Written Answers Nos. 1854 - 1880
1854. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of a work employment permit for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25324/16]
View answerAn application for a General Employment Permit in respect of the person named by the Deputy was made by the employer on 13th April 2016. This application was refused on 21st April 2016 as it appeared from supporting documentation that at the time of application the person was in the State without current immigration permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality.
In accordance with Section 13 the Employment Permits Act, 2006 as amended a request to review a decision may only be made by the applicant for an Employment Permit (the employer in this instance). No such request was reviewed within the timeframe laid down in the Act.
It is however open to the applicant to reapply for an employment permit as appropriate. In this regard my Department has just commenced a new online employment permits application service that will greatly improve the service and delivery times for applicants. This service is available at https://epos.djei.ie/EPOSOnlineportal#/app/welcome.
1855. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position of Ireland in relation to granting provisional approval for the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada when the matter is considered at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU; her views on whether Dáil Éireann should be consulted on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25625/16]
View answerThe EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) is a new generation agreement that will remove tariffs between the EU and Canada and will create sizeable new market access opportunities in services and investment. It will end limitations in access to public contracts, open-up services market, and offer predictable conditions for investors.
The EU-Canada Agreement will save on duty costs as 99.6% of all industrial tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force. Irish firms will also benefit from the recognition of product standards and certification, thus saving on ‘double testing’ on both sides of the Atlantic. These are some of the benefits of the trade deal with Canada as well as providing new market opportunities in many sectors for Irish firms.
Given the position taken by Ireland and other Member States, the Commission has submitted CETA to the Council for decision as a mixed agreement, that is, one requiring both EU and individual Member States ratification. It will be a matter for the Council and the European Parliament to decide on the signature and provisional application of CETA. The Treaties provide that following a decision by the Council with the consent of the European Parliament, it will be possible to provisionally apply CETA. Provisional application is a standard process in Free Trade Agreements which provides for the coming into effect of those areas over which the EU has competence. Provisional application will not apply to those areas for with the EU does not have competence. Accordingly, I support provisional application as I am keen to see Irish firms enjoy the tariff free benefits and new opportunities as soon as possible.
There should be no impediment to Irish companies and consumers immediately taking advantage of the provisions of the CETA which are EU competence. These areas constitute over 90% of the text of the CETA and include the all-important chapters on public procurement, rules and tariffs.
Of course the full entering into force of CETA will be subject, in the first instance, to a decision by the EU, through a Council decision with the consent of the Parliament, and secondly by the approval of all Member States through the relevant national ratification procedures. This means that Dáil Eireann will be part of the final decision to ratify the agreement.
1856. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the trade figures for May 2016 as published by the CSO on 12 August 2016, which show an increase of €19.237 billion in the value of Irish industrial exports in 2015 which was a 22.75% increase on the value of Irish industrial exports in 2014, if it was not the source or one of the sources of the distortion in the Irish GDP figure for 2015; the capacity issues, if any, being faced by export industries in terms of the increased pressure on transport infrastructure, ports and airports caused by this significant rise in the productivity of Irish exporters; the discussions his Department has had with other Departments and Ministers to tackle additional pressures on Irish transport infrastructure as a direct result of this increase in productivity; the number of jobs her Department estimates have been created as a direct result in the increase in value and productivity of Irish exports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25040/16]
View answerSince launching the Action Plan for Jobs in 2012, there are 176,000 additional people at work. The unemployment rate has fallen from 15.1% in 2012 to 8.3% in July this year. The Action Plan for Jobs as a whole of government approach to supporting employment growth across all sectors of the economy is working. As part of the Government’s commitment to support the creation of 200,000 jobs by 2020, with 135,000 to be outside Dublin, and to attract back 70,000 emigrants, the enterprise agencies of my Department have been set stretch targets for export-led job creation in their client firms over the coming years. Achieving these targets will be all the more challenging in the context of the UK Referendum result in June 2016.
The resilience of our economy will depend on the ability of our enterprises to compete effectively in international markets, to anticipate and respond to a changing global environment, and to anticipate and respond to customer demands for new products, services and solutions. Our comprehensive strategy for enterprise policy, Enterprise 2025 is an ambitious strategy, with the objective of delivering growth that is sustainable, that is led by strong export performance, that builds on our sectoral strengths, and that is underpinned by innovation, productivity and competitiveness. The availability of competitively priced world class infrastructure and related services is critical to support economic growth and enterprise development. As goods trade increases, so too will activities at our ports, airports, and on our roads. Increases in services trade can also be expected to generate increased activity at our airports. My Department is in ongoing discussions with other Departments and stakeholders - bi-laterally and via Cabinet Committee structures – to help ensure Ireland’s transport infrastructure can meet the needs of enterprise. Our engagement in the development of the new National Planning Framework, being led by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, is also an important element of this work.
In relation to direct new jobs linked to increases in export activity, employment in Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland supported companies increased by 22,000 in 2015. These direct jobs are also estimated to support a similar number of jobs in the local economy. Almost two-thirds of the new jobs created by EI clients in 2015 were outside Dublin. Over half of the jobs created in IDA companies in 2015 were also outside Dublin. Exports are at record levels. Enterprise Ireland client exports exceeded €20.6bn in 2015, ahead of target. We are fighting hard to win new FDI. IDA had a record 213 project wins in 2015 and they recorded a strong performance in the first half of 2016. Continued export growth and success in markets is contingent on sustaining our competitiveness. We have climbed to 7th on the IMD Global Competitiveness Rankings but we have further progress to make if we are to achieve sustainable full employment.
1857. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of personal injury claims settled by the Injuries Board in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25254/16]
View answerIn its published Annual Report for 2015, the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) states that it made 11,734 awards for personal injury compensation in 2015. Of these awards, 6,716 were accepted. The average compensation award by PIAB in 2015 was €22,878.
PIAB is the statutory body responsible for the assessment of compensation arising from personal injuries sustained as a result of a motor, workplace or public liability accident and where both parties, claimant and respondent, consent to an assessment. It is a matter for the parties concerned whether or not they wish to accept the assessment.
Section 53 (3) of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 provides that the Board shall be independent in the performance of its functions. I, as Minister, have no direct function in relation to the day-to-day operational work of the Board.
1858. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if, in the context of the Industrial Development Agency’s Horizon 2020 strategy and the target that 50% of investments will be located outside Dublin and Cork, the number of the Agency's sponsored visits to Dublin that also visited Cork; and the number of the agency's sponsored visits to Cork that also visited Dublin since 2012. [24348/16]
View answerThere were 968 visits to Dublin and 176 visits to Cork during the period 2012 to 2016 (Q2). Some companies depending on their requirements may visit both Dublin and Cork on the same itinerary or choose to visit one county or the other. IDA Ireland cannot provide details on clients’ itineraries for reasons of client confidentiality. A breakdown of these visits is set out in the following table.
Since 2015 IDA Ireland has been working towards targets set out in their strategy “Winning - Foreign Direct Investment 2015-2019”. For the first time, under this strategy, ambitious investment targets have been set on a regional basis whereby the Agency aims to increase the level of investment by between 30% to 40% in each region.
The Government’s commitment to countrywide job creation is further illustrated by the Regional Action Plan for Jobs initiative. This initiative saw eight Plans published throughout 2015 and 2016, which identified a range of actions aimed at supporting each region to achieve its economic potential and raise employment levels.
While IDA Ireland does attempt to influence the choice of location, the final decision as to where to visit and ultimately locate is taken in all cases by the client company.
It is important to note that data on site visits is not an accurate measure of the level of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) activity in a region or county. That is partly because approximately 70% of all FDI investment won by IDA Ireland comes from its existing client base, rather than new companies.
The true measure of FDI is reflected in IDA Ireland’s record 2015 results. IDA Ireland client companies created just under 19,000 (18,983) jobs on the ground during the year across a range of sectors, with every region of Ireland posting net gains in jobs.
Table shows the number of site visits by potential investors to Dublin and Cork from 2012 to 2016 (Q2)
|
Year |
Dublin |
Cork |
|
2012 |
196 |
38 |
|
2013 |
180 |
31 |
|
2014 |
205 |
30 |
|
2015 |
242 |
48 |
|
2016 (end Q2) |
145 |
29 |
1859. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total value of drawdowns issued under the Credit Guarantee Scheme on 30 June 2016, on 31 December 2015 and on 30 June 2015, in tabular form; the total value of approvals on the same dates; to provide a county breakdown of each drawdown and approval; the reason for the delay in the legislation to review the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24349/16]
View answerThe breakdown of loan approvals by participating lenders and accepted by borrowers under the Credit Guarantee Scheme are collected and collated on a regional basis and are listed below. It is not possible to provide a breakdown for loans where the borrower has not yet consented to data sharing. For this reason, it is not possible to provide details of individual drawdowns due to data protection issues.
The total drawdown figure at end of June 2016 was €16.3m. I welcome the increased levels of activity over the past 18 months which is delivering much needed finance to our SMEs, and am pleased to be able to add that, overall, there was a significant increase in facilities sanctioned in the most recent quarter to June 2016, a level that was significantly higher than in any quarter since the Scheme began.
Quarterly Reports providing full details of the latest Credit Guarantee Scheme performance are published on my Department’s website.
Since inception, my Department has kept a close watch on the performance of the Credit Guarantee Scheme. In the light of less than satisfactory outcomes after the first few years of operation, a review was conducted that proposed a range of changes to improve performance. Not all of these reforms required primary legislation, and effect was given to some of them in a new Scheme made in 2015.
As to the reforms that required primary legislation, it took some time to finalise the legal texts in consultation with the Attorney General’s Office, and amending legislation was passed by both Houses in February 2016. My officials are currently finalising secondary legislation containing a further new Scheme that will give effect to revised terms and product ranges resulting in greater availability of credit to SMEs, and I expect this work to be finalised within weeks.
Breakdown of loan approvals under the Credit Guarantee Scheme by Region
|
Region |
Value of Approvals at 30th June 2015 |
Value of Approvals at 31st December 2015 |
Value of Approvals to 30th June 2016 |
|
East (Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow) |
€13,183,000 |
€19,192,000 |
€27,196,000 |
|
South West (Cork and Kerry) |
€2,410,000 |
€2,770,000 |
€3,898,000 |
|
South East (Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary) |
€2,198,000 |
€3,053,000 |
€3,706,000 |
|
Midlands (Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, and Westmeath) |
€2,048,950 |
€2,143,950 |
€3,563,950 |
|
West (Galway and Mayo) |
€1,414,600 |
€1,804,600 |
€2,709,600 |
|
Mid West (Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary) |
€3,271,844 |
€5,080,344 |
€5,076,344 |
|
North West (Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim) |
€57,000 |
€147,000 |
€1,137,000 |
|
North East (Cavan, Louth and Monaghan) |
€440,000 |
€500,000 |
€1,470,000 |
|
Total |
€16,050,844 |
€34,690,894 |
€48,756,894 |
1860. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total value of drawdowns and approvals, by county, issued under the micro finance scheme on 30 June 2016, 31 December 2015 and on 30 June 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24350/16]
View answerThe total number of applications received by Microfinance Ireland (MFI) from its inception:
- to 30th June 2015, was 1256;
- to 31st December 2015, was 1,639; and
- to 30 June 2016, was 2,049.
The value of approvals for those time periods totalled:
- to 30 June 2015, was €9.3 million (606 in number)
- to 31 December 2015, was €11.7 million (770 in number); and
- to 30 June 2016, was €14.6 million (976 in number).
Total value of drawdowns, same periods:
- to 30 June 2015, was €7.8 million (518 in number)
- to end December 2015 was €9.9 million (665 in number); and
- to 30 June 2016, was €12.1 million (831 in number).
The county spread of approvals is contained in each Quarterly Report provided by Microfinance Ireland to my Department. These are published and available on the websites of both Microfinance Ireland and my Department.
For ease of reference I have extracted the county breakdown of approvals from the latest Quarterly Report (June 2016) and this is detailed below. Details of individual loan applications and approvals are subject to data protection legislation and it will not be possible to provide further information on same.
|
County |
Received |
Approved |
County |
Received |
Approved |
|
Dublin |
460 |
214 |
Clare |
57 |
28 |
|
Cork |
172 |
79 |
Laois |
55 |
23 |
|
Limerick |
101 |
49 |
Louth |
55 |
19 |
|
Meath |
102 |
44 |
Westmeath |
53 |
25 |
|
Tipperary |
89 |
40 |
Longford |
46 |
18 |
|
Galway |
81 |
46 |
Roscommon |
46 |
23 |
|
Wexford |
71 |
38 |
Sligo |
44 |
33 |
|
Cavan |
71 |
36 |
Monaghan |
40 |
13 |
|
Kildare |
73 |
38 |
Carlow |
36 |
18 |
|
Waterford |
70 |
33 |
Donegal |
39 |
18 |
|
Wicklow |
64 |
31 |
Kilkenny |
37 |
15 |
|
Kerry |
59 |
25 |
Offaly |
37 |
17 |
|
Mayo |
57 |
37 |
Leitrim |
34 |
16 |
1861. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total value of drawdowns and approvals issued by each local enterprise office on 30 June 2016, 31 December 2015 and 30 June 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24351/16]
View answerCapital funding for the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) is provided by my Department via the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Enterprise Ireland, who distribute the funding to individual LEOs. The Capital allocations are for direct financial supports to the micro-enterprise sector (Measure 1 grants) and so-called “soft” supports for LEO clients, such as training and mentoring (Measure 2 supports). Measure 1 grants are given out to LEO client companies, in the form of priming, business expansion and feasibility grants. Since 2014, the LEOs also disburse direct Capital funding in the form of investments to successful applicants under the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition.
Details of the Capital allocations to the 31 LEOs in 2015 and 2016 to date, along with details of expenditure at end June 2015, end December 2015 and end June 2016 are set out in Tables 1 and 2.
The total value of the Measure 1 direct grant assistance made by the LEOs to their clients over in this period may also include an element of refundable aid which is generated by the LEOs from repayments by clients of up to 30% of the value of the grants made. The Measure 2 expenditure may include an element of own resource income generated by the LEOs from their training courses and mentoring services, etc. These additional elements are included in the expenditure amounts in the tables.
It should be noted that the Centre of Excellence in Enterprise Ireland carry out a review of expenditure by the LEOs in September each year. Accordingly, revisions to the Capital allocations for 2016 may be made before the end of the year to maximise expenditure across the LEOs.
Table 1: LEO Capital Allocations 2016 and Expenditure End June 2016
|
LEO |
2016 M1 Budget Allocation as @ 14 Sept 2016 (€) |
2016 M2 Budget Allocation as @ 14 Sept 2016 (€) |
M1 Expenditure (Jan 16 to End Jun 16) (€) |
M2 Expenditure incl. IBYE (Jan 16 to End Jun 16) (€) |
|
Carlow |
180,623 |
167,565 |
83,620 |
89,240 |
|
Cavan |
259,730 |
176,197 |
34,137 |
123,620 |
|
Clare |
456,313 |
196,655 |
220,967 |
126,511 |
|
Cork City |
212,311 |
197,600 |
144,889 |
128,030 |
|
Cork North/ West |
459,954 |
382,570 |
229,487 |
205,808 |
|
Cork South |
510,427 |
239,790 |
152,338 |
220,665 |
|
Donegal |
232,861 |
217,079 |
106,347 |
181,200 |
|
Dublin City |
562,575 |
387,422 |
304,843 |
246,145 |
|
Dublin South |
338,895 |
265,452 |
184,202 |
135,008 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown |
299,989 |
238,054 |
179,741 |
219,284 |
|
Fingal |
403,203 |
269,536 |
211,871 |
189,852 |
|
Galway |
276,758 |
258,688 |
134,699 |
123,027 |
|
Kerry |
225,194 |
209,812 |
199,808 |
93,365 |
|
Kildare |
256,976 |
239,937 |
153,538 |
140,296 |
|
Kilkenny |
255,634 |
186,532 |
61,553 |
109,970 |
|
Laois |
183,944 |
179,625 |
33,657 |
104,298 |
|
Leitrim |
155,296 |
146,975 |
39,913 |
99,128 |
|
Limerick |
582,903 |
373,516 |
280,694 |
185,601 |
|
Longford |
164,167 |
160,308 |
45,107 |
76,285 |
|
Louth |
464,109 |
199,305 |
57,520 |
120,890 |
|
Mayo |
297,905 |
202,903 |
153,133 |
120,329 |
|
Meath |
244,139 |
227,769 |
70,857 |
132,916 |
|
Monaghan |
183,502 |
170,294 |
101,819 |
98,042 |
|
Offaly |
191,449 |
177,825 |
100,316 |
84,184 |
|
Roscommon |
176,050 |
171,959 |
38,963 |
114,916 |
|
Sligo |
216,704 |
172,576 |
85,965 |
94,850 |
|
Tipperary |
446,694 |
358,152 |
369,395 |
228,779 |
|
Waterford |
344,646 |
337,253 |
245,051 |
121,863 |
|
Westmeath |
321,096 |
182,231 |
105,754 |
98,000 |
|
Wexford |
225,105 |
209,727 |
144,664 |
200,547 |
|
Wicklow |
220,848 |
205,693 |
97,477 |
110,598 |
|
Total |
9,350,000 |
7,109,000 |
4,372,324 |
4,323,246 |
Table 2: LEO Capital Allocations 2015 and Expenditure End June 2015 and End Dec 2015
|
LEO |
Final 2015 M1 Budget Allocation (€) |
Final 2015 M2 Budget Allocation (€) |
M1 Expenditure (Jan 15 to End Jun 15) (€) |
M2 Expenditure incl. IBYE (Jan 15 to End Jun 15) (€) |
2015 M1 Expenditure (Full Year) (€) |
2015 M2 Expenditure incl. IBYE (Full Year) (€) |
|
Carlow |
191,585 |
182,266 |
40,297 |
137,808 |
195,636 |
310,306 |
|
Cavan |
300,328 |
181,298 |
101,659 |
345,261 |
303,796 |
366,562 |
|
Clare |
476,308 |
202,973 |
93,011 |
46,778 |
351,182 |
271,566 |
|
Cork City |
202,274 |
203,971 |
99,855 |
140,771 |
199,041 |
342,760 |
|
Cork North/ West |
456,645 |
368,784 |
76,909 |
226,032 |
298,678 |
660,360 |
|
Cork South |
630,427 |
274,049 |
173,976 |
255,270 |
425,156 |
422,886 |
|
Donegal |
222,302 |
224,662 |
93,008 |
121,840 |
233,088 |
394,172 |
|
Dublin City |
626,035 |
404,147 |
206,888 |
207,947 |
602,065 |
507,834 |
|
Dublin South |
326,996 |
276,001 |
182,031 |
190,982 |
375,977 |
410,369 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown |
289,263 |
267,227 |
214,340 |
251,516 |
390,449 |
529,532 |
|
Fingal |
570,751 |
279,880 |
306,474 |
214,232 |
698,616 |
585,818 |
|
Galway |
265,021 |
268,795 |
43,110 |
97,274 |
223,870 |
381,668 |
|
Kerry |
274,733 |
226,842 |
46,419 |
134,109 |
285,394 |
278,518 |
|
Kildare |
245,674 |
248,807 |
67,875 |
165,763 |
214,422 |
407,100 |
|
Kilkenny |
246,047 |
192,372 |
90,994 |
122,761 |
243,868 |
324,531 |
|
Laois |
183,944 |
185,033 |
108,034 |
128,523 |
244,659 |
197,881 |
|
Leitrim |
167,105 |
146,975 |
90,576 |
116,570 |
213,628 |
313,891 |
|
Limerick |
672,374 |
385,033 |
339,757 |
188,902 |
725,223 |
554,054 |
|
Longford |
164,167 |
164,602 |
35,889 |
76,925 |
182,677 |
187,273 |
|
Louth |
494,131 |
205,890 |
52,723 |
142,771 |
195,023 |
227,593 |
|
Mayo |
357,823 |
209,703 |
174,393 |
164,202 |
279,505 |
400,073 |
|
Meath |
233,317 |
236,042 |
73,664 |
189,952 |
166,085 |
334,562 |
|
Monaghan |
174,427 |
175,202 |
109,046 |
82,392 |
208,518 |
247,272 |
|
Offaly |
182,203 |
183,235 |
142,759 |
112,726 |
292,979 |
189,903 |
|
Roscommon |
192,550 |
176,878 |
57,067 |
78,689 |
225,659 |
152,723 |
|
Sligo |
216,704 |
187,554 |
66,901 |
100,692 |
170,702 |
302,934 |
|
Tipperary |
516,808 |
368,952 |
329,905 |
144,040 |
686,295 |
571,637 |
|
Waterford |
345,383 |
346,818 |
208,489 |
140,491 |
396,950 |
374,124 |
|
Westmeath |
391,567 |
187,743 |
104,856 |
93,584 |
321,587 |
291,887 |
|
Wexford |
214,840 |
216,953 |
70,515 |
198,368 |
303,780 |
410,228 |
|
Wicklow |
340,634 |
222,607 |
123,036 |
150,626 |
393,945 |
349,196 |
|
Total |
8,332,366 |
7,401,294 |
3,924,457 |
4,767,797 |
10,048,453 |
11,299,213 |
1862. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of inspections carried out by the workplace relations bodies on a county basis in each month in 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016; the number of prosecutions undertaken in each county during that time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24352/16]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body which was established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC has responsibility for information provision, workplace advice, mediation, conciliation, adjudication, inspection and enforcement in relation to employment rights, equality and equal status matters and industrial relations.
The WRC assumes the roles and functions previously carried out by the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), Equality Tribunal (ET), Labour Relations Commission (LRC), Rights Commissioners Service (RCS), and the first-instance (Complaints and Referrals) functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT).
Inspectors of the WRC carry out inspections of employer records with a view to determining compliance with employment rights and employment permits legislation. These inspections arise:
- In response to complaints received of alleged non-compliance with relevant employment rights legislation;
- As part of compliance campaigns which focus on compliance in specific sectors or specific pieces of legislation, or
- As routine inspections, which act as a control measure.
The WRC’s aim is to achieve voluntary compliance with employment law through the provision of education and awareness, inspection of employers’ employment records and enforcement where necessary.
Details in relation to the number of inspections and prosecutions undertaken in each county during 2014 and to end July 2016 are provided in the following tables (a monthly breakdown of the figures for inspections undertaken is not available):
Inspections concluded:
|
2016 (To 31 July) |
2015 |
2014 |
|
|
CARLOW |
8 |
71 |
53 |
|
CAVAN |
67 |
134 |
137 |
|
CLARE |
82 |
242 |
217 |
|
CORK |
213 |
287 |
304 |
|
DONEGAL |
84 |
184 |
153 |
|
DUBLIN |
566 |
977 |
1,021 |
|
GALWAY |
275 |
410 |
420 |
|
KERRY |
64 |
51 |
59 |
|
KILDARE |
106 |
246 |
316 |
|
KILKENNY |
60 |
91 |
158 |
|
LAOIS |
39 |
85 |
124 |
|
LEITRIM |
18 |
24 |
23 |
|
LIMERICK |
150 |
347 |
546 |
|
LONGFORD |
32 |
76 |
73 |
|
LOUTH |
101 |
182 |
121 |
|
MAYO |
83 |
154 |
146 |
|
MEATH |
72 |
143 |
120 |
|
MONAGHAN |
47 |
77 |
82 |
|
OFFALY |
38 |
91 |
57 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
50 |
72 |
85 |
|
SLIGO |
33 |
58 |
57 |
|
TIPPERARY |
95 |
241 |
224 |
|
WATERFORD |
145 |
166 |
115 |
|
WESTMEATH |
52 |
133 |
153 |
|
WEXFORD |
133 |
299 |
337 |
|
WICKLOW |
184 |
344 |
490 |
|
TOTAL |
2,797 |
5,185 |
5,591 |
Prosecutions ( actual convictions secured):
|
2016 (To 31 July) |
2015 |
2014 |
|
|
CARLOW |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
CAVAN |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
CLARE |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
CORK |
0 |
7 |
1 |
|
DONEGAL |
2 |
6 |
1 |
|
DUBLIN |
1 |
13 |
24 |
|
GALWAY |
1 |
5 |
3 |
|
KERRY |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
KILDARE |
10 |
9 |
5 |
|
KILKENNY |
0 |
5 |
6 |
|
LAOIS |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
LEITRIM |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
LIMERICK |
1 |
4 |
3 |
|
LONGFORD |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
LOUTH |
0 |
3 |
1 |
|
MAYO |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
MEATH |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
MONAGHAN |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
OFFALY |
5 |
15 |
4 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
SLIGO |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
TIPPERARY |
6 |
5 |
6 |
|
WATERFORD |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
WESTMEATH |
1 |
6 |
3 |
|
WEXFORD |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
WICKLOW |
2 |
7 |
8 |
|
TOTAL |
50 |
106 |
84 |
1863. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to protect jobs at a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24353/16]
View answer1885. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funding provided to a company (details supplied) by the IDA or by any other State agency; if she will request that the company make any repayment in view of their decision to close their facility in Dundalk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25636/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1863 and 1885 together.
The company in question have to vacate their current premises where they have been tenants. IDA has made very significant efforts to ensure that the company found alternative accommodation. In the course of its research, the company visited a range of potential premises, including facilities in Dundalk and elsewhere in the region, but unfortunately the company decided to close its operations and not move to a new location. You will appreciate that the final decision in such cases is made by the company in what they see as the wider interests of their business.
IDA Ireland has been particularly successful in attracting new projects to Dundalk over recent years with a very significant number of new jobs now located there. One of those new companies has in fact announced expansion plans to utilise the space to be vacated by the company which is ceasing operations and this is a very welcome development. Of course IDA will continue to promote Dundalk generally for future investment by existing and new companies.
In terms of State grant support for this company in Dundalk, IDA Ireland has paid total grant support to date of €846,800, all of which is repayable in the event of closure.
1864. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of take up of the Innovation Fund Ireland to date in each year since its establishment; the number of jobs supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24354/16]
View answerInnovation Fund Ireland is an Irish Government initiative designed to attract leading international venture capital fund managers to Ireland to complement the domestic venture capital sector. Innovation Fund Ireland funding involved Enterprise Ireland and NPRF investing together and separately. The NPRF has now been reconstituted as the Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF). The dual mandate of the ISIF – investment return and Irish economic impact – represents a new “double bottom line” approach to investing and will require all transactions to generate both risk adjusted commercial returns and economic impact in Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland and ISIF have committed up to €125m each to make commitments to international Venture Fund Managers. These funds commit to establishing a presence in the Irish market and agree to invest, at a minimum, the equivalent of Enterprise Ireland’s contribution, over the lifetime of the fund in Irish companies or companies with significant operations in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland issued two open competitive calls for proposals. To receive an investment through Innovation Fund Ireland, venture capital fund managers must meet, at a minimum, the following criteria to be considered for investment:
- An established global profile and network with a reputation for market leadership in venture capital investment.
- A proven track record of raising funds and generating superior returns for investors.
- A capacity to access high potential international investment opportunities with an investment team capable of attracting world-class entrepreneurs.
- An intention to establish a new and substantial presence in the venture capital market in Ireland and a willingness to invest a meaningful proportion of their venture capital fund in Irish companies or companies with significant Irish operations.
Enterprise Ireland alongside the ISIF/NPRF has made commitments to four Venture Capital funds including Sofinnova, Highland Venture Capital Europe and Lightstone Ventures. Two of these funds have ceased investing in new opportunities (having met their commitments to invest in Ireland) while the remaining two funds are activity looking for opportunities.
Separately the NPRF/ISIF made a number of commitments to other funds including Polaris and DFJ Esprit. The ISIF report to the Department of Finance and not my Department. Separately, the ISIF issued their economic impact report: http://www.ntma.ie/business-areas/ireland-strategic-investment-fund/
Enterprise Ireland has informed me that it has recently concluded the data gathering phase to capture Innovation Fund Ireland investment activity in H1 2016 and is currently analysing the data which will be available shortly.
Table 1 outlines the levels of investment in Irish companies to the end of 2015.
|
Year |
No of investments (IRL) |
Amount |
No. Companies |
|
2013 |
2 |
€7,447,620 |
2 |
|
2014 |
3 |
€32,169,146 |
2 |
|
2015 |
12 |
€13,637,101 |
4 |
|
Grand Total |
17 |
€53,253,866 |
8 |
Table 2 outlines the economic profile of the companies in recent of investment as of the year end 2015.
|
Type |
Direct IRL Employment (FTE) |
Turnover |
Exports |
|
IFI |
139 |
€43.3m |
€39.2m |
|
Grand Total |
139 |
€43.3m |
€39.2m |
Economic Impact Data 2015- IFI
1865. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the grant scheme, if any, available to develop community enterprise centres and the application process in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24392/16]
View answerLast year, the Government announced details of the 5-year, €250million Regional Action Plan for Jobs, aimed at accelerating the jobs recovery in every part of the country. Under the Regional Plan, Enterprise Ireland launched a competitive call, the Community Enterprise Initiatives Fund, with a budget of €5 million over two years, which focused on community-driven enterprise initiatives and how all the local players, public and private, can work together to maximise job creation. The Fund was open to organisations or groups of organisations with innovative ideas to create jobs, promote entrepreneurship, boost innovation or enhance exports. Enterprise Ireland announced, on 1 June, the applicants that were offered funding for their proposals under the first call for the Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme.
I am determined to support the regions to help them to achieve their potential and ambition. In that regard, I would point out that Enterprise Ireland will issue a 2nd call under the Community Enterprise Initiative later this year. This new call will be open to those that may have been unsuccessful under the first call for proposals and also to new applicants. Enterprise Ireland will work with all applicants that apply for funding under the second call for proposals. This will again be a competitive fund, due to limited funding, and as such it may not be possible to award aid to all eligible projects.
I will engage closely with Enterprise Ireland to continue to roll out a series of new competitive regional funding initiatives that deliver on the potential of local and regional strengths; and promote collaboration among the various public and private interests to create new enterprises and jobs.
1866. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of visits the IDA has made to counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24418/16]
View answerIDA Ireland markets Cavan and Monaghan as part of its North East Region along with Louth. To date in 2016, there have been 12 site visits to the region, one of which was to Cavan, one to Monaghan and the remainder to Louth. In 2015 there were 22 site visits to the area, with 2 to Monaghan and the remainder to Louth. It must be borne in mind that site visit numbers are not an accurate reflection of all foreign direct investment (FDI) activity, especially as approximately 70% of all new FDI comes from existing IDA Ireland client companies.
There are 33 multinational companies based in the North East, employing 4,556 people across the region. Of these jobs 1165 are based in Cavan, 146 in Monaghan with the remainder in Louth. IDA Ireland positions the North East as having strong clusters in international business services and manufacturing, given the presence there of companies like National Pen, Liberty Mutual, Becton Dickinson and Wellman. These international brands serve as an attraction to other companies potentially seeking to locate to the North East.
IDA Ireland is committed to the Action Plan for Jobs, as published in 2015, which includes a number of targets specific to the North East Region, including:
- Achieving an increase of at least 25% in the number of start-ups, and a 25% improvement in the survival rate of new businesses.
- Increasing the number of IDA investments there by 30-40% up to 2019. This would result in a minimum of 61 additional projects for the North East/North West region by 2019.
- Developing a value proposition for the North East/North West aimed at securing potential “second site” investments from companies with large scale existing operations in Dublin.
1867. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of credit cards issued to Ministers and officials working in her Department; the amount spent on credit cards by her Department in 2014 and in 2015; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24745/16]
View answerCredit cards are issued to three business units in my Department to facilitate on-line purchases via electronic transactions. The cards are issued in the name of three senior officers within the following business areas: (i) Information Technology and Communications Unit (ii) Business Services Unit and (iii) Finance Unit.
The following table details the total amount expended by officials working in my Department by credit card in 2014 and 2015:
|
Year |
On-line Purchases |
Bank Charges |
Interest |
Stamp Duty |
Total |
|
2014 |
8,329.38 |
114.46 |
17.33 |
90.00 |
€8,551.17 |
|
2015 |
2,418.14 |
93.00 |
nil |
90.00 |
€2,601.14 |
All purchases made by credit card must be approved at Assistant Secretary level. Officials in my Department who are required to make a transaction using a credit card, must complete an approval form titled ‘Application for use of Departments Credit Card’ to be given to the card-holder who will undertake the transaction. The form must be appropriately endorsed with the signature of the Assistant Secretary concerned.
Purchases can only be made on completion of the proper approval as outlined and, wherever it might apply, such purchases must be compliant with all relevant procurement guidelines and procedures together with any other Departmental or local procurement rules.
On receipt of the goods/service, a Payment Authorisation Form (PAF) is completed and forwarded to my Department’s Finance Unit for payment. This form is completed and the payment approved by an officer at an appropriate grade with reference to the Department’s payment authorisation limits.
The controls in place and monitoring of expenditure on personally held credit cards in each agency of my Department are a function for the agency concerned.
Credit card statements in respect of the three cards held by my Department are issued each month by the service provider to my Department’s Finance Officer. There is a continuous review of procedures and monitoring of expenditure in relation to the three credit cards held by my Department.
1868. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of credit cards issued to staff working in each State agency funded by her Department, in tabular form; the number of cards per funded agency; the amount spent by credit card in 2014 and 2015 by each agency; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24760/16]
View answer1869. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of credit cards issued to staff working in any third party agency funded by her Department, in tabular form; the number of cards per funded agency; the amount spent by credit card in 2014 and 2015 by each agency; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work related expense; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24775/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1868 and 1869 together.
Details relating to the use of credit cards issued to staff in State agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day operational matter for the agencies concerned and not one in which I have a direct function. I have asked the agencies under the aegis of my Department to advise me of the information sought and I will communicate this to the Deputy.
1870. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when she will transpose into law the EU Accounting Directive; the method and timeframe in which this will occur; when the FRS105 standard will be accessible to micro entities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24822/16]
View answerThe Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016, which was published on 5th August last, will transpose Directive 2013/34/EU (the EU Accounting Directive) into Irish legislation.
I plan to initiate the Bill in the Dáil at the earliest opportunity after the recess. The timeframe for passage and enactment thereafter will depend on the availability of parliamentary time.
FRS 105 is the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the Micro-entities Regime.
The Bill introduces provisions for a new category of micro company, which is a subset of the category of small company. Accordingly, FRS 105 will be available to micro companies once the Bill is enacted and commenced.
1871. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the practice of retail outlets which charge a fee per transaction when selling Bord Gáis pre-pay top-up cards; and if there is regulation in regard to such surcharges, for example, a maximum fee amount that can be charged per transaction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24931/16]
View answerMy responsibility for the regulation of payment surcharges relates solely to the provisions of general application to such surcharges in the European Union (Consumer Information, Cancellation and Other Rights) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 484 of 2013). Regulation 25 of the Regulations provides that a trader shall not charge a consumer, in respect of the use of a given means of payment, fees that exceed the cost borne by the trader for the use of that means of payment. Enforcement of the Regulations is the responsibility of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission which is fully independent in the exercise of its enforcement functions.
The pre-pay top-up cards referred to in the Deputy’s question apply in connection with the Pay as You Go Metering System developed by the Commission for Energy Regulation and which is governed by codes of practice based on guidance from the Commission. Questions specific to payment charges for top-ups to gas or electricity pre-pay cards should be addressed to the Commission for Energy Regulation or the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment.
1872. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the methodology used to underpin the job impact statement made by IDA Ireland on 6 January 2016 that for every ten jobs generated by foreign direct investment another seven are generated in the wider economy; the data utilised by IDA Ireland that leads it to this conclusion; the employment sectors that benefit most from the seven secondary jobs generated by every ten jobs created through foreign direct investment; the way IDA Ireland concludes that the relationship between the seven secondary jobs for every ten foreign direct investment primary jobs is one of causation and not correlation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24995/16]
View answerForeign direct investment helps to develop capabilities and critical mass in sectors and to enhance Ireland’s innovative capabilities. It also contributes to greater productivity and value added as well as to regional economic development. IDA Ireland client firms created almost 19,000 direct gross new jobs in 2015, resulting in a net of 11,833 jobs (when job losses are taken into account). This has been an excellent performance coming on the back of a deep economic downturn and continued international uncertainty.
The exporting sector, including foreign owned multinationals operating from Ireland to serve international markets, impacts on the wider economy through re-invested profits and expenditure of wages, materials and services. It also generates significant downstream effects in areas such as sub-supply and secondary employment. This impact can be calculated in terms of a multiplier. The value of the multiplier depends upon the percentage of extra money that is spent within the domestic economy.
The estimate of seven indirect jobs for every ten direct jobs is based on research and analysis undertaken by Indecon International Research Economists for IDA Ireland. The employment multipliers are derived from the Supply and Use and Input-Output tables for the Irish economy published by the CSO and cover all sectors of the Irish economy. Sectoral multipliers for employment are derived from these tables and then applied to IDA client firm employment data. The employment multipliers used include direct, indirect and induced impacts of IDA client firm activity (known as Type II Multipliers), taking account of demand on the suppliers and so on down the supply chain as well as induced impacts arising through the additional consumption that takes place as a result of the additional employment incomes created through the indirect impacts. It should be noted that Type II Indicators should be interpreted with caution, as they assume that all additional income generated through indirect employment is spent. Based on a robust methodology, sectoral employment multipliers were calculated and applied to the sectoral employment data IDA firms, and are set out in the following table.
Employment multipliers are best estimates as indicated in IDA’s statement and may be subject to small changes over time based on structural adjustments in the economy and the composition of the IDA client firm base.
Appendix I. Analysis of Employment Multiplier Impacts of IDA Ireland-Assisted Firms
|
Manufacturing Sector |
Employment Multiplier* |
|
|
Chemicals |
1.12 |
|
|
Food |
1.5 |
|
|
Metals & Engineering |
1.92 |
|
|
Computer, Electronic & Optical Equipment |
1.8 |
|
|
Medical/Dental instruments & supplies |
1.28 |
|
|
Miscellaneous Manufacturing |
2.33 |
|
|
International Services |
2.2 |
|
|
Financial Services |
1.16 |
|
|
Other** |
4.91 |
|
|
Total IDA Ireland |
1.72*** |
Source: Indecon analysis based on Forfás IDA/ABSEI data for 2008 and CSO Input-Output and Supply and Use Tables, 2005
* The employment multipliers are Type II and include both indirect and induced impacts
** Including clothing and textiles
*** The overall multiplier is derived through the ratio of the addition of the individual sectoral, economy-wide impacts to the total IDA Ireland direct employment
1873. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs IDA Ireland expects to be created by the recent announcement by a company (details supplied) that it plans to move €30 billion in assets here; if IDA Ireland expects an additional seven jobs for every ten jobs created by the movement of these assets; the county or counties which will benefit from the additional job creation, both primary and secondary, as a result of the movement of assets by the company; if she expects to attend any official openings of any new expansion, new offices or new premises in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24996/16]
View answerIDA Ireland is the agency responsible for the attraction and development of foreign direct investment in Ireland. The Agency is broadly focused on overseas manufacturing and internationally traded services and supports a range of overseas companies from small high growth businesses to large multinationals.
This company (JBS) is not an IDA client and I have not had any contact with it.
1874. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if and when a work permit will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25058/16]
View answerThe application for a new General Employment Permit referred to by the Deputy was acknowledged as received on 3rd February 2016, however, the application was subsequently rejected and the papers returned to the applicant as a result of failure to pay the applicable fee, despite this fee being requested on two occasions.
No further correspondence has been received by Employment Permits Section with regard to this application, however it is open to the applicant to reapply for an employment permit as appropriate.
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department has just recently commenced the roll out of the new online employment permits application service which will further improve the service and delivery times for all applicants.
1875. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she has received information from any source that employers have slashed workers' hours as a direct result of the increase in the minimum wage by 50 cent to €9.15; if she has been informed of this; if she was provided with evidence that employers slashed workers' hours as a direct result of the increase in the minimum wage by 50 cent to €9.15; if she was provided with this evidence, if she will make this evidence public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25060/16]
View answerI received the Second Report of the Low Pay Commission on the appropriate rate of the National Minimum Wage on the 19th of July 2016. The Commission indicated in its Report that sufficient data was not yet available to assess the impact of the increase of 50 cents per hour in the minimum wage from 1 January last, in terms of employment or on hours worked.
The Commission’s Report includes two minority statements from three members of the Commission. One of these statements indicates that during the course of the Commission’s work, several submissions made to it – both verbal and written – had raised the issue of the workers hours being reduced by employers as a result of the increase in the minimum wage.
The Commission’s Report (which includes the minority statements) and the written submissions received by the Commission are available to view on the Low Pay Commission website, www.lowpaycommission.ie.
1876. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she has had a rethink of the minimum wage issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25061/16]
View answerAs you will be aware Deputy, the current national minimum hourly rate of pay for an experienced adult worker is €9.15. This rate came into effect on January 1st last following Government acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s first recommendation of July 2015 to increase the rate from €8.65 per hour. As well as accepting the recommendation, the Government adjusted the PRSI system in Budget 2016 to ensure that the benefit of the increase was not lost to the employee and that the effect of the increase to €9.15 per hour on employer’s PRSI liability was mitigated.
The Commission’s second report which was submitted to Cabinet on July 19th recommends a rate of €9.25 as the national minimum hourly rate.
A decision on the national minimum wage will be made in the context of the Budget 2017.
1877. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when she will review the au pair deduction of €53.14 in respect of au pair accommodation and food to reflect normal accommodation and food costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25395/16]
View answerUnder the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 (National Minimum Hourly Rate of Pay) Order 2000 (SI No. 95/2000) certain reckonable components may be taken into account for all workers to determine an employee’s average hourly rate. The Act provides for the following amounts:
- €54.13 for board and lodgings per week, or €7.73 per day;
- €32.14 for board only per week, or €4.60 per day;
- €21.85 for lodgings only per week, or €3.14 per day.
You may be aware Deputy that during a recent debate on the Au Pair Placement Bill 2016 during Private Members Business, I indicated that given the passage of time since these rates were set in 2000, I thought it was now timely that their appropriateness be reviewed. I also indicated that I would be asking the Low Pay Commission to undertake this review. I am pleased to advise that I have written to the Chair of the Low Pay Commission in accordance with section 10C (4)(a) of the Act, requesting that this work be included in their 2017 work programme.
I look forward to the Low Pay Commission reporting back in relation to the appropriate level for these rates. The Commission is already engaged in reviewing the appropriateness of the sub-minima rates and the reasons behind the preponderance of women on the national minimum wage. I look forward to receiving those reports by the end of October next and following that the Commission will then proceed to report on the board and lodgings rates.
1878. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the landlords that her Department or bodies under her aegis paid rent to in each of the past three years; and the sums paid in each case. [25420/16]
View answerAccommodation for my Department is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by OPW on our behalf. Therefore, my Department does not directly own or rent any properties or land.
Any rents payable by Agencies of my Department is a matter for the individual Agencies concerned for which I have no direct function. However, I have asked all Agencies to advise me of any such rental details, and I will communicate that information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
1879. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA visits that have taken place in County Sligo in 2015 and 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25465/16]
View answer1880. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA visits that have taken place in County Leitrim in 2015 and in 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25466/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1879 and 1880 together.
There were eight IDA Ireland-sponsored site visits to Leitrim in 2015 and 15 to Sligo. The number of site visits to the counties to the end of the second quarter 2016 was two and seven respectively.
It is worth noting that the number of site visits only gives a suggestion of the amount of foreign direct investment activity in a county. Approximately 70% of all new FDI comes from existing IDA Ireland client companies.
Since 2015, IDA Ireland has been working towards targets set out in their strategy “Winning - Foreign Direct Investment 2015-2019”. For the first time, under this strategy, ambitious investment targets have been set on a regional basis whereby the Agency aims to increase the level of investment by between 30% to 40% in each region. The new strategy is already showing promise. The number of site visits to Leitrim in 2015 was four times that of 2014, when there were two visits to the county. The number of site visits in 2015 to Sligo was double that of 2014 when there were seven.
Site Visits to Leitrim and Sligo 2015 and to end Q2 2016
|
County |
2015 |
Cumulative to end Q2 16 |
|
Leitrim |
8 |
2 |
|
Sligo |
15 |
7 |
