Fine Gael Cork South West Deputy, Jim Daly, who will be representing the Government at an inter-parliamentary meeting on growth and jobs in Brussels next week, has today (Wednesday) confirmed that he will launch a job creation initiative for West Cork in the coming months.

Deputy Jim Daly who is a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform will attend a two day meeting in Brussels on Economic Policy Coordination, which will be attended by representatives from all member states of the EU.

The meeting, which will be held at the EU Parliament in Brussels on Monday 27^th and Tuesday 28th of February, will centre around discussions on how to achieve sustainable growth, job creation and social progress in adverse economic circumstances.

Speaking in advance of the meeting Deputy Daly said: ‘I have devoted much of my first year in the Dáil to studying the Finance portfolio and am very honoured to be the only representative of the main Government Party to attend these important discussions on growth and job creation. I very much look forward to meeting with the economic giants of the EU such as Ollie Rehn and Herman Van Rompuy to ensure that Ireland continues to create jobs, grow our economy and ultimately regain our economic independence’.

“These meetings will bring together representatives of the EU countries to discuss the future for the EU as a reinforced economic union, focusing on strategies to aid growth and the creation of jobs. The meetings will be attended by the President of the EU Commission, José Manuel Barroso, the President of the EU Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Olli Rehn.

“I am committed to harnessing the knowledge and experience I gain on the national and European stage, in relation to job creation, to the benefit of the people of West Cork. Job creation is the single greatest challenge facing our region and needs to be addressed.

“I intend to lead a job creation initiative for West Cork next April and will be undertaking extensive consultation with the businesses of West Cork to determine the challenges facing employers in the region. This, along with a focus on improving essential infrastructure such as broadband, will form the main basis of the job creation drive. I am currently putting in place a steering committee to assist me with this process and look forward to driving the project forward in the interest of getting the people of West Cork off the Live Register and back to work.”

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“The Shannon LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) project would represent an investment of €1 billion in the local economy and would create 650 construction jobs over the next four years, with a further 100 full time jobs once the plant is up and running. However, after taking six years to get through the planning process, the project has been cast under further uncertainty due to a lack of clarity on regulation.

“This is a vital project for Kerry, and I believe we need to do everything possible to ensure the jobs are secured. There are more than 17,500 people on the live register in Kerry; a jobs announcement of this significance would make a huge difference to hundreds of those who are out of work and would act as a stimulus for the entire region. We can’t let this project slip through our fingers.

“I am concerned that the lack of regulatory certainty surrounding the project will result in the potential jobs being lost. For this reason I am calling on Minister Rabbitte to intervene further and ensure the investment is secured.

“The Minister, in his response to the Dáil, said that he has done all he can within the constraints of the law. Under the current proposals published by ComReg, Shannon LNG would be charged millions of euro a year for a gas interconnector between Ireland and Scotland that it will not use. This makes no sense, and puts the entire project in jeopardy. It is my understanding that it is within the Minister’s power to use a political directive to prevent this levy.

“I think the value of the investment being proposed by Shannon LNG merits a special effort from the Minister. I am urging him to use his powers in whatever way possible to make this project a reality. We cannot simply leave this in the hands of the regulator.

“I would also like to commend the work being done locally on this project by Councillors Jim Finucane, Liam Purtill and Tim Buckley. I will continue to pursue this issue with the Minister in the coming weeks ahead of a forum on the project at the beginning of March.”

ENDS

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, today (Wednesday) said that if Ireland is to remain attractive to multi-national companies, we must ensure that our workforce is equipped with the skills required and that means encouraging a multi-lingual workforce.

Deputy Mitchell O’Connor was speaking following a meeting today of the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Social Protection & Education, which was attended by Enterprise Ireland & IDA, during which languages were identified as a key tool for moving Ireland forward.

“A multi-lingual workforce is an essential component to attracting new business into Ireland. We have a highly skilled and linguistically proficient workforce in Ireland that is a big draw for foreign mulit-nationals. Only yesterday our strength in this area was rewarded by PayPal’s decision to locate 1,000 new jobs in Ireland as their operations will deal with customers in 14 languages.

“Our linguistic excellence is also evident in the growth of our localisation sector, which focuses on adapting products, such as mobile phones, to other environments or countries, culturally and linguistically. This sector employs about 15,000 people and is worth an estimated €680 million annually to Ireland with the bulk of some of the world’s largest software and web companies, such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook, IBM, LinkedIn and Microsoft conducting the majority of their multilingual customer support here.

“Our IT industry has also grown dramatically in recent years with the Director of Geo Operations for Google in Europe, David Martin, referring to Dublin as ‘rapidly becoming the multilingual internet capital of Europe’. Economist Ronan Lyons further stated that Ireland was ‘probably the hottest place for digital content outside of Silicon Valley’ due to its huge growth in linguistics and localisation.

“Our growth in expertise in this area is due in part to the provision of Government funding for the Centre for Next Generation Localisation; a major research centre working towards advancing computer adaptability to different languages and cultures. The recently launched Action Plan for Jobs also placed a focus on fostering sectors identified as having significant future growth potential such as financial services, cloud computing and the digital sector.

“Our talents and skills in this area have to be nurtured and that means ensuring that our workforce remains multi-lingual. I will be investigating ways the State and our education centres can work together to maintain and develop our expertise.”

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“This legislation is long overdue in Ireland. At present, people who were adopted in this State are bound by the limits of the 1952 Adoption Act in terms of searching for their birth parents and being re-united with them.

“The issue of tracing someone’s natural parents is an important human right. Adopted people are presently being denied the right to trace their genetic heritage and the most basic background information that most of us take for granted.

“Ireland is decades behind other countries in tracing procedures and legislation. The right to birth records has existed in Scotland since 1930, in England and Wales since 1976 and in Northern Ireland since 1987.

“This new Adoption Information Bill would mark the end of an almost 60-year delay in legislating for adoption information rights. When it is considered that the first people adopted under the 1952 Act turned 18 in 1970, it is long overdue and I urge the Minister to publish it without delay.”

ENDS

“As a founding member of AHEAD, while a student in UCD, I am very proud of its record in making education accessible to all. The WAM programme has successfully placed over 150 graduates with disabilities in work placements over the last seven years. Many of these young people have secured full time employment as a result.  There are a number of major Irish companies involved in the programme including Bank of Ireland and Abbot Engineering, as well as numerous government departments including the Houses of the Oireachtas.

“The WAM programme has huge potential for the future. College graduates have a legitimate right to pursue employment in their area of expertise. This is equally true for people with disabilities.  WAM has provided graduates with disabilities with a clear pathway to paid, meaningful employment for young graduates.

“I invited the partners involved in the WAM programme into Leinster House today to hold the first of their twice yearly meetings and I was honoured that Minister Richard Bruton took time out of his hectic schedule to officially open the meeting and address the group. The Minister spoke about the Action Plan for Jobs and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to removing barriers for people with disabilities.

“I was delighted to have the opportunity to welcome the participants to Leinster House and outline the Government’s commitment to people with disabilities, as outlined in the Programme for Government.  I spoke about the various actions which the Government is taking in this area including the value for money audit, the mental capacity legislation, the policy of individualised budgeting and the commitment to ratify the UN convention on the rights of people with disabilities.

“The event was a resounding success and I sincerely hope that the programme can continue to expand in the future. The need for the programme is further underlined given the current difficult economic environment.”

ENDS

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has welcomed the establishment of an appeals process for small schools that fear they may lose teacher as a result of Budget cuts. The appeals process is being set up after the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, listened to the concerns expressed by Deputy Butler and other Fine Gael TDs in relation to the impact the cutbacks would have on local communities.

“I have made representations to the Minister to make him aware of the crushing impact the loss of one or more teacher would have on small schools. In January I visited St Finian’s National School in Killyon, where I met with the principal, Jane Burke, and several parents. While the school will retain its four teachers for the 2012 academic year, it will be a borderline case for 2013 and 2014.

“After my visit to St Finian’s, I presented a petition to Minister Quinn signed by parents calling on the proposed cuts to small schools to be reversed. I am glad that he has taken this petition, and countless others, into consideration.

“The Minister has now announced that a new grounds for appeals is being set up for the first time, to minimise the numbers of small schools affected by cutbacks. This will specifically deal with schools like St Finian’s, as the staffing appeals board will be open to all small schools who are projecting rising enrolments in the coming years that would allow them to retain posts.

“The deadline for the first batch of such appeals will be 23rd March, with the staffing appeals board scheduled to meet in April.

“I am glad the Minister has listened to the concerns of parents, teachers and backbenchers on this issue. The number of teaching posts to be lost in small schools has been considerably reduced, and the new appeals process will give an opportunity to schools on the borderline to prove their case. This is a very welcome approach.”

ENDS

Fine Gael Wexford Deputy, Liam Twomey, today (Wednesday) welcomed the agreement between the Government and the Troika that a third of the proceeds from the sale of State assets of up to €3 billion can be used for future job creation.

Deputy Twomey said these funds will enable the Government to further its plans to create 100,000 jobs by 2016, getting our people off the dole and back to work.

“A commitment was contained in the Programme for Government to target up to €2 billion in the sale of non-strategic assets, a portion of which it was hoped could be used for job creation. Today’s announcement that agreement has been reached for asset disposal to the value of €3 billion, a third of which can be used for reinvestment in our economy, is a significant development in the Government’s renegotiation of our EU/IMF programme.

“Creating favourable conditions in which jobs can be created is the number one priority for this Government. An essential element of this agreement is that no fire sales will take place and that sales will only occur when market conditions are right. Integral transmission and distribution systems are to remain under State control, ensuring the protection of our key strategic assets.

“Work will now progress on examining the sale of Bord Gais Eireann’s Energy business, some of ESB’s non-strategic power generation capacity, a portion of Coillte’s assets and the States remaining shareholding in Aer Lingus, with a view to commencing sales sometime next year, depending on suitability.

“It is essential now that the Government works towards obtaining the best possible price for any sales so the impact can be maximised for those out of work.

“The Government has been unrelenting in its efforts to renegotiate a better deal with the Troika, getting more favourable terms on our programme of assistance and securing additional funds for job creation. Added to this, initiatives such as the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work, which will be launched tomorrow, will encourage investment in jobs and find the best route back into employment for those currently out of work.”

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“Ireland’s hosting of the EU Presidency provides a tremendous opportunity to showcase this country throughout the EU.  We’ve hosted the EU Presidency on six previous occasions and each time we have been applauded for the role we’ve played in progressing significant developments for Member States.  In 1990, we dealt with the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany; in 1996 we oversaw vital decisions in preparation of the Amsterdam Treaty and in 2004 we lead the discussions on EU expansion to include the Eastern Bloc countries.

“Contrary to recent reports, this Government will be talking a prudent approach to hosting the EU Presidency next year by spending less than other Member States, and less than that spent by the previous Government.

“We intend to spend much less than the considerable bill ran up by the previous Fianna Fáil Government in 2004.  Up to €95 million was expended in 2004 on the EU Presidency; €64 million was allocated in the Estimates of that year for the EU Presidency, while €15.3 million was spent in 2003 in the lead up to the event.

“This Government will instead be taking the Danish approach; the Danes allocated €35 million from their centralised budget for Presidency activities, with ministries also expected to assume further costs from within their own budgets. We intend to take a similar tack, by relying far more on existing resources next year, compared to the situation which arose in 2004. There will be less staff working on the Presidency, there will a greater use of Dublin Castle and other state-owned locations and there will be fewer events held also.

“As a member state of the EU, there are a number of responsibilities which we have to fulfil and we are obliged to do so. While we will be taking over the Presidency at a particularly challenging time for the EU, the EU Presidency also provides an opportunity for a tourism spin-off given that up to 16,000 delegates alone are expected to visit here during our term.

“However, Irish taxpayers can be assured that we are very much aware of the need for restraint and we will be working hard to ensure that our tenure as President of the European Union will be highly successful in the most cost-effective way as possible.”

ENDS

Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, has today (Tuesday) welcomed  clarification from the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, that 235 DEIS teaching posts, which had been due to be axed under Budget cuts, will now be retained.

“I am relieved that the Minister has taken on board the concerns of teachers and parents in relation to the proposed cuts at DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 schools. This is a welcome development as we attempt to combat disadvantage and tackle issues regarding literacy and numeracy among young vulnerable children.

“No extra money is available and as a result cuts will have to be made elsewhere in the primary school budget to make up for the costs incurred by the retention of these 235 DEIS posts. The financial impact of keeping these posts will be met by accelerating the reduction in the capitation grant. This means that the reduction in overall capitation funding in 2012 will now be 3.5%, instead of a reduction of 2% this year and 2% next year, as originally outlined.

“I believe this is a fairer approach to finding savings within our educational system. I would like to commend the Minister for listening to the concerns expressed by myself and other Fine Gael Deputies in recent weeks. Today’s announcement will be of particular relief for DEIS schools in Dublin’s south west inner city, Cherry Orchard and Ballyfermot.”

ENDS

Speaking during Topical Issues Debates in the Dáil this evening (Tuesday), Fine Gael Deputy for Cork North West, Áine Collins, called on the Minister for Environment, Phil Hogan, to look at re-opening funding for the agri-food and horticulture sectors under the LEADER funding programme.

“LEADER funding is all about supporting rural businesses and communities,  so it makes sense that a country that promotes itself on the quality of its agricultural produce does everything it can to support local agri-food businesses.

“In my own area in Cork North West, there are a number of exceptionally good small businesses producing very high quality food; but they need help in expanding their offerings and their markets.

“Locally we have high quality producers such as McCarthy’s butchers, Ardrahan Cheese, and O’Leary butchers, none of which are eligible for LEADER grant funding. However if these companies were located in Cork city they would be provided with a specially equipped food producing unit by Cork County Council to assist them in production. Furthermore, a local initiative, Millstreet Development Group, has been refused funding for developing a community horticultural business which is extremely disappointing.  If we are serious about promoting our agri-food sector we must offer the sector every support we can.

“I am calling on the Minister to address the issues in respect of how Ireland’s Operational Programme for Rural Development functions, so that funding can be made available to micro, small and medium food businesses under the LEADER programme. 

“The general consensus from the LEADER groups is that there is a huge demand for seed funding for both the food and horticultural sectors, which have great potential in domestic and export markets. The Action Plan for Jobs made provisions in this area but if the potential exists to provide additional support through LEADER, it should be availed of.

“The Milk Quota regime ends in 2015 and we must prepare the way for this.  The end of the quota system will enable our dairy farmers to dramatically increase production and will make a huge amount of products of all kinds from yogurt to icecream and baby food to desserts available for development.  This is very timely in view of the recent visit to Ireland by the Chinese Vice President.

“We need to address how best to provide help to this sector as a matter of urgency. LEADER is the right vehicle to provide this grant aid and mentoring to assist businesses and entrepreneurs to maximum effect.”

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