Written Answers Nos. 257-269
258. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department or any of the agencies under her auspices were contacted regarding a reported incident (details supplied); the subsequent steps which were taken by her Department to investigate the incident in question; the discussions which were had with the owner of the property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6604/17]
View answerThe Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the national statutory body with responsibility for ensuring that the provisions on workplace health and safety in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 are implemented so that those affected by work activity are protected from work-related injury and ill health. The 2005 Act places a range of duties on undertakings and individuals to ensure as far as reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of employees. The statutory remit of the HSA in relation to fairgrounds is exclusively concerned with the protection of persons at work and the protection of others where a work activity is taking place or is imminent. This is determined by whether or not persons were engaged in or affected by a work activity at the time and place when an incident occurred.
The Authority does not have statutory responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of users of fairground equipment nor has it any role in the regulation of public safety where the operation of funfair equipment used by members of the public is concerned.
In relation to the specific incident referred to by the Deputy, I have been informed by the HSA that relatives of the individual involved in the incident did make contact with the HSA some weeks after the incident occurred. It was explained to them that the Authority had no legal basis to conduct an investigation in the matter as the particular incident did not occur as a result of work activity.
I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Mr Simon Coveney TD, has initiated a review of the role of his Department in relation to its responsibility for the regulatory regime covering the operation of fairground equipment and funfairs at section 239 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 particularly in respect of the specific legislative provisions relating to fairground equipment. I look forward to the outcome of the review.
259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which her Department proposes to distribute jobs throughout the economy on a regional basis to facilitate a balanced growth throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6631/17]
View answer264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she and her Department have identified job creation requirements throughout the regions, notwithstanding the commitments already in place; the locations in which further enhancement is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6636/17]
View answer265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she and her Department have identified the optimum number of jobs likely to be created or in need of creation throughout the regions outside of the greater Dublin area in the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6637/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 259, 264 and 265 together.
Since the first Action Plan for Jobs was launched in 2012, almost 190,000 more people are now at work across the country. 72% of all jobs created in the past year were created outside Dublin, with employment growing in all regions over the past year.
The success of the Regional Action Plans for Jobs is crucial to supporting the Government’s ambition to help create 200,000 additional jobs by 2020, including 135,000 outside Dublin. The Regional Action Plan initiative aims to support employment growth by working with local stakeholders to identify and develop each region’s own sectoral strengths and areas of economic opportunity.
A key objective of the plans is to have a further 10 to 15 per cent at work in each region by 2020. The targets for additional jobs to be created in each region is set out in the table:
|
Region |
Published Regional APJ targets by 2020 |
|
North East/North West |
28,000 |
|
Midland |
14,000 |
|
West |
25,000 |
|
Dublin |
66,000 |
|
Mid-East |
25,000 |
|
Mid-West |
23,000 |
|
South-East |
25,000 |
|
South-West |
40,000 |
|
State Total |
246,000 |
The first Progress Reports prepared by the 8 Regional Action Plan Implementation Committees have been published. While at an early stage, the reports show that good progress is being made in the implementation of the Regional APJs. All regions are on target to meet or exceed the job targets to be delivered by 2020.
In 2016, almost two thirds of new jobs created by Enterprise Ireland supported companies, and over half of those created by IDA supported companies, were outside Dublin. Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for 2017-2020 aims to create a further 60,000 jobs, while sustaining existing ones; IDA will continue to target a minimum increase in investment of 30% to 40% in each region outside Dublin to 2019.
To support the regional jobs agenda, I have ensured that additional funds will be made available through the enterprise development agencies out to 2020. In June 2016, I announced an initial allocation of €5m in competitive funding for 48 local and regional initiatives under two of these calls. All regions benefitted under this initiative.
My Department and Enterprise Ireland are finalising plans for a further regional funding initiative of up to €60m to support collaborative approaches to grow and sustain jobs across the regions. Additional funding of €150m is being made available to the IDA to support its Regional Property Programme and drive job creation in the multi-national sector.
260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which her Department, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland can plan for a worst case scenario in the aftermath of Brexit; if it is possible to make good any such losses by alternative means; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6632/17]
View answerThere is a whole of Government approach in place focusing on Brexit issues and my Department and its agencies are to the forefront of this effort. Over the past number of months, I have tasked my Department officials with making Brexit their number one priority.
In advance of the Referendum my Department conducted a contingency risk assessment of the potential impacts of Brexit across policy areas of my Department. We are continuing to refine our analysis post-Referendum and we have been working with Agencies to put in place actions to mitigate risks and maximize opportunities.
Enterprise Ireland are working intensively with their client base with a particular focus on:
- Consolidating and growing exports into the UK market;
- Expanding the Irish export global footprint, re-orienting towards N America, Canada, Asia and the Middle-East;
- Expanding the EI Export Platform.
IDA Ireland is continuing to work with its existing client base to assist and support them in their growth and expansion in Ireland. The IDA is also exploring the potential for winning more FDI on account of Brexit and the Agency and its staff are already working hard with this goal in mind.
At the many events I attend on a daily basis I am engaging with stakeholders listening to their views about challenges and opportunities particularly in the context of Brexit. I have met with a wide range of representative organisations, to hear their views.
In addition, my Department held a large stakeholder engagement event in Carrick-on-Shannon on 30 January where we heard the views of over 200 stakeholders. These engagements, along with a number of studies being undertaken through my department to determine the impact of Brexit on Ireland’s trading patterns provide essential intelligence for me, as I develop a response to Brexit that has the best interests of our citizens and companies at heart.
261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which she and her Department continue to be reassured regarding the protection of jobs arising from foreign direct investment here, notwithstanding European, United States and global political issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6633/17]
View answer262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she and her Department expect to be in a position to continue to attract foreign direct investment notwithstanding the geopolitical situations now arising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6634/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.
The State has a long track record – built up over 67 years by the work of IDA Ireland – in winning foreign direct investment (FDI) for the Irish people. Over that period, the world economy has changed shape many times, yet Ireland has remained an attractive destination for FDI. As the global investment climate continues to evolve, we will adapt accordingly – as we have done so in the past – and make sure that Ireland continues to secure new FDI projects and the jobs that go with them.
Our capacity to continue winning such new investment, despite geopolitical changes, will be aided by the underlying strengths of our FDI offering. These include our talented workforce, pro-enterprise business environment, first-rate education system and our proven track record as a home to global businesses. Our continued membership of the European Union and Eurozone has also become particularly important.
263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she and her Department have managed to secure assurances throughout the EU and beyond regarding the need for expanded market access through fair competition in the aftermath of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6635/17]
View answerThe UK’s exit negotiations from the EU will not commence until Article 50 has been triggered, which the UK Government have indicated they intend to do no later than the end of March 2017. These negotiations could take the maximum allowed period of two years to complete. Ultimately any deal on Article 50 will require the agreement of the EU Commission, Council and Parliament.
There is a whole of Government approach in place focusing on Brexit issues and my Department and its agencies are to the forefront of this effort.
It is hard to predict at this stage the full impact of Brexit. Much will depend on the nature of the future trade deal that will be negotiated between the EU and the UK. These negotiations are likely to be complex and multifaceted.
Promoting diversified export markets in light of the potential impacts of Brexit is a key priority for my Department. This includes markets that are growing and have scale as well as markets where we are already well established but with potential for further growth. The programme of trade missions and trade events for 2017 includes a substantive focus on the EU and third country markets. In 2017 we have 42 Minister led trade missions to existing and emerging markets. These have been reorientated to reflect an increased focus on EU markets.
The EU’s suite of Free Trade Agreements with 3rd Countries help to open new markets, break down barriers and provide new opportunities for Irish firms. These existing EU Agreements and new trade deals will continue to be important for Ireland. With a small domestic market, further expansion in other markets is essential to our continued economic growth.
Ireland will continue to support the EU’s ambitious programme of negotiating new Free Trade Agreements giving Irish Firms expanded market access and a predictable trading environment in third countries.
Enterprise Ireland is consistently working with client companies focussing on enhancing their competitiveness, capability and levels of innovation to assist them to diversify into new markets.
266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she and her Department are alert to the possibility of a global trade war; the extent to which the economy can be protected in such a situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6638/17]
View answerI am well aware of the shifting and evolving global challenges which may affect trade and investment in the future. Understanding the needs of business in their drive to succeed is fundamental to Ireland’s economic success and especially in these times of global turbulence.
This will continue to be a central feature of our enterprise and trade policies. No open economy like ours can be fully shielded against global impacts. I am confident however that we have the right policies to build resilience where possible and firmly strengthen our competitiveness and innovative capacity, thus ensuring the economy is properly positioned to meet any external challenges.
267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which possible trade agreements between the EU and US are likely to be explored in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6639/17]
View answerThere have been 15 rounds to date in the EU-US partnership agreement negotiations. Following the recent US Presidential election and the change of administration there is expected to be a pause in the negotiation for quite some time.
On the 17th January 2017, the Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and United States Trade Representative Michael Froman published a joint assessment of the progress made in the negotiations for an EU-US FTA since negotiations started in July 2013. The text of the joint EU-US report is available on the EU Commission’s website at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=1613 .
The joint EU-US report outlines progress made in all areas of the talks, namely on better access to markets for EU and US firms, on simplifying technical regulations without lowering standards and on global rules of trade, including sustainable development, labour and the environment with a dedicated chapter on smaller firms. In addition to outlining the common ground reached, the report also identifies the areas where significant work remains to resolve differences, including improving access to public procurement markets, recognition of qualifications, providing strong investment protection that preserves the right to regulate, reconciling approaches to trademarks and geographical indications, how to structure commitments on data flows and differences on sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
President Trump has not referred to TTIP directly so uncertainty remains, however the new US administration has indicated it favours bilateral trade deals with individual countries.
The EU Commission has written to President Trump extending an invitation to visit Europe for an EU - US Summit to chart the course of our relations for the next four years.
268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the needs of urgently required skills in the workforce continue to be facilitated by way of work permits; the extent to which adequate procedures are in place to meet the demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6641/17]
View answerThe State's general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the EU and other EEA states. The employment permits system is intended to offer an interim solution where specific skills prove difficult to source within the EEA; it offers a conduit into the Irish labour market for non-EEA nationals with in-demand skills and is operated as a vacancy led system.
Changes to access to the Irish labour market for specific occupations via the employment permits system are made on the basis of research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) in tandem with a consultation process, as part of a package of measures to meet those skills needs.
The education system plays a critical role in delivering many of those measures, and any changes to the lists managing the eligibility of specific occupations for employment permits are made with due regard not only to their potential impacts on the resident labour market but also to upskilling and training that is in place.
The bi-annual review of the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List and the Ineligible Categories of Employment List ensures that access to the global labour market for Irish employers experiencing skill shortages is focused on the State’s current skills needs.
The demand for employment permits has risen by circa 300% since 2013. Over this period a number of initiatives have been introduced to address the increase in demand including conducting a business process review, the introduction of a Trusted Partner Initiative, the provision of an online Status Query facility and the launch of an online application system. Further actions will be taken in 2017 to respond to the increased demand which reflects positive labour market tightening in the economy.
269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she expects Irish manufacturing and services industries to remain competitive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6642/17]
View answerThe Action Plan for Jobs is having a positive impact on employment in the economy, since the first Plan was launched in early 2012. As of Q3 2016, there were an additional 190,000 at work in the economy since the launch of the first Action Plan for Jobs, which achieved and exceeded the Government’s target of 100,000 extra at work by 2016. The services sector made the largest contribution to the achievement of the Government’s job creation targets. Following a number of years of decline in employment from 2007, I am pleased to report that the manufacturing sector has also recorded increases in job numbers since 2011. Exports of Enterprise Ireland supported firms are estimated to have reached a new record of €23bn in 2016.
To achieve our ambition of sustainable full employment, jobs growth in export oriented manufacturing and services businesses will be essential over the coming years. Manufacturing is key focus in the Government's long term enterprise policy, Enterprise 2025 and also of the Regional Action Plans for Jobs. There are a range of measures designed to support industry growth including encouraging entrepreneurship, further improving our skills base, improving access to finance by SMEs and supporting indigenous companies and foreign-owned manufacturing companies to transform their businesses and to improve their productivity and competitiveness. These initiatives are important to growing and sustaining the competitiveness of existing enterprises, to sustaining employment and to attracting new investment and I am confident that both manufacturing and services sectors can continue to improve their competitiveness in international markets.
