Written Answers Nos. 113-132
113. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Taoiseach if he will provide the latest CSO labour force survey results for Waterford city and region, including data on unemployment participation, age, gender and hours of employment, in tabular form. [52798/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q3 2018.
Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable Waterford City estimates from the LFS. Estimates of the labour force (including unemployment) however, are produced by NUTS 3 Regions. The NUTS 3 South-East region includes counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford City and County and Wexford.
Table 1 shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over classified by gender and ILO Economic Status in the NUTS 3 South-East region in Q3 2018.
Table 2 shows the Labour Force participation rates of persons aged 15 years and over by gender and the unemployment rates of persons aged 15 to 74 years in the NUTS3 South-East region in Q3 2018.
Table 3 shows the average usual hours (where usual hours data is available) worked of persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by sex in the South-East NUTS3 Regions in Q3 2018.
Table 1 Persons aged 15 years and over classified by NUTS3 Regions (South-East) and ILO Economic Status, Q3 2018
|
Gender |
ILO Economic Status |
Age Group |
'000 |
|
a Male |
a Employed |
15-34 years |
29.4 |
|
35-54 years |
50.5 |
||
|
55+ years |
21.9 |
||
|
All |
101.8 |
||
|
b Unemployed |
15-34 years |
[5.1] |
|
|
35-54 years |
* |
||
|
55+ years |
* |
||
|
All |
9.4 |
||
|
c Inactive |
15-34 years |
16.4 |
|
|
35-54 years |
[6.8] |
||
|
55+ years |
33.0 |
||
|
All |
56.2 |
||
|
d Total labour force |
15-34 years |
34.5 |
|
|
35-54 years |
53.9 |
||
|
55+ years |
22.8 |
||
|
All |
111.2 |
||
|
e Total male |
15-34 years |
50.9 |
|
|
35-54 years |
60.7 |
||
|
55+ years |
55.8 |
||
|
All |
167.4 |
||
|
b Female |
a Employed |
15-34 years |
27.1 |
|
35-54 years |
40.9 |
||
|
55+ years |
16.7 |
||
|
All |
84.7 |
||
|
b Unemployed |
15-34 years |
[4.7] |
|
|
35-54 years |
* |
||
|
55+ years |
* |
||
|
All |
8.0 |
||
|
c Inactive |
15-34 years |
19.5 |
|
|
35-54 years |
19.1 |
||
|
55+ years |
41.6 |
||
|
All |
80.2 |
||
|
d Total labour force |
15-34 years |
31.8 |
|
|
35-54 years |
43.8 |
||
|
55+ years |
17.1 |
||
|
All |
92.6 |
||
|
e Total female |
15-34 years |
51.2 |
|
|
35-54 years |
62.9 |
||
|
55+ years |
58.6 |
||
|
All |
172.8 |
||
|
Male and Female |
a Employed |
15-34 years |
56.5 |
|
35-54 years |
91.4 |
||
|
55+ years |
38.6 |
||
|
All |
186.5 |
||
|
b Unemployed |
15-34 years |
9.7 |
|
|
35-54 years |
[6.3] |
||
|
55+ years |
* |
||
|
All |
17.4 |
||
|
c Inactive |
15-34 years |
35.8 |
|
|
35-54 years |
26.0 |
||
|
55+ years |
74.5 |
||
|
All |
136.3 |
||
|
d Total labour force |
15-34 years |
66.3 |
|
|
35-54 years |
97.7 |
||
|
55+ years |
39.9 |
||
|
All |
203.9 |
||
|
e Total persons |
15-34 years |
102.1 |
|
|
35-54 years |
123.7 |
||
|
55+ years |
114.4 |
||
|
All |
340.2 |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
*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.
Parentheses [ ] indicate where there are 30-49 persons sampled in a cell, 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: Q3=Jul-Sep.
Table 2 Participation (ILO) and unemployment (ILO) rates classified by sex and NUTS3 Regions (South-East), Q3 2018
|
Gender |
Age Group |
Participation rates (15 years and over) % |
Unemployment rates (15-74 years) % |
|
a Male |
15-34 years |
67.8 |
14.7 |
|
35-54 years |
88.7 |
6.4 |
|
|
55+ years |
40.9 |
4.1 |
|
|
All |
66.4 |
8.5 |
|
|
b Female |
15-34 years |
62.0 |
14.7 |
|
35-54 years |
69.6 |
6.6 |
|
|
55+ years |
29.1 |
2.3 |
|
|
All |
53.6 |
8.6 |
|
|
All |
15-34 years |
64.9 |
14.7 |
|
35-54 years |
79.0 |
6.5 |
|
|
55+ years |
34.9 |
3.3 |
|
|
All |
59.9 |
8.6 |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q3=Jul-Sep.
Table 3 Average usual hours (where usual hours data is available) worked per week of persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by sex and NUTS3 Regions (South-East), Q3 2018
|
Gender |
Average usual hours worked per week |
|
a Male |
42.8 |
|
b Female |
30.4 |
|
All |
37.0 |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q3=Jul-Sep.
114. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his phone call to Prime Minister May on 9 December 2018; and the issues that were discussed and responses he received. [52799/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI spoke with Prime Minister May by phone on Sunday evening, 9th December. We discussed the situation on Brexit, including the vote in Westminster which, at that time, was scheduled for Tuesday 11th December but which was subsequently deferred by the Prime Minister. I restated the Government's position that the backstop is an essential part of the Withdrawal Agreement and expressed my hope that the Withdrawal Agreement could be ratified. We also discussed preparations for the upcoming European Council held on 13/14 December.
115. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the unemployment rate by county using the latest CSO data. [52819/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 Q3 2018.
Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable county estimates from the LFS.
Estimates of unemployment however, are produced by NUTS2 and NUTS3 Regions.
The table shows the unemployment (ILO) rates for persons aged 15 – 74 years classified by NUTS2 and NUTS3 regions and in the State for Q3 2018.
Unemployment (ILO) rates for persons aged 15-74 years classified by State and NUTS2 and NUTS3 regions, Q3 2018
|
Unemployment rate (%) |
|
|
State |
6.0 |
|
Northern and Western |
5.9 |
|
Border |
5.1 |
|
West |
6.6 |
|
Southern |
6.5 |
|
Mid-West |
7.2 |
|
South-East |
8.6 |
|
South-West |
4.9 |
|
Eastern and Midland |
5.6 |
|
Dublin |
5.3 |
|
Mid-East |
5.8 |
|
Midland |
7.1 |
Source: Labour Force Survey, Central Statistics Office.';
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: Q3=July -Sept.
116. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his phone call with Mr. Donald Tusk on 10 December 2018; and the issues that were discussed. [52861/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI spoke by phone with President Tusk in advance of the European Council on 13 and 14 December. We discussed his plans for the handling of discussions on Brexit as well as other items on the European Council agenda.
President Tusk reiterated his strong solidarity for Ireland's position, and his view that the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, which was approved by the UK Government on 14 November and endorsed by the European Council on 25 November, is not open for renegotiation.
This was also the strong consensus among the EU 27 Member States at the Article 50 meeting on 13 December.
117. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of open cases the State Claims Agency is handling in respect of the Air Corps, its staff and former staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53027/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the State Claims Agency that its reports indicate that currently the Agency is managing 21 active compensation claims in respect of the Air Corps where it is alleged that a staff member is the injured party.
Given that litigation is ongoing, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further in relation to these claims.
118. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of claims settled between the State Claims Agency in respect of serving and former members of the Defence Forces by amount, year and section of the Defence Forces that the member was assigned to in the past ten years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53053/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter is receiving attention and I will revert to the Deputy in respect of the information requested in due course.
119. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the State Claims Agency supplied the Health and Safety Authority with copies of its audits and-or reports regarding the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53026/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by the State Claims Agency that it does not provide reports of Health and Safety Management System Audits conducted by the Agency in Delegated State Authorities (including the Defence Forces) to the Health and Safety Authority. I am advised that these are provided to the Delegated State Authorities only.
With regard to the Air Corps, the Deputy will be aware that the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), following a number of inspections in 2016, issued a Report of Inspection to the Air Corps on 21st October 2016, listing a number of matters requiring attention which included the areas of risk assessment.
The Air Corps as a consequence of this HSA report have implemented an improvement plan which is being conducted over eight phases. Seven of the eight phases have now been fully completed. The final phase is a continuous ongoing process. The implementation plan focuses on a number of areas, including risk assessment.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the health and welfare of the Defence Forces personnel is a high priority for me and the military authorities.
120. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 6 November 2018, when a reply will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53040/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in Question Number 123 of 6 November, 2018 was not available within the given timeframe when asked. The military authorities have now provided an updated position to me.
As the Deputy will be aware, psychometric testing is used to inform the recruitment and selection process for General Service Recruitment, Cadetships and Apprenticeships. As with all such selection processes, the approach used will be kept under ongoing review to ensure that it delivers an appropriate methodology to determine suitability for entry to the Defence Forces.
I am informed by the military authorities that following a review of all psychometric test results for the years 2017 and 2018, it was discovered that one individual was recruited as a result of an error within the administration of the psychometric tests. The individual was discharged on his own request.
121. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the moneys expended in promoting and hosting all Getting Ireland Brexit Ready events to date, including costs (details supplied) in tabular form; the budget allocated for the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready events with respect to promotional activities in 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52818/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in June 2017, I have overseen and co-ordinated a sustained intensification of Brexit preparedness. As part of these efforts, the Government has organised “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” public information events around Ireland to inform and advise about Brexit preparedness, and the range of support measures and resources that the Government has put in place.
These events brought together over a dozen Agencies and their parent Departments – the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport - under one roof to inform and advise both citizens and businesses.
The Workshops also attracted significant domestic and international (in particular UK) media coverage which afforded an opportunity to highlight Ireland’s overall approach and specific concerns in relation to Brexit.
Six Getting Ireland Brexit Ready workshop events have so far taken place in Cork on 5 October, Galway on 12 October, Monaghan on 19 October, Dublin on 25 October, Limerick on 23 November, and Letterkenny on 30 November. Having participated at each event, I am pleased to confirm that the workshops attracted very strong participation with a total of approximately 2,500 attendees.
The Getting Ireland Brexit Ready campaign invited businesses throughout the country to either attend one of the six workshops, or to come online to the dfa.ie/brexit website, which has been visited over 26,000 times.
The positive impact of the roadshows is reflected in an increase in interactions with the Brexit supports offered by State agencies. For example, Enterprise Ireland has recorded a 92% increase in Brexit Scorecard completions from September to October, as well as a 62% increase in interactions on its website. Similarly, Fáilte Ireland noted a 24% increase in views to its Brexit webpages subsequent to the October events, as well as an uptrend averaging 83% in the number of interactions on its Get Brexit Ready diagnostic tool.
Other Brexit preparedness-related public information activities and events continue to be organised by State Agencies and Departments across Ireland and relevant details on these can be found at the new dedicated Brexit events page on the dfa.ie/brexit website.
In organising each workshop, every effort has been made to ensure that costs are kept to the necessary minimum, and that they reflect the best value for money. Costs that have arisen directly so far in connection with the workshop events and advertising costs for the "Getting Ireland Brexit Ready" campaign for which invoices/confirmed costings have been received are as follows:
|
Item |
Totals |
|
Venue Hire, Catering and Related |
€66,884.22 |
|
Event Staging / Audio-Visual Equipment (OPW) |
€55,183.96 |
|
Event Materials / Signage / Badging |
€20,285.70 |
|
Photography / Video / Podcast |
€16,730.10 |
|
Advertising and Design |
€37,729.75 |
|
Other |
€1,409.47 |
|
Total |
€198,228.20 |
122. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the discussions on Brexit preparedness at EU level; and if he contributed to same. [53187/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra124. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to intensify his preparation for a no-deal Brexit in view of the decision by Prime Minister May to defer the vote on the withdrawal agreement; the way in which preparations will be intensified for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52884/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra125. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if all Brexit-related contingency planning will still proceed on the central case scenario in view of the decision by Prime Minister May to defer the vote on the withdrawal agreement; the way in which planning will change for Brexit as a consequence of the decision to defer the vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52896/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra126. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will seek additional funding to prepare for a no-deal Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52897/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to publish contingency plans in preparation for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit; the date on which such information will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53236/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra128. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the immediate steps that need to be taken to ensure Ireland is prepared for a no-deal Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53237/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 124 to 128, inclusive, together.
A no-deal Brexit would mean that on 30 March the UK’s status under EU law would change from that of an EU Member State to that of a third country with no trade or co-operation agreements in place with the EU. The UK would no longer be subject to the corpus of EU law, known as the EU acquis. This would have profound political, economic, trade and legal implications for the UK, for Ireland and for the EU and other Member States.
Extensive and detailed Brexit preparedness and contingency work is being taken forward, co-ordinated by officials in my Department, working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach, across all Government Departments and Agencies.
Despite the European Union and the United Kingdom having settled a Withdrawal Agreement, the political situation in London is uncertain. We still hope for an agreed Brexit based on this deal, which was agreed by the UK Cabinet, and by 27 member states at the European Council. It includes compromises from both sides. However, we cannot take the UK ratifying it as a given and therefore it is only prudent for the Government to prepare for all scenarios.
Following an update last week on planning for Brexit, the Cabinet mandated that while work on Brexit preparedness for the central case scenario should continue, greater immediate priority must now be given to preparations for a disorderly Brexit and all Government departments should urgently take forward work on that basis.
As I stated in the Dáil last week, on Thursday we will make public additional information on this planning. This will be part of an ongoing process of public updates to take place over the coming months.
The Government has already taken a number of key decisions, based on a central case scenario, on measures to be put in place for the necessary checks and controls for trade on an East-West basis. Many of these measures are required in the range of Brexit scenarios but will need to take place at an accelerated pace to prepare for a ‘no deal’ Brexit. The recruitment of additional staff for customs and SPS controls, as well as ICT and infrastructure measures at our ports and airports has been sanctioned and implementation is under way. Various contingency measures, such as the rapid recruitment and redeployment of staff, and the use of temporary facilities, are under active planning for a disorderly Brexit scenario.
Budget 2019 set aside €115 million for a number of specific expenditure measures aimed at making Ireland Brexit ready. This includes €25 million for essential customs/SPS requirements including the recruitment of necessary staff in 2019, on the basis of the central case scenario.
Given that in a number of key areas for Ireland, the appropriate response and mitigation will be at the EU level, we are continuing to engage actively with the Commission on areas of priority for Ireland, including through a series of expert level meetings with the Commission and the EU27 on key issues on a weekly basis until mid-January.
The EU Commission acknowledged the particular impact of Brexit on Ireland and Irish business in its contingency planning communication of 13 November. This communication also outlined some of the EU’s plans for a no deal scenario, including in the areas of financial services, citizens’ rights, air transport, road transport, and customs/SPS requirements. This has further informed our own domestic planning.
Ireland is also working closely with the EU and fellow Member States to discuss and progress areas of key concern, including facilitating the use of the UK as a landbridge post Brexit.
123. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the processing times for foreign birth registrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52768/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraForeign Birth Registration, by its nature, can be a detailed and complex process often involving certificates covering three generations and several jurisdictions. Applications requiring clarification or further documents can take longer to process.
The volume of applications for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration is particularly high at present.
Along with an increase in applications received this year, an increase of incomplete applications has also been seen. Up to 50% of applications received are not complete.
Applications generally take 5-6 months to process from the time all the required documentation has been submitted to the Foreign Births Registration Unit. In 2018, to date, 88% of applications for Foreign Birth Registration were processed within six months.
129. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he recently spoke to the Vice President of the United States of America, Mr. Mike Pence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53273/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government engages frequently with the US Administration and US elected representatives, both Republican and Democrat, on all aspects of the Ireland-US relationship and on other issues of mutual concern.
I have had significant engagements in the US this year. In February, I met with then US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson; Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen; Special Representative for International Negotiations to the US President, Jason Greenblatt; in addition to White House senior advisers, and a number of Congressional leaders. In the course of my visit to New York in September for UN High Level week, I also met with US Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan.
The St. Patrick’s Day period in Washington, D.C., provides an excellent opportunity for such substantive engagement, and I can confirm that the Taoiseach met with the US Vice President, Mike Pence, in March, along with very many other US elected representatives.
I hope to travel to the United States in early 2019 for a series of political and other engagements. While I have not had contact with Vice President Pence to date, I would very much welcome the opportunity to meet with representatives of the US Administration, including the Vice President at that time, as well as other key Congressional leaders.
130. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if consideration will be given to making contact with the Spanish Government to recommend that the pre-trial Catalan civil and political prisoners are given temporary release over Christmas as a humanitarian confidence building measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53286/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Irish officials will attend to monitor proceedings at the trials of the Catalan civil and political prisoners that are expected to be held early in 2019; if he will provide funding to court observers from the NGO sector to monitor proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53287/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.
The cases referred to by the Deputy are the subject of ongoing judicial proceedings. As such it would not be appropriate for me to make an intervention or statement on the matter. There are no plans for Irish officials to attend these legal proceedings or to provide funding to NGOs to attend. I am kept informed of developments in Catalonia by our Embassy in Madrid on a regular basis.
132. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals being considered to ease the restrictions on persons coming to live here on stamp 0 visas, particularly retirees from the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53396/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of the Government’s ongoing efforts to secure a comprehensive immigration solution for Irish citizens in the US, involving both future pathways for legal immigration and relief for the undocumented Irish, a number of potential Irish reciprocal immigration and visa measures have been considered, including a possible scheme for US citizens to retire in Ireland, and a dedicated work permit scheme for US citizens.
There have been developments in this regard in the last number of weeks. An Irish E3 Visa Bill was passed by the US House of Representatives on 28 November, and is now awaiting consideration by the US Senate. While there are no guarantees of success, if signed into law, this Bill would allow Irish citizens to apply for two-year, renewable E3 Visas under certain conditions. Access to this E3 scheme would be contingent on reciprocal arrangements for US citizens in Ireland, to be introduced by the Government.
Should the E3 Visa Bill be enacted, therefore, the Government would consider which particular reciprocal immigration and visa measures best met the test of reciprocity, in consultation with the US authorities.
