Written answers

Wednesday, 20 September 2017

Department of Education and Skills

Departmental Funding

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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216. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 345 of 26 July 2017, if he will provide a copy of the most recent year end report to his Department in respect of funding provided to Enterprise Ireland outlining its activities and utilisation of this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39108/17]

Photo of John HalliganJohn Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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During 2016 Enterprise Ireland (EI) spent €7.8 million on training activities during 2016. The National Training Fund contribution to funding these activities was €3.5 million with the balance of support coming from exchequer funding from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. Enterprise Ireland provides management development and training supports for Irish enterprise.

The end of year reports received for the supported programmes are listed in the following table.

Outline - CMD Programmes 2016
Number attendees
Target Audience
Training Provided
Programme outputs
LEADERSHIP 4 GROWTH

Leadership 4 Growth was designed for CEO's of Enterprise Ireland client companies to address key barriers to scale by developing and enhancing the leadership ambition and mind-set of CEO's to help them to create companies that achieve dominant market positions.
28
CEO's and their senior teamsThis development programme blends together leading international institutions (IMD, Switzerland - 2015) and also implements one to one leadership coaching, cohort networks of CEO's with locally based Business Advisers and VC's and practitioners from international business.The CEO's and their senior teams work through assignments in relation to the challenges and opportunities facing their companies. The programme has achieved significant results over the past ten years and a new programme is being rolled out in the coming months
INNOVATION 4 GROWTH Innovation 4 Growth is specifically designed to meet the needs of ambitious and entrepreneurial Irish companies seeking to unlock opportunities in the marketplace
57 Phase I / 27 Phase II
Management TeamsThis development programme fast-tracks companies through an end-to-end innovation learning and practice journey. The programme supports the delivery for each participating company of one or more innovation initiatives.Programme participants are assigned a business adviser coach for the duration of the programme who supports the development of each company's innovative initiative from development though to execution.
MANAGEMENT 4 GROWTH /PLATFORM 4 GROWTH Platform 4 Growth is a management development programme specifically to challenge SME's to scale and to support client companies that are serious about growing their business
330 Individuals/110 Companies
SME's and client companies who want to expand their businessThis development programme offers a combination of e-learning and face to face delivery through networking events.A flexible way for SME's to undertake capability development that meets their specific requirements at a given time
HPSU Founders Forum (formally known as ACCELERATE) The HPSU Founders Forum is designed for High Potential Start-Up companies. HPSU's) Accelerate was launched in October 2015 and continuing through 2016 helps companies to focus on the execution of their business plan
81
High Potential Start-Up companies (from a pipeline of high growth companies - HPSU's)This programme helps companies that are post investment HPSU's to accelerate their start-up and growth phases. Accelerate helps companies reach sales as quickly as possible.
SPRINT One to one coaching is provided along with training to help companies to become investor ready
50
High Potential Start-Up companies (from a pipeline of high growth companies - HPSU's)Designed for pre-investment HPSUS and piloted in September 2015 this programme helps companies to focus on their product market fit. Training helps companies to become investor ready.
International Selling Programme The International Selling Programme is Enterprise Ireland's flagship programme designed to equip Irish companies with necessary tools to reach their export sales and potential in global markets
165
Internationally focused SME's. Applicants should typically spend a minimum of 30% of time in a sales role and must be at the level of MD or CEO or alternatively - Sales, Commercial or Marketing Director or other director level. Companies develop an international growth plan aligned to overall business strategy and growth targets. Participants are also assigned a Business Adviser helping to implement programme learnings and to have an immediate impact on the participants' sales ability.This practical programme delivers a real and immediate impact on the company’s ability to access new markets and grow export sales practitioner who works as a Business Adviser
Excel at Export Selling (Short Programme < 100 hours) In parallel to the International Selling Programme and as a complementary offer, a series of workshops called Excel at Export Selling aims to rapidly embed into companies the proven tools of best international practice in selling.
145
Client companies across all industry sectors who need to upskill for export growth. The Excel suite of one day workshops gives access to selling skills development in a practical and user friendly format.The Excel at Export Selling suite of programmes maintains a focus on the three fundamental building blocks of successful international selling: developing a compelling customer value proposition, following a systematic and repeatable sales process and executing a well defined route to market strategy.Each workshop is tailored to deal with the practical needs of the clients with various aspects of sales. Individual follow-up sessions with expert facilitators maximise the impact of the workshops and help companies implement learnings.
Exploring Exporting (Short Programme < 100 hours) This is a series of workshops that focuses on helping first-time exporter companies to become export ready.57 companies and 82 attendeesCEO/MD/Senior managers in client company SMEs that are looking to decide whether exporting is the right move for their business or not. Also includes LEO'sTraining modules include: conducting market research; defining of export value proposition; process of exportingBecome export ready. Business mentors are available to work with the companies to identify any issues or barriers to becoming export ready. This builds confidence and capability for first time exporters as they enter new overseas markets.
ACCESS SILICON VALLEY This programme consists of a three day Boot Camp followed by a ten day itinerary to the Silicon Valley
35
CEOs / Founders / Management Teams from High Potential Start-up companies with a US focus and a live product or service / companies with an innovative product or services that wish to gain market entry to USA and are capable of creating at least 10 jobs and achieving €1M in sales within 3 - 5 years of start-up. Clients learn to develop their pitching and presentation skills during the Boot Camp. A ten day visit to the Silicon Valley is offered to successful client companies. During that visit there is one-to-one mentoring from industry relevant mentors. This programme takes place bi-annually.Clients develop market entry strategies relevant the "West Coast Marketplace" and learn about the differences involved in doing business in that region.
Graduates for International Growth (G4IG)
18
Companies that wish to recruit a graduate - the graduate is focused on making a lasting impact in overseas markets. G4IG supports ambitious internationally trading companies by matching the skills of a graduate and providing the company with a structured means of acquiring new skills in international business. Graduates with potential will be the next generation of business development executives and are matched with ambitious internationally trading companies.
Enterprise Ireland Mentor Network was established to help companies identify and solve obstacles to growth
468
Client companies across all industry sectors who require tailored advice, guidance and support to help them accelerate growth and build management capability.Mentors are senior executives drawn from the private sector with a proven track record in business.Mentors act as a confidential sounding board to advise the company on key operational and strategic issues. The network is regularly refreshed with CEO's and executives with high levels of achievement in marketing, strategy, organisation development and R&D.

Lean Transform - Part of the Lean Business Offer

Programme Description and Outline of Activities

The Lean transform programme is the third of a three part response offered to Enterprise Ireland clients in an effort to support their competitiveness building activities. The Lean programme trains management and staff in client companies to improve their capability and capacity to improve their operations. The offer is targeted to address all areas of operations from design through production to delivery and logistics. Client projects have improved operational performance across the key areas of their business, across all the key sectors represented by Enterprise Ireland Clients.

The supported activities relate to the training of management and staff and conclude formal training activities, best practice study activities, network engagement with other like-minded companies who are challenging to improve their competitiveness. Training is delivered by trainers who are registered on the Enterprise Ireland Directory of Lean Service Providers. Trainers have to meet defined criteria before they are registered on the Directory.

The IDA and Udaras na Gaeltachta have adopted the Lean Programme to support their clients on their competitiveness improvement journeys. Twenty of the LEO offices have adopted a Lean Start offer for their clients.

Participant Numbers, Target Audience Training Provided

To date 899 projects have been supported under the full Lean Business offer with 118 projects supported under the transform level support. The programme targets both management and staff and is focused on developing their capabilities to use and understand Lean tools and principles. The fundamental of the training provided is to give people the core tools and techniques of Lean to help them identify and address issues within their own processes. A list of the key elements of training provided is presented in the appendix.

Programme Outputs

The programme has proven effective based on analysis carried out by Technopolis for the DJEI. Improvements of 20% in productivity and 11% in employment, counterfactually measured against those who had not participated in the Lean programme have been identified by Technopolis.

Udaras Na Gaeltachrta and IDA report similar results to those achieved by Enterprise Ireland clients.

Appendix

Indicative training provided under Lean Transform Programme

- Introduction to Lean for Management and Staff– White belt/Yellow Belt training

- Lean Leadership - Strategy and Deployment

- Process Mapping/Value Stream Mapping

- Five S- Organisation and Order

- Practical Problem Solving

- Check Sheets

- Run Charts

- Visualisation

- Teams and Team Building

- Green Belt Training (Possible Black Belt Training) for key people

- Focus on environmental sustainability, possible appointment of Green champion, ISO 14000, ISO 50001

- Qualitative and Quantitative benchmarking exercise post approval by IC to provide solid basis for impact assessment.

e-Marketing Improvement Assignments

Programme description and outline of activities

Under the Business Process Improvement Grant, client companies can apply for grant support to undertake an e-Marketing Improvement Assignment. This support is designed to assist senior managers in client companies to maximise the opportunities presented by the Internet as a business development channel.

Information on participant numbers, target audience, training provided etc.

The programme was launched in May 2012 replacing the eBusiness Management Initiative which ran from 2006 to 2012. The e-Marketing Assignment support is targeted at manufacturing and International Services companies (excluding HPSU’s) and is focused on helping export-focused clients across all Industry sectors to exploit the Internet as a route to market. To date a total of 240 companies have been approved funding support totalling €4.5m. In 2016 a total 44 clients companies were approved support to the value of €0.9m.

Through the use of one-to-one training and action-based learning, consultants/ trainers will work with clients to plan and implement significant strategic e-marketing projects.

Programme outputs

The e-Marketing Improvement assignment is specifically designed to develop and enhance Client Company’s capability to use the internet as an effective channel for export business development. A typical assignment would strive to achieve the following outcomes;

- Strategic review of existing online activities and development of your company's future online strategy.

- Understanding international best practice, effective tools and strategies in the area of e-Marketing.

- Embedding e-marketing practices and skills in your company by developing the capabilities of your staff.

Clients who apply for support must complete an eMaturity questionnaire both pre and post assignment. These questionnaires are used to benchmark knowledge and capabilities achieved.

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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217. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 345 of 26 July 2017, the reason there are different arrangements in place with organisations that receive funding from his Department; the reason there is not a standard service level agreement in place to ensure a consistency of governance in relation to spending in view of the fact that there are various types of agreements in place by his Department with different organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39109/17]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Departmental funding is disbursed in line with the overall principle that there should be transparency and accountability in the management of public money having regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness and in compliance with the central guidelines, as set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Circular number 13 of 2014.

The Department provides funding to a range of bodies, which differ in their relationships, roles and responsibilities to the Department, as well as their compliance obligations, reporting procedures and assurances arrangements, including some bodies whose primary oversight relationship is with other Government Departments.

Circular 13 of 2014 acknowledges that, given the diversity of bodies in receipt of public funding, a standardised service level agreement may not be appropriate in all cases and so provides that “content and the extent of the agreement [covering resources and outputs] is a matter for the Department having regard to the nature of the grant, and agreements will vary depending on the size and complexity of the Body’s operations.” In cases where there are multiple donors or where the donating Vote is not the supervisory authority, accounting may be “governed by global governance structures and other arrangements”, provided the Department is satisfied that there are appropriate monitoring and control arrangements in place.

More widely, the Department is undertaking significant efforts to further develop and implement robust and consistent governance arrangements across the education sector. The aim is to ensure that utilisation of public funds is achieved within a framework of high standards of performance, accountability, compliance and oversight.

A Management Board Committee on Sectoral Governance and Accountability, which is chaired by the Secretary General, was established in 2015. This committee provides overall guidance on the enhancement of governance arrangements across the education sector. It is supported by a Sectoral Governance unit which has been established in the Department which undertakes work to support the enhancement and standardisation of governance and accountability oversight across the Department. This has included rolling out of the first phase of a programme of governance compliance reviews involving the Department’s non-commercial bodies.

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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218. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 345 of 26 July 2017, if he will provide a copy of the most recent year end report to his department in respect of funding provided to the IDA outlining its activities and utilisation of this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39110/17]

Photo of John HalliganJohn Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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€3m was paid to the IDA from the National Training Fund in 2016. The 2016 report on activity is provided. It should be noted that the IDA Training Grants Programme is also supported through exchequer funding from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Training Grants to Industry – IDA Ireland

-2016

€000
2015

€000
2014

€000
2013

€000
2012

€000
Estimate Provision3,0003,0003,0003,0003,000
Out-turn3,00030003,0003,0003,000
Surplus /

Shortfall
0000.000.00
% Variation as a percentage of Allocation0%0%0%0%0%

PURPOSE:

The Training Grant programme aimsto facilitate a significant upgrade of the skills base of a company. Staff training is viewed as a mechanism to continuously improve a company’s long term competitiveness. Training supports are a key element of IDA's Transformation Agenda.

Main Objectives and Impacts of Companies availing of Training Grants:

In 2013 Forfás carried out an evaluation of IDA Training Grants and found that the main objectives of companies in availing of training grants are:

(i) to alleviate skills deficits;

(ii) to introduce new processes ornew products; and

(iii) to raise value added.

Companies ranked the following as the main impacts of the grant:

(i) improved competitiveness;

(ii) increased productivity;

(iii) increased Irish status in the company globally; and

(iv) improved sustainability in Ireland.

In each year 2016, 2015 and 2014 IDA was allocated a grant of €3m from the National Training Fund. In each year training grants were paid over and above the NTF allocation of €3m and were funded from grant provided by DJEI to IDA.

NTF201620152014
Grants Paid €9.718m€8.807m€5.044m
Companies Supported344432
No. of Trainees9,6278,6007,400

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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219. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding his Department allocates to Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39155/17]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In 2016, my Department provided funding totalling over €65 million to Limerick and Clare ETB.

This figure includes funding for the pay of certain ETB staff (including teachers), funding for the day-to-day running of schools, specific grants (e.g. book grant, transition year programme), targeted expenditure (e.g. DEIS funding), funding for student grants, funding for capital projects (which can vary from year to year depending on number of projects) and also ETB head office running costs.

The corresponding figure for 2017 is almost €69 million. This figure may be subject to change as the year evolves.

It should be noted that ETBs also receive funding from sources other than my Department, for example through self-financing programmes or from other Departments and agencies, most notably for further education and training which is funded by SOLAS.

The annual accounts for each ETB provide detailed information on funding from all sources and how it was used. These accounts, when finalised and audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, are published on the Oireachtas website.

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