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Wednesday, 15 Oct 2014

Written Answers Nos. 32-36

Science and Technology Groups

Ceisteanna (32)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

32. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to a publication (details supplied) by the Institute of Physics in Ireland published in June 2014; his views that membership of the European Southern Observatory, ESO, is critical to Ireland's interests in the drive to ensure Ireland's position in the global knowledge economy; his further views that membership of the ESO would bring significant rewards to Ireland, including giving Irish researchers guaranteed access to its facilities and allowing Ireland to compete at the highest international levels and to align its research strategies with those of Europe, thus optimising Ireland's chances of success in Horizon 2020, giving Irish businesses the chance to compete for multimillion euro contracts including in imaging, detectors, computing and microelectronics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39336/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government’s priority in the area of science, technology and innovation is to implement the recommendations of the National Research Prioritisation Exercise which will see the majority of public research funding aligned with priority areas where we are most likely to get economic and social returns, particularly in the form of jobs.

Ireland's membership of international research organisations must be predicated on whether the benefit of membership, in terms of support to Irish researchers, companies and jobs, justifies the cost involved. I am conscious of the call by the Institute of Physics for Ireland to apply for membership of the European Southern Observatory. The case for joining these organisations must take into account the opportunity costs involved, as payment of any fees would have to come from existing funding, meaning that less funding would be available for our existing research priorities. I have an open mind on the matter and it will come down to what represents best value for taxpayers’ money. My Department’s assessment of Irish membership of international organisations, including ESO, is currently in progress and is expected to be completed in the coming months.

Employment Rights

Ceisteanna (33)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

33. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding employees in the insurance industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39333/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The amount of pay an employee receives is a matter for negotiation and agreement between the individual and the employer. This is subject only to the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2000. If an employee is not satisfied that he or she is being paid his or her statutory minimum entitlement under the 2000 Act, the employee may refer the dispute to a Rights Commissioner of the Labour Relations Commission, or refer the matter directly to the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) for investigation. The Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2011 outlaw discrimination in work related areas such as pay, vocational training, access to employment, work experience and promotion on nine grounds.

Should an employee consider that his/her statutory employment rights are not being complied with, they should contact Workplace Relations Customer Service for information about seeking redress. This service operates from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and can be contacted on Lo-Call 1890 808090. Workplace Relations Customer Service also provides extensive information on its website www.workplacerelations.ie.

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Ceisteanna (34)

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

34. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if performance-related pay has been paid to any of his staff or staff in his Department for the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; if so, the number of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39398/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can advise the Deputy that performance related pay is not available to staff in my Department and, therefore, none has been paid to any of the staff employed in my Department for the years in question.

Job Retention

Ceisteanna (35)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

35. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will arrange a meeting with Industrial Development Agency Ireland and Enterprise Ireland and a company (details supplied) in County Meath to see if jobs may be saved; if he will ensure the remaining 60 jobs are secured into the future and to ensure that a proper redundancy package is put in place for the workers currently facing redundancy. [39484/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

IDA Ireland has had ongoing engagement with this company over recent years. The company has just announced that it has begun a collective negotiation process with its staff which, it is feared may lead to reducing job numbers early next year. The consultation process will conclude by the 12th of November and a definite decision will be made at that stage.

After acquiring the company early last year, the new owners, who have a wide range of similar facilities in 19 countries worldwide, undertook a global review of its centres. This review has now been completed and it appears that their facility in Cape Town, South Africa, has significant cost advantages over the Irish operation.

The company is considering establishing a Centre of Excellence involving key activities, which could offer security for the majority of the staff, if some jobs are lost. IDA will continue to work closely with the company both locally and at corporate level to mitigate the number of posts which could move from the Irish operation.

In the event of some redundancies, the company will provide a skills profile of this operation for the IDA to circulate to other relevant IDA clients recruiting similar talent.

It is very much regretted if jobs are to be lost in this facility. However you will appreciate that the ultimate decision is made by the company based on what it perceives as being in its best interest. We strive to make Ireland competitive for international investment but there are occasions where jobs are moved to lower cost international centres.

Sugar Industry

Ceisteanna (36)

Seamus Kirk

Ceist:

36. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the reactivation of the sugar beet industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39332/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In 2011, I met with two separate groups which had conducted feasibility studies into the possibility of establishing a new sugar/bioethanol facility in the country. I understand from figures published by the interested groups who are investigating the possibility of building a new facility, that the overall capital cost costs involved could range from €250 million to €400 million, depending on what type of facility will be constructed. I informed both groups at the time and many times since, that any venture to develop a combined sugar/bioethanol production facility in Ireland would have to be a viable commercial proposition, and supported by a business case which is sufficiently robust to attract the funding from investors for the very substantial capital investment required. I also informed both groups at the time that it was my job to look for agreement at EU level to allow for the growing of sugar beet for the manufacture of sugar, at the earliest possible date.

At the last meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers in June 2013, which I chaired under Ireland’s EU Presidency, I secured agreement as part of the overall CAP reform package, to abolish all sugar quotas by 30 September 2017. This agreement removes, with effect from 1 October 2017, the current quota barrier for operators in Ireland or other Member State, wishing to re-establish a sugar industry. At the time this agreement was welcomed by those parties who are interested in seeking to re-establish a sugar industry here.

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