Wednesday, 7 Feb 2018

Written Answers Nos 1-57

Legislative Measures

Questions (20)

Gerry Adams

Question:

20. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the status of Bills under preparation in his Department. [4387/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

My Department has responsibility for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). The NESC’s statutory basis is as a body under the framework of the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006. That framework is no longer necessary and Government has agreed that it should be dissolved and the NESC itself placed on a statutory footing.

Work is under way to prepare the heads of this Bill. This is the only legislation being prepared in my Department.

The absence of specific legislation does not impede the NESC as regards carrying out its mandate. NESC's role is to analyse and provide advice on strategic policy matters relevant to Ireland's economic, social, environmental and sustainable development.

Questions Nos. 21 to 28, inclusive, resubmitted.

Questions Nos. 29 to 41, inclusive, answered orally.

Brexit Supports

Questions (42)

Niall Collins

Question:

42. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the level of awareness raising for Brexit business supports provided by her Department and agencies under her remit. [6010/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

My Department, principally through Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs, has continued to promote the importance of businesses preparing for Brexit, and has developed a range of supports.

Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the primary providers of supports to assist enterprises within the indigenous sector that are facing challenges arising from Brexit. They are working vigorously to enable companies to consolidate market share within the UK and also to become more resilient by broadening their sales to other international markets. My Department provided for additional capital funding in 2017 to enable EI and the LEOs to ramp up its supports in light of Brexit to drive improvements in:

- productivity,

- innovation,

- management capability and leadership skills,

and really driving the ambition of managers to look to other markets around the world.

EI is driving competitiveness through a suite of supports that helps clients reduce supply-chain costs and increase efficiencies as a means of improving operating margins, building market share and creating new market opportunities.

Specific programmes introduced during 2017 have included;

- An online ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’ to help all Irish businesses self-assess their exposure to Brexit. The Scorecard generates a report on weak areas and suggests initial next steps. Almost 2000 companies have used the Scorecard by mid-December of 2017.

- A ‘Prepare for Brexit’ online portal and communications campaign.

- An enhanced programme of trade and investment missions and other trade promotional events.

- A new Eurozone Strategy to increase exports to Eurozone countries by 50% by 2020. This strategy aims to support companies to broaden their export footprint beyond the UK, and thereby improve economic resilience.

- A new €5k “Be Prepared Grant” that supports the costs of SME clients in preparing a plan to mitigate risks and optimise opportunities arising from Brexit.

- Enterprise Ireland is hosting “Prepare for Brexit” breakfast roadshows nationally to engage with companies.

- Three new strategic communications campaigns launched to target separate elements of Brexit preparedness. ‘Global Ambition’ is aimed at encouraging companies to export; ‘PrepareforBrexit’ highlights actions required by companies to improve resilience; and a new ‘Irish Advantage’ campaign will target Eurozone buyers to buy Irish innovation in key Brexit impacted sectors.

This Brexit focus has continued into the 2018 plan. In recent weeks, EI launched its new Market Discovery Fund to help more Irish companies accelerate their market diversification efforts.

The challenge, and the opportunity, is to prime businesses with potential to become global players, resilient to challenges posed by Brexit and other market regulation, through superior quality products and services, management, innovation and marketing capability.

Foreign Direct Investment

Questions (43)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

43. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the strategic properties and IDA parks planned in regional Ireland to ensure foreign direct investment is spread fairly across the country to ensure all areas benefit from the economic recovery. [5956/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

This Government is strongly committed to regional development and my Department and its agencies are working towards ambitious targets to ensure that employment and investment are as evenly distributed as possible across the country.

IDA Ireland is focused on achieving the key development goals set out in its current strategy, including increasing investment by 30% to 40% in every region. Real progress has been made towards that target over the first three years of this strategy with half of all jobs created by IDA client companies since 2015 based outside Dublin. Just under 30,000 jobs have been created in the regions in three years and this shows us that real progress is being made towards increasing the regional spread of FDI all over our country.

A key component of attracting potential multinational investors is the availability of IDA properties across all counties of Ireland. If there were no available properties in the regions, IDA-owned or otherwise, it would significantly diminish the Agency’s capacity to attract and win new investments. Overseas firms need to know that there are suitable sites and facilities in an area before they make a decision on where to locate.

The IDA is directly investing in such sites and facilities to increase the attractiveness of regional locations for FDI.  The Agency’s Regional Property Programme (RPP), as announced in 2015, committed €150 million in Exchequer funding over five years to drive the growth of regional FDI by providing property solutions outside Dublin. As well as upgrading existing facilities and acquiring strategic sites suitable for investment, this programme also includes the construction of nine new advance facilities around the country.  As part of the RPP advance buildings were constructed and completed in Athlone and Waterford in 2014 and early 2015. Last year IDA Ireland also completed buildings in Sligo, Tralee and Castlebar.  Buildings in Galway, Dundalk, Limerick, Athlone (2nd build), Carlow and Waterford will be completed over the next two years.

The level of interest by investors in these advance facilities has been very positive and clients have already been secured for the buildings in Athlone, Waterford and Sligo.  However, it is important to note that determining where a client locates 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.

Research and Development Funding

Questions (44)

James Lawless

Question:

44. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the recurring concerns from industry that State-sponsored research through its funding agencies is primarily concentrated on applied outcome driven and commercial research to the detriment of basic discovery driven and academic research (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5957/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation

Innovation 2020, Ireland’s strategy for research and development, science and technology, contains a commitment to support excellent research across the full continuum from basic research to the creation and development of research-informed innovative products, processes and services.

Government investment in R&D includes funding for programmes that encompass all disciplines and all types of research. It should be noted that public funding for research is awarded according to the criteria set out in the various funding programmes operated by research funders irrespective of whether the research is basic or applied.

Public funding for basic research comes from many sources, including through the block grant from the Department of Education and Skills through the Higher Education Authority. The most recent survey of R&D performed in the higher education sector (HERD survey published May 2017) shows that basic research accounted for 45.3% or €331 million of R&D performed in that sector in 2014.

My Department and its agencies are important funders of research, with estimated expenditure of €426m in 2017. This accounts for approximately half of total Government investment in R&D. Science Foundation Ireland, an agency of my Department, funds a significant amount of basic research. Approximately 80%, or an estimated €130 million, of Science Foundation Ireland’s annual funding is committed to basic research projects which are aligned with the Government's  Research Priority areas.  Funding decisions are made through the international peer review on the basis of research excellence and impact.

As an additional support to drive basic research in Ireland, Innovation 2020 committed to the development of a competitive fund to support qualified researchers undertake project-based frontier basic research. In 2017, the Irish Research Council, an agency of the Department of Education and Skills, launched the Frontier Research Programme (LAUREATE), with initial funding of €2.5 million. Funding is awarded on the basis of the excellence of the research proposals and assessed through a rigorous and international peer-review process.

Local Enterprise Offices

Questions (45)

Alan Farrell

Question:

45. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the activities of the local enterprise office in Swords; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5757/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

Creating more and better jobs in Ireland is a priority for the Government. As the Government works to achieve balanced regional development, the LEO's will play a major role. The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and ‘soft’ supports in the form of training and mentoring to anyone wishing to start or grow a business. LEO Fingal continues to support enterprise and entrepreneurial development across the county through a substantial programme of initiatives and events.

In 2017, LEO Fingal provided grants to the value of €761,000 to 36 small businesses and it is expected that these financial supports will lead to the creation of 243 jobs within the next three years.

LEO Fingal provides a range of management development programmes and business development initiatives on a collaborative basis with the other three LEOs in the Dublin region.

Start Your Own Business’ (SYOB) programmes remained very strong in 2017. LEO Fingal provides a series of business and management development workshops to small and local businesses. Business clinics are offered to individuals that wish to start up a new enterprise or expand their existing business and are provided by skilled mentors from the LEO mentor panel.

Mentoring is a one to one professional business service, enabling small and start-up businesses to benefit from the expertise of a panel of business mentors. Under the Trading Online Voucher scheme. 51 vouchers were approved in 2017 to the value of €106,663.

On 24 January 2018 Fingal was successful at the Dublin Regional Final of the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition, scooping two of the three top prizes: Best Business Idea and Best Business Start-Up categories.

A series of sectoral initiatives aimed at stimulating, supporting and developing the very important food sector in Fingal are ongoing. The Fingal final and awards event of the Student Enterprise Programme will take place on 22 March in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown. This is a National initiative aimed at developing an entrepreneurial culture by enabling second level school students to plan, start and run their own “real-life” mini-business.

Local Enterprise Week commences on 5 March 2018 this year and will see a wide variety of events take place across Fingal and the region (20+). Each year LEO Fingal brings together agencies and local business support organisations during Local Enterprise Week, running a very successful series of events.

In addition to the LEO supports, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are working with Fingal County Council to develop a new business park in Balbriggan which is forecast to cater for 900 new jobs in the medium-term.

Economic Competitiveness

Questions (46)

Niall Collins

Question:

46. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to reverse Irish business competitiveness deficiencies and make Ireland an attractive location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6013/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

I do not accept that Irish business Competitiveness has disimproved. The Country continues to be an attractive location for businesses, as is evident in the IDA and EI job creation performance. Competitiveness is a cross government agenda. It requires a focus on infrastructure, research, technology, innovation, education and skills as well as our fiscal regime.  

My Department supports the work of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) that identifies key challenges that affect our competitiveness.

Recent global developments have placed a spotlight on the importance of competitiveness. These developments relate not only to Brexit, but also to international tax, policy changes under the US administration and the unrelenting pace of technological change.

There are now over 2.2 million people at work and our unemployment rate is down to 6.1%. Total employment in IDA and EI supported companies has exceeded 400,000 with jobs being created throughout the country.

Ireland’s improving competitiveness performance over the period 2011-2017 has been central to our strong employment growth. In 2017, Ireland improved one place and is now ranked 6th out of 63 economies in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook.

However, we cannot be complacent. We continue to face challenges. The productivity performance of many of our Irish owned companies is weak.  They are facing a very different landscape as they deal with currency volatilities and the need to reduce exposure to the UK market in light of Brexit.

My officials are finalising the review of Enterprise 2025. This will place an increased emphasis on developing our Irish owned enterprises and embedding resilience. We are already placing a spotlight on innovation and on skills. The agencies continue to support firms with initiatives in Lean, RD and I, mentoring and training – initiatives that strengthen firm competitiveness.  Enterprise Ireland supports Irish companies to deepen their trading links with the UK and to diversify their export markets. Through IDA, we continue to attract new investments that deliver economic impact for Ireland.

My officials have worked closely with the Department of Housing in shaping the National Planning Framework (NPF). The alignment of the National Development Plan to the NPF is key to unlocking the potential of the regions and to strengthening the attractiveness of places throughout Ireland – for people to live and work in, and for business to invest in.

My officials and the National Competitiveness Council will continue to focus on the competitiveness agenda. I intend to work closely with my Ministerial colleagues to develop and implement actions to enhance national competitiveness.

Regional Action Plan for Jobs

Questions (47)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

47. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made in County Louth under the regional action plan for jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5976/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

The North-East/North-West Regional Action Plan for Jobs is a key policy response for supporting employment growth in the Border region, including Co. Louth.

The Plan is stimulating job creation across the region, by facilitating collaborative initiatives between the public and private sector, and through the provision of new competitive funds, awarded through Enterprise Ireland to support regional enterprise projects.

The core objective of the NE/NW Action Plan is to have a further 28,000 at work in the region by 2020. A key objective of all of the Regional Plans is that unemployment in the regions lies no more than one percentage point above the  State average.

Sectors targeted as part of the Border plan include traditionally strong sectors for the region like agrifood, manufacturing/engineering and tourism.

The Local Authorities, enterprise agencies, and other key public and private sector stakeholders in Louth have been strongly involved in, and are key drivers of, the NE/NW Action Plan.

Implementation of the Plan’s 194 actions continues and is overseen and monitored by two Implementation Committees covering the North-West and the North-East regions which are composed of key regional stakeholders from both the private and public sector, and chaired by a regional enterprise champion. Progress reports are showing an implementation rate of more than 90% across all of the actions.

In terms of impact, 12,000 more people are in employment in the Border region from Q1 2015 (baseline year) to Q2 2017, representing good progress towards the target of 28,000 jobs by 2020 as set out in the Regional Action Plan.

The latest regional CSO figures show a 6.5% unemployment rate for the Border region, which is lower than the State unemployment rate of 6.9% (as at Q3 2017).

There has also been a remarkable improvement on the Live Register figures for County Louth. In January 2012, 17,745 people were in the Register compared to 9,016 in January 2018 – a drop of 49% over the last six years.

The enterprise agencies continue their work to contribute towards the ambitious targets set out in the Regional Action Plan. Enterprise Ireland recently announced a 5% employment growth in its client companies for County Louth, which now employ over 6,100 people. On the FDI front, the number of IDA-backed jobs grew by 4% as a whole last year, with almost 12,500 people employed in IDA companies across the Border region.

Through partnership between Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authority in Louth, the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) supported 231 small and micro-businesses employing over 780 people in the County during 2016. LEO Louth continues to play a vital role in providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own businesses in Co. Louth. Results for 2017 are expected to be published shortly.

Of course, the Regional Action Plans on their own are not sufficient.  They are being complemented by other programmes that the Government is working on at national level, including the national Action Plan for Jobs, the Action Plan for Rural Development, Regional Skills for a, and the forthcoming National Planning Framework.

Finally, I look forward to launching a second call for projects under the Enterprise Ireland Regional Enterprise Development Fund in March which will make available the remainder of the €60 million in funding to support enterprise capability in the regions following the initial allocation of up to €30.5 million across 21 projects nationwide in December 2017.

Regional Action Plan for Jobs

Questions (48)

Martin Heydon

Question:

48. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made under the regional action plans for jobs for the mid-east region; her plans to carry out a review of the plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5925/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

The Mid East Action Plan for Jobs is a key policy response for supporting employment growth in the Mid East region, with public and private stakeholders currently engaged in driving the range of innovative and practical actions set out in the Plan.  

Progress on implementation of the Regional Action Plans is constantly under review and two Progress Reports on the implementation of the Plan’s 162 actions have been published to date, with a third one currently being finalised that will cover the second half of 2017. All reports show that good progress is being made in the Mid- East region with an implementation rate of over 90% across all of the actions. 

The efforts by the stakeholders and businesses in the region are paying off: there are now 19,300 more people at work across Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow since the launch of the Regional Action Plan initiative in Q1 2015. This represents very good progress towards the 25,000 additional employment target to 2020 as set out in the Plan.

The latest figures from the CSO show that the Mid East has an unemployment rate of 6.2%, the lowest in the State and below the average for the State (in Q3 2017).

The enterprise agencies in particular are working very hard towards the ambitious targets set out in the Plan for the Mid-East. In 2017, Enterprise Ireland client companies increased employment by 4% in the region, and now employ over 20,500 people in total.

IDA have also recently announced that FDI-related jobs across the region have grown by 6% in the last year, with over 101,000 people employed in IDA client companies in the Mid-East and Dublin region.

Through partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) in Meath, Kildare and Wicklow supported 475 small and micro-businesses employing over 2,500 people in the Mid-East region during 2016. The LEOs continue to play a vital role in providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own businesses in the region. Results for the LEOs in 2017 will be published shortly.

To further support enterprise development across all regions, 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.  This regional competitive fund will support the ambition, goals and implementation of the Regional Action Plans for Jobs. The results of Call 1 were announced in December 2017 with up to €30.5 million allocated towards 21 projects from all around the country. Co. Kildare Community Network Company CLG was one of the successful applicants under the competitive fund under Stream 2 (€250k to €2m) for their MERITS project (Mid East Regional Innovation Think Space).

Since 2015, The Regional Action Plan for Jobs initiative has been a central pillar of the Government’s ambition to create 200,000 new jobs by 2020, with 135,000 of these jobs to be located outside of Dublin. Building on the strong progress that has been recorded to date in the Mid-East region is a key priority for me, and officials from my Department are engaged with all of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs Committees with a view to continuing and refining their work to realise the employment targets focused on the period to 2020.

Regional Action Plan for Jobs

Questions (49)

Peter Burke

Question:

49. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made in County Westmeath and the midlands regions under the regional action plan for jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5768/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

Enterprise development and job creation in the regions of Ireland is a key policy priority of this Government and my Department has been actively engaged in the regional jobs agenda through the Regional Action Plan for Jobs (RAPJ) initiative for the past two years.

The Regional Action Plan for Jobs initiative is a central pillar of the Government’s ambition to create 200,000 new jobs by 2020, 135,000 of which are outside of Dublin. A key objective of each of the 8 regional plans is to have a further 10 to 15 per cent at work in each region by 2020, with the unemployment rate of each region not more than one percentage point greater than the national average.

The Midlands Regional Action Plan for Jobs was launched in June 2015, and is the key policy response for supporting employment growth in the region.  It includes a series of practical actions to support enterprise growth and job creation in the region, within clear timelines for delivery. The Action Plans seek to capitalise on the particular strengths and opportunities of the region and has been developed by my Department, with the support of Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, in close consultation with regional stakeholders from the public and private sectors. 

A central aim of the regional Action Plans for Jobs is to champion the concept of regional collaboration from the ‘ground up’ to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the region that grows jobs and enterprises.

There has been very good progress in the Midlands region in terms of employment creation since Q1 2015 with some 9,500 more people in employment up to Q2 2017. This is against an overall target of 14,000 additional jobs by 2020 as set out in the Midlands Plan.

While Live Register numbers have fallen in all four Midland counties in the past 12 months, CSO figures show that the unemployment rate in the Midlands is currently at 9.3% (Q3 2017), which places the region in a small group of those (including the South-East and Mid-West) whose unemployment rates are more than one percentage point higher than the State average.

This is too high, especially since the Q3 2017 State average is 6.9%, and underlines the importance of retaining a focus on regional enterprise development and job creation in the Midlands.

Importantly, the Midlands Plan has been embraced within the region and the Enterprise Agencies are working hard to drive local job creation and contribute to the job creation targets set out in the Plan.

In 2017, both Enterprise Ireland and IDA reported job increases in the Midlands of 6% and 1% respectively. Enterprise Ireland’s Midland clients employed almost 12,500 people in the region in 2017 and County Westmeath enjoyed a 7% growth, the 7th highest in the country with 3,741 people now employed in the county.

The Local Enterprise Offices operating under the auspices of the Local Authorities and Enterprise Ireland in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath continue to play a vital role in providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own businesses in the region. LEO Westmeath employed 1,375 people, an increase of 7% since 2014. Results for 2017 are expected to be published shortly.

In December last year, I announced an allocation of €30.5 million in funding to support enterprise capability in the regions, with 21 projects from all over the country receiving funding. This Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) totalling €60 million 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.  The Fund supports the ambition, goals and implementation of the Regional Action Plans for Jobs.

The Irish Manufacturing Research CLG project located in Mullingar was one of the significant funding recipients under Stream 1 of the REDF, which will be an important support to manufacturing activity in Westmeath and indeed, the Midlands region. In addition, Longford is a partner in a Stream 2 project to develop a network of three Digital and Innovation Hubs with Leitrim and Cavan.

I look forward to launching a second call under the REDF in March this year, which will make available the remainder of the €60 million.

My priority is to continue to work with stakeholders collectively within the Midlands to build on the progress to date on implementation of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs over the period to 2020, and to focus on leveraging the key strengths of the region.

Finally, my Department is also working closely with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in relation to the National Planning Framework and development of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, and with the Department of Rural and Community Development on roll-out of the Action Plan for Rural Development.

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Legal Cases

Questions (50)

Niall Collins

Question:

50. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when she plans to publish an account of the investigative failures identified by a person (details supplied) and the steps that are being taken to address them emanating from the trial of a person. [6011/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

I, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and innovation have the statutory power to seek information from the Director of Corporate Enforcement about the performance of the Director’s functions under section 955(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2014. However, this statutory power does not extend to the publication of such information.

The Companies Act 2014 contains strict confidentiality obligations on information in the possession of the Director. There is a public interest in ensuring that ongoing and future investigations are not compromised by the disclosure of details of an individual investigation and the investigative process itself.

However, while it is not possible to publish the report itself, it is intended to publish an account of the investigative failures identified by Judge Aylmer as it is important that there is an understanding of what happened in this case.  Approval of the Court is being sought to publish the official transcripts of the trial and it is intended that the account will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

Enterprise Support Services Provision

Questions (51, 164, 166, 169)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

51. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which innovation remains central in her plans to expand the manufacturing and services sectors to the highest extent possible mindful of the competition and with the objective of increasing opportunities for Irish interests on EU and world markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6008/18]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which the reliance on technology remains an integral part of business and enterprise expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6350/18]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she and her Department have identified the extent to which science and technology will remain an integral part of business promotion and job creation in the short and medium term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6352/18]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which her Department engages with the manufacturing and services sectors to maximise the ability to compete through the use of technology and leadership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6355/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 164, 166 and 169 together.

Innovation is a cornerstone of Ireland’s overall economic development policy. It is key to maintaining competitiveness for Ireland in global markets, and for providing jobs and sustainable growth in our economy. 

Supporting innovation is therefore a key pillar of Ireland’s enterprise and innovation policy. Innovation 2020, Ireland’s cross-governmental strategy for Research and Development, Science and Technology, is based on a shared vision of Ireland becoming a Global Innovation Leader, driving a strong, sustainable, high employment economy and a better society.

The Strategy aims to build on the significant successes to date which have seen Ireland dramatically improve its innovation performance globally. Goals include:

- a strong, innovative and internationally competitive enterprise base, growing employment, sales and exports;

- a coherent, joined-up innovation ecosystem, responsive to emerging opportunities, delivering enhanced impact through the creation and application of knowledge; and

- an internationally competitive research system that acts as a magnet and catalyst for talent and industry.

The Innovation 2020 strategy also recognises the importance of the manufacturing and services sectors to Ireland’s economy and the need to further develop the national ecosystem of research and technology centres in key areas including that of manufacturing. 

The 2nd Progress Report on the implementation of Innovation 2020 has been agreed by a cross-Departmental Implementation Group and outlines the advances made on strategic actions in the period to end June 2017.

Highlights include:

- Four new Science Foundation Ireland Research Centres announced

- A new Enterprise Ireland/IDA Ireland Meat Technology Centre launched;

- Three new Technology Gateways added to the national network;

- €424m secured under Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for R and D; and

- The launch by Knowledge Transfer Ireland of a further Technology Transfer Strengthening Initiative to further embed knowledge transfer within the public research system.

Significant investments are also being made in Manufacturing Research and Innovation, through Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.

Two of the four new SFI Research Centres established have a specific manufacturing focus. The SFI CONFIRM Centre will focus on smart manufacturing involving convergence of IT and industrial automation systems; while the SFI I-FORM Centre will concentrate on additive manufacturing. 

Last year also saw the official launch of the Enterprise Ireland/IDA Ireland Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) Technology Centre. IMR is a one-stop-shop where manufacturing companies - both multinational and indigenous - can collaborate to solve big manufacturing challenges in partnership with the researchers in Ireland and the EU.

Separately, under my Department’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund allocations which were announced at the end of last year, we have made a further investment in the IMR Centre, in Mullingar, to ensure we can stay at the forefront of new 3D and additive manufacturing innovation.

The IMR Centre is a member of EARTO (the European Association of Research Technology Organisations) and is currently leading several European advanced manufacturing initiatives. The Centre is also a key contact point for Irish companies seeking to connect with European manufacturing research for knowledge, expertise and project funding opportunities. To date the IMR Centre has assisted companies connect and win projects and funding in a range of European mechanisms and networks. 

Enterprise Ireland Funding

Questions (52)

Martin Heydon

Question:

52. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the next round of the regional enterprise development fund will open for applications; the type of projects eligible for support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5924/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

The Enterprise Ireland Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), launched in May 2017, is a €60 million competitive fund aimed at supporting significant regional initiatives that will build on sectoral strengths and improve enterprise capability across the regions. The REDF is intended to support the ambition, goals, and implementation of the Regional Action Plans for Jobs.

REDF funding is being made available over the period 2017-2020 under two competitive calls. The first call under the REDF concluded in August last year and in December, I announced an allocation of €30.5 million in funding across 21 successful projects from all over the country.

It is my intention to launch a second competitive call under the Fund in March of this year for the remainder of the €60 million.

As regards the type of projects that may be eligible for support, there are four streams under the Fund reflecting variations in scale and focus for project applications, as follows:

- Stream One is to support major regional, multi-regional or national sectoral initiative grants of €2m up to €5m per project in funding towards capital and current costs.

- Stream Two is to support significant county, regional or multi-regional sectoral and or enterprise initiative grants of €250k up to €2m per project in funding towards capital and current costs.

- Stream Three is for local and community enterprise projects, grants of €50k up to €250k per project in funding towards capital and current costs.

- Stream Four is to support significant Industry Clustering initiatives with grants of €50k up to €250k per project in funding towards current costs. 

All projects will have to demonstrate and will be evaluated against the following criteria:

- Impacts and value for money

- Collaboration and Participation

- Viability and sustainability

- Building Regional Strengths

- Significance for innovation and Capability Building

In order to ensure a balanced regional spread, Enterprise Ireland has targeted €2m to be allocated for the best ranked project/s from each NUTS III region which have attained a minimum score of 60% or higher in the evaluation process, over the 2 Calls.

Full details are currently available in the Scheme Document on the Enterprise Ireland website.

Military Exports

Questions (53)

Clare Daly

Question:

53. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the 47% increase in the value of military exports between 2015 and 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5767/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

In 2015, 81 licences with a value of €43m were issued to export goods with a military classification.  In 2016, 128 licences with a value of €63m were issued to export goods with a military classification.  The increase in the value of exports of goods with a military classification between 2015 and 2016 is due mainly to increases in exports to Germany, USA and Singapore.

These licences were in respect of:

- components which have a military rating

- explosives for commercial mining and quarrying

- firearms for hunting, sporting and recreational activities, and personal use.

All export licence applications to export goods with a military classification are subject to rigorous scrutiny.  My officials seek observations on any foreign policy concerns that may arise in respect of a proposed export; such factors are subject to review in the light of developments in a given region and having regard to the 2008 EU Common Position on Arms Exports. Any observations which may arise from this examination are considered in the final assessment of any licence application.

My Department may refuse an export licence, following consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other EU and Non-EU export licensing authorities, as appropriate.

Trade Union Recognition

Questions (54, 60)

Mick Barry

Question:

54. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the efforts by a union (details supplied) to obtain recognition from a company that is in receipt of State contracts from several Departments and recognise a union (details supplied) in Northern Ireland in which it receives similar State contracts. [2053/18]

Mick Barry

Question:

60. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will raise with her ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health, Justice and Equality, and Children and Youth Affairs that they ask a company (details supplied) with which they engage on State contracts, the reason the company does not recognise a union even though it recognises a union in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53258/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation

I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 60 together.

Industrial Relations in Ireland is essentially voluntary in nature and under Irish law, there is no requirement for an employer to recognise trade unions for the purposes of collective bargaining. While article 40 of the Irish Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to form associations and unions it has been established in a number of legal cases that the constitutional guarantee of the freedom of association does not guarantee workers the right to have their union recognised for the purpose of collective bargaining. 

I can assure you however that it has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments to promote collective bargaining through the laws of this country and through the development of an institutional framework based on a voluntary system of industrial relations with freedom of contract and freedom of association at its core.  There is an extensive range of statutory provisions supporting this framework.

Arising from an earlier Government commitment to bring Irish law on employees’ right to engage in collective bargaining into line with decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act was introduced in August 2015. In the lead in to the enactment of this legislation, an in-depth consultation process with stakeholders, including employer and worker representatives, took place.

This legislation provides an improved framework in relation to the right of employees to engage in collective bargaining together with a clear and balanced mechanism by which the fairness of the employment conditions of workers in their totality can be assessed where collective bargaining does not take place.

Furthermore, and in addition to the improved framework provided for in the 2015 Act, the statutory Code of Practice on Victimisation was enhanced in October 2015 to include an explicit prohibition on the use by employers of inducements (financial or otherwise) designed specifically to have staff forego collective representation by a trade union.

The introduction of the 2015 Act, combined with the Code of Practice on Victimisation, provide strong protections in the area of collective bargaining in this country. 

Economic Competitiveness

Questions (55)

Niall Collins

Question:

55. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to deal with competitiveness issues as identified by the National Competitiveness Council in its report entitled Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6012/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

Competitiveness is a cross government agenda. It requires a focus on, inter alia, infrastructure, research, technology, innovation, education and skills as well as our fiscal regime.  

My Department supports the work of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) in the identification and analysis of key challenges that affect our competitiveness.

Recent global developments have placed a spotlight on the importance of competitiveness. These developments relate not only to Brexit, but also to international tax, policy changes under the US administration and the unrelenting pace of technological change.

There are now over 2.2 million people at work and our unemployment rate is down to 6.1%. Total employment in IDA and EI supported companies has exceeded 400,000 with jobs being created throughout the country.

Ireland’s improving competitiveness performance over the period 2011-2017 has been central to our strong employment growth. In 2017, Ireland improved one place and is now ranked 6th out of 63 economies in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook.

However, we cannot be complacent. We continue to face challenges. The productivity performance of many of our Irish owned companies is weak.  These companies are facing a very different landscape as they deal with currency volatilities and the need to reduce exposure to the UK market in light of Brexit.

My officials are finalising the review of Enterprise 2025. This will place an increased emphasis on developing our Irish owned enterprises and embedding resilience. We are already placing a spotlight on innovation and on skills. The agencies continue to support firms with initiatives in Lean, RD and I, mentoring and training – initiatives that strengthen firm competitiveness.  Enterprise Ireland supports Irish companies to deepen their trading links with the UK and to diversify their export markets. Through IDA, we continue to attract new investments that deliver economic impact for Ireland.

My officials have worked closely with the Department of Housing in shaping the National Planning Framework (NPF). The alignment of the National Development Plan to the NPF is key to unlocking the potential of the regions and to strengthening the attractiveness of places throughout Ireland – for people to live and work in, and for business to invest in.

My officials and the National Competitiveness Council will continue to focus on the competitiveness agenda. I intend to work closely with my Ministerial colleagues to develop and implement actions to enhance national competitiveness.

Fishing Vessel Safety

Questions (56, 63, 152, 154, 156, 157)

Mick Barry

Question:

56. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the rate of inspections carried out by the Workplace Relations Commission on fishing vessels has altered since the atypical scheme for undocumented non-EU fishers began; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5973/18]

Mick Barry

Question:

63. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the way in which the atypical scheme for undocumented non-EU fishers is being observed in view of inspections on fishing vessels carried out by the Workplace Relations Commission to date. [5974/18]

Paul Murphy

Question:

152. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if inspectors at the Workplace Relations Commission have the training they need to carry out inspections on fishing vessels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6015/18]

Mick Barry

Question:

154. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will direct the Workplace Relations Commission to devote more resources to carrying out inspections on fishing vessels in view of the reported case of a Filipino national losing a finger on a fishing vessel in December 2017. [2055/18]

Mick Barry

Question:

156. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the rate of inspections carried out by the Workplace Relations Commission on fishing vessels has altered since the atypical scheme for undocumented non-EU fishers began; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2056/18]

Mick Barry

Question:

157. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the level to which the atypical scheme for undocumented non-EU fishers is being observed on the basis of inspections on fishing vessels carried out by the Workplace Relations Commission to date on fishing vessels. [2057/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation

I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 63, 152, 154, 156 and 157 together.

At the outset I want to make it clear that lead policy responsibility for the fishing sector rests with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Furthermore, the atypical work permission scheme established following the 2015 Government Task Force Report on EEA workers in the Irish fishing fleet, is administered by the Department of Justice and Equality and the Irish National Immigration Service (INIS) on behalf of that Department.

As regards the monitoring and enforcement of the atypical scheme for non-EEA fishers, it should be noted that a number of Departments and State agencies are involved. These include An Garda Síochána, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, INIS, the Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Naval Service, the Revenue Commissioners, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the Workplace Relations Commission and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

While the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, and the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, are under the remit of my Department, they are independent in the conduct of their statutory functions. The WRC’s responsibilities relate to the enforcement of the Employment Permits Acts and employment rights legislation generally, including minimum wage legislation. The HSA is the enforcement agency under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and conducts inspections under health and safety legislation at all places of work, including fishing vessels while docked in harbour. It does not carry out inspections of fishing vessels at sea even when operating within Irish territorial waters.

The Marine Survey Office under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has lead responsibility for fishing vessel safety, security and living and working conditions for the crew on board seagoing vessels. It is responsible for enforcing legislation in this context for seafarers and fishing vessel crew.

In response to the Deputy’s specific enquiries, it will be clear from the explanation provided that health and safety falls outside the remit of the WRC so the issue of resources at the WRC does not arise. Responsibility in this area rests with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), an agency under the aegis of my department. In relation to the recent unfortunate accident involving a non-EEA national on a fishing vessel, it is my understanding that the HSA is conducting an investigation into the circumstances of this incident in line with its remit under workplace health and safety legislation.

On the separate issue raised by the deputy of adequate training for WRC Inspectors to carry out inspections on fishing vessels, I can confirm to the Deputy that 9 Inspectors as well as a Regional Manager of the WRC completed comprehensive training in this regard. This was delivered by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara on safety at sea and sea survival techniques, including fire-fighting and first aid. This training was a prerequisite to the deployment of WRC Inspectors for on-board inspections and operations at ports and landing places as the WRC, like the HSA, does not undertake inspections at sea.

As regards the rate of inspections by the WRC since the atypical scheme commenced, the position is that WRC Inspectors have not traditionally had an active presence in the enforcement of employment rights and employment permits legislation in the fishing industry given the low incidence of employees in the sector, as opposed to fishers that are self-employed. Some 181 vessels on the Irish Fishing Vessel Register come within the scope of the atypical Worker Permission Scheme, with 174 of these vessels being active or operational. 165 of these vessels have, to date been inspected by the WRC and it is the intention, in the context of inspection activity more generally, to complete inspections of the remaining 9 vessels. In total, some 240 inspections of these vessels were undertaken by the WRC in the period July 2016 to 31 December 2017.

Insofar as compliance levels are concerned, 202 contraventions of employment rights and/or employment permits legislation were detected by WRC Inspectors in the period to the end of 2017: 29 or 14% of these contraventions relate to non-EEA fishers not having permission to work in the State. The core requirement under the atypical Scheme is for non-EEA fishers to have a letter of permission from INIS to work on a specific vessel or vessels. Other contraventions detected by WRC Inspectors include failure to keep records (35%), a failure to grant Public Holiday, Sunday Working and Annual Leave entitlements (19%) and failure to issue payslips (12%). Contraventions were detected in some 112 of the 181 vessels coming within the scope of the Scheme.

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement

Questions (57)

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

57. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to introduce legislation to strengthen the effectiveness of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement; if extra staff will be assigned to that office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5960/18]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

The establishment of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement as an agency is one of the key actions contained in the Government’s package of measures to tackle “white collar crime”.  This will give the Director greater autonomy and flexibility and ensure that the Agency  is better equipped to investigate increasingly complex breaches of company law.

Work on the development of the legislative framework for the establishment of the ODCE as an agency has commenced.  It is expected that the General Scheme of a Bill to give effect to this decision will be published by Q2 2018, with publication of the Bill by Q4 2018. 

The Government is committed to ensuring that the new Agency will be created in keeping with international best practice, including its internal controls, staffing, budget and corporate governance.  My Department will engage with the ODCE to seek their assistance in taking account of international best practice in the establishment of the Agency.

The Companies Act 2014 enshrines substantial and wide-ranging powers for the Director of Corporate Enforcement.  Government is committed to ensuring that the Companies Act 2014 continues to deliver a robust yet competitive corporate regulatory framework for business in Ireland.  Consequently, the provisions of the Companies Act 2014 are under continuous review.

Any further powers that are identified as a requirement for carrying out the functions of the Agency will be explored and made under statute as appropriate.

The Government remains committed to refining and developing Ireland’s response to criminal activity and regulatory crime and ensure that, like every other jurisdiction, we continue to respond to emerging challenges.