Written Answers Nos. 1-32
7. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of companies Enterprise Ireland is currently assisting in diversifying their export markets to reduce reliance on Britain in the wake of Brexit. [14460/17]
View answerThere are 1,500 Enterprise Ireland (EI) client companies recording exports to the UK. They employ 100,000 people across the country and have exports of over €7 billion.
In Budget 2017, I secured additional monies, both current and capital, to support Enterprise Ireland’s strategic response to Brexit, including 39 targeted posts, both at home and abroad to support its clients across all markets.
Extra staff will be placed in EI’s domestic and overseas offices with sectoral knowledge and expertise such as in engineering, food, life sciences and construction. This will drive export growth to other international markets where there are known opportunities, and will reduce reliance on the UK.
With regard to export diversification, the EU and the Eurozone in particular present significant opportunities. EI is currently finalising a strategy focused on the Eurozone, targeting a 50% increase in exports by 2020.
Furthermore, the US and Canada will continue to be key markets for Irish companies. We will also continue to support companies to build their market share in high potential markets of China, South Korea, India, Asean, the Gulf, Latin America and Africa.
These client companies are spread right across the regions. EI’s support to increase and diversify their export footprint in turn drives regional employment growth.
14. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress to date in advancing a project (details supplied); if she will ensure that IDA Ireland gives a particular focus to the Border region in trying to attract this investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14443/17]
View answerI understand that Cavan will be included in a study, currently being commissioned by IDA Ireland, to identify potential strategic land banks for the sustainable development of large-scale data centre projects. This will evaluate all viable land options nationally and will be conducted over a number of stages. For a site to be considered suitable, I understand that it must be both supported by the necessary infrastructure and compatible with the evolving needs of data centre investments.
This study is part of IDA Ireland's wider strategy to ensure that Ireland and its regions are best able to win and sustain mobile data centre investments of scale. In recent times companies including Facebook, Apple, Microsoft and Google have announced significant data centre investments for Ireland and the goal is to ensure that this trend continues.
More broadly, I regularly engage with stakeholders from the area and, on 19 January, I hosted a large delegation of elected representatives from Cavan and Monaghan to discuss issues around investment and job creation in the region.
15. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied with the level of funding allocated to the programme for research in third level institutions on an annual basis in 2017; and the amount of funding that has been ring-fenced for research and frontier research in 2017. [14450/17]
View answerThe Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) has involved €1.2 billion investment of private and public investment. It has supported the provision of top-class research infrastructure (buildings, laboratories and cutting edge equipment) as well as human capital development, through Structured PhD programmes across Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). It has facilitated Ireland in producing world class research in key strategic areas and has provided the base infrastructure for research teams funded by Science Foundation Ireland and other funders.
In 2017, PRTLI has an allocation in my Department's Vote of €14.4m. The annual allocation to PRTLI has been reducing in recent years as we are discharging the remaining liabilities for projects funded under Cycle 5 of the programme. In addition to the PRTLI allocation, my Department is also allocating €162.5 million to Science Foundation Ireland in 2017 to fund oriented basic and applied research. SFI does not predetermine or “ring fence” specific funding allocation for basic or applied research. Funding decisions are made through international peer review on the basis of research excellence and impact.
In addition in 2017 my Department has allocated a further €122m to Enterprise Ireland specifically to support investment in research, development and innovation in Irish enterprise. The IDA also invests in RDI through its R&D Grants, with a total of €55.6m in investment in this area in 2015.
Innovation 2020, Ireland’s strategy for research and innovation, provides for the establishment of a new programme to fund frontier research across all disciplines and all career stages. The Irish Research Council (an agency of the Department of Education and Skills) has responsibility for developing and implementing this Programme.
16. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the work of IDA Ireland in marketing County Kildare as a jobs location in the past five years; the number of site visits that have taken place in that time and other initiatives that have taken place to contribute to highlighting County Kildare as a destination for new businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14430/17]
View answerAccording to the 2016 Annual Employment Survey, conducted by my Department, there are 23 IDA supported client companies, employing 10,139 staff in County Kildare. Under IDA’s strategy, the Agency aims to increase investment by 30-40% in each region outside of Dublin by 2019.
From 2012 to 2016, there were 18 site visits to Kildare. Visits to the county rose from one in 2014 to eight in 2016. Data on site visits is collated on a quarterly basis. Q1 2017 figures will be available next month.
Kildare is a part of the Mid-East region along with Meath and Wicklow, and has the lowest unemployment rate in the State at just 5.3%. The Mid East Action Plan for Jobs was launched in January 2016, and aimed to increase employment in the region by 10-15% over the course of the Plan to 2020. The first progress report which was published in Q4 2016 shows the significant progress made to date. 163 of the Plan’s actions are currently underway. IDA Ireland has appointed a dedicated Regional Business Development Manager for the Mid East and an additional 2,100 people entered employment in the last quarter of 2016 alone.
Site Visits to Kildare 2012-2016
|
Kildare Site Visits |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
17. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the Succeed in Ireland scheme; if she will direct IDA Ireland to suspend any proposals to deny the operating contract of the scheme to ConnectIreland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14418/17]
View answerThe Succeed-in-Ireland initiative has been operated by ConnectIreland on the basis of a contract with IDA Ireland that was originally agreed in March 2012. The contract, which was extended by 12 months in March 2016, is now set to conclude on 26 March. I understand that it would not be permissible for any further extension to be granted on account of public procurement law.
The Board of IDA Ireland, at its meeting in November 2016, did consider the future of the initiative. It decided that the Agency would not re-tender for its continuation at this stage. A definitive decision was not taken, however, on the ultimate future of The Succeed-in-Ireland programme.
I have asked my Department to commission a review of the initiative after the conclusion of the current contract. This will help provide us with a better understanding of Succed-in-Ireland's results and its wider contribution to employment generation in the State. The review may also consider the development of a new programme. I believe it is important that this review be undertaken before a determination is made on how we proceed.
18. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her contingency plans to assist small and medium enterprises operating on both sides of the Border in view of the uncertainty surrounding Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14424/17]
View answerAt this stage it is not possible to predict with certainty the extent of Brexit for SMEs trading across the border. Much will depend on the nature of the deal that will be negotiated between the UK and the EU. This Government will seek, during that process, to highlight our unique economic ties with Northern Ireland.
The Government is very conscious of the specific challenges facing businesses in the border region who export to Northern Ireland. To help address this issue it has provided additional resources to InterTrade Ireland, the Cross Border Body which has specific responsibility for developing Cross Border Trade, in order to enable that Body to provide additional services and support to such companies. Inter Trade Ireland has commissioned a study by the ESRI which will improve our understanding of the impact of different trade and tariff regimes which might be imposed following Brexit. This study will also provide useful data on the extent and concentration of cross border trade, including information on this trade by product and firm type as well as barriers to trade. Inter Trade Ireland, in their day to day operations are very successful in fostering cross border trade. For example in 2016, the Body had a job creation impact of 2,339, it helped 79 companies to innovate for the first time and helped 88 companies to export for the first time.
Both Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) have initiated a series of actions to assist their client companies.
I am actively engaged with our Agencies to ensure that Irish jobs are maintained and created in the context of the challenges and opportunities which Brexit presents for us. I chair a Brexit Coordination Group, which includes the senior management of my Department and the CEOs of relevant agencies. I also recently organised an engagement event in Carrick on Shannon, to hear the views of stakeholders, both directly and through representative bodies.
19. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the key measures in the Action Plan for Jobs 2017 for persons with disabilities. [14449/17]
View answerSince the first Action Plan for Jobs was launched in early 2012, almost 206,000 more people are at work. Over 66,000 jobs were created during 2016. Employment growth is spread across all regions and all sectors of the economy and society.
In February, we published the Action Plan for Jobs 2017. This Government's goal is to ensure that all of our people have the opportunity to enjoy rewarding work and to participate and contribute to their full potential to our economy and society.
The 2017 Action Plan sets out a whole of Government response to secure employment and retain jobs in the face of global uncertainty by strengthening the resilience and agility of our enterprise base. In developing APJ 2017, I had a number of discussions with my colleague Minister Finian McGrath T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Disabilities and with representatives of the disability sector. Minister McGrath will shortly publish a new strategy Make Work Pay to address the under-representation of people with disabilities in the workforce.
The 2017 Plan commits to the implementation of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities and ensures that people who are able to, and want to work are supported and enabled. This strategy falls under the remit of the Department for Justice and Equality. There are a range of measures to equip people with the skills to avail of job opportunities as they arise, including activation measures under Pathways to Work. The Government is also committed to increasing the target for employees with disabilities in the public sector towards 6 per cent by 2024 from the current level of 3.5%.
We will continue to work across Government to ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate fully in the workforce.
20. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to maximise Irish food and drink exporters' opportunities to fill the potential void in British exports to the EU as a result of Brexit; her views on whether her Department has been allocated enough extra spending to support this; if consideration will be given to putting in place an export fund to assist exporters replace the reduction in goods that the UK currently exports to Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14458/17]
View answerAs part of 2017 Budget negotiations, I successfully secured a €100 million increase in the Department’s expenditure ceilings by year end 2016 and for 2017. This includes €3 million which is specifically for “Brexit” related posts across the Department and its Agencies. Part of this funding will support 39 targeted posts in Enterprise Ireland, located both at home and abroad, to support its clients across all markets.
While Enterprise Ireland supports companies in the Food and Drink sector in Ireland, Bord Bia under the Department of Agriculture and Food works with these companies to access overseas markets. Both Agencies work closely together.
While the UK remains a key market, Enterprise Ireland is also working closely with Irish Food and Drink companies to build on their international reputation for product excellence and to drive growth in other key markets such as the Eurozone, Canada, the US and Asia.
In summary, the key focus is on supporting companies through:
1. Greater competitiveness
2. Markets diversification
3. More innovation
4. Better risk management and strategic financial skills.
My Department, working closely with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), EI and various stakeholders, has conducted a structured engagement with a large and diverse range of companies, to ascertain what, if any, impact Brexit is having on their business. This detailed work will provide a strong evidence base for the development of appropriate, tailored and targeted responses to support real business needs. Work on the data is well advanced and I will shortly be considering what options, in addition to those already being provided by the Agencies, should be introduced.
21. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of current work by her Department and agencies under its aegis regarding Brexit, protecting jobs and attracting new jobs here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14412/17]
View answerMy Department and the enterprise agencies are fully committed to supporting business and all of our stakeholders in this period of heightened uncertainty.
I have established various structures in my Department, commissioned research and secured additional funding to support our work on Brexit.
Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs are steadily working with companies to make sure that they are better prepared to respond to the challenges that Brexit will bring.
Enterprise Ireland has been systematically engaging with its 1,500 clients that export to the UK.
Enterprise Ireland's strategy is to:
- Strengthen our ability to penetrate the UK market so as to sustain and grow exports.
- Strengthen our ability to penetrate other key markets to reduce dependence on the UK.
- Invest in programmes to ensure that clients have the finances, innovation, leadership and scale to grow in international markets.
- Strengthen the ability at local and regional level to generate more start-ups and businesses with export potential.
IDA Ireland continues to actively pursue any opportunity for mobile investment. IDA will continue to:
- Work with its existing client base to assist and support them to grow;
- Highlight Ireland's continued strong offering – for example, Ireland's continued access to the EU market; and
- Be in contact with clients and prospective clients across the globe and continue to market a competitive value proposition to attract mobile investment from global locations including the UK.
Science Foundation Ireland is working to strengthen collaboration with the UK and is also seeking to expand its range of actions to take advantage of Brexit opportunities.
Enterprise between North and South could be impacted in many ways by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU - in this regard the role of Intertrade Ireland is vital.
We are providing InterTrade Ireland with additional funding this year to undertake a range of initiatives for SMEs. This will involve the provision of factual advice, supports for capability building and the provision of other specialist expertise for companies.
My Department is also funding a research project to be undertaken for InterTrade Ireland by the ESRI. This will improve our understanding of the impact of different trade and tariff regimes which might be imposed following Brexit.
22. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the additional supports put in place to date to assist businesses that are heavily or totally dependent on Northern Ireland or the British market for an export market in view of the uncertainty that has arisen due to Brexit and currency fluctuations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14444/17]
View answerIn Budget 2017, I secured additional monies, both current and capital, to support Enterprise Ireland’s strategic response to Brexit, including 39 targeted posts, both at home and abroad to support its clients across all markets.
There are 1,500 Enterprise Ireland (EI) client companies recording exports to the UK. They employ 100,000 people across the country and have exports of over €7 billion. Enterprise Ireland is particularly working with companies in the UK market who are most exposed in areas such as engineering, food, construction and timber to maintain their market share.
Over €1bn of EI exports go to Northern Ireland and I am very conscious of the challenges that may be faced by companies operating in close proximity to the border.
EI will continue to provide various targeted supports and programmes to assist client companies. These include management capability, leadership, marketing/sales, innovation and R&D. EI will also deliver a suite of supports that help clients reduce supply-chain costs and drive efficiencies and cost reductions as a means of improving operating margins, thereby increasing competitiveness.
InterTrade Ireland (ITI) will have an important role to play in protecting cross border trade following Brexit. We will continue to support the work of ITI as it takes steps to help clients deal with the uncertain business climate ahead.
23. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 815 of 7 March 2017, her views on whether her Department's focus on regions rather than individual counties might mean that some counties get neglected in favour of their more developed or profitable neighbours; the initiatives she has planned to combat economic stagnation and underinvestment in County Wexford specifically; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14427/17]
View answerThe Regional Action Plans for Jobs are aimed at maximising the strengths and assets of each region, to support enterprise growth and job creation.
I am satisfied that the key strength of the stakeholders like the local authorities, the educational bodies, the enterprise development agencies and the private sector all working collaboratively to maximise opportunities, means that every county will benefit under this initiative.
Wexford has recorded significant improvements with the CSO’s monthly Live Register figures showing that the numbers on the Register in County Wexford have fallen by almost 1,800 in the past year, from 14,300 in February 2016.
Furthermore, the unemployment rate in the South East has fallen to 9.4% from a peak of 20.1% in 2012. Numbers unemployed in the region have fallen by 23,500 over this period.
Wexford is home to 17 existing IDA Ireland clients who between them employ almost 2,630 people.
Waters Corporation recently opened a new site expansion at their facility in Wexford. The expansion will allow for significant increases in operations, services and development functions onsite.
Enterprise Ireland companies currently support 4,816 jobs in Wexford.
Total employment among LEO Wexford clients was 1,192 at the end of last year.
215,000 people are now at work in the South East. This represents a net increase of almost 13,000 jobs in the region since Q1 2015.
My Department is providing additional funds through the agencies out to 2020. Together with Enterprise Ireland, I am currently finalising plans for a regional initiative of up to €60m to support collaborative approaches to grow and sustain jobs across the regions, and to encourage each county to reach its full potential.
24. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which provision continues to be made for issues arising as a result of Brexit, with particular reference to the need to ensure that Ireland is not disadvantaged as a result of a decision taken elsewhere and over which there is no control; if it is expected that, in view of the magnitude of the negative impact on investment and jobs here, steps can be taken to ensure that adequate provision is made to counter the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14431/17]
View answerA whole of Government approach is in place focusing on Brexit issues and my Department and agencies are to the forefront of this effort.
The UK’s decision to leave the European Union will impact significantly on all policy fields across the Department as well as our family of Agencies. Brexit is the number one priority for my Department.
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 have refined our analysis post-Referendum and we have been working with Agencies to put in place actions to mitigate risks and maximize opportunities.
We have been working with colleagues across Government to analyse potential sectoral impacts and consider the implications of various scenarios which may emerge as a result of Brexit.
We have already taken a number of important initiatives, including actions taken through Budget 2017 to enhance the capacity of our enterprise agencies to assist companies.
The recent Action Plan for Jobs 2017 advances this work. It contains measures to support enterprises, particularly those most dependent on the UK, to identify and target new markets, and to expand and scale. A new trade and investment strategy has also just been published as part of a major drive towards market diversification.
25. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she continues to endeavour to attract foreign direct investment and indigenous investment to the manufacturing and service sectors, with particular reference to the need to ensure that in the wake of Brexit the degree of investment continues to remain sufficient to meet any eventualities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14432/17]
View answerAt the strategic level, Enterprise 2025 sets out the roadmap for enterprise development, and details the actions required and being taken to support the manufacturing and service sectors. Our new trade and investment strategy, Ireland Connected, will be backed up by increasing our agency resources both at home and overseas and an intensified programme of trade missions.
Responding to Brexit has also been prioritised in the Action Plan for Jobs 2017 which sets out 20 specific actions aimed at growing and diversifying markets for Irish exports and maximise opportunities in foreign direct investment and research and innovation.
In addition to protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process, maintaining the Common Travel Area, and influencing the future of the European Union, we have made it a priority to minimise the impact of Brexit on Ireland's trade and on our economy. Supporting the development and growth of indigenous companies and maximising Foreign Direct investment are key activities of my Department and Agencies.
Almost 50 additional staff are being deployed by my Agencies to support firms to enter new markets and to attract new investment.
Enterprise Ireland is working with firms to support product and service innovation, the adoption of lean systems, smarter sourcing strategies and, crucially, the identification of new overseas markets. Enterprise Ireland will shortly launch its new Eurozone strategy, with the aim of increasing indigenous exports to the Eurozone by 50% over the period to 2020.
In addition, we are engaging with companies to help them adapt to currency fluctuations and to support product and market diversification. The Local Enterprise Offices are working with non-EI client companies providing support and advice services as well as bespoke services to foster new business opportunities in local areas.
IDA continues to identify potential for mobile FDI in key sectors and actively pursues these opportunities including through targeted trade missions and rollout of advertising campaigns to promote Ireland’s offering.
My Department is currently undertaking research to examine the implications at firm-level for the most exposed enterprise sectors of the UK being outside of the European Single Market and Customs Union. This research will inform an assessment of the way in which Brexit will affect individual sectors of the economy and our targeted response.
Further, my Department is also funding a project through InterTrade Ireland on the North-South trade implications of Brexit. This project will provide an understanding of the impact of different trade and tariff regimes which might be imposed following Brexit.
26. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when she will publish the heads of the terms of employment (information) (amendment) and organisation of working time (amendment) Bill 2016 proposals regarding protections for workers on insecure low-hour contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14453/17]
View answerMy colleague, Minister Breen, and I intend to bring forward proposals in this area for consideration by Government. In this respect, work has progressed well on developing a policy response to the Programme for Government commitment to address the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious employment. We intend to include protections aimed particularly at low-paid, more vulnerable workers.
Our proposals will address the issue of employees on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts do not reflect the reality of their hours worked. The proposals will also seek to ensure that employees are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements and their core terms at an early stage in their employment.
The policy response is being informed by the University of Limerick study on zero hour contracts and low hour contracts as well as the extensive material and practical examples provided by respondents to the public consultation conducted by my Department.
Developing policy proposals in this area is a complex matter. A balance needs to be found between protecting the rights of employees and avoiding unintended consequences on business which may negatively affect the competitiveness of the Irish economy.
My Department engaged in an intensive dialogue with ICTU and Ibec in an effort to secure broad agreement before finalising proposals. The intention now is to submit our proposals to Government in the coming weeks for consideration and approval to draft a Bill giving effect to those proposals.
27. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to threats of disciplinary action made by the management of a company (details supplied) against employees that took part in industrial action in February 2017; the steps her Department will take to prevent such intimidation when employees exercise their democratic right to take industrial action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14436/17]
View answerEmployment legislation protects from victimisation employees and managers seeking to avail of or availing of their rights under the legislation. This means that employers may not penalise an employee by dismissal, unfair treatment or an unfavourable change in conditions of employment.
Furthermore, dismissal for trade union activity or membership is automatically unfair under Section 6 of the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977 to 2015.
Where alleged breaches occur, employees concerned can refer the matter to the Workplace Relations Commission for adjudication.
The parties to this difficult dispute are availing of the mechanisms of the State. They both jointly agreed to engage with the Labour Court on February 24th. Mandate has suspended industrial action and the company has agreed to make no changes to contracts pending the outcome of talks. This is a positive sign from both sides and this move by the parties should be respected.
The parties voluntarily agreed to take part in talks under the auspices of the Labour Court and they should be given time to resolve this dispute with the help of the Industrial Relations institutions of the State. I hope that you can join with me in encouraging all sides to make every effort to reach a resolution by agreement between the company management and the workers represented by their trade unions.
28. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts she is making to secure and create employment opportunities in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14419/17]
View answerThe Regional Action Plans for Jobs are aimed at maximising the strengths and assets of each region, to support enterprise growth and job creation. This has ensured that 61% of new jobs in Enterprise Ireland supported firms and 52% of new jobs in IDA supported firms were outside Dublin.
The key strength of the stakeholders like the local authorities, the educational bodies, the enterprise development agencies and the private sector all working collaboratively to maximise opportunities, means that every county will benefit under this initiative.
Tipperary is covered by both the South East Action Plan for Jobs and the Mid-West Action Plan for Jobs.
I am committed to working with the various agencies and stakeholders in the South East and Mid-West, through the Regional APJ Implementation Committees, to ensure that the positive employment trends we saw across all regions in 2016 continue and that more jobs are ultimately created.
Tipperary is home to 12 existing IDA Ireland clients who between them employ almost 3,370 people.
In 2016, Enterprise Ireland supported 120 companies in Tipperary employing 5,352 people, a net gain of 290 on 2015.
Client companies supported by the Tipperary Local Enterprise Office created 436 gross new jobs in 2016. Total employment among LEO Tipperary clients was 1,437 at the end of last year.
My Department is providing additional funds through the agencies out to 2020. Together with Enterprise Ireland, I am currently finalising plans for a regional initiative of up to €60m to support collaborative approaches to grow and sustain jobs across the regions, and to encourage each county to reach its full potential.
I met the five Tipperary TDs earlier this week and discussed the closure of the Coty factory in Nenagh with them.
The existing Inter Agency Group in Tipperary charged with coordinating the provision of State services for redundant workers will extend its scope to deal with the Coty closure.
The Group will also help drive job creation by the development Agencies, particularly IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.
I have arranged to meet the Chairman and members of the Group next week and I have invited the Tipperary TDs to the meeting also.
29. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 23 February 2017, the number of inspections carried out by the inspectorate and enforcement division of the Workplace Relations Commission in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14410/17]
View answer43. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 23 February 2017, her views on the high number of 157 contraventions found during inspections of two thirds of the fishing fleets in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14413/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 43 together.
The Workplace Relations Commission's objective is to facilitate voluntary compliance insofar as contraventions of employment rights legislation are concerned. In this regard, Employers/Vessel Owners are afforded all reasonable opportunity to rectify contraventions and, where relevant, pay any unpaid wages and/or make good on entitlements arising from these contraventions. Following the detection of contraventions, the WRC issues, in all cases, a contravention notification to the vessel owner. Such notifications have issued in respect of the 157 contraventions of employment rights and employment permits legislation detected to date by WRC Inspectors. If the owner addresses the contravention to the WRC’s satisfaction within the time specified in the notice, the matter can be closed without recourse to further proceedings.
However, it is the policy of the WRC to issue Compliance Notices or Fixed Payment Notices and/or to initiate legal proceedings in cases where an owner has failed or is unwilling to effect compliance. I am advised by the WRC that it has been necessary to date to initiate two prosecutions and that further prosecution proceedings will be initiated where owners refuse or fail to engage with Inspectors and/or address contraventions.
The Deputy will be aware that arising from the recommendations of the Task Force on allegations regarding treatment of workers on Irish fishing trawlers, an atypical work permission scheme was introduced for non-EEA fishers working on Irish fishing vessels. The scheme is administered by the Department of Justice and Equality and the Irish National Immigration Service (INIS) on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
A number of agencies and organisations are involved in the monitoring and enforcement of the scheme and have signed up to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in order to provide a rigorous and effective inspection system. They include An Garda Siochana, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, INIS, the Naval Service, the Revenue Commissioners, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, my Department, the Workplace Relations Commission, the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and, with a number of exclusions, the Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
The WRC’s responsibilities relate to the enforcement of the Employment Permits Acts and employment rights legislation including minimum wage legislation. The Marine Survey Office in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is responsible for enforcing legislation relating to rest periods and maximum working time for seafarers and fishing vessel crew.
Some 113 of the 174 fishing vessels which come within the aegis of the Atypical Scheme have been inspected to date by the WRC and the remainder will be inspected by Summer of this year. Case files relating to all vessels will remain open until such time as WRC inspectors are satisfied that compliance has been achieved.
30. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will report on the latest EU Council discussion on investment into research and innovation in the latest framework programme. [9929/17]
View answerI understand that the Deputy’s question relates to the EU Competitiveness Council (Research and Innovation) discussion on international cooperation under the framework programme Horizon 2020 which was held on 29 November 2016.
The discussions were informed by the second EU Commission Report on the Implementation of the European Strategy for International Cooperation and a Presidency document.
The discussion focussed on the framework conditions to boost international cooperation, the measures to strengthen international cooperation in and beyond the current framework programme (Horizon 2020) and the role of science diplomacy.
There was a consensus at the EU Council that there is a need to collaborate at a global level across disciplines and sectors to find effective solutions to global challenges.
A number of delegations stressed the need for the EU Commission to raise the profile of Horizon 2020 to encourage international cooperation and to continue to support excellence in research and innovation.
As Innovation 2020 makes clear, the Government is committed to international cooperation in order to maximise the impact of international and national investment in research and innovation as part of the overall vision that Ireland should become a Global Innovation Leader.
31. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions she has taken to work with InterTradeIreland to protect cross Border trade in the wake of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14459/17]
View answerInterTradeIreland (ITI) will have an important role to play in protecting North-South trade following Brexit as the body is uniquely well-positioned when it comes to understanding the needs of businesses on both sides of the border. We will continue to support ITI's work as it takes steps to help clients deal with the uncertain business climate ahead.
ITI has already published material for companies providing helpful information connected to Brexit. It has also organised a series of information sessions to raise awareness amongst SMEs of the challenges that Brexit may likely present.
Additional funding was secured as well for ITI for 2017 to enable it to roll out a range of new measures aimed at affording further practical assistance to companies engaged in cross-border trade.
In addition, my Department has provided specific funding to ITI to sponsor a research project, being undertaken by the ESRI, to examine the impact of differing trade regimes which may emerge in the post-Brexit environment. This study will include analysis of tariff rates and data on the current extent and concentration of cross-border trade. Work is continuing on this project.
32. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the current position regarding a site (details supplied) on the Dublin Road in Mullingar; the IDA Ireland interventions that have happened with the workers and on site; the plans being made to replace this key employment for Mullingar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14415/17]
View answerI very much regret the decision by the company in question, which is not an IDA Ireland client, to close its facility in Mullingar.
Whilst I am informed that IDA Ireland does not own the property in question, I understand that the Agency is aware that it is available and has engaged with its owners about marketing the facility as suitable for potential foreign direct investment. The property has also been included on IDA Ireland's database of available office and manufacturing buildings in County Westmeath.
The availability of this property should assist in the Agency’s ongoing efforts to encourage both current and prospective clients to invest further in Westmeath and the wider region.
