Róisín Shortall
Question:73. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to commence the Construction Contracts Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36047/14]
View answerLegislative Programme
Questions (73)
Written answers
The current position in relation to the Construction Contracts Act 2013 was outlined in my response to PQ No. 338 on 17 September 2014.
Garda Station Refurbishment
Questions (74)
Brendan Griffin
Question:74. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a kitchenette will be provided for a Garda station (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36101/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Commissioners of Public Works undertake refurbishments and routine maintenance to Garda Stations on foot of requests by An Garda Síochána. The Commissioners received a request for the installation of a kitchenette at Castlemaine Garda Station on the 5th of September 2014. The Commissioners will give due consideration to carrying out these works subject to the funding available and competing priorities.
Foreign Direct Investment
Questions (75)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:75. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the expected impact on foreign direct investment from the US to Ireland by the creation of the free trade agreement between the US and the EU. [36009/14]
View answerWritten answers
My Department engaged international expertise to examine the economic and other impacts and related potential opportunities for Ireland of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership [TTIP]. The focus of the study is to identify key areas and sectors of the economy that will be impacted by the TTIP.
The preliminary findings of the consultants were presented at a conference on TTIP that I hosted on 20 June last, to which Oireachtas members from relevant Joint Committees were invited. These indicate that a comprehensive trade and investment deal between the EU and the US could lead to a 1.1% increase in Irish GDP. The consultants find that the TTIP has the potential to strengthen Ireland's position as a hub for multi-national enterprises in the EU market and to increase investment to Ireland by 1.6%. Other preliminary findings show benefits for Ireland including an increase in exports by 2.7%, and in real wages by 1.4% based on scenarios used in the study.
Job Creation
Questions (76)
Denis Naughten
Question:76. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps which are being taken to bring new employment to the town of Ballinasloe, County Galway; the number of IDA Ireland and-or Enterprise Ireland site visits to the town in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36017/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by IDA Ireland that in the five year period 2009 to 2013 inclusive, there have been a total of 131 IDA sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Galway. These site visits were from new companies visiting the location for the first time and from senior executives of existing companies. For reasons of client confidentiality and commercial sensitivity, details of such visits are provided on a county by county basis only. As Enterprise Ireland’s core focus is supporting the internationalisation of indigenous companies, the Agency does not arrange site visits of a type similar to IDA Ireland.
Details of the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Galway in respect of each of the years in question are set out in the following tabular statement. County Galway has had particular success in recent years in terms of attracting inward investment particularly in the areas of Medical Technologies and ICT. At the end of 2013 there were 60 IDA Ireland client companies in Galway City and County employing over 13,600 people in full and part time employment. Similarly, at the end of 2013 there were 273 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Galway employing almost 7,000 people in full and part time employment.
IDA Ireland is actively marketing the former AT Cross building in Ballinasloe to potential investors and details of it have been forwarded a number of times to potential investors as a potential property solution and we will continue to do so along with marketing the available lands in the IDA Business and Technology Park in Ballinasloe.
Enterprise Ireland continues to promote employment throughout the county, including Ballinasloe by providing a wide range of supports to existing exporters to help them win new business from outside Ireland. The Agency also encourages the creation of new high potential start-up companies and promotes exporting as a new revenue stream for companies that have not exported previously. In addition, they support local communities to nurture enterprise locally through supporting the development of Community Enterprise Centres.
As the Deputy will be aware, on 15 April last the new Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) were established as the primary source of support for small and micro enterprises across the country. The new service means that national enterprise policy and local business supports have been brought together to strengthen the local business culture and environment, combining the best of the former County and City Enterprise Boards and the Local Authorities, overseen by the Centre of Excellence in Enterprise Ireland.
The LEOs are the first-stop-shop front-line service assisting in delivering business growth and jobs. They provide both financial and soft supports, and pull together all the players – other Government Departments and Agencies – to support everyone with a good business idea, strengthen the enterprise sector in the local area and, ultimately, support the delivery of more jobs within their local area.
The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 includes a commitment to develop a framework for a Regional Enterprise Strategy to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially, focusing on the Midlands region, and involving the agencies under the remit of my own Department - Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. The objective is to enhance synergies between the agencies and their client companies and build on the competitive strengths of the region to maximise the potential for job creation. The role which other public bodies in the region can play in working towards this objective will also be examined as the project develops. The aim is that this framework will serve as a model for other regions of the country.
On 30 July 2014 I launched my Department's Policy Statement on foreign Direct Investment in Ireland which sets out the strategic direction for foreign direct investment to 2020 and the key actions needed to enhance Ireland’s attractiveness and business environment in the context of intensified international competition for investment and talent.
IDA Ireland is developing a new corporate strategy for the period 2015–2020 which reflects this policy statement and the need to address regional issues.
Table showing the number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits by potential investors to County Galway from 2009 to 2013.
|
Year |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Number of IDA Ireland sponsored site visits |
22 |
41 |
35 |
18 |
15 |
IDA Site Visits
Questions (77, 78)
Denis Naughten
Question:77. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 299 of 15 April 2014, the number of site visits that have taken place this year; the progress in securing an employer for the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36018/14]
View answerDenis Naughten
Question:78. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 300 of 15 April 2014, the number of site visits that have taken place this year; the progress in securing an employer for the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36019/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 78 together.
I am informed by IDA Ireland that, while there have been no further IDA Ireland sponsored site visits to Roscommon to date in 2014, there is a pipeline with regard to Roscommon town, on which I am unable comment further at this time.
In regard to the Green Isle facility in Boyle, I am informed that there has been no change to the position as I outlined in reply to the Deputy's question earlier this year.
In Roscommon, client companies of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland employ a total of 2,460 people in full and part-time employment.
The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 includes a commitment to develop a framework for a Regional Enterprise Strategy to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially, focusing on the Midlands and South East regions, and involving the agencies under the remit of my own Department – Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. The objective is to enhance synergies between the agencies and their client companies and build on the competitive strengths of the region to maximise the potential for job creation. The role which other public bodies in the region can play in working towards this objective will also be examined as the project develops. The aim is that this framework will serve as a model for other regions of the country.
Additionally, I launched my Department's Policy Statement on Foreign Direct Investment in Ireland on 30 July last. This statement sets out the strategic direction for foreign direct investment to 2020 and the key actions needed to enhance Ireland’s attractiveness and business environment in the context of intensified international competition for investment and talent.
IDA Ireland are currently developing a new corporate strategy for the period 2015–2020 which reflects this policy statement and the need to address regional issues.
The following revised reply was received on 30 September 2014:
I propose to take questions No. 77and No. 78 together.
I am informed by IDA Ireland that, while there was one IDA sponsored site visit to County Roscommon since April 2014, the itinerary did not visit Roscommon Town or Boyle. There is, however, a pipeline with regard to Roscommon Town, on which I am unable comment further at this time.
In regard to the Green Isle facility in Boyle, I am informed that there has been no change to the position as I outlined in reply to the Deputy's question earlier this year.
In Roscommon, client companies of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland employ a total of 2,460 people in full and part-time employment.
The Action Plan for Jobs 2014 includes a commitment to develop a framework for a Regional Enterprise Strategy to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially, focusing on the Midlands and South East regions, and involving the agencies under the remit of my own Department - Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices The objective is to enhance synergies between the agencies and their client companies and build on the competitive strengths of the region to maximise the potential for job creation. The role which other public bodies in the region can play in working towards this objective will also be examined as the project develops. The aim is that this framework will serve as a model for other regions of the country.
Additionally, I launched my Department's Policy Statement on Foreign Direct Investment in Ireland on 30 July last. This statement sets out the strategic direction for foreign direct investment to 2020 and the key actions needed to enhance Ireland's attractiveness and business environment in the context of intensified international competition for investment and talent.
IDA Ireland are currently developing a new corporate strategy for the period 2015-2020 which reflects this policy statement and the need to address regional issues.
Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy
Questions (79, 80)
Micheál Martin
Question:79. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will, further to his recent replies to questions relating to a new science strategy, publish the framework and terms of reference which he references in those replies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36052/14]
View answerMicheál Martin
Question:80. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide the specific persons and organisations who have had a direct input into the draft framework and terms of reference of the new science strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36053/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.
As I mentioned in my reply, work on a new strategy for Science Technology and Innovation is ongoing and at an early stage. A frame of reference to guide specific structured consultations being undertaken in the context of a new strategy will be developed at the appropriate time in the process.
The focus at the moment is identifying, through dialogue with existing consultation groups including the Prioritisation Action Group, Technology Ireland, Horizon 2020 Implementation Group, Knowledge Transfer Ireland Industry Advisory Group etc., the key issues that should be included in any new strategy on Science Technology and Innovation.
My Department is also identifying key issues arising through participation in a number of groups with broad stakeholder representation in relevant sectoral areas including Health (through the Healthy Ireland Council and the Health Innovation Hub National Project Team), Smart Aging (through a group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach) and Marine (through the Marine Coordination Group). Moreover, officials in my Department are also involved in groups with representation from academic, industry and government bodies, including special initiative groups on "big data" and "manufacturing".
Furthermore, a support network of National Contact Points coordinated by Enterprise Ireland comprising knowledgeable and experienced practitioners from relevant Departments and agencies interacts with companies and academics in relation to funding opportunities presented by Horizon 2020.
In addition, a number of key reports are being or have recently been prepared in my Department – all of which had structured consultation with stakeholders built in, and all of which will inform the new strategy. These include, inter alia:
- Research Prioritisation Action Plans;
- Identification of fine-grained enterprise research needs for the 14 Research Prioritisation Priority Areas;
- Medium Term Development of the Irish Market Focussed Element of the Irish Research Centre Landscape Ecosystem;
- Optimising Policy Intervention to Strengthen the Impacts of Enterprise RD&I in Ireland.
In addition, I am aware of further work being undertaken in the Department of Education and Skills to which I am also assigned, which also has an important consultative dimension and which will very usefully inform the development of a new strategy. These include a review of funding of the Higher Education sector, a review of STEM education and target-setting by Higher Education Institutions for Horizon 2020.
My view is that there are substantial and diverse channels of ongoing consultation which are being used to inform the developmental stage of the new strategy and these can be supplemented as necessary, as I have said, with an appropriate frame of reference to guide further focused consultations as necessary and at the appropriate time.