Written Answers Nos. 235-254
235. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on progress made in ensuring that the mobile phone industry supplies chargers common to all mobile phone devices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41571/12]
View answerI understand that in 2009 the European Commission obtained the agreement of Europe’s major mobile phone manufacturers to adopt, on a voluntary basis, a universal charger for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU. Subsequently, the European Standardisation Bodies, CEN-CENELEC and ETSI, following a mandate from the EU Commission, developed harmonised standards for the manufacture of data-enabled mobile phones compatible with a new common charger. This voluntary European standard (EN 62684) was published in December 2010 and was subsequently adopted as an Irish Standard, I.S. EN 62684, in March 2011. The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) contributed to the development of these standards through its representation at the European Standardisation Bodies and as the national standards body. It is important to highlight that these are voluntary standards and the NSAI has no role in monitoring or enforcing them.
I further understand that this sector is regulated the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive 1999/5/EC of 9 March 1999 which was transposed into national legislation by the European Communities (Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 240 of 2001). This legislation falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and is enforced in Ireland by the Commission of Communications Regulation (ComReg). The broad aim of the legislation is to ensure safety and free movement of radio and telecommunications equipment throughout the EU.
236. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation his plans to discuss the EU 2020 strategy particularly in relation to job creation at the next EU Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34345/12]
View answerMy colleague the Minister for Social Protection, Ms Joan Burton TD, will represent Ireland at the forthcoming formal meeting of the Employment and Social Affairs Council (EPSCO) in Luxembourg on the 4 of October. She was recently invited by the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection to outline the business of the forthcoming EPSCO and to brief the Committee on her priorities for the forthcoming EU Presidency in the first half of 2013.
The main topic of political discussion at Employment and Social Affairs Council on 4 October will be the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy and the need to strengthen attention to employment issues within economic governance. The focus will be on lessons learned from the second European Semester cycle in 2012.
Discussion at the EPSCO Council this week will be on the basis of a paper prepared by the Cypriot Presidency as well as the input provided by the Council’s preparatory bodies – the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee. The Commission has also made proposals for more regular and structured contacts with Member States to take place following its presentation in November of the 2013 Annual Growth Survey.
A strong EU employment agenda represents a pathway towards economic recovery and a way out of the current social crisis. The EU institutions, governments, trade unions, employers, and civil society interests need to work together to build this pathway. This calls for stepping up coordination, surveillance and peer pressure to deliver on National Job Plans. Whilst labour market, skills issues, and social policies are a Member State competence within the EU, other Member States in the Union have an interest in ensuring that deficiencies are tackled, and reforms implemented.
The discussion on the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy at the EPSCO Council on 4 October will be complemented by a parallel discussion at the ECOFIN on 9 October. It is anticipated that refreshed arrangements for the conduct of the third European Semester cycle will then be reflected in a Presidency Roadmap which is likely to be adopted by the General Affairs Council in December.
237. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will detail all groups on which he is represented which deal with science and technology issues; and if he is proposing to review same. [40270/12]
View answerMinister Bruton and I are members of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Jobs, which, inter alia, considers issues relating to Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy. An official from my Department chairs the Interdepartmental Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, which reports to the Cabinet Committee and has overall responsibility for driving implementation of Government policy on STI.
I chair the Research Prioritisation Action Group, which was convened to drive implementation of the recommendations arising from the Research Prioritisation Report and to ensure that future public investment by research funders is aligned with the 14 areas of opportunity identified in the Report. My Department also chairs the Technology Ireland group, which allows representatives from the key research funding agencies to ensure maximum complementarity in their activities.
Officials from my Department are members of the Health Research Group, established to coordinate health research policy at a national level and of the Marine Coordination Group , which brings together representatives of Departments with an involvement in maritime issues including STI Policy issues.
I, Minister Bruton, and officials from my Department regularly attend a range of EU meetings concerned with STI policy including the European Council's Competitiveness configuration, which ensures an integrated approach to the enhancement of competitiveness and growth in Europe. Scientific Research and Technological Development is one of the three strands of this configuration. My Department represents Ireland on the Councils of the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC) and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) as well as on the senior officials group of COST, a framework which supports cooperation between scientists and researchers across Europe. My Department also represents Ireland on the Council of the European Space Agency (ESA) and I will be attending the European Space Agency Council of Ministers later this year. Ireland’s membership of ESA provides and effective means for Irish companies to develop leading edge space technologies and to commercially exploit their ESA participation in global space and non-space markets.
An official from my Department serves on the board of Science Foundation Ireland and the Secretary General of my Department is a member of the board of Forfás which, inter alia, provides policy advice on science, technology and innovation matters. Officials from my Department also attend meetings of the Advisory Council on Science, Technology and Innovation, which is a sub-board of Forfás. An agreement between the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and UCC provides for the Minister to nominate a Departmental official to the board of the Tyndall National Institute, a UCC based centre for Information and Communications Technology research.
As part of the Research Prioritisation process, concluded at the end of last year, a comprehensive review of the Government's STI funding system was conducted to identify areas where effectiveness and efficiency could be improved and to ensure an increased focus on the outcomes and impacts of our STI investment. The Research Prioritisation Action Group is now driving implementation of a series of recommendations arising from this review which will ensure that our entire STI funding system is as efficient as possible.
238. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he has made arrangements to ensure that he includes within his official delegation on future trade missions persons who can represent the scientific community here. [40269/12]
View answerThe nature of each trade mission is different depending on the specific sector focus and market being visited. Some missions may include initiatives or the signing of agreements relating to joint venture collaboration with Ireland on a range of activities such as research, innovation, or the provision of education services. Participation on missions is arranged so that the interests of those travelling relates with the individual mission objectives. In a substantial number of trade missions, representatives from the scientific community are represented in the form of Science Foundation Ireland or other research/educational establishments (e.g. SFI is travelling to Brazil for the trade mission in October). Enterprise Ireland notifies all relevant Government Departments and state agencies of upcoming trade missions and always seeks to involve parties relevant to each trade mission based on the specific trade mission market and sector focus. Individual institutions, such as third level colleges and universities, can opt to participate where this would be of benefit to them.
239. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation his views on the fact that the recommendations of the 2008 Advisory Group on Media Mergers, which called for a more robust and sophisticated defence of the importance of diverse ownership and content, have not yet been implemented; if he intends to follow the recommendation that there should be a reduction in the role of the Competition Authority in relation to media ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35516/12]
View answer240. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if the proposed Consumer and Competition Bill, which was promised for early 2012, will be published; if not, if he will consider publishing the provisions relating to media mergers in advance of the completion of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35517/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together.
In July 2011 the Government approved the draft heads of the Consumer and Competition Bill which, inter alia, gives effect to the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Media Mergers in full with two amendments:
- one sees the change in relevant Minister for public interest considerations from the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to the Minster for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; and
- the other relates to designating the relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee as a notifiable body when the Minister is considering proposed media mergers from the public interest aspect.
The proposed legislation will see the Competition Authority role limited to examining a proposed media merger to see if it results in a substantial lessening of competition, as was recommended by the Advisory Group on Media Mergers. It will have no role in any subsequent public interest test, as was also recommended by the Advisory Group on Media Mergers. Responsibility for the public interest test will transfer to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources under the legislation which I am sponsoring.
I see no merit in proceeding with stand-alone legislation on media mergers. The media mergers provisions in the proposed Consumer and Competition Bill will complement the overall merger and acquisition provisions which will be updated in this Bill, which is included in the “A list” in the current Government’s Legislative Programme. It is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and I expect to publish it later this year.
241. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he has targets for creating jobs so as to reduce unemployment over the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39029/12]
View answerThere are two major elements to the Government’s response to reducing unemployment – the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work. The goal of the Action Plan for Jobs is to support the retention of jobs in the economy and the creation of new ones. The aim of Pathways to Work is to help to ensure that as many of those new jobs as possible are filled by people from the Live Register.
The Action Plan takes a whole of Government approach to improving the operating environment for business. It is an annual process and, each year, specific measures will be identified to support the objective of adding 100,000 net new jobs to the economy by 2016.
The aim of Pathways to Work is to develop a new approach to engaging with people on the Live Register, particularly those who are long-term unemployed. The establishment of the new National Employment and Entitlement Service will transform the nature and level of engagement between the employment services and the unemployed. It will also provide better targeted services to both job seekers and employers.
Pathways to Work includes the objective of ensuring that at least 75,000 of those who are currently long-term unemployed will move into employment by 2015. It also aims to reduce the average length of time spent on the Live Register from 21 months to less than 12 months over the same period.
The labour market activation measures outlined in Pathways to Work include over 85,000 job placement/work experience places to be delivered this year by the Department of Social Protection, and over 450,000 training and education places to be delivered by the Department of Education and Skills this year.
Given the scale of the problems this Government inherited, turning around the economy cannot be achieved overnight. That is why we have set challenging, but achievable, targets and timeframes for delivery under the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work.
242. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 305 of 19 July 2012, if he will clarify his statement that the Industrial Development Agency had assured him that it would consider opportunities to utilise its property portfolio in County Cavan to attract other non-traditional type of investments to the region which do not fall under the general remit of the IDA or Enterprise Ireland; if he will outline the range of such non-traditional type investments the IDA have in mind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42014/12]
View answerUnder the Industrial Development Acts, IDA Ireland has the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land, and any other property or any interest therein, for the purpose of facilitating an industrial undertaking.
I am informed by IDA Ireland that it is actively considering opportunities as to how to leverage its property portfolio nationally in order that additional investment and employment opportunities can be realised in the regions from non-traditional sources. These projects would fall outside the areas of internationally traded services, manufacturing and R&D which fall under the general remit of IDA Ireland and/or Enterprise Ireland but would have to be compliant, in the case of Cavan for example, with the current zoning associated with the lands i.e. ‘Industrial, Enterprise and Employment’. The Agency informs me that, to date, some interest has been expressed in acquiring the land bank at the Cavan Business and Technology Park since its advertisement on the open market and that such expressions will continue to be considered on a case by case basis.
IDA Ireland has informed me that in 2008, the Agency invested in the costs associated with designing and obtaining planning permission and fire certification for a proposed Advance Technology Unit for the Cavan Business and Technology Park. Planning Permission was subsequently granted by Cavan County Council to IDA Ireland for the facility under Pl Ref No. 07-2446 which is in place until April 2013. IDA Ireland is also responsible for the costs associated with the on-going maintenance and repair of the site infrastructure, where required. The planning permission granted on site (Pl Ref No. 07-2446) for an Advance Technology Unit is part of the portfolio currently advertised for sale on the open market.
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he and or his Department has monitored or identified possible issues affecting competitiveness in the manufacturing or services sectors; the extent to which costs have been reduced or otherwise in this area in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42052/12]
View answer254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate arising from any discussions he has had with employers the extent to which he is in a position to provide incentives for employers in the services sector to increase their labour force in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42063/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 254 together.
The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) periodically publishes a report on the “Costs of Doing Business in Ireland”. This report benchmarks business costs against a range of Ireland’s key competitor countries in a number of areas, such as labour costs, property costs, utility costs and business and professional services. The report also provides an analysis of cost profiles of the manufacturing and services sectors.
In its most recent Cost of Doing Business report, published in 2011, the NCC identified improvements in Ireland’s competitiveness, particularly in relation to labour costs and property costs. However, the NCC also advised that further progress is required to ensure that Irish enterprises can compete internationally.
Some operating costs for business are largely outside the control of Government. For example, fuel and energy prices are heavily influenced by external factors such as global fossil fuel prices. However, the Government’s approach has been to identify those areas of policy it can influence to bring about cost reductions or provide supports to business. The Action Plan for Jobs 2012 includes an extensive range of measures across Government which will help to reduce costs and support job creation.
A range financial and non-financial supports and incentives are also available from Government Departments, Offices and Agencies to support employment creation in all sectors. These include schemes such as Revenue Job Assist, the Employers' Job PRSI Incentive Scheme and the Job Expansion Fund. Details of financial supports for business are available on my Department’s website, www.enterprise.gov.ie.
244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate the most recently quoted reasons for job losses in the various regions throughout the country in each of the past three years to date; the action taken to address any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42053/12]
View answerThe main reasons for job losses throughout the country have been well flagged and include a lack of consumer demand, difficulties accessing certain business finance, cost competitiveness issues and the impact of the global economic downturn on the Irish economy. Also, recent jobs losses which have occurred in the FDI sector in Ireland are largely the result of the continuing restructuring process that is on-going in Ireland and other developed economies, driven by competitive pressures and technological change. This can result in jobs at the lower end of the value added scale being either phased out completely or relocated to lower cost locations.
However, the most recent report from the National Competitiveness Council, “Ireland’s Competitiveness Scorecard 2012” , has pointed out that Ireland has become significantly more cost competitive. In terms of international measures, the World Economic Forum (WEF) rankings showed Ireland’s position improving two places to 27th last September, while the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook released in May showing Ireland’s headline position recovering back into the top 20 (up from 24th) and 8th out of the 24 EU countries featured.
Our current policies are geared to bring about a transformation of the Irish enterprise sector to ensure that we are in a position to avail of the opportunities that will arise as the global economy returns to growth.
The Action Plan for Jobs aims to transform the operating environment for business in order to support enterprise growth and job creation. The Government will achieve this objective by systematically removing obstacles to competitiveness, putting downward pressure on business costs, promoting innovation and trade, supporting new and existing businesses to develop and expand, and by deepening the impact of foreign direct investment in Ireland. The Government has identified, in the Action Plan, a number of key sectors where Ireland can gain competitive advantage in global markets. The Plan has also set a target of supporting the creation of 100,000 net new jobs over the period 2012 to 2016, with the longer term objective of having two million people at work by 2020 as part of our goal of making Ireland the best small country in which to do business.
We are reforming supports to small businesses, we have published the National Research Prioritisation Exercise, and we have launched the Succeed in Ireland scheme to help identify and encourage companies that might set up in Ireland.
In addition to the wide-range of programmes being delivered by the Enterprise Agencies, I am also focusing on other measures to address the challenge of access to finance being faced by SMEs. Last Thursday, I launched the new Microfinance Loan Fund and I will shortly be launching the Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme.
We are making solid progress on this crucially important agenda and have already put place a number of measures that will make a practical difference in making it easier for businesses to grow and create jobs. We will redouble our efforts in the coming year with the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 to ensure that we put in place policies that respond in a meaningful way to the many challenges faced by business on a daily basis.
245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate the factors deemed most likely to affect economic growth and as a result job opportunities in the coming year in view of the experience of the past two years and previous projections for the period; if it is intended to take any particular action to specifically focus on issues likely to affect job retention and or creation and commercial activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42054/12]
View answerAs a small open economy, Ireland is dependent on the export of high value goods and services to deliver economic growth and support job creation. The international economic environment is therefore a key influencing factor in our economic performance.
Notwithstanding a difficult trading environment last year, Enterprise Ireland client companies achieved €15.2 billion in export sales last year – the highest level ever recorded. This demonstrates the strengths that Irish companies possess when it comes to selling their goods and services abroad.
At a domestic level, we need to continue to build on the competitiveness gains we have made in recent years and build a strong foundation to support employment creation and retention.
Through the Action Plan for Jobs, the Government is systematically removing obstacles to competitiveness, putting downward pressure on business costs, promoting innovation and trade, supporting new and existing businesses to develop and expand, and deepening the impact of foreign direct investment in Ireland. The Government has also identified, in the Action Plan, a number of key sectors where Ireland can gain competitive advantage in global markets.The positive impact of the Government’s policies on job creation are beginning to show. 2011 saw a net increase of 6,000 jobs in IDA-supported companies and a number of major foreign direct investments have been announced so far this year which have the potential to support a further 6,000 jobs as the projects come on stream. Employment in Enterprise Ireland’s client companies stabilised in 2011 after 30,000 job losses in the period 2007 to 2010. In the first eight months of 2012, a total of 4,669 job commitments over the next three years have been secured, linked to Enterprise Ireland approvals to client companies.
Overall, we are seeing a stabilisation in the level of private sector employment, particularly in areas targeted by the Action Plan for Jobs. For example, employment in the tourism sector increased by 6,300 in the period June 2011 to June 2012. Employment also increased in Agriculture and the ICT sectors, underscoring the shift in our activity away from the old, failed economy based on property, banking and debt, to a new sustainable economy based on enterprise, exports and innovation.
246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which innovation has featured in the creation and or retention of jobs in the manufacturing and services sectors in each of the past three years to date; if he expects to take particular action to address any obvious issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42055/12]
View answer249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created arising through innovation in the manufacturing and the services sectors in each of the past three years to date; the perceived potential in this area in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42058/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 249 together.
Innovation is a key, but seamless aspect of the Manufacturing and Services sectors and it is not possible to disaggregate the contribution made by innovation towards overall job creation in those sectors.
For further relevant information on other issues relating to the Manufacturing and Services sectors, I would refer the Deputy to the replies to PQs 41639 and 41655 which I gave in the Dáil earlier today.
247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate the number of applications for work permits received in his Department in each of the past four years to date; the number of such applications which met the criteria to qualify; the number of applications granted, refused or pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42056/12]
View answerIt is current Government policy to issue new employment permits only in respect of:
- highly skilled, highly paid positions or;
- non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits or;
- positions requiring specialist or scarce skills, expertise or qualifications which cannot be filled else wise.
I set out hereunder for the information of the Deputy the numbers of permits which have met the criteria and which have been issued, the numbers who have not met the criteria and have been refused, the numbers withdrawn by the applicants prior to a decision being made and the total of applications processed for each of the past 4 years to date.
The Employment Permits Section currently has approximately 400 applications on hand awaiting a decision.
|
Year |
Permits Issued |
Permits Refused |
Permits Withdrawn |
Total Processed |
|
2008 |
13,567 |
2,288 |
339 |
16,194 |
|
2009 |
7,962 |
1,901 |
442 |
10,305 |
|
2010 |
7,714 |
973 |
213 |
8,900 |
|
2011 |
5,200 |
1,007 |
201 |
6,408 |
|
2012 |
3.104 |
740 |
232 |
4,076 |
248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the criteria affecting the approval of application for work permits in the course of the past three years have altered in this or other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42057/12]
View answerSince 2004, a key element of Irish labour market policy has been to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from indigenous labour and, in line with our EU community obligations, from within the workforce of the European Union. For strategic skills or labour shortages in designated occupations in key economic sectors, Government policy is to issue employment permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and in response to employer demand. The various schemes that give effect to such policies were introduced following enactment of the Employment Permits Act, 2006.
In early 2009, the Department undertook a review of employment permit arrangements to ensure their continuing relevance to the needs of the Irish labour market. As an outcome of this review, more stringent eligibility criteria were implemented for prospective new entrants to the work permit schemes from 1 June 2009 onwards. The main features of the new measures included:
- expanding the ineligible list of occupations for which permits can be issued;
- increasing by 50% the fees charged at renewal stage for new permits issued after 1 June 2009, and
- reduction in the number of occupations for which Green Cards are issued.
The Employment Permits Act 2006 allows for regular review of Ireland’s economic migration policies and my Department keeps these policies under review, in line with the emerging needs of the labour market, on an on-going basis.
Other EU countries may also review their policies in this regard depending on the factors pertaining to their respective economies.
250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the total number of service jobs created indigenously in each of the past three years to date; the specific area or areas in respect of which growth is most obvious; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42059/12]
View answer251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the total number of manufacturing jobs created indigenously in each of the past three years to date; the specific area or areas in respect of which growth is most obvious; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42060/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.
The figures in respect of jobs in Enterprise Development agency-supported companies and those supported by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) are compiled in the Forfás Annual Employment Survey and the CEB Annual Employment Survey respectively on an annualised basis. The figures in respect of jobs created and lost in Enterprise Development agency-supported companies in the manufacturing and services sectors are set out in the table accompanying this reply. As the figures are compiled on an annualised basis, the figures for 2012 will be available in the early part of 2013.
The number of County and City Enterprise Board supported jobs in the manufacturing and internationally trade service sectors for the last three years is as follows:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2009 |
5,279 |
|
2110 |
5,987 |
|
2011 |
7,253 |
The Deputy may wish to consult with the Central Statistics Office as regards jobs created and lost in the economy as a whole.
The Action plan for Jobs 2012 contains a number of sectoral-focused initiatives that include the sectors outlined by the Deputy.
Enterprise Ireland client companies created a total of 28,541 jobs between 2009 and 2011. Employment gains for Enterprise Ireland client companies in the manufacturing and services sector between 2009 and 2011 are outlined in the table accompanying this reply.
Companies in the Food, Drink and Tobacco sectors accounted for the greatest proportion of manufacturing jobs created during the period with 5,823 jobs created (38% of total manufacturing job gains).
Companies in the Information and Communications sector accounted for the greatest proportion of Services jobs creased during the period with 5,233 jobs created (48% of total services job gains).
Employment gains for Enterprise Ireland client companies in the manufacturing and services sector between 2009 and 2011
|
Year |
Total Manufacturing Jobs |
Manufacturing Job gains |
Total Services Jobs |
Services Job gains |
|
2009 |
93,850 |
4,373 |
41,569 |
3,513 |
|
2010 |
90,149 |
5,561 |
41,721 |
4,589 |
|
2011 |
89,895 |
5,495 |
41,919 |
2,828 |
252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which upward only rent reviews have been recorded as a factor causing job losses in the commercial or retail sectors in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42061/12]
View answerThere is no specific data available on the extent to which upward only rent reviews have been recorded as a factor causing job losses. However, while upward only rent reviews are one of a number of factors which are causing pressure on the commercial and retail sectors at the present time, there are other factors influencing decisions of individual retailers to cut jobs. The retail sector has seen a disproportionate fall in activity due to the fall in consumer confidence and a reduction in discretionary spending by the Irish consumers.
The Government recognises the importance of the Retail sector to the economy. It is employment-intensive and covers every community in the country.
Combined with wholesale, the sector employs 258,000 people in Ireland – that is almost 15% of our total workforce. Recognising its importance to the economy, the Action Plan for Jobs includes a number of specific measures aimed at supporting employment in the retail sector in 2012. These actions are for delivery across a number of Departments and agencies and include a renewed focus on prompt payments, an assessment of the potential for future development of the retail sector, the introduction of a statutory code of practice for grocery goods undertakings and providing support to retail firms seeking to internationalise.
Other more general measures in the Action Plan will also help to support employment the retail sector including:
- improved access to finance for businesses;
- the enactment of legislation to reform the statutory wage setting mechanisms; and
- acceleration of the programme of revaluation of commercial premises, which will provide a basis for the adjustment in commercial rates.
Initiatives which the Government introduced as part of the Jobs Initiative in May of last year will also continue to help support employment in the retail sector. These include the halving of Employer’s PRSI on earnings up to €356 per week and the reduction in the 13.5% VAT rate to 9% on certain goods and services.
253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which Irish firms continue to access and benefit from innovation and technology assistance directly or indirectly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42062/12]
View answerIreland’s open economy needs to have the export of goods and services at the heart of its economic strategy. As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, I have set-out an approach which is focused on economic recovery, by delivering improvements in competitiveness, ensuring companies have access to the finance they need to grow and by prioritising innovation as a key driver of success which will lead to jobs and export growth.
My Department and the relevant State Agencies under its remit, have a clear focus on the potential and opportunities that exist and can be created. Enterprise development Agencies, Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Science Foundation Ireland, provide a spectrum of innovation and technology development programmes that deliver financial, technical and experiential support to help companies become more innovative, encourage and support competitiveness, and help them grow their sales and exports in order to create a climate in which sustainable employment will grow and expand. It is my view that Innovation and the use of technology will be among the core drivers of job creation in Ireland’s key sectors during 2012 and into the coming years.
A wide range of programmes are being delivered by the Enterprise Agencies - Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland, to promote research & development and innovation and give Irish enterprise a competitive edge in the global market place.
Enterprise Ireland, the agency responsible for the development and promotion of the indigenous business sector, is focused on the growth of world-class Irish companies to achieve strong positions in global markets. Enterprise Ireland provides research, development and technological innovation support relevant at all stages of company development, enabling companies to progress from undertaking an initial research project to higher level innovation and R&D activities. Enterprise Ireland funds the undertaking of R&D to support significant in-company projects which have the potential to develop new processes, products and services.
Enterprise Ireland has a range of programmes and soft supports focusing on research, development and innovation to facilitate and support businesses to compete sustainably in international markets. Information on all supports for research and development is available on the websites of Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards.
In addition, Enterprise Ireland is engaged in efforts to extract maximum value from Ireland’s research system – the objective is to work with companies to secure commercial purpose, leading to jobs and sales, for technologies and ideas developed in Irish research institutions. Enterprise Ireland also operates a range of supports to help companies engage with third level researchers to undertake collaborative research for the benefit of the company. Larger collaborative research projects involving groups of companies are also supported.
Enterprise Ireland are engaged in a number of specific opportunities to assist the SME sector to avail of its support programmes.
For example, through the Enterprise Europe Network which includes Enterprise Ireland and the Chambers of Commerce of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Sligo and Waterford, Enterprise Ireland produced a new on-line directory of innovation supports to assist companies and their advisers in sourcing the various forms of support required to promote innovation and R&D. This new directory was promoted through a series of workshops and seminars held in the various regions. The new directory is now available through the internationally co-ordinated Enterprise Europe Network website.
Enterprise Ireland has appointed a panel of 38 Advocates whose role is to assist companies in formulating projects to develop their business through innovation and R&D. This follows on from previous successful Advocate programmes which have assisted companies to identify their best options for development of new products, processes and services in order to grow sales into new international markets.
The Industry Research & Development Group (IRDG) Innovation Network, supported by Enterprise Ireland, has been undertaking a range of successful seminars around the country including seminars on R&D Tax Credits (including a workshop on Audits), an event devoted to Services Innovation in Waterford and promotion of collaboration through the “Supporting Business In The Mid-West” seminar held at the University of Limerick. This seminar was designed to highlight the benefits of collaboration with Higher Education Institutes for businesses in the Mid-West.
The Irish Software Innovation Network (ISIN), funded by Enterprise Ireland and managed by the Irish Software Association (ISA), offers a free matchmaking and knowledge-brokering service to help software companies to identify and engage with relevant third-level research institutes.
The Construction Information Technology Alliance (CITA), funded by Enterprise Ireland, aims to leverage Building/Business Information Modelling (BIM) to facilitate integrated project delivery and reduced costs in construction industry.
As part of the Action Plan for Jobs Enterprise Ireland is actively working with IDA Ireland to attract companies to avail of R&D tax credits for the first time. The preliminary work involves the development of an updated R&D tax credit brochure, which will be jointly issued by the two agencies later this year. The next stage will involve a series of agency workshops which will promote an understanding and use of “R&D tax credits”.
Research and development support programmes and initiatives will continue to be delivered by the enterprise agencies in support of Irish businesses in order to drive growth, sustainability, exports and job creation. My department and its enterprise agencies will continue to promote the application of research & development and innovation to gain competitive advantage and to build on the strengths that have emerged from the investment to date in Science Technology and Innovation.
