Written Answers Nos. 566-582
566. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when applicants for the sports capital grant 2017 will find out if they have been successful; the timeframe for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23247/17]
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. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the assessment at that time.
567. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that the N72 from Mallow to Killarney is upgraded; if his attention has been drawn to the increasing volumes of traffic and the high amount of road traffic accidents on this road in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23248/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra568. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the dangerous junction at Ballymaquirke Cross on the N72 near Kanturk, County Cork, in view of the high volume of traffic passing through and the numerous accidents that have occurred there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23249/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 567 and 568 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This also applies to the maintenance and management of national roads.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
569. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to include the village of Castleconnell in the existing signage at junction 27 southbound and 28 northbound of the M7 motorway (details supplied); and the steps he will take to correct this anomaly. [23282/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport,Tourism & Sport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual national roads (and the provision of signage on them) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
570. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which funding for high performance sport is calculated and allocated to the various sporting bodies. [23296/17]
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. This includes responsibility for the allocation of funding for high performance sport.
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.
571. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policies and incentives in place to help various sporting bodies attract and retain high performance directors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23297/17]
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 high performance sport.
I have referred the Deputy's question 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.
572. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are plans by Dublin Bus to remove or downgrade their services in and from Larkhill, Whitehall and Santry. [23345/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
573. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the process of putting out to tender 10% of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann routes is completed; and if so, the outcome of that process. [23346/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to conduct the current public procurement process relating to the tendering out of 10% of the PSO bus network. NTA is undertaking this by way of three separate competitions; Dublin Metropolitan, Dublin Commuter and Waterford.
Dublin Metropolitan area competition tenders have been received by the Authority and are currently being assessed. The Authority expects to award preferred bidder status in summer 2017. In the Dublin Commuter and Waterford competitions, the Authority expects to award preferred bidder status in late summer, early autumn 2017.
The tendering processes underway should allow us to capture potential benefits as regards value for money in terms of the use of taxpayers' money in securing the provision of public services, and I look forward to the NTA's successful progression of all three competitions.
574. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the completion of works on the N2 Corracrin to Emyvale road; the amount which has been set aside for phase three works; when works will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23350/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra575. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the N2 and A5 road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23352/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 574 and 575 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (such as the N2) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
Part of PQ 23352/17 asked about the status of the A5. As outlined to the Deputy in my reply to PQ 12318/17, Parliamentary Question No. 295, of 8 March 2017, the planning and implementation of the A5 project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. As the Deputy is aware, the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start - reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50m for the A5 project and committed an additional £25m to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the planning process in Northern Ireland has been concluded.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
576. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if EU Directive 2014/104/EU has been implemented here; if not, when it will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22780/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Union (Action for Damages for Infringements of Competition Law) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 43 of 2017), which were signed into law on 13 February 2017, gives effect to Directive 2014/104/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2014 on certain rules governing actions for damages under national law for infringements of the competition law provisions of the Member States and of the European Union.
577. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if flexibility exists regarding the immigration requirement for sponsorship of a €30,000 minimum salary following a transition from a 1G visa to a general work permit, particularly in circumstances in which this does not match the average graduate salary and particularly in circumstances in which the employment area is an area in which there is a shortage of skills. [23210/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe minimum remuneration thresholds for each employment permit type are laid out in regulations made under the Employment Permits Act 2006, as amended.
It is the case that the regulations already provide for a lower salary threshold of €27,000 for General Employment Permits where the application is in respect of a foreign national who has graduated in the last 12 months from a third level institution in the State and who has been offered a graduate position in an employment in a recognized skills shortage area. A list of these shortage areas are included on the employment permits highly skilled eligible occupations list which can be found on the Department's website at https://www.djei.ie/en/What-We-Do/Jobs-Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Employment-Permit-Eligibility/Highly-Skilled-Eligible-Occupations-List/.
578. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will review a decision to disallow an application for an employment permit by a person (details supplied). [23239/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section informs me that this General Employment Permit application was refused on the 28/03/2017 on the grounds that a significant amount of documentation confirming that the application was in respect of an eligible carer in a private home was not provided. The applicant did request a review of this decision, however, as this request for review was received outside the prescribed timeframe of 28 days it was not possible to consider this review. The timeframe for a request for a review is prescribed in regulations made under the Employment Permits Act 2006, as amended and I have no discretion in this regard.
Full information on the eligibility criteria for employment permits for carers in a private home is available on my Department’s website at https://www.djei.ie/en/What-We-Do/Jobs-Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Employment-Permit-Eligibility/Carers-in-private-homes/.
It is open to the applicant, if they feel that they satisfy the criteria, to submit a new application following all of the relevant procedures and to include the required documentation for this particular employment permit type.
579. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts that have been made and are currently being made to ensure that the employee rights of secular clergy are protected under law and that the Catholic Church in each diocese is contributing correctly for employees. [23257/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPRSI contributions by employers and employees is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
Ireland’s body of employment rights legislation protects all employees who are legally employed on an employer-employee basis. Therefore, once it is clear that a person is working under a contract of employment (written or oral), on a full-time or part-time basis, that person has the same protection under employment law as other employees. 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.
580. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the value of any arms trade that Irish companies have with Israel; the projected value for same in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23303/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraItems which are classified as "military goods" from an export control perspective and which are exported from Ireland involve components rather than military equipment. Military licences issued to date by the Department for the export of arms have been limited to those issued to individuals holding sports firearms.
All export licence applications, whether for Dual-Use or Military Goods are subject to rigorous scrutiny, and are considered in the light of the spirit and objectives of the 2008 EU Common Position on Arms Exports.
My officials are in regular contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on export licensing issues. They consult with that Department in respect of all military export licence applications. My officials seek observations on any foreign policy concerns that may arise in respect of a proposed export; such factors are subject to review in the light of developments in a given region. Any observations which may arise from this examination are considered in the final assessment of any licence application.
My Department may refuse an export licence, following consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other EU and Non-EU export licensing authorities, as appropriate.
My Department has not issued any licences for the export of arms to Israel and is not aware of any proposed exports in 2017.
The last occasion on which a licence with a military goods classification was issued for export to Israel was in 2014, in respect of components for a ground vehicle. This was included in the Report published by my Department in 2015, under the Control of Exports Act.
581. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of vacant IDA properties in each county from the most recent data available, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22670/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder its current strategy, IDA Ireland has targeted an increase of 30% to 40% in foreign direct investment (FDI) in every region outside Dublin by 2019. The data available shows that progress is being made towards achieving this goal, with 173 site visits recorded in the first quarter of this year. This is an increase of over 20% on 2016, when 136 visits were recorded for the same period.
While visits by the Agency’s client companies are a useful tool in promoting particular locations, the final decision as to where an investment may ultimately be situated is dependent on an array of factors. This includes the suitability of infrastructure and proximity to transport hubs. Another key consideration for IDA Ireland clients in this context is the ready availability of suitable properties. The Agency therefore requires an adequate supply of marketable serviced land and buildings that can be offered to investors. If the Agency did not have such properties available for investment, it would diminish Ireland’s ability to win mobile FDI, particularly for the regions.
Full details on vacant properties and site visits are available in tabular form and I can arrange for these to be provided to the Deputy.
Vacant Properties – Private Finance and IDA Ireland-owned 2017
|
County |
Town |
Occupied |
Marketable |
Total |
Occupied |
Marketable |
Total |
|
Cork |
Ballygallan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Cork |
Bantry |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
Bandon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
Charleville |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
Little Island |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
Kilbarry |
0 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
Mallow |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
Wilton |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
Skibbereen |
1 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
Lurganboy |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
Ballyshannon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
Letterkenny |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Dublin |
Ballyfermot |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
Ballymount |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
Clonshaugh |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Dublin |
Gardiner St |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
Tallaght |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Dublin |
Airways |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
Poppintree |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway |
Loughrea |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Galway |
Mervue |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Galway |
Roundstone |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Galway |
Ballinasloe |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway |
Ballybrit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway |
Parkmore |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway |
Gort |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway |
Tuam |
5 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
Killarney |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
|
Kildare |
Newbridge |
5 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
Fieldcrest |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
~ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Longford |
~ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
~ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
Ballina |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
Charlestown |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
Castlebar |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
Ballybay |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
Tullamore |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
Castlerea |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
Monksland Athlone |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
Gallowstown |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
Finisklin |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
Nenagh |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Waterford |
Johnstown |
4 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
Waterford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
Athlone |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
Mullingar |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
Enniscorthy |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
Whitemills |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
Arklow |
1 |
5 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Summary |
21 |
21 |
42 |
12 |
18 |
30 |
582. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if section 363 of the Companies Act 2014 complies with the objectives of recital 43 in EU Directive 2013/34/EU (details supplied); if other EU member states have adapted domestic laws to meet the objectives of this recital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22671/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 363 of the Companies Act 2014 Act provides that a small company loses its entitlement to the audit exemption if it does not file its annual return on time.
Recital 43 of the EU Accounting Directive (Directive 2013/34/EU) does state that the “annual financial statements of small undertakings should not be covered by the audit obligation, as audit can be a significant administrative burden for that category of undertaking”. This objective is met with the provisions of section 358, which provide that a small company is eligible for an exemption from audit.
Recital 43 strikes a balance between the requirements of small companies and the interests of third parties that rely on the financial transparency of those companies. Accordingly, Recital 43 goes on to say that “this Directive should not prevent Member States from imposing an audit on their small undertakings, taking into account the specific conditions and needs of small undertakings and the users of the financial statements.” Users of financial statements rely on those financial statements being accurate, meaningful and up to date. This is an important protection for third parties doing business with small companies, such as suppliers and other creditors. As a result, it is important that companies file their financial statements on time. Section 363 is intended to encourage small companies to file their annual returns and accompanying financial statements in a timely manner.
As small companies can have more than 9 months from the end of their financial year to prepare and file their financial statements, the obligation to file on time is not a significant administrative burden. As things stand, 90% of all Irish registered companies manage to file on time. The loss of the audit exemption for late filing is an appropriate and proportionate response given the importance of timely financial information for third parties.
The audit exemption is not a right for small companies under EU law. However, I understand that the audit exemption for small companies is provided for in most, if not all, other EU Member States. I am not aware of the conditions that apply to eligibility across the EU.
