Written Answers Nos. 284-298
284. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy he has in relation to the pricing of bus services throughout the country; if he will address the injustice whereby many rural bus customers are charged per kilometre much more on publicly subsidised routes than those availing of urban services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2363/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
285. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will develop a policy to ensure that wheelchair accessible taxis and private family vehicles for large families registered to carry more than seven passengers pay the same tolls as ordinary taxis and other private cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2364/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Furthermore, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll Bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in TII (formerly known as the NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).
Transport Infrastructure Ireland is obliged to produce and publish Bye-laws for each toll scheme in place across the country. In accordance with these Bye-Laws, details of tolls, defined for the purpose of the Toll Bye-Laws as either Maximum Tolls or Appropriate Tolls or in the case of the M50 the Applicable and Default tolls, are required to be published for each year.
In view of TII's statutory power regarding tolls, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
286. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason applications were invalid on the last round of sports capital grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2419/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1,592 applications were received under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme with a total of 566 deemed invalid. My Department estimates that almost 90% of invalid applications were deemed so for one of the 5 reasons set out below.
1. Title/Access requirements not satisfied.
2. Insufficient evidence of planning permission, planning application, or exemption from planning.
3. Insufficient quotations/estimates submitted.
4. Evidence of own funding not provided in prescribed format.
5. Insufficient own funding
On 21 December last, Minister Ross and I announced that €30m is being made available under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme and a significant effort has been made to simplify and streamline the application process with the aim of reducing the number of invalid applications submitted. Applications will be accepted on my Department's dedicated online applications site (www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie) from the 23 January 2017 to the 24 February, 2017. The guide to making an application is also available on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.
287. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of overpaid tolls paid by motorists on each of the toll roads here for 2015; if he has consulted with public private partnerships on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2452/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Furthermore, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in TII (formerly known as the NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007). The contracts for the privately operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between TII and the PPP concessionaires concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
288. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that Bus Éireann Expressway services to County Donegal will be protected in view of their importance as a service to the county (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2471/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Bus Éireann is developing plans to address its financial position. The Company is currently loss-making and these losses are not sustainable.
Last week I met with the Chair of the Company who briefed me on the very serious situation the Company faces. The Chair indicated that an invitation would issue shortly to trade unions to commence discussions on the available options.
I am firmly of the belief that difficult issues such as this can only be resolved through open, constructive and realistic engagement between the company and its employees and I encourage both sides to engage constructively on the matter.
Separately I also met with the National Transport Authority who outlined to me their powers and responsibilities in relation to the provision of public transport services. I was assured by the NTA that it will work with local communities to maintain an appropriate level of public transport connectivity in the event of any reconfiguration of existing services.
289. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent on bus rapid transit to date in 2017, including but not limited to design, consulting and presenting to councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2477/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for delivery of the bus rapid transit route connecting the city centre to the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2478/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra291. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will lift the embargo on minor road variances happening along the route of the proposed bus rapid transit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2479/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra292. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the bus rapid transit project as opposed to a metro north; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2480/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 289 to 292, inclusive, together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
Based on the recommendations in the Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study undertaken by the NTA, the Government decided in 2015 that the new Metro North scheme was the most appropriate public transport solution to address the transport needs of the Swords/Airport/City Centre Corridor and funding for the project has been made available under the Capital Investment Plan Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021. In making the decision to proceed with new Metro North, the Government asked the NTA to keep the interim public transport needs of the corridor under review.
In this regard, the NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035, which was adopted subsequent to publication of the Capital Plan, states at Section 5.5.4:
"In addition, on the Swords/Airport to City Centre corridor, it will be necessary to provide a higher level of public transport capacity than the existing provision, both in advance of new Metro North and also to serve areas south of the M50 subsequent to the implementation of new Metro North. This additional capacity will take the form of a BRT service or a BRT type service or a conventional bus corridor upgrade along this route or parts of this route. The exact arrangements to be implemented will be determined in conjunction with the development arrangements for new Metro North, and will be designed to be complementary to the new Metro North proposal. Accordingly, a BRT scheme is included for development along the Swords/Airport to City Centre corridor, but its extent may be reduced or it may be modified to a conventional bus corridor upgrade, in conjunction with the development of the new Metro North project."
I am informed by the NTA that there is not an embargo on road improvements along the route of the draft Swords/Airport to City Centre BRT corridor. However, the NTA has requested that Dublin City Council ensure that such improvements are compatible with the developed design of this BRT scheme in order to remove the potential for works to be constructed which would have to be reconstructed for the BRT scheme, should it proceed.
With regard to expenditure on BRT projects to date in 2017, I have referred your question to the NTA for reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
293. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the bilateral meetings he had with his European counterparts outside of Council of the EU meetings, since the UK referendum to leave the EU took place, in which the issue of Brexit and the unique challenges faced by the island of Ireland was discussed, including the name of each European government ministerial counterpart, the meeting location and the date of each meeting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2525/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn extensive programme of engagement with all other EU Governments and the EU institutions, including the Commission's Brexit Negotiations Task Force, is under way. This engagement is being intensified in 2017.
While I have not yet had the opportunity to do so, the Taoiseach and other Ministerial colleagues have and will be engaging with their EU counterparts over coming weeks to emphasise Ireland's concerns and to ensure that they are fully reflected in the EU position once negotiations commence. This activity is reinforced by extensive engagement at diplomatic and official level. The Government is acutely aware of the potential risks and challenges for the Irish economy and will remain fully engaged on this aspect as the negotiations proceed. An important part of our preparations for the Brexit negotiations is ensuring that our particular concerns are heard and understood across Europe, and engagement with our EU partners and with the EU institutions is therefore critical.
Of course, Ireland will be part of the EU 27 team and looks forward to working with our fellow Member States in delivering the best possible result for Ireland and for the EU.
There will be no negotiations with the UK until Article 50 has been triggered.
294. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the names of all foreign companies in receipt of IDA grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2270/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA list of companies that received grant assistance from IDA Ireland in 2015 is set out in the table below. Details in relation to grants paid by IDA Ireland in 2016 will be available later this year, when the Comptroller and Auditor General completes its annual audit.
It is worth noting that grants paid in a particular year do not necessarily reflect either the investments won or the jobs created in that period. Grants are generally paid over a number of years, in accordance with the conditions of the grant agreement between IDA Ireland and the client company.
The table shows all foreign companies in receipt of IDA grants in 2015.
|
Company Name |
|
Abbott Ireland |
|
AbbVie Ireland NL B.V. |
|
Accenture |
|
Acorn Direct Marketing Limited |
|
Alcatel-Lucent Ireland Limited |
|
Alere International Limited |
|
Alkermes Pharma Ireland Ltd. |
|
Allergan Pharmaceuticals Ireland |
|
Amcor Flexibles Border Limited |
|
Analog Devices International |
|
Apple Operations Europe |
|
Applied Communications (Ireland) Limited |
|
Aptar Ballinasloe Limited |
|
Atlantic Industries |
|
Avaya International Sales Limited |
|
Becton Dickinson Penel Limited |
|
Boston Scientific Limited |
|
Brivant Limited |
|
Burgmann Packings Limited |
|
Business Objects Software Limited |
|
Buy4Now Limited |
|
Cameron Ireland Limited |
|
CG Power Systems Ireland Limited |
|
Charles River Laboratories Preclinical Services Ireland Ltd |
|
Clearstream Technologies Limited |
|
CommScope EMEA Limited |
|
Connaught Electronics Limited |
|
Cook Ireland Limited |
|
D&B Business Information Solutions |
|
Dell Products |
|
Dell Software International Limited |
|
DePuy (Ireland) |
|
Elanco Animal Health Ireland Limited |
|
Electronic Arts Ireland Limited |
|
Element Six Limited |
|
Eli Lilly S.A. |
|
EMC Information Systems International |
|
Emergency Response Limited |
|
Ex-Cel Plastics Limited |
|
FAZ Technology Limited |
|
FireEye Ireland Limited |
|
FISC-Ireland Limited |
|
Fujitsu Ireland |
|
G.M.T. (Ireland) Limited |
|
GE Sensing EMEA |
|
General Motors Ireland Limited |
|
Gilt Global Trading & Procurement Company |
|
Glass Lewis Europe Limited |
|
Global Reviews |
|
Goodman Medical Ireland Limited |
|
HedgeServ Limited |
|
Hewlett-Packard (Manufacturing) Limited |
|
Hewlett-Packard West Limited |
|
Hollister ULC |
|
Honeywell Aerospace Ireland Limited |
|
Hovione Limited |
|
Howmedica International S. De. R.L. |
|
IBM Ireland Product Distribution Limited |
|
IFDS Percana Group Limited/IFDS Percana International Managed Services Ltd |
|
Ingersoll-Rand International Limited |
|
Integra LifeSciences (Ireland) Limited |
|
Intel Ireland Limited |
|
Intel Ireland Limited |
|
Intel Research & Development Ireland Limited |
|
Internal Results (Ireland) Limited |
|
International Fund Services (Ireland) Limited |
|
ITW Ireland |
|
Janssen Biologics(Ireland) |
|
Jazz Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited |
|
L.M Ericsson Limited |
|
Laboratoires de Biologie Végétale Yves Rocher |
|
Lake Region |
|
Liebherr Container Cranes Limited |
|
Lisk Ireland Limited |
|
McDermott Laboratories Limited |
|
McDermott Laboratories Limited |
|
Medtronic Ireland Manufacturing |
|
Merck Millipore Limited |
|
Merit Medical Ireland Limited |
|
Microchem Laboratories (Ireland) Limited |
|
Microsoft Ireland Research |
|
National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training Limited |
|
National Pen Promotional Products limited |
|
Nellcor Puritan Bennett Ireland |
|
Northern Trust management Services (Ireland) Limited |
|
Nypro Limited |
|
ON Semiconductor Ireland Research & Design Ltd |
|
OpenHydro Group Limited |
|
Otter Products EMEA |
|
PPD Development Ireland Limited |
|
Pramerica Systems Ireland Limited |
|
Prometric Ireland Limited |
|
Regeneron Ireland |
|
Resmed Sensor Technologies Limited |
|
Roche Ireland Limited |
|
Sanmina-SCI Ireland |
|
Schering-Plough (Ireland) Company |
|
SR Technics Airfoil Services Limited |
|
State Street International (Ireland) Limited |
|
Stryker Ireland Limited |
|
Sulzer Pumps Solutions Ireland Limited |
|
Teleflex Medical Europe Limited |
|
The Concentrate Manufacturing Company of Ireland (Pepsi-Co) |
|
The Export Orientation Programme - Apple Operations Europe |
|
The Export Orientation Programme - Hertz Europe Service Centre Ltd |
|
The NPD Group Market Research Limited |
|
Tillotson Limited |
|
Tyco Ireland Limited |
|
UCB Manufacturing Ireland Ltd. |
|
Unum Ireland Limited |
|
Utexam Logistics Limited |
|
VCE Technology Solutions Limited |
|
Vention Medical Ireland Limited |
|
VGL Support Services Ireland Limited |
|
Wayfair Stores Limited West |
|
Wellman International Limited |
|
Wexport Limited |
|
Whirlpool SSC Limited |
|
Wood Group Kenny Ireland Limited |
|
Xilinx Ireland |
|
Zagg International Distribution |
|
Zeus Industrial Products (Ireland) Limited |
|
Zimmer Orthopedics Manufacturing Limited |
295. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA supported jobs in Galway city and county by sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2412/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland collates its employment data on an annual basis by region and by county. Sectoral employment data is maintained on a national basis only. The below table sets out details of the number of IDA Ireland supported jobs in Galway in 2015 and 2016.
Earlier this month, IDA Ireland announced that client supported employment reached a record high of 199,877 in 2016, with all regions recording gains. In Galway, employment in IDA Ireland supported companies increased by almost 10% to 16,851 at the end of 2016.
IDA Ireland-supported Jobs in Galway 2015 and 2016
|
Galway |
2015 |
2016 |
|
1. No of Companies |
64 |
68 |
|
2. Total Jobs |
15,342 |
16,851 |
|
3. Gross Gains |
1,457 |
1,896 |
|
4. Losses |
-779 |
-387 |
|
5. Net Change |
678 |
1,509 |
296. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the current state aid and de minimis thresholds, by enterprise with specific reference to each of the measures, enterprise stabilisation measures, State-backed credit insurance, export trade financing, export credit guarantees and employment subsidy schemes; if she and her Department have had discussions with the Directorate General for Competition with regard to increasing de minimis levels for each one of these measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2445/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Regulation No 1407/2013 (the de minimis Regulation) sets out the rules for granting small amounts of financial aid to enterprises which are unlikely to affect trade and distort competition (de minimis aid). Generally, public bodies are allowed to grant aid to a single undertaking of up to €200,000 over a 3 year fiscal period without prior notification or approval from DG Competition. The Regulation requires that the aid is ‘transparent’.
Specific arrangements on de minimis aid apply in the following sectors:
road freight transport sector - the de minimis ceiling is €100,000 to any industrial road freight transport operator over any consecutive three year fiscal period
primary production of agricultural products - the de minimis ceiling is €15,000 to any agricultural producer over any consecutive three year fiscal period and an overall cap for Ireland in any 3 year period of €66,280,000.
production, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products - the de minimis ceiling is €30,000 for any producer, processor or marketer of fishery or agriculture products and an overall cap for Ireland of €20,820,000.
As part of the revision of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) under the State Aid Modernisation Agenda, Member States and the Commission discussed a proposal to increase the de minimis threshold in 2013. A number of Member States suggested increasing the de minimis threshold to €500,000 over a three year fiscal period. The European Commission rejected the proposal on the basis that the amount was substantial and could distort the competition in the Internal Market. A more modest increase to €300,000 was also declined. The current State Aid framework does not allow for the re-calibration of aid intensity rates under the GBER or de minimis thresholds.
Against the backdrop of the UK vote to leave the EU, my Department has initiated engagement with senior officials from the DG Competition to ensure Ireland can deliver the necessary supports to Irish enterprises within the EU State Aid rules. Discussions will continue in 2017.
With regard to supports for export finance I would direct the Deputy to the Minister for Finance recent announcement that his Department, with the support of my Department, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and Enterprise Ireland (EI), is working on developing and rolling out an Integrated Export Finance Strategy. In this regard, work is continuing on the delivery of an export finance pilot initiative, due to be delivered by Q2 2017.
297. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of meetings she had with representatives of companies which have plants currently based here that have indicated they will move some of their operations to the UK in anticipation of the UK leaving the EU following the British referendum in 2016, with a breakdown of all companies according to sector, in tabular form; the steps she has taken to ensure existing company operations maintain their Irish employment footprint in this jurisdiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2486/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met representatives of companies, business organisations and other stakeholders throughout the country in recent months and to date none of them has indicated that they will move any of their operations to the UK as a result of the Brexit referendum in 2016.
I am deeply engaged with my Department’s agencies - Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland - to ensure sufficient supports are in place to safeguard Irish jobs and exports in response to both the short term and long term impact of Brexit. I am in ongoing communication with these agencies through my chairing of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation's Brexit co-ordination group, which includes the chief executives of the agencies and senior officials in my Department.
In particular, Enterprise Ireland is working with its 1,500 clients that export to the UK to examine the individual challenges faced by companies in every county in Ireland. It is also working on a sectoral level. Enterprise Ireland is working to assist companies to maintain and increase their UK exports and to extend their international reach by reorienting towards North America, Canada, Asia and the Middle East. Enterprise Ireland is particularly working with the companies that are most exposed to the UK in areas like engineering, food, construction and timber. Enterprise Ireland is working to support companies in enhancing their competitiveness in order that Irish exports and jobs can be protected and can grow. Enterprise Ireland is assisting its clients to improve their processes, drive efficiencies and cost reductions and undertake research and development and innovation with a view to improving existing products and processes or developing new ones.
My Department's 2017 budget contains many measures to help Irish businesses to become more competitive and cope with the impact of Brexit. It includes an extra €52 million in capital funding to support the enterprise sector. Additional current moneys have also been secured to provide up to 50 extra staff for my Department and its enterprise agencies. In addition, Enterprise Ireland’s trade promotion programmes for 2017 are designed to support client exports to the UK and to diversify into new markets.
298. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA client visits to each county in 2015 and in 2016, by month and by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2487/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland maintains statistics of site visits by potential investors on a quarterly basis. The latest data available covers the first three quarters of 2016 only, during which there were 489 site visits countrywide. It is expected that details on site visits for quarter 4 2016 will be available shortly.
IDA Ireland Site Visits by County 2015 and to End Q3 2016
|
County |
2015 |
2016 (to end Q3) |
|
Carlow |
1 |
8 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
1 |
|
Clare |
12 |
13 |
|
Cork |
48 |
43 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
6 |
|
Dublin |
242 |
204 |
|
Galway |
41 |
33 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
3 |
|
Kildare |
7 |
7 |
|
Kilkenny |
10 |
10 |
|
Laois |
4 |
6 |
|
Leitrim |
8 |
6 |
|
Limerick |
40 |
39 |
|
Longford |
2 |
5 |
|
Louth |
20 |
17 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
4 |
|
Meath |
7 |
7 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
8 |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
15 |
13 |
|
Tipperary |
12 |
8 |
|
Waterford |
31 |
15 |
|
Westmeath |
28 |
24 |
|
Wexford |
4 |
6 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
4 |
|
Total |
565 |
489 |
