blood Transfusion Service Board (Finlay Tribunal), established 1996:
|
Year |
€m |
|
1996 |
0.498 |
|
1997 |
1.078 |
|
1998 |
1.824 |
|
1999 |
0.906 |
|
2000 |
0.075 |
Tribunal of Inquiry into the infection with HIV and Hepatitis C of persons with Haemophilia and related matters (Lindsay Tribunal), established 1999.
|
Year |
€m |
|
1999 |
1.009 |
|
2000 |
4.575 |
|
2001 |
5.725 |
|
2002 |
1.236 |
|
2003 |
9.850 |
|
2004 |
17.773 |
|
2005 |
6.481 |
|
2006 |
Nil |
|
2007 |
0.028 |
157 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the transitional arrangements for the national child care investment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41214/09]
158 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the way funding is allocated under the national child care investment programme, including details on the conditions for bands A, B and C; the estimated cost for same in 2009; the numbers of persons included with each band; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41215/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.
I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006 — 2010 (NCIP) which includes the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) which support community childcare services to enable them to charge reduced childcare fees to disadvantaged and low-income working parents.
The CCSS replaced an earlier staffing grant scheme which was implemented under the EU co-funded Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 — 2006 (EOCP). The staffing grant scheme was also a targeted scheme with the objective of enabling community childcare providers to charge reduced fees to disadvantaged parents. In considering the format of a successor scheme to the EOCP staffing grant scheme, account was taken of the fact that many services participating in that scheme had not implemented a tiered fee structure as required, and that the level of funding provided to each childcare facility did not reflect its level of service provision or the profile of disadvantage amongst parents using the service. The CCSS takes account of these factors and uses clear and transparent criteria to measure disadvantage and low income. Funding is provided on these bases and, as the grant is based on subvention rates for qualifying parents, the funding must be used for the purpose for which it is provided.
To assist services to adjust to the new arrangements, the CCSS provides for transitional arrangements under which services have been guaranteed minimum funding levels based on their EOCP grant amount in 2007. In 2008, services received at least, 95% of their 2007 funding level. In 2009, they received at least 85% of their 2007 level. In 2010, the transitional rate will reduce to 75% of their 2007 level.
The funding provided under the CCSS allows services to reduce full week childcare fees by €100 for disadvantaged parents who are in receipt of social welfare payments — (Band A) , by €70 for low income parents in receipt of Family Income Supplement (FIS) or FAS or VEC childcare supports — (Band B), and by €45 for working parents who hold either a GP Visit Card or a Medical Card — (Band C). Parents who avail of childcare services for less than 5 days a week or for part-time or sessional childcare, benefit from pro-rata reductions.
The CCSS is expected to cost approximately €58 million in 2009. The number of parents benefiting from subvention is approximately 19,200 of which 14,100 qualify under Band A; 3,000 qualify under Band B and 2,100 qualify under Band C.
159 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of bonus payments awarded to the Health Service Executive staff in 2007; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41216/09]
160 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of bonus payments awarded to Health Service Executive staff in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41217/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together.
The Performance Related Awards Scheme was introduced following a decision by the Government on the implementation of recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The primary function of the Review Body is to advise the Government from time to time on the general levels of remuneration appropriate to certain public sector posts, including higher management grades in the health service not covered by the Public Sector Benchmarking Body process.
The level of awards made to individual senior managers in the HSE in 2005, 2006, 2007 is solely a matter for the HSE Board and my Department has, therefore, asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy. No bonus payments have been made to senior managers in the HSE in respect of 2008. At its meeting on 9th July, 2009, in response to a request from my Department, the Board of the Executive formally decided to suspend consideration of all performance related awards for 2008 in the HSE pending receipt of further guidelines from central government. All eligible employees were informed of that decision.
Since the payment of bonuses is related to performance in the preceding year, no such payments have been made in respect of 2009.
161 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people eligible for the full medical card, the general practitioner card, the long term illness scheme and the drugs payment scheme as at the end of October 2009; the 2009 financial allocation for same; the amount spent to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41218/09]
163 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons eligible for the full medical card, the general practitioner card, the long term illness scheme and the drugs payment scheme per annum year since 2004 in tabular form; the number of persons provided for in 2009 estimates; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41220/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 163 together.
Details of the number of medical card holders and GP visit card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The figures are provided on a net basis, showing the balance after new cards have been issued and other cards, as appropriate, have been deleted from the Executive's database, e.g. following a review of a person's circumstances. The most recent figures provided by the Executive to my Department reflect the position on the 30th September 2009. The following table shows the number of medical card holders and GP visit card holders at the end of each of the last five years, and on 30th September 2009.
|
Year |
Number of Medical Card Holders |
Number of GP Visit Card Holders |
|
31st December 2004 |
1,145,083 |
N/A |
|
31st December 2005 |
1,155,727 |
5,080 |
|
31st December 2006 |
1,221,695 |
51,760 |
|
31st December 2007 |
1,276,178 |
75,589 |
|
31st December 2008 |
1,352,120 |
85,546 |
|
30th September 2009 |
1,448,741 |
94,381 |
In 2008, the HSE spent nearly €1.786 billion on the medical card and GP visit card schemes. The 2009 allocation is €1.888 billion. The actual expenditure by the HSE on the medical card and GP visit card schemes up to 30th September 2009 was €1.381 billion.
The following table shows the number of eligible persons and the number of claimants under the Long Term Illness and Drugs Payment Schemes at the end of each of the last five years.
|
Year |
Long Term Illness — No. of eligible persons |
Long Term Illness — No. of claimants |
Long Term Illness Total Cost |
Drugs Payment Scheme — No. of eligible persons |
Drugs Payment Scheme — No. of claimants |
Drugs Payment Scheme — Net Cost |
|
€ |
€ |
|||||
|
2004 |
93,504 |
50,526 |
85,551,000 |
1,469,251 |
499,664 |
223,959,000 |
|
2005 |
99,290 |
53,006 |
100,547,000 |
1,478,650 |
526,052 |
244,486,000 |
|
2006 |
106,307 |
53,082 |
115,461,000 |
1,525,657 |
597,835 |
283,108,000 |
|
2007 |
112,580 |
59,040 |
124,458,000 |
1,583,738 |
667,782 |
307,334,000 |
|
2008 |
120,407 |
62,934 |
137,899,000 |
1,624,413 |
687,587 |
311,898,000 |
Figures for the number of eligible persons up to October 2009 for the Drugs Payment Scheme and the Long Term Illness Scheme are not currently available and shall be forwarded directly to the Deputy from the Primary care Reimbursement Service of the HSE shortly. The HSE has budgeted €143m for 2009 for the Long Term Illness Scheme and €343m for the Drugs Payment Scheme. The latest figures available from the HSE show that the actual cost up to end of September 2009 for the Long Term Illness Scheme is €119m and €276m for the Drugs Payment Scheme. The latest HSE figures available up to the end of September 2009 show that the number of claims made under the Drugs Payment Scheme is 3,832,831 and that the number of claims made under the Long Term Illness Scheme is 681,553. The number of claims budgeted for 2009 is 6,252,629 for the Drugs Payment Scheme and 909,926 claims for the Long Term Illness Scheme.
162 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the average cost of a full medical card; how this figure is arrived at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41219/09]
As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy regarding Parliamentary Question 21860/09, the Health Service Executive's (HSE) National Service Plan for 2009 gives the annual average cost of a medical card as €1,650 approximately. This figure does not take account of any reductions in professional fees and allowances introduced under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. My Department has asked the HSE to furnish it with an up-to-date figure in this regard and the basis for same and I will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
164 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the income guidelines for medical card eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41221/09]
The full income guidelines as of 1st January 2009 that apply to applicants for a medical card or a GP visit card are set out in the following table.
|
(Effective from 01-01-2009) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Medical Card Gross Weekly Rate 2009 |
||
|
€ |
||
|
Single Person |
Aged 70 or over |
700.00 |
|
Married Couple or Persons Living Together as Husband and Wife |
Aged 70 or over |
1,400.00 |
|
Medical Card Weekly Rate 01/01/2009 |
GP Visit Card Weekly Rate 01/01/2009 |
|
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
Single Person Living Alone |
||
|
Aged up to 65 years |
184.00 |
276.00 |
|
Aged 66 years and over |
201.50 |
302.00 |
|
Single Person Living with Family |
||
|
Aged up to 65 years |
164.00 |
246.00 |
|
Aged 66 years and over |
173.50 |
260.00 |
|
Married Couple or Persons Living Together as Husband and Wife / Single Parent Families with Dependent Children |
||
|
Aged up to 65 years |
266.50 |
400.00 |
|
Aged 66 years and over |
298.00 |
447.00 |
|
Allowances |
||
|
Allowance for first 2 children under 16 years financially dependant on applicant |
38.00 |
57.00 |
|
For 3rd and subsequent children under 16 years financially dependant on applicant |
41.00 |
61.50 |
|
Allowance for first 2 children over 16 years financially dependant on applicant |
39.00 |
58.50 |
|
For 3rd and subsequent children over 16 years financially dependant on applicant |
42.50 |
64.00 |
|
For a dependant over 16 years in full-time education and not grant-aided |
78.00 |
117.00 |
Additional guideline allowances will be given for:
Reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent/mortgage payments;
Reasonable expenses incurred in respect of childcare costs;
Reasonable expenses incurred in travel to work.
The assessment of eligibility for Medical Cards and GP Visit Cards will be based on the combined income of the applicant and spouse (if any) after tax and PRSI have been deducted.
Applicants, whose weekly incomes are derived solely from Social Welfare or Health Service Executive allowances/payments, which are in excess of the Financial Guidelines (either at first application or on renewal), will be granted Medical Cards.
165 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide the details of the review for medical card eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41222/09]
My Department is currently reviewing the eligibility criteria for the assessment of medical cards in the context of financial and medical need in line with the commitment in Towards 2016 to clarify entitlement to a medical card and having regard to the following:
The policy objectives underpinning the medical card/GP visit card.
Income assessment guidelines.
The need or otherwise to retain some element of discretion in the new system.
Maintaining/improving incentives to employment and avoiding benefit traps.
The financial and operational implications for the HSE of any proposed changes to the existing system.
Transitional arrangements in moving to any new system with particular reference to the implications for current card holders.
The commitments in the Programme for Government.
A Steering Group has been established to carry out this work and is expected to report shortly.
166 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person who has been unemployed for a minimum of 12 months can retain their medical card for three years after commencing employment; the number of persons who can retain their medical card for three years after commencing employment; the cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41223/09]
Under the Health Service Executive's Medical Card / GP Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines for 2009, persons in receipt of either the Job Seekers Allowance or the Job Seekers Benefit for a period of 12 months or more are entitled to retain their medical card for 3 years on taking up employment. The other information sought by the Deputy is not provided by the HSE to my Department as a matter of routine. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters addressed and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
167 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the findings of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes that the operation of the income guidelines under the medical card scheme is resulting in medical cards being granted on grounds that are not transparent, equitable and in many instances not based on medical need and affordability and that this is at odds with the original objectives of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41224/09]
The Government announced, in its Statement on Transforming Public Services on 27 November 2008, that the Minister for Finance was establishing a Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes to examine the current expenditure programmes in each Government Department and to make recommendations for reducing public service numbers so as to ensure a return to sustainable public finances. The Group under the chairmanship of Mr. Colm McCarthy, published its report on 16th July 2009. Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. This will include consideration of the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.
168 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the changes to the threshold of the drugs payment scheme since 2005, including the date that announcement was made; the date that changes took affect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41226/09]
169 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommendation to change the drug payment scheme to a quarterly rather than a monthly payment threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41227/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together.
The increases to the Drugs Payment Scheme thresholds since 2005 are outlined in the table below. In each year the changes were notified to the Health Service Executive and the Irish Pharmacy Union. The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes and its recommendations are being considered by all Government Departments in advance of the Budget. The Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), with the other demand led schemes, are under ongoing review in the context of the need to obtain best value for money.
|
Year |
Threshold |
Effective from |
S.I. no |
|
€ |
|||
|
2005 |
85 |
1/1/2005 |
S.I. 832 of 2004 |
|
2006 |
85 |
No change |
|
|
2007 |
85 |
No change |
|
|
2008 |
90 |
1/1/2008 |
S.I. 837 of 2007 |
|
2009 |
100 |
1/1/2009 |
S.I. 519 of 2008 |
170 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount owed to hospitals at the end of 2008; the amount owed by private health insurance companies for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41228/09]
I have referred the matter to the HSE for direct reply.
171 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the changes made to hospital accident and emergency charges since 2005, including the date that announcement was made; the date change took affect; the revenue gained per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41229/09]
172 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the changes made to the charge for private facilities in public hospitals since 2005, including the date that announcement was made; the date change took affect; the revenue gained from this per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41230/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.
I have included the information for the Deputy in relation to any changes made to hospital accident and emergency charges and changes made to the charge for private facilities in public hospitals since 2005. In each case these changes were announced on Budget Day and took effect from the 1st of January of the following year. Information on income collected through statutory and private charges is not collected by my Department. The public voluntary hospitals would collect a significant proportion of the hospital charges, but this is not accounted for through Appropriatations-in-Aid; rather, the hospitals are funded by the HSE on a net expenditure basis. I have asked the HSE to compile this information and reply directly to the Deputy.
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
1. Private Accommodation |
|||||
|
Health Board Regional Hospitals, Voluntary & Joint Board Teaching Hospitals |
501.00 |
551.00 |
689.00 |
758.00 |
910.00 |
|
Health Board County Hospitals, Voluntary Non-Teaching Hospitals |
418.00 |
460.00 |
460.00 |
506.00 |
607.00 |
|
Health Board District Hospitals |
179.00 |
197.00 |
197.00 |
217.00 |
260.00 |
|
2. Semi-Private Accommodation |
|||||
|
Health Board Regional Hospitals, Voluntary & Joint Board Teaching Hospitals |
393.00 |
432.00 |
540.00 |
594.00 |
713.00 |
|
Health Board County Hospitals, Voluntary Non-Teaching Hospitals |
336.00 |
370.00 |
370.00 |
407.00 |
488.00 |
|
Health Board District Hospitals |
153.00 |
168.00 |
168.00 |
185.00 |
222.00 |
|
3. Day Care |
|||||
|
Health Board Regional Hospitals, Voluntary & Joint Board Teaching Hospitals |
361.00 |
397.00 |
496.00 |
546.00 |
655.00 |
|
Health Board County Hospitals, Voluntary Non-Teaching Hospitals |
299.00 |
329.00 |
329.00 |
362.00 |
434.00 |
|
Health Board District Hospitals |
133.00 |
146.00 |
146.00 |
161.00 |
193.00 |
|
4. Accident and Emergency |
|||||
|
55.00 |
60.00 |
60.00 |
66.00 |
100.00 |
173 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details of the review of the ambulance services in the Dublin region, including the purpose of the review; when it will be completed; if the review will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41231/09]
Emergency ambulance services in Dublin have been provided by Dublin Fire Brigade for many years on behalf of the Health Service Executive. It is important to ensure that all of our pre-hospital emergency services, including the service provided by the Dublin Fire Brigade, function as a high quality, integrated health service. The advice of the Health Information and Quality Authority on pre-hospital care issues will be a significant factor in determining how services should be organised so that they operate efficiently and that clinical governance, patient safety and quality standards are met.
The HSE and Dublin City Council are in discussion regarding a number of practical issues, including the nature and terms on which Dublin Fire Brigade provides emergency ambulance services in Dublin.
174 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of community and voluntary agencies funded by the State at the end of 2008 in relation to disability and mental health; if she will provide a list of same; the amount given in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41232/09]
The State provides financial supports to numerous voluntary and community agencies concerned with disability and mental health services through a number of Government Departments and agencies including the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive.
The details of funding made available by my Department to disability and mental health organisations from the National Lottery Fund is respect of 2008 are included below. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive to provide you with details of the funding it provided in 2008 to disability and mental health organisations.
|
Organisation |
Amount |
|
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, 71/72 North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 |
9,300 |
|
EMBRACE, 4 Fairyville Lawn, The Lough, Cork |
35,000 |
|
Ballyowen Meadows School, Beechpark, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin (cheque requested) |
5,000 |
|
Down Syndrome Ireland, Citylink Business Park, Old Naas Road , Dublin 12 |
54,150 |
|
Freastogail Mhuire MXD National School Autism Unit, Killahan National School, Abbeydorney, Tralee, Co. Kerry |
4,000 |
|
St. Paul’s Special School, Beaumont Woods, Beaumont, Dublin 9 |
33,000 |
|
Irish Deaf Youth Association, 30 Blessington Street, Dublin 8 |
5,000 |
|
Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 8 |
150,000 |
|
Suntower Gardens, c/o Scoil Mochua, Old Nangor Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
20,000 |
|
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, National Headquarters & Training Centre, Model Farm Road, Cork |
100,000 |
|
Deaf Community Centre Ltd., 96A O’Connell Street, Limerick |
8,090 |
|
Headway Ireland, 1/3 Manor Street, Business Park, Manor Street, Dublin 8 |
5,000 |
|
Riding for the Disabled Association, Raphoe & East Donegal, Alt Upper, Castlefin, Lifford, Co Donegal |
15,000 |
|
Setanta Special School, Beechpark, Stillorgan, Co Dublin |
10,000 |
|
Scoil Aonghusa Special School, Cahir Road, Cashel, Co Tipperary |
50,000 |
|
Intro Art, Room 1, 4th Floor, 121-122 Capel Street, Dublin 1 |
3,000 |
|
Hope Project, St Joseph, Ballinabearna, Ballinhassig, Co Cork |
2,500 |
|
Irish Progressive Association for Autism |
15,000 |
|
St Aidans Day Care Centre |
52,000 |
|
Tithe Cois Trá, Rathlackan, Carrowmorelacken, Ballina, Co Mayo |
6,960 |
|
Nuerofibromatosis Association of Ireland, 5 St Laurence Grove, Chapelizod, Dublin 20 |
2,000 |
|
West Donegal Parents and Friends Assoc of the Mentally Handicapped, Lower Keadue, Burtonport, Co Donegal |
30,678 |
|
Neurological Alliance of Ireland, Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7 |
1,500 |
|
The Children’s Sunshine Home (C.S.H.) |
128,000 |
|
Organisation |
Amount |
|
CONSOLE, All Hallows College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 |
100,000 |
|
Samaritans Ireland, P.O. Box 11218, Blackrock, Co Dublin |
200,000 |
|
Tallaght Travellers Youth Service (TTYS), Unit 5 Brookfield Enterprise Centre, Brookfield, Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
20,000 |
|
Mental Health Ireland, Mensana House, 6 Adelaide Street, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin |
80,000 |
|
Irish Associaton of Suicidology, 16 New Antrim Street, Castlebar, Co Mayo |
12,000 |
|
Beacon of Light Counselling Centre, 4 Collinstown Grove, Neilstown, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
20,000 |
|
St. Michael’s Family Life Centre, Church Hill, Sligo |
20,000 |
|
Teen-Line Ireland |
26,000 |
|
Cork Counselling Services, 7 Fr Matthew Street, Co Cork |
105,000 |
|
Free Mental Health Campaign trading as FREE |
6,000 |
175 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the details of the value for money policy review of disability services which is under way; when this review will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41233/09]
The Review of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of disability services in Ireland is being undertaken in the context of the Government's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative 2009-2011. This indepth review of disability services will assess how well current services for people with disabilities meet their objectives and support the future planning and development of services. The evaluation will focus on the current provision of disability services and explore the way forward for the development of services within a value for money and policy framework. The steering group is chaired by an independent chairperson, Mr. Laurence Crowley, and has two other independent members, as well as members drawn from the disability sector, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Finance and the Health Service Executive. The review is due to report in September 2010. A structured consultation process with service users and service providers will be an integral part of the review, and submissions will be invited from the public in the near future. The objectives of the review are to examine disability services in Ireland funded by the HSE, including the statutory and non-statutory sectors; to deliver a comprehensive analysis of data in relation to services and service providers; and to deliver an implementation plan to address the findings and recommendations of the final report. A significant element of the project is a policy review which will define and describe the objectives of disability services going forward; consider the extent to which existing policies are consistent with delivery of those objectives; assess whether current policies and investments arising from those policies are sustainable in the context of the changing economic climate; and propose the policy changes, if any, that are needed to ensure that overall objectives are delivered.
The terms of reference for the review are to identify the objectives which have pertained to date for the disability services programme in the health sector; to examine the current validity of those objectives and their compatibility with the overall strategy of the Department of Health and Children, the National Disability Strategy and Towards 2016; to define the outputs associated with the programme activity and identify the level and trend of those outputs; to identify any issues with the availability of information regarding current outputs and outcomes; to examine the extent to which the programme's objectives have been achieved and comment on the effectiveness with which they have been achieved; to identify the level and trend of costs and staffing resources associated with the disability services and thereby comment on the efficiency with which it has achieved its objectives; to compare overall costs, including wage costs and non-pay costs, across the sector (both statutory and non-statutory); to examine, having regard to the range of providers of disability services, whether there is scope to minimise overheads, including administrative costs, management structures, research, advertising, profile-building and infrastructure costs; to evaluate the degree to which the objectives warrant the allocation of public funding on a current and ongoing basis and examine the scope for alternative policy or organisational approaches to achieving these objectives on a more efficient or effective basis; to specify potential future performance indicators that might be used to better monitor the performance of the disability services programme; and to produce a final robust report containing findings and recommendations in relation to the first nine terms of reference I have listed.
176 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme recommendation that staff should be required to work the weekly basic contracted hours for their grade within the span of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on a five day over seven day basis; the estimated savings from same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41234/09]
Consideration of the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, and decisions on all of issues arising, are ultimately matters for the Government. The recommendations contained in the report are being considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. The Deputy will be aware that talks have taken place at a national level with the trade unions, including those representing health sector employees, about the range of options available to achieve an overall reduction of €1.3 billion in public sector pay in 2010. The Government is seeking significant reforms in the way the public sector does its business. In the health sector, this would include extending the span of the working day. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage, pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.
177 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a European health card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41247/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
178 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be offered psychiatric services at St. John of God Brothers, Stillorgan, County Dublin or St. Patrick’s or St. Emmets in Lucan, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41248/09]
As this is a service matter, the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
179 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41249/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
180 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the amount of Exchequer funding transferred to the National Roads Authority since 1997 to date in 2009 for current and capital spending purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41087/09]
The funding provided to the NRA by the Exchequer in relation to capital and current expenditure on the national road network for the period 1997 to 2009 is as follows:
|
Capital Expenditure |
Current Expenditure |
Total |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
1997 |
294,427,000 |
36,210,000 |
330,637,000 |
|
1998 |
334,393,000 |
30,991,000 |
366,196,000 |
|
1999 |
500,162,000 |
31,803,000 |
531,153,000 |
|
2000 |
622,171,000 |
34,410,000 |
656,581,000 |
|
2001 |
908,238,000 |
50,790,000 |
959,028,000 |
|
2002 |
1,083,499,000 |
51,942,000 |
1,135,441,000 |
|
2003 |
1,169,424,000 |
53,396,000 |
1,222,820,000 |
|
2004 |
1,178,959,000 |
51,328,000 |
1,230,287,000 |
|
2005 |
1,263,770,000 |
53,394,000 |
1,317,164,000 |
|
2006 |
1,582,500,000 |
55,064,000 |
1,637,564,000 |
|
2007 |
1,712,706,000 |
55,097,000 |
1,767,803,000 |
|
2008 |
1,599,577,000 |
58,210,000 |
1,657,787,000 |
|
2009* |
1,438,900,000 |
44,255,000 |
1,483,155,000 |
|
Total |
113,688,726,000 |
606,890,000 |
14,295,616,000 |
*Allocation.
181 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm receipt of correspondence from South Dublin County Council requesting funding for a pilot school transport project as part of action 14, chapter 5, of Smarter Travel A Sustainable Transport Future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41095/09]
No specific submission from South Dublin County Council requesting funding under Action 14 in Smarter Travel has been received by my Department. This year, I announced two funds to support exemplary projects under the new Smarter Travel policy. One related to demonstration projects and the other to demonstration areas. South Dublin County Council made submissions under both funds but neither is specifically related to a pilot school transport project. Some 123 applications were received for demonstration project funding. I expect a decision on these to be made soon. The first stage of a competition to select exemplary schemes under the demonstration area fund is in progress. Submissions were received last week and a number of applications will be short listed before the end of the year. These will then proceed to a stage 2 process before the final successful schemes are selected.
182 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce measures which will require all traffic fines to be sent out by registered post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41132/09]
I presume the Deputy is referring to fixed charge notices associated with road traffic offences.
Road traffic legislation already provides for the option of issuing fixed charge notices by post.
The Road Traffic Bill 2009, which was published on 30 October, includes a provision for the presumption, unless the contrary is shown, that the relevant fixed charge notice has being served by post where there is proof of posting or delivery of the notice. Section 34 provides that, in any proceedings in respect of a fixed charge offence, a document purporting to be a certificate or receipt of posting or delivery issued by An Post or another postal service is admissible in evidence as proof of posting or delivery until the contrary is shown.
I have no plans to provide for the issuing of fixed charge notices by registered post.
183 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons imprisoned for non-payment of a civil debt or fine in the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter and fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter, second quarter, and third quarter of 2009 Central Statistics Office’s timeframes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41093/09]
It is not possible to provide figures to the Deputy as requested as this would require the manual examination of records going back over a considerable time period. Such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources.
A breakdown of the number of persons committed to prison solely for non-payment of fines or civil debt offences for each of the years 2008 and 2009 is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Number of persons (Civil Debt) |
Number of persons (Fines) |
|
2008 |
276 |
2,154 |
|
2009* |
186 |
1,897 |
*The figure for 2009 is for the first six months of the year. The up to date figure is being calculated and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
I can advise the Deputy that the number of such persons held in custody at any one time is a tiny fraction of the overall prisoner population. To illustrate this point, on 11 November, 2009 approximately 0.4 percent of the numbers in prison custody that day fell into the fines category. On the same day there were no persons in prison for custody for non-payment of a civil debt.
184 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons prosecuted and convicted under Section 11 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 in each of the years 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41094/09]
The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.
I am informed that the specific information requested by the Deputy is not available from the CSO.
185 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 3 November 2009, if the application will be reinvestigated in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41102/09]
As the Deputy will be aware a new policy was implemented recently whereby foreign nationals who had worked for 5 consecutive years with employment permits and who had kept their immigration permission up to date and met certain other conditions, were to be granted Stamp 4 immigration permission. A certain tolerance was built into the system to cater for gaps in immigration registration. The permitted gaps were to the effect that no gap in registration could be longer than 3 months and the total over 5 years could not exceed 6 months. Cases that did not meet these requirements are not eligible for the concession outlined under the new policy. It should be noted that the concession is entirely ex-gratia and also that foreign nationals have a responsibility to keep their registration up to date.
For persons who do not qualify for the concession, either because they have less than 5 years of employment permits or because their registration gaps exceed that permitted, the general provision for redundant workers apply. These provisions, which have been considerably enhanced, allow for such persons to receive a 6 month grace period with immigration Stamp 1 within which they can seek other employment.
There is nothing to prevent a foreign national who does not qualify for the new concession to make an application to my Department (via the General Immigration Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service) to remain in the State on some other basis.
186 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to introduce legislation to create a central registrar of wills similar to the one that exists in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41194/09]
The position is that the views of the Law Society on the desirability of establishing a registration of wills system were sought in 2005. The Society's Probate, Administration and Trusts Committee subsequently informed my Department that it did not favour the establishment of such a system for a number of reasons. Firstly, since registration would be voluntary, there might be very limited demand for and usage of such a service. Secondly, even if a will was registered, such registration would not in itself guarantee the validity of the will if the statutory requirements in relation to signature, witnesses etc. had not been complied with, or if the will had been made under conditions of duress or undue influence. Moreover, there could be no guarantee that a registered will was in fact the final will of the testator concerned.
In light of the Law Society's views, I consider that any initiative to establish a system for registering wills without the full support and involvement of the legal profession would not be successful.
187 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the introduction of a new dedicated official registrar of deeds of property to ensure that the transfer of deeds held by solicitors and financial institutions are tracked when a mortgage is paid off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41195/09]
I can inform the Deputy that one of the principal functions of the Property Registration Authority, which has been established under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, is to manage and control the Registry of Deeds and the Land Registry.
In the case of registered land, ownership of the land is recorded in registers in the Land Registry and property deeds are retained in the Registry. Earlier this year, the Property Registration Authority launched an electronic system to register the discharge of mortgages in respect of registered land. This system is more secure than the previous paper-based system and has reduced costs and speeded up the discharge process.
In the case of unregistered land, details of transactions involving the land may be recorded in the Registry of Deeds but the owner retains the title deeds as proof of ownership. Where unregistered land is mortgaged, the title deeds are generally retained by the relevant financial institution for the duration of the mortgage. On redemption of the mortgage, the title deeds are returned to the owner who retains them as proof of ownership of the land.
It is possible for the owners of unregistered land to register the title to the property in the Land Registry. This procedure is known as a voluntary first registration. Ownership of the land will then be recorded in the Land Registry's registers and the property deeds will be retained in the Registry.
188 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41246/09]
The person concerned applied for asylum on 26 May 2006. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 15 January 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).
The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the application for Subsidiary Protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before the file is passed to me for decision. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
189 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41085/09]
The Scheme of Community Support for Older People supports qualifying older people, aged 65 and older, by providing funding towards the cost of purchasing and installing monitored personal alarms, monitored smoke/carbon-monoxide detectors and other ancillary items of security equipment. Applications for assistance under the Scheme can only be submitted through an individual applicant's local community or voluntary organisation.
My Department has contacted the relevant local community group administering the Scheme in that area and the group has undertaken to make contact with the person in question with a view to submitting an application for support on their behalf.
190 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 795 of 3 November 2009, if funding will be provided for the provision of country walks in the 2010 Estimates of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41191/09]
My Department is committed to the development and enhancement of walking trails in Ireland and supporting the objectives outlined in the Comhairle Na Tuaithe National Countryside Recreation Strategy. It is my intention to seek to continue to provide funding for the Walks Scheme in 2010, particularly given the economic benefits accruing from the increasing number of walkers visiting Ireland. A significant Fáilte Ireland statistic to emerge in respect of 2008 is the engagement of in excess of a half million overseas visitors in hiking/cross country activities generating an estimate of €364 million in revenue.
The Deputy will appreciate that work on the preparation of the 2010 Estimates is ongoing and final decisions regarding the specific funding has yet to be agreed.
191 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding elderly persons who need pendant alarms in view of the fact that the relevant scheme is closed; if they will have to wait until 2010 to send in their application; if there is a facility for cases to be expedited. [41240/09]
Applications for support continue to be accepted by my Department under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. In order to ensure an equitable distribution of available funds and allow for the installation of equipment before Christmas, Groups were encouraged to submit applications to the Department by 21st October 2009. Applications received after this date will continue to be processed subject to the availability of funds in 2009.
My Department continues to work with local community and voluntary organisations to ensure that equipment will be provided to those persons most in need as expeditiously as possible.
192 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of revenue that would be collected from the removal of the employee’s PRSI threshold of €127 per week; the amount of revenue that would be collected from the removal of the employee’s PRSI ceiling; the amount of revenue that would be collected from a 1% increase in the 10.75% rate of employer’s PRSI; the amount of revenue that would be collected from a 1% increase in the 8.5% rate of employer’s PRSI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41170/09]
The most recent estimates indicate that:
The abolition of the €127 PRSI-Free Allowance for Class A contributors would yield some €350 million additional contribution income in a full year.
An increase of 1% in the employers PRSI rate for Class A contributors is estimated to yield some €482 million additional contribution income in a full year.
The abolition of the PRSI ceiling would yield some €119.5 million additional contribution income in a full year.
193 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimated cost of extending PRSI benefits available to class A contributors to PRSI contributors at all classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41189/09]
Workers are insured under the Social Welfare Acts as either employed or self-employed contributors. All workers, both employed and self-employed, are obliged to pay PRSI contributions as a percentage of their personal reckonable income.
PRSI Class A is the standard class paid by the majority of employees. In addition to Class A there are a range of other classes for different categories of workers. A system of separate arrangements for different groups of workers within a social insurance context is common in other European social protection systems. The range of benefits and pensions to which different groups of workers may establish entitlement reflects the risks associated with the nature of their work. This in turn reflects the rate of contribution payable. For example, self-employed persons aged between 16 and 66 years are liable for PRSI at the Class S rate of 3% and are consequently eligible for a narrower range of benefits than general employees who, together with their employers, pay a total social insurance contribution of 14.05%, excluding levies, under the full-rate PRSI Class A.
Extending Class A coverage to all other contributors would necessarily involve increasing the numbers of recipients across a range of schemes. As those currently not paying Class A have a narrower range of social welfare entitlement, such persons may not, in general, claim a range of benefits, such as Illness Benefit, Occupational Injury Benefit, Invalidity Pension or Jobseeker's Benefit. Accordingly, relevant information as to incidence of such contingencies among those with a narrower range of entitlement is not available. In these circumstances, it is not possible to estimate the cost of extending full Class A coverage to these groups.
194 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons paying PRSI according to class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41190/09]
The following table provides data on the total number of contributors to the Social Insurance Fund together with a breakdown of this figure by PRSI Class type. The figures for 2007 represent the most recent end-of-year returns received by the Department from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners for both employees and self-employed contributors. A breakdown of the 2008 figures will be published in the "Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services 2009" report next year.
|
PRSI Class |
Coverage |
Numbers of contributors insured — 2007 |
||
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
||
|
A |
All benefits. |
1,245,686 |
1,147,992 |
2,393,678 |
|
B |
Widow’s/Widower’s (Contributory) Pension, Guardian’s Payment (Contributory), Bereavement Grant, Carer’s Benefit & limited Occupational Injuries Benefits. |
17,053 |
12,161 |
29,214 |
|
C |
Widow’s/Widower’s (Contributory) Pension, Guardian’s Payment (Contributory), Bereavement Grant & Carer’s Benefit/Widow’s/Widower’s (Contributory) Pension, Guardian’s Payment (Contributory), Bereavement Grant, Carer’s Benefit & Occupational Injuries Benefits. |
817 |
129 |
946 |
|
D |
Widow’s/Widower’s (Contributory) Pension, Guardian’s Payment (Contributory), Bereavement Grant, Carer’s Benefit & Occupational Injuries Benefits. |
36,692 |
46,021 |
82,7131 |
|
E |
All benefits except Jobseeker’s Benefit, Bereavement Grant & Occupational Injuries Benefits. |
131 |
29 |
160 |
|
H |
All benefits on discharge. Treatment Benefit, Bereavement Grant, Carer’s Benefit & Widow’s/Widower’s (Contributory) Pension (in certain cases) during service. |
7,914 |
416 |
8,330 |
|
J |
Occupational Injuries Benefits. |
14,436 |
16,065 |
30,501 |
|
K |
None. Class K consists of Health Levy. |
24,890 |
9,636 |
34,526 |
|
M |
Occupational Injuries Benefits in certain circumstances. |
102,731 |
71,004 |
173,735 |
|
P |
Treatment Benefit & limited Jobseeker’s and Illness Benefit. |
14 |
— |
14 |
|
S |
Widow’s/Widower’s (Contributory) Pension, Guardian’s Payment (Contributory), State Pension (Contributory), Bereavement Grant, Maternity Benefit & Adoptive Benefit. |
265,357 |
70,467 |
335,824 |
|
Voluntary Contributors |
High rate: State Pension (Transition) + (Contributory), Widow’s/Widower’s (Contributory) Pension, Guardian’s Payment & Bereavement Grant. |
1,174 |
740 |
1,914 |
|
Low rate: Widow’s/Widower’s (Contributory) Pension, Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) & Bereavement Grant. |
||||
|
Total |
1,716,895 |
1,374,660 |
3,091,555 |
195 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average waiting time for means assessment for jobseeker’s allowance, carer’s allowance, non-contributory State pension, widow’s and widower’s non-contributory State pension and disability allowance for the mid-west region for the years 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; the resources that have been put in place in 2009 to enhance the service for 2009 and 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41193/09]
The statistics requested by the Deputy are not readily available in the format he requires. I do not propose to divert staff and resources to compile them.
196 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be awarded farm assist. [41205/09]
The person concerned has been awarded a farm assist payment from 26 October 2009 at the weekly rate of €339.90. A payment of €853.10 covering the period from 26 October 2009 to 10 November 2009 will issue to him today.
197 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the payment of benefit to parents who have separated and have joint custody of their children; if the payment of benefit should be split between both parents; the reason benefit is paid to one parent only; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41241/09]
Child benefit (CB) is a tax free non means tested benefit paid monthly in respect of all children up to the age 16 years and in respect of children over 16 years of age up to their 18th birthday who are in full time education or have a disability. Child Benefit assists parents in the cost associated with raising children and it contributes towards alleviating child poverty.
Under the provisions of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, Child Benefit is payable to the person with whom a qualified child normally resides. The needs of the children, however, are the priority consideration in the operation of the current child benefit arrangements. The regulations governing normal residence for Child Benefit purposes, provides that a child who is resident with both parents shall be regarded as being normally resident with the mother. Consequently the benefit is normally paid to the mother rather than the father. Where there is joint equal custody, the child benefit is paid to the child's mother. The scheme does not provide for the splitting of the payment between parties in joint custody cases.
Where there are shared responsibilities for children between separated parties, there can be a wide variety of such arrangements. A substantial change in the current arrangements is likely to give rise to a range of issues which would add considerably to the complexity in the administration of the Child Benefit scheme. The current policy of paying the benefit to the mother on the basis that it is in the interest of the child has received explicit or implicit support from a number of sources such as the Commission on the Status of Women Report (1972) and the Economic and Social Research Institute's publication entitled "Income Distribution within Irish households" (1994) . Nonetheless, I am aware of the need to keep this approach under review in the light of equality legislation, significant social changes and changing family demographics.
198 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when invalidity appeal will be heard in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41251/09]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in accordance with statutory requirements, the Department was asked for the documentation in the case and the Deciding Officer's comments on the grounds of the appeal. In that context, an examination by another Medical Assessor will be carried out. The person concerned will be notified when arrangements for the examination have been completed. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
199 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a formal decision and statutory recommendation to the relevant local authorities is expected to be made with respect to his proposal to extend the Liffey Valley special area amenity order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41096/09]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 997 on 6 October 2009. My Department is finalising its consideration of the relevant issues and I will shortly decide whether to give a direction under section 202(2) of the Act regarding the making of a further special amenity area order or orders.
200 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if priority will be given to the Listowel main drainage scheme, County Kerry, in the upcoming water services assessment of needs in view of the scale of problems the town has been suffering due to the age of the existing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41112/09]
The Listowel Sewerage Scheme (Nutrient Reduction) is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007 — 2009 at an estimated cost of €0.2 million. Kerry County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme is under examination in my Department. Local authorities were asked in July to submit an assessment of needs for water and sewerage services to my Department by 23 October last. My Department has commenced consideration of these assessments, which will form a key input to the development of the 2010 to 2012 Water Services Investment Programme. In conducting their assessments, local authorities were asked to prioritise schemes and contracts for progression over the coming years based on key environmental and economic criteria. It is anticipated that the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 to 2012 will be published in early 2010.
201 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 946 of 3 November 2009, if he will make provision in the 2010 Estimates for funding towards cleaning up a site in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41145/09]
As the site in question is not a closed, licensed, local authority operated landfill it is not eligible for grant assistance within the terms of the Landfill Remediation Grant Scheme operated by my Department. Therefore my Department is unable to provide funding in this case. The appropriate means by which to achieve the regularisation the site is a matter for Waterford County Council.
202 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will amend the planning and development regulations to give an applicant a right to make a submission by way of reply to a submission or observation which is received at or towards the end of the statutory period for submissions or observations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41185/09]
It is my Department's view that the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, currently allow an applicant to make a further submission or comment in relation to his/her planning application. My Department's Development Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities (June 2007) note, however, that if any such further information received departs substantially from the application as originally lodged, it would require re-publication by the applicant. The interpretation of the Regulations would of course ultimately be a matter for the courts in any case that came before them.
203 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if an appropriate assessment is required for waste water discharges by local authorities that discharge directly into marine and freshwater special areas of conservation designated under the Habitats Directive as transposed into law here by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations; the national competent or consent authority charged with drawing up such assessments; the bodies, institutions or authorities which were consulted in the process of drawing up the requirements for the assessments; the average cost and length of time for carrying out such an assessment; if the assessment template was submitted to the Directorate General for the Environment in the European Commission for prior approval; if final agreement or signing off by the National Parks and Wildlife Service was required before the assessment template was submitted to DG Environment for approval; the breakdown of assessments that finished at the screening stage compared with those which went on to have a full assessment; the role the competent authority has in collecting the baseline data against which projects are assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41186/09]
It is a matter for the appropriate consent authority to ensure that any development or activity that could have a significant impact on a Natura 2000 site is granted such consent in compliance with the provisions of the Birds and Habitats Directives, as transposed into Irish law in the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations.
Waste water treatment plants are generally subject to planning consent from An Bord Pleanála and to licence from the EPA. As Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I am a statutory consultee in such applications and my Department provides scientific advice to the relevant consent authority in such matters. It is for the consent authority to undertake screening for appropriate assessment and, if required, to make an appropriate assessment of such applications, based on information made available to it by the applicant and third parties. As such, my Department does not have information on the average length of time or cost of such assessments or the number of applications that were screened for appropriate assessment or appropriately assessed.
It is a matter for the consent authority to decide whether sufficient data have been made available for it to come to a conclusion regarding an appropriate assessment. In some cases relevant data will be available from my Department and in others the consent authority may require the applicant to collect and provide further data.
Guidance for consent authorities to meet their legal requirements in regard to appropriate assessment has been made available by the European Commission and by my Department. In September 2008 my Department issued guidance to local authorities to assist them in meeting their legal obligations in this regard in their delivery of the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes. This guidance was not specifically discussed with the European Commission.
204 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the €500 million that was secured from the EU as package for the cessation of turf cutting is still available following discussions by members of a committee (details supplied) and his Department officials. [41237/09]
No specific funding has been made available by the European Union to implement a cessation of turf cutting in Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation. Funding has been made available by the EU, within the framework of the Rural Development Programme 2007 — 2013, for the protection of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. Such funding is administered and disbursed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
205 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way a figure of 35% loss of bog land has occurred in the past ten years in view of the fact that less than 1% would be caused by domestic turf cutters; if he will investigate if they are being deprived by some activities caused by others. [41238/09]
Ireland has designated 55 Special Areas of Conservation and 75 Natural Heritage Areas for the protection of raised bog habitat. These sites include areas of active raised bog, which is a priority habitat under the Habitats Directive. Active raised bog is the area of the bog on which the indigenous flora are still growing and where peat is being actively formed. Ireland is required and has undertaken to protect the raised bog and active raised bog habitat within these designated areas and to restore the sites to favourable conservation status.
Some 90% of the remaining uncut bog in protected areas is no longer active, i.e. is no longer forming peat, due to drying out from drainage associated with turf cutting. These drying out effects reach far into the bog and as the bog gets smaller the effects on the remaining areas of active bog increase rapidly. If the turf-cutting activity continues, ultimately all the active bog will disappear. It is incorrect therefore to assume that a 1% loss of the area of raised bog through turf cutting results in a 1% loss of active raised bog.
The proportion of active raised bog habitat lost in these sites over ten years has been in the region of 35% — and this has been mainly due to domestic turf cutting and associated drainage.
206 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the recovery of salmon stocks on the river Suir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41117/09]
The Standing Scientific Committee in their Report on the Status of Irish Salmon Stocks in 2008 and Precautionary Catch Advice for 2009 advised that stocks of salmon in the River Suir were below conservation limits. It is calculated that in 2007 the river Suir (including Clodiagh and Lingaun waters) was meeting 71% of its conservation limit, in 2008 79% and in 2009 it reached 85%. In order to permit a harvest of fish, the stock has to be shown to exceed the required number of spawners arriving into the river. The excess over 100% is determined as surplus and determines the total allowable catch. Accordingly, based on the management advice, angling on a catch-and-release basis only was permitted on the waters of the river Suir during the 2007 — 2009 seasons. This reflected the status of the stocks of the river.
The Southern Regional Fisheries Board and the Marine Institute continue to monitor the stocks in the River Suir with a view to identifying the extent of the recovery, if any, arising from the cessation of the harvesting of salmon and any stock rehabilitation works undertaken.
As I outlined in my reply to the Deputy's previous questions, if, in the future, stocks recover on the River Suir to the extent that there is a harvestable surplus of salmon, it should be possible to allow fishing to resume, subject to quota restrictions as necessary.
I currently await scientific and management advice for the 2010 season. Following receipt of this I will publish the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations for public consultation.
207 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment under REP scheme four; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41091/09]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007– 2013 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue.
Processing of applications, including the application from the person named, has commenced to facilitate the release of payments at the earliest possible date.
208 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the fact that they were recently inspected and informed that payment will issue. [41098/09]
An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on the 14 May 2009. This application was selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility and full cross-compliance inspection.
The inspection is completed and the application has now been fully processed. The 70% advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme will issue this week.
209 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [41099/09]
An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2009. This application was selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility inspection. The inspection is completed and the application has now been fully processed. The 70% advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme will issue this week.
210 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment of the single farm payment will be issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [41125/09]
The person named is not the registered owner of the herd-number quoted. An application was received on 15 May 2009 requesting the transfer of 34.63 standard Single Payment entitlements by way of inheritance from the father to the mother of the person named. The normal testamentary documentation was requested and subsequently received and the transfer was processed on 9 October 2009. The application has now been fully processed and payment will issue to the person named in coming days.
211 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the operational programmes for fishing will commence in order to allow funding for the aquaculture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41142/09]
The delay in the launch of the National Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013 arose as a result of concerns raised, by both the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on behalf of the Central Fisheries Board, during the public consultation process. The concerns related to the grant aiding of projects where environmental issues had been identified regarding compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and sea lice control on salmon farms. Pending resolution of these issues, the National Seafood Development Operational Programme has not yet been adopted.
In an effort to ensure support and assistance for the continued development of aquaculture sector and the employment that aquaculture projects support, my officials entered into discussion with the European Commission who agreed to the continuation of grant aid under the previous Operational Programme 2000 -2006 until 30 June 2009. As a result of these discussions a provision of €5m was made available for aquaculture development in the Agriculture Vote for 2009 and I approved the spending of €4.5m of this for aquaculture projects in both the Border, Midlands and Western and the Southern and Eastern regions.
In order to ensure continued funding of the sector my Department is in close liaison with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the European Commission with a view to agreeing an approach that will give the necessary assurances on the concerns raised that can facilitate the approval of the National Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013.
212 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41144/09]
An application from the person named has been received in my Department. It will be examined in due course and the details of the application, as well as the funding available, will be taken into account in reaching a decision. As soon as the decision has been made, the person named will be notified of the outcome.
213 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a REP scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [41164/09]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue.
Processing of applications, including the application from the person named, has commenced to facilitate the release of payments at the earliest possible date.
214 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the pan European law allowing the sale of raw milk in the EU with a special derogation to each member state, he will maintain this dispensation to farmers here. [41179/09]
While the EU Hygiene Regulations introduced in January 2006 includes a derogation for direct sales at local level for primary producers, it also provides that a Member State may introduce a national measure to prohibit or restrict the placing on the market within its own territory of raw milk or raw cream intended for direct human consumption. It is a well-documented fact that raw milk is a vehicle for the transmission of several pathogens including E.ColiO157: H7 and Mycobacterium bovis. These two examples alone pose a serious risk to public health particularly in the very young and the aged.
The Scientific Committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in its report "Zoonotic Tuberculosis and Food Safety" identified the consumption of unpasteurised cows or goats milk on the farm as representing a hazard to humans not only in relation to M.bovis but also in relation to other pathogenic bacteria. The report recommended that all milk should be pasteurised prior to consumption and that those who wish to consume milk produced on their own farm should use small-scale domestic pasteurisation units to reduce the risk of milk borne infection with M.bovis.
A public consultation process was undertaken last year and resulted in the receipt of submissions from interested parties relating to the proposal to extend the ban on the sale of raw cows milk to milk from sheep and goats. Following examination of these submissions by my Department's experts it was decided, with the agreement and support of the FSAI, that the consumption of unpasteurised milk is an unnecessary and unacceptable risk to public health and that a ban on the sale or supply of unpasteurised milk from all species should be implemented.
The draft legal instrument to introduce this ban is at an advanced stage. Officials from my Department have been in consultation with the Department of Health and Children with a view to implementing the ban by means of a Statutory Instrument under the Health Act of 1947 (as amended).
Introducing the proposed ban will involve notifying the EU Commission as required by EU Directive 98/34, which deals with the provision of information regarding technical standards and regulations. This process will commence shortly.
215 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary in respect of a single farm payment application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41183/09]
An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2009. Processing of the application revealed that another applicant had also claimed two of the three land parcels claimed by the person named. In keeping with standard procedures, both parties were written to in order to establish who had the right to claim the parcels in question. The person named wrote to my Department on 5 October confirming that he did not have the right to declare the relevant land parcels. As the level of over-claim is greater than 20%, no payment is due under the 2009 Scheme, as per the governing EU Regulations. A letter, outlining in detail the implications for the person named of having been found to have declared land, which he did not have the right to declare, will issue shortly. The person named will be offered the right to appeal these findings.
216 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if payment for the REP scheme will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [41184/09]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007– 2013 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. Processing of applications, including the application from the person named, has commenced to facilitate the release of payments at the earliest possible date.
217 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their 70% single payment scheme for 2009. [41210/09]
An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 11 May 2009. This application was selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility inspection. The inspection is completed and the application has now been fully processed. Payment under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme and the 70% advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme will issue this week.
218 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if provision will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to enable them to be collected at Caragh to continue the journey to school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41245/09]
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, a pupil is eligible for transport if s/he resides 4.8 kilometres or more from her/his local post primary education centre.
As the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied resides less than 4.8 kilometres from the Post Primary centre in his own catchment area, he is not eligible for school transport. Catchment boundary transport can only be considered if the pupil is eligible for transport, in the first instance.
219 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 157 of 20 October 2009 and 1140 of 3 November 2009, if the education partners forwarded their views to his Department regarding the 500 new teaching positions in the Revised Programme for Government; the viewpoint of each partner; when he will make a decision to hire the new teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41088/09]
My Department has now received submissions from most of the education partners in relation to the renewed Programme for Government. My Department has advised the education partners to send in any remaining submissions within the coming days. My Department officials have also arranged to meet with the education partners next week to discuss the proposals for the allocation of the additional teaching posts outlined in the renewed Programme for Government.
220 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm receipt of correspondence from a local authority (details supplied); his views on the local authority’s request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41092/09]
Correspondence has been received in the Forward Planning Section of my Department from the Local Authority referred to by the Deputy and a response will issue to this correspondence in the coming days.
Utilising GIS, Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social & Family Affairs in addition to recent schools' enrolment data.
The study indicates that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in more than 40 locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas. Forward Planning Section is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis and reports for each of these locations in order to identify the school accommodation requirements for each area up to and including the school year 2014/2015. School accommodation requirements in the areas referred to by the Deputy will be considered as part of this detailed study of the areas identified. It is expected that the reports on these areas will be completed in the coming weeks.
As a matter of course there is ongoing liaison between my Department and local authorities to establish the location, scale and pace of any proposed major housing developments and their possible implications for school provision. This level of close cooperation is underpinned by the Code of Practice. Officials from the Forward Planning Section of my Department recently met with the local authority referred to, with a view to exploring the possibility of sharing the data on Geographical Information Systems as a further aid to the school planning process. This will be pursued further by my Department and the local authority.
221 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41108/09]
The extension/refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered 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 the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
222 Deputy Michael Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether there is potential for some training programmes which are delivered by FÁS transferring to the vocational education committees in view of the Bordeaux Communiqué on enhanced European cooperation in vocational education and training, November 2008 and the more unified system of vocational education and training in other European states. [41114/09]
FÁS, in addition to their own delivery of courses, already contract with other education and training providers for the provision of relevant courses. It is open to Vocational Education Committees (VECs) and the Institutes of Technology to bid for the provision of appropriate courses.
VECs already provide courses on behalf of FÁS under the One Step Up initiative. Examples include the Skills for Work programme delivered under the Workplace Basic Education Fund which provides education and training in basic skills at FETAC Level 3. VECs also provide courses for participants in FÁS-run Community Education schemes under the Return to Education programme. In addition, VECs provide courses under the Learning at Work and Competency Development programmes.
FÁS and the Irish Vocational Education Association (representing VECs), supported by the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, recently signed a National Co-Operation Agreement in order to enhance co-operation and collaboration between both organisations.
223 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has plans to introduce sports science as a second level subject to Leaving Certificate level, including the study of dietetics, physiology, anatomy, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41141/09]
I have no plans at present to introduce sports science as a subject in the Leaving Certificate. All schools are already required to implement a physical education programme which provides options across a range of athletics, games, dance, gymnastics, aquatics and health and fitness activities. The importance of nutrition and healthy exercise are also stressed in the Social Personal and Health Education Programme in primary schools and in junior cycle, and in the Home Economics and Biology syllabuses. Human reproduction, the musculo-skeletal system, nervous, circulatory, endocrine, digestive, breathing, excretory, and cardiovascular systems are dealt with as part of the Biology syllabus.
As part of its proposals for reform of senior cycle, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment proposed the development of a range of short courses, two of which might be studied in place of a senior cycle subject in the Leaving Certificate. Sports Studies was included among the areas where a short course was proposed. My Department made no decision on the future of short courses, but asked instead that the Council might develop exemplars so that the implementation implications could be explored. We do not have the scope for introducing Short Courses in senior cycle at present, but the matter will be kept under continuing review.
224 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the plans for the decentralisation of 300 personnel from his Department to the site at Lynn, Mullingar, County Westmeath; the commencement date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41154/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, the proposed decentralised office in Mullingar is being procured by means of a Public Private Partnership as a single Design, Build, Finance and Maintain contract in conjunction with a new headquarters for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Portlaoise and a new decentralised office for staff of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Carlow. The present position regarding the Mullingar office is that planning permissions have been received for the project and discussions are proceeding with the successful tenderer with a view to finalising financial closure and contract signing.
225 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science if the salaries of employees of the Education Finance Board are paid by his Department directly or from the €12.7 million contributed by the religious orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41160/09]
I wish to advise the Deputy that as provided for in Section 26(6) of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Act, 2005, the staff of the Board are paid from the funds of the Board. The fund is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency which makes payments to the Board as required to cover its expenditure.
Section 26(6) states as follows:
26.— (6) The agency may, in each financial year of the Board, pay to the Board out of the account a grant of such amount as the Board specifies in relation to that year towards the expenditure of the Board in the performance of its functions.
Expenditure incurred by the Board includes staff costs.
Section 30 also deals with payment by the Board of its employees which states as follows:
30.—(1) The Board shall have such and so many employees as it may determine with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance.
(2) The employees of the Board shall be paid by it such remuneration (including superannuation) and allowances for expenses as the Board may, with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, determine.
(3) Employees of the Board shall be subject to such other terms and conditions of employment as the Board may, with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance determine.
Funding for the Education Finance Board has been provided from a €12.7 million contribution provided by the religious congregations under the Indemnity Agreement.
226 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if equipment will be provided to a student (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of their educational needs. [41166/09]
My Department has no record of receiving a recommendation for assistive technology support for the child in question. I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support pupils with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
Schools may also apply to the NCSE for the provision of assistive technology required to support pupils who have been assessed as having a special educational need that requires specific assistive technology support in order to access the curriculum. SENOs consider such applications and recommend to my Department on whether funding should be granted to the schools concerned. If sanctioned, the equipment funded is the property of the school and the use of the equipment in the home is at the discretion of the school.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
227 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school transport appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will support the appeal. [41168/09]
My Department understands that the case referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied is being appealed to the School Transport Appeals Board. The Board is independent of my Department and it would not be appropriate for me to intervene at this stage.
228 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway regarding the correct pay scale entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41175/09]
The details of the case as outlined by the Deputy are currently being checked by officials of my Department. I will arrange for a reply to issue direct to him as soon as the matter is clarified.
229 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if the existing contractor for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare has withdrawn their application in relation to the completion of the new school; if he will invite tenders only from the other six valid tenderers for the original project in an effort to expedite the re-tendering of the completion of the new school. [41198/09]
The Department has received written notification that the Contractor on the school building project in Kill, Co. Kildare is in receivership and that the Receiver is currently considering his options with regard to the contract. As is normal for school building projects there is a Performance Bond in place. The purpose of the Bond is to provide security for the State in the event of a Contractor becoming insolvent and is no longer in a position to complete the contract. The Department is managing the situation and is in contact with the Design Team, the Receiver and the Bondsman. It is the Department's intention to have this project back on site as soon as possible, in accordance with public procurement procedures.
230 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that he will not proceed with the amalgamation of small rural schools as proposed in the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme. [41209/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, the proposals in the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes are being considered as part of the estimates process for 2010. The decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government.
While I will have to await the outcome of these deliberative processes, I can confirm that there are no plans to close small schools at the moment other than those that would arise in the normal course under the current sustainability limits. I fully acknowledge the attachment of local communities to their schools and the association of the school with a sense of place.
However, I am of the view that my Department will have to examine the implementation of more strict guidelines in relation to the number of pupils required for the sustainability of schools. The Deputy may be aware that building projects involving amalgamation of schools already attract a high band rating within the Schools Building Programme.
