Written Answers Nos. 364-386
364. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of meetings she held with trade unions since taking up her post; the details and date of any such meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10933/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra365. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of meetings she held since taking up her post with employer organisations, including IBEC, ISME, SFA, chambers of commerce and others; the details and date of any such meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10934/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 365 together.
Details of the meetings that I have had with employers organisations and trade unions since my appointment as Minister are set out in the following tables.
|
Trade Union/Employer Organisation Met |
Date of Meeting |
Purpose of Meeting |
|
Irish Congress of Trade Unions, IMPACT, Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed, SIPTU, UNITE |
7th October 2016 |
Ministerial Stakeholder Roundtable for Action Plan for Jobs 2017 |
|
Irish Congress of Trade Unions, IMPACT, Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed |
31st January 2017 |
Ministerial Stakeholder Pre-Briefing for Action Plan for Jobs 2017 |
|
American Chamber of Commerce, IBEC |
7th September 2016 |
Ministerial Stakeholder Roundtable for Action Plan for Jobs 2017 |
|
Chambers Ireland, ISME, Small Firms Association |
7th September 2016 |
Ministerial Stakeholder Roundtable for Action Plan for Jobs 2017 |
|
American Chamber of Commerce, Chambers Ireland, IBEC, Small Firms Association |
31st January 2017 |
Ministerial Stakeholder Pre-Briefing for Action Plan for Jobs 2017 |
|
Trade Union/Employer Organisation Met |
Date of Meeting |
Purpose of Meeting/Issues Discussed |
|
IBEC |
29 June 2016 |
Trade Agreements, CETA, TTIP, EU- Mercosur negotiations and Japan |
|
Irish Congress Trade Unions |
21 July 2016 |
Discussions re CETA |
|
Irish Exporters Association |
Nov 2016 |
Brexit and ongoing Trade Agreements |
|
Ireland – Canada Business Ass. |
Jan 2017 |
Trade Opportunities |
|
American Chamber of Commerce |
27 Jan 2017 |
Trade Issues, Discussion on Am Cham priorities for 2017 |
|
Ardmore Studios Workers Representatives |
16th December 2016 |
To discuss the position concerning Ardmore Studios. |
|
Retail Ireland |
11th July 2016 |
To discuss concerns of the Sector and their members |
|
RGDATA |
11th July 2016 |
To discuss concerns of the Sector and their members |
|
Retail Consultation Forum members that are employer organisations: Small Firms Association, RGDATA, Retail Ireland, Retail Excellence Ireland, Irish Pharmacy Union, Hardware Association of Ireland, CSNA Chambers Ireland, ISME |
11th July 2016 |
Quarterly meeting of The Retail Consultation Forum Chair by the Minister |
|
Retail Ireland Council |
21 September 2016 |
To hear from the Minister Government priorities relevant to the retail sector and to engage in a discussion with her on issues of key importance to the sector. |
|
Retail Excellence Ireland |
13 Oct 2016 |
To discuss concerns of the Sector and their members |
|
Retail Consultation Forum members that are employer organisations: Small Firms Association, RGDATA, Retail Ireland, Retail Excellence Ireland, Irish Pharmacy Union, Dublin Town, ISME |
21st Nov 2016 |
Quarterly meeting of The Retail Consultation Forum Chair by the Minister |
|
Retail Excellence Ireland |
24 November 2016 |
A photo call with An Taoiseach to launch Small Business Saturday, followed by a meeting to discuss Dun Laoghaire and town centre revival |
|
Retail Excellence Ireland |
22 February 2017 |
To discuss concerns of the Sector and their members |
|
Retail Consultation Forum members that are employer organisations: Small Firms Association, RGDATA, Retail Ireland, Retail Excellence Ireland, Irish Pharmacy Union, Hardware Association of Ireland, CSNA Chambers Ireland, Dublin Town, ISME |
27th February 2017 |
Quarterly meeting of The Retail Consultation Forum Chair by the Minister |
|
IDA, EI, SFA, ISME, IBEC |
24th June 2016 |
Brexit Response |
|
SFA, IBEC, IEA, ISME |
1st November 2016 |
Brexit Response |
|
IBEC |
29th June 2016 |
Request from IBEC to discuss their priorities |
|
IFA |
8th July 2016 |
Request from IFA to discuss their priorities |
|
ICTU |
21st July 2016 |
Request from ICTU to discuss their policy priorities for workers |
|
Round table discussion; ICTU/IMPACT/INOU/SIPTU/UNITE |
7th October 2016 |
Round table discussion on the Action Plan for Jobs |
366. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the legislation she has brought forward or plans to enhance the rights of workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10935/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn conjunction with my colleague Minister Mitchell-O'Connor, I intend to bring forward proposals dealing with the Programme for Government commitments to tackle the increasing casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious employment for consideration by Government. I intend to include protections aimed particularly at low-paid, more vulnerable workers. Our proposals will address the issue of workers on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts do not reflect the reality of their hours worked. The proposals will also seek to ensure that employees are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements and their core terms at an early stage in their employment.
The policy response is being informed by the UL study itself as well as the extensive material and practical examples provided by respondents to the public consultation conducted by my Department. My Department is currently engaged in a dialogue process with ICTU and IBEC to secure broad agreement before proposals are finalised. This work is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and is nearing conclusion. It is intended to bring our proposals to Government in Q1 2017.
A number of actions were initiated as part of the Government’s response to the closure of Clerys. This included the Duffy-Cahill expert examination of legal protections for employees.
The Duffy-Cahill report provides a comprehensive analysis of the relevant provisions of employment law and company law. It makes a number of proposals for reform of the law, which are primarily concerned with amendments to employment law. My Department conducted a Public Consultation on the report following its publication on 26 April 2016.
The submissions received in response to the consultation are important in terms of assessing how the suggested reforms could operate in practice and in identifying any unintended consequences. They will inform the response to the report which will be brought forward for consideration by Government.
367. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the legislation she plans to develop to prevent and penalise exploitation in the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10936/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has a comprehensive suite of employment rights legislation including measures to prevent exploitation in the workforce. We have a well-resourced labour inspectorate, which forms part of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). In addition, where an individual believes they are being deprived of employment rights applicable to employees, they may refer a complaint to the WRC where the matter can be dealt with by way of mediation or adjudication leading to a decision enforceable through the District Court. Anti-penalisation and victimisation provisions are strong in Irish employment rights legislation e.g. a former employee can be awarded compensation of up to five years' remuneration for unfair dismissal on the grounds of having made a protected disclosure.
In conjunction with my colleague Minister Mitchell-O'Connor, I intend to bring forward proposals dealing with the Programme for Government commitments to tackle the increasing casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious employment for consideration by Government. We intend to include protections aimed particularly at low-paid, more vulnerable workers. Our proposals will address the issue of workers on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts do not reflect the reality of their hours worked. The proposals will also seek to ensure that employees are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements and their core terms at an early stage in their employment.
The policy response is being informed by the University of Limerick (UL) study on zero hour contracts and low hour contracts as well as the extensive material and practical examples provided by respondents to the public consultation conducted by my Department. My Department is currently engaged in a dialogue process with ICTU and IBEC to secure broad agreement before proposals are finalised. This work is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and is nearing conclusion. The intention is to bring our proposals to Government in Q1 2017.
368. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the nature of any contact she has had with a company (details supplied) and the Mandate trade union regarding industrial action involving pre-1996 worker contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10937/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs we are all aware the issue relates to Tesco workers on legacy contracts (pre-1996). I understand that over a year ago there were over 1000 such workers in Tesco on these legacy contracts. I further understand that Tesco offered a redundancy package as part of the process in place to resolve the dispute with workers on these legacy contracts and the number of employees now remaining on these contracts is reported to be below 250.
In situations such as this I would always advise and appeal to parties to use the offices of the WRC and the Labour Court and they have done so on this occasion. Both sides have engaged with the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court and considered the proposals and recommendations made. Unfortunately, the matters were not resolved and a strike ensued. Further talks between Mandate and Tesco aimed at resolving the strike also ended without agreement on Friday 17th February and balloting of stores continued during the week beginning February 20th.
On Friday last (February 24th) both sides agreed to talks under the auspices of the Labour Court, which culminated in an agreement that involved Mandate immediately suspending all industrial action and Tesco issuing a statement in which it confirmed it would not make any changes to the pre-1996 terms and conditions while the talks process is ongoing.
In terms of any contact I have had with the parties to this dispute I can confirm that Tesco did write to me setting out its position in relation to this dispute. While my office acknowledged receipt of the correspondence as is normal practice, no further engagement took place.
I hope that you can join with me in encouraging both sides to make every effort to reach a resolution by agreement between the company management and the workers represented by their trade unions with the assistance of the Labour Court.
369. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the unemployment figures for Waterford city and county, with a comparison with the figures nationally; and the steps she will take to further create jobs in Waterford. [10938/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest CSO’s figures show that there were 7,823 on the Live Register in Waterford County and 9,271 people in Waterford City on the Live Register in January 2017. These figures represent decreases of 1,084 and 1,310 respectively over the previous 12 months.
The source of data in relation to unemployment rates is the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) undertaken by the CSO. This information is available at national and regional level, and not at individual county level. The most recent QNHS shows that the unemployment rate in the South East has fallen from a peak of 20.1% in 2012 to 9.4% in Q4 2016. This compares to the national average of 6.7%.
The South East Action Plan for Jobs is the key policy response for supporting employment growth in the South East region, including Waterford, with public and private stakeholders actively engaged in delivering a range of innovative and practical actions set out in the Plan.
The core objective of the Plan is to see a further 25,000 at work in the region by 2020 and to reduce the unemployment rate to within 1% of the State average.
The first progress report on the implementation of the Action Plan was published last December and shows that good progress was made in implementing the actions. The second Progress Report, which will cover the period to end-2016, is currently being finalised and is expected to show similar progress.
While the unemployment figures are still too high, the jobs situation in the South East is improving. Since 2012, the South East has had the fastest rate of jobs growth, in percentage terms, of any region in the country. Almost 215,000 people are now at work in the South East - an increase of 33,500 since 2012.
These figures demonstrate that the overall trend is one of steady improvement and I remain positive that the region is on the road to recovery.
The enterprise agencies are working extremely hard towards the ambitious targets set out in the Regional Action Plan.
Waterford is home to 35 existing IDA Ireland clients who between them employ 6,135 people in a range of manufacturing and service operations. IDA Waterford reported a net gain of 561 jobs in 2016. In addition, I recently announced that software company RedHat, the world’s leading provider of open source solutions, will create up to 60 jobs in Waterford.
Enterprise Ireland companies currently support 20,450 jobs in the South East region, 5,721 of which are based in Waterford. This is an increase of 2,140 since end-2014 for the region.
The Waterford LEO is fully engaged in supporting the micro-enterprise and small business sectors to create and sustain jobs. In 2015, a total of 416 new jobs were created by micro-enterprises that had been supported by LEO Waterford. Data for 2016 has not yet been published.
370. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the unemployment figures for the south east, with a comparison with the figures nationally; and the steps she will take to create further jobs in the south east. [10939/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) undertaken by the CSO shows that the unemployment rate in the South East has fallen from a peak of 20.1% in 2012 to 9.4% in Q4 2016. This compares to the national average of 6.7%.
The South East Action Plan for Jobs is the key policy response for supporting employment growth in the South East region, with public and private stakeholders actively engaged in delivering a range of innovative and practical actions set out in the Plan.
The core objective of the Plan is to see a further 25,000 at work in the region by 2020 and to reduce the unemployment rate to within 1 percentage point of the State average.
Key sectors targeted in the South East as part of the Plan include agri-food, tourism, life sciences, manufacturing, retail and financial and business services. The first progress report on the implementation of the Action Plan to June 2016 was published in December last and shows that good progress is being made. The second Progress Report, which covers the period to end-2016, is currently being finalised and is expected to show similar progress.
Since 2012, the South East has had the fastest rate of jobs growth, in percentage terms, of any region in the country. Almost 215,000 are now at work in the South East - an increase of 33,500 since 2012.
While the current unemployment rate is still too high, these figures demonstrate that the overall trend is one of steady improvement.
In addition, both IDA and Enterprise Ireland are placing extra emphasis on regional development in their current strategies. IDA is targeting an uplift of 30-40% in investments in all regions outside Dublin by 2019. In this context, I was pleased to make two significant job announcements in recent weeks in the South East region. 140 jobs will be created in Kilkenny arising from new animation projects involving Mercury Filmworks of Canada and local studio Cartoon Saloon, while Red Hat, the world’s leading provider of open source solutions, will create up to 60 jobs in Waterford.
371. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she will take to address issues pertaining to the gender pay gap between men and women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10940/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPolicy responsibility for gender equality in employment remains with my colleagues the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald TD and her colleague David Stanton, TD Minister of State for Justice at the Department of Justice and Equality with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration, and Integration.
To that end, Minister of State Stanton is chairing the Strategy Committee to advise the Department of Justice and Equality on the preparation of the new National Women's Strategy. In the public consultation, the gender pay gap has emerged as an issue of concern to many respondents.
Under Section 10 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) have a statutory role to ' keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice in the State relation to the protection of human rights and equality'.
With regards to my Department, in 2015 Ministers Richard Bruton and Ged Nash (then Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Minister for Business and Employment, respectively) wrote to the Low Pay Commission to report on the preponderance of women on the national minimum wage.
The report found only 5% of employees are on the National Minimum Wage. It is self-evident that men and women on the National Minimum Wage receive the same remuneration per hour - €9.25 per hour. However, 64.7% of employees on the National Minimum Wage are women. Reasons suggested by the report for this are; women tend to work part-time more often than men because of caring responsibilities, the cost of childcare and women are over-represented in the Accommodation and Food sector, which carries the greatest risk factor of being on the National Minimum Wage. The report was brought to Government and published in October 2016.
372. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the gender employment gap based on latest data at hand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11034/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe gender employment gap is defined as the difference between the male and female employment rates (the number of male/females aged between 15 and 64 expressed as a percentage of the total male/female population aged between 15 and 64). According to the Central Statistics Office release regarding Quarter 4 2016, the male participation rate is 71.2% and the female participation rate is 60.1%.
A recent report (October 2016) from the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, based in Ireland, on the topic of the gender employment gap points out that in almost all Member States, employment and labour market participation (or activity) rates for women, even if they have increased over the decades, are still systematically lower than for men, while unemployment and, especially, inactivity rates are higher, due in large part to the disproportionately high number of women who do not participate because of care responsibilities.
This is consistent with the findings of the Low Pay Commission when it examined the preponderance of women on the NMW. The Commission report pointed to CSO data that demonstrates the differing reasons for taking up part-time work: - for females, 24% indicate that ‘caring for children or incapacitated adults’ is the reason, with a further 28% indicating ‘other personal or family reason’. Clearly the same issues arise in terms of participation.
The Low Pay Commission agreed that the Government has recognised the impact and importance of the costs of childcare both to parents and to the labour market, and through its proposed actions in Budget 2017 has begun to put in place measures to help address the difficulties surrounding the lack of affordability of childcare in Ireland.
The Eurofound report indicates that in 2014, the EU employment rate for people aged 15 to 64, as measured by the EU’s Labour Force Survey, was 59.6% for women and 70.1% for men. Since 2008, the female employment rate has increased only slightly, with the convergence in employment driven by the relative worsening of the male employment rate. The gender gap in employment rates is highest in Greece, Italy and Malta, while it remains low in northern countries such as Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden. Ireland is in a middle group where the rate ranges between 60% and 69%.
As the deputy will be aware, policy responsibility for gender equality in employment remains with my colleagues the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, TD, and her colleague David Stanton, TD, Minister of State for Justice at the Department of Justice and Equality with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration, and Integration. To that end, Minister of State Stanton is chairing the Strategy Committee to advise the Department of Justice and Equality on the preparation of the new National Women's Strategy. Issues such as female participation and gender pay gaps arise in that context. My Department is represented on that Group.
373. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position of Ireland in the EU rankings on total public expenditure on research and development based on latest data at hand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11038/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Government allocated $915.7m (adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)) on research and development (R&D) in 2015, or $197 (PPP) on a per capita basis in 2015 on R&D, compared with $246 (PPP) per capita on average in EU28 countries and $276 (PPP) per capita on average for all OECD countries. Ireland's per capita Government allocations on R&D equate to approximately 80% of those of other EU28 countries and 71% of OECD countries. This expenditure level places Ireland in 15th place out of 23 EU Member States for which data are available in 2015, between Estonia (14th) and Spain (16th).
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 & 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: Main Science & Technology Indicators, OECD, 2016/2
These figures relate to total Government budget allocations for R&D (GBARD). Included is funding for research in the higher education sector (administered by the Higher Education Authority, Science Foundation Ireland, etc.), the business sector (administered by Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, etc.) and carried out in Government Agencies (e.g. Teagasc, the Marine Institute).
|
Country |
GBARD |
Population |
GBARD p/c |
EU Rank |
|
Austria |
3,448.18 |
8,629.52 |
399.58 |
6 |
|
Belgium |
3,182.83 |
11,212.00 |
283.88 |
10 |
|
Czech Republic |
2,176.13 |
10,542.94 |
206.41 |
13 |
|
Denmark |
2,805.68 |
5,682.00 |
493.78 |
3 |
|
Estonia |
264.29 |
1,313.30 |
201.24 |
14 |
|
Finland |
2,214.88 |
5,480.50 |
404.14 |
5 |
|
France |
17,735.40 |
66,504.00 |
266.68 |
11 |
|
Germany |
34,329.65 |
81,687.00 |
420.26 |
4 |
|
Greece |
1,499.59 |
10,858.02 |
138.11 |
18 |
|
Hungary |
736.56 |
9,839.30 |
74.86 |
22 |
|
Ireland |
915.75 |
4,642.24 |
197.26 |
15 |
|
Italy |
11,520.50 |
60,730.60 |
189.70 |
17 |
|
Latvia |
94.24 |
1,979.45 |
47.61 |
23 |
|
Luxembourg |
360.00 |
568.70 |
633.03 |
1 |
|
Netherlands |
6,058.79 |
16,932.00 |
357.83 |
8 |
|
Norway |
2,956.59 |
5,191.00 |
569.56 |
2 |
|
Poland |
4,164.16 |
38,455.00 |
108.29 |
21 |
|
Portugal |
3,009.96 |
10,358.10 |
290.59 |
9 |
|
Slovak Republic |
682.36 |
5,422.34 |
125.84 |
20 |
|
Slovenia |
273.56 |
2,063.30 |
132.58 |
19 |
|
Spain |
9,060.20 |
46,426.00 |
195.15 |
16 |
|
Sweden |
3,716.53 |
9,799.20 |
379.27 |
7 |
|
United Kingdom |
14,708.01 |
65,110.00 |
225.89 |
12 |
|
United States |
138,544.00 |
321,704.00 |
430.66 |
n/a |
|
European Union (28 countries) |
125,526.63 |
509,714.93 |
246.27 |
|
|
European Union (15 countries) |
114,565.94 |
404,619.88 |
283.14 |
|
|
OECD - Total |
352,400.18 |
1,276,563.09 |
276.05 |
374. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the European Commission’s country report for Ireland and the finding that public research and development intensity has declined since 2009 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11039/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic expenditure on research and development (R&D) has been rising steadily since 2014. However, due to the fact that our GDP levels have been rising at a far greater rate (notably to 26% in 2015) the R&D intensity rate has shown an overall decline. While the level of R&D expenditure has been increasing, it has not been increasing in line with the fluctuating GDP levels.
Supporting research is a key pillar of Ireland’s enterprise policy given its role in driving productivity, competitiveness and thereby the creation and maintenance of jobs. 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. In line with this commitment, the Government's budget for research and development increased by 1.3% in 2015 over the previous year and is estimated to have increased again in 2016 by 3.2%.
375. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific actions the Government and-or its agencies have taken to support the exporting food sector industry since the UK voted to leave the European Union; her views on making Naas, County Kildare, and the surrounding areas a hub for the food sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11060/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Food Sector is one of the most important sectors of the Irish Economy and remains Ireland’s biggest exporter. The Food sector is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland and a significant employer across the regions and in County Kildare in particular.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) works in tandem with Bord Bia who is charged with the promotion of Irish food at home and abroad. Enterprise Ireland also has responsibility for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the food sector to Ireland.
Over 1400 EI client companies have recorded exports to the UK and over 200 of these are food companies. EI is working on an individual and a subsectoral basis where appropriate to support client companies to respond to Brexit.
Despite the uncertainty that the UK vote created, the UK market will continue to be a priority market for Irish food exporters due to its geographical proximity, a common language and similar culture in food.
On 9th January this year, EI published its new strategy 2017-2020 – Build Scale, Expand Reach. Regarding the food sector, this Strategy will involve a targeted focus on supporting clients to enhance their competitiveness and innovation capability.
In 2016, EI increased the number of Lean Plus Grants available to companies to support their enhanced competitiveness. EI, in collaboration with Bord Bia, also developed a Market Access Grant, which is an internationalisation support for food companies. Customised management development programmes are also provided to equip clients with the tools and techniques to operate more effectively and to build international scale.
Innovation is a critical component of competitiveness and it also enables food companies to diversify into new products and in turn new markets. EI will continue to drive company level R&D and Industry-led research and provide funding for Higher Level Research Institutes and the Technology Centres programme to support the sector.
EI will continue to work closely with all the existing food companies in the Kildare region and any potential new start-up companies who may be looking to set up in the area.
The Government, under the Action Plan for Jobs, is supporting all eight Regional Action Plans for Jobs and providing investment of up to €60 million over the period to 2020 to support collaborative approaches to boost enterprise and job creation across the regions. This competitive funding is aimed at accelerating economic recovery in every part of the country by delivering on the potential of local and regional strengths.
In particular, the Regional Action Plans for Jobs will respond proactively to economic developments that have specific impacts on regions, such as Brexit and the Border region, through facilitating and encouraging the development of collaborative initiatives in the areas of entrepreneurship, capability development and mentoring, together with sector and cluster initiatives that could be successful in competitive calls for funding. Regional calls for funding administered by Enterprise Ireland will be issued shortly.
376. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the measures that have been introduced to assist sectors that are heavily or totally dependent on the sterling area for their export markets and that have been impacted negatively since the British referendum on EU membership and the fall in the value of sterling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11110/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven that Brexit is likely to represent a structural shift in the UK trading relations with partners, short, medium and long term responses are needed. These include market diversification, cost reduction, innovation and price repositioning. My Department, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) have measures in place to address these issues for client companies. These measures include:
- The LEO Capital allocation being increased by €4m for 2017 which will be used to enhance the competitiveness of longer term start-ups, micro and small firms and will help the LEOs develop business capabilities in innovation, market diversification, cost competitiveness and business management.
- Securing monies for Enterprise Ireland to have an additional 39 targeted posts to enable it to support clients across markets. This will include management capability, leadership, marketing/sales skills, innovation and R&D to help companies build market share and create new market opportunities. EI will also support clients to reduce supply chain costs and drive efficiencies and cost reductions.
My Department, along with stakeholder groups and the Department of Finance and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland has conducted a structured engagement with a diverse range of companies across all sectors and regions. The aim of this engagement is to construct an evidence base on which appropriate, tailored and targeted responses can be delivered to meet real identified business needs.
Results of this quantitative and qualitative research are currently being analysed.
The outcome of the structured engagement, along with market developments as a result of Brexit, will inform further discussions and the development of any initiatives for business.
377. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the legislative proposals published by her Department between 2011 to 2016 that underwent a regulatory impact assessment; the legislative proposals published by her Department that did not undergo a regulatory impact assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11155/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra378. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if regulatory impact assessments for legislative proposals published by her Department include impacts (details supplied); the impact categories not included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11170/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 378 together.
|
2011 |
|
|
Bill/Act published where Regulatory Impact Assessment was undertaken |
Did the RIA include the Specific impacts referenced |
|
Patents (Amendment) Bill 2011 |
Yes |
|
Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work ) Bill 2011 |
Yes |
|
Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011 |
No |
|
Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011 |
Yes |
|
Bill/Act published which did not undergo Regulatory Impact Assessment |
|
|
All published Bills or Acts underwent Regulatory Impact Assessments |
N/A |
|
2012 |
|
|
Bill/Act published where Regulatory Impact Assessment was undertaken |
Did the RIA include the Specific impacts referenced |
|
Credit Guarantee Act 2012 |
No |
|
Microenterprise Loan Fund Act 2012 |
No |
|
Workplace Relations Bill 2012 |
No |
|
Companies Bill 2012 |
Yes |
|
Bill/Act published which did not undergo Regulatory Impact Assessment |
|
|
Companies (Amendment) Act 2012 |
N/A |
|
2013 |
|
|
Bill/Act published where Regulatory Impact Assessment was undertaken |
Did the RIA include the Specific impacts referenced |
|
County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill, 2013 |
Yes |
|
Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2014 |
Yes |
|
European Union (Accession of the Republic of Croatia) (Access to the Labour Market) Bill 2013 |
Yes |
|
Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 |
Yes |
|
Friendly Societies and Industrial Provident Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 |
No |
|
Bill/Act published which did not undergo Regulatory Impact Assessment |
|
|
Industrial Development (Forfás Dissolution) Bill 2013 |
N/A |
|
2014 |
|
|
Bill/Act published where Regulatory Impact Assessment was undertaken |
Did the RIA include the Specific impacts referenced |
|
Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 |
No |
|
Workplace Relations Bill 2014 |
Yes |
|
Amendment to Workplace Relations Bill 2014 to amend the Organisation of Working Time Act 2014 |
No |
|
Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014 |
Yes |
|
Bill/Act published which did not undergo Regulatory Impact Assessment |
|
|
All published Bills or Acts underwent Regulatory Impact Assessments |
N/A |
|
2015 |
|
|
Bill/Act published where Regulatory Impact Assessment was undertaken |
Did the RIA include the Specific impacts referenced |
|
National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015 |
No |
|
Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015 |
No |
|
Bill/Act published which did not undergo Regulatory Impact Assessment |
|
|
All published Bills or Acts underwent Regulatory Impact Assessments |
N/A |
|
2016 |
|
|
Bill/Act published where Regulatory Impact Assessment was undertaken |
Did the RIA include the Specific impacts referenced |
|
Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016 |
Yes |
|
European Union (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Regulations 2016 |
Yes |
|
Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Act 2016 |
No |
|
Hallmarking (Amendment) Bill 2016 |
No |
|
Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016 |
Yes |
|
Bill/Act published which did not undergo Regulatory Impact Assessment |
|
|
All published Bills or Acts underwent Regulatory Impact Assessments |
N/A |
379. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of allegations of child abuse received by Tusla in each of the years 2014 to 2016; the number of cases referred for prosecution; the number of cases that were deemed to be unfounded; and the number of cases of false reporting referred for prosecution under section 5 of the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998. [10787/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that Tusla has advised that the numbers of referrals of child abuse received by social work for the years 2014 to 2016 are as follows:
- 2014 = 18,676 referrals of child abuse received during the reporting year
- 2015 = 18,235 referrals of child abuse received during the reporting year
- 2016 = 14,174 referrals of child abuse received up to end of September 2016 (Data is reported quarterly in arrears).
It should be noted that more than one referral can be received in respect of one child or a particular issue relating to that child. The other information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Child and Family Agency and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A:
Since my holding reply to your Parliamentary Question (10787/17) of 2 March 2017, I have received the following information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
I have been informed by Tusla that information on the number of cases referred for prosecution; the number of cases that were deemed to be unfounded; and the number of cases of false reporting referred for prosecution under section 5 of the Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 is not available.
I can confirm that Tusla’s Policy for Responding to Allegation of Abuse Policy 2014 refers to steps to be taken when a complainant refuses to engage in the assessment. It outlines the responsibility of the Agency to advise the complainant that in all cases of suspected abuse the Gardai will be informed. This is in line with Children First 2011.
If, on investigation by the Gardaí, they determine a crime may have been committed the Gardai hold the responsibility to progress such matters.
I trust that this information is helpful.
380. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons in receipt of aftercare support who are not engaged in training or education; the number in full-time or part-time employment; the actions her Department and Tusla are taking to encourage and support labour market activation for those young persons not currently in employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11144/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise that at the end of Quarter 4 2016 there were 1,806 young adults aged 18 to 22 inclusive in receipt of aftercare supports.
I have been informed by Tusla that 1,040 (58%) of young adults receiving aftercare supports were in full time education/ accredited training. A total of 766 young adults (42%) were not in full time education/accredited training. Tusla has advised me that it does not collate data in relation to the employment status of young adults in aftercare.
The aftercare plan, agreed between the young person and Tusla, will identify the manner by which labour market activation is to be progressed. Tusla also supports young people in applying for jobs, as well as developing their CVs and interview techniques. Tusla has stated that it works closely with other Departments and agencies to secure courses and training for young people where employment may not be an option available to them at the moment.
As the Deputy is aware, labour market activation policies and supports are a matter for the Department of Social Protection and representatives of that Department will work with young people in aftercare, taking into account their aftercare plan, to meet the young person's expressed and identified need.
381. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the legislative proposals published by her Department between 2011 to 2016 that underwent a regulatory impact assessment; the legislative proposals published by her Department that did not undergo a regulatory impact assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11147/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Regulatory Impact Analysis was published in respect of the following Bills:
Child and Family Agency Bill 2013
Children First Bill 2014
Children (Amendment) Bill 2015
Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016
Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016
In respect of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2015, a Regulatory Impact Analysis was prepared and submitted to Government but not published on publication of the Bill. My Department is currently arranging for publication of the relevant Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Department's website. In addition, the following three Bills were published without an associated Regulatory Impact Analysis:
31st Amendment to the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012
Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2013
Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013
Both the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2013 and the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013 were published as emergency legislation.
382. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if regulatory impact assessments for legislative proposals published by her Department include impacts (details supplied); the impact categories not included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11162/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegulatory Impact Analyses were published by my Department in respect of the Child and Family Agency Bill 2013, the Children First Bill 2014, the Children (Amendment) Bill 2015, the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016 and the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016.
In respect of the Child and Family Agency Bill 2013, impacts were assessed in respect of a number of matters in the Regulatory Impact Analysis including competitiveness and industry costs and it was found that there was no direct impact relating to these issues.
In respect of the Children (Amendment) Bill 2015, impacts were assessed in respect of a number of matters in the Regulatory Impact Analysis including north-south or east-west relations, employment, gender equality, people with disabilities, industry costs or rural communities and it was found that there was no direct impact relating to these issues. The Regulatory Impact Analysis also considered the impact on persons experiencing or at risk of poverty or social exclusion. It was considered that the Bill would have a beneficial impact in respect of children from socially excluded groups or communities as many of the children in contact with the criminal justice system are from such groups or communities and the Bill included provision for preventing the progression of children into the adult prison system to the greatest degree possible.
The Regulatory Impact Analyses in respect of the Children First Bill 2014, the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2015 the Children (Amendment) Bill 2015, the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016 and the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 did not assess impacts under the various categories referred to by the Deputy.
383. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel of NCO rank who have left the forces prior to their scheduled retirement dates on age grounds in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10802/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Military Authorities have advised me that the information sought cannot be provided in the time available for reply. The information will be provided to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
384. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel of commissioned officer rank who have left the forces prior to their scheduled retirement dates on age grounds in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10803/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Military Authorities have advised me that the information sought cannot be provided in the time available for reply. The information will be provided to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
385. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the legislative proposals published by his Department between 2011 to 2016 that underwent a regulatory impact assessment; the legislative proposals published by his Department that did not undergo a regulatory impact assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11149/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra386. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if regulatory impact assessments for legislative proposals published by his Department include impacts (details supplied); the impact categories not included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11164/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 385 and 386 together.
My Department published the following legislative proposals between 2011 and 2016:
1. Defence (Amendment) Act 2011;
2. Civil Defence Act 2012;
3. Defence Forces (Second World War Amnesty and Immunity) Act 2012;
4. Defence (Amendment) Act 2015.
In general, legislation emanating from the Department of Defence is focused on Defence issues only and does not apply to the ordinary citizen or to business. For this reason, it was considered that a formal regulatory impact assessment was not needed in relation to the legislative proposals produced by the Department since 2011. Notwithstanding this, the Department applies the principles set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) Guidelines issued by the Department of the Taoiseach where appropriate.
