Written Answers Nos. 295 - 311
295. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will review the workings and effectiveness of the Construction Contracts Act 2013; if she is satisfied that subcontractors are aware of and proactive in enforcing their entitlements with a contractor for payments that are due; her plans to increase awareness of this provision in the Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46977/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Construction Contracts Act, 2013 came into force for certain construction contracts entered into after the 25th July 2016. In advance of commencement, the Department engaged in a national information campaign. The Act applies to both written and oral construction contracts, although some do not fall within its remit, for example, if the value of a contract is not more than €10,000. It also introduced a statutory entitlement to adjudication for parties to a relevant construction contract in circumstances where a payment dispute subsequently arises.
The Act provides important statutory protections for subcontractors in the construction industry. It imposes minimum contractual provisions in relation to payments, particularly the timing of payments and the parties to a relevant construction contract cannot opt out of the provisions of the legislation.
Comprehensive information on the Act is available on the website of the Department at www.dbei.gov.ie. It is important that subcontractors exercise their rights under the legislation to ensure that payment is received for work carried out under a construction contract. Due to the private nature of such contractual arrangements however, it is not possible to accurately assess the extent to which subcontractors are exercising their rights under the legislation.
The Department will continue both to monitor the effectiveness of the legislation and to consult with key construction sector stakeholders as to its ongoing impact.
296. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of senior positions held by both men and women, respectively, in her Department. [46993/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraStaffing resources are an ongoing priority to ensure my Department’s continued ability to facilitate the wide mission and volume of work in a range of challenging policy areas. This will continue with ongoing day-to-day review of the appropriate staffing mix across my Department in response to known and probable priority areas.
My Department liaises directly with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and Top-Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) in relation to the filling of posts.
The Secretary General of my Department is one of four Secretaries General leading the delivery of Action 8.5 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan – “To improve gender balance at each level by reviewing supports and policies to ensure these measures are impactful and measurable”.
The Civil Service has set an ambitious target to achieve 50/50 gender balance in appointments at senior levels. This is essential to ensure that the Civil Service is reflective of society.
My Department operates an equal opportunity policy to ensure that an equal share of both women and men can compete for and be awarded high visibility positions across the Department and its Offices. In this regard, the Department operates a best fit for the job policy.
The ratio of Male to Female at senior grades in the Department are set out in the table below.
|
Grade |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
Secretary General |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Deputy Secretary (equivalent) |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
4 |
3 |
7 |
|
Assistant Secretary (equivalent) |
3 |
2 |
5 |
|
Principal Officer |
25 |
15 |
40 |
|
Principal Officer (equivalent) |
10 |
11 |
21 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
64 |
57 |
121 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer (equivalents) |
12 |
5 |
17 |
|
Total |
119 |
94 |
213 |
297. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason funds via Science Foundation Ireland have been withdrawn from a centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47019/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraScience Foundation Ireland (SFI) is an agency of the Department which supports excellent and impactful research aligned to enterprise needs. As part of its portfolio of programmes, it funds a number of Research Centres which link scientists and engineers in partnerships across academia and industry to address crucial research questions.
The first seven of SFI’s Research Centres were established in 2013. SFI undertook a pre-planned international review process at the four-year stage of these centres. As part of this, the seven Research Centres were invited to submit proposals for future funding from mid-2019 (i.e. the end of their first phase of funding).
The Board of Science Foundation Ireland followed the recommendation of an International Oversight Review Panel not to provide a new term of funding for the INFANT Research Centre at this time. Instead, it is to be invited to submit a new application for funding to the next open competition for SFI Research Centre funding, likely in 2020. The reasons underpinning the recommendation of the International Oversight Review Panel have been shared with the INFANT Research Centre.
298. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of regional IDA Ireland site visits up to the third quarter of 2018, by county; and the vacant IDA properties by county, in tabular form. [47034/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, regional development is a key priority of mine and I am focused on maintaining existing jobs while also increasing the level of employment and investment in every county in Ireland. IDA Ireland continues to highlight the benefits of expanding or locating in regional areas to its client base. It is important to remember, however, that the final decision as to where to invest always rests with the company concerned. It is also the case that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as almost 70% of all new foreign direct investment (FDI) comes from existing IDA client companies.
Site visits nevertheless do represent an important tool through which investors can be encouraged to invest in regional areas and the IDA always does its utmost to ensure that investors consider all potential locations when visiting Ireland.
The availability of an adequate supply of marketable serviced land and buildings in advance of demand is a key element in the IDA's ability to compete for mobile FDI. The availability of property solutions allows projects to begin at an earlier date by diminishing much of the difficulties associated with land acquisition, planning and construction. It is, therefore, an important means by which the IDA can encourage and attract new investors to the country and especially to regional Ireland.
The tables below respectively set out the total number of site visits by county for the first three quarters of 2018 and details on available IDA properties countrywide.
Table A: IDA Ireland site visits by County Qs 1-3, 2018
|
County |
Q1 2018 |
Q2 2018 |
Q3 2018 |
|
Dublin |
69 |
72 |
68 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
0 |
1 |
|
Meath |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Laois |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
3 |
9 |
6 |
|
Clare |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
8 |
7 |
10 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Louth |
6 |
6 |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
3 |
4 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
9 |
5 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cork |
10 |
14 |
21 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
5 |
3 |
|
Galway |
10 |
20 |
12 |
|
Mayo |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
135 |
172 |
154 |
Table B: List of IDA Properties by county
|
|
|
Private finance |
Private finance |
Private finance |
IDA Owned |
IDA Owned |
IDA Owned |
|
County |
Town |
Occupied |
Marketable |
Total |
Occupied |
Marketable |
Total |
|
Cork |
Ballygallan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Cork |
Kilbarry |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
Wilton |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
Skibbereen |
1 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
Clonshaugh |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Dublin |
Tallaght |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Dublin |
Poppintree |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway |
Loughrea |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Galway |
Mervue |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Galway |
Roundstone |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Galway |
Parkmore |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway |
Tuam |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
Killarney |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
|
Kerry |
Tralee |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Kildare |
Newbridge |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
Ballina |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
Castlebar |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
Tullamore |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
Finisklin |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
Nenagh |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Waterford |
Johnstown |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
Waterford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
Athlone |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
Mullingar |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
Enniscorthy |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
Whitemills |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
Arklow |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
3 |
3 |
6 |
14 |
16 |
30 |
299. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the local enterprise offices located in each county; the number of staff who work in each office in 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47128/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEOs are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports if you intend to start or grow your own business.
The LEOs can offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs can provide financial assistance within three main categories: Feasibility Grants; Priming Grants and Business Development Grants for existing businesses that want to expand.. In addition, there is a Technical Assistance Grant available for eligible micro-exporter applicants who are seeking to explore alternative markets for their product or service.
For anyone interested in starting or growing a business, the LEOs may be able to offer ‘soft’ support in the form of training (e.g. a Start Your Own Business course); a mentor to work with the business proposer; or targeted programmes such as Lean for Micro (to help boost business productivity and competitiveness).
The LEOs will continue to support and promote micro-enterprises throughout the country, the number of staff that work in each office in 2018 is detailed below:
Local Enterprise Office Staffing 2018
|
- |
No. of LEO Staff (note 1) |
DBEI/EI Funded Graduates (note 2) |
Total LEO Staff Complement |
|
Carlow |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Clare |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|
Cork City |
7 |
1 |
8 |
|
Cork North & West |
8 |
0 |
8 |
|
Cork South |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|
Dublin City |
10 |
1 |
11 |
|
Dublin South |
8 |
0 |
8 |
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Fingal |
8 |
1 |
9 |
|
Galway |
7 |
1 |
8 |
|
Kerry |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|
Kildare |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Kilkenny |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
Laois |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Limerick |
8 |
1 |
9 |
|
Longford |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Louth |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|
Meath |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Waterford |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
Total |
178 |
18 |
196 |
Note
1. This is the staff complement as agreed between the County and City Managers Association, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and Enterprise Ireland.
2. Graduates funded by Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation/Enterprise Ireland that started a 3-year contract in the LEOs in mid-2018.
300. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the budget allocation for each individual local enterprise office; the value of grants provided by each office in 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47129/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEOs are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports if you intend to start or grow your own business.
The LEOs can offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs can provide financial assistance within three main categories: Feasibility Grants; Priming Grants and Business Development Grants for existing businesses that want to expand. In addition, there is a Technical Assistance Grant available for eligible micro-exporter applicants who are seeking to explore alternative markets for their product or service.
For anyone interested in starting or growing a business, the LEOs may be able to offer ‘soft’ support in the form of training (e.g. a Start Your Own Business course); a mentor to work with the business proposer; or targeted programmes such as Lean for Micro (to help boost business productivity and competitiveness).
The LEOs will continue to support and promote micro-enterprises throughout the country the table below details the budget allocation for each individual local enterprise office; the value of grants provided by each office in 2017
Local Enterprise Office Budget 2017 & Grants Approved 2017
|
LEO |
2017 Budget Allocation € (notes 1-4) |
2017 Grant Approved Amount €(note 5) |
|
Carlow |
861,927 |
449,411 |
|
Cavan |
741,251 |
473,225 |
|
Clare |
882,971 |
664,008 |
|
Cork City |
1,011,136 |
519,562 |
|
Cork North & West |
1,372,223 |
783,770 |
|
Cork South |
1,197,217 |
403,500 |
|
Donegal |
1,092,856 |
683,462 |
|
Dublin City |
1,517,035 |
966,896 |
|
Dublin South |
1,114,094 |
648,368 |
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown |
1,055,007 |
821,122 |
|
Fingal |
1,129,795 |
886,440 |
|
Galway |
1,211,286 |
680,371 |
|
Kerry |
877,972 |
361,464 |
|
Kildare |
1,063,287 |
934,625 |
|
Kilkenny |
965,151 |
452,576 |
|
Laois |
746,012 |
390,634 |
|
Leitrim |
739,808 |
252,296 |
|
Limerick |
1,504,573 |
891,103 |
|
Longford |
714,419 |
294,585 |
|
Louth |
779,899 |
453,200 |
|
Mayo |
883,450 |
387,343 |
|
Meath |
944,242 |
526,799 |
|
Monaghan |
814,752 |
432,105 |
|
Offaly |
765,869 |
368,827 |
|
Roscommon |
742,070 |
548,214 |
|
Sligo |
825,987 |
533,466 |
|
Tipperary |
1,166,190 |
969,581 |
|
Waterford |
1,265,667 |
596,165 |
|
Westmeath |
1,079,804 |
456,720 |
|
Wexford |
815,849 |
411,723 |
|
Wicklow |
779,370 |
598,781 |
|
Totals |
30,661,168 |
17,840,342 |
Notes:
The Local Enterprise Office Budget allocation was collated based on the formal allocations of funding offered to each Local Authority i.e. where a funding letter of offer was issued to a Local Authority.
It does not include allocations to LEOs to procure services or run programmes on behalf of the network of LEOs
The Local Enterprise Office Budget allocation includes the Administration (pay and non-pay) allocation.
It does not include the LEO Innovation Investment Fund as this was a competitive scheme which did not include a specific allocation to each LEO.
The 2017 Grants Approved Amount includes the LEO Innovation Investment Fund approved amount.
301. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on proposed changes to Regulation (EC) No. 469/2009 to allow for a SPC manufacturing waiver; her views on this initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47188/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) are an intellectual property right that serve as an extension to a patent right. They apply to specific pharmaceutical and plant protection products that have been authorised for use in the market by regulatory authorities.
Medicinal products require market authorisation before they can be sold commercially and this process can take a number of years. SPCs compensate the patentee for this loss of time, by extending the protection conferred by the patent beyond its 20-year term for a period of up to five years.
In its 2015 Single Market Strategy (SMS), the Commission indicated it would explore a recalibration of certain aspects of patent and SPC protection to remove any unintended consequences which make the EU pharmaceutical sector less competitive compared to non-EU pharmaceutical manufacturers.
The proposal will allow EU based manufacturers of generics and bio-similars to produce medicines for export purposes only to non-EU countries where SPC protection never existed or has expired.
Studies carried out by the Commission indicate that an SPC manufacturing waiver could allow the European generic and biosimilar medicines industries to create thousands of high-tech jobs in the EU.
Officials of my Department are actively engaged in ongoing discussions on this matter at working party level in Brussels.
302. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the policy on the reduced pay level that applies to medical consultants recruited since 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46565/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Sector Pay Commission in its Report published on 4 September 2018 identified difficulties in attracting consultant applications for advertised posts at present and acknowledged that the pay rates for new entrants had been highlighted as a factor in this. The Commission also recognised that the implementation of the settlement of the 2008 Consultant Contract claim, while necessary of itself, would serve to highlight further the differential in pay between the pre-existing cadre of consultants and new entrants.
Given its analysis, the Pay Commission proposed that the Parties to the Public Service Stability Agreement jointly consider what further measures could be taken, over time, to address the pay differential between pre-existing consultants and new entrant consultants. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department have noted the Commission's views and consideration will need to be given to potential solutions which are in line with public sector pay policy and available budgets. This will be a significant challenge given the amounts involved.
303. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to make FreeStyle Libre available to persons over 21 years of age with type 1 diabetes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46936/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
304. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number on waiting lists for child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, by county, in tabular form; the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18 and more than 18 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46954/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
305. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied) in order that a clinical and medical assessment be carried out. [47028/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials have been in contact with the Deputy's office seeking further details in order to respond to the question raised.
On receipt of this clarification I will refer the query to the HSE, as this is a service matter, and ask the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
306. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the HSE-funded community alert development officer position in the western Garda region that has been vacant since July 2017 has been filled; if full funding has been provided to an organisation (details supplied) for this post in 2017; if full funding has been provided to the organisation for this post in 2018; if so, the steps he will take to ensure that the post is filled or recoup the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46475/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, I have asked them to respond to you directly.
307. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for bringing forward amendments to section 38(2)(b) of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, as amended, to accept qualification recognition decisions made here under directives which preceded Directive 2005/36/EC, that is, Directives 89/48 and-or 92/51; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46482/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2018 (No. 106 of 2018), which provides for the amendment of Section 38 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, was initiated in the Seanad on 27 September 2018 and completed its passage through the House on 7 November 2018. It is expected to begin its passage through Dáil Éireann in the coming weeks.
When enacted, applicants for registration who have evidence that their qualification has been recognised by the Minister or by a body acting on behalf of the State prior to the introduction of statutory registration for the relevant profession, will be considered to hold an “approved qualification” under the Act. This will mean that there will be no requirement for reassessment of the qualification.
308. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the policy in relation to the need for note taking when Ministers and-or Ministers of State meet business and other leaders; the way in which this policy is outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46493/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is custom and practice for meetings attended by my officials in the Department to be noted as a matter of course.
309. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the progress of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46500/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
310. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if additional home help hours will be allocated to a person (details supplied) in view of the person's deteriorating health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46501/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
311. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46507/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to draw the Deputy's attention to the report of the Task Force on Personalised Budgets, which I published on 17 July 2018. The report is available on the Department of Health’s website. The report sets out how personalised budgets could work as a funding mechanism for people with a disability, providing them with greater choice and control over the services and supports they receive.
Having reviewed the national and international research evidence and consulted with service users and their families, the report of the Task Force advocates three different models of how personalised budgets might be accessed by people with disabilities:
1. Person-managed fund, often referred to as Direct payments;
2. Co managed with the service provider; and
3. Broker managed fund.
The rationale for several models is a recognition of the fact that no two people are the same and therefore, ‘one size does not fit all’. The Task Force recommended that the Department of Health and the HSE should establish demonstration projects to test the delivery of personalised budgets. These demonstration projects will test the three models with a view to identifying the best approach to the wider roll-out of these payment models following the initial demonstration phase.
The Department of Health, NDA and the HSE are in the process of designing the demonstration projects, and the Department’s website will be kept updated with information on the roll out of the demonstration projects as it becomes available.
