Written Answers Nos 78-86
78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedure to be followed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has difficulty obtaining a place for their children at second level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14675/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.
Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act, 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected.
Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of an Educational Training Board (ETB) school to the ETB in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld. Section 29 appeal application forms are available on my Departments website at the following link: http://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Appeal-against-Permanent-Exclusion-Suspension-or-Refusal-to-Enrol/Section-29-Appeals-Application-Form.doc or from Section 29 Administration Unit, Department of Education & Skills, Friars Mill Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, phone 0761 108584
The Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency (EWS) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The EWS may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the EWS is Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency, Block 3 South Dublin County Council, Tallaght, Dublin 24, phone number 01-4635513.
79. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding that has been approved to date to the Office of Public Works for the purposes of coastal protection works in Galway city and county; the projects approved for such funding in Galway city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14556/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder its Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme the Office of Public Works (OPW) has approved to date two coastal protection applications for Galway County Council totalling €363,600 as detailed in the following table. No coastal protection applications for Galway City Council have been received.
Galway County Council
|
Project Location |
Project Details |
Approved Funding |
Date of Approval |
Drawn-down |
Project Completed Y/N |
|
Doonlooughan Pier, Ballyconnelly, Connemara (Coastal) |
Construct coastal protection to the public access road |
€153,000 |
28/09/10 |
€153,000 |
Y |
|
Inis ni Pier Roundstone, Connemara (Coastal) |
Construct coastal protection to the public access road |
€210,600 |
28/09/10 |
€210,600 |
Y |
The Government decided on 11 February 2014 to make available up to €69.5 million for a programme of repair and remediation works to roads, coastal protection and flood defence and other public infrastructure damaged in the storms from 13 December 2013 to 6th January 2014 based on estimates provided by the local authorities concerned. Of the total amount being made available, up to €19.6 million is available via the OPW for the repair of damaged coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure.
The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has written to Galway City Council and Galway County Council indicating, based on the estimate submitted by the Councils to that Department, that up to €105,000 is being made available to Galway City Council and €1,144,800 to Galway County Council via the OPW to undertake the necessary repair works to damaged coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure.
The Councils must submit overall programmes of works to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government detailing how they propose to spend the total allocation that is being made available to them. They must also submit the relevant elements of their programmes to each Department from whom funding will be made available for consideration of technical aspects of the proposed works. When the Councils' programmes of coastal protection and flood defence projects are received by the OPW they will be reviewed having regard to related guidance issued by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to the local authorities. The OPW has written to the local authorities indicating that in order to assist them in a practical way and to avoid any potential cash-flow issues, it will consider requests for advance funding of up to 80% of the estimated cost of approved projects where a contract for works has been made.
80. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of posts that will be filled by the recent competition for administrative officers in the Civil Service; if he will provide in tabular form the numbers appointed in each stream and the numbers expected to be appointed from each stream. [14613/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recent Administrative Officer competition comprised five separate specialist streams: Human Resources, Law, Banking and Finance, Economics, Tax Policy. To date, the following numbers from each stream have been assigned:
|
Administrative Officer Competition 2013/14 Appointments by Stream |
Number |
|
Human Resources
|
6 |
|
Law
|
7 |
|
Banking and Finance
|
2 |
|
Economics |
8 |
|
Tax Policy
|
3 |
The number of posts to be filled is dictated by the needs of individual Departments, having regard to the requirements of their Employee Control Framework (ECF). In this regard, where further vacancies arise additional assignments may be made from this competition.
81. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the nature and function of the relationship between Enterprise Ireland and the Dublin Business Innovation Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14485/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Business Innovation Centres (BIC’s) are independent companies limited by guarantee and led by boards whose members are mainly from the private sector. There are four BIC’s located throughout the country as follows – Dublin BIC, Cork BIC, South East BIC based in Waterford and Westbic based in Galway.
The BICs were established in 1988 as a European Union initiative and until the end of 1999 the BICs were funded by the EU. Since 2000, EU funding was replaced by Government exchequer funding, which is channelled through and managed by Enterprise Ireland (EI). The four BIC’s currently receive combined core funding of €2.2m per annum.
EI is represented on the Board of each BIC and plans are in place to develop a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with each BIC by the second quarter of 2014.
The BICs operate under their Articles and Memorandum of Association and relevant Company Law provisions. Dublin BIC is licensed by the Central Bank to operate seed capital funds. Dublin, Cork and Waterford BICs are registered charities. (The main advantage to registered charity status is tax designation in that any funds received, including EI funds or donations from any other sources are not taxable). The BIC’s are not subject to FOI.
Each BIC has developed its own networks and relationships within its region. This means that the individual BIC operate in their own way and have a distinct structure which suits their purpose.
Working in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland the BICs help to refine early stage business propositions with HPSU potential and helps the promoter in building an Investor Ready Business Plan. This is a very valuable service in supporting early stage enquiries and start up companies.
DBIC is a joint General Partner/Manager of the AIB Seed Capital Fund in which Enterprise Ireland and AIB Bank plc are Limited Partners under the Seed & Venture Capital Scheme (2007-2012). This fund is one of a number of funds targeting early stage investments in high growth technology companies and is managed by DBIC on behalf of the Limited Partners.
Business Angels have a significant role to play in the start-up ecosystem providing both a source of capital and expertise to investees. In order to improve the access of SMEs to this source of finance Enterprise Ireland funds the Halo Business Angel Partnership in co-operation with InterTrade Ireland. The Partnership network, amongst other things, matches pre-screened investment opportunities in start-up enterprises with registered investors and is managed by the 4 Business Innovation Centres on a regional basis throughout Ireland (Dublin, Cork, Galway and Waterford).
DBIC has been part of the Business Angels initiative since its inception in 2005 and Enterprise Ireland has provided funding towards DBICs activities in relation to the matching process. Under the current contract with DBIC, Enterprise Ireland will provide €85,500 p.a. in the period 2013-2014.
The four Irish BIC’s are members of the European Business Network (EBN) (www.ebn.eu) which has over 240 members in 27 EU member states and in 11 other countries and whose aim is to promote and grow the BIC network and to support small and medium sized business. The Irish BICs participate in a number of events and activities including consultancy assignments organised by the EBN network.
82. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount paid to each external consultant for evaluation of each proposal submitted to the Enterprise Ireland competitive start fund during the years 2012 and 2013; if this amount is fixed per proposal evaluated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14486/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra83. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the name of each external consultant and the total amount paid to each external consultant for evaluation of proposals for the Enterprise Ireland competitive start fund for the years 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14487/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together.
The purpose of the Competitive Start Fund (CSF) is to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capability to succeed in global markets. The CSF is designed to enable those companies reach key commercial and technical milestones.
During 2012 and 2013 a total of 1,212 applications were received under the CSF and each application was evaluated by an external assessor. The cost of the external assessment varies depending on the nature and complexity of the application. The average cost of assessments in 2012 and 2013 was €73.34 and €70.64 respectively. Enterprise Ireland has not set a fixed amount per proposal evaluated.
The external assessors are professionals who are required to have experience of technology start-ups and also relevant sectoral expertise. The assessors are appointed following an open call for tender. The tender was advertised in May 2012 on www.etenders.ie and the call remains open for applications on an ongoing basis.
Details of the total amount paid to each external assessor for the evaluation of proposals under the CSF for the years 2012 and 2013 is set out in the following Table.
Table - Assessors who conducted CSF application assessments in 2012 & 2013
|
Name |
2012 |
2013 |
Total Paid |
|
Vennetics Ltd |
€11,200 |
€800 |
€12,000 |
|
Liam Ryan |
€2,400 |
€0 |
€2,400 |
|
Jim Maher |
€2,100 |
€0 |
€2,100 |
|
Tony Haslam |
€2,400 |
€0 |
€2,400 |
|
Ruby Consulting Ltd |
€5,300 |
€10,897.25 |
€16,197.25 |
|
Xcell Partners Ltd |
€5,200 |
€6,825 |
€12,025 |
|
Halcyon Business Solutions Ltd |
€4,500 |
€0 |
€4,500 |
|
Abbey Software Consulting Ltd |
€3,500 |
€13,650 |
€17,150 |
|
Donncha Hughes |
€0 |
€11,210 |
€11,210 |
|
Egmont Management Ltd |
€0 |
€5,200 |
€5,200 |
|
Cork BIC |
€0 |
€1,787.50 |
€1,787.50 |
84. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide the company name, business name or individual name, project title, business sector, the name of the external consultant that evaluated the application for each successful application to the Enterprise Ireland HPSU feasibility study grant in the years 2012 and 2013 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14488/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra85. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of applicants for the Enterprise Ireland HPSU feasibility study grant in the years 2012 and 2013 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14489/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.
The Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-up (HPSU) Feasibility Study Grant is one of a number of supports to assist new and aspiring entrepreneurs and early stage start-ups to investigate and develop new high potential start-up businesses. The grant instrument was introduced in May 2012 and allows applicants to apply for grant support for a broad range of eligible expenditures relevant to investigating the technical and/or commercial viability of a new business. Typical elements and costs supported in carrying out a HPSU feasibility study include; market research, business plan development, technical research and prototyping. Encouraging and stimulating individuals and early stage start-up businesses to apply for HPSU feasibility grant support is a key element of the Action Plan for Jobs and Enterprise Ireland’s strategy.
Enterprise Ireland does not provide HPSU Feasibility Study Grant application details relating to the names of the entrepreneurs or details relating to their new and innovative business ideas without the express permission of the applicants due to commercial sensitivities relating to this information.
Evaluation of applications under the HPSU Feasibility Study Grant instrument is undertaken solely by Enterprise Ireland staff and management. External consultants are not employed by Enterprise Ireland in evaluating this specific grant instrument.
Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports and advice in respect of new business ideas and potential applicants for HPSU feasibility study funding must consult their assigned Enterprise Ireland Development Adviser prior to submission of an application to discuss their proposal. HPSU Feasibility Study Grant applications are only completed by clients following discussion and agreement with the assigned Development Adviser therefore applications and approval figures will typically be the same number.
In addition to the HPSU Feasibility Study Grant instrument Enterprise Ireland also runs and manages Competitive Calls for Feasibility Grant Applications known as “Competitive Feasibility Funds”. These funds are designed to promote and stimulate entrepreneurs in targeted regions and sectors to apply for support for investigating new business ideas.
The following table provides detail on the number of successful HPSU Feasibility Grant applications that were approved by Enterprise Ireland in 2012 and 2013.
|
Period |
Number of Applications Approved |
Total Amount Approved |
|
May*’12 - Dec ‘12 |
182 |
€2,021,135 |
|
Jan ’13 – Dec 13 |
226 |
€2,674,124 |
|
Total |
408 |
€4,695,259 |
*introduced in May 2012
86. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the new regional aid map for Ireland will be submitted to the European Commission; if he will confirm that the south east region which has the highest unemployment rate in the State will be given additional supports in the new regional aid programme 2014-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14530/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Regional Aid Guidelines enable the State’s industrial development agencies to pay grants, at enhanced rates, to businesses in order to support new investment and new employment in productive projects in Ireland's most disadvantaged regions. This helps the convergence of these regions with the more advantaged regions of the Union. All such grants come from the Exchequer, i.e. there is no EU or other external funding.
During the Regional Aid Guideline process thus far, my Department has consulted relevant stakeholders including various Government Departments, the industrial development agencies, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Forfás, the Central Statistics Office, the Border Midland and Western Regional Assembly, the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly, and the eight Regional Authorities.
It will not be possible to include all regions in the map. Instead, qualifying regions up to a maximum of 51.28% of the total population can be included. My officials have compiled the most up to date economic data for each region and county, including the South East NUTS 3 Region, in order to determine which areas will qualify for inclusion in a revised Regional Aid Map for Ireland. Relevant data includes comparative unemployment levels and GDP by county.
My Department has issued the proposed Regional Aid Map for Ireland to the Commission for consideration and approval. It would be inappropriate to disclose the contents of this submission until the Commission has finalised its consideration of the matter.
It is important to note that all of the Country, including those areas not entitled to Regional Aid, can qualify for other forms of State investment e.g. Research & Development Aid, SME Investment Aid, Training Aid, and Aid for Environmental protection etc.
