Tuesday, 24 Jul 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1-25

Employment Data

Ceisteanna (1)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

1. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Taoiseach the number of persons at work in the mid-west region; and the number of persons at work by individual categories in the same region. [33311/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Joe McHugh)

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of labour force (ILO) in the State. This survey replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) from Q3 2017.

Labour force estimates are produced by NUTS 3 Regions. The most recent published NUTS 3 data available are for Q1 2018 and these data are shown in the following tables.

Table 1 shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over by ILO Economic Status in the Mid-West NUTS3 region in Q1 2018.

Table 2 shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by sex and NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector in the Mid-West NUTS3 region in Q1 2018.

Table 1 Persons aged 15 years and over classified by ILO Economic Status in the Mid-West NUTS3 region, Q1 18

ILO Economic Status	Q1 18
In employment ('000)	212.0
Unemployed ('000)	11.4
In labour force ('000)	223.5
Unemployment rate - 15-74 years (%)	5.2
Participation rate (%)	58.5

Source: Labour Force Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Mid-West NUTS 3 region is composed of County Clare, Limerick City and County and County Tipperary.

Data may be subject to future revision.

Reference period: q1=Jan -Mar.

Table 2 Persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by sex and NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector in the Mid-West NUTS3 region, Q1 18 '000

Economic Sector NACE Rev.2	Males	Females	All persons
Agriculture, forestry and fishing (A)	18.6	*	20.7
Industry and Construction (B to F)	34.8	8.4	43.2
Industry (B to E)	22.6	7.7	30.3
Construction (F)	12.2	*	12.9
Services (G to U)	65.0	82.6	147.6
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (G)	13.2	13.3	26.5
Transportation and storage (H)	7.3	*	9.7
Accommodation and food service activities (I)	7.4	9.0	16.4
Information and communication (J)	4.7	*	6.5
Financial, insurance and real estate activities (K,L)	*	4.3	7.6
Professional, scientific and technical activities (M)	6.7	4.9	11.5
Administrative and support service activities (N)	5.8	*	9.0
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security (O)	3.7	5.1	8.7
Education (P)	4.2	11.8	16.0
Human health and social work activities (Q)	*	22.1	25.6
Other NACE activities (R to U)	5.2	4.9	10.0
Not stated	*	*	*
All NACE economic sectors	118.8	93.2	212.0

Source: Labour Force Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Mid-West NUTS 3 region is composed of County Clare, Limerick City and County and County Tipperary.

* Estimates for numbers of persons or averages where there are less than 30 persons sampled in a cell are not produced as estimates are too small to be considered reliable.

Data may be subject to future revision.

Reference period: q1=Jan -Mar.

Employment Data

Ceisteanna (2)

John Brady

Ceist:

2. Deputy John Brady asked the Taoiseach the estimated number of persons aged 66 years of age and over who will be residing in the State in each of the next ten years. [33452/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Joe McHugh)

The Central Statistics Office published the Population and Labour Force Projections for 2017 to 2051 in June this year. The population projections start with the base population from the 2016 Census of Population and involve assumptions about mortality, migration and fertility, as follows:

Mortality Assumption

The long-term rate of improvement in life expectancy is assumed to be 1.5% per annum. This will result in life expectancy rising from 79.3 years for males in 2015 to 85.6 years in 2051 and from 83.3 to 88.3 years for women over the same period.

Migration Assumptions

M1: Positive net inward migration of 30,000 persons per annum to 2051.

M2: Positive net inward migration of 20,000 persons per annum to 2051.

M3: Positive net inward migration of 10,000 persons per annum to 2051.

Fertility Assumptions

F1: Total fertility rate to remain at the 2016 level of 1.8 for the lifetime of the projections.

F2: Total fertility rate to decrease from 1.8 to 1.6 by 2031 and to remain constant thereafter to 2051.

The fertility assumptions do not affect the projections of the population aged 66 and over in the next ten years. Accordingly, the following table shows the projected numbers of persons aged 66 and over for each of the three migration assumptions M1, M2 and M3.

Projected Population aged 66 and over from 2019 to 2028, by Criteria for Projection and Year '000

Year	M1	M2	M3
2019	652.0	650.9	649.7
2020	673.8	672.3	670.9
2021	697.0	695.1	693.3
2022	720.0	717.8	715.6
2023	743.4	740.8	738.3
2024	767.3	764.2	761.4
2025	792.3	788.7	785.6
2026	817.0	812.9	809.5
2027	843.1	838.5	834.8
2028	868.1	863.1	858.9

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (3)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

3. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Taoiseach the estimated full year running cost of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. [33737/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The Revised Estimates for Public Services 2018, published by the Stationery Office, shows that the Oireachtas approved a total net sum of €43.502 million for the full year running costs of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for 2018.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ceisteanna (4, 5)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

4. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the applications submitted for funding and projects from Meath and Louth County Councils in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 for projects decided upon or in progress in tabular form. [32405/18]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

5. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the funding that has been provided towards capital projects in counties Meath and Louth in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, by project name, location and cost in tabular form. [32406/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.

The funding provided to Louth County Council by my Department for the period in question is set out in the following table. No funding was provided to Meath County Council by my Department in these years.

Year	Organisation	Programme	Amount
2016	Louth County Council	Local Diaspora Strategy Development Fund	€10,000

In 2016 the Local Diaspora Strategy Development Fund made up to €10,000 available for each Local Authority to invest in developing strategies for diaspora engagement at local and community level. A total of 24 Local Authorities received funding under this programme in 2016.

Funding for local diaspora initiatives was administered by my Department in 2016, however that funding was transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2017.

My Department had no capital budget allocation in the years 2016 - 2018.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (6)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

6. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach the ratio of men and women at each civil service grade within his Department. [32434/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The information requested by the Deputy (as at end June 2018) is set out in the following table.

Grade	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female
Secretary General	1	0	1	100%	0%
Second Secretary General	1	0	1	100%	0%
Assistant Secretary*	4	2	6	67%	33%
Principal Officer	6	8	14	43%	57%
Assistant Principal Officer	15	22	37	41%	59%
Administrative Officer	6	12	18	33%	67%
Higher Executive Officer	9	25	34	26%	74%
Executive Officer	7	28	35	20%	80%
Clerical Officer	17	23	40	43%	58%
Service Grades (SVO)	12	6	18	67%	33%
Total	78	126	204	38%	62%

* Following a retirement later this year, the number of male Assistant Secretaries employed by my Department will fall to three.

Unemployment Data

Ceisteanna (7)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

7. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the NUTS 2 regions that are within 1% of the national unemployment rate; and the NUTS 2 regions that are not within 1% of the national unemployment rate in tabular form. [32435/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Joe McHugh)

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment (ILO) in the State. This survey replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) from Q3 2017. The most recent LFS figures available are for Q1 2018.

The following table shows the unemployment (ILO) rates for persons aged 15 – 74 years in each of the NUTS2 regions and in the State for Q1 2018.

Unemployment (ILO) rates for persons aged 15-74 years classified by NUTS2 regions, Q1 2018 %

NUTS 2 Regions	Q1 18
Northern and Western	5.0
Southern	6.1
Eastern and Midland	5.6
State	5.7

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.

Data may be subject to future revision.

Reference period: q1=Jan -Mar.

Exports Data

Ceisteanna (8)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

8. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the volume of domestic and multinational exports by the countries exported to based on the most recent data on a percentage basis in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [32436/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Joe McHugh)

The CSO does not have the exact information required by the Minister.

The volume of combined goods and services exports by ownership are not compiled by the CSO. Values for service exports by ownership were prepared as part of a Eurostat pilot project and are available for years 2014 and 2015, however a geographic breakdown of services by ownership in these years is not available.

Type of Ownership						€million
	Year	Domestic		Foreign		Total
	2014	15,446	15%	89,880	85%	105,326
Service Exports	2015	29,355	23%	96,928	77%	126,283

Living Wage

Ceisteanna (9)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

9. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the estimated cost of implementing a living wage of €11.90 for all employees directly employed and or in agencies funded by his Department. [32437/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The estimated additional annual salary cost of implementing a living wage of €11.90 for employees directly employed by my Department or the National Economic and Social Development Office is approximately €22,250.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (10, 36)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

10. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department's annual report. [32468/18]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

36. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department's annual report. [35086/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 36 together.

My Department’s Annual Report for 2017 is available at www.taoiseach.gov.ie. It sets out work undertaken to progress the six key strategic priorities identified in the Department's Strategy Statement 2017 – 2020. This included work linked to the appointment of the new Taoiseach and subsequent formation of the new Government, an extensive programme of engagement at international and EU level, planning on Brexit matters including the All Island Civil Dialogue, continued support and facilitation of talks on the formation of a new Executive in Northern Ireland, significant preparatory work in respect of Project Ireland 2040, and ongoing support for the work of the Citizens’ Assembly.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (11)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

11. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Prince Harry and the issues that were discussed. [32469/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Government Buildings on 10 July at the outset of their first official visit to Ireland. During the course of our meeting we noted the close ties between Britain and Ireland and the normalisation of relations between the two countries which has been reinforced by the historic state visit of Queen Elizabeth in 2011, the State visit by President Higgins to the UK in 2014 and the regular bilateral visits between our two countries which have taken place since then. Our discussion also covered the issues of housing, homelessness and the Invictus Games.

Taoiseach's Communications

Ceisteanna (12)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

12. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has published his speech that he gave at the opening at the West Belfast Fleadh recently. [32473/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

As is normal practice, my speech at the Launch of Féile an Phobail 2018 in West Belfast on 8 June 2018 is available on my Department's website.

Departmental Legal Services

Ceisteanna (13, 17)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

13. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of legal fees in each of the past three years. [32533/18]

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

17. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach if his Department has contracted the legal services of a company (details supplied) at any point over each of the past six years; and if so, the costs involved. [32648/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 17 together.

My Department has incurred no expenditure in respect of legal fees in the past three years. My Department did not engage the company in question at any point in the past six years.

Employment Data

Ceisteanna (14)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

14. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the latest participation rates of men and women in the labour force by age ranges (details supplied); and the corresponding EU 15 and EU 28 participation rates for the same age ranges by gender in tabular form. [32129/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Joe McHugh)

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of labour force (ILO) in the State. This survey replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) from Q3 2017.

The most recent LFS figures available are for Q1 2018.

The following table shows the latest labour force participation rates for persons aged 15 years and over by sex and age group for Q1 2018 for Ireland, the EU 15 and EU 28.

Labour force participation rates of persons aged 15 years and over by sex and age group, Q1 2018

Gender and Age Group	Ireland	EU 15	EU 28
Males	%	%	%
15-19 years	23.7	23.8	21.0
20-24 years	68.0	65.6	64.8
25-34 years	90.0	89.6	90.1
35-44 years	92.3	93.3	93.4
45-54 years	87.8	91.4	90.7
55-59 years	78.6	82.9	81.7
60-64 years	64.1	54.5	53.3
65+ years	17.9	8.6	8.6
15-64 years	78.3	79.2	78.7
15-74 years	72.3	70.4	70.2
15 years and over	68.2	64.0	64.1
Females	%	%	%
15-19 years	17.7	21.2	18.4
20-24 years	65.9	59.7	57.0
25-34 years	79.7	79.0	77.8
35-44 years	77.4	81.8	81.8
45-54 years	71.7	79.6	80.0
55-59 years	61.3	70.3	69.2
60-64 years	44.7	42.9	39.1
65+ years	6.6	3.9	4.0
15-64 years	66.0	69.0	67.9
15-74 years	59.9	60.0	58.9
15 years and over	55.1	52.5	51.7
All Persons	%	%	%
15-19 years	20.8	22.5	19.7
20-24 years	67.0	62.7	61.0
25-34 years	84.7	84.3	84
35-44 years	84.7	87.5	87.6
45-54 years	79.7	85.4	85.3
55-59 years	69.9	76.5	75.3
60-64 years	54.3	48.5	45.9
65+ years	11.9	6.0	6.0
15-64 years	72.1	74.1	73.3
15-74 years	66.0	65.2	64.5
15 years and over	61.5	58.1	57.7

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), 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: q1=Jan-Mar.

Employment Data

Ceisteanna (15)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

15. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the latest employment rates of men and women in the labour force by ranges (details supplied); and the corresponding EU 15 and EU 28 employment rates for the same age ranges by gender in tabular form. [32130/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Joe McHugh)

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of labour force (ILO) in the State. This survey replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) from Q3 2017.

The most recent LFS figures available are for Q1 2018.

The following table shows the latest employment rates for persons aged 15 years and over by sex and age group for Q1 2018 for Ireland, the EU 15 and EU 28.

Employment rates of persons aged 15 years and over by sex and age group, Q1 2018

Gender and Age Group	Ireland	EU 15	EU 28
Males	%	%	%
15-19 years	19.2	19.3	16.9
20-24 years	60.5	54.9	54.8
25-34 years	84.4	81.4	82.6
35-44 years	88.5	87.3	87.9
45-54 years	83.6	85.8	85.6
55-59 years	74.1	77.7	76.9
60-64 years	60.5	51.0	50.1
65+ years	17.7	8.4	8.4
15-64 years	73.6	72.9	72.9
15-74 years	68.1	64.9	65.1
15 years and over	64.3	59.0	59.5
Females	%	%	%
15-19 years	14.7	17.1	14.8
20-24 years	59.3	51.3	49.1
25-34 years	75.0	71.1	70.7
35-44 years	73.9	74.9	75.7
45-54 years	68.7	74.4	75.2
55-59 years	59.0	66.1	65.4
60-64 years	42.4	40.5	37.1
65+ years	6.4	3.9	3.9
15-64 years	62.3	63.2	62.6
15-74 years	56.6	55.0	54.4
15 years and over	52.1	48.1	47.8
All Persons	%	%	%
15-19 years	17.0	18.2	15.9
20-24 years	59.9	53.1	52.0
25-34 years	79.5	76.3	76.7
35-44 years	81.0	81.1	81.8
45-54 years	76.1	80.1	80.4
55-59 years	66.5	71.8	71.0
60-64 years	51.4	45.6	43.3
65+ years	11.7	5.9	5.9
15-64 years	67.9	68.0	67.8
15-74 years	62.3	59.9	59.7
15 years and over	58.1	53.4	53.5

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), 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: q1=Jan-Mar.

Employment Data

Ceisteanna (16)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

16. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the latest participation rates of men and women in the labour force by age ranges (details supplied) and by those who have attained a third level qualification and those who have not; and the corresponding EU 15 and EU 28 participation rates for the same age by gender and third level qualification attainment in tabular form. [32131/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Joe McHugh)

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of labour force (ILO) in the State. This survey replaced the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) from Q3 2017.

The most recent LFS figures available are for Q1 2018.

The following three tables show the labour force participation rates for persons aged 15 years and over by sex, age group and the highest level of education attained, in Q1 2018 for Ireland, the EU 15 and the EU 28.

Table 1 Labour Force participation rates of persons aged 15 years and over by sex, age group and highest level of education attained, Q1 2018 - Ireland

Ireland	15-19	20-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-59	60-64	65+	15-64	15-74	15 years and over
Males
Less than primary, primary and lower secondary education	10.4	[39.0]	70.8	76.2	76.6	66.6	56.0	16.7	51.4	45.4	40.1
Upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education	56.9	65.1	90.0	92.0	88.8	81.8	70.6	19.3	81.6	77.7	75.3
Tertiary education	*	84.3	93.8	97.2	94.8	89.6	70.1	20.7	92.9	88.0	85.8
No response	*	*	85.9	89.8	78.0	*	*	11.0	80.5	75.5	72.4
All ISCED 2011 levels	23.7	68.0	90.0	92.3	87.8	78.6	64.1	17.9	78.3	72.3	68.2
Females
Less than primary, primary and lower secondary education	9.8	[34.5]	48.2	40.2	41.0	39.2	27.9	3.8	27.8	23.0	18.6
Upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education	42.2	61.0	71.4	73.2	67.7	63.0	50.2	9.5	65.1	60.4	57.6
Tertiary education	*	82.6	88.3	86.1	86.3	78.1	57.3	10.5	84.5	80.2	77.8
No response	*	*	[77.9]	70.8	[53.6]	*	*	8.9	61.9	58.1	53.5
All ISCED 2011 levels	17.7	65.9	79.7	77.4	71.7	61.3	44.7	6.6	66.0	59.9	55.1
All Persons
Less than primary, primary and lower secondary education	10.1	36.8	60.5	61.0	62.7	54.5	43.4	10.0	40.7	35.1	29.9
Upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education	50.3	63.2	81.2	83.3	77.6	71.8	59.7	13.7	73.6	69.1	66.5
Tertiary education	*	83.3	90.7	91.0	90.3	83.4	63.2	15.3	88.2	83.7	81.4
No response	*	[55.3]	82.9	81.4	67.9	[68.8]	[43.8]	9.8	72.3	67.7	63.8
All ISCED 2011 levels	20.8	67.0	84.7	84.7	79.7	69.9	54.3	11.9	72.1	66.0	61.5

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland and Eurostat.

* Estimates for numbers of persons not published as estimates are too small to be considered reliable.

Parentheses [ ] indicate where estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution.

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=Jan-Mar

Table 2 Labour Force participation rates of persons aged 15 years and over by sex, age group and highest level of education attained, Q1 2018 - EU 15 %

EU15	15-19	20-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-59	60-64	65+	15-64	15-74	15 years and over
Males
Less than primary, primary and lower secondary education	19.6	68.3	83.9	86.1	84.4	73.8	43.5	6.0	64.6	55.7	48.6
Upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education	41.2	63.1	89.7	94.2	92.3	84.7	54.7	10.2	81.9	74.5	70.2
Tertiary education	62.4	71.8	92.6	97.0	96.4	90.3	68.5	16.1	91.3	83.5	79.2
No response	*	60.8	80.1	82.8	85.2	80.5	*	*	31.4	14.1	7.4
All ISCED 2011 levels	23.8	65.6	89.6	93.3	91.4	82.9	54.5	8.7	79.2	70.4	64.1
Females
Less than primary, primary and lower secondary education	16.3	57.5	57.9	62.0	62.1	53.9	30.7	2.5	46.7	37.2	29.1
Upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education	37.8	56.2	77.6	82.2	82.7	75.1	47.2	5.9	72.0	64.9	60.5
Tertiary education	59.5	71.3	87.5	90.4	90.3	82.9	56.6	10.1	85.4	79.6	77.3
No response	*	53.5	68.8	68.4	69.5	62.9	*	*	24.1	9.5	4.5
All ISCED 2011 levels	21.2	59.7	79.0	81.8	79.6	70.3	42.9	4.0	69.0	60.0	52.6
All Persons
Less than primary, primary and lower secondary education	18.1	63.9	72.5	75.1	73.3	63.4	36.3	3.8	55.9	46.4	38.2
Upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education	39.4	59.7	84.0	88.4	87.5	79.9	51.0	8.0	77.0	69.8	65.4
Tertiary education	60.8	71.5	89.7	93.4	93.3	86.6	62.7	13.6	88.2	81.5	78.2
No response	2.2	57.3	74.8	76.3	78.1	71.6	50.3	*	27.8	11.7	5.8
All ISCED 2011 levels	22.5	62.7	84.3	87.5	85.4	76.5	48.5	6.1	74.1	65.2	58.2

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland and Eurostat.

* Estimates for numbers of persons not published as estimates are too small to be considered reliable.

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=Jan-Mar

Table 3 Labour Force participation rates of persons aged 15 years and over by sex, age group and highest level of education attained, Q1 2018 - EU 28 %

EU28	15-19	20-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-59	60-64	65+	15-64	15-74	15 years and over
Males
Less than primary, primary and lower secondary education	16.4	67.3	82.6	85.0	83.3	72.7	42.4	5.9	61.6	53.3	46.5
Upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education	40.7	62.8	90.6	94.3	91.3	82.4	52.4	9.6	81.8	74.1	70.1
Tertiary education	60.6	70.7	93.2	97.2	96.2	90.2	68.6	16.1	91.6	83.9	79.6
No response	*	60.8	80.1	82.8	85.2	80.6	*	*	31.5	14.1	7.3
All ISCED 2011 levels	21.0	64.8	90.1	93.4	90.7	81.7	53.3	8.6	78.7	70.2	64.2
Females
Less than primary, primary and lower secondary education	13.3	53.4	55.7	60.9	61.5	52.5	28.7	2.6	43.9	35.0	27.1
Upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education	36.6	53.8	75.6	81.8	82.4	72.2	39.6	5.4	70.2	62.5	58.4
Tertiary education	59.5	69.9	87.0	90.5	91.0	83.5	55.3	10.2	85.4	79.5	77.1
No response	*	53.6	68.8	68.4	69.7	63.4	*	*	24.2	9.6	4.3
All ISCED 2011 levels	18.4	57.0	77.8	81.8	80.0	69.2	39.1	4.0	67.9	58.9	51.8
All Persons
Less than primary, primary and lower secondary education	14.9	61.5	70.8	74.0	72.4	62.0	34.6	3.8	53.0	44.0	36.0
Upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education	38.6	58.4	83.8	88.4	86.8	77.3	46.0	7.4	76.2	68.4	64.3
Tertiary education	60.0	70.3	89.7	93.6	93.5	86.8	62.0	13.6	88.2	81.6	78.3
No response	2.2	57.4	74.8	76.3	78.1	71.8	49.8	*	27.9	11.8	5.6
All ISCED 2011 levels	19.7	61.0	84.0	87.6	85.3	75.3	45.9	6.0	73.3	64.5	57.8

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland and Eurostat.

* Estimates for numbers of persons not published as estimates are too small to be considered reliable.

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=Jan-Mar

Question No. 17 answered with Question No. 13.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (18)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

18. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Taoiseach the amount spent on sponsored content on social media by merrionstreet.ie in the past six months; the reach achieved on platforms (details supplied); and the demographics targeted. [33306/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Details relating to the sponsored content on social media platforms managed by merrionstreet.ie are listed in the following table:

FACEBOOK Campaigns	Cost	Reach	Demographics Targeted
Healthy Ireland	€ 3,000	361,000	Adults/Ireland
Irish Aid	€ 1,000	344,000	Adults/Ireland
Self Employed	€ 1,100	143,000	Adults/Ireland
Education Action Plan	€ 500	79,800	Adults/Ireland
Opening of Cloud Computing Building	€ 250	108,000	Adults/Ireland
Project Ireland (Long)	€ 2,777	454,000	Adults/Ireland
Project Ireland (Short)	€ 5,173	730,000	Adults/Ireland
This is Ireland	€ 57,936	3,367,000	Adults Ireland/UK/US
Disability Rights	€500	282,000	Adults/Ireland
Government Health Measures	€ 750	177,000	Adults/Ireland
€4 billion Project Ireland 2040 Funds Launched	€ 1,000	120,600	Adults/Ireland

TWITTER Campaigns	Cost	Reach	Demographics Targeted
Healthy Ireland	€ 2,000	1,325,027	Adults/Ireland
Irish Aid	€ 750	378,456	Adults/Ireland
Self Employed Benefits	642	371,703	Adults/Ireland
Education Action Plan	€ 348	208,212	Adults/Ireland
Opening of Cloud Computing Building	€ 125	111,258	Adults/Ireland
Project Ireland (Long)	€ 4,550	2,015,708	Adults/Ireland
Project Ireland (Short)	€ 2,450	3,893,628	Adults/Ireland
This is Ireland	€ 14,229	5,062,900	Adults Ireland/UK/US
Disability Rights	€ 500	554,509	Adults/Ireland
Government Health Measures	€ 250	158,250	Adults/Ireland
€4 billion Project Ireland 2040 Funds Launched	€ 500	301,179	Adults/Ireland

Amounts above represent costs incurred to date and do not include invoices that have not yet been processed.

Taoiseach's Communications

Ceisteanna (19)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

19. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken with President Juncker since 16 July 2018. [33403/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The Government at all levels - official and political - is in close and ongoing contact with the European Commission, particularly, in the context of Brexit. Most recently, the Tánaiste met with

EU Negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels on the 20 July.

I did not speak directly with President Juncker between 16 and 24 July 2018 .

President Junker visited Ireland on the 21 June. During that visit I had the opportunity to meet and speak with him .

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Ceisteanna (20)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

20. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee D (Infrastructure) last met. [33720/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Cabinet Committee D last met on 1 February and its next meeting is not yet scheduled.

The Committee ensures a coordinated approach to the implementation and development of policy across the areas of infrastructure investment and delivery, housing, and climate action. It also provides political oversight in relation to Project Ireland 2040. There is significant work underway across each of these areas.

As a part of Project Ireland 2040, the Government launched four funds for rural development, urban regeneration, climate action and innovation totalling €4 billion. The four new funds will help to ensure balanced regional development, stimulate renewal and investment and prepare Ireland for the future.

On climate action and building on the National Mitigation Plan and the €22 billion of investment through the National Development Plan, there is a strong focus on how we can better empower communities to participate in climate action efforts. This included the National Dialogue on Climate Action meeting in Athlone on 23 June which explored how best to empower communities to act on the challenges presented by climate change.

On Housing, we have prioritised measures to stimulate housing supply at more affordable prices and rents through Rebuilding Ireland and new housing supply is moving in the right direction with all supply indicators showing positive trends.

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Ceisteanna (21)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

21. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee B (Social Policy and Public Service) last met. [33721/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Cabinet Committee B last met on 7th June 2018. Following the input of the Cabinet Committee, the Government has recently published two significant cross Departmental plans - the LGBTI+ Youth Strategy and the Action Plan for Online Safety.

Taoiseach's Communications

Ceisteanna (22)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

22. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the details of the announcements he made in County Kerry while there in July 2018. [33725/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Following the Government meeting at Derrynane House in County Kerry I held a press conference and made announcements on: student accommodation; the review of the Gender Recognition Act; the Future Jobs Programme; the Low Pay Commission and the National Minimum Wage; the Sláintecare implementation strategy; the legislation to establish the HSE Board; the mid-year expenditure report; National Regeneration and Development Agency; and Brexit.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (23)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

23. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his plans to meet EU leaders before the October 2018 EU Council meeting. [33726/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Ongoing political engagement with our EU and international partners, remains crucial, in relation to Brexit and other important EU issues.

I plan to attend the Informal EU Summit in Salzburg on 20 September, as well as the next formal meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 17 and 18 October.

My programme of bilateral engagements also continues and, from 23 to 26 July, I am visiting a series of EU capitals. On 23 July, I met with the Croatian President, the Prime Minister, and the Speaker of the Parliament in Zagreb. I also met with the Romanian President, Prime Minister and President of the Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest on 24 July. And I will meet with the new Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, in Rome on Thursday, 26 July.

Other bilateral meetings are envisaged for the period ahead, and these will be confirmed when the details have been finalised.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (24)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

24. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the costs including travel, accommodation and supports to hold the recent Government meeting in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33888/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The travel, accommodation and incidental costs related to holding last week's Government meeting in County Kerry cannot be fully reported yet as not all invoices and claims have been received and processed in the six days since the meeting was held.

The Government meeting was held in Derrynane House which as the Deputy will know is an OPW site therefore no rental cost was incurred.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (25)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

25. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach the cost of insurance under headings (details supplied) for his Department and each body under its aegis; the cost of the premium for 2018 or the premium paid in 2018 if the policy year straddles two calendar years; the comparable premium amount paid in 2017; the number of outstanding insurance claims against his Department or bodies under its aegis; and the estimated cost of those claims. [34006/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

My Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only body under my Department's aegis - 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.The only separate insurance cover which NESDO held in the period in question was in relation to business travel insurance.

Following a procurement process with insurance brokers in 2017, NESDO took out travel insurance covering the period 1 April 2017 to 1 April 2018 at a cost of €485.90. The cost of the policy amounted to €364.42 in 2017 and €121.48 in 2018.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have recently confirmed to NESDO that it is covered by a centrally procured travel insurance policy. NESDO, therefore, no longer incurs travel insurance costs.

There are no outstanding insurance claims against my Department or NESDO.