Written Answers Nos. 89-108
90. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of SMEs that have been recipients of Horizon 2020 funding in each of the years since the programme became operational and to date in 2017, by county, in tabular form. [34709/17]
View answerThe following tables provide the requested data by country for each of the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
|
Table 1: 2014 |
|
|
CARLOW |
1 |
|
CORK |
3 |
|
DUBLIN |
21 |
|
GALWAY |
3 |
|
KERRY |
4 |
|
KILDARE |
1 |
|
LIMERICK |
1 |
|
WATERFORD |
2 |
|
WESTMEATH |
1 |
|
Table 1: 2015 |
|
|
CARLOW |
2 |
|
CORK |
11 |
|
DUBLIN |
42 |
|
GALWAY |
10 |
|
KERRY |
2 |
|
LIMERICK |
5 |
|
LOUTH |
6 |
|
KILDARE |
1 |
|
MAYO |
1 |
|
TIPPERARY |
1 |
|
WICKLOW |
4 |
|
Table 1: 2016 |
|
|
CORK |
7 |
|
DUBLIN |
50 |
|
GALWAY |
4 |
|
KERRY |
3 |
|
KILDARE |
1 |
|
LIMERICK |
5 |
|
LONGFORD |
1 |
|
LOUTH |
1 |
|
MAYO |
1 |
|
MEATH |
1 |
|
SLIGO |
1 |
|
WATERFORD |
1 |
|
WESTMEATH |
1 |
|
WICKLOW |
3 |
|
Table 1: 2017 |
|
|
CORK |
1 |
|
DUBLIN |
14 |
|
GALWAY |
2 |
|
KERRY |
2 |
|
LIMERICK |
1 |
|
MONAGHAN |
1 |
|
WICKLOW |
2 |
91. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of vacant IDA properties in each county from the latest data available in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34710/17]
View answer92. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of vacant IDA site visits in each county in quarter 2 of 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34711/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.
Table 1 sets out details on IDA properties that are currently available to prospective investors. It is important to remember that the availability of such properties is a key factor in helping the Agency to attract and secure new investment from overseas companies.
IDA Ireland maintains statistics of site visits by potential investors on a quarterly basis only. Information on visits for the second quarter of 2017 is, however, not yet available. The most up to date figures currently available are for Q1 of 2017. These are set out in Table 2.
Table 1 - Currently available IDA properties
|
County |
Town |
Property Location |
|
County Roscommon |
Roscommon |
Roscommon B and T Park |
|
County Longford |
Longford |
Aghafad |
|
County Longford |
Longford |
Longford Industrial Estate |
|
County Westmeath |
Mullingar |
Clonmore Ind. Est. |
|
County Offaly |
Tullamore |
Tullamore Industrial Estate |
|
County Offaly |
Tullamore |
Tullamore B and T Park |
|
County Offaly |
Clara |
Clara |
|
County Mayo |
Ballina |
Ballina Business Park |
|
County Mayo |
Bangor Erris |
Bango Erris Industrial Park |
|
County Mayo |
Castlebar |
Castlebar B and T Park |
|
County Mayo |
Foxford |
Foxford Business Park |
|
County Galway |
Galway City |
Dangan B and T Park |
|
County Galway |
Tuam |
Tuam Business Park |
|
County Galway |
Roundstone |
Roundstone |
|
County Galway |
Mountbellew/Ballygar |
Mountbellew Business Park |
|
County Galway |
Gort |
Gort Business Park |
|
County Galway |
Glenamaddy |
Glenamaddy Business Park |
|
County Galway |
Galway City |
Parkmore B and T Park (W and E) |
|
County Galway |
Ballygar |
Ballygar Site |
|
County Roscommon |
Castlerea |
Station Rd |
|
County Westmeath |
Athlone |
Athlone B and T Park Garrycastle |
|
County Leitrim |
Carrick-On-Shannon |
Carrick-On-Shannon B and T Park |
|
County Leitrim |
Carrick-On-Shannon |
Carrick-On-Shannon |
|
County Leitrim |
Drumshanbo |
Drumshanbo |
|
County Leitrim |
Manorhamilton |
Manorhamilton |
|
County Leitrim |
Manorhamilton |
Carrickleitrim |
|
County Leitrim |
Mohill |
Mohill |
|
County Sligo |
Sligo |
Cleveragh Business Park |
|
County Sligo |
Easkey |
Easkey Business Park |
|
County Sligo |
Sligo |
Finisklin B and T Park |
|
County Sligo |
Tubbercurry |
Tubbercurry Business Park |
|
County Cork |
Youghal |
Springfield Estate |
|
County Cork |
Youghal |
Foxhole |
|
County Cork |
Skibbereen |
Poundlick Estate |
|
County Cork |
Kanturk |
Mallow B and T Park |
|
County Cork |
Kinsale |
Rathhallikeen |
|
County Cork |
Kanturk |
Pulleen |
|
County Cork |
Fermoy |
Rathealy |
|
County Cork |
Cork City |
Cork City Kilbarry B and T Park |
|
County Cork |
Carrigtohill |
Carrigtohill B and T Park |
|
County Cork |
Charleville |
Rathgoggan Estate |
|
County Cork |
Bantry |
Drombrow |
|
County Cork |
Bandon |
Laragh Estate |
|
County Kerry |
Killorglin |
Farrantoreen |
|
County Kerry |
Dingle |
Dingle |
|
County Louth |
Greenore |
Greenore |
|
County Louth |
Dundalk |
Dundalk Finnabair B and T Park |
|
County Monaghan |
Monaghan |
Monaghan Business Park |
|
County Kilkenny |
Kilkenny |
Purcellsinch Ind. Park |
|
County Tipperary |
Tipperary |
Knockanrawley |
|
County Wexford |
Wexford |
Wexford B and T Park |
|
County Wexford |
Wexford |
Wexford Whitemills |
|
County Wexford |
Enniscorthy |
Moyne Upper |
|
County Waterford |
Waterford |
Waterford Industrial Estate |
|
County Wicklow |
Arklow |
Arklow Kilbride |
|
County Kildare |
Newbridge |
Newbridge Business Park |
|
County Kildare |
Naas/Kill |
Naas Ind Estate |
|
County Kildare |
Athy |
Woodstock |
|
County Dublin |
Dublin 24 |
Dublin 24 - Whitestown Ind Est |
|
County Dublin |
Dublin 11 |
Dubl 11 - Poppintree Ind. Est. |
|
County Dublin |
Blanchardstown |
Cruiserath |
|
County Dublin |
Blanchardstown |
Blanchardstown B and T Park |
|
County Carlow |
Bagenalstown |
Bagenalstown |
|
County Cork |
Cork City |
Ringaskiddy |
|
County Donegal |
Ballyshannon |
Ballyshannon |
|
County Donegal |
Donegal/Tully/Clar/B |
Lurganboy |
|
County Donegal |
Letterkenny |
Knocknamona |
|
County Donegal |
Letterkenny/Manorcun |
Letterkenny B and T Park |
|
County Donegal |
Letterkenny/Manorcun |
Letterkenny Lisnenan 2 |
|
County Kerry |
Killarney |
Killarney B and T Park |
|
County Cork |
Cork City |
Cork B and T Park |
|
County Dublin |
Dublin 12 |
Dubl 12 - Ballymount Ind. Est. |
|
County Wicklow |
Greystones |
Greystones B and T Park |
|
County Cork |
Cork City |
Ringaskiddy Estate |
|
County Mayo |
Ballina |
Ballina |
|
County Cork |
Cork City |
Rossa Ave |
|
County Cork |
Millstreet |
Millstreet IDA Estate |
|
County Dublin |
Swords |
Swords Bus. Park, Greenfields |
|
County Meath |
Navan Boyerstown Bro |
Navan B and T Park |
|
County Laois |
Portlaoise |
Portlaoise B and T Park |
|
County Cavan |
Cavan |
Cavan B and T Park |
|
County Dublin |
Dublin 5 |
Belcamp - B and T Park |
|
County Westmeath |
Athlone |
Garrankesh Estate |
|
County Kilkenny |
Kilkenny/Bennetsbrid |
Kilkenny B and T Park |
|
County Wicklow |
Arklow |
Arklow B and T Park |
|
County Waterford |
Waterford |
Waterford B and T Park |
|
County Donegal |
Letterkenny/Manorcun |
Letterkenny B and T Park |
|
County Galway |
Ballinasloe |
Ballinasloe B and T Park |
|
County Louth |
Dundalk/Ravensdale |
Dundalk Mullagharlin East |
|
County Kilkenny |
Belview |
Belview |
|
County Louth |
Dundalk |
Dundalk Mullagharlin |
|
County Galway |
Tuam |
Tuam Science and Technology Park |
|
County Louth |
Drogheda |
Drogheda B and T Park |
|
County Waterford |
Dungarvan |
Dungarvan B and T Park |
|
County Cork |
Fermoy |
Fermoy B and T Park |
|
County Westmeath |
Mullingar |
Mullingar B and T Park |
|
County Sligo |
Sligo |
Sligo - Oakfield Site |
|
County Tipperary |
Clonmel |
Clonmel Bus Park |
|
County Galway |
Galway City |
Oranmore Science and Tech Park |
|
County Galway |
Athenry |
Athenry |
|
County Cork |
Carrigtohill East |
Cork Carrigtohill East |
|
County Limerick |
Limerick |
The National Technology Park |
|
County Limerick |
Limerick |
Raheen Business Park |
|
County Kerry |
Tralee |
Acq c.1.0Ha Tralee |
Table 2 - Site Visits by County for Quarter 1 2017
|
County |
Q1 2017 |
|
Carlow |
3 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
|
Clare |
10 |
|
Cork |
9 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Dublin |
82 |
|
Galway |
23 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
|
Kildare |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
|
Laois |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
|
Limerick |
10 |
|
Longford |
0 |
|
Louth |
5 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
|
Meath |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
|
Sligo |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
|
Waterford |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
9 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
|
Total |
173 |
93. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs supported by Enterprise Ireland on 31 December 2016 and on 30 June 2017, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34717/17]
View answer94. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs supported by Enterprise Ireland on 31 December 2015, 31 December 2016 and on 30 June 2017 respectively by each local authority in the Dublin region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34718/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) client companies are a critical source of existing employment and job creation in every county in Ireland and are spread across a wide range of sectors. In 2016, companies supported by EI created 19,244 new jobs or a net increase of 9,117 when job losses are taken into account. Every region benefitted from these results, with 65% of the new jobs created outside of Dublin. There are now over 201,000 people employed by EI supported companies across the country.
Companies supported by EI now, directly and indirectly account for more than 375,000 jobs in the Irish economy.
EI’s new Strategy 2017 – 2020 will support more Irish companies to achieve greater scale, to be more competitive and expand into new export markets. The objective of the ‘Global Ambition’ strategy is to support enterprises across the economy, to grow into strong Irish international companies, developing world-leading products and services and exporting them all around the world.
There is a vast range of programmes and supports offered to companies across the country to drive this strategy. These include management capability, leadership and marketing/sales skills as well as promoting innovation and R&D.
Employment data for Enterprise Ireland is collected annually as part of my Department’s Annual Employment Survey which measures the number of jobs in Agency assisted client companies on 31 October in any given year. As a result, it is not possible to provide specific employment figures to date in 2017, as requested.
Table 1 below identifies the number of jobs (Permanent Full time and other jobs) by county supported by Enterprise Ireland on 31 December 2016.
Table 2 below identifies the number of jobs supported by Enterprise Ireland for 2015 and 2016 in each local authority in the Dublin region.
Table 1 - The number of jobs (Permanent Full time and other jobs) by county supported by Enterprise Ireland on 31 December 2016.
|
County |
2016 |
||
|
|
PFT Jobs |
Other Jobs |
Total ( PFT & other) |
|
Carlow |
2,767 |
206 |
2,973 |
|
Cavan |
4,462 |
759 |
5,221 |
|
Clare |
3,011 |
433 |
3,444 |
|
Cork |
22,654 |
2,282 |
24,936 |
|
Donegal |
2,883 |
698 |
3,581 |
|
Dublin |
58,063 |
12,302 |
70,365 |
|
Galway |
6,110 |
1,184 |
7,294 |
|
Kerry |
3,977 |
700 |
4,677 |
|
Kildare |
7,937 |
695 |
8,632 |
|
Kilkenny |
3,755 |
412 |
4,167 |
|
Laois |
1,213 |
172 |
1,385 |
|
Leitrim |
869 |
53 |
922 |
|
Limerick |
7,152 |
802 |
7,954 |
|
Longford |
2,474 |
412 |
2,886 |
|
Louth |
5,262 |
557 |
5,819 |
|
Mayo |
3,479 |
377 |
3,856 |
|
Meath |
6,225 |
782 |
7,007 |
|
Monaghan |
4,729 |
439 |
5,168 |
|
Offaly |
3,577 |
364 |
3,941 |
|
Roscommon |
1,565 |
123 |
1,688 |
|
Sligo |
1,345 |
201 |
1,546 |
|
Tipperary North Riding |
2,325 |
254 |
2,579 |
|
Tipperary South Riding |
2,255 |
518 |
2,773 |
|
Waterford |
4,914 |
807 |
5,721 |
|
Westmeath |
3,235 |
418 |
3,653 |
|
Wexford |
4,284 |
532 |
4,816 |
|
Wicklow |
3,346 |
758 |
4,104 |
|
Total |
173,868 |
27,240 |
201,108 |
“Other jobs” refer to employees who are part-time, temporary, short-term contract and agency workers employed on a part-time or short-term basis or employed on contracts of less than nine months and exclude those based permanently in overseas Offices.
Table 2 - The number of jobs supported by Enterprise Ireland for 2015 and 2016 in each local authority in the Dublin region.
|
County |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Dublin City |
35,303 |
36,685 |
|
Dublin Fingal |
8,547 |
8,855 |
|
Dublin South County |
12,932 |
14,201 |
|
Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown |
10,084 |
10,624 |
|
Dublin Total |
66,866 |
70,365 |
Source: Annual Employment Survey Results 2015 and 2016.
95. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs supported by IDA Ireland on 31 December 2016 and on 30 June 2017, respectively by county; the agency's strategy to ensure there is an equitable distribution of visits among counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34719/17]
View answer96. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs supported by IDA Ireland on 31 December 2015, on 31 December 2016 and on 30 June 2017 respectively, by local authority in the Dublin region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34720/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together.
IDA Ireland maintains statistics on Agency-supported jobs on a county-by-county basis only. Information on the breakdown of such employment within individual local authorities is not available. In 2015, a total of 76,492 people were employed in Dublin by client companies of the Agency. This figure increased to 82,622 in 2016. Figures for the County for 2017 will be available early next year.
The following table outlines IDA Ireland supported jobs by county for 2016. These figures are compiled on an annual basis as part as the National Employment Survey which is produced later in the year. Figures for 2017 are not yet available.
IDA Ireland remains committed to increasing regional development. That is why the Agency has targeted a minimum increase in investment of 30% to 40% in each region outside of Dublin by the conclusion of its current strategy in 2019. Progress is being made towards that goal – in 2016 over half of all IDA Ireland supported jobs created were based outside of Dublin.
Site visits do represent an important tool in attracting investment and the IDA does its utmost to ensure that investors consider all potential locations. Determining which particular sites may be attractive to a client depends very much on the particular requirements of the company concerned. Factors that are habitually important to overseas investors include the suitability of local infrastructure, the proximity of transport hubs and the availability of skilled talent. It is often the case as well that multinational companies seek to base themselves as close as possible to businesses operating in the same industry.
The IDA always encourages clients to locate in areas that are most in need of investment. I am determined that this approach will continue so that the benefits of FDI are increasingly felt all across Ireland. We have to remember, however, that the ultimate decision as to where to invest is always taken by the company itself.
Total number of IDA Jobs by County in 2016
|
County |
Total IDA-supported jobs |
|
Dublin |
82,622 |
|
Kildare |
10,139 |
|
Meath |
1,496 |
|
Wicklow |
2,043 |
|
Laois |
115 |
|
Longford |
665 |
|
Offaly |
929 |
|
Westmeath |
2,571 |
|
Clare |
6,662 |
|
Limerick |
10,153 |
|
Cavan |
1,203 |
|
Louth |
3,574 |
|
Monaghan |
137 |
|
Donegal |
3,039 |
|
Leitrim |
413 |
|
Sligo |
2,290 |
|
Carlow |
802 |
|
Kilkenny |
762 |
|
Tipperary South |
3,040 |
|
Tipperary North |
328 |
|
Waterford |
6,135 |
|
Wexford |
2,630 |
|
Cork |
33,976 |
|
Kerry |
2,083 |
|
Galway |
16,851 |
|
Mayo |
4,234 |
|
Roscommon |
985 |
|
Country Total |
199,877 |
97. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of the IDA's sponsored visits to Dublin, which also visited Cork; and the number of the IDA's sponsored visits to Cork, which also visited Dublin, since 2012 (details supplied). [34721/17]
View answerInformation on the number of site visits to Dublin and Cork since 2012 is set out in the following table.
While the IDA maintains information on the number of visits to individual counties, it does not - for reasons of client confidentiality and commercial sensitivity - release details of specific itineraries of potential investors. Information on how many different specific locations formed part of single visits is therefore not available.
More broadly, the IDA remains committed to its strategic target of increasing foreign direct investment in every region of Ireland by 30% to 40% by 2019. Progress is being made towards that goal and in 2016 over half of the jobs created by the IDA supported companies were outside Dublin. Projects announced by IDA client companies in 2017 also reflect a continuing trend of increased investment in regional Ireland by overseas firms.
The IDA, in its engagement with prospective new or expanding investors, always promotes the benefits of regional Ireland. This includes detailing the strengths and advantages that Ireland's regions may enjoy over the country's main urban areas. Available properties in the regions that may be suitable for investors are also regularly brought to the attention of overseas companies considering expanding or locating here.
Site Visits to Dublin and Cork, 2012-2017
|
Year
|
Dublin |
Cork |
|
2012 |
196 |
38 |
|
2013 |
180 |
31 |
|
2014 |
205 |
30 |
|
2015 |
242 |
48 |
|
2016 |
284 |
49 |
|
Q1 2017 |
82 |
9 |
98. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs supported by each LEO, local enterprise office, on 31 December 2016 and on 30 June 2017, respectively, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34722/17]
View answerThe numbers of jobs supported by each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in 2016 are set down in the following table.
The results of the Annual Employment Survey of LEO clients for 2016 show that all 31 LEOs reported jobs gains in their areas in 2016. A total of 7,883 new full- and part-time jobs were created, an uplift of over 10.4% on 2015. Taking into account job losses, there was a net increase of 3,679 full and part-time jobs in 2016, an uplift of 4% compared to 2015.
The LEOs approved 896 start-up and job creation projects in 2016 and delivered training to more than 27,600 micro and small business people. The LEOs also provided mentoring to almost 7,500 people. The LEOs also approved 1,161 Trading Online Vouchers, and secured approval for 208 Micro-Finance Loans in 2016. Furthermore, there was a record number of entries (1,842) to Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition in 2016.
The Annual Employment Survey of LEO Clients is undertaken by Enterprise Ireland towards the end of each year. Therefore, the numbers of jobs supported by the LEOs on 30th June, 2017 are not yet available.
Number of Jobs supported by LEOs in 2016
|
LEO |
2016 |
|
Carlow |
1,092 |
|
Cavan |
1,162 |
|
Clare |
1,110 |
|
Cork City |
633 |
|
Cork North & West |
977 |
|
Cork South |
1,393 |
|
Donegal |
1,358 |
|
Dublin City |
1,670 |
|
Dublin DLR |
1,308 |
|
Dublin Fingal |
831 |
|
South Dublin |
1,230 |
|
Galway |
962 |
|
Kerry |
1,962 |
|
Kildare |
881 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,500 |
|
Laois |
485 |
|
Leitrim |
422 |
|
Limerick |
1,856 |
|
Longford |
1,061 |
|
Louth |
780 |
|
Mayo |
1,239 |
|
Meath |
927 |
|
Monaghan |
903 |
|
Offaly |
921 |
|
Roscommon |
704 |
|
Sligo |
1,095 |
|
Tipperary |
1,437 |
|
Waterford |
1,469 |
|
Westmeath |
1,375 |
|
Wexford |
1,192 |
|
Wicklow |
699 |
|
Grand Total |
34,634 |
99. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the value of drawdowns issued under the credit guarantee scheme on 31 December 2015, on 31 December 2016 and on 30 June 2017, respectively; the value of approvals on the same dates; the details of each drawdown and approval, by county; the reasons for the delay in the legislation to review the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34723/17]
View answerThe Credit Guarantee Schemes (the original made in 2012, and another in 2015) were operated on behalf of me as Minister for Enterprise and Innovation by a private sector firm for the first 4 years of its existence. On 17 October 2016, in accordance with a Government Decision, the role of Operator was transferred to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI).
SBCI has advised that, as of 30th June, 2017, under the Schemes, 471 loans to the value of €74,955,594 had been sanctioned by participating lenders under the scheme. It is estimated that these loans have created or sustained a total of 3,053 jobs in the Irish economy.
It is important to note that once the benefit of a credit guarantee is sanctioned and offered to a borrower under the Schemes, not all borrowers proceed to actually draw down the finance available. A significant number of cases are listed as ‘Pending’ by the participating lenders (the main banks to date), and the SBCI has indicated that it does not hold complete information on all such cases and, as a result, it is not possible to quantify accurately the drawdowns of loans considered under the scheme.
A breakdown of sanctioned loans over the past two and a half years is provided at A. below, and a breakdown by County is located at B. below.
Since the inception of Credit Guarantee Schemes in Quarter 4 of 2012, Quarterly Reports providing full details of the latest Scheme performance have always been published on my Department’s website. I will shortly be receiving the performance Report for Quarter 2 of 2017 Report from SBCI and it will then be uploaded onto my Department’s website.
The new Credit Guarantee Scheme 2017, launched earlier this year by my colleague, Minister of State, Pat Breen. T.D., will be available shortly to our SMEs, once discussions currently underway between the SBCI and the three main banks have concluded. It is also possible that other financial providers may join the scheme in time. I am confident that we will see a significant uptake in demand, given that the new Scheme will:
- permit me as Minister to take a higher level of risk on finance provided to SMEs;
- enable new financial providers to take part, and;
- allow for the provision of finance to SMEs via products other than bank loans, namely agreements on credit facilities, asset credit facilities and invoice financing facilities.
A. Below data is based on total Sanctioned CGS facilities:
|
Date |
Facilities Value as at date |
|
31/12/2015 |
€42,602,894 |
|
31/12/2016 |
€64,669,894 |
|
30/06/2017 |
€74,955,594 |
B. Below data is based on current Live, Expired or Repaid CGS facilities:
|
County |
Facilities Value as at 30/06/2017 |
|
Carlow |
€1,770,000 |
|
Clare |
€948,250 |
|
Cork |
€4,336,000 |
|
Donegal |
€197,000 |
|
Dublin |
€28,456,200 |
|
Galway |
€2,241,500 |
|
Kerry |
€2,160,000 |
|
Kildare |
€3,937,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
€295,000 |
|
Laois |
€1,916,950 |
|
Leitrim |
€1,000,000 |
|
Limerick |
€5,835,594 |
|
Louth |
€1,460,000 |
|
Mayo |
€953,100 |
|
Meath |
€1,275,000 |
|
Monaghan |
€250,000 |
|
Offaly |
€790,000 |
|
Roscommon |
€80,000 |
|
Sligo |
€57,000 |
|
Tipperary |
€1,071,000 |
|
Waterford |
€750,000 |
|
Westmeath |
€1,402,000 |
|
Wexford |
€1,266,000 |
|
Wicklow |
€1,386,000 |
100. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the value of drawdowns issued under the microfinance scheme on 31 December 2015, on 31 December 2016 and on 30 June 2017, respectively; the value of approvals on the same dates by county of each drawdown and approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34724/17]
View answerMicrofinance Ireland (MFI) provides small loans through the Government’s Microenterprise Loan Fund to help start ups and established businesses to start up a small business or expand an existing small business.
MFI provides me with Quarterly Reports of progress, and these Reports are published on the websites of both MFI and my Department. The Report for Quarter 2 of 2017 will be received shortly, and will then be published on the relevant websites.
The latest available figures (up to end Q 1 of 2017) sought by the Deputy are detailed in the following tables.
Microfinance Ireland is working within its new Strategy ‘The Way Forward’ 2017-2021. At the centre of this strategy is the strategic vision which provides for the need for Microfinance Ireland to create a value proposition by being the best in class micro-lender, creating and supporting jobs and fulfilling the borrowing requirements of microenterprises across Ireland. The strategic vision also aims to exceed the strategic objective of the fund of supporting the creation of 7,700 jobs in Ireland.
This new strategy is already bearing fruit as Microfinance Ireland was recently awarded a certification of compliance with the European Code of Good Conduct for Microcredit Provision. This certification confirms Microfinance Ireland’s position as a best in class micro credit provider in Europe, being one of the first four institutions in Europe to qualify and the only organisation in Ireland to receive this award.
The Board of Microfinance Ireland continues to monitor the risk appetite of the organisation in relation to the level of loan defaults. My Department is represented on that Board and, overall, I am satisfied with the level of engagement and performance of the Fund to date.
Table 1- Geographic Spread for Value of Drawdowns
|
County |
2015 Value (000’s) |
2016 Value (000’s) |
Q1 2017 Value (000’s) |
|
Dublin |
880 |
941 |
257 |
|
Cork |
485 |
357 |
127 |
|
Galway |
188 |
269 |
29 |
|
Wexford |
161 |
235 |
79 |
|
Meath |
220 |
137 |
55 |
|
Tipperary |
184 |
236 |
53 |
|
Kildare |
310 |
101 |
39 |
|
Limerick |
179 |
233 |
105 |
|
Mayo |
208 |
111 |
25 |
|
Cavan |
176 |
77 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
157 |
111 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
146 |
77 |
40 |
|
Clare |
240 |
175 |
27 |
|
Sligo |
190 |
155 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
120 |
100 |
82 |
|
Westmeath |
104 |
154 |
10 |
|
Roscommon |
129 |
56 |
46 |
|
Louth |
126 |
99 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
95 |
72 |
44 |
|
Laois |
67 |
56 |
9 |
|
Longford |
55 |
233 |
25 |
|
Carlow |
113 |
10 |
26 |
|
Leitrim |
111 |
85 |
35 |
|
Offaly |
11 |
92 |
4 |
|
Kilkenny |
70 |
74 |
37 |
|
Monaghan |
27 |
40 |
5 |
|
Total |
4,752 |
4,286 |
1,158 |
Table 2-Activity Levels of Microfinance Ireland
|
End March 2017 |
Q1 2017 |
2016 12 mths |
2015 12 mths |
2014 12 mths |
2013 12 mths |
2012 3 mths |
Fund to End Dec 2014 |
Fund to End Dec 2015 |
Fund to End Dec 2016 |
|
|
Application Nos |
2,735 |
235 |
861 |
752 |
508 |
320 |
59 |
887 |
1,639 |
2,500 |
|
Applications €000 |
44,524 |
3,450 |
13,567 |
12,319 |
8,449 |
5,669 |
1,070 |
15,188 |
27,507 |
41,074 |
|
Approvals Nos |
1,249 |
82 |
397 |
357 |
274 |
127 |
12 |
413 |
770 |
1,167 |
|
Approvals €000 |
18,183 |
1,095 |
5,392 |
5,378 |
4,158 |
2,000 |
160 |
6,318 |
11,696 |
17,088 |
|
Drawdown Nos |
1,081 |
86 |
330 |
319 |
223 |
119 |
4 |
346 |
665 |
995 |
|
Drawdowns €000 |
15,362 |
1,158 |
4,284 |
4,744 |
3,277 |
1,847 |
52 |
5,176 |
9,920 |
14,204 |
|
Jobs(Nos) Net |
2,948 |
137 |
990 |
930 |
581 |
289 |
21 |
891 |
1,821 |
2,811 |
101. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the value of drawdowns issued by each local enterprise office, LEO, on 31 December 2015, on 31 December 2016 and on 30 June 2017, respectively; the value of approvals on the same dates by county; if she will provide a LEO by LEO breakdown of each drawdown and approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34725/17]
View answerCapital funding for the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) is provided by my Department via the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Enterprise Ireland, who distribute the funding to individual LEOs. The Capital allocations are for direct financial supports to the micro-enterprise sector (Measure 1 grants) and so-called “soft” supports for LEO clients, such as training and mentoring (Measure 2 supports). Measure 1 grants are given out to LEO client companies, in the form of priming, business expansion and feasibility grants. Since 2014, the LEOs also disburse direct Capital funding in the form of investments to successful applicants under the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition.
Details of the Capital allocations to the 31 LEOs in 2015, 2016 and 2017, along with details of expenditure at end December 2015, end December 2016 and end June 2017 are set out in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
The total value of expenditure made by the LEOs to their clients over in this period may also include an element of refundable aid which is generated by the LEOs from repayments by clients of up to 30% of the value of the grants made. The Measure 2 expenditure may include an element of own resource income generated by the LEOs from their training courses and mentoring services, etc. These additional elements are included in the expenditure amounts in the tables.
The expenditure figures for 2017 only reflect Measure 1 expenditure to 30 June. Measure 2 expenditure figures are currently being collated.
Table 1: LEO Capital Allocations 2017 and Expenditure to end June 2017
|
LEO |
M1, M2 and IBYE Budget Allocation for 2017 |
Measure 1 Expenditure 1/1/2017 to 30/6/2017 |
|
Carlow |
498,795 |
123,555 |
|
Cavan |
518,428 |
61,875 |
|
Clare |
568,758 |
299,941 |
|
Cork City |
574,708 |
100,503 |
|
Cork North/West |
963,204 |
112,033 |
|
Cork South |
663,164 |
47,427 |
|
Donegal |
615,212 |
188,353 |
|
Dublin City |
1,015,566 |
192,200 |
|
Dublin South |
733,592 |
216,714 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown |
666,716 |
189,535 |
|
Fingal |
742,880 |
206,095 |
|
Galway |
709,847 |
136,319 |
|
Kerry |
598,683 |
102,092 |
|
Kildare |
670,999 |
231,813 |
|
Kilkenny |
545,735 |
119,558 |
|
Laois |
526,226 |
35,122 |
|
Leitrim |
474,676 |
41,213 |
|
Limerick |
974,815 |
214,310 |
|
Longford |
482,290 |
40,173 |
|
Louth |
574,785 |
49,676 |
|
Mayo |
582,969 |
45,309 |
|
Meath |
643,325 |
70,482 |
|
Monaghan |
505,001 |
146,445 |
|
Offaly |
522,132 |
122,476 |
|
Roscommon |
508,788 |
46,271 |
|
Sligo |
510,192 |
82,924 |
|
Tipperary |
936,070 |
127,659 |
|
Waterford |
888,539 |
137,759 |
|
Westmeath |
535,951 |
36,801 |
|
Wexford |
598,490 |
25,441 |
|
Wicklow |
589,314 |
83,341 |
|
TOTAL |
19,939,849 |
3,633,415 |
Table 2: LEO Capital Allocations and Expenditure 2016
|
LEO |
M1, M2 and IBYE Budget Allocation for 2016 |
M1 and M2 Expenditure incl. IBYE 1/1/2016 to 31/12/2016 |
|
Carlow |
477,688 |
670,157 |
|
Cavan |
485,427 |
501,398 |
|
Clare |
607,655 |
671,267 |
|
Cork City |
548,411 |
717,331 |
|
Cork North/West |
908,524 |
1,106,059 |
|
Cork South |
816,217 |
1,008,819 |
|
Donegal |
639,441 |
813,839 |
|
Dublin City |
1,130,998 |
1,434,067 |
|
Dublin South |
670,346 |
927,481 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown |
687,543 |
1,044,312 |
|
Fingal |
873,739 |
685,675 |
|
Galway |
557,946 |
823,552 |
|
Kerry |
521,006 |
593,859 |
|
Kildare |
662,913 |
663,044 |
|
Kilkenny |
523,167 |
6,688,367 |
|
Laois |
429,569 |
500,311 |
|
Leitrim |
398,271 |
377,714 |
|
Limerick |
1,072,419 |
1,076,166 |
|
Longford |
410,475 |
432,242 |
|
Louth |
569,414 |
502,986 |
|
Mayo |
620,308 |
819,051 |
|
Meath |
513,324 |
500,355 |
|
Monaghan |
469,796 |
611,135 |
|
Offaly |
435,274 |
464,512 |
|
Roscommon |
414,009 |
363,147 |
|
Sligo |
555,280 |
785,290 |
|
Tipperary |
1,055,844 |
1,173,756 |
|
Waterford |
747,900 |
884,031 |
|
Westmeath |
667,826 |
745,218 |
|
Wexford |
593,832 |
650,792 |
|
Wicklow |
522,541 |
639,470 |
|
TOTAL |
19,587,103 |
22,855,871 |
Table 3: LEO Capital Allocations and Expenditure 2015
|
LEO |
M1, M2 and IBYE Budget Allocation for 2015 |
M1 and M2 Expenditure incl. IBYE 1/1/2015 to 31/12/2015 |
|
Carlow |
446,851 |
505,942 |
|
Cavan |
484,626 |
670,358 |
|
Clare |
517,281 |
622,748 |
|
Cork City |
479,245 |
541,801 |
|
Cork North/ West |
808,429 |
959,038 |
|
Cork South |
727,476 |
848,042 |
|
Donegal |
519,964 |
627,260 |
|
Dublin City |
953,182 |
1,109,899 |
|
Dublin South |
620,997 |
786,346 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown |
584,490 |
919,981 |
|
Fingal |
808,631 |
1,284,434 |
|
Galway |
606,816 |
605,538 |
|
Kerry |
574,575 |
563,912 |
|
Kildare |
567,481 |
621,522 |
|
Kilkenny |
456,419 |
568,399 |
|
Laois |
441,977 |
442,540 |
|
Leitrim |
387,080 |
527,519 |
|
Limerick |
930,407 |
1,279,277 |
|
Longford |
401,769 |
369,950 |
|
Louth |
523,021 |
422,616 |
|
Mayo |
560,526 |
679,578 |
|
Meath |
542,359 |
500,647 |
|
Monaghan |
422,629 |
455,790 |
|
Offaly |
438,438 |
482,882 |
|
Roscommon |
442,428 |
378,382 |
|
Sligo |
437,258 |
473,636 |
|
Tipperary |
878,760 |
1,257,932 |
|
Waterford |
765,201 |
771,074 |
|
Westmeath |
527,310 |
613,474 |
|
Wexford |
504,793 |
714,008 |
|
Wicklow |
636,241 |
743,141 |
|
Total |
17,996,660 |
21,347,666 |
102. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of inspections carried out by the workplace relations bodies by county in each month since being established; the number of prosecutions undertaken in each county during that time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34726/17]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body which was established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015.
The WRC assumes the roles and functions previously carried out by the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), Equality Tribunal, Labour Relations Commission (LRC), Rights Commissioners Service (RCS), and the first-instance (Complaints and Referrals) functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT).
Inspectors of the WRC carry out inspections of employer records with a view to determining compliance with employment rights legislation. These inspections arise:
- in response to complaints received of alleged non-compliance with relevant employment rights legislation;
- as part of compliance campaigns which focus on compliance in specific sectors or specific pieces of legislation, or
- as routine inspections, which act as a control measure.
The aim is to achieve voluntary compliance with employment law through the provision of education and awareness, inspection of employers employment records and enforcement where necessary. While every effort is made to secure compliance, some employers either refuse or fail to rectify the breaches identified and/or pay money due to their employees. These cases are referred for prosecution.
Details in relation to the number of inspections and prosecutions undertaken in each county during 2015, 2016 and to end June 2017 are provided in the following tables (a monthly breakdown of the figures for inspections undertaken is not available).
Inspections:
|
2017 (to 30 June) |
2016 |
2015 (Jan to Dec) |
|
|
CARLOW |
39 |
36 |
71 |
|
CAVAN |
50 |
117 |
134 |
|
CLARE |
53 |
129 |
242 |
|
CORK |
117 |
332 |
287 |
|
DONEGAL |
116 |
128 |
184 |
|
DUBLIN |
819 |
1,067 |
977 |
|
GALWAY |
190 |
408 |
410 |
|
KERRY |
24 |
96 |
51 |
|
KILDARE |
71 |
186 |
246 |
|
KILKENNY |
31 |
92 |
91 |
|
LAOIS |
16 |
63 |
85 |
|
LEITRIM |
37 |
36 |
24 |
|
LIMERICK |
181 |
426 |
347 |
|
LONGFORD |
51 |
79 |
76 |
|
LOUTH |
145 |
177 |
182 |
|
MAYO |
65 |
147 |
154 |
|
MEATH |
50 |
121 |
143 |
|
MONAGHAN |
63 |
69 |
77 |
|
OFFALY |
94 |
76 |
91 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
21 |
61 |
72 |
|
SLIGO |
40 |
47 |
58 |
|
TIPPERARY |
108 |
177 |
241 |
|
WATERFORD |
61 |
207 |
166 |
|
WESTMEATH |
98 |
117 |
133 |
|
WEXFORD |
55 |
181 |
299 |
|
WICKLOW |
76 |
255 |
344 |
|
TOTAL |
2,671 |
4,830 |
5,185 |
Prosecutions:
|
2017 (to 30 June) |
2016 |
2015 (Jan to Dec) |
|
|
CARLOW |
2 |
5 |
1 |
|
CAVAN |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
CLARE |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
CORK |
5 |
2 |
7 |
|
DONEGAL |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
DUBLIN |
8 |
7 |
13 |
|
GALWAY |
0 |
2 |
5 |
|
KERRY |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
KILDARE |
4 |
11 |
9 |
|
KILKENNY |
2 |
2 |
5 |
|
LAOIS |
0 |
6 |
2 |
|
LEITRIM |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
LIMERICK |
5 |
2 |
4 |
|
LONGFORD |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
LOUTH |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
MAYO |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
MEATH |
1 |
9 |
1 |
|
MONAGHAN |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
OFFALY |
1 |
8 |
15 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
SLIGO |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
TIPPERARY |
4 |
6 |
5 |
|
WATERFORD |
2 |
3 |
1 |
|
WESTMEATH |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
WEXFORD |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
WICKLOW |
4 |
7 |
7 |
|
TOTAL |
60 |
85 |
106 |
103. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of inspection staff attached to the workplace relations bodies since being established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34727/17]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) was established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015, and has responsibility for information provision, workplace advice, mediation, conciliation, adjudication, inspection and enforcement in relation to employment rights, equality and equal status matters and industrial relations. Its staff forms part of the overall Departmental staffing complement.
The WRC assumes the roles and functions previously carried out by the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), Equality Tribunal (ET), Labour Relations Commission (LRC), Rights Commissioners Service (RCS), and the first-instance (Complaints and Referrals) functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT).
The Labour Inspectors of the WRC's Inspection & Enforcement Service carry out inspections of employer records with a view to determining compliance with employment rights and employment permits legislation. These inspections arise:
- In response to complaints received of alleged non-compliance with relevant employment rights legislation;
- As part of compliance campaigns which focus on compliance in specific sectors or specific pieces of legislation, or
- As routine inspections, which act as a control measure.
The aim is to achieve voluntary compliance with employment law through the provision of education and awareness, inspection of employers’ employment records and enforcement where necessary.
Staffing resources are allocated across my Department in the context of the requirement to manage the pay bill and staff numbers in accordance with Government policy, utilising available resources in the most effective and efficient manner as appropriate to business needs and priorities. On a day-to-day basis the HR Unit of my Department works with individual Business Units and the Department’s Management Board team on the allocation of staff resources and this would include the WRC. As an “Office” of my Department, this allows the Secretary General and her HR team the freedom to reallocate resources from one Business Unit to another as priorities change, always mindful that the pay-budget limits do constrain our capacity to grow staffing levels as well as having regard to strategic priorities captured through the workforce planning process within the Department.
The staffing of Workplace Relations Commission Inspection & Enforcement Services as at year end 2015, (the first date for which distinct WRC statistics are available) and as at 7th July, 2017, is set out in tabular format as requested by the Deputy, and includes staff with additional responsibilities – performing managerial functions across the Inspection and Enforcement Division and the Information & Customer Service Division.
|
Workplace Relations Commission |
End-2015 |
July 2017 |
|
Grade/Position |
FTE Posts* |
FTE Posts* |
|
Principal Officer** |
1 |
1 |
|
Solicitor** |
0.6 |
0.6 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer** |
4 |
4 |
|
Administrative Officer |
0 |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
0 |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
7.8 |
5.8 |
|
Inspectors*** |
55.8 |
55 |
|
TOTAL |
70.2 |
69.4 |
* ‘FTE’: denotes number of full time equivalent staff with reference to reduced work patterns
** The Principal Officer, Solicitor and Assistant Principal staff perform managerial functions across the Inspection and Enforcement Division and the Information & Customer Division of the WRC
** Inspectors and Inspection Team Managers
104. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for innovation vouchers; the number issued; the number redeemed; the value of vouchers redeemed for each year of the programme; the criteria for approval for a voucher; if it is possible for a voucher to be extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34731/17]
View answerThe Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher Initiative was introduced in 2007 in order to drive an on-going innovation culture shift within small enterprise by promoting and encouraging knowledge transfer between Ireland’s public knowledge providers and the small business community and creating greater synergies between the two. Under the initiative, vouchers worth €5,000 are allocated to small businesses whose proposals, to work with public knowledge providers on specific innovation issues, meet certain criteria.
The Innovation Voucher Programme has been running successfully since its inception and it is planned to continue the programme as long as the demand justifies it and it continues to meet a need in the small business sector.
It is not possible to supply numbers of all applications for vouchers as only those that pass basic eligibility criteria are recorded on Enterprise Ireland’s database. Vouchers are awarded following a review of both the eligibility of the applicant and the knowledge question and approximately 80% of applications are successful. The main reasons for applications failing to be approved are; non-eligibility of the applicant, insufficient information, ineligible activity and low levels of innovation.
The number of innovation vouchers issued, redeemed and their value for each year since the programme commenced is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
IVs issued |
IVs redeemed |
Value of IVs redeemed €m |
|
2007 |
428 |
4 |
0.018 |
|
2008 |
588 |
206 |
1.0 |
|
2009 |
798 |
526 |
2.4 |
|
2010 |
855 |
524 |
2.6 |
|
2011 |
757 |
518 |
2.6 |
|
2012 |
767 |
525 |
2.5 |
|
2013 |
1008 |
527 |
2.5 |
|
2014 |
904 |
525 |
2.5 |
|
2015 |
949 |
530 |
2.6 |
|
2016 |
838 |
594 |
2.9 |
Applications are initially assessed by Enterprise Ireland against the following criteria:
- Whether the company is a limited company
- That the company in question does not have a current “Active” Voucher
- That the company has not received more than the maximum number of Vouchers permitted. The maximum number of vouchers per company is three, one of which must be a co-funded voucher between Enterprise Ireland and the company.
- That the company has received less than 300k funding from Enterprise Ireland in the previous 5 years.
- De minimus rule – ensures that the company has received less than 200k in the previous 3 years as per EU State Aid rules.
If the application satisfies the above eligibility criteria the application proceeds to an evaluation. The evaluation of the application must demonstrate that the proposed activity requires an innovative solution which will have additional value and on-going benefits for the company. Each application is assessed against an agreed list of eligible and ineligible activities. The full list of eligible and ineligible activities is available on the Enterprise Ireland website at www.innovationvouchers.ie.
Innovation vouchers may be extended, on the application of the knowledge provider, if Enterprise Ireland is satisfied that the project is underway before the expiry date for the voucher. Under normal circumstances only one extension is permitted and the maximum extension granted is 6 months.
105. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications received by the microenterprise loan fund in each year since its establishment; the number of loans approved; the amount drawn down; the number of jobs supported by the fund, in tabular form; her plans for its future development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34732/17]
View answerMicrofinance Ireland (MFI) provides small loans through the Government’s Microenterprise Loan Fund to help start ups and established businesses to start up a small business or expand an existing business.
MFI provides me with Quarterly Reports of progress, and these Reports are published on the websites of both MFI and my Department. The Report for Quarter 2 of 2017 will be received shortly and will then be published on those websites.
The latest available figures (up to end Q 1 2017) are detailed in the following chart.
During 2015, in line with the Microenterprise Loan Fund Act 2012, the performance of Microfinance Ireland was reviewed in detail by my officials, and the implementation of changes led to better performance, flexibility and advertising of its products. A key change was the removal of a previous requirement for a micro-enterprise to have been refused a bank loan before recourse to this channel.
Microfinance Ireland is guided by its new Strategy ‘The Way Forward’ 2017-2021. At the centre of the new strategy is the strategic vision which provides for the need for Microfinance Ireland to create a value proposition by being the best in class micro-lender, creating and supporting jobs and fulfilling the borrowing requirements of microenterprises across Ireland. The strategic vision also aims to exceed the strategic objective of the fund of supporting the creation of 7,700 jobs in Ireland.
The strategic vision will be delivered through Microfinance Ireland which will be:
- Strongly branded, recognisable and reputable
- Growing through a multi-partner/multi-channel relationship model
- Operationally effective
- With effective bad debt management for the target market.
This new strategy is already bearing fruit as Microfinance Ireland was recently awarded a certification of compliance with the European Code of Good Conduct for Microcredit Provision. This certification confirms Microfinance Ireland’s position as a best in class micro credit provider in Europe, being one of the first four institutions in Europe to qualify and the only organisation in Ireland to receive this award.
The current Board of Microfinance Ireland continues to monitor the risk appetite of the organisation in relation to the level of loan defaults. My Department is represented on that Board and, overall, I am satisfied with the level of engagement and performance of the Fund to date.
Table 1-Activity Levels of Microfinance Ireland
|
- |
End March 2017 |
Q1 2017 |
2016 12 mths |
2015 12 mths |
2014 12 mths |
2013 12 mths |
2012 3 mths |
Fund to End Dec 2014 |
Fund to End Dec 2015 |
Fund to End Dec 2016 |
|
Application Nos |
2,735 |
235 |
861 |
752 |
508 |
320 |
59 |
887 |
1,639 |
2,500 |
|
Applications €000 |
44,524 |
3,450 |
13,567 |
12,319 |
8,449 |
5,669 |
1,070 |
15,188 |
27,507 |
41,074 |
|
Approvals Nos |
1,249 |
82 |
397 |
357 |
274 |
127 |
12 |
413 |
770 |
1,167 |
|
Approvals €000 |
18,183 |
1,095 |
5,392 |
5,378 |
4,158 |
2,000 |
160 |
6,318 |
11,696 |
17,088 |
|
Drawdown Nos |
1,081 |
86 |
330 |
319 |
223 |
119 |
4 |
346 |
665 |
995 |
|
Drawdowns €000 |
15,362 |
1,158 |
4,284 |
4,744 |
3,277 |
1,847 |
52 |
5,176 |
9,920 |
14,204 |
|
Jobs(Nos) Net |
2,948 |
137 |
990 |
930 |
581 |
289 |
21 |
891 |
1,821 |
2,811 |
106. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funding Enterprise Ireland has provided from the high-potential start-up funding scheme for each of the years from 2010 to 2015; and for each of these years the number of companies which have received funding from this specific scheme; the cumulative number of jobs that have been created after this form of funding was provided to these companies; the cumulative amount of additional exports in euro that have been generated by these companies after they received this form of funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34733/17]
View answerEnterprise Ireland offers a range of financial and non-financial supports to assist clients to win business and sustain and create jobs through all stages of the business development cycle.
Start-ups remain a key source of employment for the Irish economy and over time many start-ups will develop and grow and emerge as the medium and large sized companies of the future. Supporting Start-ups through feasibility finding, Competitive Start Funds, HPSU supports and the LEO network is critical to job creation now and in the future.
As part of the Enterprise Ireland’s offering in the Start-Up space the agency looks to develop and target High Potential Start-Up (HPSUs). HPSU companies are defined as start-up ventures that are:
- Introducing a new or innovative product or service to international markets.
- Involved in manufacturing or internationally traded services.
- Capable of creating 10 jobs in Ireland and realising €1 million in sales within three to four years of starting up.
- Led by an experienced management team.
- Headquartered and controlled in Ireland.
- Less than six years old.
Table 1 outlines the number of HPSUs approved in the years 2010 to 2015 and the total amount paid to them in relation to all approvals from the year they became a HPSU.
These companies have created 4,807 jobs (4,180 Full Time and 627 part time) between 2010 and 2015.
|
Year Achieved |
No of HPSUs approved/ No of companies that received funding |
Jobs Created PFT |
Jobs Created Other |
Additional Exports € |
Total Payments from year approved as HPSU to 31/12/15 € |
|
2010 |
80 |
542 |
17 |
32,020,000 |
24,439,930 |
|
2011 |
93 |
1,426 |
307 |
74,954,000 |
28,058,257 |
|
2012 |
97 |
507 |
47 |
33,759,000 |
22,205,995 |
|
2013 |
104 |
583 |
56 |
47,851,000 |
21,915,252 |
|
2014 |
102 |
636 |
64 |
38,466,000 |
20,180,123 |
|
2015 |
105 |
486 |
136 |
14,769,000 |
8,291,590 |
|
Grand Total |
581 |
4,180 |
627 |
241,819,000 |
125,091,147 |
*Payments are in relation to all approvals from the full suite of Enterprise Ireland client offers
Notes:
Jobs Created: Based on Job Numbers per Annual Employment Survey (AES) in the year preceding year achieved v AES for 2016
Exports: Based on exports per ABR year preceding year achieved v ABR 2016
Payments: Based on payments made for all grant types from year achieved to 31 December 2015
Context for EI HPSU Support
Enterprise Ireland, the Government agency responsible for developing Irish business globally, reported that over the period of its 2014-2016 Strategy ‘Driving Enterprise, Delivering Jobs’, 45,592 new full time jobs were created by client companies. This brings the total number of people employed by Enterprise Ireland supported companies to 201,108 – an all-time high for the Agency.
A total of 19,244 new jobs (full and part-time) in Enterprise Ireland supported businesses were created in 2016. Almost two-thirds of these new jobs were outside Dublin, and all regions recorded increases in employment. Digital Technology, Construction and Fintech were the key performing sectors. This translates into a net increase of 9,117 jobs for 2016 (taking account of job losses).
These full-time employment and total employment levels are the highest recorded in the history of the agency. Furthermore in March, Enterprise Ireland announced that its clients recorded export sales of €21.6bn in 2016, representing a 6 per cent increase on 2015. High Potential Start-ups (HPSUs) are a key driver of job creation and export growth by Enterprise Ireland clients companies.
Enterprise Ireland also published its strategy for the period 2017-2020 Strategy – Build Scale, Expand Reach on the occasion of the announcement of its job results. The strategy builds on the success of recent years and sets new, ambitious targets for jobs and export growth.
107. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of take up of the development capital scheme in each of the years since its establishment and to date in 2017; the number of jobs supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34734/17]
View answerThe establishment of the Development Capital Scheme is a critical action under the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs and has the objective of increasing the availability of risk capital and closing the ‘equity gap’ experienced by SMEs seeking risk capital in the region of €2million - €12million.
The Development Capital Scheme forms part of the suite of new finance measures put in place through the Action Plan for Jobs to increase the availability of funding for SMEs. A total of €75million in funding has been made available through my Department for the Development Capital Scheme with the aim of leveraging a minimum total of €150million in additional funding from the private sector.
Through an open and competitive process, Enterprise Ireland has made total commitments of €75m available to three funds. Under the Scheme, commitments were made to 3 funds that will provide equity, quasi equity or debt of between €2m and €12m to established investee companies.
Each of the funds established under the Development Capital Scheme are aimed at providing funding for the mid-sized, mostly export-oriented businesses with clear growth and development prospects. The Funds target particularly manufacturing and technology companies in traditional sectors including engineering, food, life sciences, services and electronics. All of the funds were established in the later parts of 2013 and commenced investment in 2014.
State investment in these funds is on the same terms as the private sector. The investment managers are responsible for making investment decisions within a clearly defined investment strategy over the life time of the fund. All three funds have invested in the Irish market and are continuing to look for new investment opportunities.
The latest figures available on the Development Capital Scheme in terms of amount of investment and companies supported are at Table 1 (up to end Q1 2017) and employment numbers at Table 2 (up to end 2016).
Table 1 – Investment Data
|
Year |
No. Investments |
Amount |
No. New Companies |
|
2014 |
5 |
€35,851,401 |
4 |
|
2015 |
7 |
€75,354,418 |
5 |
|
2015 |
6 |
€65,602,907 |
6 |
|
2017 (Q1) |
4 |
€24,455,054 |
4 |
|
Total |
22 |
€201,263,780 |
19 |
Table 2 – Economic Profile of Companies
|
Type |
Direct IRL Employment (FTE) |
Turnover |
Exports |
|
Dev Cap |
3,549 |
€327.8m |
€104.1m |
108. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of take-up of the seed and venture capital scheme in each of the years since its establishment and to date in 2017; the number of jobs supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34735/17]
View answerSuccessive Governments, through Enterprise Ireland, have invested in the domestic venture capital sector for over 20 years. This investment has sought to increase the availability of risk capital for SMEs to support economic growth through the continued development of the Seed and Venture Capital industry in Ireland, thereby achieving a more robust, commercially viable and sustainable sector.
As part of Budget 2013, the Government committed €175 million to the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme 2013-2018, with a target to leverage a further €525 million from the private sector making €700 million in additional capital available to high growth SMEs. Following the conclusion of an extensive and in-depth evaluation, the first call for expressions of interest under this Scheme concluded and commitments of €109.5m were made to a number of funds in the technology and life science sectors. The successful funds have closed, completed fundraising and commenced investing in companies. To date five funds have closed, Atlantic Bridge III LP, Fountain Healthcare Partners Fund II, The Bank of Ireland Kernel Capital Growth Fund (ROI) II, ACT V Venture Fund and Seroba Life Sciences Fund III. An allocation has also been made to a new European Angel Fund.
In June 2015, a second call was announced for expressions of interest focused on early stage with a strategy of investing in Irish start-ups. The specific objective is to ensure there is sufficient seed capital in the Irish market to meet demand and to support company creation and commercialisation of research. The deadline for expressions of interest for this process was July 31st 2015. Enterprise Ireland evaluated the expressions of interest received against the published criteria and made total commitments of €65m to 7 fund managers. Four new funds have now been established, AIB Startup Accelerator II Fund, Frontline Venture Fund II, the University Bridge Fund and Suir Valley Ventures (est. 2017), all of which are active and currently seeking investment opportunities. All investment activity for 2016 is reported in Enterprise Ireland’s Annual Seed and Venture Capital Report 2016 which is available on the Enterprise Ireland website.
A third call for expressions of interest was launched in March 2017. The deadline for expressions of interest for this process was 31st May 2017. Assessment and evaluation is currently underway with a view to making commitments later in the year.
Since inception, the funds supported under the 2013-2018 Scheme have drawn down the following amounts from Enterprise Ireland;
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 (to date) |
|
€1.8m |
€5.2m |
€11.8m |
€9.9m |
In addition, funds in receipt of investment under the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme 2007-2012 are still actively investing. A third and final call for expressions of interest under the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme 2007-2012 was issued in July 2012. As a result of this call the €50 million Frontline Ventures Fund I, €20m SOSventures Fund and the €6m Hoxton Ventures Fund have been established.
Since inception, the funds supported under the 2007-2012 Scheme have drawn down the following amounts from Enterprise Ireland;
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 (to date) |
|
€3.3m |
€6.3m |
€7.5m |
€12.5m |
€13.4m |
€18.5m |
€24.9m |
€21.0m |
€16.3m |
€16.1m |
€13.3m |
€7.0m |
Under these Schemes a minimum of double Enterprise Ireland’s commitment must be invested in Irish companies over the lifetime of each fund.
Funds under the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme 2013 - 2018 launched between 2014 and early 2017. The funds launched to date under this Scheme are open for investments and typically have terms of ten years to complete their investments.
By comparison, the funds launched under the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme 2007 – 2012 are several years ahead of the 2013 – 2018 Scheme in completing their investment policies and developing and assisting the companies in which they have invested.
The following table outlines the economic profile of the companies in receipt of investment as of the year end 2016.
|
Type |
Direct IRL Employment (FTE) |
Turnover |
Exports |
|
2007-2012 SVC |
2,730 |
€301.7m |
€256.5m |
|
2013-2018 SVC |
38 |
€7.5m |
€7.5m |
|
Grand Total |
2,768 |
€309.2m |
€264.0m |
The annual Enterprise Ireland Seed & Venture Capital Report for 2016 was launched on 13th June 2017. The report highlights that under the 2007–2012 Programme, Enterprise Ireland committed €175 million to continue to develop the seed and venture capital market in Ireland. Up to December 2016, fourteen new funds were launched with an Enterprise Ireland commitment of €174 million. The report also highlights that under the 2013–2018 Programme, Enterprise Ireland committed a further €175 million to continue to develop the seed and venture capital market in Ireland. Up to December 2016, eight new funds were launched with an Enterprise Ireland commitment of €113 million. It further noted that in 2016, venture capital funds in receipt of commitments under the Enterprise Ireland Seed and Venture Capital Schemes made 137 investments in Irish based companies, with a total investment value of €67 million.
