Written Answers Nos. 124-147
124. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on a Brexit regional adjustment fund to provide the regions with new trade routes and to upgrade existing ones; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39054/17]
View answerThe Government is conscious of the need to consider the types of supports that Irish businesses may require across all regions of the country, to address challenges arising from the UK's decision to leave the EU. Short, medium and long term responses from market diversification through to price repositioning will be needed.
On foot of extensive engagement with industry, my Department is working with the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland and the SBCI to develop appropriate, tailored and targeted responses. This work, along with market developments as a result of Brexit, and ongoing engagement with the business community, will inform further discussions with the Commission and the development of any further initiatives to business.
A lot can be done within the existing EU State Aid Framework. We are confident that the measures currently in development will be State Aid compliant, and we are taking steps to ensure that we can use all options available under the State
Aid framework to provide support to companies impacted by Brexit.
Should issues arise that require an approach that does not fit within the existing rules, we will move quickly to advance this with the EU Commission.
125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if an application for a work permit can be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39636/17]
View answer140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if an application for a work permit can be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39635/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 140 together.
An application for an employment permit was received in the Department on 27 January 2017 with decision to refuse the granting of the application advised by letter dated 23rd March 2017. In line with Employment Permits legislation, applications must be supported by certain criteria and requirements depending on the employment permit type. This application was refused on the basis that the applicant failed to provide necessary documentation as laid down in the legislation and that the application failed to meet the requirements of the Labour Market Needs Test as required by the legislation.
Section 13 of the Employment Permits Act 2006 (as amended) enables an applicant to seek a review of a decision by submitting the relevant form within 28 days of date of the decision letter. In this case, a review was sought and, having considered all the information available, the decision to refuse the granting of the employment permit was upheld as advised to the applicant in a letter dated 28th July 2017.
A refusal to grant an employment permit does not preclude an applicant from submitting another application for an employment permit. Such an application should comply with all of the legislative requirements pertaining to that employment permit type, including the requirements of the Labour Market Needs Test should it be applicable.
126. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the ownership status of an IDA Ireland site (details supplied) in County Galway; the lease agreement on the site; if a lease agreement is in place; IDA Ireland's plans to develop another site in the town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39083/17]
View answerIDA Ireland property holdings in Tuam include a 14 hectare Business Park and an 11 hectare Business & Technology Park.
The Business Park was developed in the 1980s and received an infrastructural upgrade between 2012 and 2013 whilst the Business & Technology Park was developed in 2000. Both parks are held under IDA freehold title with tenants on long term lease agreements.
The table outlines the current status of each park. I am advised by IDA Ireland that there is sufficient property capacity in both to accommodate further foreign direct investment.
Current Status of IDA Property Holdings in Tuam
|
Ref |
Park |
Remaining IDA lands circa. |
Client Base |
|
IDA Business Park |
Business Park |
2 Ha |
Valeo Transitions Optical SSL Logistics Unilokomotive Conveyors and Packaging Logstup |
|
New IDA Bus and Tech Park |
Business and Technology Park |
10 Ha |
Valeo short licence for R and D test area |
127. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department conducted an analysis on the TRL status of research projects funding by agencies under its aegis. [39159/17]
View answerMy Department through its agencies funds research activities and supports for innovation across the full range of Technology Readiness Levels. Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are a measure of the maturity or proximity to market of a technology. Lower TRLs (1-3) include demonstration of basic principles through to proof of concept. Medium TRLs (4-7) span technology validation and prototype demonstration and higher TRLs (8-9) refer to pre-commercial deployment up to market introduction.
Science Foundation Ireland reviews its portfolio of awards in the context of each award’s Technology Readiness Level (TRL) status. Science Foundation Ireland has adopted the TRL reference scale as described by the H2020 Programme. Science Foundation Ireland awards span TRL 1-6, with most of Science Foundation Ireland’s portfolio of investment in TRL 1 and 2.
In 2016, SFI undertook an exercise to map its active award portfolio against TRL levels. This indicated that a little over 80% of Science Foundation Ireland’s portfolio of investment was in TRLs 1 and 2.
It is expected that in due course and with Science Foundation Ireland’s expanded remit that there will be an increasing level of activity and investments in the higher TRL levels up to 6 and 7. SFI’s mid- and high TRL investments will grow in the future, however, given the Innovation 2020 strategy and national plans to increase public investment in STEM research, a substantial proportion of SFI’s investment will continue to be in the lower TRLs.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) supports innovation either through direct in-company R&D grants to firms or through supports aimed at driving collaboration between firms and the higher education institutes (HEIs); or the commercialisation of research.
Enterprise Ireland has also mapped its portfolio of R&D supports. Typically, EI Innovation Partnerships support research projects at TRLs 4-8; EI/IDA Ireland Technology Centres support collaboration at TRLs 4-8; EI Technology Gateways at TRLs 6-8; EI Innovation Vouchers at TRLs 7 and 8; and direct grants to support in-company R&D projects at TRLs 7-9.
128. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department has carried out an analysis of the impact of SME research supports developed in institutes of technology with aid from Enterprise Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39173/17]
View answerEnterprise Ireland (EI) funds small industry facing “gateways” in Institutes of Technology (IOT), aimed at providing technology solutions for companies in a particular sector and, where possible, within a region.
Up to €23 million will be invested in the Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateways Programme between 2013 – 2017 in order to leverage the capabilities of the Institutes of Technology on behalf of industry in Ireland. Currently there is a network of 15 Gateways based in 11 different IoTs providing open access to industry.
The Technology Gateways provide the Institutes of Technology with dedicated resources which work with industry to articulate their problems in a manner that can be addressed by the Institute’s research base. The individual Gateways target industry sectors relevant to the Institutes of Technology’s core research capability. The role of the Gateway staff is to manage the interaction between the companies and the Institute, help the companies source funding where necessary, and ensure projects are delivered successfully.
An independent evaluation was carried out in 2016 on the Technology Gateway Programme and it found that the programme has helped businesses to secure an extra €59m turnover, equivalent to €5.07 for each €1.00 of Enterprise Ireland investment. By 2018, the Programme will have helped businesses to secure an extra €279m of turnover, equivalent to €15.42 for each €1.00 of Enterprise Ireland investment.
The evaluation also found that the Programme has been very successful in engaging industry, with some Gateways reporting over 100 companies now working with them. From a company perspective levels of satisfaction were high overall, with the majority of interviewed companies (75%) describing their engagement as “very satisfied” and 20% as “satisfied”; and 95% of companies indicating they would recommend the Gateway to another company in Ireland.
In addition, a wide range of benefits were cited by companies. These included:
- improved technological knowledge and an increase in the overall value of the company
- an improvement in businesses abilities with most companies developing a culture of innovation
- access to further capital to develop their business, cited by over one third (39%) of companies
- development of new products, cited by 63% of the companies
The evaluation found that almost 20% of companies reported that they could not have grown or would not have survived without the support of the Gateway.
129. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of reports that have been made to the Health and Safety Authority since the beginning of 2017 regarding unsafe climbing and operation of construction site cranes by unqualified and under-qualified personnel or unsafe use of construction cranes; the number of inspections by HSA personnel that followed; and the findings in each instance. [39175/17]
View answerI am informed by the Health and Safety Authority that since the beginning of 2017 there have been thirty-five (35) reports or complaints made to the Authority pertaining to the issues referred to in the Deputy’s question.
In line with the Authority’s normal operational policies, where specific complaints are made to the Authority its response can include engagement with the duty holder through the Workplace Contact Unit and/or complaint investigation by the inspectorate.
The Authority’s response to each individual complaint is based on the opinion of the individual inspector, based on the facts and evidence obtained at the sites that directs any enforcement action to be taken. The inspectors assigned by the Authority to the complaints relating to crane operation have relevant professional qualifications and extensive construction inspection and investigation experience.
The Authority has advised that in relation to the complaints received in 2017 in relation to crane use on construction sites the following indicates a breakdown of the findings which are based on twenty (20) site investigations and fifteen (15) interventions by the Authority’s workplace contact unit and inspectors.
It was found that in 62% of instances the inspector found there was no evidence to substantiate the complaint or that the evidence that was provided to the Authority, that indicated the complaint, could not be substantiated.
In 9% of instances the site or work to which the complaint related was complete and therefore the complaint could not be investigated.
It was also found that in 23% of instances that there was some evidence to support the complaint and in all these circumstances the Authority issued written advice to the duty holder to remedy the matters observed.
In one case there was found to be clear evidence to support the complaint and a Prohibition Notice was served on site.
In one other case a dangerous occurrence was verified by the Authority. In this case the workplace contact unit made contact with the company involved and discussed the allegations. The company acknowledged that an incident had occurred. A completed reportable dangerous occurrence for (IR3 Form) was requested from the company. A formal site investigation also took place and it was found that the company has taken appropriate remedial actions including ‘standing down’ the contractor involved for 2 days, retraining of personnel involved, disciplinary actions on workers responsible, and a safety alert to all other sites under their control.
130. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of whole-time equivalents qualified to conduct workplace inspections that are employed by the Health and Safety Authority; and the number employed in 2008. [39176/17]
View answerThe Health and Safety Authority (HSA) currently has 95.9 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in the inspector grades who are qualified to carry out inspections. It is currently in the latter stages of recruiting 11 inspectors who, subject to passing of medical examinations and the acceptance of contracts, should be able to start work in quarter 4 of this year.
On December 31 2008 the HSA had 124.8 FTE staff in the inspector grades who were qualified to carry out inspections.
The majority of staff in the inspector grades carry out workplace inspections and the remainder carry out a wide range of other activities such as the development of legislative proposals and guidance, promotional activities, developing safety health and chemicals policy, processing FOI requests and representing Irish interests in various EU fora.
In recent years, the HSA, in common with many other State Agencies and Government Departments, has had to contend with resource challenges involving reduced staff numbers. In order to counteract this trend the HSA engaged in a number of "smarter" work practices in order to ensure its message of improving workplace health and safety continues to reach its largest possible audience. These practices include the development of the BeSMART online risk assessment tool, the publishing of online eLearning courses and in the agriculture area, the introduction of a programme of informative Farm Walks. New ways of working have also included the updating of the HSA’s inspection data management system to increase ease and efficiency of data entry though a simplified data entry system and a new smartphone based field inspection data capture system is currently being piloted, again to improve efficiency.
The HSA produces a Programme of Work each year setting out its plan for all areas of its work, including inspection targets. The 2017 Programme of Work set a target of 11,100 inspections and investigations. As of 1 September, it has carried out 61% of its target number of inspections and investigations for the year.
It has recently also carried out a significant revision of its Workforce Plan aimed at taking account of the impact of trends such as the growth in employment and in particular the extremely strong growth in the high-risk construction sector and the business and jobs opportunities presented by Brexit. Its inspectors are at the core of addressing these issues both through traditional workplace inspections and through a range of policy, promotional and advisory activities.
131. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of SMEs that have undertaken applied research in conjunction with a funded agency or institution under the aegis of her Department in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39178/17]
View answerThe agencies under the aegis of my Department with responsibility for research funding and who have a specific SME nexus are Science Foundation Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.
Science Foundation Ireland is the national foundation for investment in scientific and engineering research and is the principal agency through which my Department funds both basic and applied research in third level institutions.
Science Foundation Ireland provides funding to researchers in Higher Education Institutes to cover both basic and applied research. Decisions in respect of such funding are the result of competitive international peer review in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Collaboration between industry and academia is one of the key mechanisms for transferring the benefits of public investment in research into competitive advantage for Ireland. Science Foundation Ireland therefore actively encourages the researchers it supports to engage in collaborations with industry. It has a number of programmes to support this type of activity including its Spokes Programme to promote new industry-academia collaborations, Investigators Programme underpinning enterprise competitiveness and Research Professorship Programme recruiting world leading scientists with a strong industry background.
In 2008, SFI formally began recording and reporting data on the number of collaborations by Science Foundation Ireland Researchers with SMEs. Any single SME may be involved in a number of collaborations, therefore SFI collected data on the number of collaborations and the number of SMEs. The data as presented below reflects a steady increase in SME engagement since 2008 and early reporting indications for 2017 reflect an ongoing trend in this direction. Since 2008, there have been almost 3,000 SME engagements with SFI research programmes and in 2016, SFI recorded its highest number of collaborations, 674, with 491 SMEs.
SFI SME collaborations since 2008:
|
Year |
No. Collaborations |
No. SMEs |
|
2008 |
126 |
108 |
|
2009 |
206 |
165 |
|
2010 |
335 |
245 |
|
2011 |
424 |
337 |
|
2012 |
527 |
428 |
|
2013 |
439 |
332 |
|
2014 |
561 |
442 |
|
2015 |
509 |
437 |
|
2016 |
674 |
491 |
Enterprise Ireland, also an agency of my Department is the agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. Enterprise Ireland also provides funding for research to third-level institutions, principally through its Commercialisation Fund; Innovation Partnerships and the Technology Centres.
Enterprise Ireland drives innovation in Irish industry by developing in-company capabilities and by leveraging all external assets, such as the higher education system, the investor community, the Foreign Direct Investment Multinational base and international funding/expertise to support company innovations.
The funding for Enterprise Ireland’s innovation programmes provides direct and indirect research development and innovation supports for indigenous companies, equity funding for new start-ups and support for the commercialisation of State-funded research.
RD&I Fund
The Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) Fund supports the development of new or substantially improved products, services or processes which will have a competitive advantage in their target market. This will enable companies to increase employment through sustainable and substantially increased sales.
R&D projects involve the resolution of technical challenges in order to develop new products, processes or services.
Business Innovation projects involve the implementation of a new service delivery or production method or a substantive change to the business model of the company.
Innovation Partnerships
Innovation Partnerships offer financial support to companies who engage in collaborative research projects with Irish universities and Institutes of Technology with Enterprise Ireland providing grants of up to 80% towards eligible costs of the research project. The participating company benefits in terms of its growth, the evolution of its strategic research and development and the creation of new knowledge that it can use to generate commercial advantage. The research institute benefits in terms of developing skill sets, intellectual property and publications.
Innovation Vouchers
Vouchers encourage small to medium sized companies and public knowledge providers to work together on specific innovation questions and projects related to the company’s needs. The nature of such projects will be such that they transfer knowledge that is new to the company. The company may use the new knowledge to innovate a product, production process or service.
Technology Centres
The Enterprise Ireland/IDA Ireland Technology Centre initiative allows industry groups to set a commercially valuable research agenda which academics in the higher education sector will deliver on. This programme is Ireland’s largest initiative to support industry-led research, development and innovation. These Centres focus on identifying new sources of industrial growth and job creation and achieving competitive advantage for industry in Ireland by accessing and leveraging the innovative capacity of the Irish research community. Approximately 200 companies engage with Technology Centres per annum.
Technology Gateways
Enterprise Ireland funds small industry facing “gateways” in Institutes of Technology, aimed at providing technology solutions for companies in a particular sector and, where possible, within a region. The Technology Gateway Programme is an evolution of the Applied Research Enhancement Scheme and was established by Enterprise Ireland to provide Business Development resources to the Institutes of Technology to help them interact with industry on a local, regional and national basis.
The following table shows the reported/recorded figures for the following programmes: significant RD&I Fund approvals, Innovation Partnership approvals to EI clients, Innovation vouchers redeemed, companies engaged with Technology Centres and direct funded Technology Gateway projects.
|
Programme |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Significant RD&I Fund Approvals |
n/a |
15 |
123 |
86 |
80 |
81 |
107 |
97 |
86 |
78 |
|
Innovation Partnerships Approvals |
33 |
34 |
30 |
30 |
33 |
35 |
58 |
42 |
41 |
39 |
|
Innovation Vouchers Redeemed |
n/a |
203 |
437 |
489 |
518 |
518 |
527 |
525 |
530 |
594 |
|
Technology Gateways direct funded projects |
n/a |
3 |
3 |
12 |
21 |
11 |
34 |
43 |
100 |
157 |
In the case of the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership programme, Technology Centres and Technology Gateways, the number of projects reported does not include clients of IDA Ireland, LEO and the other agencies who also receive support from these schemes.
132. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department has conducted an analysis concerning the objectives of the Science Foundation Ireland strategic partnership programme; the level of funding provided on both basic and applied research by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39188/17]
View answerThe Science Foundation Ireland Strategic Partnerships Programme was launched in 2013, with a total of 11 awards funded under the programme to date supporting excellent research with strong potential for delivering economic and/or societal impact.
The objectives of the programme are to:
- Support development of areas of economic importance
- Build stronger, more direct relationships with research-based industry
- Transfer technology from academia to industry
- Support enhanced training of researchers in areas of importance to the industrial sector
- Maximise the state investment in research through leveraging of non-exchequer funding, including funding available through Horizon 2020
- Encourage convergence across disciplines
- Develop and utilise national testbed facilities
- Support the attraction and retention of talented researchers
- Build stronger links with other key stakeholders and end-users of research
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has not initiated a formal analysis of the programme to date. However, as with all Science Foundation Ireland programmes, the agency monitors and adjusts the programme on an ongoing basis in response to academic, industry, economic and strategic requirements.
All SFI awards, including the SFI Strategic Partnership awards are subject to stringent post award reporting and evaluation processes.
The annual grants budget to Science Foundation Ireland for 2017 is €162.5 million. The agency does not predetermine or “ring fence” specific funding allocation for basic or applied research. Funding decisions are made through international peer review on the basis of research excellence and impact.
In 2013, SFI’s remit extended to funding applied research in addition to its existing remit to fund oriented basic research. This broad remit enables Science Foundation Ireland to support a hugely important range of work from early stage investigations, novel discoveries through to pre-commercial activities.
While Science Foundation Ireland funding does fund applied and industry focused research as per its mandate, it should be noted that over 80% of Science Foundation Ireland’s funding is currently committed to basic (Technology Readiness Levels 1 and 2 as measured on a scale of 1-9) research projects. This indicates that a substantial amount of SFI funding continues to be in support of ‘oriented basic’ research.
Approximately 50% of Science Foundation Ireland funding is given to large SFI Research Centres which partner with industry. These centres conduct "applied and basic combined" research. Approximately 30% of Science Foundation Ireland award holders have at least one industry collaborator. Industry partners work on both basic and applied projects.
While the Strategic Partnership Programme has yet to undergo formal evaluation, the monitoring undertaken by SFI and the stringent post award reporting requirements and evaluation processes are robust processes that validate the economic and social impact of the funding awarded to date.
133. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to the recently released live register reduction figures, what additional efforts she will make to ensure that the Action Plan for Jobs is working effectively in County Sligo in view of the fact that it is in every other county; if special consideration can be given to County Sligo to assist it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39198/17]
View answerThe North East/North West Action Plan for Jobs is the key policy response for supporting employment growth in the Border region, with public and private stakeholders actively engaged in delivering a range of innovative and practical actions set out in the Plan. Sectors targeted as part of the plan include traditionally strong sectors for the region like agri-food, manufacturing/engineering and tourism.
The core objective of the plan is to see a further 28,000 at work in the region by 2020 and to reduce the unemployment rate to within 1 percentage point of the State average.
Progress Reports on the implementation of the Regional Action Plans across all regions show that that good progress has been made in implementing the actions. Published Reports are available on www.regionalapj.ie.
There has been a substantial improvement in the North East / North West region since the commencement of the National Action Plan for Jobs in 2012, with an additional 20,900 in employment in Q1 2017 compared to Q1 2012. There are now almost 5,000 more people in work in the region since the launch of the Regional Action Plan initiative in 2015.
Moreover, the unemployment rate in the region has fallen from 10.2% in quarter 1 of 2015 to 7.5% in quarter 1 of this year, compared to the then national rate of 6.7%.
The latest CSO figures show that there were 3,747 people on the Live Register in County Sligo in August 2017. This figure represents a decrease of 15.5%, or 688 individuals, over the previous 12 months.
This reduction is to be welcomed and demonstrates that while there are still challenges to surmount in bringing down this figure further, the overall trend for County Sligo is one of steady improvement.
The enterprise agencies in particular are working very hard towards the ambitious targets set out in the Regional Action Plan.
There were 23 multinational companies employing over 2,290 people in county Sligo in 2016.
IDA Ireland continues to actively market Sligo, where the agency has eight hectares of available lands on the Finisklin Business & Technology Park and a 31 hectares green-field land bank in Oakfield which will be accessed by Western Distributor Road. I understand that work on the Western Distributor Road will commence by the end of 2017.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) supported companies employed 1,546 people in 2016 in Sligo. EI provided €2 million in payment to companies located in Sligo over the period 2014 – 2016. In addition, Enterprise Ireland and local development groups funded the establishment of four Community Enterprise Centres in Sligo.
EI’s recent strategy for the period 2017-2020 is Brexit-focused and has a number of ambitious targets, namely, the creation of 60,000 new jobs by 2020 and the growth of exports by €5bn to €26bn per annum. The EI office in Sligo is assisting in the implementation of this strategy with its 70 clients and was involved in an “Enterprise Start” event that took place in Sligo last February to encourage and support new start up business ideas.
The Sligo Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is fully engaged in supporting the micro-enterprise and small business sectors in the county to create and sustain jobs. In 2016, under the Competitive LEO fund, LEO Sligo was partner on two successful projects to support small business in Sligo.
To support regional enterprise development, additional funding of up to €60m is being rolled out by Enterprise Ireland over the next 4 years to support the development and implementation of collaborative and innovative projects that can sustain and add to employment at a national, regional and county level.
I am very conscious of the challenges as a result of Brexit faced by companies operating in close proximity to the Border, many of which trade freely on both sides of the Border.
Since the UK referendum, the State agencies under my remit have been active in supporting companies in assessing and addressing their exposure to Brexit.
EI’s current “Prepare for Brexit” campaign includes a Brexit scoreboard available to all companies to self-assess their preparedness for Brexit and generates a report suggesting appropriate responses.
For exporting companies, new resources were secured, including extra staffing, for EI and the LEOs in Budget 2017 to assist businesses to maintain and grow export markets.
Based on significant analysis and stakeholder consultation, my Department is currently working on further measures targeted at the needs of companies in the wider economy around working capital and business development.
134. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers funded by the agencies under her aegis in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39202/17]
View answerInnovation 2020, Ireland’s 5-year strategy for research and development, science and technology sets out the roadmap for continuing progress towards the goal of making Ireland a Global Innovation Leader, driving a strong sustainable economy and a better society. One of the strategy’s objectives is to ensure that education supports and helps to drive innovation. This strategy has its goals to increase annual research masters and PhD enrolments and to support the full continuum of talent development from primary level through to Postdoctoral research. This is building on the valuable work commenced and undertaken by agencies under my Department’s remit prior to the launch of the strategy.
Science Foundation Ireland:
Science Foundation Ireland funding ensures that Ireland is producing the highly skilled talent and skills that are critical to the economy’s development and Ireland’s continued performance in global rankings in scientific research excellence. There are currently a total of 4,239 people working on Science Foundation Ireland supported research projects. Of these, 1,441 are postgraduate students. 27% of PhD departures from Science Foundation Ireland funded teams went to industry as a first destination in 2016 and 32% of postdocs went to industry as first destination in the same period.
The table presents the number of PhD students and post-doctoral researchers attributed to active Science Foundation Ireland awards.
Science Foundation Ireland Doctoral and Post-Doctoral numbers
|
PhDs |
Post-Doctoral Researchers |
|
|
2008 |
1153 |
686 |
|
2009 |
1344 |
846 |
|
2010 |
1251 |
781 |
|
2011 |
1284 |
728 |
|
2012 |
1165 |
708 |
|
2013 |
955 |
584 |
|
2014 |
971 |
628 |
|
2015 |
1159 |
830 |
|
2016 |
1316 |
982 |
PRTLI:
The Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) was launched in 1998. The programme provides funding for third-level research infrastructure, national shared facilities, and structured PhD programmes. The PRTLI transferred to my Department in 2010 from the Department of Education and Skills. The Higher Education Authority continues to administer the programme on behalf of my Department.
There have been 5 Cycles of the PRTLI to date with investment totalling €1.2 billion of combined Exchequer and private investment. PRTLI Cycle 5 was launched in July 2010 with total awards of €359m announced across 36 distinct projects involving capital infrastructure and structured PhD/Emergent Technologies programmes.
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. 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.
PRTLI Doctoral and Post-Doctoral numbers funded 2007 - 2017
|
PhDs |
Post-Doctoral Researchers |
|
|
Cycle 4 |
277 |
138 |
|
Cycle 5 |
336 |
72 |
The number of PhDs and post-doctoral researchers has steadily increased in recent years and it is my firm intention to ensure that this trend is given increased momentum and importance in the years ahead through the implementation of specific actions in Innovation 2020 and funding for specific SFI programmes aimed at increasing the numbers of PhD students and post-doctoral researchers.
135. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the State agencies that are involved in research funding; the annual budget for research funding for each; the criteria applied to applications under each agency and to different streams within each agency in which they exist, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39302/17]
View answerThe agencies under the aegis of my Department with responsibility for research funding are Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. In addition, the Higher Education Authority administers the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions on behalf of the Department.
Science Foundation Ireland:
The annual grants budget to Science Foundation Ireland for 2017 is €162.5 million.
Science Foundation Ireland funds across the career spectrum from early-stage researchers to mid-stage career researchers to emerging research stars and up to established highly-esteemed research leaders, through individual and collaborative awards. Science Foundation Ireland makes funding decisions based on rigorous international peer review processes. This process ensures that the agency is not only funding research that is excellent at an Irish level but that it is world leading as reviewed and agreed by international field specific leaders.
Science Foundation Ireland currently operates approximately 25 funding schemes, offering a balanced portfolio of programmes, many involving national and international collaborations with both small and large companies, charities, international funders as well as national funders such as Teagasc, the Marine Institute, Environmental Protection Agency, Health Research Board, etc. Each of the schemes has varying review and eligibility criteria attached to them based on the objective, award level and complexity. There are a number of core applicant eligibility criteria applied to the funding programmes. These are listed below by programme.
Each programme has a call document which outlines the eligibility criteria for each programme. All programme calls may be found at http://www.sfi.ie/funding/funding-calls/.
Enterprise Ireland:
Enterprise Ireland drives innovation in Irish industry by developing in-company capabilities and by leveraging all external assets, such as the higher education system, the investor community, the Foreign Direct Investment Multinational base and international funding/expertise to support company innovations.
The funding for Enterprise Ireland’s innovation programmes provides direct and indirect research development and innovation supports for indigenous companies, equity funding for new start-ups and support for the commercialisation of State funded research. In 2017 the annual budget for research funding was approximately €85m.
Typically in the application process Enterprise Ireland requirements include some of the following criteria. However, it differs depending on the programme:
- Applicants must show evidence of a commercial market for the proposed product or service.
- Applicants must prove that they will develop a business that is built upon on a strong foundation of innovation and/or technology.
- Companies who apply must be either Irish based manufacturing companies or Irish based internationally-traded services companies that can show adequate cash resources to implement the proposed project.
For specific programme application and eligibility criteria please follow the links in the table.
|
Programme |
2017 Budget € |
Link for application details |
|
Technology Gateways |
5,375,000 |
https://enterprise-ireland.com/en/Research-Innovation/Companies/Collaborate-with-companies-research-institutes/Technology-Gateway-Programme.html |
|
Innovation Partnerships |
9,230,000 |
https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Funding-Supports/Researcher/Funding-to-Collaborate-with-Industry-in-Ireland/Innovation-Partnerships.shortcut.html |
|
Technology Centres |
22,330,000 |
https://enterprise-ireland.com/en/research-innovation/companies/collaborate-with-companies-research-institutes/technology-centres.html |
|
International Collaboration |
4,540,000 |
https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Researchers/EU-Programmes-and-Networks/Horizon-2020.html |
|
Innovation Vouchers |
3,945,000 |
https://enterprise-ireland.com/en/Research-Innovation/Companies/Collaborate-with-companies-research-institutes/Innovation-Voucher.shortcut.html |
|
Commercialisation Fund |
17,040,000 |
https://enterprise-ireland.com/en/funding-supports/Researcher/Funding-to-Commercialise-Research/Commercialisation-Fund.html |
|
RD&I Fund |
23,310,000 |
https://enterprise-ireland.com/en/funding-supports/Company/Esetablish-SME-Funding/R-D-Fund-Large-Projects-.html |
|
85,770,000 |
The budget allocation for R&I in Enterprise Ireland is wider than that for the direct funding of research. This budget funds other initiatives to support the R&I ecosystem across Ireland, such as, the New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme and Campus Incubation Programme.
IDA:
IDA Ireland grants paid for RD&I forms part of the overall annual Agency Grant Payment Budget.
As part of IDA Ireland’s current strategy (2015- 2019), IDA Ireland has committed to winning a cumulative €3bn in new RD&I Investment projects including in-house and collaborative RD&I projects with companies and universities by 2019. The table outlines results achieved in 2015 and 2016.
|
IDA R&D |
2015 |
2016 |
|
No of Research, Development & Innovation Projects won |
47 |
54 |
|
Investment in Research, Development & Innovation Projects |
€1.23bn |
€1.12bn |
|
Total R&D in-house Expenditure |
€1.5bn (Data refers to 2014) |
€1.5bn (Data refers to 2015) |
IDA approves Research Development & Innovation Grants and Feasibility Study Grants to its portfolio of clients under the following guidelines:
Research Development & Innovation:
Companies can avail of financial incentives to carry out in-house R&D projects and collaborative projects with third-level institutes and industrial partners. There is also a 25% tax credit available for companies engaging in R&D.
R&D Funding
Financial supports for small and large-scale product, process or service R&D projects and stimulation grants to assist companies not involved in R&D activities to investigate the potential for an R&D project.
PRTLI:
The Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) which is managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, supports the provision of top-class research infrastructure (buildings, laboratories and cutting edge equipment) as well as human capital development, through structured PhD/emergent technology programmes across Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes (HEIs).
In 2017 the annual allocation to PRTLI was €14.4m. My Department is using the PRTLI allocation to meet remaining liabilities from Cycle 5 of PRTLI. Funding allocated to PRTLI has been and will continue to be used to pay off some of the remaining Exchequer commitments. HEIs have built new facilities, or developed new structured PhD programmes. They submit claims to recoup the State’s committed amount on the particular project subsequently to the Higher Education Authority which administers the PRTLI on behalf of DJEI.
136. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the investigations undertaken and disciplinary measures imposed by the Health and Safety Authority, against construction companies where those companies have been reported to be in breach of CSCS regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39393/17]
View answerThe Deputy has clarified that the information requested relates to the years 2014 to the present.
In responding to the Deputy's question the Health and Safety Authority will need to review a large number of construction-related complaint cases referred to the Authority to determine the number of complaints directly relating to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme. It is not possible to obtain the information in the time available, therefore I have asked the Health and Safety Authority to provide me with the information requested which I will communicate to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
137. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Labour Court recommendation not to include travel time in the upcoming construction SEO amounts to a 11% pay cut for persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39394/17]
View answerThe Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act of 2015 provides for a new statutory framework – Sectoral Employment Orders - for establishing minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment for a specified type, class or group of workers. This is in effect a framework to replace the former sectoral Registered Employment Agreement (REA) system which was found to be unconstitutional in 2013 in McGowan - v – The Labour Court.
The new framework sets down a mechanism whereby at the request, separately or jointly from organisations substantially representative of employers and/or of workers, the Labour Court can initiate a review of the pay and pension and sick pay entitlements of workers in a particular sector and, if it deems it appropriate, make a recommendation to myself as Minister on the matter. If I am satisfied that the process provided for in the 2015 Act has been complied with by the Labour Court, I can then make the Order. Where such an order is made it is known as a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO), it will be binding across the sector to which it relates, and will be enforceable by the Workplace Relations Commission.
In November 2016, the Construction Industry Federation made an application to the Labour Court to review the pay, pension and sick pay entitlements of craftsmen, construction operatives and apprentices in the Construction Sector. The Labour Court conducted its review, which included a public consultation and a hearing of interested parties, and submitted its recommendation to me on July 13th. Having examined the recommendation and being satisfied that the Court complied with the provisions of the 2015 Act, I accepted its recommendation. A draft Order to give effect in law to the recommendation was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 22nd August. The order cannot be made until approval of both Houses is obtained and I intend seeking that approval at the earliest opportunity when the Houses reconvene after the summer recess.
Under the legislation it is the Labour Court that is mandated to determine the specific elements of the recommendation based on oral and written submissions to the Court. I have no function in this regard.
138. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation for the number of work permits issued to Israeli citizens in each of years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [39543/17]
View answerThe table shows the number of employment permits issued to Israeli nationals since 2011. The figures for 2017 represent employment permits issued to end of August. These statistics and others relating to the employment permits system may be accessed via my Department's website at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Statistics/.
|
New |
Renewal |
Total |
|
|
2017 |
36 |
60 |
96 |
|
2016 |
156 |
43 |
199 |
|
2015 |
213 |
15 |
228 |
|
2014 |
264 |
12 |
276 |
|
2013 |
28 |
17 |
45 |
|
2012 |
35 |
10 |
45 |
|
2011 |
32 |
7 |
39 |
139. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if EU regulations or national legislation is in place which obliges electrical retailers to stock spare parts for products they are selling; the timeframe for setting out the length of time they must stock the parts after the product is no longer being sold or goes out of production; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39600/17]
View answerSection 12(1) of the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 provides that in a contract for the sale of goods there is an implied warranty that spare parts and an adequate after-sales service will be made available by the seller in such circumstances as are stated in an offer, description or advertisement by the seller on behalf of the manufacturer or on his own behalf and for such period as is so stated or, if no period is so stated, for a reasonable period. The provision to make spare parts available for a specified or a reasonable period applies accordingly only where the seller of the goods has stated that he or she will do so in an offer, description or advertisement. Section 12(2) provides that the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation may, after consultation with interested parties, define by order in relation to any class of goods described in the order what shall be a reasonable period for the purpose of section 12(1). No such order has been made to date.
There is no European Union legislation requiring electrical or other retailers to stock spare parts for a product that they are selling. The European Union (Consumer Information, Cancellation and Other Rights) Regulations 2013 which give effect to Directive 2011/83/EU on Consumer Rights require traders, where applicable, to provide information to the consumer on the existence and conditions of after-sales services and, additionally in the case of distance and off-premises contracts, after-sale customer assistance, before the consumer is bound by the contract. The Consumer Protection Act 2007 which gives effect to Directive 2005/29/EC on Unfair Commercial Practices prohibits at section 43 the provision of false or misleading information about the after-supply customer assistance available to consumers and the need for any part, replacement, servicing or repair in relation to the product if that information would be likely to cause the average consumer to make a purchasing or other transactional decision that he or she would not otherwise make.
141. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to give legal effect to the proposed sectoral employment order for the construction sector; if the legal obligation to comply with the order in terms of rates of pay and so on only relates to the employer concerned; if there will be an obligation on the end user of the employee's services in which for example an agency is the employer but a building contractor is the end user of the employee's services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39674/17]
View answerThe Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act of 2015 provides for a new statutory framework – Sectoral Employment Orders - for establishing minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment for a specified type, class or group of workers. This is in effect a framework to replace the former sectoral Registered Employment Agreement (REA) system which was found to be unconstitutional in 2013 in McGowan - v – The Labour Court.
The new framework sets down a mechanism whereby at the request, separately or jointly from organisations substantially representative of employers and/or of workers, the Labour Court can initiate a review of the pay and pension and sick pay entitlements of workers in a particular sector and, if it deems it appropriate, make a recommendation to myself as Minister on the matter. If I am satisfied that the process provided for in the 2015 Act has been complied with by the Labour Court, I can then make the order. Where such an order is made it is known as a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO), it will be binding across the sector to which it relates, and will be enforceable by the Workplace Relations Commission. The terms of the SEO will also relate to temporary agency workers by virtue of Section 6 of the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012.
In November 2016, the Construction Industry Federation made an application to the Labour Court to review the pay, pension and sick pay entitlements of craftsmen, construction operatives and apprentices in the Construction Sector. The Labour Court conducted its review, which included a public consultation and a hearing of interested parties, and submitted its recommendation to me on July 13th. Having examined the recommendation and being satisfied that the Court complied with the provisions of the 2015 Act, I accepted its recommendation. A draft order to give effect in law to the recommendation was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 22nd August. The order cannot be made until approval of both Houses is obtained and I intend seeking that approval at the earliest opportunity when the Houses reconvene after the summer recess.
142. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the sectoral employment order for the construction sector will be brought before Dáil Éireann and implemented for all construction workers. [39814/17]
View answerThe Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act of 2015 provides for a new statutory framework – Sectoral Employment Orders - for establishing minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment for a specified type, class or group of workers. This is in effect a framework to replace the former sectoral Registered Employment Agreement (REA) system which was found to be unconstitutional in 2013 in McGowan - v – The Labour Court.
The new framework sets down a mechanism whereby at the request, separately or jointly from organisations substantially representative of employers and/or of workers, the Labour Court can initiate a review of the pay and pension and sick pay entitlements of workers in a particular sector and, if it deems it appropriate, make a recommendation to myself as Minister on the matter. If I am satisfied that the process provided for in the 2015 Act has been complied with by the Labour Court, I can then make the Order. Where such an order is made it is known as a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO), will be binding across the sector to which it relates, and will be enforceable by the Workplace Relations Commission.
In November 2016, the Construction Industry Federation made an application to the Labour Court to review the pay, pension and sick pay entitlements of craftsmen, construction operatives and apprentices in the Construction Sector. The Labour Court conducted its Review, which included a public consultation and a hearing of interested parties, and submitted its recommendation to me on July 13th. Having examined the Recommendation and being satisfied that the Court complied with the provisions of the 2015 Act, I accepted its recommendation. A draft Order to give effect in law to the recommendation was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 22nd August. The Order cannot be made until approval of both Houses is obtained and I intend seeking that approval at the earliest opportunity when the Houses reconvene after the summer recess.
143. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Be Prepared grants granted to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39870/17]
View answerBrexit presents the most significant economic challenge of the past 50 years and long-term, structural and disruptive change will emerge. Following the UK’s vote to leave the EU, the need to accelerate and implement competitiveness, innovation and market diversification strategies at a national and company level cannot be underestimated. This is at the crux of Enterprise Ireland’s 2017-2020 Build Scale and Expand Reach strategy and its new Eurozone Strategy to assist Irish exporters increase exports in eurozone countries by 50% by 2020.
The devaluation and volatility of sterling, and the uncertainty that has unfolded in the business environment since the UK vote to leave the EU cannot be underestimated. At the same time, Enterprise Ireland clients are challenged to prepare to operate in a yet unknown trading environment post-Brexit – they must prepare for a hard Brexit. Enterprise Ireland’s clients are actively utilising the agency’s financial and non-financial supports to meet the innovation, competitiveness and market diversification challenges of Brexit as part of their strategic growth plans.
In March 2017, Enterprise Ireland launched a ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’, a new interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit under six business pillars. Based on answers supplied by the user, the scorecard generates an immediate report which contains suggested actions and resources, and information on events for companies to attend, to prepare for Brexit. To date approximately 1,500 companies have utilised the Brexit SME Scorecard.
Enterprise Ireland’s Be Prepared grant provides client companies with the cost of preparing a plan to mitigate risks and optimise opportunities arising from Brexit. This grant support, of up to €5,000, can be used to help cover consultancy, travel and out of pocket expenses associated with researching the direction of their Brexit action plan. To date in excess of 40 companies have received approval for support under this initiative and a strong pipeline of companies have applications undergoing review for approval.
144. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will report on the development of a Brexit working capital guarantee scheme. [39871/17]
View answerThe Government is conscious of the need to consider the types of supports that Irish businesses may require to address challenges arising as a result of the Brexit Referendum, which is likely to represent a structural shift in the UK trading relations.
My Department has been working with the Department of Finance, EI, SBCI and Department of Agriculture to develop potential supports to respond to the needs of businesses impacted by Brexit.
In particular, work is progressing on the development of a proposed Brexit-related Working Capital Guarantee Scheme and also on scoping out the need for a longer term Business Development Loan Scheme which would assist firms in investing for a post-Brexit environment.
The Working Capital scheme would benefit those SMEs that are particularly affected by issues related to Brexit. Such SMEs may need extra liquidity to cope with working capital challenges brought about by Brexit. The scheme would be offered by the SBCI through on-lenders.
Development of these proposed responses is subject to resources being agreed as part of the annual budgetary process.
145. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the way in which his Department is co-ordinating or overseeing Ireland's response to possible or pending changes to the US trade and tax policy as outlined in the national risk assessment report. [39101/17]
View answerThe outline of the US tax reform proposal is expected to be released at the end of September. It is expected that the proposal will include a reduction in the US corporate tax rate. It remains to be seen whether any reduction in the US corporate tax rate would be permanent or temporary in nature.
Agreement between the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and President Trump will be needed before any changes can be introduced.
The exact implications of US tax reform for Ireland, and the rest of the world, will depend on the exact nature of any changes which are ultimately agreed.
The Department of Finance, and our Embassy in the US, are closely tracking the debate in the US and we continue to engage with business and others to fully understand the potential impacts of any US reform.
Global business, from the US or elsewhere, will always want to have operations in the EU, and Ireland will remain very competitive and attractive as an EU location to invest in and do business from.
Ireland’s corporation tax regime and 12.5% corporation tax rate will continue to be competitive while also offering long-term certainty to international business. As always, we will remain alert and responsive to any changes in the US or global tax environment.
146. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a single person's child carer credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39145/17]
View answerThe One-Parent Family Tax Credit (OPFTC) was replaced by the Single Person Child Carer Credit (SPCCC) from 1 January 2014. The restructured credit is of the same value as the OPFTC, €1,650 per annum, and also includes the same entitlement to the additional €4,000 extended standard rate band, which increases to €37,800, per annum the point of entry to the higher rate of income tax.
The SPCCC (which is provided for under Section 462B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997) is available to a single person who is the parent of a child or has custody of, and maintains, a child who is living with that person. The credit is granted in the first instance to the primary claimant, who is the person with whom the child resides for the whole or greater part of the year, normally 183 or more days per year. This could be either the mother or the father, or in some cases another carer such as a grandparent. In cases where there is an exact 50:50 split between parents, the credit is allocated to the parent in receipt of the child benefit payment from the Department of Social Protection.
The primary claimant may, if he or she wishes, relinquish the credit in favour of a qualifying secondary claimant who has the child residing with him or her for not less than 100 days in the year. Where a primary claimant relinquishes his or her entitlement to the credit, the relinquishment remains in place until the primary claimant withdraws it, i.e. the secondary claimant can continue to claim the credit, provided he or she continues to satisfy the conditions for claiming the credit, until the relinquishment of the credit is withdrawn by the primary claimant.
If a parent believes he or she qualifies as the primary claimant in respect of a qualifying child but the credit has been granted to another individual, he or she should provide a completed Form SPCC1 to Revenue together with any relevant evidence in support of his/her claim that the child resides with him/her for the whole or greater part of the year. The primary claimant will be decided by Revenue on the basis of the facts in each case. The Form SPCC1 is available on Revenue’s website at www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/documents/spcc1.pdf.
The possible automatic transfer of the credit has been considered in cases where a primary carer refuses to relinquish it. However, there are many reasons this would not be feasible, including logistical, data protection and constitutional concerns. These issues are outlined in detail in the review of the SPCCC conducted by my Department in 2015 contained in the Report on Tax Expenditures, available online at: http://budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2016/Documents/Tax_Expenditures_Report_pub.pdf.
In particular this review identified that a partial or automatic transfer of the credit between spouses would still require the consent and co-operation of the primary carer, as it would require a declaration of income to be filed in order to confirm that the credit was not being fully utilised. It was therefore determined that any system of automatic transfer would provide limited additional benefit over the current provisions for transfer of the credit to a secondary claimant. I am satisfied that the SPCCC is targeting limited resources to where they are most needed.
If the Deputy has specific details regarding a claim to entitlement to the Single Person Child Carer Tax Credit, he can provide these to my officials and I will have the matter examined by Revenue.
147. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he has informed European Commission President Juncker that he will oppose the proposal to drop the unanimity requirement in relation to the proposed common consolidated corporate tax base; and if he will indicate to him that taxation matters should remain under the competence of each member state. [39859/17]
View answer185. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recent comments made by President Juncker in his state of the union address (details supplied); the implications this may have for the State; the actions he will take to prevent changes to the corporation tax rate here in view of the commitment made following the second Lisbon treaty and the agreed protocols on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39745/17]
View answer192. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he has indicated at the European Council of Finance Ministers that he will oppose the proposal to drop the unanimity requirement in relation to the proposed common consolidated corporate tax base; if he will further indicate that taxation matters should remain under the competence of each member state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39856/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 147, 185 and 192 together.
I note the comment made by President Juncker on the requirement of unanimity. There is no official proposal currently for a change on the way tax policy decisions are taken in the EU.
Under the EU Treaties, for the European Council to move a policy area such as taxation from unanimity to qualified majority voting it would require a unanimous decision to do so. The support of the European Parliament would also be required. The Irish Government would not favour any change to existing EU voting rights on corporation tax.
Regarding the CCTB, Member States are discussing and debating the various aspects of the proposal in the relevant tax working parties. Ireland will engage constructively with the proposal while critically analysing whether it is in line with Ireland’s long-term interests. Tax remains a matter of Member State competence and unanimity is required before any proposals can be agreed.
