Written Answers Nos. 638-659
638. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be another The Gathering event in 2018 or 2019; his views on whether it is a good idea; and if there is support within the tourism industry for it. [22071/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAction 9 of the Tourism Action Plan 2016-2018, published in January 2016, stated that the tourism agencies, in collaboration with my Department and tourism industry stakeholders, would draw up a short-list of suggested themes (including the possibility of a successor to the Gathering) for a focused tourism marketing initiative.
The original Gathering was conceived at a time when Ireland's tourism sector was struggling with the effects of the economic crisis and tourist numbers had fallen very significantly. At that time, there were no "experience brands" like the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East, and Dublin-A Breath of Fresh Air. Since then, these branding initiatives have received very considerable public and private investment in capital and marketing expenditure and have been very successful in attracting overseas visitors.
My officials have been engaging with Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the Tourism Leadership Group with regard to the possibility of a themed year. A number of possible themes have been put forward and further consideration is being given to the timing of a themed year. Ideally, a themed year would be timed to avail of spare capacity, particularly with regard to accommodation, and also with regard to access to Ireland through our air and sea ports. 2016 was a record year for Tourism in Ireland, as was 2015 and 2017 is continuing that trend. My officials will continue to monitor the tourism trends, along with wider developments (including the impacts of Brexit) and feed that into their consideration of the timing of a themed year.
639. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the tourism marketing budget to attempt to mitigate the decline in visitor numbers from the UK in view of the decline in visitor numbers from the UK experienced in Q1 2017; and if he is examining proposals to implement a business support fund to support small tourism businesses that may be hit especially hard from a sharp decline in visitors from Britain. [22073/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing what was a record year for overseas visitors to Ireland in 2016, recent figures published by the CSO showed that overseas visitors for the first quarter of 2017 were slightly up on 2016. Whilst there was strong growth from the North American market, visitors from Britain were down 6.5% year on year.
It is too early to state definitively what the reasons are for this decline and whether it will carry through to the remainder of the year. It is clear, however, that the Sterling depreciation following the Brexit referendum has made Ireland, and every other Eurozone country, relatively more expensive for British travellers than was previously the case. Furthermore, research has indicated that British consumers are likely to scale back on overseas holiday activity this year.
In line with the Tourism Action Plan, I am committed to seeking to restore the Tourism Marketing Fund to pre-recession levels on a phased basis. I have secured increased funding for the Tourism Marketing Fund this year of over 2% and I will be seeking further additional funding for next year in order to mitigate any negative effects of Brexit on tourism. Tourism Ireland will continue to focus on protecting our market share in Britain, while at the same time seeking to increase diversification into other markets, particularly those that deliver higher tourism revenue.
Fáilte Ireland is also working on a number of fronts to assist the diversification and development of our tourism industry and the attractiveness of our tourism product offering. Ongoing work to develop the main experience brands and enhance visitor experiences is aimed at boosting our appeal to key target markets and priority consumer segments. With regard to training and business supports, Fáilte Ireland offers a suite of supports to enhance the competitiveness, enterprise capability and sustainability of the tourism sector. In addition, it is creating a new Brexit Response Programme that will focus on delivering a Capability Building programme for Industry.
Maintaining the overall competitiveness in our tourism industry is also vital at this time. While the industry itself acknowledges that it is primarily responsible for competitiveness, I will be endeavouring to seek to maintain the lower VAT rate for the tourism industry and also to keep the air travel tax at zero.
640. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to implement a business support fund to support small tourism businesses that may be hit especially hard from a sharp decline in visitors from Britain. [22074/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFáilte Ireland is working on a number of fronts to assist the diversification and development of our tourism industry and the attractiveness of our tourism product offering. Ongoing work to develop the main experience brands and enhance visitor experiences - both through current programme supports and targeted capital investment in attractions and other tourism infrastructure - is aimed at boosting our appeal to key target markets and priority consumer segments. With regard to training and business supports, Fáilte Ireland offers a suite of supports to enhance the competitiveness, enterprise capability and sustainability of the tourism sector. In addition, it is creating a new Brexit Response Programme that will focus on delivering a capability building programme for tourism businesses.
Funding for such programmes and supports forms part of Fáilte Ireland's annual operating budget, the level of which is determined as part of the annual Estimates process.
641. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects the recipients of sports capital funding for 2017 will be known. [22118/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll of the 2320 applications received under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme will be assessed by officials in my Department over the coming months. Given the number of applications received and the detailed information submitted, it will take a number of months to complete the assessment process. It is expected that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in September.
642. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding roadworthiness testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22143/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fee charged for commercial vehicle roadworthiness tests in Northern Ireland, the UK, Germany or any other jurisdiction, as well as the content of such tests, is a matter for the relevant Ministries/bodies charged with responsibility for such in each of these respective jurisdictions.
The prescribed fee, per class of vehicle, for commercial vehicle roadworthiness tests in Ireland is set out in the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Testing)(No.2) Regulations 2013 (SI 347 of 2013). The fee covers the test undertaken at the testing centre, cost of the certificate of roadworthiness (CRW) and a road safety levy payable to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in respect of an annual test.
In this jurisdiction, the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (CVR) testing system is operated on a fully commercial basis and without any financial contribution from the State. This means that CVR tests are delivered by privately owned garages who are responsible for the provision of the necessary infrastructure and facilities and they carry the financial and operational risks associated with that investment.
The road safety levy is being used to fund several aspects of the commercial vehicle roadworthiness reform programme which is intended to support safer roads and compliant operators. The RSA has financed the up-front capital investment associated with the reform programme to date.
The model for commercial vehicle testing has been reviewed and it was decided by Government that the prevailing model involving the delivery of commercial testing by privately owned garages should continue.
643. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce electric, hybrid and biogas buses into each of the State bus companies; his plans to introduce electric, hybrid and biogas buses into the private bus fleets; his plans to introduce electric, hybrid and biogas taxis into the State; if he will he use quota systems to achieve these objectives; the expected start date for the process; and when these quota objectives will be achieved. [22165/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA), has statutory responsibility for the procurement of the bus fleet for PSO services. The procurement of buses for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann's commercial services as well as private bus fleets is a matter for the individual companies themselves.
Ireland has expressed its intention, through a national policy position, to transition to a low carbon economy by 2050. To this end, my Department is working closely with the Department of Communication, Climate Action and the Environment (DCCAE) in the development of Ireland's first Mitigation Plan, which will be finalised by mid-2017. This Plan will help to chart a clear and quantified path towards Ireland's long-term climate objectives. The measures under consideration for the transport sector will be wide-ranging and will include the promotion of wholesale movement to alternative fuels and technologies for all vehicle types. Key transport objectives within the Plan include increasing public transport investment and promoting the uptake of alternatively fuelled vehicles.
My Department recently established a Green Public Transport Fund to support the uptake of low carbon technologies within the public transport sector. The fund will support pilot demonstrations of emerging low emission technologies, particularly for buses, and will also support measures to encourage the transition of the national taxi fleet towards alternative technologies. Such pilot schemes are expected to provide useful findings in an Irish context and will help inform future policy and investment priorities.
Furthermore, a low emissions vehicle (LEV) Taskforce was established in December 2016 and will assess, inter alia, the range of measures and options available to Government to help accelerate the deployment of LEVs.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter raised, I have referred your letter to the NTA for a more detailed 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.
644. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposals his Department is working on in conjunction with the NTA and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to deliver on action points 250 to 254 of the Action Plan for Rural Development to work with rural communities to assess and implement improvements to existing rural transport routes and develop new rural transport routes as necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19860/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my replies to her previous Questions (Reference No. 4108/17 answered on 31 January 2017 and Reference No. 11706/17 answered on 07 March 2017) on this matter.
As I advised the Deputy in those replies, responsibility for the implementation of action No. 250 of the Action Plan for Rural Development is matter for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, in conjunction with local authorities.
The review of public transport policy, including the rural transport dimension to ensure it meets the needs of rural communities, is listed under action No. 251 of the Action Plan. To advance this commitment, the Deputy might be aware that I recently announced my intention to establish a Stakeholder Dialogue on the issue of Public Transport. My Department is currently scoping out the proposed approach to the work and the full Review will then take place as soon as possible.
As I also advised the Deputy previously, action Nos. 252 to 254 of the Action Plan fall to the National Transport Authority (NTA) to implement, given its responsibility to manage the Rural Transport Programme and I have referred this aspect of your question to the NTA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
645. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the rolling out of disability access bus stops, particularly in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21962/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations etc in the State.
Accessibility features are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and new systems are fully accessible. In addition, 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets are wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 80% of the Bus Éireann coach fleet.
With regard to existing infrastructure, there is an ongoing programme to upgrade public transport infrastructure and facilities to help improve transport accessibility across the country. The programme is managed by the NTA on behalf of my Department.
In 2017 under the Accessibility Grants Programme, funding is being provided to the NTA for accessibility upgrade works at a number of bus stops. I understand from the NTA that work has now commenced on two bus stops in Lifford, Co. Donegal.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
646. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the threat to the Dublin to Derry Bus Éireann Expressway route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22093/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dublin to Derry route is a commercial licensed bus service operated by Expressway. As with any such commercial service, decisions regarding the route are a matter for the individual operator. These services receive no taxpayer funding and operate on a fully commercial basis.
As I have stated on numerous occasions, in cases where a commercial operator, such as Expressway, decides to alter or withdraw a commercial route, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory powers available to it to respond as appropriate to ensure continued transport connectivity.
The NTA published an assessment of the proposed changes on the Dublin to Derry Bus Éireann Expressway route (Route 33) and as indicated in that published assessment, the NTA does not believe that connectivity issues arise on the route 33 corridor. The majority of the corridor will continue to be served by Expressway's route 32 (Dublin to Letterkenny) while Dublin to Derry itself will continue to be served by two Translink operated services - the X3 and the X4.
In publishing its assessment the NTA invited feedback on its proposals. A copy of the assessment is available on www.nationaltransport.ie.
647. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the role of light and heavy rail in climate change mitigation; the plans in place to use rail to mitigate climate change outside of the Dublin and Kildare area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21867/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully recognise the importance of the rail network in our national efforts to reduce emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Irish Rail currently operates one of the most modern fleets in Europe, employing a number of energy efficiency initiatives including technological solutions, driver behavioural change programmes and improved train configurations. These initiatives increase fuel efficiencies, decrease energy requirements and consequentially lead to a reduction in pollutant and particulate emissions.
In line with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, a National Mitigation Plan is currently being developed by Government. I will submit transport sector emissions mitigation measures for inclusion in the plan to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment later this month. The measures will reflect a multifaceted approach to reducing emissions with a particular focus on investment in public and sustainable transport in order to promote modal shift, supports for alternative fuels (including electrification of heavy rail where it is feasible and cost-effective to do so), and fiscal and taxation incentives to target behavioural change.
Rail will play an important role with rail projects supplementing the range of viable low carbon alternatives to the car, particularly in urban areas where high capacity transport plays a vital role in efficient, lower-carbon travel. A very significant proportion (approximately €1.3 billion) of the overall €3.6 billion of funding available for public transport in the Government's Capital Plan is required for maintenance of the heavy rail network, benefiting the network both within and outside of the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). A further €250m approximately is provisionally allocated for other improvements to the heavy rail network.
The Rail Review underwent public consultation earlier this year, enabling a public discussion on the current and future role of rail in Ireland as well as the funding of the rail network and services. The public consultation process is currently being evaluated. Rail plays an important role in meeting increased passenger demand and providing an energy efficient mode of transport. Electrified rail use, in particular, is capable of achieving low emissions through utilising renewable sources of energy. However, public transport modes are only more environmentally sustainable compared to private cars when they are operating at appropriate levels of occupancy. A full train produces much fewer emissions per passenger than a large car with 1.5 passengers; however, an under-occupied bus or train emits more emissions per passenger than a full small car. Accurately matching the right mode of transport to passenger demand is critical in ensuring emission savings.
648. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all buses operating under NTA licensed routes have an equivalent size specification whether they are Bus Éireann or privately operated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21963/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the licensing of public bus passenger services transferred from my Department to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2010 under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. Accordingly, my Department does not have a role in day-to-day bus licensing operations.
I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
649. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the CETA deal will be brought before Dáil Éireann for discussion. [21645/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 30th October 2016, the EU – Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed by representatives from Canada, the EU and its Member States. On the 15th February 2017, the European Parliament voted in support of the provisional application of CETA.
The process of ratification can now commence in some 43 national parliaments and regional assemblies across the EU according to their constitutional requirements. In Ireland’s case, the Dáil will be part of the final decision to ratify the Agreement.
I fully support provisional application of the Agreement. I am of the view that there should be no impediment to Irish companies immediately taking advantage of the provisions of CETA including eliminating tariffs on almost all of key exports, access to the Canadian procurement market, easing regulatory barriers and ensuring more transparent rules for market access.
Canada is currently finalising its internal implementation procedures to allow for its ratification of the Agreement, therefore CETA is yet to be provisionally applied. I believe that it is important to wait to see the benefits of CETA come into being, before CETA is put before the Dáil for ratification. Then we can have a fully informed, evidence based debate on the value of the Agreement to Ireland.
My Department is already working with our agencies and business representative groups to ensure that Irish firms take early advantage of the terms of the Agreement. In addition, Minister Breen and Minister Murphy have led sectorial trade missions to Canada this year. I will also be leading a trade mission to Canada later this month to promote the opportunities provided by the Agreement.
The Taoiseach met with Prime Minister Trudeau last week to discuss the ties between Canada and Ireland including the potential for increased economic and trade links between Ireland and Canada arising from CETA.
650. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress of the research programme on enterprises and cross-Border trade report which was undertaken by InterTradeIreland and the ESRI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21565/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Research project, which my Department has funded, will assess the potential impacts of WTO tariffs on Cross Border Trade and is expected to be finalised later this month. I propose to have it published as soon as is practicable thereafter.
651. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of an application for a work permit by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21699/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section informs me that it has no record of an employment permit application in relation to the named individual.
652. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the criteria or instructions which are given to outside consultants in order to perform a given task (details supplied); and if a consultancy is asked to screen applicants for the position of clerical officer, if explicit criteria and qualifications are expressed to the consultants by her Department or other bodies such as the HSA. [21710/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Departmental recruitment is undertaken on our behalf by the Public Appointments Service except insofar as Service Grades are concerned which the Department manages itself. No consultancy would be involved.
In general, recruitment to the State Agencies under the remit of my Department is carried out through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). However, in some instances it may not be possible to use the services of PAS, for example, for certain specialist posts, or where PAS are not in a position to assist due to the volume of campaigns on hand at a particular time. In such instances a number of our Agencies have availed themselves of the services of external recruitment consultants and the following summarises the process operated in each case.
When the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) engages outside service providers for recruitment purposes the NSAI provide a job description containing an overview of the post, key tasks and responsibilities, the qualification and experience required and the remuneration of the post. The NSAI‘s Grade B is equivalent to the Clerical Officer grade and recruitment to any such vacancies is managed directly by the Agency.
In the case of Enterprise Ireland (EI), where a recruitment consultant is engaged to source and/or screen applicants on behalf of EI, a detailed job specification for the relevant role is shared with the recruitment consultant at the outset of the engagement. This job specification outlines the key deliverables of the role and details the key skills and knowledge required to successfully carry out the role. It is explicit on the job specification as to the criteria (skills, experience and/or qualifications) that are considered essential and the recruitment consultant screens and short-list candidates against these criteria prior to providing a short-list to Enterprise Ireland for a full competency based interview. Where EI has engaged the services of a recruitment consultant to source and/or screen applicants for Executive Assistant roles (Level B – equivalent to Clerical Officer), the process outlined above is followed. In addition, to assess applicants’ skill levels, specific skills tests are conducted in relation to computer literacy/proficiency and basic clerical skills. These tests are carried out by the recruitment consultant prior to providing a short-list to Enterprise Ireland for a full competency based interview.
Where a recruitment consultant is assisting the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in filling positions, they are instructed to screen applicants in accordance with the essential and desirable qualifications and experience as set out in the job description and on the basis of the competencies for the role as also specified in the job description.
Where a recruitment consultant has been engaged by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), candidates are screened using the Job Description and Competencies aligned for the grade – outlining the requirements of the role and also the competencies involved (Competencies taken from PAS); the recruitment consultants then prepare a list of candidates for the CCPC to interview. This method has been used for the recruitment of Clerical Officers in the CCPC in the past and currently.
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) gives the service provider/consultant a verbal brief and a job description which enables them to screen candidates. SFI does not have any staff at Clerical Officer grade or equivalent.
IDA Ireland, PIAB and IAASA, have advised that they do not use external recruitment consultants.
653. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the criteria used by her Department when deciding to use an outside agency or consultancy. [21711/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department considers hiring external consultants in cases where there is not the necessary expertise to deliver the project in-house, in cases where an external assessment is deemed essential, or in cases where a project must be completed within a short time scale, and although the expertise or experience may be available in-house, performing the task would involve a prohibitive opportunity cost.
In each particular case, criteria specific to the project are used in selecting an outside agency or consultancy, including cost and value for money. Contracts are awarded based on the most economically advantageous tender (specifying, in addition to price, various other criteria including running costs, servicing costs, servicing costs, level of after sales service, technical assistance, technical merit, environmental characteristics).
My Department complies with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's guidelines for engagements of consultants by the civil service, having regard to public procurement guidelines.
654. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number and specific details of prosecutions taken by her Department or the WRC on foot of complaints from employees for non-issuing of a contract of employment. [21739/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 -2014 provides that an employer must provide his/her employee with a written statement of the particulars of the employee’s terms of employment. It also provides that an employer must notify the employee of any changes in the particulars as given in the statement. There is no offence provision under the Act to provide for the taking of prosecutions on foot of complaints from employees in relation to the non-issue of a written statement.
The Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 -2014 was amended by the Workplace Relations Commission Act 2015 to provide a right of complaint to an Adjudication Officer of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) with a right of appeal to the Labour Court. Since its establishment on the 1 October 2015, the WRC has received 1,344 specific complaints in relation to non-receipt of a written statement of terms of employment. A small number of these complaints are Inspection related (2 in 2015 and 6 in 2016); the remainder are submitted for Adjudication.
On 2 May 2017, the Government approved draft legislative proposals as a response to the Programme for Government commitment to tackle the problems caused by the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen regulation of precarious work. The proposals seek to ensure that workers must be provided with details of five core terms of employment on or by the fifth day of employment. It creates a new offence where an employer does not provide a written statement of these five core terms of employment within one month of commencement of employment. The draft legislation was referred to the Office of the Attorney General on 4 May for priority drafting of a Bill.
655. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she has received an update from a bank (details supplied) regarding its recent branch closures; the number of redundancies there have been in Arva, Cootehill and Carrickmacross; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21786/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March this year the company in question announced a number of changes to its business, which would include a number of redundancies. At the same time the company notified me of proposed collective redundancies as required under the Protection of Employment Act 1977. That Act requires employers proposing collective redundancies to enter into an information and consultation process with employees' representatives. The company indicated that the exact location of redundancies is a matter to be confirmed through the information and consultation process.
I regret any loss of jobs. However, my Department remains focused on creating the most competitive environment for enterprise to succeed so that we can achieve our goal of sustainable employment for all. Working with our enterprise agencies and with colleagues across Government, we are committed to delivering a range of actions outlined in our National and Regional Action Plans for Jobs to ensure that quality and sustainable jobs continue to be created throughout all regions of the country.
As regards the employment rights of the workers, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. The WRC’s Customer Service Section provides information in relation to employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations, and how to obtain redress where appropriate. WRC information officials remain available to meet staff, either individually or collectively, to discuss their employment rights, including matters related to redundancy. The WRC’s Customer Service Section can be contacted at Lo-call: 1890 80 80 90. The website http://www.workplacerelations.ie also provides extensive information on employment rights.
656. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of IDA visits for 2017 nationwide in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21793/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland maintains statistics of site visits by potential investors on a quarterly basis only. In the first quarter of 2017, there were 173 site visits, up from 136 for the same period in 2016. The following table sets out, on a county-by-county basis, the number of IDA Ireland-sponsored site visits for 2016 and for quarter one of 2017.
Site Visits by County, 2016 and Quarter 1 2017
|
County |
2016 |
Q1 2017 |
|
Carlow |
9 |
3 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
0 |
|
Clare |
18 |
10 |
|
Cork |
49 |
9 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
1 |
|
Dublin |
284 |
82 |
|
Galway |
42 |
23 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
1 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
10 |
2 |
|
Laois |
6 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
8 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
49 |
10 |
|
Longford |
6 |
0 |
|
Louth |
24 |
5 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
0 |
|
Meath |
8 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
20 |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
5 |
|
Waterford |
17 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
36 |
9 |
|
Wexford |
7 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
1 |
|
Total |
638 |
173 |
657. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to amend the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 in order to provide a clear and fixed definition of reasonable paid allowances, pay increases and-or paid time off work with respect to Sunday premiums and supplemental provisions for workers; her views on whether the current lack of clarity in this area is enabling workers to be unfairly exploited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21798/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans at this time to amend the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act to further elaborate on the definition of reasonable paid allowances, pay increases and or paid time off work with respect to Sunday premiums and supplemental provisions. The Deputy should note that there have been a number of Labour Court decisions that further elaborate on the interpretation of the current provisions. These decisions can, as intended, take account of all of the circumstances in each case, something that is difficult to achieve in primary legislation. The Deputy should note that this is an area where the opportunity was taken in the Workplace Relations Act, 2015 to give power to a Workplace Relations inspector to serve a compliance notice on an employer.
Section 13(5) of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 provides that the weekly or fortnightly rest period for employees must include a Sunday unless the contract of employment includes a specific provision requiring the employee to work on a Sunday. Section 14 of the Act provides that an employee who is required to work on a Sunday is entitled to compensation for Sunday work in circumstances where the requirement to work on a Sunday has not already been taken account of in the determination of an employee’s pay. The method for determining the means of compensation to be paid is set out in that Section.
An employee can seek redress by making a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). In circumstances where WRC Inspectors, in the course of the inspection of employment records, become aware of, or suspect, a possible failure to comply with the provisions relating to the payment of Sunday premium, the employer concerned is advised of their obligations and employees are advised of the avenues of redress open to them. Appeals from the WRC are to the Labour Court.
Any persons with questions or complaints regarding their rights under employment law should contact Workplace Relations Customer Service on lo-call 1890 80 80 90 or at www.workplacerelations.ie.
658. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the preparing for life programme; her plans to extend it further; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21408/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme is a prevention and early intervention initiative consisting of committed funding for an area-based approach to reducing inter-generational child poverty by improving outcomes for children, young people and families in 13 areas of disadvantage. It was designed as a time-bound and co-funded arrangement between the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) and The Atlantic Philanthropies (Atlantic), with a total allocation of €29.7 million being provided between the funders on a matched basis between 2013 and 2017.
The ABC Programme was preceded by the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme (PEIP) (2007-2013) in which the Preparing for Life Programme, along with two other sites: Youngballymun and the Childhood Development Initiative Tallaght participated. Preparing for Life received €6m as a participant in the PEIP. The total funding for Preparing for Life under the ABC Programme is €3.74m, bringing the funding received by Preparing for Life under both programmes to €9.74m.
I welcome the very positive results coming from the evaluation of the Preparing for Life Programme relating to the home visiting and parenting programmes elements, and am aware that a cost study is being carried out at present.
These evaluation findings and the associated costs will be key in informing the consideration of mainstreaming the learning from the ABC Programme. The ABC Programme is itself currently being evaluated. The findings from this national evaluation will be produced in Q2 2018.
In budget 2016, my Department secured additional funding of €4.5m to extend all of the existing ABC Programme to the end of December 2017. The current contract for Preparing for Life was due to conclude in August 2017. My Department has agreed additional funding allocation of €5,843 to extend this contract to the end of December 2017. It is the intention of my Department to seek additional funding in this year's estimates process, to extend the ABC Programme to the end of August 2018 to align with the national evaluation of the ABC programme.
My Department is working to ensure that we take full account of the learning from all the interventions across the 13 ABC sites, including Preparing for Life, and the national evaluation. We will utilise these learnings to inform the delivery of prevention and early intervention initiatives in order to achieve our shared goal of improving the lives of children and families throughout Ireland.
659. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff who have been employed under the school completion programme over each of the past ten years and to date in 2017; the number of participants in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21409/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Completion Programme transferred to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, on the establishment of that Agency in 2014 and each School Completion Programme project is required at a minimum to employ a Coordinator to manage the day to day provision of the projects. Beyond this the staff composition of each project has to date been determined by the Local Management Committee. The information requested by the Deputy is therefore not readily available. Tusla have advised that 124 project coordinators were employed in 2014 and in each subsequent year to date.
In 2016 Tusla conducted an employment audit of staffing levels in the School Completion Programme projects nationally. The staffing levels identified in the audit report are outlined in the following table and are based on a 96% response rate.
|
SCP Project |
Staffing Quarter 1 2016 |
|
Co-ordinators: |
124 |
|
Project Workers: |
204 |
|
Attendance / Tracking: |
62 |
|
Other: |
345 |
|
Sessional |
1,074 |
|
Total: |
1,809 |
Approximately 37,000 young people are supported by the Tusla School Completion Programme annually.
