Parliamentary questions

Apprenticeship Data

Billy Kelleher

218. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of male and female apprentices in training by each employment sector and subsector for craft-based and consortia-led apprenticeships in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53668/18]

Apprenticeship Data

Billy Kelleher

219. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new apprenticeship registrations in each employment sector and subsector for all craft-based and consortia-led apprenticeships in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53669/18]

Apprenticeship Data

Billy Kelleher

220. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of live traineeship programmes forecasted for all existing traineeships and the targeted new enrolments in each of the years 2016 to 2020, inclusive; the forecasted number of traineeship programmes, that is, cumulative in addition to planned new enrolments per annum for new and-or relaunched traineeships; and the numbers realised for existing traineeships and new or relaunched traineeships, that is, trainee enrolments and cumulative number of traineeship programmes operationalised for these targets in tabular form. [53670/18]

Apprenticeship Data

Billy Kelleher

221. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the apprentice population forecasted in each employment sector and subsector in each of the years 2016 to 2020, inclusive, by craft-based and new consortia-led apprenticeships; and the actual apprentice population in each employment sector and subsector to date. [53671/18]

EU Meetings

Billy Kelleher

282. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the date of each EU Competitiveness Council meeting since January 2016; the specific EU Competitiveness Council meetings at which she or her predecessors made the case for the need for a revision of state aid rules of Regulation (EU) No. 1407/2013 to protect exposed Irish enterprises and exporters from a potential Brexit; the date of each such meeting at which this was raised in tabular form; the status of progress being made at EU level to increase state aid thresholds to support Irish enterprises in the event of a hard no-deal Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53657/18]

Consumer Protection

Billy Kelleher

283. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the consumer regulations in place to enable consumers to leave a service provider contract over the phone as opposed to in writing. [53658/18]

Brexit Issues

Billy Kelleher

284. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to the UK Government's decision to defer the House of Commons vote on the European Commission's draft withdrawal agreement with the UK and the President of the European Council's confirmation that preparedness for a no-deal scenario is being discussed, if her Department submitted a request formally to the Brexit preparedness group under the European Commission's task force on Article 50 negotiations with the United Kingdom seeking mitigation funding for Irish businesses in order to safeguard enterprises and exporting companies from a no-deal hard Brexit and the UK becoming a third country; and when such proposals were formally submitted. [53660/18]

Brexit Issues

Billy Kelleher

285. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to the UK Government's decision to defer the House of Commons vote on the European Commission's draft withdrawal agreement with the UK and the President of the European Council's confirmation that preparedness for a no-deal scenario is being discussed, if she will request via the working group established with Directorate-General for Competition for changes to be made to state aid thresholds at EU level in order to protect Irish enterprises, exporting companies and related jobs from a hard no-deal Brexit WTO scenario; and if not, the reason therefore. [53661/18]

Brexit Issues

Billy Kelleher

286. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to the UK Government’s decision to defer the House of Commons vote on the European Commission's draft withdrawal agreement with the UK and the President of the European Council's confirmation that preparedness for a no-deal scenario is being discussed, if her Department is preparing or considering requesting that the state aid ceiling under Regulation (EU) No. 1407/2013 be temporally adapted as a policy response to protect Irish companies and exporting businesses exposed to a no-deal hard Brexit and the UK becoming a third country; when such proposals will be formally submitted; if her Department and other Departments have had discussions with the European Commission regarding adapting Regulation (EU) No. 1407/2013 to date or via the working group established with the Directorate General for Competition; and if not, the reason therefor. [53662/18]

Brexit Issues

Billy Kelleher

287. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the preparations under way for a hard no-deal Brexit; the schemes being operationalised with other Departments; when these will be ready to be deployed; when she will publish such plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53663/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

288. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applicants and participants in all Brexit schemes and supports provided by her Department or agencies under the remit of her Department; and the amount allocated and expended to each such scheme in each year since being established in tabular form. [53664/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

289. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the latest figures regarding the Brexit SME loan scheme launched in March 2018 for items (details supplied). [53665/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

290. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of SMEs that have received loan funding from an approved bank or financial institution after receiving final sanction approval under the Brexit SME loan scheme launched in March 2018. [53666/18]

Legislative Programme

Billy Kelleher

578. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the second stage of the Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018 will take place in 2019. [53659/18]

Unemployment Levels

Billy Kelleher

115. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the unemployment rate by county using the latest CSO data. [52819/18]

Brexit Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

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]

Ministerial Travel

Billy Kelleher

138. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the amount expended on travel costs associated with all official Department engagements, that is, overseas flights, accommodation and taxis undertaken by him and each respective Minister of State in 2017 and 2018, in tabular form. [52816/18]

Apprenticeship Data

Billy Kelleher

198. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the last occasion a forecast was conducted by the skills and labour market and research unit of SOLAS and its apprenticeship services unit for annual registration targets for both craft and consortia-led apprenticeships, respectively, in each of the years to 2020 and over the next five years. [52821/18]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Billy Kelleher

199. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual fees in existence for both craft-based and new consortia-based apprenticeships for persons enrolled by annual student contributions and registration fees, in tabular form; the annual bursary apprentices may receive in both craft-based and consortia-based apprenticeships; and if the ending of such fees as a way to stimulate uptake in courses is being given consideration. [52822/18]

Apprenticeship Data

Billy Kelleher

200. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of registrations in floor and wall tiling in each of the years 2015 to 2017, and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and the apprentice population in floor and wall tiling. [52823/18]

Law Reform Commission Reports

Billy Kelleher

253. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the recommendation in the recent Law Reform Commission report on regulatory powers and corporate offences that a dedicated prosecution unit for corporate offences should be established within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to work in close liaison with the proposed corporate enforcement authority. [52828/18]

Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities

Billy Kelleher

256. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on proposals in correspondence (details supplied). [52834/18]

Regional Enterprise Development Fund Data

Billy Kelleher

288. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the Programme for a Partnership Government commitment to prioritise balanced regional development that will aim to allow for an unemployment rate in each county that is within 1% of the State average by 2020. [52819/18]

Departmental Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

290. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the 2019 allocation by current and capital funding for her Department and each body under her remit in tabular form; and the corresponding 2018 allocation for each such body and her Department. [52813/18]

Revised Estimates Publication

Billy Kelleher

291. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has sought permission from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to carry over unspent capital funding to 2019; if so, the amount sought as a carryover; the reason this was necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52814/18]

Regional Enterprise Development Fund Data

Billy Kelleher

292. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the 2017, 2018 and 2019 budget allocations to the Regional Enterprise Development Fund; the amount of the 2017 and 2018 budget allocations, respectively expended each year; the number of applications for the fund by each stream, by year and county to date; the number of successful and unsuccessful applications by county in each such year; and the amount of approved funding to successful applications in 2017 and 2018, by county. [52815/18]

Jobs Initiative

Billy Kelleher

293. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the moneys expended in promoting and hosting the future jobs summit event and strategy to date, including costs (details supplied), in tabular form; the budget allocated for the future jobs summit event and strategy with respect to promotional activities in 2018 and 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52817/18]

Proposed Legislation

Billy Kelleher

294. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the consumer rights Bill in view of the fact that the heads of a Bill were published in 2015. [52820/18]

IDA Ireland Data

Billy Kelleher

295. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 25 January 2018, the available IDA lands at the end of quarter 4 of 2018; the occupied IDA lands at the end of quarter 4 of 2018, by county, town and size in hectares in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52824/18]

IDA Ireland Site Visits

Billy Kelleher

296. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA site visits to a location (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [52825/18]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Reports

Billy Kelleher

297. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the full ODCE report into the collapse of the trial of a person (details supplied) will be published; and if consideration has been given to publishing the report if legislation pertaining to same was changed. [52826/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

298. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Brexit readiness vouchers from InterTradeIreland that have been availed of since being established on a county basis, in tabular form; and the value of such vouchers. [52827/18]

Departmental Funding

Billy Kelleher

299. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications made under the disruptive technologies innovation fund to date, by county, in tabular form; the number of successful and unsuccessful project applications for funding; the details of each successful project by county that has been approved for funding; the value of funding approved for each such project; when successful applicants will receive funding in 2019; the amount allocated to the fund in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52829/18]

Departmental Funding

Billy Kelleher

300. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the annual breakdown in funding allocated in each of the years 2019 to 2021, in tabular form, following the confirmation that €75 million in funding has been approved for successful projects to 2021 under the first tranche of the disruptive technologies innovation fund; and when the second tranche will open for applications in 2019. [52830/18]

Departmental Funding

Billy Kelleher

301. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the requirement for projects to have matching funding under the disruptive technologies innovation fund. [52831/18]

Skills Development

Billy Kelleher

302. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the Digital Transformation: Assessing the Impact of Digitalisation on Ireland’s Workforce study, by the expert group on future skills needs; her plans to implement proposals set out on the adoption of digital technologies in each of the years 2018 to 2023; and the timetable for implementation for such actions. [52832/18]

Regional Action Plan for Jobs

Billy Kelleher

303. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the final refreshed plan for each regional action plan for jobs will be completed and published in tabular form. [52833/18]

Skills Shortages

Billy Kelleher

304. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if professional roles (details supplied) will be added to the critical skills work permit lists in order to meet the extreme skills shortages in the construction sector; and the steps being taken to increase the speed at which work permits are being issued. [52844/18]

Departmental Staff Data

Billy Kelleher

305. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons by Civil Service grade working in the employment permits section of her Department in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and the annual funding allocation to the employment permits section in 2019. [52845/18]

Teaching Qualifications

Billy Kelleher

97. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if special educational needs will be included as a core part of initial teacher training in all colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52352/18]

Schools Building Projects

Billy Kelleher

98. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an audit of accommodation and a programme of upgrading and refurbishment will be carried out over time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52353/18]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Billy Kelleher

99. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Garda vetting for special needs assistants and bus escorts will be centralised and streamlined in order that they can move more easily between schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52354/18]

National Educational Psychological Service Administration

Billy Kelleher

100. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if access for all pupils with SEN to the National Educational Psychological Service will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52355/18]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

101. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a clear pathway will be created for all families following an SEN diagnosis of their child from early intervention supports through to adult services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52356/18]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Billy Kelleher

102. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a review of the role of special needs assistants in special schools will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52357/18]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Billy Kelleher

117. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce an immediate appeals procedure for staffing allocations to special schools for matters such as staffing allocation which are not given to special schools until late in the academic year, often July (details supplied); if he will clarify or correct the situation by which he and the principal officer of the special education section deny responsibility to adjudicate an appeal from a special school stating it rests with NCSE which in turn states it rests with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52413/18]

Special Educational Needs Data

Billy Kelleher

118. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to undertake an exercise to scope out the requirement for special school places particularly in the area of ASD and complex needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52414/18]

Special Educational Needs

Billy Kelleher

119. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a reduction in the paperwork requirement for special schools particularly the personal pupil plans when requesting one extra SNA in addition to a reasonable timeframe for a response from the NCSE in view of the fact that staff continue to deal with violent behaviour in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52415/18]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

120. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce clear communication and co-operation between the HSE, his Department, special schools and service providers (details supplied) regarding multidisciplinary teams, respite, adult and residential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52416/18]

Special Education Review

Billy Kelleher

121. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an urgent review and replacement of report of the special education review committee 1993 will be carried out in view of the fact that the pupil profile has changed significantly but resources have remained the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52417/18]