Written Answers Nos. 416-442
416. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost per year for the past three years for the storage of data and-or files on cloud storage or third party servers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9412/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cost to my Department for the last three years for a cloud based application are as set out in the following table. This is a feature rich management application that also contains data and is cloud based.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2014 |
€99,740 |
|
2015 |
Nil (prepaid in 2014) |
|
2016 |
€47,453 |
My Department carefully considers all the options before placing data in any location taking various factors into consideration including amongst other things security, value for money and vendor capture.
417. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all regulatory impact assessments for his legislative proposals are published on his Department's websites; the web address for each such site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9428/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll regulatory impact assessments are published on my Departments website at www.dttas.ie.
418. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has discussed the impact of Brexit on the single aviation market with his EU colleagues or UK counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9461/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have stated previously, the UK is by far the most important origin and destination for international passengers to and from Ireland and, as such, Brexit is the foremost strategic risk for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with my UK counterpart or my other EU counterparts since the British referendum on Brexit took place. There is however regular and ongoing engagement and contact at all levels involving my Department in order to plan for and mitigate the risks associated with Brexit and to identify opportunities arising.
The aviation sector is critical to Ireland and I am very concerned about the potential impacts of Brexit on Irish aviation and the implications for tourism and for the wider economy. As previously stated, these concerns have been conveyed to the European Commission's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier and his team. Through the Department of the Taoiseach, I expect to be able to make the specific transport case to the Barnier team shortly. Staff from my Department in the Permanent Representation in Brussels and all Departmental staff attending meetings in Brussels are naturally at the forefront of this ongoing engagement and assessment, and report back regularly to the Department's Brexit co-ordinators. Departmental staff are actively engaging with stakeholders across the various modes of transport.
The Secretary General of my Department and members of the Department's Management Board also had an extensive four hour meeting with their UK Department for Transport counterparts on January 19th 2017 in London on the transport implications for both States of Brexit, including the implications for and the challenges facing the aviation sector as a result of the UK exit.
Once the UK has triggered Article 50 and negotiations commence, I will be seeking to ensure that aviation features among the top priorities for Ireland throughout these negotiations. In order to achieve the best possible outcome for Ireland and the single aviation market as a whole, my department will prioritise Brexit in the coming months by influencing and seeking strategic alliances among other EU member states for the purposes of the negotiations.
420. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of State funding provided to the Olympic Council of Ireland in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9498/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including responsibility for the allocation of funding to sporting organisations.
As this question is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred it to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
421. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to ensure the internal report into ticketing arrangements at the Rio Olympic Games is completed by the Olympic Council of Ireland; the costs to date regarding that internal report; if he has consulted with the new president of the Olympic Council of Ireland (details supplied) on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9513/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSporting organisations, including the Olympic Council of Ireland, are independent, autonomous bodies. I have no role in, or responsibility for, operational matters of sporting organisations. I would draw the Deputy's attention to the inquiry that has been established to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the distribution of tickets for the Rio Olympic Games and related matters.
This inquiry, which commenced on 19 September 2016, is being led by former High Court judge, Mr. Justice Carroll Moran. It is expected that Mr. Justice Carroll Moran will present his report by the end of the March 2017. Subject to consideration of any legal issues arising, it is envisaged that the report will be published shortly thereafter.
422. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of employees in his Department and under its aegis who are suspended from work without prejudice and on full pay pending an investigation. [9724/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo employees are currently suspended from their employment in my Department.
In relation to the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department, I have asked the agencies to provide the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within ten working days please advise my private office.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
423. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost per year for the past three years for the retrieval and return of hard copy files stored at off-site locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9310/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe file retrieval cost for my Department and its offices is provided in the following table. In respect of the Department, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE), the figures provided are for retrieval only. However, the figures in respect of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) include both retrieval and storage as it has not been possible to extract the information required in the time allowed.
I have asked the WRC (including the former Equality Tribunal and Labour Relations Commission) to extract the relevant information which I will provide to the Deputy in due course.
Material in respect of DJEI, CRO & ODCE – cost of retrieval only
|
Company Name |
Year |
Organisation |
Cost (€) |
|
Glenbeigh Records Management |
2014 |
DJEI |
5,550.57 |
|
Kefron Filestores |
2014 |
CRO |
5,981.30 |
|
Superior Storage Ltd t/a Document and File Storage |
2014 |
ODCE |
556.79 |
|
Glenbeigh Records Management |
2015 |
DJEI |
3,055.48 |
|
Kefron Filestores |
2015 |
CRO |
779.65 |
|
Superior Storage Ltd t/a Document and File Storage |
2015 |
ODCE |
340.38 |
|
Glenbeigh Records Management |
2016 |
DJEI |
6,742.86 |
|
Kefron Filestores |
2016 |
CRO |
1,805.00 |
|
Glenbeigh Records Management |
2016 |
ODCE |
935.05 |
Material in respect of the WRC – including both retrieval & storage costs
|
Company Name |
Year |
Organisation |
Cost (€) |
|
Glenbeigh Records Management |
2014 |
Equality Tribunal |
5,054.03 |
|
Kefron Filestores |
2014 |
LRC |
16,344.90 |
|
Kefron Filestores |
2015 |
LRC (payments to end Sept 2015) |
14,229.07 |
|
Kefron Filestores |
2015 |
WRC (Oct – Dec 2015) |
5,763.06 |
|
Kefron Filestores |
2016 |
WRC |
22,030.04 |
424. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide the most up to date per capita spend on public sector research and development; the position of Ireland in this regard among the OECD and EU nations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9351/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland spent $197 (PPP adjusted) per person in 2015 on R&D compared with $246 (PPP) per person in EU 28 countries and $276 (PPP) per person for total OECD countries. Ireland's per capita Government allocations to R&D equate to approximately 80% of those of other EU28 countries and 71% of OECD countries.
The Government's budget for research and development increased by 1.3% in 2015 over the previous year to €736m and is estimated to have increased again in 2016 by 3.2% with allocated funding of €761m. Innovation 2020, Ireland's cross-governmental strategy for Research and Development, Science and Technology, commits all Government Departments to increase overall levels of investment in the area of research, year on year, to 2020.
Innovation 2020 is based on a shared vision of Ireland becoming a Global Innovation Leader, driving a strong, sustainable, high employment economy and a better society. This strategy, led by my Department, sets out a roadmap to deliver on our vision and focuses on the excellence of our research, the development of our talent and the impact of our investment. Continued implementation of Innovation 2020 will enable us to further narrow the gap with the world’s most innovative countries and drive our objective of becoming a global innovation leader.
Total Government Budget Allocations for Research and Development - GBARD
|
2015 |
GBARD (current PPP $) |
Population |
Per capita |
|
PPP=Purchasing Power Parity |
|||
|
Thousands |
Thousands |
(current PPP $) |
|
|
Total OECD |
352,400,185 |
1,276,563 |
$276.05 |
|
EU28 (OECD est.) |
125,526,627 |
509,715 |
$246.27 |
|
Ireland |
915,747 |
4,642 |
$197.27 |
Source: Mains Science & Technology Indicators, OECD, 2016/2
These figures relate to the total Government allocations for R&D. Included is funding for research in the higher education sector (administered by the Higher Education Authority, Science Foundation Ireland etc.), in the business sector (administered by Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland etc) and carried out in Government Agencies (e.g. Teagasc, The Marine Institute).
425. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when a sectorial employment order for the bus transport industry will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9353/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act of 2015 provides for a new statutory framework for establishing minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment for a specified type, class or group of workers – in effect a framework to replace the former sectorial Registered Employment Agreement (REA) system which was found to be unconstitutional in 2013 in McGowan - v – The Labour Court.
The new framework sets down a mechanism whereby at the request – made separately or jointly - of organisations substantially representative of employers and/or of workers, the Labour Court can initiate a review of the pay and pension and sick pay entitlements of workers in a particular sector and, if it deems it appropriate, make a recommendation to the Minister on the matter.
If the Minister is satisfied that the process provided for in the 2015 Act has been complied with by the Labour Court, he shall make the Order. Where such an order is made it will be known as a Sectorial Employment Order (SEO), will be binding across the sector to which it relates, and will be enforceable by the Workplace Relations Commission.
To date four applications for SEOs have been made to the Labour Court – one was withdrawn and one was rejected. The remaining two are being considered by the Labour Court.
No application has been made on behalf of workers or employers in the Transport Sector.
426. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will report on the continuing serious allegations of illegal pay and conditions for workers in the fishing industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9355/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to address the complex array of issues facing the State in monitoring compliance with employment legislation in the fishing industry, in 2015 the Government established a Task Force on allegations regarding treatment of workers on Irish fishing trawlers, which was chaired by my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Arising out of the conclusion of the Taskforce’s work, an atypical work permission scheme was introduced for non-EEA fishermen working on Irish fishing vessels. The scheme is administered by the Department of Justice and Equality and the Irish National Immigration Service (INIS) on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
A number of agencies and organisations are involved in the monitoring and enforcement of the scheme and have signed up to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in order to provide a rigorous and effective inspection system. They include An Garda Síochána, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, INIS, the Marine Survey Office of the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport, the Naval Service, the Health and Safety Authority, the Revenue Commissioners, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The WRC’s responsibilities relate to the enforcement of the Employment Permits Acts and employment rights legislation including minimum wage legislation. The Marine Survey Office in the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport is responsible for enforcing legislation relating to the rest periods and maximum working time of seafarers and fishing vessel crews.
By the end of 2016, the Inspectorate and Enforcement Division of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) had inspected two-thirds of the fleet that comes within the aegis of the Atypical Worker Permission Scheme and the remainder will be inspected by Summer of this year. Case files relating to all vessels will remain open until such time as WRC inspectors are satisfied that compliance has been achieved.
- 157 contraventions were detected in 2016 including
- 28 instances of illegal workers
- 58 records contraventions
- 12 contraventions of the Atypical Scheme
- 59 other employment rights contraventions
2 prosecutions have to date been initiated. The WRC's objective is to facilitate voluntary compliance insofar as contraventions notified are concerned. In this regard, Employers/Vessel Owners are afforded all reasonable opportunity to rectify contraventions and, where relevant, pay any unpaid wages and/or make good on entitlements arising from these contraventions. However, it is the policy of the WRC to issue Compliance Notices or Fixed Payment Notices and/or to initiate legal proceedings in cases where an Employer/Vessel Owner has failed or is unwilling to effect compliance.
The WRC informs me that it is committed to engaging with all stakeholders, including employee/fisher and employer/vessel owner representatives, with a view to facilitating awareness, and effective enforcement, of employment rights legislation.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), as part of its broader national remit also undertakes inspections of fishing vessels as these are defined as workplaces under health and safety legislation. In 2016 the HSA carried out 23 inspections of fishing vessels under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Planned actions in the HSA's Programme of Work for 2017 include 50 inspections of fishing vessels and continued support for the memorandum of understanding agreed by relevant state enforcement bodies to provide an effective inspection system for the sector.
427. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to abolish the mandatory retirement age; if she will set out the current situation and anticipated changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9387/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraApart from public sector employees, where certain statutory retirement ages may apply, there is no statutory retirement age for employees in Irish legislation. A contract of employment will generally contain a retirement age but this is a matter of contract between the parties.
The upper age limit for bringing claims under the Unfair Dismissals Acts was removed by a provision in the Equality Act 2004. It is now the case that a person of any age, when dismissed, may take a case under the Unfair Dismissals Acts unless she or he has reached the “normal retiring age for employees of the same employer in similar employment”, if one exists. In such circumstances, the burden of proof is on the employer to prove the normal retiring age. Furthermore, the upper age limit of 66 years for receipt of statutory redundancy payments was removed by the Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Act 2007.
As the issue that arises around compulsory retirement at a given age is whether this entails discrimination on age grounds, the more usual avenue of redress for employees compulsorily retired is to take a claim, under the Employment Equality Acts, to the Workplace Relations Commission. Responsibility for employment equality legislation rests with the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The Deputy may be aware that an Inter-departmental Group (IDG), chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), was established by the Government in 2016 to consider policy around retirement age in both the public and private sectors.
The Report recorded that the recently enacted Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2015 amends Irish equality legislation to bring it into line with the judgments of the CJEU interpreting the relevant provisions in EU Directives, as follows:
Section 34 of the Act of 1998 is amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (4):
"(4) Without prejudice to subsection (3), it shall not constitute discrimination on the age ground to fix different ages for the retirement (whether voluntarily or compulsorily) of employees or any class or description of employees if—
(a) it is objectively and reasonably justified by a legitimate aim, and
(b) the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary.".
The amended legislation sets out the grounds on which employers will have to justify the setting of particular retirement ages, such grounds being underpinned by the provisions of the Employment Equality Directive.
The Report points to examples of objective justification including:
- To create opportunities in the labour market for those looking for work
- To encourage recruitment and promotion of young people and prevent possible disputes on the fitness of employees to work beyond a certain age
- To ensure better distribution of work between the generations
- To ensure quality of service provision and address an age imbalance within a workforce
- To ensure motivation and dynamism through the increased prospect of promotion due to senior staff being retired.
The IDG made a number of recommendations, one of which related to my specific area of responsibility. On foot of that recommendation I wrote to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to request them to prepare a Code of Practice under Section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act 1990 around the issue of working longer, which should set out best industrial relations practice in managing the engagement between employers and employees in the run up to retirement, including requests to work beyond what would be considered the normal retirement age in the employment concerned. The WRC has commenced work on preparing the Code, in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
428. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost per year for the past three years for the storage of data and-or files on cloud storage or third party servers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9408/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecords indicate that in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 the cost to my Department of data and or electronic file storage on cloud or third party file servers was €3,911.40, €5,467.35 and €6,443.97 respectively. Most of the data held by my Department is currently stored on equipment owned and controlled by my Department. Data is stored on external cloud services where there are good business reasons for doing so, principally to allow easier sharing of that data with other parties. As the economic, security and governance issues associated with cloud storage evolve, my Department will continue to evaluate the relative merits of cloud and on-premises storage of data when making data storage decisions.
429. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if all regulatory impact assessments for her legislative proposals are published on her Department's websites; the web address for each such site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9424/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes all regulatory impact assessments for legislative proposals. These can be accessed on my Department’s website address djei.ie under Legislation.
430. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the latest EUROSTAT figures regarding national minimum wage levels in the EU and Ireland's ranking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9434/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEurostat’s most recent published figures for monthly national minimum wages show that Ireland has the second highest national minimum wage of any country in the EU at €1,563 per month, behind only Luxembourg whose minimum wage is €1,999 per month. In some Countries the basic national minimum wage is not fixed at a monthly rate but at an hourly or weekly rate and Eurostat for comparison purposes converts Countries hourly or weekly rates into monthly rates. These figures are also affected by currency fluctuation that exists for Countries listed that are outside the Eurozone, such as the UK, and the fact that some Countries have lower national levels of hours worked per week. Thus these Eurostat figures provide a comparison between European Countries of the monthly national minimum wage in Euros at a point in time using the Countries standard national level of hours worked per week. It should be noted that monthly national minimum wage rates are gross amounts. Income tax and social security contribution deductions vary greatly from Country to Country.
It is worth noting that disparities in minimum wages across the EU States are considerably smaller once price level differences are eliminated: minimum wages in those Member States with relatively low price levels become relatively higher when expressed in purchasing power standard, and relatively lower in those Member States with higher price levels. Ireland's minimum wage ranks sixth highest in the EU when adjusted by the purchasing power standard.
In Ireland, the Low Pay Commission was established in 2015 through the National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Act 2015. The Commission’s main function is to, on an annual basis, examine and make recommendations on the national minimum wage, with a view to securing that the national minimum wage, where adjusted, is adjusted incrementally over time having had regard to changes in earnings, productivity, overall competitiveness and the likely impact any adjustment will have on employment and unemployment levels. The Commission made its first recommendation in July 2015 when it recommended that the rate be increased by 50 cents per hour. That increase came into effect on 1st January 2016. The Commission’s second recommendation that the rate increase to €9.25 per hour was made in July 2016. It was subsequently accepted by Government and came into effect on 1st January last.
431. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total amount of funding allocated to the programme for research in third level institutions on an annual basis from 2010 to 2016 in tabular form; the total amount subsequently expended in each year; the amount of funding that has been allocated in 2017; the amount of funding that has been ring-fenced for research and frontier research in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9436/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) supports the provision of top-class research infrastructure (buildings, laboratories and cutting edge equipment) as well as human capital development, through Structured PhD/Emergent Technology programmes across Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). It is intended to facilitate Ireland’s HEIs to produce world class research in key strategic areas: including but not limited to bioscience/biomedical; medical technologies; energy, environment and marine; food and drink; social sciences and humanities; ICT and advanced communications; and platform technologies and materials.
The total funding allocated to PRTLI for each of the years 2010 to 2017 is set out in the following table:
PRTLI funding 2010-2017
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
€m |
49.9 |
57.9 |
54.7 |
45.2 |
39 |
55.5* |
30.4** |
14.4 |
*2015 allocation included a Supplementary Estimate of €23.5m in December 2015
**2016 allocation included a Supplementary Estimate of €20m in December 2016
In addition to the allocation to the PRTLI, my Department is also allocating €162.5 million to Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) in 2017 to fund oriented basic and applied research. The agency does not predetermine or “ring fence” specific funding allocation for basic or applied research. Funding decisions are made through international peer review on the basis of research excellence and impact.
Action 3.8 of Innovation 2020, Ireland’s strategy for research and development, science and technology, provides for the establishment of a new programme to fund frontier research across all disciplines and all career stages. The Irish Research Council (an agency of the Department of Education and Skills) has responsibility for developing and implementing this Programme.
432. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the current drawdown levels issued under the credit guarantee scheme, including the total value of approvals on the same dates and a county breakdown of each drawdown and approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9441/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) has been in operation since 2012, and as at 17 February 2017, 423 loans to the value of €68,036,144 have been sanctioned by participating lenders under the scheme. The CGS was operated on behalf of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation by Capita Asset Services until 14 October 2016 and since then the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) has taken over as Operator.
While the benefit of a guarantee is offered to a borrower under the scheme, some borrowers do not proceed with the guarantee. A significant number of cases are listed as ‘Pending’ by the participating lenders, and the operator only holds partial information on such cases. As a result, it is not possible to quantify the drawdowns of loans considered under the scheme. A breakdown of sanctioned loans where county information is known is provided in the following table.
In addition, Quarterly Reports providing full details of the latest Credit Guarantee Scheme performance are published on my Department’s website.
|
CGS 2012 |
County Split as at 17.02.2017 |
- |
|
County |
Total € |
No. of loans |
|
Dublin |
30,265,000 |
167 |
|
Carlow |
1,770,000 |
5 |
|
Cavan |
350,000 |
1 |
|
Clare |
1,013,250 |
7 |
|
Cork |
4,396,000 |
37 |
|
Donegal |
197,000 |
2 |
|
Galway |
2,841,500 |
19 |
|
Kerry |
1,210,000 |
10 |
|
Kildare |
4,962,000 |
25 |
|
Kilkenny |
295,000 |
1 |
|
Laois |
2,096,950 |
10 |
|
Leitrim |
1,100,000 |
3 |
|
Limerick |
4,995,344 |
40 |
|
Longford |
- |
0 |
|
Louth |
1,460,000 |
10 |
|
Mayo |
933,100 |
10 |
|
Meath |
1,045,000 |
9 |
|
Monaghan |
250,000 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
890,000 |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
80,000 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
57,000 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
1,071,000 |
8 |
|
Waterford |
750,000 |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
1,057,000 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
1,266,000 |
6 |
|
Wicklow |
1,551,000 |
11 |
|
County Unknown (Declined/ineligible) (Note 1) |
2,134,000 |
21 |
|
Total |
68,036,144 |
423 |
Note 1: The final figure of 21 loans to the value of €2,134,000 listed as County Unknown relates to loans that were initially approved by the finance provider, but were declined by the customer or found to be ineligible. We do not have any county information on those cases.
433. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total value of drawdowns issued under the microfinance scheme on 31 December 2015 and on 31 December 2016; the total value of approvals of each drawdown on the same dates by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9442/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Board of Microfinance Ireland (MFI) provides me with Quarterly Reports of progress, and these are published on the websites of both MFI and my Department.
The county spread of approvals is contained in each Quarterly Report provided by Microfinance Ireland to my Department.
In relation to the drawdown figures requested by the Deputy, there follow the requested figures as at 31st December 2015 and 31st December 2016 for each county together with total drawdowns in number and value since the inception of Microfinance Ireland in 2012.
Drawdowns 2015 and 2016- Numbers and Value
|
- |
Drawdowns 2015 |
Drawdowns 2016 |
Drawdowns since inception of MFI |
|
Number of loans |
325 |
336 |
1,024 |
|
Value of loans € |
4,753,139 |
4,284,160 |
14,204,368 |
Geographic Spread for Value of Drawdowns-Microfinance Ireland
|
County |
2015 Value (000’s) |
2016 Value (000’s) |
|
Dublin |
880 |
941 |
|
Cork |
485 |
357 |
|
Galway |
188 |
269 |
|
Wexford |
161 |
235 |
|
Meath |
220 |
137 |
|
Tipperary |
184 |
236 |
|
Kildare |
310 |
101 |
|
Limerick |
179 |
233 |
|
Mayo |
208 |
111 |
|
Cavan |
176 |
77 |
|
Wicklow |
157 |
111 |
|
Waterford |
146 |
77 |
|
Clare |
240 |
175 |
|
Sligo |
190 |
155 |
|
Kerry |
120 |
100 |
|
Westmeath |
104 |
154 |
|
Roscommon |
129 |
56 |
|
Louth |
126 |
99 |
|
Donegal |
95 |
72 |
|
Laois |
67 |
56 |
|
Longford |
55 |
233 |
|
Carlow |
113 |
10 |
|
Leitrim |
111 |
85 |
|
Offaly |
11 |
92 |
|
Kilkenny |
70 |
74 |
|
Monaghan |
27 |
40 |
|
Total |
4,752 |
4,286 |
434. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total value of drawdowns issued under the credit guarantee scheme on 31 December 2015 and on 31 December 2016, by county; the total value of approvals on the same dates; the reason for the delay in the legislation to review the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9443/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) has been in operation since 2012, and as at 17 February 2017, 423 loans to the value of €68,036,144 have been sanctioned by participating lenders under the scheme. The CGS was operated on behalf of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation by Capita Asset Services until 14 October 2016 and since then the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) has taken over as Operator.
While the benefit of a guarantee is offered to a borrower under the scheme, some borrowers do not proceed with the guarantee. A significant number of cases are listed as ‘Pending’ by the participating lenders, and the operator only holds partial information on such cases. As a result, it is not possible to quantify the drawdowns of loans considered under the scheme. A breakdown of sanctioned loans where county information is known is provided in the following table.
In addition, Quarterly Reports providing full details of the latest Credit Guarantee Scheme performance are published on my Department’s website.
Modification to the Credit Guarantee Scheme legislation were introduced in 2016 and the Statutory Instruments to give effect to those changes are currently being finalised. I would expect that these changes will see enhanced use of the scheme in future years.
The CGS is a central element of those supports which when combined with other Government initiatives such as Microfinance Ireland, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the Credit Review Office and the Prompt Payment Code should enable companies to expand, service new markets and grow employment.
|
CGS 2012 |
County Split as at 17.02.2017 |
- |
|
County |
Total € |
No. of loans |
|
Dublin |
30,265,000 |
167 |
|
Carlow |
1,770,000 |
5 |
|
Cavan |
350,000 |
1 |
|
Clare |
1,013,250 |
7 |
|
Cork |
4,396,000 |
37 |
|
Donegal |
197,000 |
2 |
|
Galway |
2,841,500 |
19 |
|
Kerry |
1,210,000 |
10 |
|
Kildare |
4,962,000 |
25 |
|
Kilkenny |
295,000 |
1 |
|
Laois |
2,096,950 |
10 |
|
Leitrim |
1,100,000 |
3 |
|
Limerick |
4,995,344 |
40 |
|
Longford |
- |
0 |
|
Louth |
1,460,000 |
10 |
|
Mayo |
933,100 |
10 |
|
Meath |
1,045,000 |
9 |
|
Monaghan |
250,000 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
890,000 |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
80,000 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
57,000 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
1,071,000 |
8 |
|
Waterford |
750,000 |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
1,057,000 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
1,266,000 |
6 |
|
Wicklow |
1,551,000 |
11 |
|
County Unknown (Declined/ineligible) (Note 1) |
2,134,000 |
21 |
|
Total |
68,036,144 |
423 |
Note 1: The final figure of 21 loans to the value of €2,134,000 listed as County Unknown relates to loans that were initially approved by the finance provider, but were declined by the customer or found to be ineligible. We do not have any county information on those cases.
435. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of employees in her Department and under its aegis who are suspended from work without prejudice and on full pay pending an investigation. [9721/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no officers on paid suspension pending investigation in my Department and the Offices under its aegis.
I have asked all Agencies under the aegis of my Department to advise me of staff on paid suspension pending an investigation, and I will arrange for a response to be provided as soon as possible.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
436. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will arrange for an official of the HSE to update a care plan in respect of a person (details supplied). [9127/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency that the person, who is a child, referred to by the Deputy is not currently in statutory care, but Tusla is providing assistance to the child and the family. Tusla would welcome contact from the family in order to clarify any issues they may have in this case.
437. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if consideration will be given to the wishes of a group (details supplied) to see a draft report, due to its concerns about the issue of race being adequately addressed. [9178/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with section 9 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, it is essential to recognise that the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) is independent in the performance of its functions. The preparation of draft reports is a matter for the Commission and I do not have any role or influence in this regard.
The Commission is tasked with thoroughly examining the experiences of mothers and children resident in these homes. With regard to the particular focus raised by the Deputy, as outlined in Article 1 (VIII) of the Commissions terms of reference, the Commission will specifically examine whether any group of residents was systematically treated differently on any grounds, including that of race. Therefore, I am satisfied that the Commission has sufficient scope and statutory power to access records and obtain the information necessary to make a determination on all relevant matters.
The Deputy may wish to note that Section 34 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 outlines the circumstances whereby a Commission would share a draft of a report, or the relevant part of a draft report, with any person who is identified or identifiable from the draft report.
438. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of restoring the teacher service for Travellers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9246/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Visiting Teachers Service for Travellers was discontinued with effect from September 2011, in line with Department of Education and Skills policy on the phasing out of segregated Traveller provision.
The Department of Education and Skills have advised that the funding costs for the programme in the final full year of the programme in 2010 were €2,716,737.
439. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total amount of funding allocated to the school completion programme over each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9247/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the National Educational Welfare Board which included the School Completion Programme was transferred to my Department on its establishment in 2011. Upon the establishment of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency on January 1 2014, operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme was transferred to the Agency.
Funding information in relation to the School Completion Programme prior to the establishment of my Department is not readily available.
|
School Year |
SCP Funding |
|
2011-2012 |
€28.256m |
|
2012-2013 |
€26.456m |
|
2013-2014 |
€24.756m |
|
2014-2015 |
€24.756m |
|
2015-2016 |
€24.756m |
|
2016-2017 |
€24.756m |
440. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the publication of the second interim report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes has been delayed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9105/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra441. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes has requested that the scope of its terms of reference be broadened in its second interim report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9106/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra442. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she is taking regarding the financial implications that will arise from the second interim report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9107/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 440 to 442, inclusive, together.
It is my intention to publish the Second Interim Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes in conjunction with the Government's response to the Report. Given the broad scope of the Commission's work a number of issues in the Report extend beyond the remit of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Therefore, it has been necessary for me to consult with Cabinet colleagues and the Attorney General on these matters. I do acknowledge that this process has taken longer than I initially envisaged and I am sensitive to the expectations of former residents and their advocates in this regard.
Given the sensitivity and importance of these matters, I do not propose to engage in speculation concerning the report's contents in advance of making the report public. I will ensure that arrangements are made to inform representative groups of developments on the Report before making any public announcement. I hope to conclude matters as quickly as possible.
I also want to assure the Deputy that the Government's consideration of this Interim Report is not affecting progress of the Commission's investigations.
