Written Answers Nos. 91-96
91. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the contract to supply stationery to the State; the reason there is a delay in awarding this contract; the reasons that this contrcat was not awarded in October 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16849/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe original tender return date for the Office of Government Procurement competition to supply Stationery and Office Supplies was 23 September 2013. During the tendering period tenderers submitted a large number of queries. The tender return date was extended until 15 November 2013 so as to allow tenderers sufficient time to fully consider and understand the responses to these queries. The evaluation and carrying out of due diligence on returned tenders is in train. As soon as the Framework Agreement is awarded one of my officials will contact the Deputy.
92. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works may stipulate by-laws in relation to the control of dogs and littering on OPW properties and grounds: if so, the current status of such by-laws at OPW sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16944/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) does not have the power to stipulate by-laws in relation to the control of dogs and littering on OPW property and grounds, except for the Phoenix Park. The OPW is currently working on a 'Code of Conduct for Dog Owners' with a view to encouraging responsible behaviour at our sites.
93. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to set up a body dedicated to monitoring the design and quality standards of furniture here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16920/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans to set up a body for the purpose suggested by the Deputy. The quality of goods, including furniture, is regulated in the first instance by the Sale of Goods Acts 1893 and 1980. Among other things, the Acts require goods to be of "merchantable quality", namely that "they are as fit for the purpose or purposes for which goods of that kind are commonly bought and as durable as it is reasonable to expect having regard to any description applied to them, the price (if relevant) and all other relevant circumstances". The European Communities (Certain Aspects of the Sale of Consumer Goods and Associated Guarantees) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 11 of 2003) further require goods sold to consumers to "show the quality and performance which are normal in goods of the same type and which the consumer can reasonably expect, given the nature of the goods and taking into account any public statements on the specific characteristics of the goods made about them by the seller, the producer or his representative, particularly in advertising or on labelling". The National Consumer Agency is the market surveillance authority in Ireland for the safety of products, including furniture. The Agency receives 400-500 communications annually about potential product safety risks, of which just three or four relate to furniture products.
94. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in the context of Horizon 2020 programme and its emphasis on expanding digital programming as an area for significant job potential and the grants being awarded in this area, his views that there may be a gap in the area of developing and supporting distribution and marketing skills in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16961/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorizon 2020 is the EU's programme for research and innovation with a budget of just under €80 billion and covering the period 2014 to 2020. Horizon 2020 is a core part of Europe 2020, the Innovation Union and the European Research Area and is responding to the economic crisis by investing in future jobs and growth, addressing people's concerns about their livelihoods, safety and environment and strengthening the EU’s global position in research, innovation and technology. Ireland is well positioned to benefit from Horizon 2020, building on an excellent performance by Irish researchers, agencies and companies in the preceding programme – the Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Innovation - from which almost €600 million in funding to participants in Ireland has been allocated to date.
Ensuring Ireland has the skills required in the ICT sector is a priority for Government. I along with my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, published, on 14 February last, the ICT Skills Action Plan 2014 to fill the projected 44,500 jobs for ICT professionals over the years to 2018. Under the Plan, it is aimed to meet 74% of industry demands domestically for ICT professionals by 2018 – up from 45% in 2011 and 60% now. In order to meet this target the plan incorporates a series of reforms aimed at dramatically increasing the availability of graduates:
- Provide an additional 1,250 undergraduate ICT places per year in higher education institutions;
- Increase the retention rate of students on ICT related courses;
- Launch a further round of ICT Skills Conversion courses;
- Promote careers in ICT to primary and second level students with industry support;
- Roll-out courses in Digital media literacy, programming and coding in the new Junior Cycle Student Awards;
- Promote STEM and ICT careers through SFI Discover Smart Futures and training of 450+ volunteers to give career talks in schools;
- Develop a web portal to attract international talent with in demand skills to Ireland;
- Organise career fairs abroad with the participation of companies who have vacancies;
- Facilitate the issuing of up to 2,000 employment permits per year to experienced ICT professionals with skills in high demand;
- Increase efficiency in the employment permits process and introduce new legislation to enhance the application process.
95. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) working two hours daily, ten hours weekly receiving €139 per week is not allowed sign on for the difference between their income and the jobseeker's allowance rate. [16839/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker’s allowance schemes provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full-time employment. The 2014 Estimates for the Department provide for expenditure this year on jobseeker schemes of €3.28 billion. It is a fundamental qualifying condition of both schemes that a person must be fully unemployed for four in any period of seven consecutive days, so a person working five days a week will not qualify. Where a jobseeker takes up employment the part-time job incentive scheme may, subject to scheme criteria, support them in making such a transition to employment. The scheme allows persons who are long-term unemployed to take up part-time employment for less than 24 hours per week and receive a weekly income supplement. Participants in this scheme are expected to continue to make efforts to find full-time work. It is recognised that a changing labour market has resulted in a move away from the more traditional work patterns, resulting in an increase in the number of persons employed for less than a full week. This is an important policy issue for my Department but any changes to the current criteria could have significant cost implications.
The Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare, which has already reported to me on a number of important policy areas, is now looking at the whole area of atypical work including the structure and operation of the jobseekers schemes. I look forward to their recommendations on this issue over the coming months.
96. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16869/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 12 March 2014 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer's decision when the appeal has been determined.
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.
