Written Answers Nos. 115-121
115. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the names and amount by which each programme manager or special adviser in his Department has exceeded the relevant pay guidelines, as laid down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54756/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments, issued in March 2011, provide for Special Advisers to be placed on the Principal Officer (standard) scale: €75,647-€78,670-€81,676-€84,706-€87,25 (Scale as amended by the Haddington Road Agreement). Appointments should be on the first point of the scale, except where the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform sanctions a higher salary rate.
One Special Adviser in my Department has been appointed at a higher salary. Mr Ronán O’Brien was appointed at a single point salary, currently at €106.880, having regard to his previous earnings immediately before taking up this position.
116. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding an Employment Appeals Tribunal case in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [54726/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware from previous engagement on this matter, I am aware of the issues involved in this case and also wish to note the Deputy's commitment to the matter.
As I indicated in a previous reply I have reviewed the case and am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have recently written to the person involved outlining the further options open to her. As this issue is now in process I am not in a position to comment further on the matter.
117. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of visits promoted by the Industrial Development Agency of potential investors to Mullingar, County Westmeath for each of the past three years . [54704/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by IDA Ireland that there were 22 agency sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Westmeath in 2010, 15 in 2011, 7 in 2012 and, to date in 2013, there have been 9 visits. These site visits were from new companies visiting the location for the first time and from senior executives of existing companies.
As Ireland competes for high quality investments, 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. In order to achieve economic regional development, IDA prioritises the marketing of Gateway locations within each Region as the locations of critical mass (i.e. sufficient scale of population, skills, infrastructure, companies, business services etc.) and highlights the opportunities provided by Hub locations which are within commuting distances of these Gateways. With improvements in infrastructure an investment in one town in a region has a positive effect on other towns in the region.
Westmeath is part of IDA Ireland’s Midlands Region along with Counties Longford, Laois, Offaly and Roscommon. In this region IDA prioritises the marketing of the linked Gateway of Athlone/Tullamore/Mullingar.
The Midlands Region, which includes Mullingar, has been particularly successful in recent years in terms of attracting inward investment from FDI companies. At present, there are 44 IDA supported companies in the Midlands region employing over 5,000 people. IDA Ireland has strong relationships with these companies and works closely with them to ensure their long term sustainability and to encourage their growth, development and continuing re-investment in their sites.
We must also remember that it is the investor in all cases who decides where to invest and an investment win for Ireland regardless of the location has to be seen as a plus for the country as a whole.
118. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects the County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013 to be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54730/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution Bill) 2013 has passed all stages in Seanad Éireann and it is expected that the Bill will come before Dail Eireann in early 2014. In parallel with the passage of the Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas practical arrangements continue to be put in place to ensure a smooth transition from the current CEB structure to the envisaged LEO structure. Subject to the early completion of the legislation I expect to be in a position to announce the formal dissolution of the CEBs with effect from March 2014.
119. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the names and amount by which each programme manager or special adviser in his Department has exceeded the relevant pay guidelines, as laid down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54754/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe salary details of the two Special Advisors appointed by me as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation in line with the Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments and as sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform are set out in the table. There are no Special Advisers appointed by my Department’s Ministers of State.
|
Position |
Name |
Salary Scale |
|
Special Adviser |
Mr. Ciaran Conlon |
€118,840 |
|
Press Adviser |
Mr. Conor Quinn |
€75,647 - €92,550 |
Special Advisers are to be placed on the Principal Officer scale, and in line with the Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments, sanction for a higher rate of salary for Special Advisers may be granted by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, with the agreement of the Minister for Finance that takes account of the previous experience and relevant expertise of a particular candidate. Given his previous experience and in light of the wide range of issues dealt with by my Department and the key role played by Mr Conlon as my Adviser, my Department wrote to the Department of Finance in April, 2011 requesting the sanction of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to the appointment of Mr Ciaran Conlon as my Special Adviser at a higher rate, in line with the salary paid to Mr Conlon in his previous position and such sanction was granted.
120. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54482/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that a decision in relation to the appeal of the person concerned should issue within the next two weeks. 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.
