Written Answers Nos. 177-185
177. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the name, costs, date of commission and date of publication of all external reports commissioned by her Department since June 2016 regarding Brexit, in tabular form; the date or expected date of the publication; the name of the external consultant for each such report; and if all such reports have been published. [7980/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my department is conducting a number of research projects to build an understanding of the possible implications of Brexit on Ireland for enterprise and our trading relations.
These studies will provide an evidence base to inform Ireland’s policy positions as part of the wider negotiation on the UK’s future relationship with the EU and further inform our domestic policy response to Brexit.
The details of the Brexit related research undertaken by my department are outlined in the following table.
|
Title |
Cost |
Research by |
Date of Commission |
Publication |
|
Strategic Implications for Ireland arising from changing EU-UK Trading patterns. |
€174,000 (Ex. VAT) |
Copenhagen Economics |
26th June 2017 |
13th February 2018 |
|
Sectoral implications arising from Brexit: Most exposed sectors |
€69,950 (Ex. VAT) |
DBEI research and Deloitte |
26th June 2017 |
Due Q2 2018 |
|
Import Content of Irish Exports and Implications of Brexit |
€40,000 (Ex. VAT) |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
September 2017 |
Due Q2 2018 |
|
The Potential Impact of WTO Tariffs and other key relevant issues on Cross-Border Trade |
€90,000* (Inc. VAT) |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
December 2016 |
Phase 1 published June 2017; Phase 2 due Q1 2018; Phase 3 due Q 3 2018 |
|
Brexit - the View of Irish SMEs (Survey) |
€25,000 (Ex. VAT) |
Behaviours and Attitudes |
July 2017 |
Published 22 January 2018 |
|
Brexit - the View of Irish SMEs (Survey) |
€52,250 (Ex. VAT) |
Behaviours and Attitudes |
December 2017 |
Published 8 May 2017 |
*The project is managed by InterTradeIreland and co-funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy. Figure shown represents the full amount.
178. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of inspections carried out by the workplace relations bodies in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018 and county, in tabular form; the number of prosecutions undertaken in each county during that period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7981/18]
View answerInspectors of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) carry out inspections of employer records with a view to determining compliance with employment rights legislation. These inspections arise:
- in response to complaints received of alleged non-compliance with relevant employment rights legislation;
- as part of compliance campaigns which focus on compliance in specific sectors or specific pieces of legislation, or
- as routine inspections, which act as a control measure.
The aim is to achieve voluntary compliance with employment law through the provision of education and awareness, inspection of employers’ employment records, and enforcement where necessary. While every effort is made to secure compliance, some employers either refuse or fail to rectify the breaches identified and/or pay money due to their employees. These cases are referred for prosecution.
Details in relation to the number of inspections and prosecutions undertaken by county in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to end January 2018 are provided in the following tables.
Inspections
|
|
2018 to 31 Jan |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CARLOW |
2 |
75 |
36 |
71 |
53 |
|
CAVAN |
5 |
88 |
117 |
134 |
137 |
|
CLARE |
0 |
142 |
129 |
242 |
217 |
|
CORK |
14 |
203 |
332 |
287 |
304 |
|
DONEGAL |
3 |
153 |
128 |
184 |
153 |
|
DUBLIN |
77 |
1,297 |
1,067 |
977 |
1,021 |
|
GALWAY |
2 |
291 |
408 |
410 |
420 |
|
KERRY |
2 |
61 |
96 |
51 |
59 |
|
KILDARE |
13 |
168 |
186 |
246 |
316 |
|
KILKENNY |
17 |
85 |
92 |
91 |
158 |
|
LAOIS |
11 |
41 |
63 |
85 |
124 |
|
LEITRIM |
2 |
52 |
36 |
24 |
23 |
|
LIMERICK |
29 |
312 |
426 |
347 |
546 |
|
LONGFORD |
2 |
97 |
79 |
76 |
73 |
|
LOUTH |
4 |
259 |
177 |
182 |
121 |
|
MAYO |
16 |
131 |
147 |
154 |
146 |
|
MEATH |
8 |
124 |
121 |
143 |
120 |
|
MONAGHAN |
9 |
112 |
69 |
77 |
82 |
|
OFFALY |
17 |
155 |
76 |
91 |
57 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
5 |
48 |
61 |
72 |
85 |
|
SLIGO |
6 |
50 |
47 |
58 |
57 |
|
TIPPERARY |
5 |
196 |
177 |
241 |
224 |
|
WATERFORD |
11 |
129 |
207 |
166 |
115 |
|
WESTMEATH |
7 |
160 |
117 |
133 |
153 |
|
WEXFORD |
23 |
119 |
181 |
299 |
337 |
|
WICKLOW |
11 |
199 |
255 |
344 |
490 |
|
TOTAL |
301 |
4,747 |
4,830 |
5,185 |
5,591 |
Prosecutions
|
|
2018 to 31 Jan |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CARLOW |
|
2 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
|
CAVAN |
|
1 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
CLARE |
|
3 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
CORK |
|
5 |
2 |
7 |
1 |
|
DONEGAL |
|
4 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
|
DUBLIN |
|
9 |
7 |
13 |
24 |
|
GALWAY |
|
3 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
|
KERRY |
|
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
KILDARE |
|
6 |
11 |
9 |
5 |
|
KILKENNY |
1 |
4 |
2 |
5 |
6 |
|
LAOIS |
|
8 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
|
LEITRIM |
|
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
LIMERICK |
|
5 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
|
LONGFORD |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
LOUTH |
|
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
MAYO |
|
5 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
MEATH |
|
2 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
|
MONAGHAN |
|
6 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
OFFALY |
|
1 |
8 |
15 |
4 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
SLIGO |
|
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
TIPPERARY |
|
8 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
|
WATERFORD |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
WESTMEATH |
|
7 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
|
WEXFORD |
|
7 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
WICKLOW |
|
4 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
|
TOTAL |
4 |
95 |
85 |
106 |
84 |
179. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the grant funding supports available for a person (details supplied). [7982/18]
View answerFrom the information provided by the Deputy, I am not aware of any grant that is available in the circumstances outlined.
In this regard, it is important to note that the banks are, and will continue to be, the first port of call for finance for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). However some Government initiatives have been introduced in order to ensure that SMEs obtain appropriate finance in order to sustain and grow their business.
In the event that this business has made a formal application to one of the main banks and has been refused, the first possibility is to appeal that decision to the Credit Review Office. This Office was established to provide a simple and effective review process for SMEs refused credit from the main banks, or where the SME considers that the terms or conditions attached to a credit facility or its price are so onerous as to amount to a constructive refusal.
While the Office has no statutory or regulatory powers to overturn bank lending decisions, it has been the experience to date that if the lending could have been made within acceptable risk boundaries, the bank will be required to comply with this recommendation, or to explain why it will not do so. To date, all banks have respected and complied with the Credit Review Office recommendations. It is important to note that you must make a formal loan application and have been refused before you can refer the matter to the Credit Review Office, which can be contacted at Tel: 1850 211 789 or online at www.creditreview.ie.
Again, in the event that a loan has or is likely to be refused, a second possibility is the Credit Guarantee Scheme under Minister Humphrey’s remit. These are cases where the Minister shares with the bank a large part of the risk involved in the loan to an SME. This is exclusively targeted at SMEs that are unable to access credit because of these two particular market failures in operation, (i) the inadequacy of SME collateral and, (ii) the inadequacy of understanding of the novelty of a business model, market, sector or technology that the SME is involved in.
The first step towards availing of a credit guarantee would be for you to ask the bank that has refused you lending (the 3 main banks AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank all participate in the Schemes), to request this avenue of funding, a process that would continue with the bank in question assessing the company’s viability under alternative arrangements before making a decision. Further information on the Credit Guarantee Scheme is available at: https://www.djei.ie/en/Publications/SME-Credit-Guarantee-Scheme-Information-Booklet.html
Furthermore a wide list of over 100 possible Government supports is available online from the online tool available at
https://www.supportingsmes.ie/BusinessDetails.aspx and I would encourage the business to review this portal to establish the various potential supports available in the circumstances.
180. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department has commissioned a report on potential growth and jobs opportunities that may arise from the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. [7984/18]
View answerAs part of the Government’s response to Brexit, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation commissioned Copenhagen Economics to undertake a major study into the implications of Brexit for the Irish economy and trade. I have just published the output from this independent research in a report entitled "Ireland and the Impact of Brexit: Strategic Implications for Ireland Arising from Changing EU-UK Trading Relations". This research project adds to an already extensive evidence base that underpins the ongoing development of our response to Brexit.
Using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, this study quantifies the impact on the economy of possible new barriers to trade in goods and services which might emerge as a result of Brexit. This provides an evidence base on key trade and investment questions to inform Ireland’s position as part of the wider negotiation on the UK’s future relationship with the EU. It will also help to inform domestic policy responses and measures necessary to mitigate risks and maximise opportunities arising as a result of Brexit.
The study models for a range of short and long term impacts of Brexit on key economic metrics, including GDP, exports, imports and wage rates. The main focus of the study is on the long term to show the possible impact of four Brexit scenarios in a putative “year 2030”. All results are compared against a 2030 baseline which would have pertained had Brexit not occurred. These scenarios are:
- An EEA-type scenario
- A Customs Union scenario
- A Free Trade Agreement
- A (worst-case) WTO scenario
All of the scenarios examined produce a result that is less favourable than a non-Brexit scenario. Nevertheless, regardless of the scenario, the Irish economy is still expected to record strong, positive growth out to 2030 – Brexit has a dampening impact, however, resulting in a lower growth rate than would otherwise have occurred.
The study points to the fact that negotiating the best possible outcome will be the most effective mitigation measure in terms of limiting the damage of Brexit to Ireland. It also identifies the importance of progressing EU FTAs with other key trading partners.
Copenhagen Economics find that while the overall impact of Brexit will be negative for Ireland, there are certain opportunities arising from these changes. Copenhagen Economic grouped these opportunities into three categories: Trade, talent and investment.
As a result of Brexit, UK exporters will face new barriers in the EU market. This implies that UK products or services will be more expensive in the EU market, meaning that customers in other EU countries currently served by UK firms will be looking for alternative suppliers. This can present opportunities for Irish exporters, especially since there are many overlaps in the products export from the UK and from Ireland.
In terms of talent, the expected decline in economic activity in the UK following Brexit and in particular the uncertainty and sentiment of EU citizens in the UK presents another opportunity for Ireland. As the only English speaking country in the EU, aside from Malta, and with diverse job opportunities, Ireland can become a new home for talents deciding to leave the UK post-Brexit. This would particularly relevant in sectors and positions where there are already shortages in Ireland. This could include IT-specialists, researchers, financial service expert for example.
Copenhagen Economics find that the biggest opportunities in relation to Brexit arise from increased foreign direct investment (FDI). Our country’s attractiveness to overseas companies is well-documented and will likely increase on account of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, as some firms consider alternative locations for future investment. Ireland has, in fact, already seen both increased investment and interest from multinational businesses – particularly in the financial services sector – in the wake of the EU-UK referendum result and further Brexit-related FDI is expected in the time ahead.
IDA Ireland continues to identify potential for mobile FDI in key sectors and actively pursue these opportunities including through targeted trade missions and rollout of advertising campaigns to promote Ireland’s offering particularly in talent and tax.
Overall, this independent research complements the Department’s recently published “Building Stronger Business” report which summarises the policy measures that DBEI has already taken, those that are planned and the Departmental structural reforms put in place to ensure that we can work as efficiently and effectively as possible to support our companies.
181. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the drawdown levels issued under the credit guarantee scheme; the value of approvals; the drawdown and approval, by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7987/18]
View answerThe Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) has been in operation since 2012, and as of 31 December 2017, 530 loans to the value of €84,396,594 have been sanctioned by participating lenders under the scheme. The CGS is currently operated on behalf of the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI).
While the benefit of a guarantee is offered to a borrower under the scheme, some borrowers do not proceed with the guarantee. A significant number of cases are listed as ‘Pending’ by the participating lenders, and the operator only holds partial information on such cases. As a result, it is not possible to quantify the drawdowns of loans considered under the scheme. A breakdown of sanctioned loans where county information is known is provided in the table.
In addition, Quarterly Reports providing full details of the latest Credit Guarantee Scheme performance are published on my Department’s website.
Modification to the Credit Guarantee Scheme legislation was provided for in Statutory Instruments in late 2017 to give effect to necessary changes in the operation of the Scheme. I would expect that these changes will see enhanced use of the scheme in future years
The CGS is a central element of those supports which when combined with other Government initiatives such as Microfinance Ireland, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the Credit Review Office and the Prompt Payment Code should enable companies to expand, service new markets and grow employment.
2017
|
Year |
No. Of Facilities Sanctioned |
Amount of CGS Facilities Sanctioned |
|
2012 |
6 |
€582,000 |
|
2013 |
88 |
€12,107,500 |
|
2014 |
68 |
€9,283,344 |
|
2015 |
108 |
€20,385,050 |
|
2016 |
131 |
€22,312,000 |
|
2017 |
129 |
€19,726,700 |
|
Total as at 31st December 2017 |
530 |
€84,396,594 |
|
Status |
No. of CGS Facilities |
Amount of Lending |
|
CGS loans sanctioned by Lenders since launch |
530 |
€84,396,594 |
|
Declined or Cancelled by the customer |
67 |
€11,171,250 |
|
Declined by the lender |
3 |
€180,000 |
|
Ineligible |
3 |
€467,000 |
|
CGS Facilities at 31st December 2017 |
457 |
€72,578,344 |
|
County |
Amount of Lending |
|
Carlow |
€1,770,000 |
|
Cavan |
€0 |
|
Clare |
€927,000 |
|
Cork |
€5,076,000 |
|
Donegal |
€197,000 |
|
Dublin |
€31,981,200 |
|
Galway |
€3,780,500 |
|
Kerry |
€2,610,000 |
|
Kildare |
€4,512,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
€0 |
|
Laois |
€1,606,950 |
|
Leitrim |
€1,000,000 |
|
Limerick |
€7,445,594 |
|
Longford |
€0 |
|
Louth |
€1,637,000 |
|
Mayo |
€953,100 |
|
Meath |
€1,535,000 |
|
Monaghan |
€250,000 |
|
Offaly |
€790,000 |
|
Roscommon |
€80,000 |
|
Sligo |
€57,000 |
|
Tipperary |
€1,121,000 |
|
Waterford |
€1,000,000 |
|
Westmeath |
€1,522,000 |
|
Wexford |
€1,266,000 |
|
Wicklow |
€1,461,000 |
2016
|
Year |
No. Of Facilities Sanctioned |
Amount of CGS Facilities Sanctioned |
|
2012 |
6 |
€582,000 |
|
2013 |
88 |
€12,107,500 |
|
2014 |
68 |
€9,283,344 |
|
2015 |
108 |
€20,385,050 |
|
2016 |
131 |
€22,772,000 |
|
Total as at 31st December 2016 |
401 |
€64,669,894 |
|
Status |
No. of CGS Facilities |
Amount of Lending |
|
CGS loans sanctioned by Lenders since launch |
401 |
€64,669,894 |
|
Declined or Cancelled by the customer |
62 |
€10,615,000 |
|
Declined by the lender |
3 |
€180,000 |
|
Ineligible |
3 |
€467,000 |
|
CGS Facilities at 31st December 2016 |
333 |
€53,407,894 |
|
County |
Amount of Lending |
|
Carlow |
€1,770,000 |
|
Cavan |
€0 |
|
Clare |
€667,000 |
|
Cork |
€3,348,000 |
|
Donegal |
€197,000 |
|
Dublin |
€24,182,000 |
|
Galway |
€2,241,500 |
|
Kerry |
€1,210,000 |
|
Kildare |
€3,285,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
€295,000 |
|
Laois |
€1,916,950 |
|
Leitrim |
€1,000,000 |
|
Limerick |
€4,375,344 |
|
Longford |
€0 |
|
Louth |
€1,160,000 |
|
Mayo |
€733,100 |
|
Meath |
€795,000 |
|
Monaghan |
€250,000 |
|
Offaly |
€540,000 |
|
Roscommon |
€80,000 |
|
Sligo |
€57,000 |
|
Tipperary |
€1,071,000 |
|
Waterford |
€750,000 |
|
Westmeath |
€1,057,000 |
|
Wexford |
€1,266,000 |
|
Wicklow |
€1,161,000 |
182. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the value of drawdowns issued under the microfinance scheme on 31 December 2016 and 31 December 2017, respectively; the value of approvals on the same dates; the breakdown of each drawdown and approval, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7988/18]
View answerThe Board of Microfinance Ireland (MFI) provides me with Quarterly Reports of progress, and these are published on the websites of both MFI and my Department.
The county spread of approvals is contained in each Quarterly Report provided by Microfinance Ireland to my Department.
In relation to the drawdown figures requested by the Deputy, I have attached the available information relating to the figures as at 31 December 2016 and 31 December 2017 and an analysis of loan approvals for each county.
|
Microfinance Ireland |
||
|
Fund to date |
||
|
End 2016 |
End 2017 |
|
|
Loan Approvals |
||
|
- Number |
1,167 |
1,567 |
|
-Value €000 |
17,088 |
22,591 |
|
Loan Drawdowns |
||
|
- Number |
995 |
1,353 |
|
-Value €000 |
14,204 |
19,068 |
|
Analysis by County |
Loan Approvals (Nos) |
|
|
Carlow |
23 |
27 |
|
Cavan |
38 |
46 |
|
Clare |
39 |
51 |
|
Cork |
89 |
116 |
|
Donegal |
21 |
40 |
|
Dublin |
247 |
333 |
|
Galway |
55 |
76 |
|
Kerry |
30 |
40 |
|
Kildare |
43 |
58 |
|
Kilkenny |
19 |
28 |
|
Laois |
26 |
33 |
|
Leitrim |
19 |
29 |
|
Limerick |
59 |
71 |
|
Longford |
28 |
35 |
|
Louth |
22 |
35 |
|
Mayo |
44 |
53 |
|
Meath |
51 |
69 |
|
Monaghan |
15 |
21 |
|
Offaly |
20 |
32 |
|
Roscommon |
28 |
32 |
|
Sligo |
36 |
43 |
|
Tipperary |
55 |
71 |
|
Waterford |
40 |
60 |
|
Westmeath |
32 |
45 |
|
Wexford |
50 |
75 |
|
Wicklow |
38 |
48 |
|
Total |
1,167 |
1,567 |
|
County |
Approved |
|
Carlow |
27 |
|
Cavan |
46 |
|
Clare |
51 |
|
Cork |
116 |
|
Donegal |
40 |
|
Dublin |
333 |
|
Galway |
76 |
|
Kerry |
40 |
|
Kildare |
58 |
|
Kilkenny |
28 |
|
Laois |
33 |
|
Leitrim |
29 |
|
Limerick |
71 |
|
Longford |
35 |
|
Louth |
35 |
|
Mayo |
53 |
|
Meath |
69 |
|
Monaghan |
21 |
|
Offaly |
32 |
|
Roscommon |
32 |
|
Sligo |
43 |
|
Tipperary |
71 |
|
Waterford |
60 |
|
Westmeath |
45 |
|
Wexford |
75 |
|
Wicklow |
48 |
183. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the value of drawdowns issued under the credit guarantee scheme on 31 December 2016 and 31 December 2017, respectively; the value of approvals on the same dates; and the breakdown of each drawdown and approval, by county, in tabular form. [7989/18]
View answerThe Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) has been in operation since 2012, and as of 31 December 2017, 530 loans to the value of €84,396,594 have been sanctioned by participating lenders under the scheme. The CGS is currently operated on behalf of the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI).
While the benefit of a guarantee is offered to a borrower under the scheme, some borrowers do not proceed with the guarantee. A significant number of cases are listed as ‘Pending’ by the participating lenders, and the operator only holds partial information on such cases. As a result, it is not possible to quantify the drawdowns of loans considered under the scheme. A breakdown of sanctioned loans where county information is known is provided in the tables.
In addition, Quarterly Reports providing full details of the latest Credit Guarantee Scheme performance are published on my Department’s website.
Modification to the Credit Guarantee Scheme legislation was provided for in Statutory Instruments in late 2017 to give effect to necessary changes in the operation of the Scheme. I would expect that these changes will see enhanced use of the scheme in future years.
The CGS is a central element of those supports which when combined with other Government initiatives such as Microfinance Ireland, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the Credit Review Office and the Prompt Payment Code should enable companies to expand, service new markets and grow employment.
I note that the amount of lending under this scheme was €19,170,450 for the 12 months to 31 December 2017.
2017
|
Year |
No. Of Facilities Sanctioned |
Amount of CGS Facilities Sanctioned |
|
2012 |
6 |
€582,000 |
|
2013 |
88 |
€12,107,500 |
|
2014 |
68 |
€9,283,344 |
|
2015 |
108 |
€20,385,050 |
|
2016 |
131 |
€22,312,000 |
|
2017 |
129 |
€19,726,700 |
|
Total as at 31st December 2017 |
530 |
€84,396,594 |
|
Status |
No. of CGS Facilities |
Amount of Lending |
|
CGS loans sanctioned by Lenders since launch |
530 |
€84,396,594 |
|
Declined or Cancelled by the customer |
67 |
€11,171,250 |
|
Declined by the lender |
3 |
€180,000 |
|
Ineligible |
3 |
€467,000 |
|
CGS Facilities at 31st December 2017 |
457 |
€72,578,344 |
|
County |
Amount of Lending |
|
Carlow |
€1,770,000 |
|
Cavan |
€0 |
|
Clare |
€927,000 |
|
Cork |
€5,076,000 |
|
Donegal |
€197,000 |
|
Dublin |
€31,981,200 |
|
Galway |
€3,780,500 |
|
Kerry |
€2,610,000 |
|
Kildare |
€4,512,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
€0 |
|
Laois |
€1,606,950 |
|
Leitrim |
€1,000,000 |
|
Limerick |
€7,445,594 |
|
Longford |
€0 |
|
Louth |
€1,637,000 |
|
Mayo |
€953,100 |
|
Meath |
€1,535,000 |
|
Monaghan |
€250,000 |
|
Offaly |
€790,000 |
|
Roscommon |
€80,000 |
|
Sligo |
€57,000 |
|
Tipperary |
€1,121,000 |
|
Waterford |
€1,000,000 |
|
Westmeath |
€1,522,000 |
|
Wexford |
€1,266,000 |
|
Wicklow |
€1,461,000 |
2016
|
Year |
No. Of Facilities Sanctioned |
Amount oF CGS Facilities Sanctioned |
|
2012 |
6 |
€582,000 |
|
2013 |
88 |
€12,107,500 |
|
2014 |
68 |
€9,283,344 |
|
2015 |
108 |
€20,385,050 |
|
2016 |
131 |
€22,772,000 |
|
Total as at 31st December 2016 |
401 |
€64,669,894 |
|
Status |
No. of CGS Facilities |
Amount of Lending |
|
CGS loans sanctioned by Lenders since launch |
401 |
€64,669,894 |
|
Declined or Cancelled by the customer |
62 |
€10,615,000 |
|
Declined by the lender |
3 |
€180,000 |
|
Ineligible |
3 |
€467,000 |
|
CGS Facilities at 31st December 2016 |
333 |
€53,407,894 |
|
County |
Amount of Lending |
|
Carlow |
€1,770,000 |
|
Cavan |
€0 |
|
Clare |
€667,000 |
|
Cork |
€3,348,000 |
|
Donegal |
€197,000 |
|
Dublin |
€24,182,000 |
|
Galway |
€2,241,500 |
|
Kerry |
€1,210,000 |
|
Kildare |
€3,285,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
€295,000 |
|
Laois |
€1,916,950 |
|
Leitrim |
€1,000,000 |
|
Limerick |
€4,375,344 |
|
Longford |
€0 |
|
Louth |
€1,160,000 |
|
Mayo |
€733,100 |
|
Meath |
€795,000 |
|
Monaghan |
€250,000 |
|
Offaly |
€540,000 |
|
Roscommon |
€80,000 |
|
Sligo |
€57,000 |
|
Tipperary |
€1,071,000 |
|
Waterford |
€750,000 |
|
Westmeath |
€1,057,000 |
|
Wexford |
€1,266,000 |
|
Wicklow |
€1,161,000 |
184. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the research presented at a WRC seminar, The World of Work: A Shifting Landscape (details supplied); and when all research data will be published and accessible. [7992/18]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) commissioned the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to undertake research into the development of new working trends and patterns, including the phenomenon of what is referred to as “gig” work, and into contingent work more generally in the Irish economy.
I understand that the objective of the research was to ascertain the extra of this phenomenon in Ireland and its prevalence across the different sectors of the economy. Over the past number of years, more sophisticated ICT platforms have facilitated the development of new categories of flexible work relationships and this has been the source of significant commentary. I anticipate that the data from this research will be of significant value to policy makers in terms of informing any future policy initiatives around newer working methods.
I am advised that the ESRI research paper has not yet been made publicly available but understand that it will be published shortly. As this research was commissioned independently by the WRC, I have not yet seen the paper and so am not in a position to comment further at this stage.
As regards the other presentations presented at the WRC seminar entitled, “The World of Work: A Shifting Landscape” on 6th of February 2018, these will be posted on the WRC website at www.workplacerelations.ie this week.
185. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of trade discussions between the European Union and Mexico and potential growth and jobs opportunities for Ireland; and if she will report on the likely inclusion of a multilateral investment court system as part of the final agreement. [7993/18]
View answerIn 1997, Mexico was the first Latin American country to conclude an Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement with the EU. Mexico has been a strategic partner of the EU since 2008.
The EU and Mexico met in Brussels on the 13th and 14th June 2016 to start the negotiation process for the modernisation of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement. The negotiations aim to broaden the scope of the Global Agreement and adjust it to the new political and economic global challenges. Modernisation includes regulatory cooperation, more trade in agriculture and food, common sanitary and phytosanitary standards (protection of human, animal or plant life or health from certain risks), sustainable development and rules of origin.
Ireland supports the modernisation of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement. The main benefits for Ireland in a modernised agreement with Mexico would include the opening up of public procurement markets to Irish businesses and the removal of technical barriers to trade to reduce the costs of entry to the Mexican market. It will further remove industrial tariffs and important agricultural tariffs. This will be important for Ireland’s important Agri-food sector especially for dairy products where Ireland is a significant exporter to Mexico of powdered milk and milk derivatives but there are currently significant barriers both to increasing powdered milk exports and to commencing exports of fresh dairy produce.
The current round of negotiations between the EU and Mexico to modernize the trade pillar of the Global Agreement is taking place this week in Mexico City. Both parties are committed to reaching a political agreement on the deal as soon as possible. The parties have made important progress to this end but there is still further work on a number of issues related to market access and rules including opening each other’s market access to food and drink, geographical indicators (GI’s) and access to public procurement. The Parties have reached agreement on the text of a number of chapters including trade in goods, technical barriers to trade, good regulatory practices, transparency, energy and raw materials, trade and sustainable development and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) matters and customs and trade facilitation.
In these negotiations, the EU and Mexico have had extensive discussions towards finding common ground on a reformed approach to investment dispute resolution, including on concepts and ideas. The EU and Mexico are now engaging in further technical work on the legal text in this regard. These discussions are still ongoing and so the final text of the Investment Chapter has yet to be concluded.
A report of the seventh round is available on the Commission’s website at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2018/january/tradoc_156557.pdf. As part of its commitment to more transparent trade policy, the EU negotiating textual proposals are available on its website at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=1694
