Written Answers Nos. 1-44
19. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Taoiseach cén fáth nach bhfuil an Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh, a thugann faisnéis maidir le roghnú céadainmneacha cláraithe gasúr in Éirinn, ag áireamh ainmneacha ar nós Seán (John) faoina n-ainm ceart agus, ina ionad sin, go bhfuil siad á n-áireamh faoi ainm eile, Sean (old); agus an gceapann sé go bhfuil sé cothrom go gcaithfear le tuismitheoirí a roghnaíonn ainmneacha Gaeilge mar seo. [14205/18]
View answerI mo cháil mar Aire agus freagracht orm i ndáil leis an nGaeilge, ba mhaith liom a rá go dtuigim ábhar imní an Teachta maidir le stádas na Gaeilge agus ba mhaith liom freisin a chur ina luí ar an Teachta go bhfuil mé féin, agus go bhfuil an Rialtas, tiomanta i leith tacú leis an nGaeilge ar bhonn náisiúnta agus i leith úsáid na Gaeilge a neartú mar phríomhtheanga pobail sa Ghaeltacht. Sa chomhthéacs sin, leanann an Rialtas de thacú le cur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 agus de thacú le soláthar agus forbairt raoin leathain beart, scéimeanna agus tionscnamh atá dírithe ar thacú leis an nGaeilge agus leis an nGaeltacht.
Maidir leis an tsaincheist shonrach atá ardaithe ag an Teachta ina cheist, d’eisigh an Phríomh-Oifig Staidreamh an chéad fhoilseachán maidir le hainmneacha Babaithe ar an 28 Iúil 1999, ar foilseachán é inar cuireadh i láthair an 100 túsainm is coitianta, i gcás buachaillí agus cailíní, i gcomhréir leis an bhfaisnéis faoi bhreitheanna a cláraíodh sa bhliain 1998. Leanadh den fhaisnéis sin a fhoilsiú gach bliain ó shin i leith.
Sna blianta tosaigh, rinneadh na sonraí go léir a bhaint as deimhnithe páipéir agus thaifead an CSO iad, ar mhodh cléireachais, i mbunachar sonraí mór-ríomhaire lena bpróiseáil. Chomh maith le diaicriticí amhail an síneadh fada, bhí carachtair neamhábhartha ann sna deimhnithe lámhscríofa amhail camóga, fleiscíní agus uaschamóga. Bhí diaicriticí eile ann amhail umlaut agus aicinn. Cinneadh carachtair den sórt sin a fhágáil ar lár i dtúsainmneacha ós rud é go raibh deacrachtaí teicniúla ann, an tráth sin, maidir le carachtair amhail sínte fada a ionchur go héifeachtach agus go héifeachtúil i dtimpeallacht ríomhaire.
Fuair an Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh comhad tástála le déanaí ón bPríomh-Oifig Chlárúcháin, ar comhad é ina bhfuil sínte fada san áireamh sa túsainm agus ar comhad é a dhéanfaidh an córas próiseáilte a leasú chun gabháil sonraí ina bhfuil sínte fada a éascú. Ach ní féidir an tsraith stairiúil a choigeartú go cúlghabhálach, siar go dtí an bhliain 1998, ós rud é, maidir leis an bhfoilseachán, go ndírítear aird go príomha ar rangú agus ar líon túsainmneacha ar leith. Ar mhaithe le cúrsaí inchomparáideachta, is gá leanúint den tsraith láithreach, gan briseadh sna sonraí a thabhairt isteach. Tá anailís á déanamh ag an bPríomh-Oifig Staidrimh faoi láthair agus tá gealltanas tugtha aici breithniú a dhéanamh i dtaobh táblaí breise faoi ainmneacha Gaeilge a fhoilsiú ar táblaí iad a thabharfadh aghaidh ar an tsaincheist atá ardaithe ag an Teachta. Coimeádfaidh an Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh an Teachta ar an eolas faoi aon fhorbairtí maidir leis an ábhar seo.
30. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the Brexit loan scheme in view of the fact that Brexit is now a year away; her plans to ensure there is widespread information and take up of the scheme; if it is limited by an overall budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16176/18]
View answerThe Brexit Loan Scheme was launched on 28 March 2018. The scheme leverages €23 million exchequer funding (€14 million from my Department and €9 million from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) using a guarantee structure to provide a €300 million fund for lending to eligible businesses. Participating finance providers are Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank, with AIB to follow in June.
The scheme is open to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees, which can demonstrate that they are significantly exposed to the impact (or potential impact) of Brexit. They must be a viable business, doing business in Ireland, and they must have a business plan demonstrating that they plan to innovate, change or adapt in response to Brexit.
As part of the launch of the scheme, my Department developed a Brexit Loan Scheme Information Pack for state agencies, TDs and Local Enterprise Offices to ensure that information on the scheme is easily available. The Information Pack is also available through my Department’s website.
The scheme is operated by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI). As such, the SBCI will promote the Brexit Loan Scheme as part of its overall marketing plan for 2018. This is likely to include a combination of radio, social media and business targeted press coverage.
The agencies of my Department are also fully engaged in preparing for Brexit. Enterprise Ireland’s (EI) #PrepareforBrexit communications campaign, featuring the ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’, was launched in March 2017. The Scorecard is an interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit.
In terms of industry preparedness, 2,104 companies have engaged with the EI Brexit scorecard since April of last year, of whom 974 are non-clients. The majority are in construction, engineering or other manufacturing, Software and ICT or other services. The results indicate that the level of preparedness is ‘medium to low’ but improving. The Brexit Scorecard overall average scores (out of 10) from completed reports of the last 6 months is 4.91 for EI clients and 4.08 for non EI clients.
As part of awareness-raising activities, EI is rolling out regional Brexit Advisory clinics throughout the year and the Brexit Loan Scheme is being promoted through these events. To date, clinics have been held in Letterkenny, Tralee, Portlaoise, Claremorris, Cootehill and Charleville. A Brexit two-day external consultancy support is also being rolled out to individual clients to help them develop a detailed sustainable growth plan.
EI has also introduced a ‘Be Prepared Grant’ which offers up to €5,000 for exporting client companies to conduct further research and use external expertise to develop a Brexit Action Plan.
The funding to the Local Enterprise Offices has been increased by 22% over the last two years and they, along with InterTrade Ireland, are offering a range of Brexit focused supports to companies, including those engaged in cross-border trade with Northern Ireland. InterTrade Ireland also provides vouchers to enable companies to get professional advice on Brexit, including likely tariffs, currency management, regulatory and customs issues, and movement of labour, goods and services.
31. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the way in which the local enterprise offices can be better utilised to support job creation in rural Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16190/18]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation is to drive the creation of high-quality and sustainable jobs around all the regions and counties of Ireland. The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) play a critical role in supporting micro-enterprises in the start-up and expansion phases in every part of the country.
The LEOs can offer direct grant aid to micro-enterprises, that is those with ten employees or fewer, in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. The LEOs also offer ‘soft’ supports in the form of training and mentoring for anyone interested in starting or growing a business. In addition, the LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service for the micro-enterprise and SME sector in relation to other relevant State supports, for example: Enterprise Ireland, Revenue; the Department of Social Protection; Microfinance Ireland; Trading Online Vouchers, LEADER, and Education & Training Boards (ETBs).
A net total of 3,760 new jobs were delivered in 2017 by start-ups and small businesses from across the country that have been supported by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs).
This brings the total number of new jobs created by LEO-backed companies nationwide to 15,000 since the LEOs were set up in 2014.
That is an increase of 10% on 2016 - and the fourth straight year of employment growth.
Growth was evident in each area showing that each county has the potential to grow its own jobs if the right promotion, encouragement and supports are put in place.
The Capital allocation made available and maintained in 2018 to the 31 LEOs is €22.5m, which is an increase from €18.5 from 2016. This is being used to fund LEO clients by way of financial assistance and a range of soft supports, for example for mentoring, training and innovation and for entrepreneurship initiatives such as Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Competition, known as the IBYE competition.
The latest assessment of IBYE run by the LEOs for my Department indicate that 348 entrepreneurs won IBYE investment funding of between €3,000 and €50,000 from their Local Enterprise Offices and they now in turn have current annual sales of €124 million and employ 2,217 people.
In addition, the LEOs have also delivered specific Brexit initiatives for micro-enterprises, including:
- LEO Competitive Fund for Innovative Micro Enterprises: this new competitive initiative incentivised LEO clients to engage in innovation to develop New Product, Process or Markets.
- Technical Assistance Grants for Micro Export: Financial assistance to support market diversification in qualifying businesses to develop new market opportunities.
- The LEO’s developed a Lean4Micro offer for micro enterprise clients: Helping business clients adopt LEAN business practices to increase competitiveness.
A new client portfolio management model will be rolled out this year nationally to the LEOs by Enterprise Ireland, which will support portfolio performance and potential.
The LEOs also play a key role in the delivery nationally of four key objectives in the Action Plan for Rural Development including the ‘Options Plus’ programme for improving off-farm income generation of farmers and to link farm families with a variety of learning opportunities provided by other agencies including the ETBs, LDCs, third level institutions and the Department of Social Protection.
32. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to address the rising cost of doing business here, particularly regarding the cost of insurance for business. [16826/18]
View answerDespite intense competition, the trajectory of Ireland’s competitiveness performance is positive. Improved competitiveness is reflected in strong employment growth across sectors and regions. On the major cost headings, such as labour, property and tax, the National Competitiveness Council has reported in recent years that Ireland is a relatively cost competitive location in which to do business.
However, there is no room for complacency. In the period prior to the financial crash we did not pay sufficient attention to our cost base and let our international competitiveness erode. Nobody wants to repeat that. As the economy continues to grow, there is a role for both the public and private sectors to proactively manage the controllable portion of costs. As Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, my objective is to create the best possible environment for enterprise, entrepreneurship and investment across all regions. My colleague, the Minister for Finance, has responsibility for insurance regulation.
On the cost of insurance for business, price inflation for insurance, particularly motor insurance, increased significantly in the period 2014 to 2016. The rate of increase eased in 2017 and the most recent CSO data for March 2018 shows insurance prices are now 5% lower than last year with motor insurance prices 13% lower. The price of motor insurance has been falling every month since April 2017.
While the CSO data shows greater price stability, I appreciate the figures represent an average and there may be enterprises and consumers still seeing increases. The problem of rising insurance premiums for enterprise was the impetus for the establishment by the Minister for Finance of the Cost of Insurance Working Group in July 2016. The ongoing implementation of the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance, in parallel with the implementation of the Working Group's Report on the Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance, will make a difference to the pricing of insurance. I am confident that the implementation of all the recommendations cumulatively, with the appropriate levels of commitment and cooperation from relevant stakeholders, will achieve the objectives of delivering fairer premiums for all and improving the cost of doing business.
33. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the uptake of the Brexit loan scheme for businesses in the first two weeks since its launch on 28 March 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16173/18]
View answerThe Brexit Loan Scheme provides affordable working capital to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees that are or will be Brexit impacted and meet the scheme criteria. The €23 million exchequer funding (€14 million from my Department and €9 million from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) has been leveraged to provide a fund of up to €300 million. Participating finance providers are the Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank with Allied Irish Bank following in June.
The scheme features a two-stage application process. First, businesses must apply to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to confirm their eligibility for the scheme. This application process requires businesses to use guidelines provided on the SBCI website to determine if they are eligible, and if so, to complete the eligibility form. As part of the process, businesses must submit a business plan, demonstrating the means by which they intend to innovate, change or adapt to meet the challenges posed by Brexit. The SBCI assess the applications and successful applicants receive an eligibility reference number.
Successful applicants can then apply for a loan under the scheme with one of the participating finance providers.
The Brexit Loan Scheme is designed to assist Irish SMEs in the short-term to deal with the challenges of Brexit, which include the pressures of increased market instability and currency volatility. The scheme is available to businesses that are demonstrably exposed to negative impacts (or potential impacts) arising as a result of Brexit. Businesses must fully meet the eligibility requirements, which include being viable, having a business development strategy and demonstrable exposure to Brexit. The scheme is open to both State Agency clients and businesses that do not have any relationship with State Agencies. Sole traders may also apply.
The Scheme was launched on 28 March, and accordingly it is too early for businesses to have completed both application processes. Metrics detailing the uptake of the scheme will be available at the end of Quarter 2, 2018.
34. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to minimise the impact of Brexit in County Donegal; the engagement she has had with the IDA to ensure it secures new investment in the county in view of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16353/18]
View answerI fully appreciate the importance of ensuring that businesses, including those located in Donegal, are best able to withstand the pressures that Brexit may exert. That is why, for example, additional financial resources have been provided to support the strategic response by our enterprise agencies, including IDA Ireland, to Brexit. The Government has also taken forward a number of well documented Brexit-related initiatives to help businesses prepare for the future.
Brexit, or more particularly the response to the challenges it presents, has been especially significant in shaping IDA Ireland's strategy and operations. This includes the Agency's approach to regional development, finance, planning, marketing and promotional activities.
I am very much conscious of the particular difficulties that Brexit could have for border counties and the need to offset those, wherever possible, with increased investment. With regard to Donegal, there are already 12 IDA Ireland client companies based in the County, employing nearly 3,400 people. The level of employment by multinationals in Donegal has actually increased by 52% since 2012 and the IDA is working hard, with both its existing client base there and prospective investors, to create even more jobs there.
While foreign direct investment (FDI) is important to jobs growth in Donegal and elsewhere, we need to remember that it forms only one part of our efforts to generate economic growth in regional locations. Indigenous enterprise also, of course, plays a crucial role in creating employment opportunities. In 2017, for example, 3,552 people were employed in Enterprise Ireland (EI) supported companies in Donegal. In the period from 2015-2017 EI also paid €4 million to client companies in the County to support them to innovate, improve competitiveness and to diversify their global footprint. Like the IDA, EI engages constantly with its clients in Donegal to help support their growth and potential expansion.
Other bodies are working as well to help enterprises in Donegal both grow and plan for Brexit. The Local Enterprise Offices and InterTrade Ireland, for example, are both active in the border area.
35. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of export licences issued to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with regard to the export of military and dual use items and with further regard to the latest figures in 2016 and 2017; if she has had consultations with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the export of military and dual use products to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates due to their role in the ongoing civil war in Yemen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16789/18]
View answerMy Department is responsible for controls on the export of military and dual-use items from Ireland.
All export licence applications, whether for Dual-Use or Military Goods are subject to rigorous scrutiny, and are considered having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No. 428/2009, the 2008 EU Common Position on Arms Exports and EU sanctions regimes.
My officials are in regular contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on export licensing issues. They consulted with that Department in respect of all export licence applications in 2016 and 2017 where the destination of the items was Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. 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. Any observations which may arise from this examination are considered in the final assessment of any licence application.
Proposed exports of military and dual-use products to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as with all other destinations, are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. My Department has safeguards built into the licensing system which enable robust checks and cross-checks to ensure, as far as possible, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated end –user for the stated end-use, and will not be used for illicit purposes.
The EU has a range of sanctions in place in respect of countries engaged in conflicts. All licence applications are considered having regard to these measures. Sanctions can include arms embargoes and various restrictive measures including prohibitions on the provision of targeted goods and services. There are currently no such sanctions in place in respect of Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.
In 2016, twenty five individual licences were issued to export dual-use goods to Saudi Arabia. There were thirty six licences issued to export dual-use goods to the United Arab Emirates in 2016.
In 2017, twenty one individual licences were issued to export dual-use goods to Saudi Arabia. There were thirty six licences issued to export dual-use goods to the United Arab Emirates in 2017.
There were no licences issued for military classified goods in respect of Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates in 2016 or 2017.
36. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans for trade mission visits to the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia in 2018 and 2019; her further plans to highlight human rights issues at these trade missions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16788/18]
View answerEnterprise Ireland is the state agency under my aegis with responsibility for helping Irish companies to internationalise and scale. The manufacturing and internationally traded services companies that Enterprise Ireland works with are a critical source of existing employment and job creation in every county in Ireland and are spread across a wide range of sectors.
Enterprise Ireland’s Trade Missions and Events promote the capabilities of client companies to potential business partners and customers in international markets; a central element of the agency’s strategy for 2017 -2020: Build Scale, Expand Reach. In 2017 Enterprise Ireland ran 57 ministerial-led international trade events.
On an annual basis, Enterprise Ireland publishes its schedule for Trade Missions and Events. This schedule is comprised of:
- Trade Missions / Outward Missions;
- Trade Visits / Fairs;
- Client Knowledge Forums;
- Inward Mission Events;
- Market Study Visits
The annual list of Trade Missions and Events is communicated to all client companies and is publicly available, including on the Enterprise Ireland website.
On the 12th March 2018, Enterprise Ireland announced that it is set to undertake over 200 international and domestic trade events in 2018 to accelerate the number of Enterprise Ireland clients diversifying into new markets, beyond the UK and into the Eurozone and global markets. The number of trade events being undertaken represents a 50% increase on 2017, reflecting the challenge that Brexit poses for Irish businesses. 70 of these export focused trade events will be led by Government Ministers.
At present, I have no plans to lead a trade mission to the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia in 2018. Later in the year, my Departmental officials will begin discussions with Enterprise Ireland with regard to the proposed ministerial trade mission list for 2019, for my subsequent approval. As part of the implementation of the Agency's Trade Missions and Events Schedule for 2018, Enterprise Ireland is planning a trade mission to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait in early November. This mission will focus on developing business opportunities for Irish companies in the ICT, Fintech, Food and Agritech and Engineering/Construction sectors. It has been timed to coincide with the Gulf Food Manufacturing Exhibition in Dubai where Enterprise Ireland will support clients exhibiting on an Ireland stand. Ministerial leadership of this Mission has yet to be determined.
Enterprise Ireland also ran an international trade event to the annual 'Arab Health' Exhibition in Dubai in January of this year, which was led by the Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Jim Daly T.D. Arab Health is the largest healthcare exhibition and conference in the Middle East and North Africa region. The trade visit focused on maximising business opportunities for the 20 Enterprise Ireland clients exhibiting and participating.
The primary focus of all trade missions is to encourage business-to-business links and encourage investment and employment opportunities. To be effective in raising human rights issues with other countries we must do it in an appropriate way and at the right opportunity, so that our concerns are taken seriously and acted upon. Ireland has always been at the forefront internationally in raising human rights issues through bilateral contacts and especially through the European Union and the United Nations. We will continue to be a strong advocate for higher global standards that improve human rights, and encourage the highest standards of business conduct and corporate social responsibility.
37. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which innovation continues to remain a feature and basis for both foreign direct and indigenous investment here; the degree to which such investment is likely to be spread evenly throughout the country in the future in line with Project Ireland 2040; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16787/18]
View answerMy Department recognises the key role that innovation has played in Ireland’s economic recovery to date. It contributes significantly to job creation, exports and investment, and the competitiveness of the indigenous enterprise base, and also to embedding the foreign direct investment base in Ireland.
It is clear that a strong interdependence exists therefore between science, technology and innovation policy and enterprise policy. My Department has developed its Innovation 2020 strategy and its Enterprise 2025 policy side by side. A critical objective for my Department and its agencies, including Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, is delivering on the actions and commitments set out in Innovation 2020.
Enterprise Ireland plays a particularly important role in supporting indigenous enterprises in Ireland. Between 2014 and 2016 employment in Enterprise Ireland backed companies reached 200,000. In its new strategy 2017 - 2020, Building Scale, Expanding Reach, Enterprise Ireland is aiming to increase this further with a new target to create an additional 60,000 new jobs by 2020. The Strategy also aims to drive innovation in Irish enterprise to unprecedented levels through new supports to reach the target of €1.25bn in R&D expenditure by its client companies per annum by 2020 (from €0.92bn in 2016).
My Department also recognises that innovation is a critical element of regional economic sustainability. In order to show growth regional firms must be enabled to achieve sales outside their region. Enterprise Ireland’s innovation support programmes achieve a very strong regional balance. For example, 76% of Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership projects and 83% of Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Projects are delivered outside Dublin.
Furthermore, the Enterprise Ireland Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), launched in May 2017, is a €60 million competitive fund (over two Calls) aimed at supporting significant regional initiatives that will build on sectoral strengths and improve enterprise capability across the regions.
While the main objective of IDA Ireland is to encourage investment into Ireland by foreign-owned companies, the area of research, development and innovation (RDI) is of key importance to the agency. IDA Ireland’s strategy Winning FDI 2015-2019 outlines a plan to support clients in creating 80,000 new jobs and increase employment in the client portfolio to 209,000 by 2019. Support for RDI will be key to achieving these targets.
Research, development and innovation investments not only embed existing FDI operations and employment but pave the way for future investment, job creation and export growth.
Project Ireland 2040 launched in February aims to provide balanced regional development through two strands – the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan.
The National Development Plan published in February contains a number of Strategic Investment Priorities linked to innovation aimed at supporting and growing competitive and innovative regional enterprises. These include:
- Strengthened SFI Research Centres and EI Technology Centres in higher education in all regions
- A €500 million Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund
- New regional “Technology and Innovation Poles”, led through the Institutes of Technologies
- Expansion of Advanced Manufacturing Supports, linking centres and capacity across all regions; and
- Expanding IDA Regional Property Programme, to attract investment to regions
These investment priorities will be progressed over the lifetime of the Plan, subject to detailed appraisal, value for money tests, consultation with relevant stakeholders and agreement on timeframes. As these aspects are developed further, details will be set out in the strategies of my Department and the enterprise agencies over the lifetime of the NDP.
38. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made in the north west under the regional action plan for jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16181/18]
View answerSince becoming Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, I have made jobs and enterprise in the regions my top priority.
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 North-East/North-West Regional Action Plan for Jobs has been a key policy response for supporting employment growth in the Border region. Local Authorities, enterprise agencies, and other key public and private sector stakeholders across counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth have been strongly involved in, and are key drivers of, the NE/NW Action Plan.
The core objective of the NE/NW Action Plan is to have a further 28,000 at work in the region by 2020. 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.
Achievements in the North West under the Action Plan since 2015 include Bord Iascaigh Mhara developing a virtual R&D centre to link research institutes with the seafood sector; the award of INTERREG funding to the North West Greenways Network, and the selection of 12 participants from the North West for Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers programme in 2017.
In December last year I announced €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 collaborative and innovative projects that can sustain and add to employment at a national, regional and county level. On Monday 16th April last I launched the second Call under the fund, making available the remainder of the €60 million.
Three projects from the Border region were successful under Call 1 of the Fund collectively securing over €2 million : a network of three Digital and Innovation Hubs (incl. in Co. Leitrim); a new Digital Innovation Hub and enterprise capacity building programme in Co. Donegal; and a Regional Food Centre of Excellence in Co. Monaghan.
The enterprise agencies continue their work to contribute towards the ambitious targets set out in the Regional Action Plan. Enterprise Ireland recently announced a 4% employment growth in its client companies for the Border region, which now employ almost 11,500 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 in the region.
Through partnership between Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) have supported 586 companies in the North West with 2,616 employees and last year LEO client companies in the North West added 190 new employees in total.
Building on the progress and momentum of collaboration achieved to date through the Regional Action Plans is my priority. On Monday the 16th April last I met with the Chairs of the Regional APJ committees and other regional stakeholders, and together we have started a process to refresh and refocus all the Regional Plans to ensure their relevance and impact out to 2020. I look forward to working further with the regional stakeholders in the North-West to ensure we deliver to the employment targets for 2020 set out under the Regional Plans.
39. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made in the south east under the regional action plan for jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16184/18]
View answerSince becoming Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, I have made jobs and enterprise in the regions my top priority.
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 South East Action Plan for Jobs has been a key policy response for supporting employment growth in the South East, with public and private stakeholders currently engaged in driving the range of innovative and practical actions set out in the Plan.
The South East Action Plan for Jobs has been embraced within the region and the efforts by stakeholders and businesses in the region are paying off: 16,200 more people are in employment in the South East from Q1 2015 (baseline year) to Q2 2017, representing significant progress towards the 25,000 target for 2020 as set out in the plan. However, at Q4 2017, the unemployment rate in the South East was 7.3%; which is still too high when compared with the State rate of 6.1%. We will maintain a focus on the South East to ensure that the employment environment continues to improve.
Amongst the achievements in the South East under the Action Plan since 2015 are: the establishment of the South East Creative Corridor; the South East Micro Food Clustering Project; and enterprise networking through the BizFest initiative.
In 2017, both Enterprise Ireland and IDA reported job increases in the South East of 4% and 9% respectively, the IDA figure being the largest increase of all regions in the State in this period. Through partnership between Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) support just under 1,300 micro and small enterprises in the South East with over 7,000 employees. Last year LEO client companies in the South East (incl. Co. Tipperary) added over 700 new employees in total.
To support the ambition, goals, and implementation of the Regional Action Plans for Jobs, last May my Department launched the competitive €60m Regional Enterprise Development Fund delivered through Enterprise Ireland. A total of 21 collaborative projects were successful under the first call, securing up to €30.5 million in total. Two projects in the South East, InsurTech Network Centre at IT Carlow and the ThreeD additive manufacturing initiative at WIT, received funding under the first funding call. On Monday 16th April last I announced the opening of Call 2 under the Fund, which will allocate the remainder of the €60 million, and I hope to see more successful projects coming through from the South East region.
Building on the progress and momentum of collaboration achieved to date through the Regional Action Plans is my priority. On Monday last I also met with the Chairs of the Regional APJ implementation committees and other regional stakeholders, and together we have started a process to refresh and refocus all Regional Plans to ensure their relevance and impact out to 2020. I look forward to working further with the regional stakeholders in the South East to ensure we deliver to the employment targets for 2020 set out under the Regional Plans.
40. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to tackle ticket touting and the secondary selling of tickets. [16825/18]
View answerSince receipt of the submissions to the public consultation on the resale of tickets, officials of my Department have engaged in follow-up discussions with sporting bodies, event promoters, consumer bodies, primary ticketing service providers and secondary ticket marketplaces. My officials have also liaised with public authorities in EU and EFTA member states with laws that prohibit or restrict ticket resale on the experience with, and effectiveness of, these laws. I am currently finalising a range of proposals aimed at helping ensure that ticket markets work better for consumers in the light of these discussions and enquiries and of the responses to the public consultation.
41. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to introduce a scheme such as the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund that was introduced in 2009 to assist businesses that face particular difficulties due to Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16795/18]
View answerThe Department has undertaken significant research and consultation to better understand the challenges posed by Brexit for businesses in Ireland, and based on this work has designed a suite of supports for impacted businesses. I recently launched a €300 million Brexit Loan Scheme. This scheme is designed to assist eligible businesses exposed to negative impacts resulting from Brexit in adjusting, changing, or adapting to mitigate these effects. The finance offered under the scheme is easier to access, more competitively priced, and at more favourable terms than other current offerings.
A Technical Working Group on State Aid comprising representatives from DG Competition, DBEI, EI and DAFM was established in November 2017. The objective of the Group is to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with current applicable State Aid rules. Should issues arise that require an approach that does not fit within the existing State Aid rules, this will be raised as part of the Working Group discussions.
A notified Rescue and Restructuring (R&R) scheme was approved by the Commission in late November 2017. This scheme has been put in place as it is considered prudent to have contingency measures in place so that we can respond swiftly to changing circumstances as necessary. Under the scheme, which will run until 2020, Enterprise Ireland can provide restructuring support to SMEs in severe financial difficulties.
As part of the deliberations of the Working Group on State Aid, it was agreed that my officials should extend the R&R scheme to include temporary restructuring support for those SMEs who experience acute liquidity needs. This extension, which has been notified to the Commission, will be a welcome addition to our suite of supports for businesses impacted by Brexit. The temporary restructuring support, together with the rescue aid and the capital support under the Brexit Loan scheme should provide support to those SMEs who require stabilisation during transition.
42. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which the Regional Enterprise Development Fund 2017-2020 will help drive job creation in County Galway and Connaught; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16186/18]
View answerThe Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) was launched in May 2017. It 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.
The REDF is aimed at accelerating economic recovery in all regions of the country by delivering on the potential of local and regional enterprise strengths. The Fund will support significant collaborative and innovative regional initiatives to build on specific industry sectoral strengths and improve enterprise capability, thereby driving job creation. This will be achieved by co-financing 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 will help to ensure the benefits of our growing economy are felt in all regions.
REDF funding is being made available over the period 2017-2020 under two competitive calls. I have committed to ensuring that each region will benefit by at least €2 million from the Fund once the required standard for projects is met under the evaluation criteria.
The first call under the REDF concluded in August last year and in December 2017, I announced an allocation of €30.5 million in funding across 21 successful projects from all over the country.
On Monday 16th April, at a regional stakeholder event in Farmleigh, I announced the second competitive call under the Fund for the remainder of the €60 million.
Under the first call, one project from the West region received funding under Stream One of the Fund which was for major regional, multi-regional or national sectoral initiatives, attracting grants of €2m up to €5m per project. The project, BIA Innovator Campus, is a Galway based initiative to encourage food entrepreneurship and innovation. The centre is expected to create 360 jobs within 3 years in over 40 businesses while unlocking far reaching innovation ecosystem benefits.
Under the Regional Action Plan for Jobs 2015-2017 for the West region, good progress is being made on job creation towards the target of 25,000 by 2020. There are 15,500 more people in employment in the region from Q1 2015 (baseline year) to Q2 2017. The unemployment rate in the West at Q4 2017 stands at 5.9 percent, which is slightly lower than the national average for that period. My Department and enterprise agencies will maintain a continued focus on enterprise development and job creation in the region. The Second call under the REDF is an important initiative in this respect, and in addition, this year I am commencing a process in each of the regions including the West to refresh and refocus the Regional Action Plans for Jobs for the period to 2020.
43. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the regional IDA site visits in addition to vacant IDA properties nationwide to the end of 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16814/18]
View answerIDA Ireland’s primary regional development goal, as set out in its current strategy, is to increase investment by 30% to 40% in every region of Ireland. 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.
Site visits do represent an important tool through which investors can be encouraged to invest in regional areas and the IDA always does its utmost to ensure that investors consider all potential locations when visiting Ireland. The Agency's staff will continue to bring potential sites, that are located outside the city's main urban areas, to the attention of prospective investors in 2018.
Ensuring that there are properties available for potential multinational investors is also key to increasing regional investment. 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 there. That is why the IDA tries to ensure that there is always a supply of suitable properties that can be matched with new or expanding investors.
Table (A) outlines the number of site visits by county in 2017 and Table (B) outlines the number of IDA owned properties available for marketing.
Table (A) Site Visits by County 2017
|
County |
2017 |
|
Carlow |
8 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
|
Clare |
22 |
|
Cork |
51 |
|
Donegal |
2 |
|
Dublin |
327 |
|
Galway |
62 |
|
Kerry |
9 |
|
Kildare |
10 |
|
Kilkenny |
6 |
|
Laois |
4 |
|
Leitrim |
5 |
|
Limerick |
42 |
|
Longford |
7 |
|
Louth |
22 |
|
Mayo |
7 |
|
Meath |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
3 |
|
Sligo |
18 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
|
Waterford |
11 |
|
Westmeath |
42 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
Table (B) IDA Owned Properties Available for Marketing
|
Address |
Building |
Owned |
Square meters/acreage |
|
Cork (Ballygallen) |
Buildings x 3 |
IDA owned. |
1157.00 |
|
Galway (Roundstone) |
Buildings x 2 |
IDA owned. |
185.80 |
|
Kerry (Killarney) |
Buildings x 2 |
IDA owned. |
597.36 |
|
Kerry (Tralee) |
Building |
IDA owned. |
2363.90 |
|
Mayo (Ballina) |
Building |
IDA owned. |
321.00 |
|
Sligo (Finisklin) |
Building |
IDA owned. |
2086.00 |
|
Tipperary (Nenagh) |
Building |
IDA owned. |
2972.90 |
|
Waterford (Waterford) |
Building x 3 |
IDA owned. |
5890.40 |
|
Westmeath (Athlone) |
Building |
IDA owned. |
4393.30 |
|
Wicklow (Arklow) |
Building x 1 |
IDA owned. |
2932.60 |
44. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to reverse business competitiveness deficiencies and making Ireland an attractive location for businesses to locate in; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16811/18]
View answerDespite intense competition, Ireland’s competitiveness performance remains positive. Ireland moved from 16th to 6th in 2017 in the Institute for Management Development’s World Competitiveness Yearbook. In addition, the World Bank’s most recent “Doing Business 2018” report shows Ireland is now ranked 17th out of 190 countries, an improvement of one place on last year.
Our improved performance is reflected in strong employment growth across sectors and regions. We have over 2.2 million people at work and our unemployment rate is down to 6.1%. Agency supported companies now employ over 400,000 people throughout Ireland. The strong performance of clients supported by the enterprise agencies in winning exports and investment, market share and job creation in the face of intense global competition is impressive and reflects the competitiveness of the environment in which to do business in Ireland.
However, there is no room for complacency. We need to continue to improve our competitiveness and remain vigilant to the very significant challenges in the external environment, particularly, Brexit. In addition, the productivity performance of many of our Irish owned enterprises is weak and there are not enough enterprises engaging in innovation.
Competition for FDI remains intense. Ireland has many strengths when it comes to attracting FDI scoring highly in terms of criteria including investment incentives, labour productivity and the adaptability and ability of talent. While we have a proven track record in attracting and sustaining FDI, continued success cannot be taken for granted. Our capacity to continue winning such new investment, despite geopolitical changes and intense competition, will be aided by the underlying strengths of our FDI offering.
As Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, my objective is to create the best possible environment for enterprise, entrepreneurship, innovation and investment across all regions. The immediate challenge for Ireland is to ensure growth is sustainable, that enterprises are resilient and we continue to grow Irish enterprises and attract foreign direct investment. We are taking steps to ensure the economy is resilient at sectoral and firm level to deal with imminent competitiveness challenges and to build further on the progress we have made. That is why we are continually examining how we can improve on factors that are crucial to fostering further investment here, including our cost base, infrastructure, the availability of talent and innovation.
Enterprise 2025 Renewed - which I launched last month - placed an increased emphasis on developing our Irish owned enterprises. There is a strong focus on taking action that will embed resilience in our enterprise base. We are placing a spotlight on innovation and on skills. Enterprise Ireland places a strong emphasis on competitiveness. It supports exporting enterprises with initiatives in Lean, RD&I, and management development. The Agency helps enterprises to take a strategic approach to understanding and responding to potential implications arising from Brexit and assists them to enter into new markets and diversify their export base. The Local Enterprise Offices offer a suite of supports to enhance the competitiveness of small and micro enterprises. Initiatives include mentoring, innovation vouchers, Lean Start and access to a Brexit diagnostic and guidance.
My officials and I, as well as the National Competitiveness Council, remain focused on competitiveness - an agenda that requires cross Government commitment to continue to develop and implement actions to enhance national competitiveness.
