Tuesday, 5 Nov 2019

Written Answers Nos. 69-88

Employment Data

Ceisteanna (69)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

69. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the female participation and employment rates here; and the corresponding EU average rates. [44212/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a household survey which provides quarterly statistics on employment and unemployment and is the official source of labour market estimates in the State. The primary classification used for the LFS results is the ILO (International Labour Organization) labour force classification.

The most recent figures available from the LFS are for the second quarter (Q2) of 2019.

The labour force participation rate (ILO) is the number of persons aged 15 years or over in the labour force expressed as a percentage of the total population aged 15 years or over.

The employment rate (ILO) is the number of employed persons aged 15-64 years expressed as a percentage of the total population aged 15-64 years.

Table 1 shows the labour force participation rate of females aged 15 years or over for Ireland and the corresponding EU28 rate for Q2 2019.

Table 2 shows the employment rate (ILO) of females aged 15-64 years for Ireland and the corresponding EU28 rate for Q2 2019.

Table 1 Participation rates (ILO) of females aged 15 years and over - Q2 2019

Gender	Age Group	Ireland	EU 28
Females	15 years and over	56.0%	52.2%

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: q2=Apr-Jun

Table 2 Employment rates (ILO) of females aged 15-64 years - Q2 2019

Gender	Age Group	Ireland	EU 28
Females	15-64 years	63.7%	64.2%

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: q2=Apr-Jun.

Employment Data

Ceisteanna (70)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

70. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the number of self-employed persons by gender here based on the latest national, EUROSTAT and global data; and the corresponding EU rates in tabular form. [44214/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a household survey which provides quarterly statistics on employment and unemployment and is the official source of labour market estimates in the State. The primary classification used for the LFS results is the ILO (International Labour Organisation) labour force classification.

The most recent figures available from the LFS for Ireland and from EUROSTAT for the EU28 are for the second quarter (Q2) of 2019. Global estimates are compiled by the ILO on an annual basis only. Thus, for comparability purposes, data provided in the following tables for Ireland and the EU28 refer to the year 2018.

Table 1 shows the number of self-employed persons aged 15 years and over, classified by gender in Ireland and the corresponding EU28 and Global estimates for 2018.

Table 2 shows self-employed persons as a percentage of total employed persons aged 15 years and over, classified by gender in Ireland and the corresponding EU28 and Global estimates for 2018.

Table 1 Self employed persons aged 15 years and over classified by gender in Ireland, EU28 and Global, 2018

Males	'000
Ireland	251
EU 28	22,297
Global	771,425
Females	'000
Ireland	76
EU 28	10,672
Global	356,214
Total	'000
Ireland	327
EU 28	32,969
Global	1,127,639

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland, EUROSTAT and International Labour Organisation (ILO)

Estimates for Ireland and EU28 taken as the average of the estimates for the four quarters of 2018

Global figures are based on estimates by the International Labour Organisation (ILO)

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.

Table 2 Self employed persons as a percentage of total persons in employment aged 15 years and over classified by gender in Ireland,  EU 28 and Global, 2018

Males	%
Ireland	20.6
EU 28	17.9
Global	38.2
Females	%
Ireland	7.3
EU 28	10.1
Global	27.8
Total	%
Ireland	14.5
EU 28	14.3
Global	34.1

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland, EUROSTAT and international labour Organisation (ILO)

Estimates for Ireland and EU28 taken as the average of the estimates for the four quarters of 2018

Global figures are based on estimates by the International Labour Organisation (ILO)

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.

Enterprise Data

Ceisteanna (71)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

71. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the number of business births, startups, from the business demography statistics with some comparative EU statistics. [44213/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

Statistics on enterprise births are compiled by the CSO as part of its annual Business Demography statistics. Corresponding figures are compiled by each EU Member State.

A breakdown by gender of newly birthed enterprises, as requested, is not currently available, but work is under way by the CSO to develop this additional breakdown of the statistics for Ireland.

The most recent period for which Business Demography data is available is 2017. The following table sets out the number of newly birthed enterprises, annually between 2014 and 2017, in each EU Member State.

Number of Enterprise Births in the EU, 2014 to 2017

Member State	2014	2015	2016	2017
EU - 28	2,581,088	2,550,560	2,639,585	:
Belgium	39,070	41,102	41,157	42,745
Bulgaria	39,333	40,358	43,434	41,723
Czech Republic	93,360	85,645	90,436	94,755
Denmark	24,283	23,012	26,183	26,092
Germany	202,984	198,135	188,788	189,464
Estonia	8,631	8,512	9,066	10,594
Ireland	16,257	18,100	19,249	22,241
Greece	:	39,896	34,527	:
Spain	287,611	274,172	301,042	275,654
France	339,075	328,884	346,804	375,966
Croatia	11,411	12,185	12,856	13,358
Italy	274,489	279,132	296,906	276,889
Cyprus	3,375	4,510	5,386	:
Latvia	15,194	19,003	18,808	14,102
Lithuania	43,543	34,490	37,132	40,336
Luxembourg	3,134	2,989	2,891	3,103
Hungary	52,101	56,799	57,561	71,485
Malta	3,599	2,730	5,925	3,873
Netherlands	108,786	107,946	111,159	111,683
Austria	29,480	28,082	26,759	:
Poland	253,061	249,815	248,389	253,493
Portugal	117,201	130,156	131,651	138,318
Romania	70,912	79,496	74,387	80,251
Slovenia	15,158	15,154	14,884	14,813
Slovakia	86,672	53,899	49,776	65,814
Finland	22,210	18,811	19,153	28,586
Sweden	52,606	53,185	53,005	50,853
United Kingdom	316,540	343,550	371,370	345,445

: denotes that the value is not available

Note: An enterprise birth amounts to the creation of a combination of production factors with the restriction that no other enterprises are involved in the event. Births do not include entries into the population due to mergers, break-ups, split-off or restructuring of a set of enterprises. It does not include entries into a sub-population resulting only from a change of activity.

A birth occurs when an enterprise starts from scratch and actually starts activity. An enterprise creation can be considered an enterprise birth if new production factors in particular, new jobs are created. If a dormant unit is reactivated within two years, this event is not considered a birth.

EU Meetings

Ceisteanna (72)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

72. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if Israel and Palestine were discussed at the most recent EU Council meeting. [45244/19]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Israel and Palestine was not discussed at the most recent European Council meeting on 17-18 October.

International matters are generally discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council. The wider Middle East was last discussed at an informal Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Helsinki on 29-30 August 2019.

Departmental Legal Cases Data

Ceisteanna (73)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

73. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Taoiseach the number of financial settlements reached by his Department and statutory bodies within his remit nationally; and the number which included confidentiality clauses in each of the past five years by organisation. [44196/19]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

There were no financial settlements reached by my Department or any statutory body under my remit in the past five years.

Information and Communications Technology

Ceisteanna (74, 75, 76)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

74. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach the number of computers in his Department that still use an operating system (details supplied) in tabular form. [44717/19]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

75. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if his Department will not be forced to pay additional premium payments to a company (details supplied) once support for an operating system expires in January 2020. [44733/19]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

76. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach his plans to protect his Department in the event of a malware attack or security risks as a result of the failure to upgrade computers from an operating system (details supplied) in his Department and the agencies under his remit. [44749/19]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 to 76, inclusive, together.

There is one computer in the Department of the Taoiseach that uses the Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System. This computer is used for an internal system and is scheduled to be replaced in November 2019 with the supplier of that system.

The provision of modern, appropriately secured and appropriately supported computer operating systems, on all devices used by staff assigned to the Department, is a component of protecting against malware and other attacks insofar as possible.

The Department of the Taoiseach will not be required to pay any additional premium support payments once support for Microsoft Windows 7 ends on 14th January 2020.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (77)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

77. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the number of full and part-time staff employed in his Department; and the number of such staff being paid at the minimum wage rate of pay. [44853/19]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

There are currently 221.5 whole time equivalent staff working in my Department. All staff are paid above the current national minimum wage rate of €9.80 per hour.

Departmental Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (78)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

78. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the details of contracts of €25,000 or more that have been awarded by his Department or bodies under his aegis that were found to be non-compliant with procurement guidelines in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019. [45071/19]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Under Department of Finance Circular 40/02, my Department makes annual returns to the Comptroller and Auditor General in respect of contracts above a €25,000 threshold which are awarded without a competitive process. Contracts awarded without a competitive process are not necessarily non-compliant with procurement guidelines.

Details of contracts/purchases of more than €25,000 undertaken by my Department without a competitive process in 2017 and 2018 are set out in the tables below. The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under my Department's aegis, has no contracts that fall within the scope of the question.

While my Department's Finance Unit actively monitors contracts and procurement throughout the year, it is not possible, at this point in the year, to provide accurate details in respect of 2019.

2018

Nature of Contract	Value	Details
Maintenance, support, license expenditure and upgrade related expenditure for eCabinet for users across all Government Departments	€243,182	This relates to a bespoke system developed following an open tender competition. No other economic operator would be in a position to provide the licenses, product maintenance and upgrade services.
Provision of telephonists to operate the Department's switch	€94,144	A detailed interdepartmental cost benefit analysis was performed to ensure this contract represented good value for money.
Provision of a legal secretary to the Moriarty Tribunal legal team	€47,716	The Tribunal approached the provider directly in relation to this engagement when the Tribunal was set up in 1997. Tribunals of Inquiry are independent in their operation.
Provision of stenography services for the Cooke Commission of Investigation	€40,000	The Commission approached the provider directly in relation to this work. Commissions of Investigation are independent in their operation.
Independent expert review of the National Broadband procurement process	€29,843	The terms agreed for this review were the same as the rates payable under the terms of the contract between the provider and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The review was an independent review of the National Broadband Procurement Process carried out by the NBP Process Auditor on behalf of the Department of the Taoiseach.

2017

Nature of Contract	Value	Details
Maintenance, support, license expenditure and upgrade related expenditure for eCabinet for users across all Government Departments	€412,206	This relates to a bespoke system developed following an open tender competition. No other economic operator would be in a position to provide the licenses, product maintenance and upgrade services.
Provision of telephonists to operate the Department's switch	€115,157	A detailed interdepartmental cost benefit analysis was performed to ensure this contract represented good value for money.
Provision of newspapers	€56,087	This relates to a rollover of a previous contract. The Department issued a request for tender and a new contract was in place in Q1 2018.
Provision of a legal secretary to the Moriarty Tribunal legal team	€51,906	The Tribunal approached the provider directly in relation to this engagement when the Tribunal was set up in 1997. Tribunals of Inquiry are independent in their operation.
Provision of ICT services to the IBRC Commission	€36,861	The initial contract with this provider was entered following a tender process however additional expenditure was incurred by the commission as a result of an extension of the existing arrangement. Commissions of Investigation are independent in their operation and their expenditure levels depend on the requirements of their investigation.
Provision of a software system to the Moriarty Tribunal	€26,537	The Tribunal approached the provider directly in relation to this engagement. Tribunals of Inquiry are independent in their operation.

Garda Data

Ceisteanna (79)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

79. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach if the CSO has a record of the population served by existing Garda divisions nationally. [45125/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

Census 2016 figures for the existing Garda boundaries are set out in the following table. The census figures relate to the de facto population, i.e. the population recorded for each area represents the total of all persons present within its boundaries on Census night.

Population by Garda Regions and Garda Divisions, Census 2016.

-	Region	Population
All Regions	All divisions	4,761,865
	Kilkenny/Carlow	153,630
	Wexford	149,941
	DMR West	321,703
	DMR North	351,283
	DMR South	249,252
	DMR South Central	131,349
	DMR North Central	92,662
	Meath	191,919
	DMR East	201,087
	Wicklow	142,970
	Kildare	222,038
	Waterford	121,274
	Laois/Offaly	156,899
	Roscommon/Longford	98,070
	Louth	131,953
	Tipperary	159,514
	Westmeath	94,758
	Clare	110,154
	Limerick	204,977
	Galway	258,228
	Cork City	258,877
	Cork North	156,642
	Cork West	132,958
	Kerry	143,664
	Mayo	131,084
	Sligo/Leitrim	98,210
	Cavan/Monaghan	137,577
	Donegal	159,192
South Eastern Region	All divisions	584,359
	Kilkenny/Carlow	153,630
	Wexford	149,941
	Waterford	121,274
	Tipperary	159,514
Dublin Metropolitan Region	All divisions	1,347,336
	DMR West	321,703
	DMR North	351,283
	DMR South	249,252
	DMR South Central	131,349
	DMR North Central	92,662
	DMR East	201,087
Eastern Region	All divisions	808,584
	Meath	191,919
	Wicklow	142,970
	Kildare	222,038
	Laois/Offaly	156,899
	Westmeath	94,758
Western Region	All divisions	597,536
	Roscommon/Longford	98,070
	Clare	110,154
	Galway	258,228
	Mayo	131,084
Northern Region	All divisions	526,932
	Louth	131,953
	Sligo/Leitrim	98,210
	Cavan/Monaghan	137,577
	Donegal	159,192
Southern Region	All divisions	897,118
	Limerick	204,977
	Cork City	258,877
	Cork North	156,642
	Cork West	132,958
	Kerry	143,664

Brexit Preparations

Ceisteanna (80)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

80. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans for an economic impact assessment of the current withdrawal treaty on trade and other economic metrics under the auspices of his Department and agencies under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44272/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

As part of a whole of Government approach, my Department continues to engage in forward planning with the other Departments involved in addressing all issues relevant to the UK's decision to leave the European Union.

While my Department is not planning to carry out an economic impact assessment of the current Withdrawal Treaty, it is however continuing to monitor the ongoing situation to ensure that both it and the Defence Forces are fully prepared to address any potential issues that might arise in the defence area as a consequence of Brexit.

Defence Forces Records

Ceisteanna (81)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

81. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 17 October 2019, if further assistance will be provided to the person (details supplied) who is continuing to try to obtain documentation from his Department and is under time pressure to obtain same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44427/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

My Department issued a reply in this matter to the State Body referred to by the Deputy on the 23rd day of October 2019 and a copy thereof has also been sent to the individual concerned.

Defence Forces Recruitment

Ceisteanna (82)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

82. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44600/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The application process for entry into the Defence Forces involves a number of stages, some of which have been outlined in the details supplied to the question.

The military authorities advise that the candidate will receive communication shortly to keep him abreast of the process.

Information and Communications Technology

Ceisteanna (83)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

83. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of computers in his Department that still use an operating system (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44708/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

My Department initiated a project earlier this year to deploy the Windows 10 operating system to all desktop computers and laptops. The project is due to be completed in early 2020. The table below shows the current number of desktop computers and laptops that still use the Windows 7 operating system.

Operating System	Current Number of Desktop Computers and Laptops
Windows 7	480

Information and Communications Technology

Ceisteanna (84)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

84. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department will not be forced to pay additional premium payments to a company (details supplied) once support for an operating system expires in January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44724/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

My Department’s policy is to maintain all operating systems in use with the latest available patches and security updates. In line with this policy, the Department will enter into a contract with Microsoft for Extended Security Updates for desktop computers and laptops still using Windows 7 after the End of Support for this operating system on January 14th 2020. The contract will ensure access to patches and security updates until the migration of all of the Department’s desktop computers and laptops to Windows 10 which is due to be completed in early 2020.

Information and Communications Technology

Ceisteanna (85)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

85. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to protect his Department in the event of a malware attack or security risks as a result of the failure to upgrade computers from an operating system (details supplied) in his Department and the agencies under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44740/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

My Department places a high priority on information security and it is our policy is to maintain all operating systems in use with the latest available patches and security updates. The Department will avail of Extended Security Updates for desktop computers and laptops still using Windows 7 after the End of Support for this operating system on January 14th 2020. This will ensure access to patches and security updates until the migration of all of the Department’s desktop computers and laptops to Windows 10 which is due to be completed in early 2020.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (86)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

86. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of full and part-time staff employed in his Department; the number of such staff being paid at the minimum wage rate of pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44843/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

My Department employs both civil servants and civilian employees. Civilian employees are employed to support the operational capability of the Defence Forces and work in military installations.

As of 31 October, 2019, there were 371 civil servants employed by my Department, of which 304 are full-time. The remaining 67 work a variety of reduced working patterns. This combination of full time personnel and personnel working reduced patterns equates to my Department having 352 whole time equivalent (WTE) civil servants. At the same date, there were 452 civilian employees attached to military installations, of which 435 were full time employees. Of the remaining 17, 11 have reduced work patterns and 6 are permanent part-time employees.

No civil servant or civilian employee employed by my Department is being paid at the minimum rate of pay.

Defence Forces Medical Services

Ceisteanna (87)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

87. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if consideration will be given to joint appointments of consultants and specialists within the health service to support the medical corps in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44881/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

A comprehensive range of Primary and Secondary medical care is provided to members of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF).

Specialist services provided in-house include a comprehensive physiotherapy service, psychology services delivered by two full-time psychologists, and dedicated laboratory services based in St. Bricin's military hospital. The Deputy will also be aware that my Department is currently in the process of conducting a competition for the role of a full-time consultant psychiatrist for the Defence Forces. These specialist services are delivered in tandem with a dedicated in-house primary care team of Medical Officers, pharmacists, and Dental Officers.

Where there is no in-house expertise available, personnel requiring specialist care are referred externally, as appropriate . I am satisfied that these measures provide comprehensive supports to individuals in the Defence Forces who may require them, however, I can assure you that all areas of medical service are kept under constant review.

Defence Forces Ceremonies

Ceisteanna (88)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

88. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of commissioning ceremonies for the Defence Forces which will occur before year end; and the date of each. [45000/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

There are two commissioning ceremonies due to occur before the end of the year.

One Direct Entrant will be commissioned as a Naval Service officer on 6 November 2019.

Seven Air Corps cadets are scheduled to be commissioned as officers on 6 December 2019.