Written Answers Nos. 68-87
68. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of an advanced facility project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35363/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe IDA's regional property programme, which provides for the construction of advance facilities in locations across the country, helps the Agency to attract more foreign direct investment to regional Ireland. Under the programme, advanced facilities have already been constructed and completed in Athlone and Waterford and further buildings are scheduled for completion elsewhere across Ireland.
With regard to the South East in particular, a further facility will be constructed in Waterford and a facility will also be built in Carlow. Sites will be selected in both Counties for these facilities in the near future and it is anticipated that construction will be completed by the end of 2018.
69. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she received the annual report of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission by 30 June 2017 as required under section 30 of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014; if not, the reason for the delay; and when she plans to publish the annual report. [35368/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI received the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s Annual Report for 2016 on 30 June 2017 as required under Section 32 of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014. The report will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas after it has been considered by Government. In accordance with statutory requirements, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission must arrange for it to be published on its website as soon as practicable after it has been laid.
70. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to make appointments of members of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, in view of the fact the current membership of only three is the statutory minimum membership and the workload of the CCPC requires a membership of four or five. [35369/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is currently no qualified lawyer on the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, following recent retirements; and if she will prioritise the appointment of a qualified lawyer as a member of the CCPC, as is the norm in all such equivalent competition enforcement agencies in the European Union. [35370/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together.
Section 12 of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 provides for the membership of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).
Section 12 (3) provides that the membership must consist of a chairperson and such number of other whole-time members, not being less than 2 nor more than 6, as the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation determines and appoints. The CCPC currently has one Chairperson and 2 members. The appointment of another whole-time member will be announced shortly.
Section 12 (8) provides that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation must appoint a member who in their opinion must possess sufficient expertise in, or experience of, one or more of the following areas, namely law, economics, public administration, consumer affairs or business generally. It is not a statutory requirement that one member must be a qualified lawyer.
As part of its staffing complement, the CCPC currently has 4 Legal Advisors, all qualified lawyers with post qualification experience as a requirement of the position. In addition, there are 7 other staff who are qualified lawyers working across its Divisions.
72. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of visits the IDA has made to counties Cavan, Monaghan, Meath and all other counties in 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35428/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table sets out the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits to each county over the course of the first three months of 2017. Information on the number of site visits that took place during quarter two of this year should be available shortly.
IDA Ireland site visits - Quarter 1 2017
|
Region |
County |
Number of visits |
|
Dublin |
Dublin |
82 |
|
Mid-East |
Kildare |
2 |
|
Mid-East |
Meath |
0 |
|
Mid-East |
Wicklow |
1 |
|
Midlands |
Laois |
0 |
|
Midlands |
Longford |
0 |
|
Midlands |
Offaly |
1 |
|
Midlands |
Westmeath |
9 |
|
Mid-West |
Clare |
10 |
|
Mid-West |
Limerick |
10 |
|
Mid-West & South East |
Tipperary |
5 |
|
North East |
Cavan |
0 |
|
North East |
Louth |
5 |
|
North East |
Monaghan |
1 |
|
North West |
Donegal |
1 |
|
North West |
Leitrim |
1 |
|
North West |
Sligo |
2 |
|
South East |
Carlow |
3 |
|
South East |
Kilkenny |
2 |
|
South East |
Waterford |
3 |
|
South East |
Wexford |
1 |
|
South West |
Cork |
9 |
|
South West |
Kerry |
1 |
|
West |
Galway |
23 |
|
West |
Mayo |
0 |
|
West |
Roscommon |
1 |
73. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans for a site (details supplied); the timeframe in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35433/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe IDA Ireland property in question is located in Killygarry, Co. Cavan and consists of a 17 hectare Business and Technology Park. The main tenant at the park at present is ATA Group, with 11 hectares of land currently available for investment.
IDA Ireland is progressing, in partnership with Cavan County Council, a proposed joint initiative for a new technology building in the business park. IDA Ireland would also consider non-traditional investments in the park on a case by case basis.
I am hopeful that these steps, together with the broader work of the Agency in the region, will help to increase levels of investment in the park and in County Cavan as a whole.
74. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount spent by her Department on taxi and-or limousine fares in the past two years to date by year and amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35491/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total amount that my Department has spent on taxi fares for the period in question is outlined in the following table. My Department did not have any spend on limousine fares in the same period. The cost of car hire, both self drive and chauffeur drive is also attached.
|
YEAR |
TAXI |
CAR HIRE |
|
2015 |
€14,971.97 |
€197.93 |
|
2016 |
€19,905.81 |
€508.17 |
|
2017 (Jan-June) |
€9,694.93 |
€3,571.61 |
75. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions her Department has taken, in view of the recent EUROSTAT report, which found that the State was the second most expensive country in the European Union for goods and services; the discussions she has had with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission with regard to measures to protect consumers and reduce the cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36064/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Competition and Consumer Protection Commission does not have any role in setting prices. However, it advocates for greater competition across all sectors to reduce costs (including through its membership of the National Competitiveness Council) and also makes recommendations with respect to various sectors of the economy for consideration by the relevant Government bodies responsible for a specific policy area to achieve such reduced costs.
Ensuring that businesses operate in a competitive environment and that business costs are sustainable is a key focus for the National Competitiveness Council which has recently reported to me in its Cost of Doing Business Report 2017 and which I have taken to Cabinet to raise the business related cost issues across the relevant Government Departments.
The NCC research shows that notwithstanding the sharp cost adjustments that Ireland underwent in terms of its cost base across a range of metrics during the crisis, Irish price levels remain elevated compared with many of our competitors. Prices on average, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, registered no growth in 2016 compared to 2015 and were 0.2% higher in April 2017 compared with April 2016. As highlighted by the CSO, the most notable changes in the year were decreases in Transport (-0.52%) and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (-0.04%). The aspects which caused the largest upward contribution in the month were Restaurants & Hotels (+0.12%) and Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+0.08%). Ireland, however, remains a relatively expensive location in which to live and do business with a price profile which can be described as “high cost, rising slowly”. Irish consumer prices remain over 25% above the European Union average.
The NCC has identified a number of recurring cost drivers impacting on a range of business inputs including Housing, Commercial property, Credit costs and interest rate differentials between Irish firms and their European counterparts, Energy and utility costs, Business services costs (e.g. professional services and transport) and Consumer costs (e.g. insurance, health and education). There is a role for both the public and private sectors alike to proactively manage the controllable portion of their respective cost bases, drive efficiency and continue to take action to address unnecessarily high costs.
The NCC will be reporting to me in December with recommendations in its annual Competitiveness Challenge Report 2017 to address competitive issues in the economy and I will take these to Government for response by the respective Departments and agencies.
76. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the funding to be provided by her Department in 2017 for the community enterprise initiative scheme and the competitive regional fund to assist in the development of enterprise centres and work space in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36094/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Regional Enterprise Development Fund was launched in May 2017. This €60 million competitive fund will support major new collaborative and innovative initiatives that can make a significant impact on enterprise development in the region/across regions or nationally to build the unique USP capabilities to grow the regions.
Under a competitive process, Enterprise Ireland is now seeking applications for funding under four streams with varying investment levels:
1. Major Change Projects - €2m up to €5m per project,
2. Regionally Significant Projects - €250,000 up to €2m per project,
3. Local & Community Enterprise Development Projects - €50,000 up to €250,000 per project,
4. Industry Clusters - €50,000 up to €250,000 per project.
The Applicant will be not for profit entities that have already, or propose to, set up a distinct legal entity that comprise national/regional, county and local stakeholders, with a purpose of benefiting the wider needs of the community and region/nation.
Applicants can be promoted by private or public organisations, which for example might include:
- Higher Education Institutes
- Semi State Commercial bodies
- Local Enterprise Development Groups
- Local Authorities
In addition, Industry Clusters must comprise of at least five companies.
The first call for applications closes on August 18th. All eligible projects are encouraged to apply.
77. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to review the Employment Permits Act, whereby an advertisement relating to the proposed employment has to run in a national newspaper for three days as required under regulations 31(1) and 44 (1) of the employment permits regulations 2017 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36131/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans at present to amend the Employment Permit Acts but I am conscious of the need to ensure that our laws keep pace with changing technological and business practices. The employment permits system has gone through significant updating in recent years and the application process is fully on-line.
Government policy is to issue employment permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and where the positions on offer cannot be reasonably filled from within Ireland, Switzerland and the EEA (EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).
In order to ensure that job opportunities are made available to Irish and EEA nationals, employers must satisfy a Labour Market Needs Test before a General Employment Permit or Contract for Services Employment Permit can be issued to a non-EEA national. The specific requirements of the Labour Market Needs Test are set out in legislation in s10A of the Employment Permits Act 2006, as amended. The employer must advertise the vacancy:
- with the Department of Social Protection Employment Services/EURES employment network for at least 2 weeks and
- in a national newspaper for at least 3 days and also
- in either a local newspaper or jobs website (separate to Department of Social Protection/EURES websites) for 3 days.
The requirement to advertise at national, EEA and in local/industry specific media ensures that information regarding the vacancy has been made available as widely as possible. In addition all advertisements must include information relating to the job description and remuneration to ensure that a subsequent offer to a non-EEA national in the event that no EEA national is found for the position is made on the same basis as the offer to an EEA national.
78. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details of each body or organisation that is scheduled to receive in excess of €1 million from her Department's Vote of expenditure or the group of Votes of expenditure connected with her Department in 2017 for the provision of services by the body or the organisation concerned; the amount involved in each case; if there is a signed service level agreement in place in respect of the services to be carried out by these bodies or organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36160/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table outlines the 2017 allocations across the respective subheads of my Department’s Vote where this year’s funding to the Office, Agency or organisation concerned exceeds €1 million.
|
Subhead |
Office/Agency/Organisation |
Total 2017 funding provision as per Revised Estimates Volume (gross) |
|
A4 |
InterTrade Ireland |
€ 7.960 million |
|
A5 |
IDA Ireland |
€179.264 million |
|
A6 |
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
€ 5.802 million |
|
A7 |
Enterprise Ireland (general enterprise supports/Non R&D funding) |
€143.254 million |
|
A8 |
Local Enterprise Offices (x 31) |
€ 32.931 million |
|
A10 |
Interreg Programme (A North/South/EU co-funded programme) |
€ 3.000 million |
|
A11 |
Ireland’s 2017 membership subscription to the World Trade Organisation |
€ 1.839 million |
|
B3 |
Patents Office |
€ 2.841 million |
|
B4 |
Science Foundation Ireland |
€172.631 million |
|
B4 |
Enterprise Ireland R&D funding |
€126.248 million |
|
B4 |
Tyndall National Institute |
€ 4.500 million |
|
B5 |
Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (administered on behalf of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation by the Higher Education Authority) |
€ 14.400 million |
|
B6 |
Ireland’s 2017 membership subscription and participation in European Space Agency programmes (ESA) |
€ 17.779 million |
|
B6 |
Ireland’s 2017 membership subscription and access to participation in the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) programmes |
€ 1.223 million |
|
C3 |
Labour Court |
€ 3.648 million |
|
C3 |
Workplace Relations Commission |
€ 13.379 million |
|
C3 |
Employment Appeals Tribunal |
€ 1.709 million |
|
C5 |
The Health & Safety Authority |
€ 18.112 million |
|
C7 |
Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement |
€ 4.895 million |
|
C8 |
Competition & Consumer Protection Commission |
€ 12.138 million |
|
C11 |
Companies Registration Office (including the Registry of Friendly Societies) |
€ 7.488 million |
|
C12 |
Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority |
€ 2.105 million |
|
C14 |
Ireland’s annual subscription to the International Labour Organisation |
€ 1.250 million |
The 2017 Oversight and Performance Delivery Agreements (OPDA) have been finalised and signed by the Department and each of the following Agencies.
- Competition & Consumer Protection Commission
- Health & Safety Authority
- Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority
- IDA Ireland
- National Standards Authority of Ireland
- Science Foundation Ireland
The OPDA in respect of Enterprise Ireland for 2017 will be finalised shortly.
In respect of InterTrade IreIand, due to the unique nature of that organisation, as one of the Good Friday Implementation bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement and its unique co-funding model, with grants from both the Northern Irish and Irish administrations, and the oversight role undertaken by the North South Ministerial Council, a different set of governance arrangements are in place, involving Annual Business Plans, 3 year Corporate Plans and an overarching Financial Memorandum. In addition, the two Finance Departments, North and South also have a significant role relating to relevant financial issues. These arrangements mean that an annual Service Level Agreement is not appropriate.
A Memorandum of Understanding for 2017 has been finalised and signed off by the Department and each of its Offices. These include:
- Companies Registration Office (including the Registry of Friendly Societies)
- Employment Appeals Tribunal
- Labour Court
- Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement
- Patents Office
- Workplace Relations Commission
Ireland’s membership of various international organisations are underpinned by signed international agreements. For the annual memberships in excess of €1 million these include:
- European Space Agency
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory
- International Labour Organisation
- World Trade Organisation
The 31 Local Enterprise Offices operate under the auspices of the Local Authorities across the country. My Department’s funding provision to the Local Enterprise Offices is administered through Enterprise Ireland and is subject to annual Service Level Agreements with each Local Enterprise Office.
The annual provision to the Tyndall National Institute via my Department’s Vote is underpinned by a signed agreement between the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, University College Cork and the Tyndall National Institute.
The funding provision to support the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) is provided to the Higher Education Authority (HEA), an agency under the auspices of the Department of Education and Skills. The current Cycle 5 of the PRTLI was the subject of the comprehensive agreement between that Department and the HEA.
Since the transfer of the PRTLI functions to my Department, since May 2010 the HEA has administered the PRTLI programme of behalf of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The annual funding provision relates to payment on outstanding Exchequer commitments relating to Cycle 5 awards which were initiated in 2011. There is an annual communication from my Department to the HEA regarding the annual PRTLI funding provision. The PRTLI funding forms part of my Department’s annual Quality Assurance checks as required under the Public Spending Code.
In respect of the new INTERREG Programme, payments in respect of which will commence this year, the text of a new Service Level Agreement setting out arrangements to apply between this Department and the EU Managing Authority, is currently being finalised and is likely to be formally in place shortly.
79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the additional supports that have been put in place to date to assist businesses that are heavily or totally dependent on Northern Ireland or Britain for an export market, in view of the uncertainty that has arisen due to Brexit and currency fluctuations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36267/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UK is a strategically important market for Irish-owned companies and some sectors – for example Food, Timber, Construction and Engineering, are particularly dependent on that market.
In 2016, 35%, or €7.55bn of Enterprise Ireland client exports went to the UK. By contrast, 10 years ago, 45% of EI client exports went to the UK. So, while we are now less dependent on the UK market a key part of EI’s strategy is to further reduce the share of exports going to the UK.
The objective however is not to reduce our exports to the UK market, which will always be a key market. The aim is to grow our exports to other markets. A particular focus will be the Eurozone market. EI recently launched a Strategy to increase client exports to the Eurozone by 50%, from €4bn currently to €6bn, by 2020.
On the critical issue of finance, following significant analysis and stakeholder consultation, my Department is currently working to develop appropriate, tailored and targeted responses to meet the needs of companies across the economy around working capital and business development schemes. While these measures are being considered in the context of existing State aid rules, this work, along with market developments as a result of Brexit, and ongoing engagement with the business community, will inform further discussions with the Commission and the development of any further initiatives to business.
Since the UK referendum result, my Department and its agencies - Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices and Inter Trade Ireland - have been actively engaged in supporting companies to assess and address their exposure to Brexit.
In terms of information and advice, EI initially produced an updated guide to exporting to the UK as well as a series of papers and webinars on key issues including currency. EI’s current “#Prepare for Brexit” campaign includes a Brexit Scorecard, available to all companies, to self-assess their preparedness across all aspects of operations and strategy and which generates a report suggesting appropriate responses. These supports are available to all companies, on EI’s website: www.enterprise-ireland.com.
Each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices can offer advice, training and mentoring to address Brexit challenges. Each LEO can now offer financial assistance to clients to examine export options, to improve product innovation and improve the competitiveness of their business in the face of Brexit.
InterTrade Ireland has established a new Brexit Advisory Service to assist SMEs, particularly dependent on cross border trade.
In terms of export assistance, my Department secured additional resources in Budget 2017 to enable EI and the LEOs to support exporting companies. An extra 39 staff are being recruited by EI to support companies with market research and new market penetration. EI will organise some 145 trade promotion events in 2017.
The strategic response to Brexit is to strengthen the innovation and market diversification of Irish companies. On an ongoing basis, Enterprise Ireland is engaged directly with clients that are most dependant on the UK to offer a package of supports in terms of marketing, innovation, key skills and competitiveness in order to secure existing business and to source new opportunities.
80. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the manner in which her Department has collaborated with the IFA and Enterprise Ireland to promote economic growth in south Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36474/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraKildare is part of the Mid-East region along with Meath and Wicklow, and has the lowest unemployment rate in the State of 5.3%. I understand that there are 23 IDA supported client companies employing 10,139 people in County Kildare. Building on this strong base, the Agency is targeting a 30% to 40% increase in investment in the region by 2019. A dedicated Regional Business Development Manager has been appointed to assist the Agency in achieving this ambitious target. IDA Ireland is actively seeking overseas investment for Kildare and continues to draw the attention of potential investors to the particular strengths of the County.
In 2016, Enterprise Ireland supported companies in County Kildare employed 8,632 people, a net gain of 229 on the previous year. Enterprise Ireland’s Strategy for the period 2017 to 2020 is focused on addressing the need for greater scale across Irish enterprise, in every county throughout the country, including the Agency’s 180 clients in Kildare.
In the period 2014 to 2016, Enterprise Ireland paid approximately €11 million to client companies located in Kildare. Enterprise Ireland funding has supported the establishment of two Community Enterprise Centres in Kildare situated in Clane and Athy. These provide space in a supportive environment for budding entrepreneurs and serve to help the development of entrepreneurship locally.
In June 2017, Enterprise Ireland launched the competitive Regional Enterprise Development Fund. The Fund will support significant collaborative regional initiatives to build on specific industry sectoral strengths and improve enterprise capability, thereby driving job creation. This competitive fund is open to projects from Kildare that meet the fund’s eligibility criteria. An information event on this initiative was held in Maynooth at the end of June. Enterprise Ireland will continue to work with other enterprise development actors to support the implementation of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs and Rural Action Plan in Kildare and surrounding area.
81. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the latest profiles in value and outruns forecasted in her Department for the end of December 2017 and any variances that may arise based on her Department's performance against profile in gross voted expenditure at the end of June 2017. [36570/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra87. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there will be an underspend in her Department's current or capital budget for 2017; if so, the subheads that are now below profile and those that may come in below profile at the end of the calendar year; if underspends in her Department will be available to the central Exchequer at year end; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36749/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 87 together.
The total gross allocation to my Department’s Vote as per the 2017 Revised Estimates Volume amounts to €858.4 million broken down between Capital funding of €555 million and Current funding of €303.4 million. This allocation is distributed across 39 different subheads which is reflective of the diversity of my Department’s functions.
Capital funding is primarily in the form of enterprise and innovation grants awards provided through Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices, InterTrade Ireland, Tyndall National Institute, the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions and the Interreg programme. It also covers some funding to support the National Standards Authority of Ireland, the Credit Guarantee Scheme and payment of Ireland’s membership and participation in various International Research Organisations such as the European Space Agency.
Current funding covers the Pay, Non-Pay and Pensions costs associated with the Department, its Offices and Agencies. It also covers Ireland’s annual membership subscriptions to certain international organisations such as the Wold Trade Organisation, the International Labour Organisation and the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
Gross expenditure to the end of June 2017 across my Department’s Vote amounted to €333.960 million. This compares to an estimated profiled expenditure amount undertaken through an extensive exercise at the beginning of 2017 of €360.44 million. The gross expenditure to the end of June therefore represents a 7% variance behind expenditure profile. The following table outlines the respective variances between the different elements of Current expenditure and also Capital expenditure versus the initial profile.
|
- |
Total Allocation as per 2017 REV |
Expenditure to the end of June 2017 |
Original profiled spend estimate for end June 2017 |
Variance |
% Variance |
|
Pay |
€153.53m |
€69.61m |
€72.08m |
-€2.46m |
-3% |
|
Pensions |
€ 49.37m |
€24.43m |
€24.55m |
-€0.12m |
0% |
|
Non-Pay |
€100.50m |
€41.88m |
€45.29m |
-€3.40m |
-8% |
|
Capital |
€555.00m |
€198.03m |
€218.51m |
-€20.48m |
-9% |
My Department keeps expenditure trends under constant review and provides expenditure details on a monthly basis to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Such information feeds into the Expenditure Reports that are published with the monthly Exchequer Statement.
It is difficult to assess the full year expenditure on my Department’s Vote at this early stage. As the year progresses my Department will continue to manage expenditure within the allocations agreed by the Dáil in the 2017 Estimates in order to deliver on my Department’s agreed objectives.
82. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the detail of each specific EU Competitiveness Council Ministers' meeting at which she made the case for the need for a revision of state aid rules of Regulation (EU) No 1407/2013 to protect Irish enterprises and related jobs during the UK’s two-year exit phase from the EU and the subsequent transition phase; the date of every such meeting at which this was raised, in tabular form; the status of progress being made at EU level to increase current state aid thresholds to support Irish enterprises in the event of a hard Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36711/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the Brexit Referendum, my predecessor, Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor, attended three meetings of the Competitiveness Council on 29 September 2016, 28 November 2016 and 20 February 2017. State Aid rules did not feature on the agenda. However, in our engagements with both EU Commissioners and Ministers from other Member States since the UK decision, Brexit has been a central part of the discussions at these meetings. Last autumn, officials of my Department initiated discussions with DG Competition to sensitise the Commission to potential difficulties likely to be encountered by Irish firms from the Brexit referendum result. I also informed Michael Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, of these discussions when I met him in Brussels on 10th July 2017. These discussions continue at the highest levels to address all relevant issues relating to any proposals emerging from our work with industry.
The Government is conscious of the need to consider the types of supports that Irish businesses may require to address challenges arising as a result of the Brexit Referendum, which is likely to represent a structural shift in the UK trading relations. Short, medium and long term responses from market diversification through to price repositioning will be needed.
On foot of extensive engagement with industry, my Department is working with the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland and the SBCI to develop appropriate, tailored and targeted responses. This work, along with market developments as a result of Brexit, and ongoing engagement with the business community, will inform further discussions with the Commission and the development of any further initiatives to business.
83. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of cases of bogus self-employment dealt with by Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, labour inspectors over the 2014 to 2016 period and to date in 2017. [36714/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has a well-resourced and proactive labour inspectorate, which forms part of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Inspections are undertaken on the basis of risk analysis and as a result of complaints received.
Where the WRC inspection service receives complaints in relation to bogus self-employment or bogus sub-contracting they are forwarded to the Department of Social Protection (Scope Section) and/or to the Revenue Commissioners for investigation either solely by those bodies or jointly with the WRC. Investigation of the employment status and the PRSI insurability of individuals is a matter for the Department of Social Protection. Complaints regarding the abuse of the sub-contracting or the Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT) system are solely a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. Thus, the WRC does not keep statistics in relation to complaints of bogus self-employment.
In most cases it will be clear whether an individual is employed or self-employed. Where there is doubt in relation to the employment status of an individual the relevant Departments and Agencies will have regard to the Code of Practice for Determining Employment or Self-Employment Status of Individuals. This Code was drawn up and agreed in 2007 by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Department of Social and Family Affairs, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Irish Business and Employers Federation.
The WRC has statutory authority to share information with both the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection. Such information sharing takes place regularly between WRC inspectors and their counterparts in these bodies. In cases of mutual interest, joint operations and/or inspections may be carried out. This exchange and sharing of information, together with the joint operations, is a valuable element of the inspection process and contributes to uncovering non-compliance in the areas covered by the relevant bodies.
The WRC provides information on employment, equality & industrial relations legislation, through the Workplace Relations Customer Service and Information Unit. It can be contacted at Lo-call:1890 80 80 90 or via its website www.workplacerelations.ie.
84. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to the publication of the Company Law Review Group report on the protection of employees and unsecured creditors, when she will give a timetable to implement the recommendations for increasing transparency and oversight in the way in which employees and creditors are dealt with in insolvency; her views on each finding of the report (details supplied); and her further views on whether legislative changes are needed. [36720/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Company Law Review Group (CLRG) was asked to examine and recommend ways in which company law could be amended to ensure better safeguards for a company’s employees and unsecured creditors. In response to this request, a root and branch review was carried out of all relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2014 and in particular, whether new provisions should be proposed. The CLRG Report on the Protections of Employees and Unsecured Creditors was published on 13 July 2017. Proposals for legislative change are suggested in the Report which, while not representing a panacea, could potentially address some of the difficulties experienced by employees and unsecured creditors in insolvency, while improving transparency and accountability.
The recommendation in the Report relating to the proposed Self-Administered Liquidation has been referred for further consideration and elaboration to a subcommittee of the CLRG on Corporate Insolvency, which is currently reviewing the provisions in relation to winding up in the Companies Act 2014 as part of the CLRG Work Programme for 2016-2018. The remaining recommendations are also under consideration by officials in my Department. It is intended that any proposals for legislative change arising from these recommendations will be forthcoming as soon as is practicable. Finally, I understand that the Department of Social Protection has convened an interdepartmental working party to examine how employees’ access to the Social Insurance Fund could be improved in circumstances where their employer has not entered formal insolvency. The work of this group is progressing.
85. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funding Enterprise Ireland has provided from the high potential start-up funding scheme in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of companies which have received funding from this specific scheme; the cumulative number of jobs that have been created after this form of funding was provided to these companies; the cumulative amount of additional exports in euro generated by these companies after they received this form of funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36721/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of its portfolio of supports, Enterprise Ireland provides support for High Potential Start-Up (HPSUs), defined as new ventures that are:
- Introducing a new or innovative product or service to international markets;
- Involved in manufacturing or internationally traded services;
- Capable of creating 10 jobs in Ireland and realising €1 million in sales within three to four years of starting up;
- Led by an experienced management team;
- Headquartered and controlled in Ireland;
- Less than six years old.
The information requested is presented in the following table.
|
Year |
No. of HPSUs approved |
Jobs Created Permanent Full Time |
Jobs Created Other |
Additional Exports € |
Total Payments from year approved as HPSU to 21/07/17 € |
|
2015 |
105 |
486 |
136 |
14,769,000 |
* 18,347,883 |
|
2016 |
101 |
154 |
25 |
7,337,000 |
15,835,356 |
|
2017 |
39 |
- |
- |
- |
1,366,539 |
|
Grand Total |
245 |
640 |
161 |
22,106,000 |
35,549,778 |
Notes:
Jobs Created: Based on Job Numbers per Annual Employment Survey (AES). 2017 employment will not be available until 2018 when the Annual Employment Survey is complete.
Exports: Based on exports per Annual Business Review (ABR). 2017 exports will not be available until 2018 when the Annual Business Review survey is complete.
Payments: Based on payments made for all grant types from year achieved to 21 July 2017. It takes time for companies to receive their first payment after being approved for funding by EI.
*Note: The reply to PQ 34733/17 provides a different figure for payments for 2015. Enterprise Ireland confirms that €18,347,883 is the correct figure for 2015.
86. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff in her Department who are suspended from work on full pay; the reason in each case; the length of time in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36733/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no staff within my Department that are suspended from work on full pay.
