Written Answers Nos. 164-184
165. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of companies that paid corporation tax in the bands €0 to €50,000, €50,000 plus to €100,000, €100,00 plus to €500,000, €500,000 plus to €1 million, €1 million plus to €5 million, and €5 million plus, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41606/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra166. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the average increase in corporation tax paid in 2015 to date, by the top 20% of companies; and the equivalent amount at this point in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41607/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 166 together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the numbers of companies with a corporation tax payment within the bands requested in 2014, the latest full calendar year for complete data are available, are as set out in the table below. The Deputy should note that the table only includes companies that made a tax payment in respect of 2014.
|
Payment Band € |
Number of Companies |
|
1-50,000 |
31,481 |
|
50,001-100,000 |
1,675 |
|
100,001-500,000 |
1,709 |
|
500,001-1,000,000 |
317 |
|
1,000,000-5,000,000 |
330 |
|
Over 5 million |
140 |
In relation to the second question, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated average increase in corporation tax payments for the first ten months of this year compared to the equivalent payment in 2014, by the top 20 per cent of payers, was 57 per cent. This is driven by an increase in the number of companies paying tax in this category as the overall population of tax paying companies is larger and by an increase in the average payment in the top 20%. This percentage was calculated on the basis of their gross corporation tax payments.
167. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Question No. 208 of 17 November 2015, if he will list the number of other calls on the central fund referred to in the reply. [41634/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNon-voted expenditure is sometimes referred to as central fund expenditure and includes such items as debt servicing costs, EU budget contributions, Judges' pay, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. Non-voted means that the Dáil has already agreed that the expenditure can be made without being voted annually in the Estimates process. Further detail on non-voted expenditure is included as part of the notes to the Exchequer Statement, which is published on the second working day of each month.
In my answer to Parliamentary Question Number 208 of 17 November 2015, 'other calls on the central fund' referred to line item 7, Central Fund expenditure increases (non-voted) in table A9 on page C.51 of the Budget 2016 book. The Deputy should note that it is the annual change in Central Fund expenditure over the previous year's expenditure that impacts the estimates of fiscal space.
The table below shows the composition of the main areas of the year-on-year changes in the central fund expenditure consistent with Table A9 of Budget 2016:
|
Central Fund expenditure increases (non-voted) €billions |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Contribution to EU Budget |
0.14 |
0.10 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
|
Costs associated with Elections |
0.05 |
(0.05) |
0.03 |
(0.01) |
(0.02) |
0.04 |
|
Capital Contribution to Irish Water |
0.18 |
0.10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Waterford Crystal Pension |
(0.05) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
0.32 |
0.15 |
0.08 |
0.04 |
0.03 |
0.09 |
Source: Department of Finance
Note: Rounding may affect totals
Please note that the capital contributions to Irish Water are based on the current Irish Water Business Plan. Interest expenditure is excluded from the table as it is excluded from the Expenditure Benchmark calculation. The Deputy should also be aware that there is a range of other issuances from the Central Fund that do not count as general government expenditure because they are classified as financial transactions e.g. Loans or equity investments.
168. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance why a person (details supplied) did not receive any change in income, despite the changes to tax credits in budget 2016. [41673/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere were no changes made to tax credits in Budget 2015. However the USC rates and thresholds were changed for 2015.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, having regard to the circumstances of the person concerned, as known to them, the USC payable would have been expected to reduce by approximately €9 per month, as compared to 2014.
The person concerned can request a review of his tax liability for 2015 after the end of the year to ensure that, having regard to all of his circumstances, the correct deductions were made.
169. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the current cost of rental accommodation for the National Treasury Management Agency to whom the rent is paid; the plans the agency has to move office location; the discussions the agency has had with other State agencies regarding such a move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41693/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 1991, 2007 and 2012, the Agency entered into lease agreements of varying duration until 2017, 2026 & 2027, in respect of office accommodation at Treasury Building, Grand Canal Street, Dublin 2. The gross annual rental cost under these operating leases is €2.8 million excluding a reverse premium of €0.5 million per annum. The rent, payable quarterly is paid to Knight Frank as agents for Jayfield Investments Limited. The NTMA recently undertook a premises review in relation to its long term premises requirements. A shortlist of four office venues was identified with the North Wall Quay Project Wave site next to the planned new headquarters of the Central Bank being selected as the preferred option. Preliminary negotiations with the developer will now begin in order to secure an agreement. However, no agreement will be put in place until these negotiations have been finalised and due diligence has been completed, which may take some time. If everything goes according to schedule it is planned that the NTMA (Including the National Asset Management Agency (the "NAMA") and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (the "SBCI") would move to new premises in late 2018.
The NTMA has incorporated the office space requirements of the NAMA and SBCI businesses into the overall NTMA proposal to move office.
170. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Finance in regard to the National Asset Management Agency, the number of persons it employed, its wage bill and the cost of its office accommodation in each of the years 2010 to 2015 to date; the details of a contract (details supplied); if it has plans to move office location; and if so, the location. [41694/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll NAMA staff are employees of the NTMA and under section 42 of the National Asset Management Agency Act 2009, the NTMA assigns staff to NAMA. Staff numbers assigned to NAMA from 2010 to 2015 are contained in the table below. These figures represent the number of staff employed at the end of the relevant period.
|
Year |
Number of staff |
|
End of 2010 |
100 |
|
End of 2011 |
193 |
|
End of 2012 |
224 |
|
End of 2013 |
331 |
|
End of 2014 |
369 |
|
End of October 2015 |
341 |
The salary cost of staff who are engaged full time in the NAMA business are recharged by the NTMA. The total salary costs including pension are displayed in the table below.
|
Year |
€ million |
|
End of 2010 |
9.2 |
|
End of 2011 |
20.9 |
|
End of 2012 |
27.1 |
|
End of 2013 |
31.1 |
|
End of 2014 |
40.9 |
|
End of October 2015 |
33.1 |
NAMA's occupancy costs are set out for each year in its annual report and financial statements which are available on the NAMA website, www.nama.ie.
NAMA incurred fit-out cost in 2010 arising from the leasing and occupancy of office space at Treasury Building. John Sisk & Sons were engaged as the main contractors to undertake the fit-out works. It appears that the company referenced by the Deputy provided sub-contact services to John Sisk & Sons as part of this work. Neither the NTMA nor NAMA had a contract nor direct engagement with the sub-contractor referenced as this was a matter for John Sisk & Sons as main contractor.
The NTMA recently undertook a premises review in relation to its long term premises requirements. A shortlist of four office venues was identified with the North Wall Quay Project Wave site next to the planned new headquarters of the Central Bank being selected as the preferred option. Preliminary negotiations with the developer will now begin in order to secure an agreement. However, no agreement will be put in place until these negotiations have been finalised and due diligence has been completed, which may take some time. If everything goes according to schedule it is planned that the NTMA (including NAMA) would move to new premises in late 2018.
171. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance further to his reply to Question No. 215 of 17 November 2015, in which he explains that receivers acting on behalf of AIB may seek vacant possession of a property even if a lease agreement is in place; if this is in contradiction with the policy outlined by the bank in an earlier reply (details supplied) to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform on 22 April 2015; if the bank has changed its policy regarding evictions of sitting tenants; and if any changes were discussed with him or with his Department. [41705/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI do not believe there is any contradiction between AIB's reply at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform on 22 April 2015 and the information supplied by AIB in relation to Parliamentary Question Number 215 on 17 November 2015. AIB have confirmed to my Department that there has been no change in its policy with regard to sitting tenants in Buy-To-Let (BTL) properties. The bank considers each case based on its specific circumstances. If there is a formal lease in place, then the bank will honour the terms of that formal lease. However where the tenant of the property is in breach of the terms of their lease, the Receivers may seek to terminate the lease in accordance with the PRTB (Private Residential Tenancies Board) rules and regulations. Where there is no formal lease in place, then the bank may seek vacant possession of the BTL property. In such cases, the bank or receiver will seek to ascertain the length of occupation and will afford the tenant the appropriate notice period in accordance with the PRTB rules and regulations. Therefore, in fulfilling its fiduciary obligation to obtain the best return it can from the disposal of the asset, the bank or receiver may in some, but not all, circumstances require to seek vacant possession of the property. This is consistent with policy described by the bank when consulted regarding previous Parliamentary Questions and in its response to the Finance Committee.
172. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the amount collected from the local property tax, LPT, in County Roscommon in 2014; the moneys paid from the LPT fund to Roscommon County Council in 2015; the estimated LPT to be collected in County Roscommon in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41722/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that statistics relating to Local Property Tax (LPT) can be found on the statistics webpage of the Revenue website at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/index.html. Specifically, the available LPT information including LPT collected by Local Authority, are available at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/lpt-compliance.html. Updates will be published in due course for final 2015 collection.
LPT receipts are paid into the Exchequer and are then transferred to the Local Government Fund. The funding of individual local authorities is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government.
173. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to remove the requirement for crèches and playschools to pay local authority rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41406/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraInconsistency in the approach to the exemption from rates for childcare and education facilities and calls to exempt all such providers were among the issues raised at a number of stages during the passage of the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015. As a result, I secured Government approval for a Seanad Report Stage amendment to insert into Schedule 4 of the Valuation Act 2001 an exemption from rates for properties occupied by parties that provide early childhood care and education on a not-for-profit basis. This extension of the childcare and education exemption removed an anomaly that existed whereby those that provided childcare and education on a charitable basis were exempt from rates but those that did so on a not-for-profit basis were not.
The Valuation Office is in the process of updating valuation lists to give effect to this extension of the exemption so that it will be effective for qualifying providers in 2016. The Valuation Office's interpretation of paragraph 10 of Schedule 4 of the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 means that those that only provide the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme are also exempt from rates.
The decision taken by Government to extend the exemption from rates for early childcare and education was taken having considered the views of stakeholders in the sector. As outlined in the Seanad, and subsequently in the Dáil, key valuation principles have to be respected to retain the integrity and equity of a system that is a significant source of funding for Local Authorities. One of those principles is that properties of occupiers that operate with the intention of making a profit are rateable.
174. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of exemptions requested by individual Departments, State agencies and local authorities to the moratorium on recruitment and promotion since its introduction in March 2009, by request, including the name of the requesting body and the reasons given; the number of exemptions granted for promotions, recruitments and redeployments; the decision reached; the costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41167/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I announced the ending of the Moratorium on Public Service Recruitment and Promotion as part of last year's Budget announcement, and at that time I also provided for the recruitment of a significant amount of new staff in the Health, Education and Justice sectors, among others. As part of last month's Budget, for 2016, I agreed a further 2,260 teachers, up to 600 new Gardaí, as well as additional staff in Health and in Tusla - the Child and Family agency.
To give effect to the decision to lift the Moratorium, during this year, my Department has been focused on rolling out new delegated staffing arrangements on a phased basis, which gives Government Departments more control over their staff resourcing decisions and allows them to recruit and fill vacancies in accordance with business needs and their pay ceilings.
The details of exemptions to the Moratorium, which the Deputy requests, are being compiled and will be forwarded directly. This information reflects difficult decisions required at the time under the Moratorium, which of course was an emergency policy response to a crisis in the public finances, caused by a fiscal and economic crisis. The reductions to public service numbers and public service pay rates, which were agreed with the public service unions, have made a vital contribution to the recovery of the public finances and should be valued as a key part in the broader recovery in the economy. What will not be clear from a narrow focus on requests and decisions around exemptions is the impact of the public service reform agenda on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of public services against the backdrop of reducing resources. The additional hours, changes to work practices and initiatives such shared services are an important part of a more rounded assessment of public service needs, performance and service levels as the country emerges from what has been a very difficult period.
175. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if lock keepers have to change their title to get the option of voluntary redundancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41214/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraVoluntary redundancy proposals are a matter for management based on the business needs of a particular organisation. Where an organisation wishes to introduce a targeted voluntary redundancy scheme a business case would be forwarded via the parent Department to my Department for sanction. In the case of a North South Implementation Body, sanction would also be required from the parent Department in Northern Ireland and the Department of Finance and Personnel, Northern Ireland. Voluntary redundancy schemes in public service bodies must also comply with the collective agreement reached between my Department and the Public Services Committee of ICTU on Redundancy payments to Public Servants.
176. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Question No. 347 of 3 November 2015, the reason for the delay in providing a full and comprehensive response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41513/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to my previous answer to Question No. 347 in which I informed the Deputy that the information was being collated and a detailed response would issue to the Deputy directly. I wish to advise the deputy that the information requested will be issued to him directly in the coming days.
177. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a telecommunications mast at a location (details supplied) in County Cork is in use; if not, the plans to have it removed. [41627/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe telecommunications mast at the former Garda Station in Rathduff, County Cork is still in use under licence from the Commissioners of Public Works.
178. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a works scheme (details supplied) in County Clare; the timeframe for a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41641/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works has not received a feasibility report for this project to date. The preparation of this report is a matter for Clare County Council and it is understood that the report is nearing completion by the Council. Upon its completion, the Council is to forward the report to the OPW for consideration.
179. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date that each local authority was advised in writing by the Valuation Office regarding the global revaluations in 2015; if any advance notice of this intended revaluation was issued; and if so, when. [41684/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraGlobal valuations of public utility undertakings are an important and integral part of the Local Government rating system and each utility is valued every five years. The public utilities revalued in 2015, or their predecessors, were first valued in 2005 and subsequently valued in 2010. In line with the 5-yearly cycle prescribed by section 53(6) of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended by the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015, the Commissioner of Valuation has recently completed the 2015 global valuations in respect of seven utility undertakings. In light of the 5-yearly cycle, local authorities would have been aware that these global valuations were taking place in 2015.
The position regarding the notification arrangements, in relation to the global valuations completed in 2015, is that on 31st July 2015 the Commissioner issued a certificate of the valuation proposed to be placed on each public utility undertaking, to the undertaking concerned, and to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, as provided by section 53(11) of Act.
The Commissioner issued final certificates of global valuation to each of the said undertakings and to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government on 4th November 2015, in accordance with section 53(14) of the Act. While there is no statutory obligation on the Commissioner to notify the rating authorities under section 53(14), as a practical measure the Commissioner did so on 4th and 5th November 2015.
180. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the involvement the OPW or its agents have in the management and control of a centre (details supplied); if the OPW is in full control; if the recent change of the maintenance and security company was done and approved by the OPW; and if so, how it is that a properly established company is allowed to lose a contract and be reportedly replaced by one dominated by JobBridge employees; if he will clarify the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41686/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Northside Civic Centre, which is in the ownership of the Office of Public Works (OPW), is leased to a number of organisations. A facility management contract is in place to provide various services to the building and its occupants. This has been re-tendered recently by the OPW and a new contract is due to commence on the 1st January 2016. The new contract agreement provides for the transfer of any employees, as is normal in this type of contract, under the same terms and conditions. The detailed arrangements for the transfer of responsibilities, under the new contract, to the incoming service provider have not been finalised as yet.
181. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there is legislation which specifically protects the rights of unpaid interns outside the JobBridge scheme; if unpaid internships that are undertaken outside the JobBridge scheme for more than a short period, for example four weeks, are legal under existing employment legislation; the rights and responsibilities of unpaid interns outside the JobBridge scheme; the responsibilities and duties of employers towards unpaid interns according to existing employment legislation; his views on whether new legislation is required to bring greater clarity to the employment rights of unpaid interns here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41604/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraArrangements which may be described as internships are not defined by Irish legislation. Depending on the particulars of the individual arrangement, the participants may have entitlements to protection under employment law. Any persons with questions or complaints regarding their rights under employment law should contact Workplace Relations Customer Service on lo-call 1890 80 80 90 or at www.workplacerelations.ie. Ireland’s body of employment rights legislation protects all employees who are legally employed on an employer-employee basis. Therefore, once it is clear that a person is working under a contract of employment, on a full-time or part-time basis, that person has the same protection under employment law as other employees.
The JobBridge scheme is the national internship scheme administered by the Department of Social Protection. The legislation underpinning the JobBridge scheme specifically provides that a participant shall, for the purposes of any enactment or rule of law (other than the Tax Acts and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005), be deemed not to be an employee. Any complaints regarding compliance with the scheme should be addressed to that Department.
As regards occupational health and safety legislation, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires employers to ensure that working conditions are such as will protect the safety, health and welfare at work of employees. It also requires employers to manage their business in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that individuals at the place of work who are not employees, are not exposed to risks to their safety, health or welfare.
182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Question No. 93 of 12 November 2015, the extent to which the information sought by way of correspondence dated 8 September 2015 has been received, with particular reference to the documentation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41196/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation sought by the Department in its letter of 8 September 2015 to the person named by the Deputy was received on 8 October 2015. As I outlined in Dáil Question No. 93 on 12 November 2015, this application was refused on 7th November 2015 for the following reasons:
- The occupation in question is on the List of Ineligible Categories of Employment for Employment Permits.
- The remuneration on offer was less than the minimum annual remuneration specified in regulation 26 of the Employment Permits Regulations.
- The person referred to by the Deputy was in the State without current immigration permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality.
- The manner in which the advertisement had been published did not meet the requirements set out in the Employment Permits Regulations.
The applicant (in this case the employer) was notified that he may request a Review of this decision within 28 days from date of the refusal letter of 7th November 2015.
183. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the name and location of IDA Ireland-led foreign direct investment companies; the number employed by each company; the percentage of firms by county; the percentage employed by these firms, by county, to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41368/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Annual Employment Survey reports job related statistics for companies that are supported by the development agencies. Data is collected and reported on annualised basis on a county by county level. The information is provided by companies on a confidential basis for statistical purposes only. It is therefore not possible to provide information at company level or for individual locations throughout the country. The figures for the number of IDA supported jobs in 2015 will not be available until early next year, after the completion of the 2015 Employment Survey. The figures for 2014 are provided in the table below.
Total Number of IDA Ireland Client Company Jobs by County and as Percentage 2014
|
County |
- |
2014 |
|
Carlow |
1. No of Companies |
7 |
|
Carlow |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
0.59% |
|
Carlow |
3. Total County Jobs |
741 |
|
Carlow |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
0.42% |
|
Cavan |
1. No of Companies |
7 |
|
Cavan |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
0.59% |
|
Cavan |
3. Total County Jobs |
1,136 |
|
Cavan |
4.Total County Jobs as % of Total |
0.65% |
|
Clare |
1. No of Companies |
65 |
|
Clare |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
5.44% |
|
Clare |
3. Total County Jobs |
6,343 |
|
Clare |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
3.64% |
|
Cork |
1. No of Companies |
146 |
|
Cork |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
12.22% |
|
Cork |
3. Total County Jobs |
28,545 |
|
Cork |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
16.36% |
|
Donegal |
1. No of Companies |
14 |
|
Donegal |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
1.17% |
|
Donegal |
3. Total County Jobs |
2,612 |
|
Donegal |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
1.50% |
|
Dublin |
1. No of Companies |
596 |
|
Dublin |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
49.87% |
|
Dublin |
3. Total County Jobs |
70,989 |
|
Dublin |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
40.68% |
|
Galway |
1. No of Companies |
63 |
|
Galway |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
5.27% |
|
Galway |
3. Total County Jobs |
13,862 |
|
Galway |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
7.94% |
|
Kerry |
1. No of Companies |
12 |
|
Kerry |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
1.00% |
|
Kerry |
3. Total County Jobs |
1,874 |
|
Kerry |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
1.07% |
|
Kildare |
1. No of Companies |
24 |
|
Kildare |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
2.01% |
|
Kildare |
3. Total County Jobs |
10,412 |
|
Kildare |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
5.97% |
|
Kilkenny |
1. No of Companies |
5 |
|
Kilkenny |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
0.42% |
|
Kilkenny |
3. Total County Jobs |
716 |
|
Kilkenny |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
0.41% |
|
Laois |
1. No of Companies |
2 |
|
Laois |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
0.17% |
|
Laois |
3. Total County Jobs |
87 |
|
Laois |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
0.05% |
|
Leitrim |
1. No of Companies |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
0.42% |
|
Leitrim |
3. Total County Jobs |
613 |
|
Leitrim |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
0.35% |
|
Limerick |
1. No of Companies |
48 |
|
Limerick |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
4.02% |
|
Limerick |
3. Total County Jobs |
7,906 |
|
Limerick |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
4.53% |
|
Longford |
1. No of Companies |
6 |
|
Longford |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
0.50% |
|
Longford |
3. Total County Jobs |
650 |
|
Longford |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
0.37% |
|
Louth |
1. No of Companies |
23 |
|
Louth |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
1.92% |
|
Louth |
3. Total County Jobs |
3,029 |
|
Louth |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
1.74% |
|
Mayo |
1. No of Companies |
18 |
|
Mayo |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
1.51% |
|
Mayo |
3. Total County Jobs |
3,932 |
|
Mayo |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
2.25% |
|
Meath |
1. No of Companies |
16 |
|
Meath |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
1.34% |
|
Meath |
3. Total County Jobs |
1,252 |
|
Meath |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
0.72% |
|
Monaghan |
1. No of Companies |
6 |
|
Monaghan |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
0.50% |
|
Monaghan |
3. Total County Jobs |
275 |
|
Monaghan |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
0.16% |
|
Offaly |
1. No of Companies |
11 |
|
Offaly |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
0.92% |
|
Offaly |
3. Total County Jobs |
890 |
|
Offaly |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
0.51% |
|
Roscommon |
1. No of Companies |
8 |
|
Roscommon |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
0.67% |
|
Roscommon |
3. Total County Jobs |
858 |
|
Roscommon |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
0.49% |
|
Sligo |
1. No of Companies |
22 |
|
Sligo |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
1.84% |
|
Sligo |
3. Total County Jobs |
2,069 |
|
Sligo |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
1.19% |
|
Tipperary |
1. No of Companies |
11 |
|
Tipperary |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
0.92% |
|
Tipperary |
3. Total County Jobs |
3370 |
|
Tipperary |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
1.93% |
|
Waterford |
1. No of Companies |
29 |
|
Waterford |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
2.43% |
|
Waterford |
3. Total County Jobs |
5,097 |
|
Waterford |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
2.92% |
|
Westmeath |
1. No of Companies |
16 |
|
Westmeath |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
1.34% |
|
Westmeath |
3. Total County Jobs |
2,405 |
|
Westmeath |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
1.38% |
|
Wexford |
1. No of Companies |
16 |
|
Wexford |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
1.34% |
|
Wexford |
3. Total County Jobs |
2,483 |
|
Wexford |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
1.42% |
|
Wicklow |
1. No of Companies |
19 |
|
Wicklow |
2. Companies as Percentage of Total |
1.59% |
|
Wicklow |
3. Total County Jobs |
2,342 |
|
Wicklow |
4. Total County Jobs as % of Total |
1.34% |
|
Total |
1. No of Companies |
1,195 |
|
Total |
4. Total Jobs |
174,488 |
184. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Irish competitiveness is being adversely effected by rising costs, including the costs incurred by companies in transporting their goods and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41402/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s improving competitiveness performance since 2011 has been central to securing the recovery in economic growth and employment. Improved competitiveness has made Irish firms more cost competitive internationally and made Ireland a more attractive location for firms to base their operations in. The recovery in jobs to date, with 135,800 more employed than at the beginning of 2012, unemployment down from over 15% in 2012 to 8.9% in October and the record levels of indigenous exports being achieved, is in large part due to the considerable improvements in the business environment for enterprises. Overall, Ireland has moved from 25th to 16th on the IMD Competitiveness rankings, with progress being made in areas such as the environment for start-ups, regulation, and access to credit. Addressing Ireland’s international competitiveness is a key economic priority for Government. Since 2012, the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs has set out a comprehensive set of measures to improve our competitiveness performance. We continue to monitor Ireland's cost competitiveness and take appropriate action to address fragilities as they emerge. The Action Plan for Jobs 2015 requires the National Competitiveness Council to “Benchmark key business costs and publish a report highlighting areas where Irish enterprise costs are out of line with key competitors”. The Council's 2015 Costs of Doing Business in Ireland report benchmarks key business costs across over fifty indicators and focuses on areas where Irish enterprise costs are out of line with key competitors, and on costs that are largely domestically determined.
The NCC's 2015 report concentrates on the costs that are largely domestically determined such as labour, property, energy, water, waste, communications and business services. The report finds that while relative cost competitiveness is improving (i.e. although costs are increasing, they are increasing at a slower rate than in many of our competitors), this improvement is largely being driven by external factors beyond the control of domestic policymakers. In particular, a weak euro exchange rate, low ECB interest rates, and low international fuel prices have all combined to improve Irish cost competitiveness. The NCC report concludes that Ireland’s industrial cost base has improved but pressure points are emerging in labour, property and business service costs.
We will continue to take corrective action where particular issues emerge. As an island nation for whom competitive transport services are essential to getting our products to market, as part of Budget 2016 the Minister for Finance announced plans to simplify the rates of commercial motor tax by replacing the existing 20 rates with just five rates ranging from €92 to €900, with effect from January 1, 2016. The changes are set to benefit operators of about 28,500 commercial vehicles and address anomalies vis-à-vis the regime in the UK and Northern Ireland.
Now is not the time to be complacent about our competitiveness as we have further progress to make if we are to achieve the ambition in the Government's recent enterprise policy statement Enterprise 2025 of achieving sustainable full employment. We must maintain an intense focus on reducing costs that are out of line with those in competitor countries. There is a role for both the public and private sectors alike to proactively manage their cost base and drive efficiency, thus creating a virtuous circle between the costs of living, wage expectations and cost competitiveness. Measures that ensure open and competitive markets are essential. Improving productivity performance is also key.
The policy implications of the Costs of Doing Business and associated structural reforms required to address Ireland’s cost base, will be included in the Council’s annual Competitiveness Challenge report which will be published before year-end.
