Written Answers Nos. 218 - 235
218. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the grants available for companies that are trying to increase their exports for fitting out new premises, buying new equipment and hiring new employees; if there is a single contact in Enterprise Ireland a company could approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44302/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland (EI) offers a range of financial and non-financial supports to assist clients through all stages of the business development cycle. These include supports for job creation and where appropriate, capital investment.
The main EI Grant offers available to client companies that are seeking to expand include the following:
- Going Global Grant - A grant for market research costs to assist companies that have successfully established businesses in Ireland who wish to explore opportunities to internationalise as a route to growth.
- Internationalisation Grant – A grant to support the costs of researching and exploring new international business opportunities. Eligible projects include: 1) researching a new market for a new or existing product or 2) researching an existing market for a new product. Eligible costs may include; Salaries & Overheads (for clients with less than 50 employees), Consultancy Fees, Foreign Travel & Subsistence, EI approved Business Accelerator Fees and Trade Fair costs.
- Job Expansion Fund - Funding towards the recruitment of new employees.
- Tailored Company Expansion Packages - Support for companies who are planning to undertake an ambitious expansion that will create employment and grow sales in international markets. The nature of the package will be determined through discussions with Enterprise Ireland.
The specific nature and level of support offered to Enterprise Ireland client companies will depend on the individual company's development needs and is assessed in consultation with their Enterprise Ireland Development Adviser. Development Advisers work with companies to:
- discuss business development needs;
- provide impartial confidential advice on business plans;
- provide information on the wide range of financial and business development supports available from Enterprise Ireland;
- guide client companies through the application process for relevant supports;
- make companies aware of sectoral events and networks of relevance to their business;
Funding decisions are broadly determined by the following criteria:
- Need for financial support for the project;
- Potential employment and sales growth;
- Previous funding provided to the company;
- Regional location of the company.
Companies who are not currently Enterprise Ireland clients but who wish to contact the Agency can do so via the “Get Export Ready” Helpdesk at: 01 7272829 or visit the website at: http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Export-Assistance/Get-Export-Ready.
219. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the funding allocated through the microenterprise loan fund scheme through Microfinance Ireland for an area (details supplied); broken down into the number of applications received; the number approved; the total value of loans approved to each business; the number of jobs supported in each enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44394/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy should note that details in relation to applications to Microfinance Ireland (MFI) are collected at a county level only and not by specific regions within a county. County level data is available in the quarterly progress reports from MFI which are published on my Department's website www.enterprise.gov.ie. The progress report detailing the analysis and performance of the Scheme for the quarterly period ending 30th June 2013 is available on my Department's website. I intend to publish the next progress report for the period to September 2013 by the end of October, once the report has been finalised.
220. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a work permit application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44518/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application in respect of the person in question was refused on 23rd July 2013 on the grounds that it appeared that no Labour Market Needs Test had been carried out. A review of this decision was sought in accordance with Section 13 of the Employment Permits Act, 2006 but this was not received within the timeframe required by the Act. However a new permit application has been received in respect of this proposed employee and I understand that officials in my Department are in contact with the applicant in relation to this application.
221. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the Industrial Development Agency plans to open new offices in Toronto, Canada and Perth, Australia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44529/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe location of IDA Ireland offices overseas is a day to day operational matter for the agency. I am informed by IDA Ireland that there are currently no plans to open an office in Toronto, Canada as the agency has an office in New York which handles marketing and investment queries from Canada. IDA Ireland already has a presence in Australia. The agency's representative is located in Sydney. I understand that there are currently no plans to open an office in Perth.
222. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons employed, and relevant pay bands for Microfinance Ireland to administer the microenterprise loan fund; and the management or other fees paid to the Social Finance Foundation for its role in oversight, administration or management of Microfinance Ireland. [44594/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra223. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the ratio of total value of loan to administration cost for all loans made by the microenterprise loan fund. [44595/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra224. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the recommendations or options developed from the consultation exercise conducted in the lead-up to the development of the microenterprise loan fund; the recommendations and options relating to possible delivery bodies; the name of the group that conducted the consultation on behalf of or in partnership with his Department; and if he will make the full consultation report available. [44596/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 222 to 224, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will be aware that Microfinance Ireland (MFI) opened for business on 1 October 2012. As of 21 October 2013, 8 staff are employed by MFI. Total salary costs in MFI may amount to not more than €500,000 in any 12 month period. As Social Finance Foundation (SFF) is the only shareholder in MFI, MFI does not pay fees for oversight, administration or management to SFF.
Annual administration costs for MFI for the year to December 2013 are forecast to total approximately €900,000. Salaries are the largest component of MFI's annual budget. In the first full year of operations which encompass all the establishment costs the ratio of loans to administration is 2:1. This is to be expected in a difficult start up environment and MFI expects to improve on this indicator as awareness and demand increase. The key ratio MFI is targeting is operating costs per job created/sustained. At the end of the first full year this is €3,420 per job. This measure does not take account of cost avoided by the exchequer or exchequer receipts that may accrue as a result of each job. MFI expects to drive down this indicator over time as awareness and demand increase.
On foot of the Programme for Government my Department developed the Microfinance proposal, in close consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Finance, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the European Investment Bank, and more detailed discussions with practitioners already in the area of Microfinancing. A detailed analysis of other alternative delivery mechanisms was undertaken, such as: First Step, Multiple Lending Funds, Enterprise Ireland/County Enterprise Boards and Credit Unions. Following this analysis, it was agreed by Government that there was no alternative model which could achieve the scale of lending and containment of credit risk required to fulfil the Commitment in the Programme for Government. As set out in the Regulatory Impact Analysis published in April 2012, a single lender would (i) minimise overall management costs which are traditionally high with microenterprises, (ii) ensure a clear financial and management information reporting structure, (iii) enhance the possibility for EIF assistance and (iv) allow for a clear identification of the costs involved in operating the scheme.
As of 18th October 2013 MFI has approved 109 applications to the value of €1.674m supporting 107 microenterprises and 237 jobs. My Department publishes quarterly progress reports on the Microenterprise Loan Fund on my Department's website www.enterprise.gov.ie. The progress report detailing the analysis and performance for the quarterly period ending 30 June 2013 is available on my Department's website. I intend to publish the next progress report to end 30 September 2013 shortly. The report is currently being finalised.
225. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide the full-year effect of all expenditure reductions for his Department as set out in the expenditure report 2014, as provided for in the expenditure report 2013. [44749/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe net Exchequer provision as published in the Expenditure Report 2014 is €732.07 million. This allocation will ensure that my Department and its agencies will continue to deliver comprehensive programmes of activity and supports in respect of the three programme areas of jobs and enterprise; innovation; and regulation, at a further reduced cost to the taxpayer. It will also help to ensure that the Government maintains its adherence to the EU/IMF Consolidation Programme and return the public finances to a sound footing.
In line with commitments under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure, my Department and its Agencies will deliver over €13 million in efficiency savings in respect of 2014. This significant level of savings comes in addition to savings that are being delivered under the Haddington Road Agreement, as well as various items of expenditure no longer included in my Department's Estimate in 2014, such as costs associated with Ireland's Presidency of the EU. These savings will be delivered at the Departmental level through administrative efficiency measures and changes to business processes. Further savings will also be delivered by the Agencies under the aegis of my Department through administrative and operational efficiencies, rationalisation measures and reprioritisation of spending in respect of a number of projects.
The 2014 funding provision will enable the Department and agencies to provide continued supports for the full range of vital job measures that have proved instrumental in turning around the jobs market and getting growth into the economy over the past two years, such as:
Delivery of measures under Action Plan for Jobs 2014.
IDA will target approximately 12,000 new jobs in 2014 whilst maintaining supports to its client base which currently employs over 260,000 people in Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland will target 12,000 new jobs and generate €17.5billion in exports. The Agency will also support 95 new High Potential Start-Up companies with commitments to create 2,100 new jobs.
Over €300 million in research and innovation funding supports through Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland, the Higher Education Authority, Tyndall National Institute and Ireland's participation in the European Space Agency. These supports will leverage well in excess of €100 million in research funding to Ireland from non-exchequer sources next year from the likes of the EU and industry partners. An additional €3.5 million in supports for business start-ups and entrepreneurial supports by Enterprise Ireland through the County Enterprise Boards/Local Enterprise Offices network in 2014.
In conclusion, I am satisfied that the provision in the 2014 Expenditure Report, enhanced by any additional provision accruing from the carryover of capital savings in 2013, will ensure that the requisite supports are in place in my Department to continue the work in turning around the jobs market and returning growth to the economy.
226. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to conduct a poverty impact assessment on the impact of the revised rent supplement limits announced in June 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44122/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. There are currently over 82,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €403 million for 2013.
New revised rent limits came into force on Monday 17 June 2013 and will be in place until 31 December 2014. The new rent limits were determined following an extensive review of the private rental market which showed rising rents for urban centres, particularly Dublin and Galway and reduction in rents for the majority of counties. The new limits continue to ensure that value for money is achieved while, at the same time, people on rent supplement are not priced out of the market for private rented accommodation. The purpose of rent limits is to provide adequate access to accommodation for rent supplement tenants, while paying a minimum contribution. Where rent limits have fallen, this is due to the local rental market's supply and demand conditions which set the local pricing levels of rental property in the respective area.
Officials in the Department continue to examine the impact of the rent limits on those who claim rent supplement and ensure that their accommodation needs are met. Accordingly it is not proposed to conduct a poverty impact assessment.
227. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are legislative provisions under which the death of unborn children, other than stillborn, may be registered by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44580/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe loss of a child in any circumstances is an extremely tragic event for a family and I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to those families who have lost children. The procedures governing the registration of deaths are provided for under Part 5 of the Civil Registration Act, 2004. When a death occurs it is registered on foot of a certificate of cause of death supplied by a registered medical practitioner. Where a death is referred to a coroner, the death is registered by a registrar on foot of a coroner's certificate. These are the only circumstances under which a death can be registered. While acknowledging that the loss of an unborn child is very sad for the family concerned it would not be practical or feasible to establish and maintain a register of deaths in such cases.
228. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) under financial grounds. [44097/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm that the department received an application for carer's allowance from the person in question on the 29th July 2013. An information request was made to the person in question on 18th of October 2013 requesting details of the nature of payments to a bank account. As soon as the information is received , the application will be processed and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
229. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 is entitled to any supplementary benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44123/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. It is expected that the estimated expenditure for ENPs in 2013 will be over €35 million.
There is no automatic entitlement to an ENP payment. ENPs are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. The scheme is not intended to cover circumstances where responsibility rests with another Government Department or Agency. Concerns in relation to the charges levied on residents by the organisation concerned should be raised with the management of the facility and the Health Service Executive.
230. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [44132/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeals officer, having fully considered all the documentary evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the appeals officer's decision on 26th September 2013.
Under Social Welfare legislation, an appeals officer may decide a case before him/her on the basis of the documentary evidence presented. This course of action was taken in this case as it was considered that an oral hearing was not warranted. However, as the person concerned has indicated that he would like to meet with an appeals officer to present his case, I am advised that the appeals officer has agreed to set aside the original summary decision and to arrange to have the appeal considered by way of an oral hearing.
The person concerned will be notified of the arrangements for the oral hearing in due course. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
231. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will support the joint pre-budget submission by organisations (details supplied) that clearly show that cuts are affecting persons with an intellectual disability and-or autism in a multitude of ways; if she will ensure that all Departments start making persons with a disability a priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44148/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, I would point out that my department has striven to maintain the level of income and employment supports for people with disabilities against a background where very significant reductions in the department's budget over successive years had to be imposed in order to comply with the national recovery programme. However, against this backdrop, my department will spend €19 billion on social protection measures next year.
People with disabilities are a priority for my department and in relation to the points made in the pre-Budget submission to which the Deputy refers, I would point out that core weekly social welfare payments for people with disabilities have been maintained for 2014 (except in the case of some 2,000 Invalidity Pension recipients aged 65 whose weekly rate is being adjusted to take account of the abolition of the State Pension Transition), the fuel allowance season remains unchanged for 2014, and the respite care grant remains unchanged for 2014.
My Department also provides a wide range of income and work related supports (previously operated by FÁS) for people with disabilities. These include the EmployAbility Service (formerly the Supported Employment Programme) which facilitates the integration of people with disabilities into paid employment in the open labour market and a number of employment supports aimed at employers for e.g., the Wage Subsidy Scheme – which pays an employer a subsidy for employing a person with a disability; the Work Equipment Adaptation Grant, the Employee Retention Grant and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme. Community Employment (CE) schemes are also available to people with disabilities.
In relation to specific activation measures for people with disabilities, I would point out that I launched the Disability Activation Project at the end of 2012. This is co-funded with the EU and is providing over € 7 million to 14 projects (which will run until early 2015 across the BMW region to address 4 specific strands around the employment of people with disabilities: (i) Improving Access to Employment. (ii) Progression Programmes for Young People. (iii) Support for Progression and Retention of People with an Acquired Disability. (iv) Innovative Employer Initiatives.
I am confident that these projects listed will provide significant guidance and learning on how best to ensure that people with disabilities are assisted to enabled and participate fully in the labour market. The outcomes of these projects will be crucial in determining the optimum approaches that should be taken in mainstreaming activation measures generally for people with disabilities. In the meantime, whilst priority is currently being given to unemployed people on the Live Register in terms of the INTREO service, it is open to any person with a disability to apply to avail of the service.
232. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received any payment of jobseeker's benefit after receiving a letter from the appeals office on 4 September stating an appeal had been successful. [44152/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an appeals officer having fully considered all of the available evidence, including that adduced at oral hearing, decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned was informed of the Appeals Officers decision on 4 September 2013.
The appeal in question was returned to the Social Welfare Appeals Office by the Deciding Officer seeking clarification of the Appeals Officers decision. The Appeals Officer dealing with this case has clarified the issue in question and has reiterated his original decision and the file will be returned to the Department for implementation of the Appeals Officers decision. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
233. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to include persons on disability allowance in the Gateway scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44175/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraGateway is a joint initiative between this Department and county and city councils which will provide short-term work placement opportunities with county and city councils. The objectives of Gateway include assisting the personal and social development of participants, supporting the work-readiness of people who are unemployed for two or more years and bridging the gap between unemployment and re-entering the workforce. Eligibility is confined to those in receipt of a job seekers payment from the Department of Social Protection. These provisions are to ensure a highly targeted approach to those who are becoming long term unemployed. A person cannot apply for a Gateway. All selection is by way of random selection by the Department of Social Protection from those 24 months or more unemployed and in receipt of a jobseeker's payment at the time of selection.
Persons in receipt of disability allowance are eligible for a range of other job activation initiatives of more rehabilitative nature, including community employment. The Deputy should note that I increased the range of options available to persons in receipt of disability allowance last year as JobBridge - the national internship scheme – was broadened to include people in receipt of disability allowance.
234. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if an overpayment of carer's allowance will be reviewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44194/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe death of the brother of the person concerned did not contribute to the overpayment. The overpayment occurred as the person concerned received state pension contributory in conjunction with full rate carer's allowance. A person is entitled to receive half rate carer's allowance with another social welfare payment. The person in question was not entitled to full rate carers allowance for the period from 11th of April 2013 to 17th of July 2013 as outlined in letters issued to him on 10th of July and 2nd of October 2013. This decision creates an overpayment of €2482.60 and this sum is recoverable by the department.
The person concerned has 21 days to request in writing a review or appeal of this decision. An officer from this Department will be in touch with the person concerned with regard to the recovery of the overpayment in due course. The Department would like to offer condolences to the family of the deceased.
235. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a domiciliary care application which was to be reviewed based on new medical evidence in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [44195/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on the 30th November 2012. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for the allowance. A letter issued on the 9th February 2013 refusing the allowance. The person concerned subsequently lodged an appeal against this decision and was informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 20th August 2013 that the appeal had been disallowed.
The decision-appeal process for this application is now complete. If the person concerned has additional information which was not made available to the deciding and appeals officers when they made their decisions, it is open to him to re-apply for the allowance.
