Written Answers Nos. 159-176
159. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the increase in employment numbers by multinationals in County Limerick, from 2011 to 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16375/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Annual Employment Survey which reports on jobs created and lost in companies that are supported by enterprise development agencies show that employment in IDA Ireland client companies in Limerick, city and county, rose from 6,498 at the end of 2010 to 7,906 in 2014 an increase of over 22%. The Survey also shows that the number of IDA Ireland client companies in Limerick rose from 40 to 48. The tabular statement gives employment details in respect of each of the years 2010 to 2014 inclusive. The investment projects that IDA is seeking to attract to Limerick today are much different to those of the past. IDA’s strategy is to re-position Limerick as part of the wider mid west Region as a hotspot for knowledge based industry, while focusing on marketing Limerick as a key location for investment by building on the strengths already evident in the county.
To support this strategy, IDA Ireland works closely with educational institutions in the region to develop the skill sets necessary to attract high value-added employment to the county. IDA is also working closely with its existing client base to encourage additional investment, particularly in activities such as R&D, customer support and back office functions. IDA works closely with Shannon Commercial Properties in the provision of suitable property solutions for potential investors to the county.
Limerick’s FDI base is concentrated for the most part in the city environs of the National Technology Park and Raheen. During 2014, there were 6 IDA investment announcements in the Limerick area. Johnson & Johnson - Information Technology Shared Services announced plans in December to create a development centre with 100 new jobs. Filtertek, based in Newcastlewest, announced its expansion of 35 new manufacturing roles over the next five years. Optel Vision, as part of its European expansion, will create 140 new jobs. Viagogo already has over 100 staff in Limerick and has announced plans to open a purpose-built international operations centre in Limerick. In April 2014, another Johnson & Johnson company, Ethicon Biosurgery Ireland, announced the development of an €80 million manufacturing facility in Plassey, which will result in approximately 270 new jobs. Finally, Kemp Technologies announced the creation of 50 new high-end technology-based positions over the next three years, almost trebling its workforce.
To date in 2015, there have already been 4 investment announcements by IDA Ireland client-companies in Limerick. As recently as last week, Dell announced that it is creating 100 new Innovation Technology R&D roles at its Limerick Campus. Northern Trust announced it is expanding its operation at its second site in Limerick, creating a further 300 jobs, bringing their Limerick operations to over 1,000 staff by 2017. Viagogo made its second announcement in six months, this time regarding its plans to double its workforce in Ireland over the next three years, taking it from 100 to over 200. AMAX, a leading manufacturer of dynamic Data Centre & Cloud, custom Server Appliance and High Performance Computing (HPC) solutions announced the creation of 100 jobs over the next five years.
Table showing the number of IDA client companies in limerick together with the numbers employed in those companies in each of the years 2010 to 2014
|
- |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
No of Companies |
40 |
43 |
46 |
45 |
48 |
|
Total Jobs |
6,498 |
6,662 |
7,157 |
7,435 |
7,906 |
160. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding inter-agency support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16461/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am monitoring the situation at the plant in question through the Inter-Agency Group that I set up on 3 March to coordinate the Government’s response to the proposed job losses at the company concerned. I am aware that the Inter-Agency Group is engaging with stakeholders and is exploring options for a meeting with staff representatives as soon as possible.
The Inter-Agency Group is chaired by Enterprise Ireland and membership includes the Local Enterprise Offices, IDA Ireland, the Education and Training Boards, the Department of Social Protection and Citizens Information Bureau. The first meeting of the group was held on 18 March. The group is seeking to secure alternative employment for the area affected and also to ensure that any departing workers have access to supports that they need from State agencies for retraining, access to social welfare supports, access to advice on employment rights and access to advice and support for those workers who might wish to start their own businesses.
I understand from Enterprise Ireland that the Inter Agency group is open to meeting with the company’s representatives and staff and has already made an invitation to meet these parties through the company’s management. However I understand that the staff representatives are not yet in a position to meet with the group.
I should also point out that Enterprise Ireland has had meetings with the company’s management on a weekly basis since the news of job losses broke. I have also directed the enterprise support agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, to continue their drive to find alternative projects for the area affected.
161. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of employees in Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland companies in the constituency of Louth East Meath for each year since 2010, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16533/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra162. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of visits by the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland to the constituency of Louth East Meath for each year since 2013, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16534/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra163. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the available land and buildings, by location, in the ownership of the Industrial Development Agency and-or Enterprise Ireland in the constituency of Louth East Meath, including where applicable if such land and premises have already acquired planning permission or are in the course of such application; if the State agencies are acquiring further land and premises, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16535/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra164. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a survey has been completed by State agencies or his Department on the availability of land and-or premises in private ownership, by location, in the constituency of Louth East Meath suitable for industrial development ; if not, if such a survey will be carried out urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16536/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 161 to 164, inclusive, together.
The Annual Employment Survey provides details on the numbers of jobs created and lost in companies that are supported by the enterprise development agencies. Information is collected on an annual basis and aggregated at county level only. Information is provided by the companies on a confidential basis for statistical purposes only so it is not possible to provide information for individual locations. Details of the numbers employed in IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland client companies in each of the years 2010 to 2014 for the counties of Louth and Meath are set out in the tabular statement.
I am informed by IDA Ireland that in the two year period 2013 and 2014 there were 14 site visits by potential investors to County Louth and 3 such visits to County Meath. The number of site visits to each county in each year is set out in the tabular statement.
It should be noted that site visits are only one part of a longer negotiation process between IDA Ireland and a client company and it is important to note that data on site visits is not a true measure nor does it reflect the level of FDI activity in a Region or in a County. Depending on the sector scale and complexity of the investment won by IDA Ireland, there could be a lead period of up to 3 to 5 years before an investment is fully implemented as approved. The final decision as to where to locate an investment does and always will reside with the client company. Approximately 70% of all FDI investment won by IDA Ireland comes from its existing client base. IDA Ireland has strong relationships with all of its client companies and works closely with them to ensure their long term sustainability and encourage their growth, development and continuing reinvestment in their sites.
In respect of property, Enterprise Ireland does not have a property portfolio and, where necessary, IDA Ireland provides property solutions for Enterprise Ireland client companies. There are IDA Business and Technology Parks located in both Drogheda and Dundalk, while in County Meath there is a Business park located in Navan. In addition IDA has developed a major land bank at Mullagharlin to the south of the town of Dundalk. This extends to 150 acres in two parcels of 110 acres and 40 acres respectively. These lands currently have valid planning permission in place for an Advance Biopharmaceutical and Knowledge Industry Campus which will support biopharmaceutical administration, research and support activities. The planning permission is valid until 2018.
In February of this year, as part of its Regional Action Plan for Jobs, the Government announced the provision of additional capital funding of €150 million over 5 years to IDA Ireland to enable it to provide a variety of property solutions designed to win additional projects for the regions outside Dublin and Cork. These will involve advance buildings, improvements of existing parks, and the acquisition and servicing of suitable sites. About 30% of the money has been allocated to the construction of nine advance facilities. One of the new planned advanced building solutions will be in IDA’s Dundalk Business and Technology Park. The design and planning process is due to commence in the fourth quarter of this year.
IDA regularly monitors the market to maintain an awareness of available land and buildings, in the private sector, suitable to FDI. Finally, the inclusion of Kells in the national Regional Aid Map will further enhance the prospects of attracting new investment and the expansion of existing enterprises, both foreign and indigenous, in County Meath. Two US companies opened their offices in Kells in November 2014 as a result of the Succeed in Ireland Initiative, which is implemented by Connect Ireland on behalf of IDA Ireland.
Table showing the numbers employed in IDA Ireland client companies in County Louth and County Meath each year from 2010 to 2014
|
- |
County Louth |
County Meath |
|
2010 |
1,322 |
1,214 |
|
2011 |
1,511 |
1,270 |
|
2012 |
1,881 |
1,204 |
|
2013 |
2,568 |
1,229 |
|
2014 |
3,029 |
1,252 |
Table showing the numbers employed in Enterprise Ireland client companies in County Louth and Meath in each year from 2010 to 2014
|
- |
County Louth |
County Meath |
|
2010 |
4,885 |
4,798 |
|
2011 |
5,273 |
5,120 |
|
2012 |
5,009 |
5,368 |
|
2013 |
5,032 |
6,072 |
|
2014 |
5,434 |
6,658 |
Table showing number of IDA sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Louth and County Meath in 2013 and 2014
|
- |
County Louth |
County Meath |
|
2013 |
4 |
1 |
|
2014 |
10 |
2 |
165. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of Enterprise Ireland and Industrial Development Agency jobs created in County Limerick for the years 2011 to 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16607/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of jobs created by Enterprise Ireland (EI) and Industrial Development Agency (IDA) supported businesses in County Limerick for 2011-2014 is set out in Tables 1 and 2.
In terms of job creation, Enterprise Ireland activity is focussed on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs setting up new High Potential Start-Up Companies, the retention and creation of jobs in existing companies and in enhancing the innovation capability at a national and regional level through support of research in companies and third level institutions.
EI works with over 240 client companies in Limerick City and County who employ 6,321 employees. In 2014, €6.4 million in new grants was paid to EI clients in the City and County through a wide range of supports.
EI is specifically targeting potential business start-ups through a number of support programmes including:
- EI on behalf of my Department held a Stakeholder Forum in Limerick on 16 April 2015 as part of the planning process for the Regional Action Plan for Jobs for the Mid-West Region.
- EI ran a Competitive Regional Feasibility Fund of 250K in the Mid-West Region which closed on 18 November 2014. There were 17 applications received from the four counties.
- EI participated in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation ‘Taking Care of Business’ Information Day for Enterprises in Limerick in March 2014.
Through the Industrial Development Agency (IDA), State supported FDI employment in Limerick, as per the Annual Employment Survey 2014, comprised 48 companies employing 7,906 people.
The investment projects that IDA is seeking to attract to Limerick today are much different to those of the past, relying principally on the skills of its people and on a strong business and educational infrastructure to pull investment to the County. IDA’s strategy is to re-position the region as a hotspot for knowledge-based industry, while focusing on marketing Limerick as a key location for investment by building on the strengths already evident in the County. To support this strategy, IDA Ireland works closely with Educational Institutions in the region to develop the skill sets necessary to attract high value-added employment to the County. IDA is also working closely with the existing base of employers to encourage additional investment, particularly in activities such as Research & Development, customer support and back office functions. IDA works closely with Shannon Commercial Properties in the provision of suitable property solutions for potential investors to the County.
There were a number of important investment announcements in County Limerick during 2014. To date in 2015, the following 4 investment announcements were made for Limerick and Shannon.
April 2015: Dell announced that it is creating 100 new Innovation Technology R&D roles at its Limerick Campus. This investment in digital innovation will support the company’s ongoing technology transformation enhancing the end to end sales, customer and partner experience.
March 2015: Northern Trust announced that it is expanding its operation at its second site in Limerick with the creation of a further 300 jobs. Limerick’s Northern Trust operations will now reach over 1,000 staff by 2017.
January 2015: Viagogo, the world’s largest ticket marketplace, intends to double its workforce in Ireland over the next three years, taking it from 100 to over 200.
January 2015: AMAX a leading manufacturer of dynamic Data Centre & Cloud, Custom Server Appliance and High Performance Computing (HPC) solutions announced the facility will provide one hundred jobs over the next five years in production, warehousing, finance and sales in the local community.
Table 1 – Number of Jobs created by Enterprise Ireland in Co. Limerick
Source: Annual Employment Survey Results 2011 - 2014
|
Co. Limerick |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
New Jobs Created (Gross Gains) |
297 |
893 |
676 |
689 |
These figures include Part time jobs
Table 2 – Number of Jobs created by IDA in Co. Limerick
Source: Annual Employment Survey Results 2011 - 2014
|
Co. Limerick |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
New Jobs Created (Gross Gains) |
308 |
562 |
570 |
756 |
166. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will implement legislative changes which would establish the rights of pensioner organisations or associations to represent their members and to influence negotiations on the decision making process that directly affects such pensioners and their financial securities into the future; if he will take steps to implement further legislative changes in order to ensure the pensioners would have access to the industrial relations and arbitration machinery of the State in order to vindicate their rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16843/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully appreciate the concerns of retired and deferred members of pension schemes whose schemes are being restructured, particularly where such restructuring may impact on existing or potential pension benefits. In this regard, the question of pensioner groups having access to the State’s industrial relations machinery in pursuing pension scheme grievances is an issue to which careful consideration has been given.
In doing so, it was important to keep in mind that the industrial relations system in Ireland is voluntary in nature both as regards access to the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court. Any change to that principle which would put in place a mandated right to be part of the process would alter fundamentally the conduct of industrial relations.
As it stands, where changes to pension schemes are negotiated at company level whether as a result of a crisis in the scheme or otherwise, the outcome of that engagement cannot, of itself, change the pension scheme. Rather, any proposed changes to the scheme are effected through the trust deeds and rules of the scheme and are at the discretion of the parties so designated in the rules/deeds of the scheme. In my view, it is within this framework, rather than through the State’s industrial relations machinery, that a collective approach would be most effective.
In terms of changes to pension schemes generally, the Trustees of a particular pension scheme are required by law to act in the best interests of all the members, be they active, deferred, or pensioner members. Until recently, this has been done on an individual basis.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection has now provided for the recognition by trustees and the Pensions Authority of groups representing the interests of retired and deferred scheme members of a particular pension scheme. The required revised section 50 guidance has been published by the Pensions Authority.
From now on, the trustees of a pension scheme are required to notify the groups representing the interests of retired and deferred scheme members where the trustees of a scheme propose to apply to the Pensions Authority to restructure scheme benefits under section 50 of the Pensions Act. This notification affords the representative group an opportunity to make a submission to the trustees of the scheme in relation to such proposals.
In addition, the Pensions Authority is now required to notify groups representing the interest of scheme members where the Pensions Authority proposes to either issue a unilateral direction under section 50 of the Pensions Act to the trustees of a scheme to restructure scheme benefits or to wind up a pension scheme under section 50B of the Pensions Act. This notification affords the representative group an opportunity to make representations to the Pensions Authority in relation to such proposals.
167. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the implications for serving and retired public servants under the aegis of his Department of the single euro payments area payments clearing and settlement system being closed on 1 May 2015; if arrangements are being made to ensure that persons receive their entitlements on the due date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17196/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Central Bank, and therefore the Irish Central Bank, does not operate on May Day, which this year falls on Friday 1st May. Although Irish banks are open for business on 1st May, it is not possible to exchange payments with other banks, given that there is no Euro payment clearing system available on this day. As my Department is due to pay weekly paid staff on Friday 1 May, 2015 alternative arrangements have been put in place to process this payment to beneficiaries one day earlier, on Thursday 30 April 2015.
168. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the number and names of active fur farms at present; if any fur farms have closed in the past three years; if any applications have been made to establish new fur farms; if so, the species the potential fur farms are seeking to breed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16778/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA licence from my Department is required for the keeping of mink under the Musk Rats Act, 1933 and Musk Rats Act 1933 (Application to Mink) Order, 1965. Three operators currently hold such licences. It is not the practice to divulge the names and addresses of licensees as this may prejudice the security of the operators’ premises and the mink they keep. Two former operators have ceased to hold licences within the past three years. No applications have been received to establish new mink-keeping enterprises.
I established a Review Group in November 2011 to examine all aspects of fur farming in Ireland. The Terms of Reference of the Review Group were:
(i) To review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming
(ii) To comment on the economic benefits of the sector
(iii) To consider the effectiveness of existing welfare controls, and
(iv) To make appropriate recommendations.
The Review Group invited submissions from the public and interested parties and considered over four hundred submissions which were received.
The Group recommended that fur farming should be allowed continue under licence and subject to official control.
On foot of the Review Group’s recommendations, my Department has introduced more rigorous controls on licence holders in the areas of animal welfare, animal accommodation, security and nutrient management. Licensees are subject to regular inspections, including unannounced inspections by Department officials.
169. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to change the thoroughbred foal levy, which was introduced in March 2000 as a statutory instrument on all thoroughbred foals registered here, to a levy on sales of thoroughbreds rather than on the registration of foals, as this would be a more equitable way of raising funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16227/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current Foal Levy scheme, which was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis, applies to all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland. The proceeds of the levy are used by Horse Racing Ireland to help fund the Irish Equine Centre, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. These organisations provide key support structures to the Irish thoroughbred breeding industry.
A change from the current foal levy scheme to one based on a levy on sales would have the following disadvantages:
- The levy would only be payable on those thoroughbreds sold at public auction in Ireland.
- Horses which are sold on a number of times would attract a levy on each occasion.
- Any sales of Irish registered thoroughbreds outside of Ireland would not attract a sales levy although such horses would benefit from the work carried out by the primary industry beneficiaries of the Foal Levy scheme.
- The introduction of a levy on horses sold in Ireland could result in an increased number of vendors selling their horses in the UK or France, thus reducing the number of sales in Ireland which attract a significant number of overseas buyers.
There is currently a very high compliance level with the Foal Levy scheme and it has been revised from time to time to ensure fairness in its application.
Against this background as outlined, I have no plans to change the current arrangements for the Foal Levy.
170. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a farmer (details supplied) in County Cork was overpaid in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16248/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 14 May 2014. EU regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The application of the person named was selected for a Bovine Identification and Registration (IDR) inspection.
This inspection identified breaches in relation to cattle identification and registration requirements resulting in a 20% penalty being recorded against the 2014 payments. The person named was notified of this decision on 10 October 2014. The person named was also notified of the right to seek a review of this decision. To date no request for a review has been received by my Department. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of any such review the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
171. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 15 April 2015, if he will confirm that an appeal has now been received by the independently chaired land parcel identification system appeals committee (details supplied); if he will indicate a timeframe for consideration of this appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16271/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing an appeal from the person named my Department has carried out a complete review of the case and has rejected the appeal submitted. The applicant was informed of this decision by letter dated 9 July 2014 and also informed of his right to submit a further appeal to the LPIS Appeals Committee. The person named has recently availed of this right of appeal by letter dated 7 April 2015 and the LPIS Appeals Committee are currently considering same.
172. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding single payment eligibility in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16276/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above named person holds low value entitlements. However, he will benefit under the process of convergence under the Basic Payment Scheme whereby the value of his entitlements will increase over the five years of the scheme and he will also benefit from the associated greening payment. Officials from my Department have contacted the above named person directly to discuss his particular circumstances and have made arrangements should he wish to further discuss issues in the future.
173. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when Bord na gCon, the Irish Greyhound Board, will publish its accounts for 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16341/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe audited annual report and accounts of Bord na gCon for 2013 are at present with my Department for consideration and will shortly be presented to Government for noting. The annual report and accounts will then be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas prior to their publication by Bord na gCon. Bord na gCon have informed me that the 2014 annual report and accounts are currently subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
174. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a payment from his Department. [16408/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above named herd owner submitted a late application for the scheme year 2011. This matter is still being examined and I expect that a decision will issue shortly. An official from my Department will notify the person named of the outcome. In the event that any payments are due to the person named on foot of this decision they will issue as soon as possible thereafter.
175. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application under the disadvantaged areas scheme will be reviewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16424/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under 2014 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes was received from the person named on 4 May 2014. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has not issued as the holding concerned has not satisfied the Scheme’s minimum stocking density requirements. Clarification sought from Horse Sport Ireland has confirmed that the person named first registered the donkeys in question in his ownership on 9 and 19 January 2015 respectively. Therefore, these donkeys are ineligible for consideration under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
176. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on an appeal submitted to the appeals office in respect of a person (details supplied) in October 2013; if he is satisfied with the time frame of 18 months without any correspondence from the appeals office; when the 2014 rural environment protection scheme payment will issue to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16433/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and received payments for the first five years of their contract. The 75% Year 6 payment will issue shortly and the remaining 25% balancing payment will issue thereafter. During an on-farm inspection in 2013 issues were discovered in relation to non-compliance with the rules and regulations of the REP scheme which resulted in the application of penalties and deductions from the 2014 REPS payment. The person named availed of the opportunity to appeal these deductions and this appeal is being reviewed by my Department’s Inspectorate. It is anticipated that a decision in relation to this appeal will be finalised shortly and conveyed to the person named. If the person named is not satisfied with this review he will retain the right to appeal that decision to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.
