Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:78. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach the estimated cost of hiring additional Brexit staff in his Department; and the cost by grade. [50914/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrexit Staff
Ceisteanna (78)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department has an International, EU and Northern Ireland Division headed by a Second Secretary General, who also acts as the Sherpa for EU business, including Brexit issues. The staff resources for the Division vary from time to time but currently amount to approximately 25 wholetime equivalent posts across the full range of policy areas.
The work of the Division includes supporting the work of Cabinet Committee C, which deals with EU affairs, including Brexit, and supports me in my role as a member of the European Council. In particular, this Cabinet Committee assists the Government in its ongoing consideration of Brexit issues including input to the negotiation process, both on the issues that are of unique or particular concern to Ireland, and more generally.
The Division prepares me for engagement on a wide range of EU issues, as well as the debate on the future of Europe, and supports efforts to develop our strategic alliances in a post-Brexit scenario.
The Division also provides advice and support to me in relation to Northern Ireland Affairs and British Irish relations, and Brexit issues in that context.
Staff in other divisions also contribute to the work on Brexit. For example the Economic Division advises me on economic policy aimed at supporting sustainable economic growth, with a particular focus on jobs and competitiveness including possible economic impacts of Brexit.
My Department also works closely with other relevant Departments including, in particular, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which has lead responsibility for Brexit.
The Department’s staffing needs are reviewed on an ongoing basis and provision has been made in the Department’s 2018 administrative budget should additional resources be required.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (79)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:79. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to First Minister Arlene Foster since 12 November 2017 regarding Northern Ireland and Brexit. [50535/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
During my visit to Enniskillen on 12 November I took the opportunity to meet with DUP Leader Arlene Foster to discuss the ongoing political situation in Northern Ireland and Brexit. I have not spoken with Ms Foster since then.
Brexit Negotiations
Ceisteanna (80)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:80. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the Government's position on the potential inclusion of investor court mechanisms in a trade negotiation mandate with the UK post Brexit in view of the fact that the legality of such mechanisms is currently being challenged at the European Court of Justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50856/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In late 2015, the European Commission proposed a new approach to investment protection based on an international Investment Court System (ICS) to replace the historical Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system which required updating. ICS goes a long way to meet the concerns on transparency, legitimacy and public interests that had arisen under ISDS.
The ICS system is composed of a first instance tribunal and an appeal mechanism based on clearly defined rules and operating on similar principles to the WTO Appellate Body, with qualified judges and transparent proceedings. The ability of investors to take a case before the Tribunal is precisely defined and limited to cases such as targeted discrimination on the base of gender, race or religion, nationality, expropriation without compensation, or denial of justice. Forum–shopping (i.e. seeking to select from a number of different options the option perceived to most likely offer the most favourable outcome) will not be possible. Claims deemed to be frivolous will be dismissed quickly, and multiple and parallel proceedings will be avoided.
The implications of the ICS for Ireland are viewed as positive as they bring greater clarity to Irish business, especially SMEs, on the modalities of an open and transparent dispute resolution system as well as confirming that a State can never be forced to change legislation, only to pay fair compensation in cases where the investor is deemed to have been treated unfairly.
The aim of the European Commission is to establish a Multilateral Investment Court, modelled on arbitrator panels currently operating under the WTO, and other Investment Tribunals. It will build on the EU's approach on its bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and be a major departure from the system of investor-to-State dispute settlement (ISDS) based on ad hoc commercial arbitration. The recently concluded EU-Canada trade agreement - CETA - and the EU-Vietnam trade agreement both contain a reference to the establishment of a permanent multilateral investment court. Work continues at EU level on this matter.
In the context of a possible EU-UK Free Trade Agreement, which is the stated objective of the UK Government, it is far too early in the Brexit negotiation process to know what the precise trading relationship will be. In that regard, Ireland will, in due course, be advocating for as comprehensive a trading relationship as possible and this should include appropriate governance and implementation mechanisms.
Brexit Staff
Ceisteanna (81)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:81. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated cost of hiring additional Brexit staff in his Department; the cost by grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50914/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2016, my Department established a dedicated Brexit Unit in response to the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union. The Brexit Unit is responsible for supporting me in my position at the Cabinet Committee dealing with Brexit and with the Management Board in my Department, ensuring a coordinated and coherent approach to Brexit across my Department and its Agencies.
The Brexit Unit is led at Assistant Secretary level within the EU Affairs and Trade Policy Division, and is supported by one Principal, two Assistant Principals with a third to be assigned in December as part of workforce planning, two Higher Executive Officers and one Clerical Officer.
The estimated costs of this Unit, in respect of staff, is outlined in the table below.
|
Grade |
Average Salary Cost |
No. Serving |
|
Principal Officer |
€90,591.38 |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
€71,884.52 |
3[1] |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
€57,209.07 |
2 |
|
Clerical Officer |
€31,011.85 |
1 |
[1] Third Assistant Principal to be assigned December 2017
The work of very many Business Units is impacted by Brexit and my Department as a whole has prioritised the Brexit challenges across all Divisions and actively keeps this under review in the context of ongoing workforce planning.
Brexit Staff
Ceisteanna (82)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:82. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated cost of hiring additional Brexit staff for Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and the local enterprise offices; the cost by grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50915/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As part of Budget 2017, the Department secured an additional €3 million Pay allocation to help in responding to the challenges and opportunities associated with Brexit.
Enterprise Ireland’s exchequer pay provision this year included an additional €1.7 million to assist the agency in the recruitment of an additional 39 Brexit specific posts to work alongside existing staff within the agency. Of the 39 Brexit-related posts, which includes providing assistance to the Local Enterprise Offices, 34 have been filled to date and 5 are currently under active recruitment. It is anticipated that the remaining posts will be filled by year end. The breakdown by grade of the additional staff recruited so far is as follows:
- Level F x 1
- Level E x 27
- Level D x 5
- Level C x 1
The average annual pay costs of the Level E and F posts combined are €82,700 per post. The average annual pay costs of the Level D and C posts combined are €54,200 per annum. Some of the posts involved are based overseas and the associated salary costs for international posts will vary based on the job market in each particular country.
The full-year pay costs, inclusive of employers' RSI contributions, associated with the 34 staff already recruited would therefore be in the region of €2.64 million. Enterprise Ireland is utilising Own Resource Income to supplement its Pay requirements to cover its overall staffing cohort.
IDA Ireland’s pay budget this year included an additional €750,000 to support the immediate requirement for an additional client-facing posts. These additional staff are supplementing existing IDA staff numbers in the context of the extra workload associated with Brexit and are also assisting the Authority in capitalising on Brexit opportunities that may arise.
Nine additional posts have been filled to date and the annual costs, inclusive of employers' RSI contributions, are broken down as follows:
- 3 x Level E at approximately €72,000 per post.
- 5 x Level D at approximately €45,000 per post.
- 1 x Level C at approximately €26,000.
The full-year pay costs associated with these staff would therefore be in the region of €470,000 per annum.
A further additional €3 million in Pay was secured by the Department in “Budget 2018” for next year to further assist with our Brexit response. Of this Enterprise Ireland is being provided with an additional €1.3 million and IDA Ireland an additional €700,000 to recruit additional Brexit related staff. This should enable the Agencies to recruit a further 25-30 additional staff during 2018. The specific pay allocations for my Department, Offices and Agencies will be finalised and published in the 2018 Revised Estimates Volume during December.
Brexit Expenditure
Ceisteanna (83, 85)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:83. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated cost of an additional €100 million in Brexit-related loans offered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland if approved to the Irish State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50916/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraStephen Donnelly
Ceist:85. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the costing of the Brexit loan scheme announced in budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50923/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 85 together.
The Brexit Loan Scheme announced during Budget 2018 will provide affordable working capital financing to eligible Irish businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit, or will be in the future. The Scheme will be delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) through commercial lenders to get much needed working capital into Irish businesses.
The Exchequer cost of the Brexit Loan Scheme will be €23 million, with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation contributing €14 million and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine contributing €9 million. The combined €23 million will be used by the SBCI to leverage the €300 million to be offered to SMEs through the Brexit Loan Scheme.
The €300 million fund is underpinned by a counter-guarantee from the European Commission and EIB Group through its InnovFin Loan Guarantee Scheme, which is an important factor when assessing both the cost of the Scheme and the risk to the Exchequer. There is no additional capacity under the existing terms of the counter-guarantee scheme which has been agreed with InnovFin. The cost of an increase in the size of the Scheme would depend on a number of factors, including whether, and at what terms, increased capacity under the counter-guarantee could be agreed.
Enterprise Ireland Funding
Ceisteanna (84)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:84. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated cost of funding for mentoring programmes provided by Enterprise Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50917/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Enterprise Ireland’s mission is to help Irish companies achieve global success. Enterprise Ireland’s Mentor Network programme helps companies to grow faster and survive longer. The mentoring programme matches new, early stage and established business owners with experienced business mentors. Mentors are entrepreneurs and senior executives who have experienced the kind of challenges - and opportunities – that companies face in their businesses. Assignments are typically focused on:
- Commercialisation of new products and services
- More targeted sales and marketing
- Expansion into new markets
- Strategic business planning
- Attracting outside investment and funding options
- Improved Research & Development, design, innovation, production and logistics
- Better HR management and management succession.
So far in 2017, Enterprise Ireland has set up 463 one to one assignments with clients; 423 with Enterprise Ireland clients and 40 with non-Enterprise Ireland clients i.e. Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) IDA Ireland and Udaras. These assignments range from 3 to 10 sessions with a business mentor. In addition to one to one assignments, 213 companies / promoters presented their investor ready business plans for feedback at specially convened mentor-panel practice pitching sessions. There are currently 407 business mentors on the Enterprise Ireland Network and there are 606 assignments in progress.
The cost of running the Enterprise Ireland Mentor Network programme in 2017 is €508,945.
Question No. 85 answered with Question No. 83.
IDA Ireland Site Visits
Ceisteanna (86)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:86. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of visits organised by the IDA to the midland region to date in 2017; the number of these visits that were to IDA sites in Athlone and Mullingar, respectively; the details of all vacant property owned by the IDA in Mullingar and Athlone, County Westmeath; if the IDA has planned other visits to Mullingar before 31 December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50894/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
IDA Ireland markets Mullingar and Athlone as part of the Midlands Region, which includes three other counties: Longford, Laois and Offaly. There are 30 multinational companies based in the region, employing 4,280 people across all four counties. County Westmeath has a strong base of foreign direct investment (FDI) with 13 companies employing 2,571 people.
The Agency is determined to increase those numbers and it has appointed a dedicated Regional Manager to the region to further aid its efforts to grow investment in the wider area.
To the end of the third quarter this year there have been 47 site visits to the Midlands. The IDA does not provide details on the specific locations visited by clients, however, on account of commercial sensitivity. It should also be noted that whilst site visits can be a useful indicator of new investment interest, they are not necessarily indicative of the potential for FDI in an area. I would point out, in this regard, that almost 70% of investment comes from existing IDA clients.
In terms of property available for marketing to potential investors, there is a 22.5 hectare IDA Ireland business and technology park located in Marlinstown, Co Westmeath. The park is fully zoned and serviced and is currently home to one IDA client company, an engineering and industrial firm which employs approximately 40 people at the site.
The IDA is also investing directly in property solutions for FDI in the Midlands and has received planning permission for one office building in Athlone, which should be ready for occupation in 2018. This is in addition to an advanced technology building which is now occupied by a pharmaceutical company.
The table provides full details of the buildings available for marketing in both Mullingar and Athlone.
|
Location |
Building Name |
Total Size sq. ft./sq. m. |
|
Athlone |
AF4 (former NPD facility) |
41,990 sq ft/3,901sqm |
|
Mullingar |
Clonmore facility |
25,200 sq ft/2,341sqm |
Exports Data
Ceisteanna (87)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:87. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the average margin per sector for traders exporting to the United Kingdom, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50920/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Neither my Department nor its agencies collect data relating to the average profit margins across the variety of sectors that export to the United Kingdom.
However I can state that, as set out in my Department’s recently published strategy in response to Brexit entitled “Building Stronger Business”, Enterprise Ireland has been particularly active in supporting firms impacted by Brexit. Specifically, in the immediate aftermath of the referendum result, Enterprise Ireland was in contact with each of its client companies that export to the UK. As a result, Enterprise Ireland knows, in detail, the level of their clients’ exposure to Brexit associated risks.
In March 2017 EI published its international events programme for 2017 to support Irish exporters which lists 145 events scheduled in Ireland and overseas to include 46 international trade visits with focus on market diversification into Eurozone and North America. Enterprise Ireland has also launched a ‘Global Ambition Campaign’ which is a communications campaign to promote Irish companies and their products and services to international buyers. Enterprise Ireland also launched a new strategy to increase exports to the Eurozone by 50 per cent (€2 billion) by 2020 – this is a key response to any potential barriers which may adversely impact trade with the UK.
Also in March, 2017, EI’s 'PrepareforBrexit' communications campaign featuring the ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’ (on www.prepareforbrexit.ie) was launched. The ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’ is an interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit. The Scorecard uses a short diagnostic to generate a report scoring SME performance across a range of metrics against best practice. This can then be used to direct firms towards relevant schemes, programmes or other forms of assistance.
Enterprise Ireland will continue to engage one-to-one on a regular basis with clients to support their preparations for Brexit and will promote increased awareness and preparation across the economy for the various challenges posed by Brexit through the Brexit Scorecard. As set out in the Department’s strategy, Enterprise Ireland will develop stabilisation options to ensure, where necessary, that larger, strategically important companies that are viable but vulnerable can make the necessary investment to overcome the challenges of Brexit. Enterprise Ireland will continue to support companies to maintain and grow opportunities in the UK market, while, at the same time, supporting companies to grow market opportunities in the Single Market, and in particular in the Eurozone.
Looking to the medium to longer term, Enterprise Ireland will continue to support companies in terms of innovation, competitiveness, management and financial capability to become more resilient in international markets and to be competitive with other economies.
I should also add that work is progressing on a proposed Brexit-related Working Capital Guarantee Scheme and the scoping out of the need for a longer term Business Development Loan Scheme which would assist firms in investing for a post-Brexit environment.
Brexit Staff
Ceisteanna (88)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:88. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff currently employed in State agencies and his Department tasked with issues related to Brexit; the number of staff by grade, agency and unit; the number of vacant positions; the average cost by grade and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50921/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, an additional €3 million was secured for my Department in respect of Pay in Budget 2017 and targeted specifically to assist with increased staffing needs for the Department and a number of our Agencies to deal with the evolving Brexit scenario. These funds are enabling the Department and, primarily, our Agencies to recruit additional staff to supplement existing staffing numbers in the context of the workload associated with Brexit.
The additional €3m was allocated as follows:
- The Department itself (€250,000)
- Enterprise Ireland (€1,700,000)
- IDA Ireland (€750,000)
- Science Foundation Ireland (€150,000)
- The Health and Safety Authority (€150,000)
Department
A dedicated Brexit Unit was established in 2016 and is led at Assistant Secretary level within the EU Affairs and Trade Policy Division of my Department. Its main focus is to coordinate and represent the Departmental and Agencies response to Brexit and to support me in my position at the Cabinet Committee dealing with Brexit. The designated official, at Assistant Secretary level, is supported by one Principal (average annual salary cost of €90,591.38 per post), two Assistant Principals with a third to be assigned in December as part of workforce planning (average annual salary cost of €71,884.52 per post), two Higher Executive Officers (average annual salary cost of €57,209.07 per post) and one Clerical Officer (average annual salary cost of €31,011.85 per post).
As the work of very many Business Units is impacted by Brexit, my Department as a whole has prioritised the Brexit challenges across all Divisions and actively keeps this under review. In this regard, it is intended to review the Department's workforce plan (2017-2019) as part of the Department's business planning processes for 2018 where the Brexit Agenda will be a priority.
Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland was given sanction to hire 39 Brexit-related posts to work alongside existing staff within the agency. Of the 39 Brexit-related posts for Enterprise Ireland, 34 have been filled to date and 5 are currently under active recruitment. It is anticipated that the remaining posts will be filled by the end of the year. The average annual salary cost per grade for the 39 posts is €77,687.
IDA Ireland
The IDA received sanction for additional Brexit related-posts and identified 10 client-facing posts and have filled 9 of these to date. Recruitment is underway for the remaining post. The 10 posts are allocated across Operational Teams with 3 Level E posts (average annual salary cost of €65,093 per post), 5 Level D posts (average annual salary cost of €41,472 per post) and 2 Level C posts (average annual salary cost of €23,260 per post).
Science Foundation Ireland
Science Foundation Ireland received sanction to hire Brexit related posts and specific additional resources are being added to functions that are engaged in BREXIT related activity. In this regard one appointment has been made, with a candidate due to commence in November. A second, similar appointment is at contract stage with an anticipated start in January. One further post is anticipated to be filled shortly thereafter. The average annual salary cost per grade for the posts is €65,093.
Science Foundation Ireland continues to examine and prepare for the challenges and opportunities associated with BREXIT. This activity is carried out across all functions of the organisation and is coordinated by an internal BREXIT Working Group which is chaired by a member of the Science Foundation Ireland Executive Committee. Expertise is drawn from across Science Foundation Ireland, with six staff members currently engaged in a significant level of BREXIT related activity. The costs associated with this activity are estimated at €217,000 per annum.
Health and Safety Authority
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) received sanction to fill two Brexit related posts at AP Socio-Economist level (average annual salary cost of approx. €65,000) and at Grade III inspector level (average annual salary cost of €45,000). The recruitment process is in hand.
Recently, a further additional €3 million in respect of Pay has been secured for my Department in Budget 2018, for the purposes of recruiting additional staff resources to further respond to Brexit and help meet the Government plans to double Ireland’s global footprint.
It should also be borne in mind that in addition to specific Brexit-related posts within the Department and its Agencies that have and are being recruited, there are many existing roles and business units impacted by Brexit which are playing a vital part in responding to it.
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
Ceisteanna (89)
Niall Collins
Ceist:89. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of full-time and part-staff employed in the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, in each of the years over the 2010 to 2016 period and to date in 2017, by staff according to each Civil Service grade, legal personnel and other staff; and the funding allocated to the CCPC in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [50927/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (2014 to date) *
|
Staff Numbers |
Grades ** |
Exchequer Funding |
|||||||||||||||
|
No of Staff |
Full-time |
Part-Time |
Chair |
Member |
PO |
AP (Higher) |
AP |
***Case Officer |
HEO |
AO |
SO |
EO |
CO |
Service Officer |
****Legal Personnel |
||
|
2017 |
90 |
90 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
9 |
4 |
13 |
14 |
21 |
1 |
0 |
21 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
€12,138,000 |
|
2016 |
89 |
89 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
9 |
1 |
12 |
15 |
19 |
1 |
1 |
23 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
€12,141,000 |
|
2015 |
89 |
89 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
9 |
0 |
8 |
27 |
12 |
0 |
1 |
22 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
€12,230,000 |
|
2014 |
86 |
86 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
11 |
0 |
7 |
27 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
19 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
€12,287,000 |
The Competition Authority (2010 - 2013)
|
Staff Numbers |
Grades ** |
Exchequer Funding |
|||||||||||||||
|
No of Staff |
Full-time |
Part-Time |
Chair |
Member |
PO |
AP (Higher) |
AP |
***Case Officer |
HEO |
AO |
SO |
EO |
CO |
Service Officer |
****Legal Personnel |
||
|
2013 |
49 |
49 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
27 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
€5,127,000 |
|
2012 |
47.7 |
47.7 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
0 |
1 |
24.3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3.4 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
€4,654,000 |
|
2011 |
46.7 |
46.7 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
0 |
1 |
23.3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3.4 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
€5,116,000 |
|
2010 |
44.7 |
44.7 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
0 |
1 |
22.3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3.4 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
€4,734,000 |
National Consumer Agency (2010 - 2013)
|
Staff Numbers |
Grades ** |
Exchequer Funding |
|||||||||||||||
|
No of Staff |
Full-time |
Part-Time |
CEO |
Member |
PO |
AP (Higher) |
AP |
***Case Officer |
HEO |
AO |
SO |
EO |
CO |
Service Officer |
****Legal Personnel |
||
|
2013 |
51 |
51 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
N/A |
13 |
0 |
1 |
19 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
€7,360,000 |
|
2012 |
57 |
57 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
7 |
N/A |
16 |
0 |
1 |
18 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
€7,841,000 |
|
2011 |
43 |
43 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
N/A |
10 |
0 |
1 |
15 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
€8,366,000 |
|
2010 |
45 |
45 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
N/A |
10 |
0 |
2 |
17 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
€7,232,000 |
*Not included in the tables: A Detective Sergeant on secondment from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) 2010-2017 inclusive.
**Where the grade title is different, secondees have been categorised in the closest relevant grade Civil Service grades.
*** The Case Officer Grade did not exist in the National Consumer Agency.
**** Legal Personnel includes staff employed as Legal Advisors (PO & AP equivalents & are included under these headings for the total count), it does not include Case Officers or HEOs who are qualified lawyers employed as investigators.
Research and Development Funding
Ceisteanna (90)
Niall Collins
Ceist:90. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funding allocated to the programme for research in third level institutions on an annual basis in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the amount subsequently expended in each year; the amount of funding that has been allocated in 2018; the amount of funding that has been ring-fenced for research and frontier research in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50930/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) was launched in 1998, with five cycles of expenditure to date. The Programme is designed to facilitate Ireland’s Higher Education Institutions to produce world class research in key strategic areas including bioscience/biomedical; medical technologies; energy, environment and marine; food and drink; social sciences and humanities; ICT and advanced communications and; platform technologies and materials.
The PRTLI has supported the provision of top-class research infrastructure (buildings, laboratories and cutting edge equipment) as well as human capital development, through Structured PhD/Emergent Technology programmes across Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). My Department took over responsibility for the PRTLI in May 2010, from the Department of Education and Skills. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) continues to administer Cycle 5 of the Programme on behalf of my Department.
The allocations and amounts expended on the PRTLI in the years 2010 – 2017 are set out in Table A below. The full amount allocated in the Department’s Vote is expended to the HEA within the year, with some increases in funding due to Supplementary Estimates (as detailed below).
Table A - PRTLI funding 2010-2017
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Allocation €m |
49.9 |
57.9 |
54.7 |
45.2 |
39 |
55.5* |
30.4** |
14.4 |
*2015 allocation included a Supplementary Estimate of €23.5m in December 2015
**2016 allocation included a Supplementary Estimate of €20m in December 2016
The PRTLI allocation for 2018 is €14.3m. A portion of this will be used to part pay outstanding bills for PRTLI Cycle 5 projects. In addition, a portion of this allocation will be used to commence a postgraduate programme funding both PhDs and Research Masters, as per the action in Innovation 2020. This new programme will be administered by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and will fund postgraduate enrolments in disciplines under their remit. Further details will be provided by SFI over the coming months.
There is no specific allocation within the PRTLI for frontier research. Action 3.8 of Innovation 2020, Ireland’s strategy for research and development, science and technology, provides for a new programme to fund frontier research. On 6th April, 2017, the Irish Research Council, an agency of the Department of Education and Skills launched the Frontier Research Programme (LAUREATE), with initial funding of €2.5 million.
My Department and its agencies are important funders of research, with expenditure of €394m in 2016. This accounts for approximately half of total Government investment in R&D. Other Departments also provided funding for research and development across sectors, estimated to be at €367m in 2016. Government investment in R&D includes funding for programmes that encompass all disciplines and all types of research.
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Staff
Ceisteanna (91)
Niall Collins
Ceist:91. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, by account, administrative staff, legal personnel and other staff, in tabular form; the amount of funding allocated to the ODCE in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017 and the allocation for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50931/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table:
1. No. of staff 1 serving in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) (2010-2017)
|
GRADE 2 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 3 |
|
Director |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Corporate Compliance Manager |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Legal Adviser |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Principal Solicitor |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Digital Forensic Specialist |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Enforcement Portfolio Manager |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Principal Officer |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Forensic Accountant/Professional Accountant Grade 1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Solicitor |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
9.7 |
8.7 |
7.6 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7.3 |
|
Executive Officer |
6.7 |
6.7 |
6.8 |
6.8 |
5.8 |
5.8 |
5 |
4.8 |
|
Clerical Officer |
8.3 |
8.3 |
7.5 |
7.5 |
6.7 |
6.9 |
6.7 |
5.7 |
|
Total |
40.7 |
39.7 |
36.9 |
36.3 |
32.5 |
30.7 |
32.7 |
31.8 |
|
Gardaí 4 |
10.1 |
10.1 |
8.6 |
6.6 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
1 Refers to number of FTE’s
2 If further information is required regarding the job specification, an organisation chart is included in each of the ODCE’s Annual Reports since its inception, which are published on its website www.odce.ie.
3 Staffing as at 29th November 2017
4 A staff complement of 7 Gardaí are assigned to the ODCE to assist with its criminal investigation / prosecution functions. Additional resources were assigned to the Office in the period 2010-2013 to assist in the Anglo Irish Bank investigation.
The following information is of relevance in interpreting the data set out in the Table above.
The ODCE traditionally had 3 Legal Advisers. One of the post holders retired in 2016 and the Principal Solicitor post holder transferred out of the ODCE in January 2017. The Director reconfigured the job specifications associated with both roles to better reflect the organisation’s current and future needs, on foot of which a competition was held to recruit 2 Enforcement Portfolio Managers. One of those posts has recently been filled and the other successful candidate is due to take up the role in the coming weeks.
A second Legal Adviser post holder transferred out of the ODCE in June 2017. The Director has, similarly, reconfigured the job specification associated with that role to better reflect the organisation’s current and future needs. As a consequence, the Department is currently engaging with the Public Appointments Service with a view to recruiting an Enforcement Lawyer. That position is expected to be advertised in the coming weeks.
The Digital Forensics Specialist is a new role that was created following a review, undertaken by the Director of the ODCE’s skills mix and capabilities.
Similarly, 5 new Forensic Accountant posts were created following the aforementioned review (bringing to 7 the number of approved posts). Following two open competitions, 6 Forensic Accountants were recruited, of which one has since been promoted. A third competition, aimed at filling the 2 vacancies, is scheduled to be advertised in the coming weeks.
The Compliance Manager post fell vacant in November 2016, following the promotion of the post holder. The Director has indicated that this post, similarly, requires to be reconfigured to better reflect the ODCE’s current and future needs. However, prioritisation has been afforded to filling the Forensic Accountant, Digital Forensics Specialist, Enforcement Portfolio Manager and Enforcement Lawyer posts respectively and to assimilating a substantial number of new, and senior, staff into the organisation.
Reflective of the process of further professionalisation of the ODCE that has been underway over the past 5 years, the significant increase in professional staff has been accompanied by a reduction in staff numbers in certain general civil service grades.
An Inspector has been assigned to the ODCE by Garda management in recent days, as a consequence of which the ODCE is now at its approved Garda complement of 7 staff.
2. Amount of funding allocated to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) (2014-2017)
|
ODCE |
REV Allocations |
Actual In Year Spend |
|
2014 Pay Non-Pay |
2,4652,207 |
2,216797 |
|
2014 Total |
4,672 |
3,013 |
|
2015 Pay Non-Pay |
2,8842,207 |
2,156916 |
|
2015 Total |
5,091 |
3,072 |
|
2016 Pay Non-Pay |
2,8082,207 |
2,006722 |
|
2016 Total |
5,015 |
2,728 |
|
20175 Pay Non-Pay |
2,8382,057 |
1,687616 |
|
2017 Total |
4,895 |
2,303 |
5 Data as at 31st October 2017
In terms of the underspend in recent years, a significant element of the non-pay allocation provided to the ODCE provides for possible legal costs. These costs, as well as their timing, are difficult to forecast as the ODCE has little or no control over the timing of when the cases will be determined. It is also the case that the ODCE cannot be sure of the outcome of cases in terms of costs orders and it cannot anticipate the scale of costs that other parties may seek. Whilst it is entirely prudent that provision continue to be made to meet legal costs in the ODCE’s subhead, a corollary is uncertainty in relation to the amount and timing etc. of such costs.
Specific provision was made in the Office’s pay allocation from 2015 to allow for the recruitment of additional staff, including additional specialist staff such as forensic accountants and a digital forensic specialist. The reality, however, has been that notwithstanding the increased pay allocation, it has taken some time to effect the recruitment of the specialist staff concerned, as the Department, in common with many other State organisations, faces significant challenges in the recruitment of high quality professional staff.
The pay related costs for the Gardaí assigned to the ODCE are borne by the Department of Justice and Equality and such pay costs are not reflected in the financial table above.
The distribution of the 2018 allocations across my Department's Vote, including that of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, will be determined through the 2018 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) process. It is expected that publication of the 2018 REV allocations will be made by my colleague, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform in early December 2018.
Job Creation Targets
Ceisteanna (92)
Niall Collins
Ceist:92. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the national and regional job targets and unemployment rate projections under the programme for Government in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and Enterprise 2025, by year; the annual progress on actual figures and rates at the end of 2016 and to date in 2017 relating to these targets; the monitoring and reporting mechanisms in place; his job targets up to 2020, by region, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50932/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The goal under the 2016 Programme for a Partnership Government was to deliver an extra 200,000 jobs by 2020, of which 135,000 will be outside of Dublin.
With a strong focus on job creation and retention, the annual Action Plan for Jobs provides a framework for the collaboration between Government Departments and Agencies to achieve this objective.
Since Q2 2016, employment has increased by 2.3% with an extra 48,000 in employment. The number of unemployed fell by 45,100 (a 2.4% reduction) leading to a reduction of the unemployment rate from 8.6% in Q2 2016 to 6% in October 2017. For the first time since Q3 2010 the number of long term unemployed accounts for less than 50% of total unemployment.
Between June 2015 and January 2016, my Department published eight Regional Action Plans for Jobs, aimed at raising employment levels in the regions and facilitating them to achieve their economic potential. Each plan contains a series of actions with timelines for delivery between 2015-2017, through improved collaboration between enterprise agencies and other stakeholders supporting enterprise development in the regions.
The Action Plan for Jobs and Regional Action Plans for Jobs are monitored by the Department of the Taoiseach on a quarterly basis, with the Regional Action Plans for Jobs overseen by a Regional Implementation Committee.
The Regional Action Plans for Jobs are supported by a Regional Enterprise Fund of up to €60 million, which was launched in May 2017 to drive enterprise development and job creation in the regions. This funding has been provided by DBEI, through Enterprise Ireland, to 2020. DBEI has granted €150 million over five years to the IDA regional property programme, which invests in property solutions outside Dublin.
The annual Action Plan for Jobs combined with the Regional Action Plan for Jobs are delivering significant results, as evidenced through the rise in employment since 2016 (please see the supplementary material attached).
An objective within Enterprise 2025 is to ensure that unemployment across the regions is within one percent of the national average by end 2020. Although considerable progress is being made overall, two regions - the Midlands and the South East - have yet to achieve our ambition. These two regions were the greatest hit during the recession. There are differences in the enterprise structure, occupational profiles and productivity levels of the enterprise base across regions which can explain the differences in the recovery to some extent. The Action Plan for Jobs, and Regional Action plans are key mechanisms for implementation and monitoring of progress for Enterprise 2025.
A comprehensive Review of Enterprise 2025 is being finalised and the analysis points to solid progress toward achieving a suite of metrics, including employment, export growth, start-up activity, scaling of Irish owned enterprises etc.
Emigrant Support Services
Ceisteanna (93)
Niall Collins
Ceist:93. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the annual targets for attaining 70,000 returned emigrants per year, in tabular form. [50933/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This Government’s goal is to support the creation of an additional 200,000 jobs by 2020 with 135,000 outside Dublin and to attract back at least 70,000 emigrants by 200,000. The whole of Government effort to deliver on these objective is the coordinated by the yearly Action Plans for Jobs.
The CSO estimates that between April 2016 and April 2017, 27,400 Irish emigrants returned to Ireland. As the economy continues to grow and the economy approaches full employment, this trend is likely to continue.
Since the first Action Plan for Jobs was launched in early 2012, there are over 224,000 more people at work bringing total employment in the State to almost 2,063,000 by end of Quarter 2, 2017. My Department and agencies have a range of initiatives to connect with Irish emigrants (and others) and outline the careers and entrepreneurial opportunities in Ireland:
- IDA Ireland actively promotes Ireland as a location for new investment and Enterprise Ireland has specific targets to attract entrepreneurs to Ireland with a focused marketing programme underway in international markets.
- Since 2016, My Department is funding Tech/Life Ireland – a partnership with Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Irish Technology Industry to promote brand Ireland as a top destination to pursue a career in technology and attract 3,000 top tech professionals to Ireland each year. Industry is playing an important role in supporting the initiative and driving its development.
- Science Foundation Ireland encourages leading researchers to move to Ireland raising Ireland's profile as a location for excellent research and career advancement. For instance, each year, SFI awards two Saint Patrick Day Science Medals to distinguished Irish scientist, engineer or technology leaders living and working in the USA: one of academic and one for industry.
Ensuring a continued focus on attracting foreign direct investment and maintaining and improving competitiveness is critical to attracting talent back to Ireland.
State Bodies Funding
Ceisteanna (94)
Niall Collins
Ceist:94. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding allocated in 2016 and 2017 to each State agency under the aegis of his Department including local enterprise offices, Science Foundation Ireland, InterTradeIreland, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, in tabular form; and the 2018 budget allocation for same. [50949/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The distribution of the 2018 allocations to the State Agencies under my Department will be determined as part of the 2018 Revised Estimates process which is currently being finalised and is expected to be published early next month. The allocations provided to my Department's Agencies for 2016 and 2017 are set out in the Table below:
|
Agency |
2016 Allocation (inc Supplementary Estimate) €000 |
2017 Allocation €000 |
|
Intertrade |
€7,465 |
€7,960 |
|
Industrial Development Authority |
€147,480 |
€179,264 |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
€6,237 |
€5,802 |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
€247,457 |
€269,502 |
|
Local Enterprise Offices |
€28,939 |
€32,931 |
|
Science Foundation Ireland |
€184,000 |
€172,631 |
|
Health & Safety Authority |
€17,544 |
€18,112 |
|
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority |
€1.963 |
€2,105 |
|
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission |
€10,099 |
€12,138 |