Minister English highlights Government’s plans for Social Protection in 2017

Monday, 9th January 2017

Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal and local Meath West T.D.
Damien English has welcomed the Partnership Government’s Plans for
2017 with regards to Social Protection, including further reductions
in unemployment, now at its lowest since Summer 2008, and helping
another 20,000 long-term unemployed back to work.

The Meath West T.D. and Minister also wants to see further measures to
help the self-employed, and a reform of the pension sector.

“In 2016 unemployment fell to 7.3%, the lowest
level in 8 years, and government’s target to get 20,000 long-term
unemployed people back into work was surpassed. Other highlights were
the successful introduction of Paternity Benefit with more than 3,500 fathers already
availing of it.  We also secured increases across the board in welfare
payments for people with disabilities, carers, blind people, widows,
one parent families, and jobseekers, as well as for pensioners, and
paid the Christmas bonus at 85%” Minister English stated.

“In the year ahead the focus of the Partnership Government in the area
of Social Protection will be firmly on increasing employment, pension
reform, developing the Working Family Payment to reduce child poverty
and ensure that no family is better off on welfare than in work.  We
will also further develop the New Deal for the Self-Employed by
extending benefits for all PRSI contributors as well as expand School
Meals and tackle fraud” Minister English said.

Some of the priorities highlighted in more detail include:

Employment

Continue to make substantial progress towards the unemployment target
of 5-6% and long term unemployment target of <2.5% and move another
20,000 people from welfare to work in 2017. Publication of the Action
Plan for Jobless Families allowing us to zero in on long-term and
intergenerational unemployment.

Tackle Fraud

Include in the Social Welfare spring or summer bill further reforms to
reduce fraud allied to a public campaign against fraud and to
encourage more reporting.

New Deal for the Self-Employed

Develop proposals to extend more social insurance cover to the
self-employed including a form of jobseekers benefit where a person’s
business fails or they can no longer continue working in their
profession or trade.

Expansion of Social Insurance

Implement the extension of Treatment Benefit to the self-employed,
restoration of dental and optical benefits to all eligible PRSI
contributors in March and October as provided for in the Social
Welfare Act 2016, and examine the extension of social insurance to
cover new risks and contingencies.

School Meals

Expand free school breakfasts to children in all DEIS schools and
35,000 children in non-DEIS schools from September. The aim is to make
the programme available to all schools that want to take part over
time.

Working Family Payment

Develop and consult on options for the introduction of a working
family payment with the twin aims of reducing child poverty and
ensuring that no family is better off on welfare than in work. This
will enable us to put forward proposals for inclusion in Budget 2018.

Action Plan for Pension Reform

Develop, publish and commence the implementation of an Action Plan for
the reform of pensions. This Action Plan will include a road map for
the reform of the State pension, rationalisation and reform of the
Defined Benefit pension landscape, transposition of the IORP2
directive and the introduction of auto-enrolment Defined Contribution
pensions for all working people.

Recalibrate Labour Activation Programmes

Reform and recalibrate local activation programmes like Community
Employment, TÚS and Gateway to reflect the changes in the economy and
labour market, and place a greater focus on social inclusion and those
who find it hardest to secure and hold down a job. Develop and launch
a new work experience programme to replace JobBridge.

ENDS

Minister English uses Varadkar visit to welcome reform of Social Welfare as ‘true safety net’

Friday, 4th November 2016

New Intreo office at Kennedy Road will provide important range of services

“The visit of Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar T.D. to Navan
this week to open the new Intreo Office at Kennedy Road, shortly after
the Cabinet met to approve the new Social Welfare Bill for 2017 is
timely.  The new office is a great asset to Navan, whilst nationally
Minister Varadkar is bringing about important changes” local Minister
for Housing and Urban Renewal and Fine Gael T.D. for Meath West Damien
English has stated.

The new Intreo Centre at Kennedy Road provides a one-stop shop for
employment services and income supports with a range of personalised
supports to jobseekers including:

– Information on all the income supports provided by the Department of
Social Protection, for example, jobseeker’s payments, back to work and
back to education payments, one-parent family payments and pensions
– Help and advice on employment, training and personal development opportunities
– Personalised support to help you enter the workforce
– Self-service facilities with information and guidance on employment
and training   opportunities
– Information on job vacancies through jobsireland.ie

“Social welfare should become a true safety net for those in need, it
should reward those who have worked hard in their old age or in their
sickness, it should reward carers who save this state a fortune, and
it should incentivise work.  The Social Welfare Bill for 2017 helps
bring this about, and has been endorsed by the ESRI in this respect”
stated Minister English.

Some of the changes that Minister English highlighted and welcomed included:

·         An increase of €5 in all maximum weekly pension payments
including State Pension Contributory and Non-Contributory, Widow’s,
Widower’s, Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension and Disablement Pension
with proportionate increases for those on reduced rates of payment.
Proportionate increases for qualified adult dependants will also be
provided for;

·         An increase of €5 in all maximum weekly benefits and
allowances including Carer’s Benefit, Carer’s Allowance, Disability
Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Illness Benefit, Blind Pension, One
Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance,
Maternity/Paternity/Adoptive Benefit and Farm Assist, with
proportionate increases for jobseekers under the age of 26 and those
in receipt of reduced rate payments. Proportionate increases for
qualified adult dependants will also be provided for.

ENDS

English welcomes consistent fall in unemployment – 175,000 people back to work

Friday, 4th November 2016

English welcomes consistent fall in unemployment – 175,000 people back to work

Meath playing its part with Shire planning permission says local Minister

“I welcome the news this month that unemployment has again fallen to
7.7%.  This is one of the lowest figures in the E.U., where we also
remain the fastest growing economy.  It represents the success of the
Action Plan for Jobs nationally since February 2012 with 175,000 new
jobs since then.  It also shows the success of local efforts like
Meath County Council’s own Economic Development Plan.  The news that
Shire has been granted its planning permission in Dunboyne shows that
Meath is open for business and is a jobs friendly County. I want to
compliment Meath County Council staff for their work in promoting
enterprise and investment.  As a Minister in Government and as a Meath
T.D. I will continue to work for inward investment for the County, and
help local firms who want to expand” stated Minister English.

“Every new job represents hope restored, it represents an individual
or a family with a new income and equality of opportunity to engage
fully in our country.   As we near full employment again it also means
Government has more resources to tackle the many social issues and
vital public services in need of attention. This is why jobs and
reaching full employment again must remain our focus” concluded
Minister English.

ENDS

English welcomes halving of unemployment since 2008

Monday, 10th October 2016

Local Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal and Fine Gael T.D. for
Meath West Damien English has welcomed the recent news from the CSO
that unemployment has effectively halved since the financial crisis
hit Ireland in 2008.

However he said continued effort was needed locally in Meath and
nationally to reach full employment with a constant focus on skills,
innovation and the importance of local SMEs as well as FDI.

“In Meath our native agri-food sector, Boyne Valley Food Series, Boyne
Valley Food Hub and Tourism sector are all strong local assets for
more local and sustainable jobs” Minister English stated.

“Now standing at 286,490, the unadjusted Live Register has dropped
below 300,000 for the first time since 2008. This is a year on year
decrease of 13.92%. It’s further evidence that good progress is being
made in tackling joblessness and helping people back into work.

Three major milestones have now been passed since Fine Gael entered
Government in 2011:  1) the Live Register falling below 300,000 2)
unemployment falling from its peak of 15% to below 8%, and 3) the
number of people employed exceeding two million, all for the first
time in eight years” Minister English stated.

“To reach full employment we must continue one-to-one engagements with
jobseekers; we must keep talking to business people about the barriers
in creating jobs, making work pay through sustainable wage increases
and finally tax reductions that also make work pay and welfare less
attractive. Developing new policies, investment and infrastructure
across the whole of Government in education, training, housing and
childcare all depends on reaching full employment” concluded Minister
English.

ENDS

800 new Gardai to be recruited and trained in next year – English

“I welcome the news that 800 new Gardai will be recruited and trained
in the next year, with a plan in place for a further 3,200 over the
next 4 years. This will bring the force to 15,000 Gardai which will
make all of our communities safer places to live and work in” the
Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal and Fine Gael T.D. for Meath
West Damien English has stated this morning.

“There is no doubt that the pause in recruitment and training during
the years of recession and Troika had an impact on Garda numbers, but
Fine Gael in Government has prioritised recruitment and training of
1,200 new Gardai already and new Garda vehicles as the resources have
allowed.  i am delighted that this morning we now have an accelerated
recruitment campaign in place, especially in light of retirements that
will take place in the coming years” stated Minister English.

“The new Garda positions will be advertised on publicjobs.ie with the
closing date on Thursday 29th September. I will be urging the Minister
for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to ensure that the Meath West
Constituency gets its fair share of increased Garda numbers” concluded
Minister English.

Jobless fall welcome but we cannot pause until we reach full employment again – Minister English

Monday, 11th July 2016

Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal Damien English T.D. has
welcomed the fall in unemployment nationally from 9.4% in June 2015 to
7.8% in June 2016 gone by, but said that the Government, state
agencies and local County Councils/LEOs cannot pause for a moment
until we reach full employment.

“I welcome the news that unemployment continues to fall.  Indeed it is
now halved since the Great Recession of 2008 struck our country with
all of its dreadful consequences for our people and society.  The next
task is to see this figure being cut in half again with the reaching
of full employment” stated Minister English.

Minister English, who in his previous role in the Department of Jobs,
was a key driver of the Action Plan for Jobs process, along with the
Science Strategy and Skills Strategy, said that continued Research,
Development, Innovation and Education locally in Meath and nationally
were key to keeping job creation on track.  Ireland’s business climate
and its tax rates must remain both competitive and attractive to
investors and to returning Irish people in a post Brexit environment
he said.

“All of the barriers big and small, locally and nationally, to
creating jobs must be identified, examined and removed.  In the early
and mid 2000s we took the recovery for granted in this country and
squandered the boom, we cannot take our eye off the ball this time
until we reach full employment again” concluded Minister English.

Shire to create 400 jobs in Meath at new state-of-the-art facility

Damien English TD, Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation welcomed today’s announcement that Shire will create a new, state of the art biologics manufacturing campus, in Co. Meath which it expects will lead to the creation of approximately 400 permanent jobs on a 120 acre site in Piercetown.

This is a huge boost for the Irish economy and for business confidence in County Meath. There will also be some 700 jobs during the construction period of the new facility in South Meath.

As Minister of State at the Department of Jobs I have seen the good working relationship between Meath County Council and the IDA in recent years.  This has ensured that Meath has fast become an attractive location for many industries, including the life sciences and biotechnology sectors. This investment, coupled with other recent investments in Meath such as Facebook, is really putting the county on the map for business investment.

I look forward to continue working towards significant economic impact in Co Meath through jobs and capital investment with the IDA, Meath County Council, Enterprise Ireland, Meath Enterprise, the LEO office in Meath and all business and entrepreneur minded people” concluded Minister English.

Science Foundation Ireland and Pfizer announce exciting new R&D programme for Ireland

13th April 2016

Funding awarded to researchers in Ireland to find potential new therapies for patients of unmet needs

Science Foundation Ireland and Pfizer today announced the recipients of the 2016 SFI-Pfizer Biotherapeutics Innovation Award programme. The collaboration between Science Foundation Ireland and Pfizer provides qualified academic researchers with an opportunity to deliver important potential discoveries in the areas of immunology, oncology, cardiovascular and rare diseases.

Supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the SFI-Pfizer Biotherapeutics Innovation Award programme has awarded funding to researchers from across three academic institutions in Ireland including the Royal College Surgeons (RCSI), University College Cork (UCC) and University College Dublin (UCD).

In addition to the funding, academic researchers will have the unique opportunity to work with the Pfizer Global Biotherapeutics Technology (GBT) group, at Grangecastle in Dublin, as well as Pfizer’s R&D innovation engine, the Centers for Therapeutic Innovation. The teams’ research will focus on the application of cutting edge technologies for next generation protein therapies.

Speaking at the announcement, Mr Damien English, TD, Minister for Research, Skills and Innovation, said: “The collaboration between Science Foundation Ireland and Pfizer is an excellent example of how government, industry and academia can work together and share knowledge that could lead to the development of new medical breakthroughs not only for Irish patients but for patients worldwide. The Government continues to encourage and welcome programmes that offer opportunities in research and development in Ireland. Innovative partnerships and meaningful collaboration between industry and academia like this also help to build Ireland’s reputation internationally as a location for excellent scientific research.”

Commenting at the announcement, Prof Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland said, “We are delighted to continue this successful partnership with Pfizer to support innovative research and development that could help deliver significant advances in critical areas of medical need. The success of the award programme is a reflection of the quality and relevance of academic scientific research in Ireland – excellence and impact.”

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Paul Duffy, Vice President, Biopharmaceutical Operations and External Supply, Pfizer said, “Pfizer are delighted with the continued collaboration with Science Foundation Ireland. As an organisation we are focused on delivering innovative therapies that significantly improve patients’ lives and investment in early stage research is critical to achieving this. Collaborations between industry and academia remain key in helping to expedite the translation of scientific discoveries into breakthrough therapies that matter for patients in need.”

In 2015, five proposals representing four institutions across Ireland were awarded similar funding. Over the past year the researchers have worked in collaboration with Pfizer colleagues on potential new therapies for diseases including haemophilia, fibrosis, Motor Neuron Disease, psoriasis and Crohn’s disease. A number of these programmes are advancing and are on track to reaching their goals.

 

The recipients of the SFI-Pfizer Biotherapeutics Innovation Award are:

• Prof Martin Steinhoff, University College Dublin – Prof Steinhoff leads a translational research team attempting to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying skin inflammation and associated chronic itch, for which there remains a significant unmet clinical need. The team hopes to generate targeting molecules that block the activation of key players in these inflammatory pathways.

 

• Dr Anne Moore, University College Cork – The remit of Dr Moore’s group is to develop and translate innovative therapies that modulate immune function. Mounting evidence from recent clinical studies demonstrates that harnessing the body’s own immune response to kill tumour cells can be a very effective mechanism to treat cancer. This collaboration aims to develop a novel strategy that enhances the body’s natural anti-tumour response.

 

• Dr Leonie Young and Prof Arnold Hill, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland – Dr Young and Prof Arnold Hill are interested in the underlying mechanisms that control breast cancer resistance to traditional chemotherapeutics. Their aim is to use pre-clinical models, clinical datasets and breast cancer patient samples to better characterize, and effectively target, treatment resistant breast cancers.

 

END

– See more at: https://www.djei.ie/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2016/April/13042016d.html#sthash.FlmlNOjn.pmjb6x4D.dpuf

Facebook breaks ground at Clonee Data Centre

6th April 2016

Today, Facebook is pleased to announce that construction began on the company’s newest data centre at Clonee, County Meath. Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English T.D., took part in the ground-breaking ceremony alongside Tom Furlong, VP of Infrastructure at Facebook, Jackie Maguire, CEO Meath County Council, and Brian Fitzgerald, Chairman Meath County Council and Martin Shanahan, CEO IDA.

Development of a second building at the same site was also confirmed, bringing the total size of the facility to 621,000sq ft – the equivalent of 14 Aviva stadiums. The facility, Facebook’s first in Ireland and second in Europe, will become part of the infrastructure that enables billions of people to connect with the people and things they care about on Facebook and across its family of apps and services.

Facebook is also pleased to announce that the new data centre, as well as its international headquarters in Dublin, will be supplied with 100% renewable wind energy from BrookfieldRenewable’s Irish operations. Brookfield owns and operates a portfolio of renewable wind energy projects across Ireland totaling 465 MW and all renewable wind energy supplying Facebook’s facilities in Ireland is located in Ireland.

Ireland has been home to Facebook’s international headquarters since 2009 and the facility at Clonee continues Facebook’s significant investment in the country and in Europe. The company recently announced the creation of a further 200 jobs in Dublin in 2016, to add to the 1,300 employees it currently has.

Tom Furlong, VP of Infrastructure at Facebook, said:

“We’re thrilled to have found a home in Clonee and begin building our new data centre as we continue to expand our infrastructure in Ireland. Everything here has been as advertised — from the strong pool of talent for construction and operations staff; to the great set of community partners who have helped us move forward quickly; to the opportunity to power our facility with 100% renewable wind energy.”

“The new facility will be one of the most advanced and energy-efficient data centres in the world thanks to its cutting-edge Open Compute technology and use of 100 per cent renewable wind energy. The centre will be a crucial part of the infrastructure that helps Facebook connect billions of people around the world.”

 

Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English, TD said:

“The Government’s policy of making Ireland an attractive location for investment by the multinational ICT sector had delivered major projects amongst them this new Facebook facility. Ireland has a growing position internationally in the provision of major Data Centres, which represents a fast expanding segment of the IT business. This is contributing to Ireland becoming a major world player in this area and helping to embed and expand the operations of the major Internet companies located here. I welcome Facebooks further commitment to Ireland with their investment in this Meath facility and I wish Facebook and their employees further success in the future. ”

Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr. Brian Fitzgeraldsaid that this morning’s ceremony was another positive step towards the building of the data centre:

“This is a very important project for Ireland, for Meath and particularly for the community in Clonee, having an internationally recognised company like Facebook in our county sends out a great message that Meath is an attractive place to invest in and to do business.”

Chief Executive, Jackie Maguire again welcomed Facebook to its new European operational base:

“The hard work of all the stakeholders, including IDA Ireland, to attract this world class enterprise to Meath has paid off. This project will bring additional jobs to the county and a welcome stimulus to the local economy. This development sends out a clear message to the business community in Ireland and abroad that Meath is open for business. It confirms that the challenges in our Economic Development Strategy for County Meath 2014 – 2022 are achievable.”

Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA IRELAND said “IDA IRELAND is focused on facilitating investments into regions throughout Ireland. Facebook’s new data centre in Clonee, Co.Meath will provide a significant boost to the local economy – it’s a clear demonstration of the company’s ongoing commitment to Ireland.  When it comes to attracting the world’s best and most efficient data centres, Ireland is proving to be very attractive to the world’s top technology and internet based companies.”

Ralf Rank, Managing Partner at Brookfield, said: 

“With over 10,000 megawatts of operating hydro and wind capacity and a 7,000 megawatt renewable development pipeline globally, we are uniquely positioned to offer consumers long-term, carbon-free renewable power.  We are pleased to have Facebook as our first retail customer in Ireland and welcome the opportunity to work with a corporate leader focused on increasing the  use of renewable power”

– See more at: https://www.djei.ie/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2016/April/06042016.html#sthash.0sVrJZ8y.7ZpuGGLc.dpuf

Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English T.D., opens new Enterprise Rent-A-Car Head Office in Dublin

4th April 2016

Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English TD today announced the opening of the new Enterprise Rent-A-Car headquarters in Blanchardstown in Dublin as part of the company’s plans for growth and expansion throughout Ireland. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is part of Enterprise Holdings, the world’s largest vehicle rental company, which also includes the National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands. The company is expanding the business in Ireland and plans to recruit 75 new employees in the coming year.

The employee positions on offer include more than 60 on Enterprise’s full-time Management Training Programme and 15 part-time positions in the placement and customer service department. The Management Trainee roles are open to graduates of any discipline and the company’s ‘promote-from-within culture’ means that employees who start out on the programme learn the business from the ground up and have the opportunity to rapidly progress to senior positions.

Operating in Ireland since 1997, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is known for its extensive network of locations, everyday low rates and outstanding customer service. Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Ireland employs more than 200 staff in its 25 branches. As part of its business expansion, the company plans to open and relocate a number of its branches to larger premises within the next six months to include the Long Mile Road and Russell Street in Dublin’s city centre.

Speaking at the announcement today, George O’Connor, Managing Director of Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Ireland said: “When we started Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Ireland we had just two employees and 10 cars in the fleet. I’m delighted, now, almost twenty years later that we are continuing our expansion with year-on-year growth. We are in the process of relocating a number of our branches across the country to bigger premises and we are looking to take on up to 75 employees within the next fiscal year.”

“The new head office and recruitment drive that we are focusing on reflect our ongoing investment in Ireland, as well as our commitment to aiding the local community both economically and socially”, he continued.

Speaking today at the opening of Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s new headquarters, Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English T.D., said: “Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s announcement that it is establishing its new headquarters in Dublin and expanding and growing it’s workforce is great news and a further testament to the skilled workforce in the country which continues to attract successful companies to Ireland.   These jobs coming on stream will also have a positive knock on effect on the wider region and local economy.

“The company’s plan to hire and promote graduates and employees as part of its national business growth strategy is a great example of what is possible in the area of employee engagement and upskilling. I wish George and the team every success with the expansion of the business”, he continued. 

The new head office in Dublin adds to Enterprise’s growing network of more than 400 locations throughout Ireland and the UK.

-Ends-

– See more at: https://www.djei.ie/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2016/April/040416a.html#sthash.5htG2A2n.Wcffk7EZ.dpuf