1.Identification of the Implementation Report

IMPLEMENTATION REPORT EGF

1.IDENTIFICATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION REPORT

CCI / 2014IE05EGFA001
Title / EGF/2014/007 IE/Andersen
Version / 1.1

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FINAL REPORT

2.Implemented actions

2.1.Budget of each of the components of the coordinated packages of personalised services in support of targeted beneficiaries

ID / Measure / Category of measure / Number of workers / Cost per worker / Total workers cost (EGF & national co-financing) / Number of NEETs / Cost per NEET / Total NEETs cost (EGF & national co-financing) / Number of beneficiaries / Cost per beneficiary / Total Cost (EGF & national co-financing)
Estimated / 1 / Occupational Guidance and Career Planning supports / Job search assistance and case management (incl. general information services, occupational guidance, advisory services, mentoring and outplacement assistance) – Art. 7(1)(a) / 118.00 / 2,000.00 / 236,000.00 / 82.00 / 2,000.00 / 164,000.00 / 200.00 / 2,000.00 / 400,000.00
Outcome / 1 / Occupational Guidance and Career Planning supports / Job search assistance and case management (incl. general information services, occupational guidance, advisory services, mentoring and outplacement assistance) – Art. 7(1)(a) / 136.00 / 1,670.70 / 227,215.71 / 131.00 / 1,269.70 / 166,330.38 / 267.00 / 1,473.96 / 393,546.09
Difference / 1 / Occupational Guidance and Career Planning supports / Job search assistance and case management (incl. general information services, occupational guidance, advisory services, mentoring and outplacement assistance) – Art. 7(1)(a) / 15.25% / -16.46% / -3.72% / 59.76% / -36.52% / 1.42% / 33.50% / -26.30% / -1.61%
Estimated / 2 / EGF Training Grants / Training and retraining – Art 7(1)(a) / 78.00 / 7,957.90 / 620,716.00 / 17.00 / 7,957.88 / 135,284.00 / 95.00 / 7,957.89 / 756,000.00
Outcome / 2 / EGF Training Grants / Training and retraining – Art 7(1)(a) / 57.00 / 2,117.97 / 120,724.56 / 31.00 / 1,826.36 / 56,617.06 / 88.00 / 2,015.25 / 177,341.62
Difference / 2 / EGF Training Grants / Training and retraining – Art 7(1)(a) / -26.92% / -73.39% / -80.55% / 82.35% / -77.05% / -58.15% / -7.37% / -74.68% / -76.54%
Estimated / 3 / Training and Second Level Education programmes / Training and retraining – Art 7(1)(a) / 63.00 / 3,150.68 / 198,493.00 / 10.00 / 3,150.70 / 31,507.00 / 73.00 / 3,150.68 / 230,000.00
Outcome / 3 / Training and Second Level Education programmes / Training and retraining – Art 7(1)(a) / 69.00 / 2,416.80 / 166,759.18 / 28.00 / 1,665.11 / 46,623.05 / 97.00 / 2,199.82 / 213,382.23
Difference / 3 / Training and Second Level Education programmes / Training and retraining – Art 7(1)(a) / 9.52% / -23.29% / -15.99% / 180.00% / -47.15% / 47.98% / 32.88% / -30.18% / -7.23%
Estimated / 4 / Third Level Education programmes / Training and retraining – Art 7(1)(a) / 21.00 / 10,000.00 / 210,000.00 / 4.00 / 10,000.00 / 40,000.00 / 25.00 / 10,000.00 / 250,000.00
Outcome / 4 / Third Level Education programmes / Training and retraining – Art 7(1)(a) / 11.00 / 11,865.44 / 130,519.82 / 13.00 / 7,724.05 / 100,412.64 / 24.00 / 9,622.19 / 230,932.46
Difference / 4 / Third Level Education programmes / Training and retraining – Art 7(1)(a) / -47.62% / 18.65% / -37.85% / 225.00% / -22.76% / 151.03% / -4.00% / -3.78% / -7.63%
Estimated / 5 / Skillnets Training supports / Training and retraining – Art 7(1)(a) / 1.00 / 1.00 / 1.00 / 1.00 / 1.00 / 1.00
Outcome / 5 / Skillnets Training supports / Training and retraining – Art 7(1)(a) / 0.00 / 0.00 / 0.00 / 0.00 / 0.00 / 0.00
Difference / 5 / Skillnets Training supports / Training and retraining – Art 7(1)(a) / -100.00% / -100.00% / -100.00% / -100.00%
Estimated / 6 / Enterprise/Self-Employment supports / Promotion of entrepreneurship – Art. 7(1)(a) / 15.00 / 2,666.60 / 39,999.00 / 15.00 / 2,666.60 / 39,999.00
Outcome / 6 / Enterprise/Self-Employment supports / Promotion of entrepreneurship – Art. 7(1)(a) / 9.00 / 3,980.77 / 35,826.90 / 1.00 / 181.25 / 181.25 / 10.00 / 3,600.82 / 36,008.15
Difference / 6 / Enterprise/Self-Employment supports / Promotion of entrepreneurship – Art. 7(1)(a) / -40.00% / 49.28% / -10.43% / -33.33% / 35.03% / -9.98%
Estimated / 7 / Income supports including course expense contributions (CECs) / Subsistence allowances while in training or in other active labour market measures – Art. 7(1)(b) / 125.00 / 3,410.75 / 426,344.00 / 108.00 / 1,848.67 / 199,656.00 / 233.00 / 2,686.70 / 626,000.00
Outcome / 7 / Income supports including course expense contributions (CECs) / Subsistence allowances while in training or in other active labour market measures – Art. 7(1)(b) / 87.00 / 6,256.37 / 544,303.95 / 75.00 / 4,391.60 / 329,369.82 / 162.00 / 5,393.05 / 873,673.77
Difference / 7 / Income supports including course expense contributions (CECs) / Subsistence allowances while in training or in other active labour market measures – Art. 7(1)(b) / -30.40% / 83.43% / 27.67% / -30.56% / 137.55% / 64.97% / -30.47% / 100.73% / 39.56%
Estimated / 421.00 / 4,112.95 / 1,731,553.00 / 221.00 / 2,581.21 / 570,447.00 / 642.00 / 3,585.67 / 2,302,000.00
Outcome / 369.00 / 3,320.73 / 1,225,350.12 / 279.00 / 2,507.29 / 699,534.20 / 648.00 / 2,970.50 / 1,924,884.32
Difference / -12.35% / -19.26% / -29.23% / 26.24% / -2.86% / 22.63% / 0.93% / -17.16% / -16.38%

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2.2.Budget of each of the components of any such preparatory, management, information and publicity, control and reporting activities

ID / Activity / Number of beneficiaries / Cost per beneficiary / Total Cost (EGF & national co-financing)
Estimated / 1 / Preparatory / 7,500.00 / 7,500.00 / 15,000.00
Outcome / 1 / Preparatory / 4,643.80 / 4,643.80 / 9,287.60
Difference / 1 / Preparatory / -38.08% / -38.08% / -38.08%
Estimated / 2 / Management / 81,000.00 / 81,000.00 / 162,000.00
Outcome / 2 / Management / 83,634.03 / 83,634.02 / 167,268.05
Difference / 2 / Management / 3.25% / 3.25% / 3.25%
Estimated / 3 / Information and publicity / 1,500.00 / 1,500.00 / 3,000.00
Outcome / 3 / Information and publicity / 1,372.85 / 1,372.85 / 2,745.70
Difference / 3 / Information and publicity / -8.48% / -8.48% / -8.48%
Estimated / 4 / Control activities / 10,000.00 / 10,000.00 / 20,000.00
Outcome / 4 / Control activities / 9,809.00 / 9,809.00 / 19,618.00
Difference / 4 / Control activities / -1.91% / -1.91% / -1.91%
Estimated / 5 / Other
Outcome / 5 / Other
Difference / 5 / Other
Estimated / 100,000.00 / 100,000.00 / 200,000.00
Outcome / 99,459.68 / 99,459.67 / 198,919.35
Difference / -0.54% / -0.54% / -0.54%

2.3.Statement on non-using state aid

State Aid rules have been respected.

2.4.Description of the personalised services to individual workers affected that were actually implemented, with an explanationof any divergences with respect to the application (and the Decision on the financial contribution adopted by the Commission)

State Aid rules have been respected.

2.4.1 Dates on which the personalised services to workers affected commenced and ended

Start date: 21-Oct-2013 End date: 16-May-2016

2.4.2 Did any activities start or finish earlier than the implementation period?

Some of the management and the control technical assistance sub-measures were undertaken post-implementation period but in accordance with Article 16(6) stipulating eligibility until the deadline for submission of the final report.

2.5.Personalised services to NEETs

The same range of measures was provided to NEETs as to redundant workers with particular emphasis on occupational guidance and career support measures.

The Irish authorities made some revisions to the budgetary allocations for the EGF 2014/007 IE/Andersen Ireland case. This related to an increase in the amount of occupational and career planning supports provided to a significant increased beneficiary population including through the services of the SOLAS EGF Coordination Unit. The number of beneficiaries availing of EGF training grants was slightly less than estimated but the cost per beneficiary was considerably streamlined. There was an increase in the total number of beneficiaries availing of training and second level education measures but again at a reduced cost per beneficiary.Unit costs and full economic costs were applied to third level education where feasible to reflect the true cost of service delivery and this increased the total expenditure. Anticipated Skillnets training supports though offered were not taken up by beneficiaries ultimately. Finally, the number of beneficiaries availing of enterprise supports was less than anticipated and the estimate expenditure reduced accordingly. Increased programme management activity resulted in an increase to the overall budget allocation under Article 7(4) of the EGF Regulation.

The totality of Article 7(1)(b) actions comprising allowances and incentives has been included at Section 2.1 to highlight the scale of assistance provided to EGF beneficiaries including additional nationally funded supports. The Irish authorities do not seek to claim other than the maximum permitted 35% of the total expenditure under Article 7(1)(b) actions which amounts to a total sum of Euros 566,036.47. Total expenditure figures recorded at Section 2.1 for both personalised services actions under Article 7(1)(a) and (c) of the EGF Regulation and actions under Article 7(4) of the EGF Regulation remain unchanged.

2.5.1 Dates on which the personalised services to NEETs commenced and ended

Start date: 16-May-2014 End date: 16-May-2016

2.5.2 Did any activities start or finish ealier than the implementation period?

2.6.Details of any preparatory, management, information and publicity, and control activities required for implementing the EGF assistance that the Member State financed with EGF assistance, including any changes in the planned start and end dates

Activities included application preparation following consultation with stakeholders, management of the programme nationally by the EGF Managing Authority including the establishment of a consultative forum, publicity and information measures including a dedicated website and an independent audit opinion control measure.

The Irish authorities made some revisions to the budgetary allocations for the EGF 2014/007 IE/Andersen Ireland case.Increased programme management activity resulted in an increase to the overall budget allocation under Article 7(4) of the EGF Regulation.

2.7.The names of the bodies delivering the package of measures in the Member State

SOLAS National EGF Coordination Unit
Limerick Clare Education and Training Board
Kerry Education and Training Board
Higher Education Institutions - LIT, UCC, UL,CIT, IT Carlow, NUIG
Limerick Local Enterprise Office
Department of Social Protection
EGF Managing Authority, Department of Education and Skills

2.8.If the undertaking, with the exception of micro enterprises and SMEs, has been a beneficiary of State aid or previous funding from Union cohesion or structural funds in the preceding five years, please describe

Not applicable

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3.Beneficiaries of actions implemented

3.1.Categories of workers targeted for assistance and actually benefited from assistance under this application, including where relevant, those in upstream and downstream enterprises

Number of workers targeted for assistance / Number of workers who actually benefited from assistance / Number of women workers who actually benefited from assistance / % Women
Sex / Men / 36 / 49
Women / 102 / 89
Nationality / Nationals of an EU Member State / 137 / 137
Nationals of a non-EU Member State / 1 / 1
Age group / 15-24 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 100.00%
25-29 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 100.00%
30-54 / 124 / 124 / 83 / 66.94%
55-64 / 11 / 12 / 4 / 33.33%
Over 65 / 0 / 0
Workers with a longstanding health problem or disability / 0 / 0
Employment status on completion of the assistance / Employed / 105 / 68 / 64.76%
Of which self-employed / 1 / 0 / 0.00%
Unemployed / 11 / 6 / 54.55%
Inactive / 22 / 15 / 68.18%
Of which inactive in education or training / 1 / 1 / 100.00%

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3.2.Changes in the education status of workers participating in the activities

Educational attainment levels in Ireland are measured by reference to the National Framework of Qualifications commencing at Level 1 (low/no education) to Level 10 (doctoral degree). Reference

Educational attainment details prior to EGF programme commencement were available for 98 redundant worker beneficiaries. Twenty five persons of this cohort increased their level of educational attainment during the course of programme implementation, equating to 25%. It was notable that fifteen beneficiaries progressed from Level 3 (junior certificate, post-primary) to either Level 4 or Level 5 (leaving certificate at ordinary and honours levels, post-primary) as a result of vocational training in skills areas such as healthcare support, early childhood care and information and communications.

3.3.Categories of NEETs targeted for assistance and actually benefited from assistance under the application, including where relevant, those in upstream and downstream enterprises

Number of NEETs targeted for assistance / Number of NEETs who actually benefited from assistance / Number of women NEETs who actually benefited from assistance / % Women
Sex / Men / 91 / 72
Women / 47 / 64
Nationality / Nationals of an EU Member State / 138 / 136
Nationals of a non-EU Member State / 0
Age group / 15-24 / 136 / 64 / 47.06%
25-29 / 0 / 0
Employment status on completion of the assistance / Employed / 48 / 20 / 41.67%
Of which self-employed / 1 / 0 / 0.00%
Unemployed / 67 / 34 / 50.75%
Inactive / 21 / 10 / 47.62%
Of which inactive in education or training / 13 / 8 / 61.54%

3.4.Changes in the education status of NEETs participating in the activities

Educational attainment levels in Ireland are measured by reference to the National Framework of Qualification which commences at Level 1 (low/no education) to Level 10 (doctoral degree). Reference

Educational attainment details were available for 125 NEET beneficiaries prior to the commencement of the EGF programme. Ten NEETs beneficiaries progressed their educational attainment level during the programme, equating to 7%.

It was notable that seven of the cohort progressed from Level 5 (leaving certificate, post-primary) to either Level 6 (advanced/higher certificate) or Level 7 (ordinary bachelor degree) as a result respectively of vocational training in skills areas such as business studies and in a range of third level education disciplines.

4.Main outcomes

4.1.Outcomes in respect of the regional or local economic situation in the territory or territories concerned

A significant proportion of the redundant worker beneficiaries (76.1%) were re-employed at programme end and up to 35.3% of NEET beneficiaries had also obtained employment. The former Andersen Ireland premises has also been taken over by the Limerick Local Enterprise Office and a number of new companies are in situ.

4.2.Principal lessons learned with regard to interventions to assist workers affected by mass redundancies which will help with future assistance to workers involved in mass redundancies and NEETs (if applicable)

The key lessons re-enforced from this programme and from experience on previous EGF programmes are:-

the necessity for early intervention
the benefits of the emphasis on occupational guidance and career planning supports, and
of providing personalised services including through an EGF office or resource located close to the site of the former workplace
the continued benefits of unique EGF training grants to supplementpublic service provision and provide greater personal choice of career progression, and
of the unique EGF Course Expenses Contribution (CEC) scheme to meet some of the costs of course participation which would otherwise act as a barrier to take-up of supports
the benefits of increased interaction with stakeholders during application preparation and programme implementation including a consultative forum on which workers and NEETs are represented

5.Equal opportunities and non-discrimination

Equal opportunities have been provided to both redundant workers and NEETs and there has been no discrimination in the provision of EGF services.

6.Complementarity

6.1.Complementarity with assistance provided by other Community instruments, in particular the European Social Fund. Please mention any synergies in implementation between the various Funds

EGF enterprise supports for business start-ups mayover time be complemented by access to ERDF capital funding for business expansion. The progression in training and education commenced under EGF may be complemented through ESF funding when the EGF implementation period finishes.

Within the particular timeframe of this programme, the EGF Managing Authority endeavoured to include five beneficiaries for six further months of their third level education courses under Article 16(4) of the EGF Regulation. Whilst this was not possible ultimately due, inter alia,to time constraints relating to the academic year commencement date, the courses will be funded for the entirety of the forthcoming academic year from national sources as a measure of complementarity.

6.2.Description of the mechanisms by which the managing authority for the EGF assistance has ensured that the assistance complements actions of the Member State at national, regional or local level, including those co-financed by the EU Structural Funds

The inclusion of key service providers and stakeholders in the EGF consultative forum allows for local and regional actions in particular to be made in full knowledge of the career paths and strategies undertaken by, and to assist, EGF beneficiaries and to continue or adapt these including where co-financed by EU Structural Funds. At national level, EGF managing and certifying authority personnel sit on the National Committee for Co-Ordination of (EU) Funds 2014 - 2020 and can thus disseminate at that higher level, any lessons learnt or experiences to be shared with other EU funding responsible bodies.The EGF application, regular implementation reports and final report are all made available publicly by the EGFManaging Authority on their dedicated website

6.3.Description of the mechanisms by which the managing authority for the EGF assistance has ensured that the specific actions receiving a contribution under the EGF did not also receive assistance from other Community financial instruments (prevention of double funding)

All EGF programme expenditure claims are required to verify that no dual EU co-financing occurs and an interlocking EGF certification cascade ensures that there are a number of checks on programme actions to avoid dual EU co-funding. Key members of the cascade have experience of, and authorised roles under, the ESF also and are, thus,well positioned to further ensure there is no dual funding.

7.Information and publicity

The SOLAS National EGF co-ordination unit provided information and publicity at local level through the running of Open Days and other programme events, the operation of a local EGF office and the co-ordination of personalised services for all beneficiaries. In addition, an independently chaired consultative forum on which the redundant workers and NEETs, where possible, were represented along with service providers ensured the dissemination of information and publicity to the stakeholders locally and regionally.

At national level the EGF Managing Authority establisheda website dedicated to EGF programmes ( and reference was made in relevant press releases, speeches and Parliamentary business to the EGF and EU co-financing.

8.Management and financial control of the assistance

8.1.Changes in the management and control systems as compared to the description provided in the application, specifying in particular changes in the fields below.

8.1.1 The organisation of the managing and paying authorities and intermediate bodies, of the management and control systems in place in these authorities and bodies

No change.

8.1.2 The functions vested in them

No change.

8.1.3 The allocation of functions between or within their departments, including between the managing and paying authority where they are the same body

No change.

8.1.4 The procedures by which claims for reimbursement of expenditure are received, verified, and validated, and by which payments to beneficiaries are authorised, executed and accounted for

The EGF Managing Authority utilised a unit cost approach, where feasible, in relation to third level education costs in order to more realistically capture the cost of such provision to EGF beneficiaries.

8.1.5 The provisions and timetable for the verification of management and control systems

No change other than the requirement under Article 21(2)to have an independent audit opinion of programme expenditure. This control function has been externally procured by the EGF Managing Authority.

8.1.6 The arrangements for preventing, detecting and correcting irregularities as defined in Article 70 of Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 and recovering as well as reimbursing amounts unduly paid together with interest on late payments in accordance with the same Article

No change.

8.2.Details of any irregularities detected, specifying the nature of the irregularity, EGF amount concerned, date of notification to OLAF as well as the outcome, including details of any recoveries made.

None

Certificate

I Tom Whelan , representing the certifying authority designated by Ireland, hereby certify that all eligible expenditure included in the attached statement, representing the contributions of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund and national public and/or private funding, and paid as the assistance has progressed, was paid in respect of operations that were carried out after 24 September 2013 and before 16 November 2016 and amounts to: €2,123,803.67