Written Answers Nos. 115-148
115. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the expenses incurred by his Department on insurance of all types in each of the past five years; the cost of each insurance policy held by his Department over the same time period per annum; and the same data for all bodies under the aegis of his Department. [26513/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) operate under State indemnity, a self-insurance model whereby the State bears the financial risk associated with the cost of claims. The management of such claims is delegated to the State Claims Agency.
NESDO came under the ambit of the State Claims Agency in 2014. Prior to this NESDO was required to hold separate insurance cover. Details of expenditure on insurance by NESDO is set out in the table. In recent years expenditure on insurance cover has been for business travel insurance only.
NESDO
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2013 |
€1,824.95 |
|
2014 |
€467.51 |
|
2015 |
€467.51 |
|
2016 |
€467.49 |
|
2017 |
€485.90 |
116. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach the full costs of the Citizens' Assembly. [26514/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Assembly has not yet completed its work, it is not possible at this stage to indicate the total cost of its operation. A budget of €1.906 million has been set aside for 2017 for the Assembly.
117. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach the number of company groups with a presence both here and in the United Kingdom; and the sectors in which they are operating. [26561/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CSO Outward Foreign Affiliates Survey (OFATS) surveys Irish enterprises with affiliates abroad. This is an annual survey, and the latest results available are for reference year 2014. Results for 2015 will be available in August 2017.
The survey indicates that in 2014 there were nearly 200 Irish owned enterprises with affiliates in the UK. These enterprises generated €37.6 billion turnover and had over 86,000 persons in employment in the UK. Most of these enterprises operated in the Financial & Insurance, Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, Professional, Information & communications and Manufacturing sectors, with a limited number elsewhere in the UK business economy.
Further details can be found in the OFATS statistical release at http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/ofats/outwardforeignaffiliatesstatistics2014/.
118. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the reported incorrect 2016 census figures regarding Ballina, County Mayo, issued by the CSO; and if so, the measures planned by the CSO to correct this matter in view of the damage that this reporting has done to the town. [26571/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no incorrect figures reported for Ballina or any other town from census 2016.
Following every census the CSO publishes statistics on the population of towns in Ireland. Up to and including census 2011 this covered 80 legal towns, of which Ballina was one, along with some 744 census towns, or settlements.
Census towns without a legal boundary are defined as a cluster of at least 50 occupied homes with a maximum distance between them of no more than 100 metres and evidence of an urban centre, such as a shop or school within the cluster.
Following each census the boundary of the settlement can be extended outwards to encompass each occupied dwelling within 100 metres. In the case of legal towns such as Ballina the boundary has traditionally been extended out from the original legal boundary using the 100m rule. In 2011 the legal town of Ballina has a population of 10,361 while the settlement of Ballina, which took the legal town boundary as its starting point, had a population of 11,086.
The 2014 Local Government Reform Act abolished the existing legal town boundaries, including those for Ballina. Accordingly when drawing the new town boundaries for these old legal towns the CSO applied the UN settlement criteria in full, using the 100 metre criteria. The result was that some towns, including Ballina, lost both area and population while for others there was little effect. This was explained in the background notes that accompanied the results, as follows:
‘Census towns which previously combined legal towns and their environs have been newly defined using the standard census town criteria (with the 100 metres proximity rule). For some towns the impact of this has been to lose area and population, compared with previous computations.’
For 2016 the population of the town of Ballina, defined on the UN criteria without reference to the now abolished legal boundary, was 10,171. In acknowledgement of the difficulties these boundary changes might cause the CSO also published a table showing the population of former legal towns for both 2011 and 2016. The figures for Ballina are as follows.
|
- |
Census |
|||||
|
2011 |
2016 |
Actual change 2011 - 2016 |
Percentage change 2011 - 2016 |
|||
|
Persons |
Persons |
Male |
Female |
|||
|
Ballina Legal Town* * using old boundary |
10,361 |
10,637 |
5,175 |
5,462 |
276 |
2.7 |
The CSO acknowledges that the change in approach to how a town is defined has led to difficulties in comparisons between census data in 2011 and 2016. In recognition of this, the CSO has updated the statistical tables to present the data in a way that makes these boundary changes clearer to the user.
We are confident that the new methodology will provide a sound basis for producing accurate census population statistics for Ireland’s towns into the future.
119. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach if the CSO will produce more granular data on the cases of white collar crime. [26590/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CSO compiles quarterly statistics on recorded crime incidents in Ireland. Crime statistics are based on administrative data recorded on PULSE, the incident recording system used by An Garda Síochána. The CSO disseminates crime statistics according to the Irish Crime Classification System (ICCS). The term ‘white collar crime’ is not currently defined for incident recording or statistical purposes but Group 09 of the classification ‘Fraud, Deception and Related Offences’ comprises a variety of fraud-related incident types including, for example, forgery, counterfeiting, money laundering and corruption. The CSO currently publishes quarterly data for Group 09 of the ICCS and will examine the possibility of producing more disaggregated data for this category. See annual data in the table.
Recorded Crime Offences (Number) by Type of Offence and Year
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
09, Fraud, deception and related offences |
5,370 |
5,790 |
4,824 |
5,178 |
5,579 |
4,902 |
120. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the amount in euro in value of both goods and services exported from Irish-based firms broken down by each country worldwide in 2015 and 2016, in tabular form; the percentage share of such exports to each country in this period as a proportion of the total share; and the total numbers of persons employed in such firms. [26410/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe official measure of Ireland's combined goods and service exports with a breakdown by country are published by the Central Statistics Office in the Statistical Yearbook or Ireland. The latest edition of the Yearbook contains data for 2015. Publication of the results for 2016 is planned for October 2017.
The table is compiled using 2015 trade in goods exports data by country, as published monthly by the CSO, with conceptual adjustments added to bring goods exports to a change of ownership basis as required by the Balance of Payments and National Accounts standards. Service exports data are then added to give total exports from Ireland to each county of destination.
The CSO does not compile results for employment data by exporting firms.
Exports of Goods and Services 2015
|
Country/Region |
€million |
% Share |
|
Afghanistan |
5 |
0.00 |
|
Albania |
15 |
0.00 |
|
Algeria |
100 |
0.03 |
|
American Samoa |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Andorra |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Angola |
38 |
0.01 |
|
Anguilla |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Argentina |
310 |
0.10 |
|
Armenia |
-1 |
0.00 |
|
Australia |
3,807 |
1.20 |
|
Austria |
1,768 |
0.56 |
|
Azerbaijan |
18 |
0.01 |
|
Bahamas |
31 |
0.01 |
|
Bahrain |
89 |
0.03 |
|
Bangladesh |
15 |
0.00 |
|
Barbados |
-272 |
-0.09 |
|
Belarus |
26 |
0.01 |
|
Belgium |
19,471 |
6.14 |
|
Belize |
2 |
0.00 |
|
Benin |
7 |
0.00 |
|
Bermuda |
19 |
0.01 |
|
Bolivia |
11 |
0.00 |
|
Bonaire St Eustatius Saba |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
25 |
0.01 |
|
Bouvet Island |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Brazil |
1,275 |
0.40 |
|
Brunei Darussalam |
12 |
0.00 |
|
Bulgaria |
191 |
0.06 |
|
Burkina Faso |
9 |
0.00 |
|
Burundi |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Cambodia |
4 |
0.00 |
|
Cameroon |
39 |
0.01 |
|
Canada |
2,870 |
0.90 |
|
Cayman Islands |
415 |
0.13 |
|
Central African Republic |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Chad |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Chile |
349 |
0.11 |
|
China |
18,030 |
5.68 |
|
Christmas Island |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Colombia |
270 |
0.09 |
|
Comoros |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Congo |
77 |
0.02 |
|
Congo The Democratic Republic |
15 |
0.00 |
|
Cook Islands |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Costa Rica |
39 |
0.01 |
|
Cote d'Ivoire |
12 |
0.00 |
|
Croatia |
115 |
0.04 |
|
Cuba |
6 |
0.00 |
|
Cyprus |
-190 |
-0.06 |
|
Czech Republic |
732 |
0.23 |
|
Denmark |
2,549 |
0.80 |
|
Djibouti |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Dominica |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Dominican Republic |
14 |
0.00 |
|
Ecuador |
33 |
0.01 |
|
Egypt |
545 |
0.17 |
|
El Salvador |
29 |
0.01 |
|
Equatorial Guinea |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Eritrea |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Estonia |
42 |
0.01 |
|
Ethiopia |
93 |
0.03 |
|
Falkland Islands (Malvinas) |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Faroe Islands |
3 |
0.00 |
|
Finland |
1,629 |
0.51 |
|
France |
16,261 |
5.13 |
|
Gabon |
7 |
0.00 |
|
Gambia |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Georgia |
19 |
0.01 |
|
Germany |
25,707 |
8.10 |
|
Ghana |
52 |
0.02 |
|
Gibraltar |
91 |
0.03 |
|
Greece |
621 |
0.20 |
|
Grenada |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Guadeloupe |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Guam |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Guatemala |
30 |
0.01 |
|
Guernsey |
46 |
0.01 |
|
Guinea |
2 |
0.00 |
|
Guinea-Bissau |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Guyana |
2 |
0.00 |
|
Haiti |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Honduras |
4 |
0.00 |
|
Hong Kong |
1,274 |
0.40 |
|
Hungary |
1,773 |
0.56 |
|
Iceland |
199 |
0.06 |
|
India |
3,813 |
1.20 |
|
Indonesia |
387 |
0.12 |
|
Iran Islamic Republic of |
76 |
0.02 |
|
Iraq |
82 |
0.03 |
|
Isle of Man |
107 |
0.03 |
|
Israel |
2,537 |
0.80 |
|
Italy |
14,190 |
4.47 |
|
Jamaica |
8 |
0.00 |
|
Japan |
8,266 |
2.61 |
|
Jersey |
9 |
0.00 |
|
Jordan |
129 |
0.04 |
|
Kazakhstan |
161 |
0.05 |
|
Kenya |
161 |
0.05 |
|
Kiribati |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Korea Republic of |
1,324 |
0.42 |
|
Kuwait |
202 |
0.06 |
|
Kyrgyzstan |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Lao People's Democratic Republic |
7 |
0.00 |
|
Latvia |
112 |
0.04 |
|
Lebanon |
123 |
0.04 |
|
Lesotho |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Liberia |
5 |
0.00 |
|
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya |
73 |
0.02 |
|
Lithuania |
105 |
0.03 |
|
Luxembourg |
-1,763 |
-0.56 |
|
Macedonia The Former Yugoslav Republic of |
13 |
0.00 |
|
Madagascar |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Malawi |
4 |
0.00 |
|
Malaysia |
521 |
0.16 |
|
Mali |
24 |
0.01 |
|
Malta |
148 |
0.05 |
|
Martinique |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Mauritania |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Mauritius |
21 |
0.01 |
|
Mayotte |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Mexico |
1,838 |
0.58 |
|
Moldova Republic of |
5 |
0.00 |
|
Mongolia |
6 |
0.00 |
|
Montenegro |
14 |
0.00 |
|
Montserrat |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Morocco |
142 |
0.04 |
|
Mozambique |
12 |
0.00 |
|
Myanmar |
14 |
0.00 |
|
Namibia |
4 |
0.00 |
|
Nauru |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Nepal |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Netherlands |
12,689 |
4.00 |
|
New Caledonia |
6 |
0.00 |
|
New Zealand |
329 |
0.10 |
|
Nicaragua |
2 |
0.00 |
|
Niger |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Nigeria |
447 |
0.14 |
|
Northern Mariana Islands |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Norway |
2,107 |
0.66 |
|
Oman |
140 |
0.04 |
|
Pakistan |
187 |
0.06 |
|
Palestinian Territory Occupied |
7 |
0.00 |
|
Panama |
78 |
0.02 |
|
Papua New Guinea |
2 |
0.00 |
|
Paraguay |
9 |
0.00 |
|
Peru |
57 |
0.02 |
|
Philippines |
340 |
0.11 |
|
Poland |
2,427 |
0.77 |
|
Portugal |
1,393 |
0.44 |
|
Puerto Rico |
26 |
0.01 |
|
Qatar |
345 |
0.11 |
|
Romania |
477 |
0.15 |
|
Russian Federation |
969 |
0.31 |
|
Saint Barthelemy |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Saint Helena |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Saint Lucia |
2 |
0.00 |
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadin |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Samoa |
2 |
0.00 |
|
San Marino |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Sao tome and Principe |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
1,655 |
0.52 |
|
Senegal |
43 |
0.01 |
|
Serbia |
48 |
0.02 |
|
Seychelles |
2 |
0.00 |
|
Sierra Leone |
2 |
0.00 |
|
Singapore |
5,745 |
1.81 |
|
Slovakia |
175 |
0.06 |
|
Slovenia |
102 |
0.03 |
|
Solomon Islands |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Somalia |
3 |
0.00 |
|
South Africa |
1,679 |
0.53 |
|
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands |
0 |
0.00 |
|
South Sudan |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Spain |
10,632 |
3.35 |
|
Sri Lanka |
23 |
0.01 |
|
St Maarten |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Sudan |
11 |
0.00 |
|
Suriname |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Swaziland |
3 |
0.00 |
|
Sweden |
4,609 |
1.45 |
|
Switzerland |
9,444 |
2.98 |
|
Syrian Arab Republic |
7 |
0.00 |
|
Taiwan Province of China |
745 |
0.23 |
|
Tajikistan |
2 |
0.00 |
|
Tanzania United Republic of |
19 |
0.01 |
|
Thailand |
394 |
0.12 |
|
Timor-Leste |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Togo |
16 |
0.01 |
|
Tokelau |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Tonga |
3 |
0.00 |
|
Trinidad and Tobago |
50 |
0.02 |
|
Tunisia |
48 |
0.02 |
|
Turkey |
2,158 |
0.68 |
|
Turkmenistan |
3 |
0.00 |
|
Turks and Caicos Islands |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Uganda |
3 |
0.00 |
|
Ukraine |
83 |
0.03 |
|
United Arab Emirates |
2,332 |
0.74 |
|
United Kingdom |
51,266 |
16.16 |
|
United States |
48,728 |
15.36 |
|
Uruguay |
97 |
0.03 |
|
US Minor outlying islands |
6 |
0.00 |
|
Uzbekistan |
9 |
0.00 |
|
Vatican City State |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Venezuela |
45 |
0.01 |
|
Viet Nam |
292 |
0.09 |
|
Virgin Islands British |
53 |
0.02 |
|
Virgin Islands US |
8 |
0.00 |
|
Wallis and Futuna |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Yemen |
11 |
0.00 |
|
Zambia |
12 |
0.00 |
|
Zimbabwe |
2 |
0.00 |
|
Countries/International Organisations not included above |
20,912 |
6.59 |
|
Total |
317,197 |
|
|
Negative amounts are due to merchanting activity |
121. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the amount in euro in value of goods only exported from Irish-based firms broken down by each country worldwide in 2015 and 2016, in tabular form; and the percentage share of such exports to each country in this period as a proportion of the total share. [26411/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2016 Ireland exported goods to 222 countries. The table shows the top 25 trading partners covering 92% of total trade.
Table A : Exports of Goods by country 2015-2016 and percentage share of total trade.
|
2015 €000's |
2016 €000's |
% of total 2015 |
% of total 2016 |
|
|
United States |
26,861,438 |
30,412,798 |
23.9 |
25.9 |
|
Belgium |
14,542,043 |
14,672,117 |
12.9 |
12.5 |
|
Great Britain |
13,810,026 |
13,371,251 |
12.3 |
11.4 |
|
Germany |
7,477,241 |
8,020,098 |
6.7 |
6.8 |
|
Switzerland |
6,096,406 |
6,318,464 |
5.4 |
5.4 |
|
Netherlands |
4,986,483 |
5,922,920 |
4.4 |
5.0 |
|
France |
4,876,934 |
5,068,816 |
4.3 |
4.3 |
|
China |
1,655,449 |
3,051,485 |
1.5 |
2.6 |
|
Spain |
4,021,070 |
2,973,468 |
3.6 |
2.5 |
|
Japan |
3,890,111 |
2,886,878 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
|
Italy |
2,546,438 |
2,410,512 |
2.3 |
2.0 |
|
Northern Ireland |
1,744,125 |
1,650,067 |
1.6 |
1.4 |
|
Australia |
924,962 |
1,475,938 |
0.8 |
1.3 |
|
Israel |
870,640 |
1,474,970 |
0.8 |
1.3 |
|
Poland |
1,187,421 |
1,373,238 |
1.1 |
1.2 |
|
Mexico |
1,394,459 |
1,358,107 |
1.2 |
1.2 |
|
Canada |
891,107 |
936,319 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
|
South Korea |
517,747 |
930,360 |
0.5 |
0.8 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
998,947 |
815,653 |
0.9 |
0.7 |
|
Sweden |
999,702 |
787,445 |
0.9 |
0.7 |
|
Hong Kong |
626,378 |
656,051 |
0.6 |
0.6 |
|
Denmark |
604,750 |
608,888 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
Singapore |
606,795 |
592,488 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
Turkey |
642,223 |
516,347 |
0.6 |
0.4 |
|
Portugal |
406,936 |
424,387 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
|
Rest of World |
9,227,509 |
8,898,822 |
8.2 |
7.6 |
|
Total |
112,407,340 |
117,607,889 |
100.0 |
100.0 |
122. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the amount in euro in value of services only exported from Irish-based firms to each country worldwide in 2015 and 2016, in tabular form; and the percentage share of such exports to each country in this period as a proportion of the total share. [26412/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe official measure of Ireland's service exports are produced by the Central Statistics Office in the annual International Trade in Services publication. The latest available data with a breakdown of service export destination by country is for the year 2015.
Exports of Services 2015 1
|
2015 |
||
|
Country/Region |
€million |
% Share |
|
Algeria |
* |
* |
|
Andorra |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Angola |
* |
* |
|
Antarctica |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Argentina |
170 |
0.14 |
|
Australia |
2,627 |
2.16 |
|
Austria |
766 |
0.63 |
|
Bahamas |
27 |
0.02 |
|
Bahrain |
47 |
0.04 |
|
Barbados |
84 |
0.07 |
|
Belarus |
* |
* |
|
Belgium |
2,363 |
1.94 |
|
Bermuda |
198 |
0.16 |
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
* |
* |
|
Brazil |
919 |
0.76 |
|
British Virgin Islands |
53 |
0.04 |
|
Bulgaria |
90 |
0.07 |
|
Canada |
1,416 |
1.16 |
|
Cayman Islands |
414 |
0.34 |
|
Chile |
221 |
0.18 |
|
China |
3,377 |
2.78 |
|
Colombia |
174 |
0.14 |
|
Croatia |
81 |
0.07 |
|
Curacao |
* |
* |
|
Cyprus |
* |
* |
|
Czech Republic |
309 |
0.25 |
|
Denmark |
1,148 |
0.94 |
|
Dominican Republic |
4 |
0.00 |
|
Ecuador |
23 |
0.02 |
|
Egypt |
228 |
0.19 |
|
El Salvador |
20 |
0.02 |
|
Estonia |
15 |
0.01 |
|
Ethiopia |
65 |
0.05 |
|
Finland |
886 |
0.73 |
|
France |
5,933 |
4.88 |
|
Georgia |
* |
* |
|
Germany |
9,569 |
7.87 |
|
Gibraltar |
89 |
0.07 |
|
Greece |
318 |
0.26 |
|
Guernsey |
47 |
0.04 |
|
Hong Kong |
562 |
0.46 |
|
Hungary |
* |
* |
|
Iceland |
73 |
0.06 |
|
India |
2,337 |
1.92 |
|
Indonesia |
301 |
0.25 |
|
Isle of Man |
106 |
0.09 |
|
Israel |
1,637 |
1.35 |
|
Italy |
6,242 |
5.13 |
|
Jamaica |
4 |
0.00 |
|
Japan |
3,155 |
2.59 |
|
Jersey |
9 |
0.01 |
|
Jordan |
54 |
0.04 |
|
Kazakhstan |
90 |
0.07 |
|
Kenya |
98 |
0.08 |
|
Korea, Republic of (South Korea) |
630 |
0.52 |
|
Kuwait |
74 |
0.06 |
|
Latvia |
53 |
0.04 |
|
Lebanon |
48 |
0.04 |
|
Libya |
* |
* |
|
Liechtenstein |
* |
* |
|
Lithuania |
69 |
0.06 |
|
Luxembourg |
1,477 |
1.21 |
|
Macao |
* |
* |
|
Malaysia |
244 |
0.20 |
|
Malta |
107 |
0.09 |
|
Marshall Islands |
* |
* |
|
Mexico |
547 |
0.45 |
|
Montenegro |
14 |
0.01 |
|
Morocco |
69 |
0.06 |
|
Netherlands |
4,009 |
3.30 |
|
New Zealand |
223 |
0.18 |
|
Nigeria |
139 |
0.11 |
|
Norway |
1,230 |
1.01 |
|
Oman |
73 |
0.06 |
|
Pakistan |
94 |
0.08 |
|
Panama |
48 |
0.04 |
|
Philippines |
169 |
0.14 |
|
Poland |
880 |
0.72 |
|
Portugal |
789 |
0.65 |
|
Qatar |
262 |
0.22 |
|
Romania |
137 |
0.11 |
|
Russian Federation |
1,326 |
1.09 |
|
Rwanda |
* |
* |
|
Saudi Arabia |
622 |
0.51 |
|
Serbia |
46 |
0.04 |
|
Singapore |
1,208 |
0.99 |
|
Slovakia |
98 |
0.08 |
|
Slovenia |
55 |
0.05 |
|
South Africa |
944 |
0.78 |
|
Spain |
3,081 |
2.53 |
|
Sri Lanka |
* |
* |
|
Sweden |
2,299 |
1.89 |
|
Switzerland |
3,167 |
2.60 |
|
Taiwan, Province of China |
490 |
0.40 |
|
Thailand |
118 |
0.10 |
|
Tokelau |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Trinidad and Tobago |
* |
* |
|
Tunisia |
26 |
0.02 |
|
Turkey |
663 |
0.55 |
|
Ukraine |
45 |
0.04 |
|
United Arab Emirates |
1,025 |
0.84 |
|
United Kingdom |
23,535 |
19.35 |
|
United States |
12,174 |
10.01 |
|
Uruguay |
* |
* |
|
Venezuela |
22 |
0.02 |
|
Viet Nam |
169 |
0.14 |
|
Virgin Islands, US |
8 |
0.01 |
|
International Organisations |
* |
* |
|
Not geographically allocated 2 |
* |
* |
|
Marginal trade 3 |
269 |
0.22 |
|
World total |
121,605 |
1 From International Trade in Service Publication. Table 3
2 This category covers data supplied by respondents without a geographical breakdown.
3 Subtotal for countries for which exports and imports are less than €10m.
*Suppressed for confidentiality reasons but included in world total.
123. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of small and medium enterprises, SMEs, that account for total exports of goods and services on a percentage basis broken down by each country worldwide in 2015 and 2016; and the number of persons employed in such SMEs. [26413/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exact data requested by the Deputy is not available but some estimates can be made from the CSO’s Structural Business Statistics (SBS) surveys. The most recent estimates available from the SBS surveys are for reference year 2014. The annual Census of Industrial Production, which is a component of SBS, is based on survey returns from a sample of about 2,000 industrial enterprises, combined with estimates for other enterprises based on Revenue data. Similarly, the Annual Services Inquiry is based on survey returns from a sample of about 8,000 service enterprises and combines this with Revenue data to give the overall estimates.
The sample returns from each of these two surveys give an indication of whether the enterprise is involved in exporting goods or services. The export estimates relate only to industrial enterprises employing 3 or more persons and to services enterprises employing 20 or more persons. The following two tables show the number of SMEs in Ireland above those size thresholds in 2014 and the estimated percentage engaged in exporting goods or services.
Table 1: Numbers of SMEs in Industry and Services, 2014
|
- |
Total |
|
Industrial SMEs with between 3 and 249 persons employed |
5,164 |
|
Service SMEs with between 20 and 249 persons employed |
6,368 |
Table 2: Estimated percentage of SMEs in Industry and Services engaged in exporting (based on respondent sample returns), 2014
|
- |
Total |
|
Industrial SMEs with between 3 and 249 persons employed |
51.2% |
|
Service SMEs with between 20 and 249 persons employed |
27.4% |
Some information on the destination of exports is collected in the Census of Industrial Production, but not in the Annual Services Inquiry. This information indicates that an estimated 49% of exports by industrial SMEs as measured by the Census of Industrial Production (comprises predominantly goods data with some Industrial services data) are to the UK, 29% to the Eurozone, 7% to the rest of the EU, 7% to the USA and 8% to the rest of the world.
More detailed information on enterprises engaged in exporting goods or services can be compiled from the Trade by Enterprise Characteristics (TEC) and Service Trade by Enterprise Characteristics (STEC) datasets. These datasets are derived from the relevant goods and service export statistics. The CSO plans to publish the statistics based on the TEC dataset by the end of 2017.
124. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of long-term unemployed over one year duration based on latest data; if he will provide in percentage terms the number of long-term unemployed over one year duration out of total persons unemployed; and the corresponding EU average rate. [26425/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment (International Labour Organisation - ILO) in the State. The latest unemployment data available for Ireland are for Q1 2017.
The latest corresponding EU 28 data available are for Q4 2016.
The table shows, for Ireland, the total number of unemployed persons (one year and over) together with the total number of unemployed persons for Q4 2016 and Q1 2017.
The table also includes the percentage share of all unemployed persons represented by those who are unemployed for one year and over for the same periods for Ireland, along with the corresponding percentage share for the EU 28 in respect of Q4 2016.
Unemployed persons aged 15 - 74 years classified by long-term (one year and over) unemployment (ILO) Q4 16 and Q1 17
|
Unemployed persons aged 15 - 74 years |
Q4 16 |
Q1 17 |
|
Long-term (one year and over) unemployed persons - Ireland ('000) |
79.7 |
78.7 |
|
Total unemployed persons - Ireland ('000) |
147.4 |
146.2 |
|
Long-term (one year and over) unemployed persons as a percentage of total unemployed persons - Ireland (%) |
54.1 |
53.8 |
|
Long-term (one year and over) unemployed persons as a percentage of total unemployed persons - EU 28 (%) |
46.6 |
: |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland and Eurostat.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q4=Oct-Dec, Q1=Jan-Mar.
: Not available at time of issue.
125. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of long-term unemployed, over one year duration, persons aged 15 to 24 years of age based on latest data; if he will provide in percentage terms the number of long term unemployed over one year duration out of total persons unemployed in this cohort; and the corresponding EU average rate. [26426/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment (International Labour Organisation - ILO) in the State. The latest unemployment data available for Ireland are for Q1 2017.
The latest corresponding EU 28 data available are for Q4 2016.
The table shows the total number of unemployed (ILO) persons (one year and over) aged 15-24 years for Ireland together with the total number who are unemployed for this age group in Q4 2016 and Q1 2017.
The table also includes the percentage share of all unemployed persons in this age category who are unemployed for one year and over for the same periods, along with the corresponding percentage share for the EU 28 in respect of Q4 2016.
Unemployed (ILO) persons aged 15-24 years classified by long-term (one year and over) unemployment, Q4 16 and Q1 17
|
Unemployed (ILO) persons aged 15-24 years |
Q4 16 |
Q1 17 |
|
Long-term (one year and over) unemployed persons aged 15-24 years- Ireland ('000) |
10.7 |
9.3 |
|
Total unemployed persons aged 15-24 years - Ireland ('000) |
30.4 |
24.3 |
|
Long-term (one year and over) unemployed persons aged 15-24 years as |
||
|
a percentage of total unemployed persons aged 15-24 years - Ireland (%) |
35.2 |
38.3 |
|
Long-term (one year and over) unemployed persons aged 15-24 years as |
||
|
a percentage of total unemployed persons aged 15-24 years - EU 28 (%) |
29.3 |
: |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland and Eurostat.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q4=Oct-Dec, Q1=Jan-Mar.
Not available at time of issue.
126. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of young persons in the State aged 15 to 29 years of age classified as not in employment, education or training, NEETs; the percentage of NEETs as a proportion of the total unemployed here; and the corresponding EU average rate. [26432/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment (International Labour Organisation - ILO) in the State. The latest annual (average) unemployment data available for Ireland is for 2016.
The table shows, for Ireland, the number of persons between 15-29 years of age classified as, not in employment, education, or training (NEET) and the total number of those classified as NEET being unemployed (ILO) for the years 2015 and 2016. The table also includes for Ireland the percentage share of all unemployed persons aged between 15 and 29 years represented by those classified as NEET above.
The most recently available annual unemployment data for the EU28 is for 2015.
Unemployed persons aged 15 - 29 years classified as NEET, 2015 and 2016
|
Unemployed (ILO) persons aged 15 - 29 years |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Total number of persons aged 15-29 years classified as NEET - Ireland ('000)1 |
135.6 |
121.3 |
|
of which: NEET (unemployed) - Ireland ('000) |
59.4 |
48.1 |
|
Total number unemployed persons aged 15-29 years - Ireland ('000) |
68.5 |
58.7 |
|
Percentage share of total unemployed persons aged 15-29 years |
||
|
represented by those classified as NEET for the same age group - Ireland |
86.7% |
81.9% |
|
Percentage share of total unemployed persons aged 15-29 years |
||
|
represented by those classified as NEET for the same age group - EU28 |
75.9% |
: |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland and Eurostat.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
1 Includes persons who are unemployed and active.
: Not available at time of issue.
127. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of long-term unemployed over two years duration based on latest data; if he will provide in percentage terms, the number of long term unemployed over two years duration out of total persons unemployed; and the corresponding EU average rate. [26427/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment (International Labour Organisation - ILO) in the State. The latest unemployment data available for Ireland are for Q1 2017.
The latest corresponding EU 28 data available are for Q4 2016.
The table shows the total number of long term unemployed over two years duration together with the total number of persons who were unemployed in Q4 2016 and Q1 2017 for Ireland.
The table also includes the percentage share of all unemployed persons represented by this category for the same periods for Ireland, along with the corresponding percentage share for the EU 28 in respect of Q4 2016.
Unemployed persons aged 15 - 74 years classified by long-term (two years and over) unemployment (ILO) Q4 16 and Q1 17
|
Unemployed persons aged 15 - 74 years |
Q4 16 |
Q1 17 |
|
Long-term (two years and over) unemployed persons - Ireland ('000) |
56.5 |
55.2 |
|
Total unemployed persons - Ireland ('000) |
147.4 |
146.2 |
|
Long-term (two years and over) unemployed persons as a percentage of total unemployed persons - Ireland (%) |
38.3 |
37.8 |
|
Long-term (two years and over) unemployed persons as a percentage of total unemployed persons - EU 28 (%) |
29.2 |
: |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland and Eurostat.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q4=Oct-Dec, Q1=Jan-Mar.
: Not available at time of issue.
128. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number and proportion of jobless households in the State on a percentage basis; and the corresponding EU number and average rate. [26428/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of data for the jobless household indicator. The latest QNHS annual data available for Ireland is for the year 2016.
The table shows the proportion of persons aged 18-59 years in jobless households in 2015 and 2016 (averages) for Ireland and the corresponding EU 28 data for 2015 and 2016.
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 years in jobless households, 2015 and 2016
%
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 years in jobless households |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Ireland |
12.4 |
11.6 |
|
EU 28 |
10.6 |
10.1 |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland and Eurostat.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
129. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Taoiseach the number of jobless households by county, in tabular form. [26857/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of data for the jobless household indicator.
The indicator "People aged 18 - 59 years living in jobless households" is calculated as the share of persons aged 18 - 59 who are living in households where no one is in employment. Students aged 18 - 24 who live in households composed solely of students (persons who have indicated that their Principal Economic Status is Student) of the same age class are not included. The indicator "People aged 0 - 17 years living in jobless households" is calculated as the share of persons aged 0 - 17 who are living in households where no one is in employment.
Estimates for the jobless household indicator are produced by NUTS 3 Regions and are not available on a county basis.
The table shows the proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households classified by sex, age group and NUTS3 region in Q1 2017.
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households classified by sex, age group and NUTS3 region, Q1 2017
%
|
NUTS3 regions |
Q1 2017 |
|
Border |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
13.7 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
14.3 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
14.3 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
14.3 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
14.1 |
|
Midland |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
12.7 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
11.8 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
14.1 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
13.0 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
12.9 |
|
West |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
14.2 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
8.4 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
11.0 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
9.7 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
11.2 |
|
Dublin |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
13.1 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
8.1 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
9.7 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
8.9 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
10.1 |
|
Mid-East |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
8.0 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
5.7 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
8.8 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
7.3 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
7.6 |
|
Mid-West |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
12.5 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
10.6 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
11.7 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
11.1 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
11.6 |
|
South-East |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
12.8 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
12.3 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
12.5 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
12.4 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
12.5 |
|
South-West |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
11.1 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
9.4 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
11.5 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
10.4 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
10.6 |
|
State |
|
|
Proportion of persons aged 0-17 living in jobless household |
12.2 |
|
Proportion of male persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
9.5 |
|
Proportion of female persons aged 18-59 living in jobless household |
11.1 |
|
Proportion of persons aged 18-59 living in jobless households |
10.3 |
|
Proportion of all persons aged 0-59 living in jobless households |
10.9 |
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q1=January-March.
130. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach the threats identified by his Department with regard to the responsibilities of his Department as a result of no deal being reached in Brexit negotiations. [26910/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 2nd May, the Government published a comprehensive document on Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This document sets out the approach of the Government to the forthcoming negotiations, following the successful campaign to have key Irish issues recognised in the EU negotiation position.Following on from this publication, work is underway to prepare a further paper on economic implications of the Brexit challenge. This will draw on the work to date across Departments, which will be developed to mitigate emerging sectorial challenges.
These plans will build on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders, and will reflect the core economic themes of former Taoiseach Kenny's speech to the IIEA on 15 February last.
Ireland’s economic interests lie firmly in a strong and well-functioning EU with continued and unfettered access to the single market. There is a lot of negotiation to be done around trading arrangements. Our contingency work is examining all scenarios and we cannot pre-empt the outcome at this stage. We are not under any illusions about the complexity of these negotiations and are engaged in detailed planning to prepare for these.
In my Department an amalgamated International, EU and Northern Ireland Division was set up to ensure that Brexit is treated as a crucial cross-cutting issue. All Departments and Agencies have been charged with making Brexit a priority. There is strong co-ordination at key levels across all Government Departments, including through the Cabinet Committee system.
In addition, a team of experienced senior officials from key Departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and my own Department, is preparing for the complex negotiations. Furthermore, each Government Department has developed thorough analysis of the critical issues which need to be addressed in their sectors. Consultation and engagement with a range of stakeholders has been extensive and is ongoing.
The structures and arrangements in place are appropriate to the nature of the tasks to be managed in the context of the challenges arising from Brexit, including the risks associated with the possibility of no deal being agreed in the negotiation process.
131. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 378 of 23 May 2017, if he will provide the figures for all pension contributions made by public sector workers in each body under the aegis of his Department, excluding those in the civil service, including the pension levy, in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [26979/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPension contributions for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) Secretariat between 2010-2017 are as follows:
|
# |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Pension Contributions (S&C) |
€9,606 |
€9,382 |
€9,717 |
€9,249 |
€12,792 |
€12,219 |
€12,875 |
€6,243 |
|
Pension Levy (PRD) |
€98,416 |
€97,859 |
€101,390 |
€92,389 |
€88,158 |
€81,960 |
€73,131 |
€34,011 |
132. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the Ministers or officials that have pre-release access to official statistics in tabular form; the official statistics to which each Minister has pre-release access; and the length of time before official release they have access. [27041/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CSO's Policy on Pre-Release Access is published at http://www.cso.ie/en/aboutus/dissemination/csopolicyonpre-releaseaccess/ .
The policy specifies that the CSO’s standard practice is that statistics are released to all users at the same time and any form of pre-release access is a privilege. No ministers are given pre-release access by the CSO. The list of persons with pre-release access privileges is published at http://www.cso.ie/en/aboutus/dissemination/csopolicyonpre-releaseaccess/listofindividualswhohavebeenapprovedforpre-releaseaccess/
133. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; if there is a responsibility to employ persons with disabilities to a quota of 3% of its workforce; if this quota has now been exceeded; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to this quota; if not, the reason therefor; and the dates and details of such competitions. [27144/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disability Act, 2005, obliges all public sector organisations, including my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), to employ a minimum of 3% of staff with a disability.
As at 31 December 2016, 4.59% of the staff of my Department and 5.5% of the staff of NESDO voluntarily disclosed a disability.
My Department is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. Staff are recruited on the basis that they meet the requirements of the positions they are to fill. In addition to complying with the provisions of the Disability Act, 2005, we follow the guidelines set out in the Commission for Public Service Appointments' codes of practice for appointments to positions in the Civil Service and Public Service.
Recruitment to my Department is, in the main, undertaken through the Public Appointments Service. My Department also participates in positive action programmes such as the Willing, Able and Mentoring Programme under the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
134. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach the contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) per annum since March 2011, in tabular form by his Department or agency or body under the aegis of his Department; the cost per contract; and the basis for each contract. [27457/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no contracts awarded to this company by my Department or the body under its aegis, the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), in the period in question.
135. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach if State agencies, including the CSO and Pobal, pay intellectual property fees for the use of the deprivation index (details supplied); the cost per annum of same; and the justification for this in view of the reliance of the index on publicly collected data. [27701/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pobal HP Deprivation Index is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area using data compiled from the census.
The index is freely available to all on the Pobal website. It can be accessed as an excel download for Electoral Divisions or through the map interface which presents deprivation scores for Small Areas. Users can also run reports for Local Authority areas which provide a list of the Small Areas within that Local Authority area along with the accompanying deprivation scores and census data.
The full index at Small Area level in excel format is also freely available to all public sector bodies, including the CSO, directly from Trutz Haase.
The census data used to create the index is based on the CSO’s small area population dataset which is also freely available on the CSO website. The 2016 census small area data will be available on the 20 of July 2016.
136. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the amount his Department or a body under its aegis has paid to a company (details supplied) for advice, the use of intellectual property and other services. [27716/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no contracts awarded to this company by my Department or the body under its aegis, the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO).
137. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Taoiseach the number of persons employed in the film and television production industry; and the number of these which are categorised as trainees. [27801/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. In line with EU requirements the QNHS collects sector of employment according to the standard EU classification (NACE Rev.2).
The two digit NACE Rev. 2 classification of employment is the most detailed employment data available from the QNHS.
The two digit NACE Rev. 2 Code 59 (Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities) includes data on employment in the film and television production industry.
The QNHS estimate of employment in the two digit NACE Rev. 2 Code 59 (Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities) in Q1 2017 was 6,600 persons. It is not possible to provide details of the number of trainees included in this two digit NACE Rev. 2 employment classification for reasons of statistical reliability.
138. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach if any former Members have been appointed to State boards under his remit by the public appointments service; and if so, the names and positions of same. [28220/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo former TDs have been appointed to State Boards under my Department's remit following recommendations by the Public Appointments Service.
139. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has met the church leaders recently. [27555/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLike public representatives generally, my predecessor met church leaders informally from time to time in the course of attending official or public events. Last year in particular, with the 1916 commemorations, he attended many events that were also attended by representatives from various religious groups.
Bilateral meetings have been held with representatives from the Catholic Church, Church of Ireland, the Jewish community, the Islamic community, Atheist Ireland and the Humanist Association of Ireland as part of the Structured Dialogue Process between 2013 and 2015. A meeting was also held with an ecumenical delegation of European Churches in the context of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013.
My predecessor reported to the House on all the meetings held under the Structured Dialogue Process in replies to various Parliamentary Questions since 2013, most recently on 15 June 2016 and 28 March 2017. No meetings have been held under the Structured Dialogue Process since the General Election.
140. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Taoiseach the amount spent by his Department on designing, implementing and supporting the Eircode system in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [28146/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of the Taoiseach does not have policy responsibility for the design, implementation or support of the Eircode system. As answered in previous Parliamentary Questions, there has been no expenditure by the Department relating to the Eircode. Including the Eircode in the Department's stationery did not result in additional cost.
141. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, since the British general election outcome on 8 June 2017. [28651/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI spoke by phone to Prime Minister May last Thursday following my appointment as Taoiseach. I extended the Government's sympathies to her and to the people of London on the tragic fire at the Grenfell Tower. We also discussed Brexit and the ongoing political discussions in London and in Belfast, agreeing on the need to have the Northern Ireland Executive up and running as quickly as possible. We agreed to meet in Downing Street the following Monday to continue our discussions.
In that meeting yesterday I again expressed my sympathies on the recent tragedies and atrocities in London. We discussed the situation in Northern Ireland in some detail. We are both absolutely committed to seeing the Northern Ireland institutions back up and running as a matter of urgency.
We discussed our respective contacts with the parties in recent days. I am confident that, in our role as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, we can provide resolute support and encouragement to the Northern Ireland parties in the days ahead, and that with goodwill and respect on all sides we can reach a successful conclusion to the current talks.
Now that formal negotiations between the EU and the UK have commenced, it is vital that the views and concerns of Northern Ireland are fully reflected.
The Prime Minister and I reaffirmed our two Governments’ commitment to maintaining the Common Travel Area and associated reciprocal rights, to protecting the Peace Process and, in particular, to keeping the border invisible. But we also recognise that this will be extremely challenging and, in the words of the EU negotiation guidelines, will require “flexible and imaginative” solutions. This Government will certainly play its part in working constructively with all our partners – in Northern Ireland, in Britain and across the EU – to find solutions that are in the best interests of everyone on these islands.
I also raised the ongoing talks between the DUP and the Conservative Party in the context of the need for impartiality of the two Governments.
142. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the Northern Ireland First Minister, Arlene Foster, since the outcome of the British general election on 8 June 2017; the issues that were discussed; and if particular issues regarding Brexit were discussed. [28652/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra143. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the Northern Ireland First Minister, Arlene Foster, regarding the confidence and supply arrangement between the Democratic Unionist Party and the Conservative Party. [28653/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
I met with DUP Party Leader Arlene Foster and Simon Hamilton MLA in Government Buildings on 16 June.
We discussed a wide range of issues including the urgent need to re-establish the Northern Ireland Executive, noting the deadline of 29 June for completion of negotiations.
There was also agreement on the importance of a functioning Executive in the context of the Brexit negotiations due to start the following week.
I made clear that my Government and I would work in support of the Northern Ireland parties to re-establish the Executive, and in pursuit of strong North-South relations including through the North South Ministerial Council.
I stressed the objectives of ensuring that Brexit does not impact negatively on the Good Friday Agreement and the Peace Process, and protecting North-South trade and economic activity and the Common Travel Area.
I raised the ongoing discussions on formation of a new Government in London with the DUP, which is a matter for the parties represented at Westminster, but noted the need to avoid any outcome which could interfere with devolution and the prospects of re-establishing the Executive.
Finally, I noted opportunities for investment in infrastructure which could be of benefit on both parts of the island, and agreed that discussions on this should continue.
144. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his plans to make changes to the Government Information Service; the number of staff employed there; and if there will be an increase in same. [28654/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government Information Service is comprised of:
- Government Press Secretary;
- Deputy Government Press Secretary;
- Assistant Government Press Secretary (Vacant);
- Two Assistant Principal Officers, one of whom is assigned to MerrionStreet.ie;
- Four Press Officers (Higher Executive Officer equivalent) - there are currently vacancies in two of these positions;
- Three Communications & Media Assistants (Executive Officer equivalent; two of whom are assigned to MerrionStreet.ie) - there are currently vacancies in all three of these positions; and
- 1 Clerical Officer.
Temporary arrangements are in place to cover over the vacancies detailed above while the relevant recruitment processes are finalised.
I have not as yet made any decisions as to whether to make changes to the resourcing or structure of the Government Information Service.
145. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach if all State bodies under the aegis of his Department have furnished a report confirming the State body has complied with its obligations under tax law for 2015 and 2016 as required under the code of practice for the governance of State bodies; the action which was taken regarding those bodies that did not submit such requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28676/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Economic and Social Council is the only relevant body insofar as my Department is concerned.
NESC’s role is to analyse and report on strategic issues for Ireland’s economic, social, environmental and sustainable development. Its tax obligations arise in relation to payroll and, as relevant, professional services withholding tax. All payments and accounting practices are audited annually by the C&AG and detailed in the Council’s Annual Report and Financial Statements.
The most recent Annual Report and Financial Statement, for 2015, was published in December 2016, and includes the Chairman’s Statement confirming that the NESC’s policies and procedures comply with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
Compliance with the Code of Practice is reviewed on a regular basis and will be again in the context of the preparations for the 2016 report and financial statements.
146. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the supports being afforded to the previous holder of his office; the annualised cost of these supports; and the period of time for which these supports will be given. [28997/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Finance initiative that allowed for the provision of supports to former Taoisigh ceased in March 2012. My Department has not provided any support to former Taoisigh since that date.
147. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach the number of staff under the remit of his Department who have applied to be transferred to Department or State agency offices located outside the Dublin region in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the estimated average cost incurred for each staff member that relocated outside the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29045/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department fully supports staff mobility and routinely circulates secondment/transfer opportunities to all Departmental staff, including those opportunities issued by the Civil Service HR Directorate in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. If a staff member is interested in availing of a mobility opportunity, my Department makes every effort to facilitate same. In general, no costs arise for my Department when an individual staff member avails of a mobility opportunity.
148. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach the status of the Commission of Investigation into NAMA's Project Eagle. [29051/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the approval of the draft Order by the Dáil and Seanad, the Government made the Commission of Investigation (National Asset Management Agency) Order 2017 on 13 June 2017. The Commission will, in the first module of its work, investigate the sale by the National Assets Management Agency of its Project Eagle portfolio. Judge John Cooke has been appointed as the Commission's Sole Member. The Commission is fully independent in all aspects of its work. The Commission's address is: Commission of Investigation (National Asset Management Agency), First Floor, St. Stephen's Green House, Dublin 2.
