Tuesday, 23 Apr 2013

Written Answers Nos. 115-133

Job Creation Data

Ceisteanna (115)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

115. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the jobs that have been secured for each county by each of the trade missions in the past 12 months. [18634/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

During 2012, I led 20 Trade and Investment missions with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to countries such as the United States, China, Canada, South Africa, Russia, Brazil and Germany.

Each year Enterprise Ireland organises a series of targeted international trade missions, market visits, participation in international trade fairs and a large number of international buyer visits to Ireland for the purpose of assisting Irish firms target and secure international contracts and overseas partners. Contracts and commitments worth over €200 million to the Irish Economy were signed during the trade missions organised by Enterprise Ireland in 2012. These contracts, together with the other business links established during the events, have helped grow and sustain jobs in Enterprise Ireland client companies. In 2012 Enterprise Ireland client company employment totalled more than 169,000 on a full and part time basis, representing a growth in full time jobs of 3,338 in the year.

The Investment missions organised by IDA Ireland are more intimate in style. Typically, the programme involves meeting with Chairpersons, CEOs and other senior executives of leading companies, across all sectors. Some of the companies which I met during 2012 already had substantial and valuable activities in Ireland and those meetings focussed on retaining, expanding and further embedding their presence here. For companies who do not have a presence in Ireland, the focus was to underpin Ireland as a location for the proposed investment against intense competition from other locations around the world.

Immediate job creation is not expected from this type of mission as, typically, jobs are created over a period of between 3 and 5 years, depending on the company’s business plan. I should point out, however, that IDA client companies created a total of 12,722 jobs during 2012. The net number of new jobs created at 6,570 represented the third consecutive year of growth in net employment, while job losses in IDA client companies were the lowest in a decade.

Details of the number of new jobs created in IDA and Enterprise Ireland client companies in 2012 on a county by county basis are set out in tabular statements.

Table showing the number of jobs created in Enterprise Ireland client companies on a county by county basis in 2012

County	Data	2012
Carlow	PFT Jobs	2,137
Carlow	PFT Gross Gains	152
Cavan	PFT Jobs	4,151
Cavan	PFT Gross Gains	374
Clare	PFT Jobs	1,580
Clare	PFT Gross Gains	133
Cork	PFT Jobs	18,629
Cork	PFT Gross Gains	1,663
Donegal	PFT Jobs	2,655
Donegal	PFT Gross Gains	180
Dublin	PFT Jobs	50,159
Dublin	PFT Gross Gains	4,097
Galway	PFT Jobs	6,063
Galway	PFT Gross Gains	572
Kerry	PFT Jobs	3,318
Kerry	PFT Gross Gains	194
Kildare	PFT Jobs	5,450
Kildare	PFT Gross Gains	534
Kilkenny	PFT Jobs	3,089
Kilkenny	PFT Gross Gains	320
Laois	PFT Jobs	929
Laois	PFT Gross Gains	76
Leitrim	PFT Jobs	574
Leitrim	PFT Gross Gains	54
Limerick	PFT Jobs	6,279
Limerick	PFT Gross Gains	684
Longford	PFT Jobs	1,557
Longford	PFT Gross Gains	116
Louth	PFT Jobs	4,328
Louth	PFT Gross Gains	299
Mayo	PFT Jobs	3,054
Mayo	PFT Gross Gains	197
Meath	PFT Jobs	4,771
Meath	PFT Gross Gains	615
Monaghan	PFT Jobs	3,463
Monaghan	PFT Gross Gains	294
Offaly	PFT Jobs	2,699
Offaly	PFT Gross Gains	139
Roscommon	PFT Jobs	1,119
Roscommon	PFT Gross Gains	29
Sligo	PFT Jobs	1,508
Sligo	PFT Gross Gains	247
Tipperary North Riding	PFT Jobs	2,162
Tipperary North Riding	PFT Gross Gains	49
Tipperary South Riding	PFT Jobs	2,151
Tipperary South Riding	PFT Gross Gains	81
Waterford	PFT Jobs	4,063
Waterford	PFT Gross Gains	692
Westmeath	PFT Jobs	2,352
Westmeath	PFT Gross Gains	275
Wexford	PFT Jobs	3,881
Wexford	PFT Gross Gains	385
Wicklow	PFT Jobs	3,339
Wicklow	PFT Gross Gains	410

Table showing the number of new jobs created in IDA supported companies on a county by county basis in 2012

County	Employment Data	2012
Kildare	No. of Companies	26
Kildare	Permanent Employment	9,515
Kildare	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	176
Kildare	Job Losses	-489
Kildare	Net Change in Employment	-313
Kildare	Other Jobs	661
Kilkenny	No. of Companies	5
Kilkenny	Permanent Employment	579
Kilkenny	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	180
Kilkenny	Job Losses	0
Kilkenny	Net Change in Employment	180
Kilkenny	Other Jobs	1
Laois	No. of Companies	2
Laois	Permanent Employment	79
Laois	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	2
Laois	Job Losses	-23
Laois	Net Change in Employment	-21
Laois	Other Jobs	5
Leitrim	No. of Companies	4
Leitrim	Permanent Employment	629
Leitrim	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	1
Leitrim	Job Losses	-152
Leitrim	Net Change in Employment	-151
Leitrim	Other Jobs	85
County	Employment Data	2012
Limerick	No. of Companies	43
Limerick	Permanent Employment	6,373
Limerick	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	400
Limerick	Job Losses	-99
Limerick	Net Change in Employment	301
Limerick	Other Jobs	623
Longford	No. of Companies	6
Longford	Permanent Employment	632
Longford	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	24
Longford	Job Losses	0
Longford	Net Change in Employment	24
Longford	Other Jobs	57
Louth	No. of Companies	23
Louth	Permanent Employment	1,416
Louth	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	386
Louth	Job Losses	-45
Louth	Net Change in Employment	341
Louth	Other Jobs	382
Mayo	No. of Companies	19
Mayo	Permanent Employment	3,162
Mayo	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	126
Mayo	Job Losses	-58
Mayo	Net Change in Employment	68
Mayo	Other Jobs	372

County	Employment Data	2012
Meath	No. of Companies	14
Meath	Permanent Employment	1,065
Meath	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	68
Meath	Job Losses	-103
Meath	Net Change in Employment	-35
Meath	Other Jobs	139
Monaghan	No. of Companies	6
Monaghan	Permanent Employment	275
Monaghan	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	3
Monaghan	Job Losses	-10
Monaghan	Net Change in Employment	-7
Monaghan	Other Jobs	73
Offaly	No. of Companies	11
Offaly	Permanent Employment	802
Offaly	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	31
Offaly	Job Losses	-1
Offaly	Net Change in Employment	30
Offaly	Other Jobs	99
Roscommon	No. of Companies	7
Roscommon	Permanent Employment	896
Roscommon	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	53
Roscommon	Job Losses	0
Roscommon	Net Change in Employment	53
Roscommon	Other Jobs	106

County	Employment Data	2012
Sligo	No. of Companies	20
Sligo	Permanent Employment	2,052
Sligo	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	149
Sligo	Job Losses	-138
Sligo	Net Change in Employment	11
Sligo	Other Jobs	205
Tipp North	No. of Companies	3
Tipp North	Permanent Employment	290
Tipp North	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	0
Tipp North	Job Losses	-6
Tipp North	Net Change in Employment	-6
Tipp North	Other Jobs	4
Tipp South	No. of Companies	8
Tipp South	Permanent Employment	2,915
Tipp South	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	10
Tipp South	Job Losses	-155
Tipp South	Net Change in Employment	-145
Tipp South	Other Jobs	478
Waterford	No. of Companies	30
Waterford	Permanent Employment	4,526
Waterford	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	75
Waterford	Job Losses	-186
Waterford	Net Change in Employment	-111
Waterford	Other Jobs	504

County	Employment Data	2012
Westmeath	No. of Companies	18
Westmeath	Permanent Employment	2,252
Westmeath	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	252
Westmeath	Job Losses	-30
Westmeath	Net Change in Employment	222
Westmeath	Other Jobs	192
Wexford	No. of Companies	13
Wexford	Permanent Employment	2,187
Wexford	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	111
Wexford	Job Losses	-106
Wexford	Net Change in Employment	5
Wexford	Other Jobs	49
Wicklow	No. of Companies	17
Wicklow	Permanent Employment	1,936
Wicklow	Gross Gains (New Jobs)	60
Wicklow	Job Losses	-110
Wicklow	Net Change in Employment	-50
Wicklow	Other Jobs	331

Industrial Disputes

Ceisteanna (116)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

116. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way that workers who have been in dispute with their employer for more than three years and who have been in the Labour Court and the High Court have still not received moneys owed to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18605/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Where disputes arise in the workplace the State provides a range of dispute resolution services. Parties may engage either on a voluntary basis through the Labour Relations Commission using the mediation and conciliation services, or under the Industrial Relations Acts to the Labour Court. In some cases, parties to a dispute agree in advance to be bound by the decision of the Labour Court. The objective of the industrial relations machinery is to encourage either mediated or decision based outcomes for the parties.

Employees may also make complaints directly to the Rights Commissioner Service and the Employment Appeals Tribunal under employment legislation. The enforcement of Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) determinations and Labour Court rulings under employment legislation are a matter for the courts. In cases other than those covered by the Payment of Wages Act, the Enforcement Services Unit of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) has some capacity to have a determination of the EAT enforced through the civil courts.

In general, where an award has been made in favour of an employee, the employer has six weeks in which to comply. If the employer fails to do so within this period, the employee, or the employee's trade union, may make an application to the Circuit Court for an order directing the employer to comply with the determination. Where an employee is not in a position to do so the matter can be referred to NERA Enforcement Services Unit, which may, in certain circumstances, make an application to the Courts for an order on his/her behalf. In deciding whether or not to intervene in the Minister’s name, NERA has regard to the amount of the award, the potential for achieving a favourable outcome for the claimant and the scale of the costs likely to be incurred in doing so. The enforcement of a Circuit Court order in these circumstances is the responsibility of the relevant County Sheriff and my Department has no capacity to intervene.

Where an employer is legally insolvent and where a determination has been made by the EAT or an appeal to the Labour Court is in favour of employees, employees are entitled to seek redress from the State through the Insolvency Payments Scheme.

Job Creation

Ceisteanna (117)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

117. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way he intends to monitor the number of jobs created by his initiatives to ensure that the number created matches those expected such as the microenterprise loans scheme. [18608/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The role of Government is to create the environment in which enterprises can start-up grow and create jobs. The Government’s key policy instrument to achieve this is the Action Plan for Jobs. The 2013 Action Plan for Jobs was launched on 22nd February. The Plan contains 333 individual actions, broken down further into Quarterly deliverables. My Department and its agencies are responsible for delivering approximately 190 or 57% of the actions.

As was the case last year, the delivery of the Action Plan for Jobs will be overseen by a Monitoring Committee co-chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and the Secretary General to the Government. Quarterly Progress Reports will be published on the achievement of the deliverables and this will include the job creation figures where applicable. In addition, I regularly meet with the Chief Executive Officers of the Enterprise Development Agencies to discuss, inter alia, progress towards a range of targets, including jobs targets.

In relation to the microfinance loan fund, Microfinance Ireland the company which administers the scheme, provides my Department with quarterly reports and has just compiled its report for the first 6 months (1 October 2012 - 31 March 2013). I can report that to end March, the scheme has supported 116 jobs in 44 microenterprises.

I would emphasise that the transformation needed to grow jobs in our economy will be through deliberate and determined action across all areas of Government and the private sector. One year into the Action Plan for Jobs process, we can see the evidence that the strategy and architecture are working. Over 90% of the 270 individual commitments in last year’s action plan were completed during 2012, we are climbing back up the international competitiveness tables, our exports are at record high levels and IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland had their best jobs growth figures in 2012 many years. Overall, the level of private sector employment is stabilising, as evidenced in the most recent Quarterly National Household Survey figures for Q4 2012 which showed the first annual increase in employment since the second quarter of 2008.

Exports Growth

Ceisteanna (118)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

118. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to expand the export capacity of the small medium enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18652/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Last Friday, I announced the outcome of Annual Business Review (ABR) 2012. This showed that Enterprise Ireland clients had exports of €16.2bn in 2012 with export growth of €1.793bn representing a 6.3% export gain on 2011. Continuing to support indigenous companies to build capacity to grow employment, increase international sales and build on their success in 2012 is central to the Government’s growth strategy that is underpinned by the Action Plan for Jobs, 2013.

Enterprise Ireland, through its Development Advisors (DAs), works with almost 3,000 clients providing both soft and financial support to assist in enhancing their capability and employment potential and develop their growth strategies. Under the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, Enterprise Ireland will continue to develop the recently published Potential Exporters Division as a new way of engaging with Irish companies that are not yet exporting. Furthermore, in 2013 in direct response to the demands of entrepreneurs and client companies, a number initiatives are being rolled out in the areas of funding supports, export information and advice, R&D, management strategy and advice, and building competitiveness.

Specifically under the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, a number of capacity building initiatives will be supported as follows:

- Competitive Start Funds (CSF) for specific groups of very early stage entrepreneurs (investing €50k per start-up) – more than 155 High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) and CSF start-ups are targeted;

- 15 Ministerial trade missions focused on sectors and High Growth economies are also targeted in 2013;

- More than 300 mentors will be appointed to provide tailored advice and guidance to Enterprise Ireland clients;

- A Pilot Initiative will be commenced focusing on enabling companies to research, evaluate and plan market entry strategies in new geographic markets;

- Support 800 participants on short course Management Development Programmes. 170 participants have already commenced or signed up for these courses.

- A participation target of 230 has been set for long term course Management Development participation across a number of courses including, "Management 4 Growth", "Leadership 4 Growth", the International Selling Programme and the Accelerated Growth Programme for CEOs of HPSUs. This target is also set to be met.

These supports are in addition, to Enterprise Ireland's continuing financial supports for client companies and are complimented by other measures, including, for example, the support of EI’s overseas office network.

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Ceisteanna (119)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

119. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will detail the innovation voucher facility operated by Enterprise Ireland; if he will outline the way their facility may be applied to help foster small, community based proposals for product/business development or training; his views on whether the awarding of vouchers on a micro-scale to companies of one to five individuals will foster greater economic activity amongst communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18360/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The Innovation Voucher initiative was developed to build links between Ireland's public knowledge providers (i.e. higher education institutes, public research bodies) and small businesses. Innovation Vouchers worth €5,000 are available to assist a company or companies to explore a business opportunity or problem with a registered knowledge provider.

The Innovation Vouchers initiative, administered by Enterprise Ireland, has been designed to stimulate an on-going cultural shift with regard to innovation within the small business sector while bridging the gap that exists between the small business community and public research bodies. The vouchers can be used to facilitate knowledge transfer from the public research sector and small businesses and are available to the widest possible range of small businesses in Ireland. Applicants need not necessarily be clients of Enterprise Ireland. For the purposes of the Innovation Voucher Initiative, a Small Enterprise is defined as a company or (if part of a group) a group of companies where the total number of full-time employees in the company (or the entire group) is less than 50 and has either an annual turnover and/or an annual Balance Sheet total not exceeding €10m. Small enterprises in the agricultural sector are excluded in line with State aid guidelines.

Under the current guidelines, companies with charitable status, commercial semi-state companies, "not for profit" organisations, trade associations and company representation bodies such as Chambers of Commerce are not eligible to participate in the innovation voucher initiative. This refinement of eligibility criteria was undertaken to direct the activity of the programme to companies involved in commercial enterprise or business whose main focus is generating jobs and/or exports.

Enterprise Ireland recognises that an important source of knowledge, expertise and competitive advantage available to small companies can be found in the research departments of Institutes of Technology and Irish Universities. The Innovation Vouchers scheme gives small companies access to this vast source of innovative acumen and in so doing acts as an important facet of knowledge transfer from the third level to industry. These vouchers worth €5,000 can be used by the average small Irish company to purchase advice and knowledge that is new to the company.

Innovation Vouchers were designed with the aim of planting the seed of innovation in small businesses, encouraging them to look to their future and seize the opportunities that knowledge and Innovation can bring. As a measure of the success of the scheme in fostering collaboration, many of the companies who worked with a knowledge provider have since applied for more substantial funding from programmes like Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Partnership programme.

Question No. 120 withdrawn.

Question No. 121 answered with Question No. 97.

Employment Rights

Ceisteanna (122)

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

122. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the response of the International Transport Federation (details supplied) to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board report into the sinking of the Tit Bonhomme and specifically the proposal made to his Department that persons working illegally in the fishing trade in hazardous conditions be allowed a period of reflection during which they may approach the authorities for protection without fear of deportation. [18361/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The sinking of the Tit Bonhomme and the subsequent tragic loss of life is of deep concern to my Department. One of the key objectives of my Department is that of ensuring the protection of employment rights and worker health and safety. This objective is shared across a number of other Government Departments at a sectoral level.

In the case of the Tit Bonhomme, I welcome the response of the lead Department in this instance, the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report into the sinking of the Tit Bonhomme. That Department is in the process of implementing all of the safety recommendations in the MCIB report. I note in particular, the intent to enforce the European Community (Workers on board sea-going fishing Vessels) (Organisation of Working Time) Regulations, 2003 (S.I.709 of 2003). This along with the implementation of the other recommendations will greatly assist in encouraging a strong safety culture at sea.

My Department's remit in this respect is generally limited to cases where there is an employer – employee relationship. Fishermen very often work on a profit sharing basis and as such are not deemed to be employees. I am aware of the contention that there are illegal workers operating in the industry. In terms of employees working illegally, this can arise where there is an employer-employee relationship and where the employee requires, but does not hold, an employment permit, or where an employee has not been granted permission to reside in the State by my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.

In this respect, my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality informs me that from an immigration perspective all non-EEA national migrants, whether working or not, must have the appropriate permission to be in the State. While there may be atypical elements to the situation where the person spends much of their time at sea, the general principle still applies. The Minister further points out that because a person may elect not to abide by the rules does not imply that the onus is on the State to regularise - far from it. However, any migrant who is in the State in breach of immigration laws may apply to the immigration authorities for permission to be in the State and would be strongly advised to do so. Such applications would have to be considered on their individual merits rather than as a class but it can never be to the non-EEA national's advantage to endure exploitative working conditions for fear of possible deportation.

My Department wishes to satisfy itself that it is fulfilling its functions where they may relate to the issue of worker safety at sea and the enforcement of employment rights. In the case of my Department, while its remit in this respect is limited to cases where there are employer – employee relationships there may be potential for my Department to contribute to the overall response. Therefore, I will be writing to my colleagues the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Minister for Justice and Equality offering my Department’s support and assistance in any cross Government process whereby the State seeks to apply better regulation to this sector for the benefit of those who work within it.

Industrial Development

Ceisteanna (123)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

123. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty in attracting significant new industry to County Kerry; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that this problem has existed for many years before the current crisis; if he will formulate a specific plan to tackle County Kerry's problems; if he will prioritise a visit to County Kerry to meet with industry leaders, local authority and educational leaders and agency representative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18347/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I am informed by IDA Ireland that, having regard to its statutory responsibility for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Ireland, it will continue to promote Kerry as part of its marketing efforts, in response to specific client queries and also on an opportunistic basis.

At the end of 2012 there were 12 IDA Ireland supported companies in Kerry with total employment of circa 1,600 people. In accordance with its Horizon 2020 Strategy, IDA Ireland continues to engage with these client companies in order to transform the existing FDI base with a view to developing, retaining and growing employment opportunities. This is given particular emphasis in respect of client companies in Kerry, who are located outside of IDA Ireland’s main Gateway locations.

The provision of flexible and cost effective property and infrastructure solutions is a key aspect in developing regional value propositions and in attracting FDI. In this regard IDA Ireland will continue to market all available land and buildings in County Kerry and work with local authorities and property developers to deliver appropriate solutions in response to potential investors’ needs.

IDA Ireland has indicated that, in seeking to win FDI, the concept of scale is crucial. Leading global corporations require a significant population pool, access to qualified talent, world standard physical and digital infrastructure coupled with the availability of sophisticated professional and business support services. Ireland has only one such Metro Region, the Greater Dublin area, so, in order to achieve balanced regional economic development, the Agency prioritises the marketing of its Gateway locations within each Region. The Gateway locations in the Mid-West and South West Regions include Limerick and Cork. However, IDA Ireland also highlights the opportunities provided by other locations such as the linked hubs in County Kerry of Killarney and Tralee, which are within commuting distances of the Gateways of Limerick and Cork.

In 2012 I attended a briefing meeting on the Action Plan for Jobs 2012 in Tralee, along with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Mr. Jimmy Deenihan and all of the relevant enterprise support agencies. The schedule of Action Plan for Jobs 2013 briefings has not yet been finalised, but it is hoped that another meeting can be facilitated in Tralee as part of that schedule.

I am mindful, also, that, in order to ensure that Ireland can continue to compete globally for FDI, it will be necessary to undertake an in depth analysis of our FDI strategy with a view to informing the formulation of an appropriate strategy for the period post 2014, when IDA Ireland's current strategy is implemented. This analysis, which will be undertaken later this year, will take account of factors such as key trends emerging in FDI best practice internationally, Ireland’s strengths in attracting FDI, any changes to the EU’s State Aid rules that may be introduced in the near future and our agreed approach to regional development.

Meanwhile IDA's commitment to delivering business to County Kerry continues and, while globally the outlook for FDI continues to be challenging, there are still investment opportunities in global markets. IDA Ireland has assured me that it will continue to work towards achieving its target of creating a further 12,000 jobs in 2013 as set out in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013.

Economic Competitiveness

Ceisteanna (124)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

124. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he has taken to address the property costs to small and medium enterprises. [18620/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The recently published Forfás report "Costs of Doing Business in Ireland 2012" indicates that property costs in Ireland have reduced significantly in recent years. Construction costs and rental costs for both office and industrial space have fallen dramatically for new businesses, since the collapse of the property bubble. Rental costs for new leases of office space in Dublin, for example have decreased by 45 per cent between 2007 and 2011. Of course, I recognise that many existing businesses are tied into higher property costs having purchased or leased property with upward only rent review clauses during the property boom.

The Government has taken steps to address the issue of upward only rent reviews where possible. In the Action Plan for Jobs 2012, the Government undertook to place downward pressure on commercial rents where the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) had acquired the loan on the underlying property. I understand that by the end of 2012, NAMA had received 276 eligible applications for rent abatement and had granted 212 applications with an aggregate annual value of €13.5 million. A further 56 applications were under review. Of the 276 eligible applications received, only 8 were refused. Other property related costs such as stamp duty on transactions have recently been reduced. Local Authority rates have fallen marginally in the past three years and we will continue to encourage Local Authorities to exercise restraint in setting commercial rates and, where possible, to reduce rates.

The 2013 Action Plan for Jobs includes a number of specific actions to be implemented to support a sustainable commercial property market. These include:

- Ensuring that the commercial leases database is established and fully operational in 2013.

- The completion of a review of the Rent Review Arbitration Code to consider the effectiveness of the code in resolving disputes over rent reviews, and the degree to which stakeholders are making use of the code and to

- Enact and implement the Valuations Bill in order to accelerate the revaluation of properties for commercial rates purposes.

Job Creation

Ceisteanna (125)

David Stanton

Ceist:

125. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his policies to support the creation of jobs in the town centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18592/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I take it that the Deputy is referring to support for the creation of jobs in the retail sector in town centres. The 2013 Action Plan for Jobs includes a number of measures which will support the retail sector, including an initiative to introduce a single portal for business licence applications, a new scheme to help more businesses to trade on-line, and the integration of local business supports into a stronger Local Enterprise Office network to improve provision for micro and small enterprises. Additionally, the Government has committed to strengthening the Credit Review Office to deal with problems in getting access to finance, which can often be a problem for retail outlets.

As part of the Action Plan for Jobs, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has undertaken to review activity in the report published in 2012 by the County and City Managers' Association (CCMA) which identified actions, projects and activities undertaken by Local Authorities which can be seen to contribute to local development, enterprise support and economic growth. This action may also have relevance for the retail sector at a local level. The Government has also committed, in the Action Plan, to establishing an Interdepartmental Group to undertake a short examination of further possible measures to assist the retail sector, which could, for example, be considered in the context of the Budget or the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs. This Interdepartmental Group will be chaired by my Department.

I am aware that the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation recently received a presentation from representatives of the retail sector on the impact that parking restrictions can have on retail outlets in town centres. I will ask my officials to examine the paper on town-centre parking, in the context of the work of the Interdepartmental Group referred to above.

Industrial Development

Ceisteanna (126)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

126. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will ask the Industrial Development Agency to assess the reason for the lack of new investments in County Donegal; the dynamic behind this; and if he will seek a report from the IDA on issues that need to be addressed in order to ensure that the county becomes more attractive for new investments. [18639/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

IDA Ireland is the statutory body charged with the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions.

IDA Ireland has informed me that it currently supports 14 companies in Donegal which employ 2,228 people in software development, systems development and the medical technology industry. Donegal's industry base is transforming from the clothing and textile industry to high tech, high skill activity. Accordingly, IDA Ireland continues to work with its existing client base to encourage them to transform and expand their existing operations while actively encouraging new investment in Donegal in knowledge based industries and high-end manufacturing, mainly to companies in the medical technologies sector. In October 2012 KeyedIn solutions announced its plans to establish a software development centre in Letterkenny with the creation of 20 highly skilled jobs over a period of three years.

The challenge facing IDA Ireland is to continue to win top quality investment for Ireland in a very challenging global environment. International competition for FDI has become extremely intense and continues to increase. Leading global corporations require a significant population pool, access to qualified talent, world class physical and digital infrastructure as well as the availability of sophisticated, professional and business support services. Consequently, when marketing potential locations for site visit to clients, IDA Ireland has to be credible and competitive in its approach, in the face of stiff international competition for FDI, as locations must meet the criteria of the client company in respect of skills, labour, site and/or buildings and infrastructure. Donegal is part of IDA's North West Region, along with Counties Leitrim and Sligo, and this Region has two urban centres of sufficient scale - Letterkenny and Sligo- to meet these criteria.

IDA Ireland has also assured me that it continues to focus on the designated linked Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry. This focus involves developing stronger economic links with Invest Northern Ireland, which includes initiatives like the North West Business & Technology Zone (NWBTZ), which aims to promote the linked Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry in line with the NI Regional Development Strategy 2025.

I am mindful that, in order to ensure that Ireland can continue to compete globally for FDI projects, it will be necessary to undertake an in depth analysis of our FDI strategy with a view to informing the formulation of an appropriate strategy for the period post 2014. This analysis, which will be undertaken later this year, will take account of factors such as key trends emerging in FDI best practice internationally, Ireland’s strengths in attracting FDI, any changes to the EU’s State Aid rules that may be introduced in the near future and our agreed approach to regional development.

In the interim, IDA Ireland has assured me that it will continue to win FDI projects for County Donegal. While the global outlook for FDI continues to be challenging, the Agency has assured me that it will continue to work towards achieving its target of creating a further 12,000 jobs this year as set out in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013.

Industrial Relations

Ceisteanna (127)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

127. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he intends to take to ensure that decisions made by the State's industrial relations machinery are upheld. [18597/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

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 negotiation and agreement without the direct intervention of the State. In general, Irish law does not try to impose a solution on parties to an industrial relations dispute, but rather is designed to help support the parties in resolving their differences. Employer and trade union interests have remained committed to this approach in the interest of the harmonious conduct of industrial relations for more than half a century. The State takes a supportive role, by providing a framework and institutions through which good industrial relations can prosper, rather than an interventionist one. Institutions such as the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court were established to assist in the resolution of disputes between employers and workers.

The experience and expertise of the State's industrial relations machinery offers the best avenue for resolving issues in dispute. In this context, it is expected that the parties to a dispute come to the process in good faith and consequently are prepared to give serious consideration to the decisions or recommendations made. Recommendations of the Labour Court are not legally binding. Neither the Labour Court, not I, can compel a company or its employees to comply with such a recommendation. Ultimately, responsibility for the settlement of a trade dispute rests with the parties involved. I have no plans to make any changes to Industrial Relations Acts which would compel either party to a dispute to accept a Labour Court recommendation in disputes referred under those Acts.

With regard to employment rights legislation, I currently have discretion to pursue enforcement proceedings on behalf of claimants under certain employment rights enactments. This role is carried out by the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) on my behalf. Alternatively, individual claimants can take enforcement proceedings themselves or through their trade union. In order to have credibility, a system of employment rights adjudication must be backed up by an efficient and effective enforcement regime. Therefore, there is a need for a robust method of enforcement of awards.

As you may be aware, I have commenced a root and branch reform of the State’s Workplace Relations Services. The reforms which I propose to introduce will include improved measures to secure the enforcement of awards made by the State's Workplace Relations adjudication bodies. The Scheme of the Workplace Relations Bill, which will give legislative effect to the new Workplace Relations structures, has been approved by Government for priority drafting and I hope to publish this Bill during 2013. As part of this Reform Programme, I propose to put in place a more robust method of enforcement of awards. It is proposed that there will be an Enforcement Section within the new structures that will implement the revised enforcement system, where the District Court will have considerable enforcement powers in relation to decisions of Adjudication Officers of the WRC and determinations of the Labour Court.

I am confident that the measures which I propose to introduce in the Workplace Relations Bill will provide a legislative basis to facilitate the more effective enforcement of awards made under the reformed Workplace Relations adjudication structures.

Job Creation

Ceisteanna (128)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

128. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to develop State led research opportunities for the 4,000 post doctoral graduates who are currently unemployed whose skills could be used to spearhead innovation and job creation opportunities. [18598/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Sean Sherlock)

Through the Action Plan for Jobs, the Government is providing the basis for increased employment opportunities for graduates, particularly in growing and emerging sectors that rely on high knowledge and skills levels. The Action Plan contains a number of measures that specifically support graduates and includes commitments to support graduates in specific sectors such as the food industry and ICT. One of the ambitions outlined in the Plan is that, by 2018, Ireland will have the highest percentage of computing graduates as a proportion of all tertiary graduates. That process will begin in 2013 through a process of increased programme places, reskilling and conversion courses, and through targeted migration of key skills groups.

In the area of labour market activation, the JobBridge scheme operated by the Minister for Social Protection has proven to be very successful in providing opportunities for graduates to get valuable employment experience. A recent review of the scheme, carried out by Indecon consultants, found that more than half of participants had gone on to paid employment after their internships ends.

The Irish Research Council has launched the 2013-2014 round of its Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowships, including the Enterprise Partnership Postdoctoral Scheme and the International Career Development Fellowship. The Council facilitates the career development of researchers by funding those at an early stage of their postdoctoral career to associate with established research teams who have achieved international recognition for their work. The Council aims to support an expertise-driven research system in order to enhance Ireland’s innovation capacity and skills base in a rapidly changing global environment where knowledge is key to economic, social and cultural development.

In relation to my own Department, amongst a range of programme offerings, Science Foundation Ireland continues to promote the study of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) disciplines, to ensure that graduates have the knowledge and skills to avail of opportunities in high value-added sectors. In addition, last week SFI launched a new initiative, the SFI Industry Fellowships programme, which in time should ensure that more research graduates are employed in industry. The SFI Industry Fellowships will also help to increase industrial R&D in Ireland, upskill Irish firms, assist SMEs to develop and grow, and help the IDA win new companies to Ireland.

In addition, Enterprise Ireland operates programmes such as Graduates 4 International Growth, which assists companies with ambitious growth plans in key markets to create one or more entry-level graduate market researcher positions. Graduate market researchers work overseas for 12 months to complete a project related to the company’s growth plans in the overseas market.

Enterprise Ireland also runs the New Frontiers programme, which is an entrepreneur development programme delivered at a local level by the Institutes of Technology. The programme provides successful applicants with a package of supports to help accelerate their business ideas and to equip them with the skills and contacts necessary to successfully start and grow their company. It may be of particular interest to new graduates.

Questions Nos. 129 and 130 answered with Question No. 94.

Job Creation Targets

Ceisteanna (131)

Sandra McLellan

Ceist:

131. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the current rates of change his views on when an additional 100,000 jobs will be created in the economy. [18619/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

In the Action Plan for Jobs, the Government has set an ambitious target of having 100,000 more people at work by 2016. When we launched the first in a series of annual Action Plans for Jobs in February 2012, I said that the transformation needed for our economy would not come through one big bang solution but through deliberate and determined action across all areas of Government and the private sector.

One year into the Action Plan for Jobs process, we can see the evidence that the strategy and architecture are working. There were 270 individual actions committed to last year, to improve the operating environment and supports for job-creating businesses, and remove barriers to employment-creation right across our economy. Over 90% of these actions were completed during 2012. More importantly there has been a stabilisation in jobs numbers in the last six months and, last year 12,000 jobs were created in the private sector, in particular in export oriented companies. The compares to the 250,000 private sector jobs lost in the three years before this Government took office.

As with 2012, employment retention and creation will continue to be our primary objective in 2013. I am confident that we now have a structure in place that can deliver the type of actions needed to continue supporting the transition underway in our economy.

This year's Action Plan for Jobs includes 333 actions for delivery across all Government Departments and 46 Agencies or Offices. The plan also includes seven Disruptive Reforms that the Government have identified as having potential to have a significant impact on job creation. In addition, the experience and perspective of the six industry partners, recently appointed jointly by myself and the Taoiseach, will prove invaluable as we take on these strategically significant challenges. This can only help us in achieving the vital task of growing our economy and getting our people back to work in increasing numbers and achieving the target of 100,000 more people at work by 2016.

Question No. 132 answered with Question No. 111.

Joint Labour Committees Agreements

Ceisteanna (133)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

133. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has received a copy of the Labour Court Review of ten existing JLC; and if he will outline when he will be able to form a view of its recommendations. [18616/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The new Section 41A of Industrial Relations Act 1946 (inserted by Section 11 of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2012) provides that reviews of each Joint Labour Committee (JLC) will be carried out by the Labour Court, as soon as practicable after the commencement of the Act, and at least once every 5 years thereafter. In this context, the Labour Court appointed Ms Janet Hughes to undertake the review of the 10 existing JLCs on its behalf. The Review was completed on 12 April last. The review assisted the Labour Court's deliberations as to whether any JLC should be abolished, maintained in its current form, amalgamated with another JLC or its establishment order amended and the Labour Court is required to make recommendations to me to this effect.

The Labour Court submitted its report of the review and recommendations in relation to the 10 existing JLCs to me yesterday, 22 April. The report is detailed, comprehensive and complex and will require careful examination and consideration. I propose to take some time for that consideration and I would hope to be in a position to indicate my response shortly.