Written Answers Nos. 583 - 600
583. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department has researched the provision of mini business development centres in rural villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22721/17]
View answerMy Department, through Enterprise Ireland and the 31 Local Enterprise Offices across the country, provides a range of supports to help companies start, grow and export.
Results of research carried out in 2014 showed that since the launch of the first Community Enterprise Centre (CEC) scheme in 1989, €64 million has been approved via Enterprise Ireland for the development of CECs across the country. CECs provide business space for budding entrepreneurs and serve to help the development of entrepreneurship locally in urban and rural locations. There are 117 Community Enterprise Centres located throughout the country providing low cost workspace with an array of services often including centralised reception, messaging, broadband, training and so on. These centres collectively employ 6,051 people across 1,214 companies.
As part of the Government’s regional growth agenda, a €5m Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme was launched in 2015. In June 2016, I announced that 32 applications were successful and these projects amounted to €3.06m.
Furthermore, a €3m competitive Regional Accelerator Scheme was launched by Enterprise Ireland in 2016 and is being rolled out this year. Accelerators are for-profit organisations that provide startups with a small amount of initial startup seed capital (approx. €20,000) and access to substantial programme benefits and often office space in return for a small amount of equity investment.
To further support collaborative and innovative approaches to boost enterprise and job creation throughout the country, I will shortly be launching a €60 million Competitive Regional Fund. This will be administered by Enterprise Ireland.
584. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department or State agencies under her aegis have completed an analysis on business trade since the Brexit vote in June 2016; if so, the details of such documents and publication dates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22738/17]
View answerThe UK’s decision to leave the European Union will have a significant impact on our economy and I have tasked my Department with making Brexit our number one priority. Central to this is understanding those impacts - positive and negative - across all policy areas of my Department and at a sectoral level, particularly in terms of the trade impacts.
In this context, a range of work has been done or is under way.
There have been a number of useful studies published which set out the potential impacts of Brexit, including sectoral assessments (e.g. tourism, agri-food), and many of these are listed on merrionstreet.ie website.
A significant consideration in drawing up the recently published Action Plan for 2017 was Brexit and the changing global trading environment. This year’s plan is at the core of the government’s response to the huge challenge these pose for businesses - to make sure our enterprise base is resilient in the face of changes to come.
In addition, I have recently published the findings of a survey of 1,045 SME business owners which was conducted in January. Analysis of the survey findings along with extensive engagement with stakeholders including the Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland, individual businesses and business representative bodies has helped inform policy responses which my Department is now working on. There include the development of a Brexit Working Capital Guarantee Scheme and scoping out the need for a longer term Business Development Loan Scheme which would assist firms in investing for a post-Brexit environment.
Further analysis on Brexit trade impacts by my Department includes:
- funding a research project being undertaken in close cooperation with InterTradeIreland by the ESRI to improve our understanding of the impact on cross border trade of different trade and tariff regimes which might be imposed following Brexit. This will provide useful data on the extent and concentration of cross border trade, including information on this trade by product and firm types and barriers to trade. Work is nearing completion I expect will be published shortly.
- undertaking qualitative research to examine the implications for the most exposed enterprise sectors - in terms of trading and economic relationships - of the UK being outside of the European Single Market and Customs Union. This research is at the firm level and will inform an assessment of the way in which Brexit will affect individual sectors of the economy, and will be completed by the end of this year.
- currently in the market seeking consultants to undertake a piece of work profiling the composition of trade and investment flows for Ireland and a range of EU Member States with the UK. This will provide an evidence base to inform Ireland’s policy positions as part of the wider negotiation on the UK’s future relationship with the EU. I expect this work also to be completed by the end of this year.
- reviewing our enterprise policy, Enterprise 2025, which will be completed this year.
585. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress she has made in securing a replacement manufacturing industry for a site (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22798/17]
View answerThe decision by HP Inc to close its facility in Leixlip is regrettable. However, I understand that no redundancies have yet been made and that the company's operations at the site are continuing. IDA Ireland has nevertheless already promoted the site to existing clients and potential investors and will continue to do so in the time ahead. I am hopeful that a new investor will be identified in due course and that new employment opportunities will in turn be created for the people of Leixlip and the surrounding area.
While HP Inc's decision is very disappointing, there are over 20 other multinational companies in Kildare that employ 10,139 people in total across a broad range of sectors. IDA Ireland continues to work with its client base in the region to both sustain and grow employment further with the aim of increasing job creation by 30%-40% over the lifetime of the Agency's current strategy.
586. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the proposed sale of Enterprise Ireland's 32% shareholding in a studio (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the vital role the studio plays in the future development of the film industry, including in County Wicklow and the potential for retaining and expanding the State's shareholding in the studio; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22830/17]
View answerArdmore Studios is a commercial entity, owned 68.33% by private interests and 31.67% by the State. The State’s shareholding is managed by Enterprise Ireland. As a passive investor, EI has no enterprise development role in Ardmore or any involvement in its day-to-day operations.
While Enterprise Ireland offers supports to exporting companies involved in film and the creative sector, policy responsibility for the development of the film industry rests with my colleague, Ms Heather Humphreys, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The sale of the Ardmore Studios is a commercial decision by the owners of the Studios. Ardmore Studios is being placed on the market for sale as a going concern.
Enterprise Ireland has not placed any pre-conditions on the pending sale of Ardmore Studios due to the existence of planning restrictions on the site which safeguard its use as a film making studio into the future. Wicklow County Council confirmed to me that they agree to maintain the film only zoning as a matter of policy.
Enterprise Ireland remains engaged with the Company and their representatives.
At the appropriate time, any proposal requiring a decision on the sale of Enterprise Ireland’s shareholding will be reviewed by Enterprise Ireland from a commercial and legal perspective in consultation with me as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. I in turn will consult the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
I recognise the value of the film sector to County Wicklow and as such, the Mid East Regional Action Plan for Jobs has a number of Actions to further support the film sector, including:
- a feasibility study and business plan for the development of a Film Industry Cluster in the county
- piloting a one day workshop in film industry related training
- building on the success of the film sector by providing supports and incentives, and developing ancillary services
- the provision of film industry related training programmes in partnership with 3rd level institutions.
587. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will report on the Government publication, Ireland and the negotiations on the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, and in particular the commitment in the section dealing with long-term strategic economic planning; the way the Government is actually reviewing its Enterprise Policy 2015 to align the country's base and policies to reflect new international realities; the way the Government specifically will include a medium-term stabilisation and adjustment plan for those most affected by Brexit, supported by Government; and the actions being taken now to implement this. [21843/17]
View answerThis publication reflects the findings and outcomes of extensive preparatory work and consultations undertaken and demonstrates how these will be brought to bear in Ireland’s approach to the negotiations ahead.
Now that the EU’s initial negotiating position is clear, the Government will intensify its focus on the economic implications of Brexit.
A review of our enterprise policy, Enterprise 2025, has been commenced and will be completed this year. The review will prioritise policies and investments to make Irish enterprise more diverse and resilient in the context of new international realities.
My department has been building an understanding of companies’ needs in adapting to the challenges posed by Brexit and to develop appropriate and targeted responses to support them. Extensive engagement has been undertaken with stakeholders the results of which I recently published.
Following on from this, my Department is progressing the development of a Brexit Working Capital Guarantee Scheme and is scoping out the need for a longer term Business Development Loan Scheme to assist firms in investing for a post-Brexit environment.
588. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22950/17]
View answerJoint Labour Committees (JLCs) are provided for under the Industrial Relations Act 1946 and were reformed by the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act, 2012. A JLC is comprised of equal numbers of representatives of employers and workers in a sector. JLCs meet regularly, under an independent Chairperson to discuss proposals for terms and conditions to apply to specified grades or categories of workers in the sector. If agreement is reached the JLC publishes details and invites submissions from interested parties.
If, after consideration of any submissions received, the Committee adopts the proposals it will submit them to the Labour Court for consideration. The Labour Court will then make a decision on the adoption of the proposals. If the Court decides to adopt the proposals, a copy is presented to me and if I consider it appropriate to do so I will make an Order giving effect to the proposals. Such Orders are known as Employment Regulation Orders.
The Joint Labour Committee for the Security Industry was established in accordance with Statutory Instrument No. 377 of 1998 (as amended by Statutory Instrument No. 30 of 2014).
I am informed that, in accordance with the Statute, the Labour Court consulted with ICTU, Ibec and the two employer organisations most closely connected with the Security Industry, the National Union of Security Employers (merged with the Security Institute of Ireland in 2011) and the Irish Security Industry Association. Following consultation, these bodies nominated representatives of both employers and employees for membership of the Committee. The current members were appointed on the 12th May 2014.
The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson are Industrial Relations Officers from the Workplace Relations Commission and are appointed by me.
The constitution and proceedings of JLCs is set out in the Fifth Schedule to the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. The discussions within the Joint Labour Committees are not open to me nor to my Department.
I am informed that the draft proposals for an employment regulation order that you refer to were advertised as part of the public consultation process. The closing date for submissions on those proposals was 7th February last.
589. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the report her Department has requested the Workplace Relations Commission to prepare for a code of practice under section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act 1990 on the issue of longer working in order to set out best industrial relations practice in managing the engagement between employers and employees in the run up to retirement, including requests to work beyond the normal retirement age in the employment concerned, will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22996/17]
View answerMy colleague Minister Pat Breen wrote to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in September 2016 to request them to prepare a Code of Practice under Section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act 1990, around the issue of working longer.
This Code of Practice will set out the best industrial relations practices in managing the engagement between employers and employees in the run up to retirement, including requests to work beyond what would be considered the normal retirement age in the employment concerned. Work on the preparation of the Code is ongoing in the WRC, in consultation with relevant stakeholders. The WRC has informed me that the Code of Practice should be available for consideration in the coming weeks.
590. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she continues to emphasise the importance of the need to establish the benefit of the Single Market in every respect for the island of Ireland without any diminution of Ireland's status with the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14780/17]
View answerIreland remains a strong and committed member of the EU, and as such I would emphasise that we will continue to retain full access to the Single Market, which is of enormous benefit to Irish businesses and consumers. It should be remembered that this will continue to give Ireland access to a market of 450 million people, even after the UK’s departure.
While Government is working to ensure a close future trading relationship between the UK and the EU, our position is that access to the Single Market must be on the basis of all four freedoms – free movement of goods, services, capital and people. The EU's Guidelines for the upcoming negotiations with the UK make it clear that there can be no "cherry-picking" of individual aspects of the Single Market.
Ireland has consistently advocated greater progress being made in further strengthening the Single Market, and this will be especially important once the UK becomes a competitor on the EU's doorstep. As recently as November last, I led an initiative where my Ministerial counterparts from nine other Member States and I signed a joint letter to President Juncker calling on the European Commission to be ambitious in advancing the Single Market for services. This demonstrates the positive influence that Ireland can bring to shaping the future success of the Single Market, through building alliances with a wide range of Member States across the Union, and which can ultimately enhance the benefits accruing to Irish businesses and consumers.
591. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the PRTLI programme; if she is satisfied that the current funding is sufficient and well structured; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23013/17]
View answerThe Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) has provided funding for top-class research infrastructure and human capital development across Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in key strategic areas including bioscience, medical technologies; energy, social sciences and humanities and ICT to name but a few.
Since the PRTLI started in 1998, there have been 5 Cycles of investment to date totalling €1.2 billion of combined Exchequer and private investment. The Cycle 5 allocation, awarded in 2010, involves over €287m in direct Exchequer funding. Cycle 5 is now coming to a close with 29 of the 33 projects fully completed. As the outstanding bill to HEIs has been reducing, the allocation to the PRTLI in my Department’s Vote has also reduced. My Department’s allocation to the PRTLI in 2017 is €14.4m. This is being used towards meeting the remaining Cycle 5 liabilities.
The planning and design of a successor to Cycle 5 of PRTLI is an action in Innovation 2020 and is being progressed by my Department working closely with the Department of Education and Skills. My Department has included a proposal to commence funding for a successor to Cycle 5 of the PRTLI in its submission to the Mid-term Review of the Capital Plan. It is my intention to fund a successor to Cycle 5 over an extended funding period, subject to this funding being secured. There will be more clarity on a successor to Cycle 5 when this review is concluded, and the funding envelope for this and other projects is finalised.
592. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department has been notified of proposed redundancies at a company (details supplied). [23063/17]
View answerIn April this year, the company notified me of potential collective redundancies as required under the Protection of Employment Act 1977.
I regret any loss of jobs. However, my Department remains focussed on creating the most competitive environment for enterprise to succeed so that we can achieve our goal of sustainable employment for all. Working with our enterprise agencies and with colleagues across Government, we are committed to delivering a range of actions outlined in our National and Regional Action Plans for Jobs to ensure that quality and sustainable jobs continue to be created throughout all regions of the country.
As regards the employment rights of the workers, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. The WRC’s Customer Service Section provides information in relation to employment, equality and industrial relations rights and obligations, and how to obtain redress where appropriate. WRC information officials remain available to meet staff, either individually or collectively, to discuss their employment rights, including matters related to redundancy. The WRC’s Customer Service Section can be contacted at Lo-call: 1890 80 80 90. The website http://www.workplacerelations.ie also provides extensive information on employment rights.
593. 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. [23283/17]
View answerThe Regional Action Plan initiative is working to promote regional and rural job creation by bringing different stakeholders in each of the 8 regions together to identify innovative and practical actions, to be taken across a range of Departments and agencies, with clear timelines for delivery over the period 2015 – 2017. Collaboration between the private and the public sector has been a core element in each plan’s development, and will continue to be central to each plan’s delivery.
The First Progress Reports in respect of all 8 Regions were published in December 2016. While at an early stage, the progress reports reflect the good work made to date in the implementation of all 8 Regional APJs and creating a supportive environment for jobs growth in the regions. Based on current data, all regions are on target to meet or exceed the job targets to be delivered by 2020.
The success of the Regional Action Plans for Jobs is crucial to the Government in meeting the ambition to create an additional 200,000 jobs, 135,000 of which are outside the Dublin region, by 2020.
Employment has been growing continuously for the past 17 quarters and over the past year employment has grown in all regions.
The most recent figures from the CSO also show that 70% of all jobs created in the past year were created outside Dublin.
The enterprise agencies are making a significant contribution to employment in the regions. In 2016, 61% of new jobs created by Enterprise Ireland supported companies, and over half of those created by IDA supported companies, were outside Dublin.
The recently published LEO annual jobs survey results highlights three consecutive years of local jobs growth throughout the country. In 2016 there was a net increase of 3,679 jobs and total direct employment among LEO client companies stood at 34,634.
Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for 2017-2020 aims to create a further 60,000 jobs, while sustaining existing ones, which will make an important contribution to jobs and economic growth across all regions of Ireland.
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 also being made available to the IDA to support its Regional Property Programme and drive job creation in the multi-national sector.
594. 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. [23284/17]
View answerThe 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 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.
595. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she has 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. [23285/17]
View answerOn 29 March 2017, Prime Minister Theresa May formally notified the European Council of the UK's intention to leave the EU in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This means that the two-year exit process has now commenced.
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.
The Deputy will be aware that Ireland secured support in the recently published negotiating Guidelines. These Guidelines reflect Ireland's unique concerns regarding the withdrawal negotiations – to support and protect the achievements, benefits and commitments of the Peace Process, to avoid a hard border, and to protect the Common Travel Area, in conformity with EU law.
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.
In March of this year, the Government published a new Trade Strategy, Ireland Connected: Trading and Investing in a Dynamic World which supports an extensive programme of Ministerial-led trade missions, as part of a major drive towards market diversification - 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 orientated to reflect an increased focus on EU markets. 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.
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.
The UK's departure serves to reinforce the importance of the EU's Single Market for the 27 Member States who remain. Ireland has been a consistent supporter of the Single Market and we have consistently advocated the need to make further progress in the free movement of Services. Ireland was a cosignatory of a like-minded Ministerial letter to the Commission in this regard last November. Ireland has also been active at EU level in terms of making progress in relation to the Digital Single Market.
We must focus on strengthening the institutions of the EU, developing our existing trading relationships and building new ones.
596. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which innovation and technology are likely to feature in the creation of indigenous jobs throughout the country in the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23286/17]
View answerInnovation is globally recognised as the key economic differentiator. Innovation and technology enable companies to make products and services that are better, cheaper or more novel than those in global markets. Thus, in order to export and scale, companies must innovate and embrace technology.
Product lifetimes in global markets are incredibly short (1-3 years) thus necessitating a continuous stream of new and improved products.
The 2016 report “Economic and Enterprise Impacts from Public Investment in R&D in Ireland”, published by the Department, has shown that investment in R&D results in improved job creation and enterprise performance, for example:
- Firms that invested in R&D grew employment by 14% between 2000 and 2014 while those that did not invest in R&D saw employment decline by 40%
- R&D performing companies grew exports by 181% between 2003 and 2014 compared to a loss of 42% in exports for non- R&D performing companies over the same period
- R&D activity was identified as being one characteristic of Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland client firms that resulted in a growth in sales and exports since 2003. During the recession, these firms exhibited greater resilience than non-R&D active firms and increased their contributions to sales, exports and employment
- For Enterprise Ireland client firms funded through the agency’s R&D scheme, there was an 8% growth in net employment (22,003 jobs to 23,739 jobs) between 2002 and 2012. In comparison, there was a 6.2% decline in employment in the total Enterprise Ireland client base over the same period (131,144 jobs to 119,935 jobs).
The figures above clearly show the importance of research, development and innovation as a driver of firm growth and job creation.
Going forward, and in order to support companies increase job creation and exports, Enterprise Ireland will continue funding its critical existing innovation supports along with the development of new supports which include:
- A new programme for Business Innovation targeted at driving innovation beyond selling products based on technical innovations providing more customer focussed process and service solutions;
- A Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Initiative which is a cross-government process allowing public bodies to use public procurement to source R&D and innovative solutions to solve identified ‘challenges’. This initiative is already providing significant business opportunities for innovation focused companies;
- New initiatives to equip graduates and researchers in the higher education system with the key skills required by the enterprise base.
Enterprise Ireland’s Strategy 2017 – 2020 is cognisant of the future needs of Irish enterprise and the challenges they face such as Brexit. Driving innovation and competitiveness are key pillars of this strategy aimed at supporting companies drive their global ambition and reach. Supporting companies to innovative will be critical for Enterprise Ireland to create 60,000 new jobs by 2020 and to sustain the existing record level of jobs.
597. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new jobs created in the manufacturing sector in the past 12 months; her targets in this regard over the next two years; the extent to which these jobs are likely to be spread throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23287/17]
View answerThe Action Plan for Jobs is one of the Government’s key instruments to support job creation. The Action Plan for Jobs process is working. Since the first Plan 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.
The goal of this Government is to support the creation of an additional 200,000 jobs by 2020 with 135,000 outside Dublin. This is a whole of Government effort and is delivered through our integrated Action Plan for Jobs.
The CSO’s Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of employment data in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q4 2016. According to the CSO, the numbers employed in the industry sector increased by 11,100 during 2016, bringing total employment to 258,500 people.
The annual jobs target is agreed in the Action Plan for Jobs – the target for 2017 is to help create up to an additional 45,000 jobs across all sectors and all regions.
The Regional Action Plans for Jobs aim to have an additional 10% to 15% at work in each region by 2020. The first progress reports on the implementation of the eight regional Plans, covering the period to June 2016, were published in December 2016. While progress in the implementation of the Regional Action Plans for Jobs is at an early stage, the signs are good. Employment is growing in all regions. Based on current data all regions are on target to meet or exceed the 2020 job targets set down in 2015 for each region.
There were a total of 18,773 manufacturing jobs created in 2016 among Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies. Of these, 14,535 were permanent/full-time jobs, while the remaining 4,238 jobs were of a temporary or part-time nature. The total number of manufacturing jobs among the enterprise development agencies in 2016 amounted to 210,958, of which 188,722 were permanent/full-time jobs, and the remaining 22,236 were temporary/part-time jobs.
598. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied the full benefits from the knowledge development box remain available to the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23288/17]
View answerI am satisfied that the full benefits from the Knowledge Development Box (KDB) will remain available to the Irish economy. The KDB, introduced in Budget 2016 forms part of Ireland’s competitive offering to continue to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and to support Irish owned companies to innovate and to compete effectively on international markets.
Ireland is the first country world-wide to introduce an OECD compliant Knowledge Development Box (KDB) offering. The certainty, predictability and clear signal that this sends to enterprise - including both Irish owned and foreign owned entities establishing and doing business from here - remains essential. This certainty has become even more important in the current dynamic and uncertain geopolitical landscape.
With successful enactment of the KDB (Certification of Inventions) Act 2017, subject to commencement order in the coming weeks, it will benefit companies of all sizes.
The KDB (Certification of Inventions) Act 2017 which applies to certain small and medium sized companies facilitates their ability to avail of it without the need for public disclosure of their innovative concept. The Act is intended to open up the opportunity for companies across a broad spectrum including companies in incubation units right through to high-potential start-ups in all industry sectors once they are generating income resulting from research and development activities. The scheme should serve to significantly boost innovation and investment in research and development in Ireland and to generate economic benefit and jobs.
The KDB complements the existing suite of initiatives and supports available to companies that undertake R&D activities in Ireland across the lifecycle of research and development - including R&D tax credits, RD&I grant supports, support for technology acquisition (S291A), significant state investments in National Research Centres and knowledge transfer infrastructures, and advisory supports for accessing Horizon 2020 funding - providing a competitive proposition for business investment.
599. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she continues to engage with investment and job creation interests in Northern Ireland with a view to maintaining the best possible relationship of a mutually beneficial nature with Northern Ireland and the EU in the aftermath of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23289/17]
View answerI am committed to maintaining an excellent and close relationship with the Northern Ireland authorities as we both work to address the challenges associated with Brexit.
While there is no Executive in place at present, and therefore no equivalent Northern Ireland Minister in office, there is ongoing cooperation and engagement at official level. InterTradeIreland, which is jointly funded, is also playing a particularly important role in assisting businesses prepare for the commercial implications of Brexit. I have made additional funding available to the Body to support its Brexit-related initiatives and we will continue to support the valuable work it undertakes.
Separately, it is very welcome that arrangements have been made to ensure that the new round of the EU's INTERREG Programme, due to run to 2022, and co-funded by my Department, will run its course. The Programme has long provided valuable funding and its continuation is good for both enterprise and cross-border cooperation.
600. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she has identified infrastructural deficits in various areas throughout the country that might impede industrial expansion and job creation; her plans to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23290/17]
View answerContinued investment in competitively priced world class infrastructures, including energy, water, waste, telecoms, and transport, is crucial to the delivery of our ambition for job creation and growth throughout our regions.
Inadequate investment can dampen productivity growth, increase costs and limit opportunities for indigenous enterprise and for FDI. However, investment in infrastructure throughout the country suffered during the economic downturn and this needs to be redressed.
My Department plays a key role by advocating on behalf of enterprise to ensure that enterprise infrastructure needs are identified and investment prioritised. This is especially true at present as the mid-term review of the public capital programme and the development of the new National Planning Framework (NPF) are underway.
My Department and its agencies engage with stakeholders regularly on specific infrastructures required to support enterprise and jobs - both nationally and through mechanisms such as the Regional Action Plans for Jobs.
We engage with other Government Departments with direct responsibility for addressing infrastructural deficits, regulatory bodies, and public and private infrastructure providers.
In addition, I am a member of the Economic Infrastructure and Climate Action Cabinet Committee. Officials from my Department are members of the relevant Interdepartmental Committees; on the Interdepartmental Steering Group for the NPF, and we have made detailed submissions to both the capital review and NPF processes.
I will continue to work with Ministerial colleagues to ensure we put in place the right policy and regulatory framework to meet the future infrastructure needs of a growing economy.
