Written Answers Nos. 232-246
232. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 258 of 14 January 2015, the number of visits by potential investors-IDA Ireland to north and south Tipperary in 2014; the way this compares with other counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3334/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by IDA Ireland that in 2014 there were three site visits to Co. Tipperary. As the Deputy will see from the following tabular statement, which sets out on a county-by-county basis the number of IDA Ireland-sponsored site visits during 2014, one county had the same number of visits as Tipperary while 11 counties had a lesser number of visits and 13 counties received more visits. Dublin received the most visits. In this connection, I must point out that, while IDA Ireland does try to influence the location, the final decision on where to visit is made by the investor. IDA Ireland is currently in the process of finalising its new strategy for the coming 5 years and is conscious of the need to secure investments and jobs for all regions of the country over the lifetime of the strategy.
Growing both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and indigenous enterprise is key to Ireland’s economic recovery. I am glad to inform the Deputy that 2014 was a record year for both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in terms of investment wins and job creation, with 7,131 net new jobs being created in IDA Ireland client companies and 8,476 net new jobs being created in Enterprise Ireland client companies.
As Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, I introduced a collaborative, cross government approach to advancing job creation in the State. The Action Plan for Jobs is an annual plan designed to drive action across all Government Departments and Agencies in a collective effort to put in place the conditions needed to support and grow enterprise in the State.
As I have said on more than one occasion, I have been working with my Department on the development of a framework for the formulation of Regional Enterprise Strategies that will enable us to identify the sustainable competitive strengths of each region and to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprise growth and jobs in areas of potential, which I hope to publish shortly.
It is my intention that the Regional strategy will be rolled out firstly in the Midlands before being rolled out in other regions and will include specific actions and targets on the part of my Department, the enterprise development agencies and other public bodies to promote enterprise growth and job creation in the region.
Number of IDA Ireland sponsored Site Visits by potential investors on a county by county basis in 2014
|
County |
Site Visits |
|
Carlow |
2 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
Clare |
9 |
|
Cork |
30 |
|
Donegal |
6 |
|
Dublin |
205 |
|
Galway |
19 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
|
Laois |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
|
Limerick |
22 |
|
Longford |
0 |
|
Louth |
10 |
|
Mayo |
4 |
|
Meath |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
|
Sligo |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
|
Waterford |
11 |
|
Westmeath |
12 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
4 |
233. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the structures that will be put in place to rebalance economic development in regional areas such as County Carlow and the south east which have a higher percentage of unemployment than other areas; and his plans to use empty commercial properties as advance factories to attract foreign direct investment to these areas. [3410/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Jobs continues to be the Government’s main policy instrument to support employment in all regions of the country. Since the start of the Action Plan for Jobs process in 2012, employment nationally has increased by approximately 80,000.
Employment in the South East region has increased by 21,300 since Quarter 1 2012, and the unemployment rate for the region has fallen from 20.1% to 13.7%, the largest decrease of all regions. While this represents good progress, the unemployment rate for the South East is still above the national average of 11.1% in the latest Quarterly National Household Survey published by the Central Statistics Office. The Government is now placing an increased emphasis on supporting job creation at a regional level to ensure a balanced share of the recovery.
The 2014 Action Plan for Jobs contained a number of measures to support competitive regions, including the development of a framework for Regional Enterprise Strategies and the commencement of building works by the IDA in a number of regional locations, including Waterford in the South-East region.
We will intensify our focus on the regions in 2015 and, as I have announced previously, we will develop Enterprise Strategies for each region on a phased basis. In a manner similar to the Action Plan for Jobs, the Regional Enterprise Strategies will identify measures that can be taken to enable each region as a whole to realise its economic potential and create jobs, building on its existing competitive strengths and opportunities.
The first Regional Enterprise Strategy to be published will cover the Midlands region. This will be followed by an Enterprise Strategy for the South East, which includes County Carlow, and will build on the South East Employment Action Plan which I published at the end of 2011. I anticipate that the process of developing the Regional Enterprise Strategy for the South East will commence in February. It is my intention that 6 of the Regional Enterprise Strategies will be launched by July with a further two in development.
The availability of suitable property solutions for businesses is likely to be an issue for both indigenous and potential foreign investment companies, and will be among the matters to be considered and addressed as we develop the Regional Enterprise Strategies.
234. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will amend the relevant legislation to ensure consumers' 14 day cooling off period begins at the commencement of the service rather than the finalising of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3448/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision in the European Union (Consumer Information, Cancellation and Other Rights) Regulations 2013 that the cooling-off or cancellation period for distance and off-premises contracts for the supply of services expires after 14 days from the day on which the contract was concluded is in accordance with Directive 2011/83/EU on Consumer Rights to which the Regulations give effect. As the Directive is a maximum harmonisation instrument, it is not open to Member States to alter the rules on the commencement and expiry of the cooling-off period. The Regulations and the Directive provide, however, that consumers may cancel a service contract where the service has commenced but has not been fully performed provided that they pay the trader an amount proportionate to the service provided up to the time of cancellation. Under previous EU and Irish law, consumers could not cancel a distance or off-premises contract whose performance had already commenced. If, furthermore, the trader does not provide the consumer with information on the right to cancel in accordance with the Regulations, the cooling-off period is extended by up to 12 months.
235. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will request of the Companies Registration Office to remove the inappropriate job description, "married woman", from the list of occupations on the online form when registering online as a director of a company or charity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3476/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Companies Registration Office (CRO) that the job description ‘Married Woman’ is a legacy item on an extensive list of occupations available on the online forms.
The CRO e-Filing systems have undergone a major modernisation in recent months. The new portal for the e-Filing system went live on Friday 23 January and modernised e-Forms will begin to be rolled out in the coming weeks. The updated list of occupations, which no longer includes the description ‘Married Woman’, will appear in the new e-Forms as they become available.
236. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in a tabular form the annual number of new jobs announced by the Government between 2011 and 2014, inclusive; and the number of these jobs that were delivered in the same period. [3485/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by IDA Ireland that in the 4 year period 2011 to 2014 inclusive, there were a total of 298 investment announcements with the potential to create in excess of 40,000 jobs. Similarly, in the case of Enterprise Ireland there were 58 investment announcements in the same 4 year period with the potential to create almost 14,000 jobs. In the same four year period there were 59,763 jobs (both full and part time) created in IDA Ireland client companies and 56,865 jobs (both full and part time) created in Enterprise Ireland client companies.
It is important to note that in any given year the numbers of jobs created always exceed the number of jobs announced.
In a great many cases a new investment project progresses without any public announcement. It is a matter for the individual company whether or not to announce an investment project publicly. While some jobs come on stream immediately following an announcement it can take up to 3 to 5 years for jobs to come on stream in other cases. This time lag is necessary to enable premises to be acquired or constructed and for staff to be recruited.
The following tabular statement sets out the number of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland jobs announcements, potential job creation figures and actual job creation figures for each of the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive.
Table showing the number of IDA Ireland announcements in each of the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive, together with figures for potential job creation along with actual job creation figures
|
Year |
Number of Investment announcements |
Number of potential jobs associated with those announcements |
Actual number of jobs created (both full time and other) |
|
2011 |
79 |
5,875 |
14,432 |
|
2012 |
84 |
8,287 |
15,215 |
|
2013 |
69 |
5,408 |
15,104 |
|
2014 |
66 |
6,508 |
15,012 |
Table showing the number of Enterprise Ireland announcements in each of the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive, together with figures for potential job creation along with actual job creation figures.
|
Year |
Number of Investment announcements |
Number of potential jobs associated with those announcements |
Actual number of jobs created (both full time and other) |
|
2011 |
10 |
2,638 |
13,191 |
|
2012 |
14 |
3,891 |
12,224 |
|
2013 |
19 |
4,103 |
15,315 |
|
2014 |
15 |
3,364 |
16,135 |
237. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of visas that have issued to non-EU nationals employed in the meat industry here for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3529/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly I would like to point out that The Department of Justice and Equality retains legal and policy primacy with regard to immigration and residency whereas this Department’s function concerns employment access to the labour market.
My Department’s preference is that the industry needs are met without recourse to the employment permit regime. In framing policy regarding employment permits, thought is given to wider policy instruments that are also available in meeting the challenges presented by skills shortages. Migration in itself is not a sustainable long-term overall solution to skills shortages. It is intended to complement the primary policy objective of Government, the up-skilling of the resident population at all levels. We are cognisant that migration can, in some circumstances, help to perpetuate skills shortages in the economy, by reducing latent demand for such skills. Ensuring an uninterrupted flow from the domestic and EEA economies of high quality specialist skills in de-boning is critical. The Department of Education and Skills will comment on opportunities for training operatives in the meat industry including butchers/boners.
My Department reviews and updates the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List (HSEOL) and Ineligible Categories of Employment List for employment permits bi-annually. This review is predicated on a formalised and evidence based process. Such a process involves obtaining and considering advice from the Expert Group on Future skills Needs (EGFSN) and the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU-SOLAS) with the EGFSN’s National Skills Bulletin contributing principally to the Department’s ongoing monitoring of the labour market. The 2014 National Skills Bulletin had just over 8,000 butchers and fishmongers of which almost 40% are non-EEA nationals. Few occupations have a share of non-EEA nationals higher than butchers. The number of non-EU national visas that have been issued to the meat industry for each of the past ten years are listed in the following table. The SLMRU’s analysis of labour market transitions in 2013 indicated a high turnover for food operatives and suggests an issue regarding retention of staff. The National Skills Bulletin concluded that while no shortages of meat processing skills had been identified, it recognised that many food processing companies are experiencing difficulty in attracting and retaining skilled butchers/de-boners.
My Department has had ongoing engagement with the meat industry since 2013 to resolve the issue of a sufficient supply of de-boners. In May 2013 my Department convened an inter-Departmental group Chaired by Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and comprising, Department of Social Protection (DSP) and Department of Education and Skills (DES) and Enterprise–Ireland, to see how the issue might be addressed. Arising from this Interdepartmental Group DSP held two recruitment events in 2014 and also assisted the meat companies, though its EURES service, to identify skilled persons in the EEA countries. The DSP continues to be available to the industry to advise on its recruitment needs.
In June 2014 my Department again met with the meat industry in advance of their preparing a comprehensive submission, requested by the Interdepartmental Group, regarding the difficulty they are still experiencing in attracting and retaining skilled de-boners. My Department is awaiting the final submission from Meat Industry Ireland (MII) following discussions with MII on their draft submission.
Number of Non-EU national visas that have issued to the meat industry for each of the past ten years
|
Year |
New |
Renewal |
Total |
|
2014 |
17 |
14 |
31 |
|
2013 |
11 |
23 |
34 |
|
2012 |
30 |
108 |
138 |
|
2011 |
31 |
75 |
106 |
|
2010 |
33 |
238 |
271 |
|
2009 |
34 |
93 |
127 |
|
2008 |
224 |
98 |
322 |
|
2007 |
109 |
322 |
431 |
|
2006 |
107 |
751 |
858 |
|
2005 |
154 |
989 |
1143 |
238. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the policy changes he plans to implement to encourage greater job opportunities for counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3576/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Jobs continues to be the Government’s main policy instrument to support employment in all regions of the country.
Employment has increased nationally by approximately 80,000 since the start of the Action Plan process in 2012. However, not all regions are yet fully experiencing the benefits of economic recovery. That is why the Government is placing an increased emphasis on supporting job creation at regional level.
The 2014 Action Plan for Jobs contained a number of measures to support competitive regions, including the development of a framework for Regional Enterprise Strategies and the commencement of building works by the IDA on advanced manufacturing facilities and office space in a number of regional locations. We will intensify our focus on the regions in 2015 and, as I have announced previously, we will develop Enterprise Strategies for each region. In a manner similar to the Action Plan for Jobs, the Regional Enterprise Strategies will identify measures that can be taken to enable each region as a whole to realise its economic potential and create jobs, building on its existing competitive strengths and opportunities.
The first Regional Enterprise Strategy to be published will cover the Midlands region, which includes the counties of Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly. Over the past number of months, officials from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and my Department have been involved in a series of engagements with the main stakeholder groups in the Midlands to discuss the strengths and opportunities that can be built upon to support enterprise and jobs growth in that region.
All proposals received through these stakeholder engagements are being examined by my officials who are currently finalising the preparation of the Regional Enterprise Strategy for the Midlands. The process is concentrated on identifying practical actions that can be taken in the short-to-medium term, and broadly within existing resources, to improve the operating environment for businesses.
In the last number of weeks, the Government stated its ambition to achieve full employment by 2018. Achieving this objective will be supported by each region realising its economic potential.
239. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans regarding zero-hours contracts; and the timeline for same. [3582/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that in accordance with the Statement of Government priorities, my colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for Business and Employment, Deputy Ged Nash, issued on Monday 17 November a call for tenders to carry out a study into the prevalence of zero hour and low hour contracts and the impact of such contracts on employees. The evaluation of tenders received took place recently and the successful contractor will be appointed shortly. It is expected that the study will commence in February and conclude in early Q3 of 2015. The key objectives of the study are:
- To fill the gap that currently exists in terms of the hard data and information that is available concerning the prevalence of “zero hours contracts” in the Irish economy and the manner of their use.
- To assess the impact of “zero hours contracts” on employees.
- To enable the Minister to make any evidence-based policy recommendations to Government considered necessary on foot of the study.
All sectors of the economy, both public and private, will come within the scope of the study, including the retail, hospitality, education and health sectors in particular. The study will examine how zero and low hour contracts operate in practice and how they impact on employees. It will assess the advantages and disadvantages from the perspective of employer and employee and assess the current employment rights legislation as it applies to employees on such contracts. The study will also consider recent developments in other jurisdictions, including the UK in particular.
It is expected that a wide range of stakeholders will be canvassed to contribute to the study.
240. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a breakdown by county of the 19,705 new jobs created by Enterprise Ireland in 2014. [3641/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland’s mission is to partner with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness. The ultimate objective is increased employment and prosperity in Ireland.
The companies that Enterprise Ireland works with are a vital source of employment in every county and region across Ireland.
In 2014, EI assisted companies generated 19,705 new jobs. This resulted in a net increase of 8,476 in the total number of people employed by Enterprise Ireland supported companies, the highest net gain in the history of the Agency.
At the end of 2014, total direct employment (full and part time) in Enterprise Ireland client companies stood at 180,072 in 2014. Of these, 156,202 are full-time jobs, while 23,870 are part-time. These full-time employment and total employment levels are the highest recorded in the history of the agency.
This continuation of employment growth demonstrates clearly the direct impact that increasing exports has on jobs in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland supported companies now, directly and indirectly, account for more than 300,000 jobs in the Irish economy - 16% of total workforce.
Employment data for Enterprise Ireland is collected annually as part of the Annual Employment Survey which measures the number of jobs in Agency assisted clients.
Breakdown of employment by county for 2014
|
County |
Full Time Jobs |
Other Jobs |
Total |
|
Carlow |
292 |
53 |
345 |
|
Cavan |
394 |
249 |
643 |
|
Clare |
354 |
131 |
485 |
|
Cork |
2,277 |
506 |
2,783 |
|
Donegal |
156 |
67 |
223 |
|
Dublin |
4,702 |
1,788 |
6,490 |
|
Galway |
532 |
183 |
715 |
|
Kerry |
321 |
109 |
430 |
|
Kildare |
827 |
113 |
940 |
|
Kilkenny |
370 |
26 |
396 |
|
Laois |
98 |
50 |
148 |
|
Leitrim |
138 |
6 |
144 |
|
Limerick |
583 |
106 |
689 |
|
Longford |
258 |
129 |
387 |
|
Louth |
305 |
99 |
404 |
|
Mayo |
220 |
164 |
384 |
|
Meath |
510 |
178 |
688 |
|
Monaghan |
382 |
65 |
447 |
|
Offaly |
248 |
89 |
337 |
|
Roscommon |
129 |
39 |
168 |
|
Sligo |
101 |
39 |
140 |
|
Tipperary North Riding |
113 |
73 |
186 |
|
Tipperary South Riding |
164 |
122 |
286 |
|
Waterford |
663 |
96 |
759 |
|
Westmeath |
223 |
141 |
364 |
|
Wexford |
327 |
49 |
376 |
|
Wicklow |
186 |
162 |
348 |
|
Total |
14,873 |
4,832 |
19,705 |
241. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a breakdown by county of the new jobs created by Enterprise Ireland in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. [3642/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question posed by the Deputy regarding a breakdown by county of new jobs created by Enterprise Ireland in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 requires a significant volume of information to be collated by the Agency and it has not been possible to provide the information within the time frame given. Consequently, I will provide this information to the Deputy as soon as possible in written format.
242. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a foreign direct investment unit building to accommodate between 200 and 300 employees will be supported by his Department; if Enterprise Ireland will support phase 2 of the Mill Enterprise Centre, Greenhills, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3781/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland is currently in the process of finalising its new strategy for the coming 5 years and is conscious of the need to secure investments and jobs for all regions of the country over the lifetime of the strategy. The provision of appropriate property solutions for enterprise is a fundamental part of the IDA Ireland offering and the new strategy will address the agency's property objectives for the period out to 2020.
Enterprise Ireland approved a Capital Grant in October 2008 to Drogheda Enterprise Centre Ltd to build an Enterprise Centre in Drogheda. Drogheda Enterprise Centre Ltd were approved the maximum grant allowable under the Community Enterprise Centre Scheme.
The building of the Centre was delayed for a number of years until Drogheda Enterprise Centre Ltd could come up with the balance of finance necessary. When they did come up with some of the balance, they built a smaller Enterprise Centre than what was originally approved, and referred to it as Phase 1.
I understand from Enterprise Ireland that the intention is to build Phase 2 on to the existing building. Phase 2 can be built using the balance of the Enterprise Ireland grant, provided the company have the additional finance required.
243. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency-sponsored visits to County Tipperary in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and the number of planned visits for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3866/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by IDA Ireland that in the 4 year period from 2011 to 2014, inclusive, there were 13 IDA Ireland sponsored site visits by potential investors to Co. Tipperary. The number of site visits paid in each of those years is set out in the following tabular statement. For reasons of commercial sensitivity and client confidentiality IDA Ireland does not comment on upcoming site visits by potential investors.
Statistics show that there are 11 IDA Ireland client companies in County Tipperary employing 3,370 people in full and part time employment.
IDA Ireland is currently in the process of finalising its new strategy for the coming 5 years and is conscious of the need to secure investments and jobs for all regions of the country over the lifetime of the strategy.
Growing both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and indigenous enterprise is key to Ireland’s economic recovery. I am glad to inform the Deputy that 2014 was a record year for both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in terms of investment wins and job creation, with 7,131 net new jobs being created in IDA Ireland client companies and 8,476 net new jobs being created in Enterprise Ireland client companies.
As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I introduced a collaborative, cross government approach to advancing job creation in the State. The Action Plan for Jobs is an annual plan designed to drive action across all Government Departments and Agencies in a collective effort to put in place the conditions needed to support and grow enterprise in the State.
As I have said on more than one occasion, I have been working with my Department on the development of a framework for the formulation of Regional Enterprise Strategies that will enable us to identify the sustainable competitive strengths of each region and to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprise growth and jobs in areas of potential, which I hope to publish shortly.
It is my intention that the Regional strategy will be rolled out firstly in the Midlands before being rolled out in other regions and will include specific actions and targets on the part of my Department, the enterprise development agencies and other public bodies to promote enterprise growth and job creation in the region.
Table showing the number of IDA sponsored site visits by potential investors to Tipperary in each of the years 2011 to 2014 inclusive
|
YEAR |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Number of site visits |
1 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
244. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a breakdown in tabular form the number of Industrial Development Agency site visits to each county in 2014; and If he will identify the number of repeat visits. [3869/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by IDA Ireland that in 2014 there were a total of 359 IDA Ireland-sponsored site visits by potential investors to various locations throughout the country. The following tabular statement sets out on a county by county basis the number of Ireland-sponsored site visits in 2014. For reasons of client confidentiality and commercial sensitivity, IDA Ireland does not differentiate between first time visits and repeat visits.
IDA Ireland is currently in the process of finalising its new strategy for the coming 5 years and is conscious of the need to secure investments and jobs for all regions of the country over the lifetime of the strategy.
Growing both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and indigenous enterprise is key to Ireland’s economic recovery. I am glad to inform the Deputy that 2014 was a record year for both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in terms of investment wins and job creation, with 7,131 net new jobs being created in IDA Ireland client companies and 8,476 net new jobs being created in Enterprise Ireland client companies.
As Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, I introduced a collaborative, cross government approach to advancing job creation in the State. The Action Plan for Jobs is an annual plan designed to drive action across all Government Departments and Agencies in a collective effort to put in place the conditions needed to support and grow enterprise in the State.
As I have said on more than one occasion, I have been working with my Department on the development of a framework for the formulation of Regional Enterprise Strategies that will enable us to identify the sustainable competitive strengths of each region and to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprise growth and jobs in areas of potential, which I hope to publish shortly.
It is my intention that the Regional strategy will be rolled out firstly in the Midlands before being rolled out in other regions and will include specific actions and targets on the part of my Department, the enterprise development agencies and other public bodies to promote enterprise growth and job creation in the region.
Number of IDA Ireland sponsored Site Visits by potential investors on a county by county basis in 2014
|
County |
Site Visits |
|
Carlow |
2 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
Clare |
9 |
|
Cork |
30 |
|
Donegal |
6 |
|
Dublin |
205 |
|
Galway |
19 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
|
Laois |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
|
Limerick |
22 |
|
Longford |
0 |
|
Louth |
10 |
|
Mayo |
4 |
|
Meath |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
|
Sligo |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
|
Waterford |
11 |
|
Westmeath |
12 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
4 |
245. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposed timetable for the implementation of the new national rural development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3587/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe draft Rural Development Plan (RDP) 2014-2020 was formally submitted to the European Commission on 3 July 2014, a number of weeks in advance of the regulatory deadline. The Commission’s formal observations on the draft RDP were received on 20 October 2014 with a total of 266 observations, incorporating a range of informational, technical and policy matters.
Negotiations in relation to the formal adoption of the RDP are currently underway between my Department and the Commission. It is, however, difficult to predict the exact timing of RDP approval given the capacity constraints experienced by the Commission in approving 118 RDPs across all Member States.
At present, Department officials are in ongoing and intensive discussion with the Commission in order to seek a speedy resolution of outstanding issues. The agreement of the new RDP and the subsequent roll-out of schemes is being pursued as a matter of priority.
246. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a new early retirement scheme for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3259/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Farmers’ Early Retirement Scheme was suspended in 2008 due to budgetary constraints. It was reopened briefly in September, 2009, with limited additional funding, to accommodate farmers who had applications completed or close to completion at the time of suspension. I have no plans to re-open this scheme or introduce another similar scheme at this time.
