Billy Kelleher
Question:272. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the report regarding an agency (details supplied) under her remit. [50267/18]
View answerIDA Ireland
Questions (272)
Written answers
The Government recognises fully how important it is to increase the supply of affordable and quality housing across the country. That is why significant resources have been invested into this area, including through the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan which includes financing measures, new construction and rental sector improvements. These steps will, first and foremost, ensure that people in Ireland are better able to buy and rent suitable homes. They will also serve to reinforce our national infrastructure in terms of its capacity to accommodate further foreign direct investment.
More broadly, it is important to bear in mind that international investors take a long-term view on where they choose to establish a presence. Investors also use a wide range of criteria to inform such decisions. Our traditional strengths are well known – including our talented workforce, membership of the EU and pro-enterprise policy environment – and these critical factors continue, as the healthy pipeline of investment here demonstrates, to make the country an attractive proposition to overseas firms.
We should not forget either that many of the States that we compete with for investment have challenges of their own – including in housing – when it comes to attracting overseas firms. So while we have infrastructural areas in this country that need further investment and improvement, we are not alone in facing that challenge.
IDA Ireland is fully seized of current housing market conditions in Ireland and recognises that this is an important issue for investors. The Agency’s assessments of the housing market are based on a wide range of sources and a combination of indices, with the aim of forming the clearest possible picture of how Irish rents compare internationally. These information sources are continuously reviewed and contribute to briefings used by IDA staff. It should be remembered too that the overseas firms that the IDA targets to invest in Ireland – many of whom are large multinational companies with an existing presence here – form their own opinions on housing supply and other investment conditions here.
The media piece in question refers to IDA briefing documents that highlight a number of indices regarding the Irish property market. They include a 2018 Residential Tenancies Board figure on average rents in Dublin City. Another index, which was sourced from the Nestpick 2017 Furnished Apartment Index, set out an estimate of the costs of renting small furnished apartments across County Dublin in 2017. It was not suggested by the IDA that this Nestpick index was an authoritative figure for the entire Dublin property market.
Ministerial Meetings
Questions (273)
Niall Collins
Question:273. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the public events she attended by county since 1 May 2018 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50276/18]
View answerWritten answers
Details of all engagements undertaken by me are available in my diary which is published on my Departments website; www.dbei.gov.ie.
Personal Injury Claims
Questions (274)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:274. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount the Personal Injuries Assessment Board has held in reserve in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50312/18]
View answerWritten answers
The amount of reserves held by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) is set out in the published Annual Reports of PIAB. For ease of reference for the Deputy, I have set out the amounts held for the years 2010 to 2017 in the following table.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) recommended to the Department that the Department and PIAB agree an appropriate level of revenue reserves to be retained by PIAB and the basis for holding such a reserve. The C&AG also recommended the introduction of appropriate legislation to deal with excess funds held by PIAB. Legal advice obtained by the Department is to the effect that legislative change is required to enable the Board to remit excess moneys to the Exchequer.
The proposed amendment at section 13 of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2018 implements the recommendation from the C&AG. It provides for a reserves policy for PIAB. It also provides that PIAB shall remit to the Minister, for the benefit of the Exchequer, any moneys in excess of those authorised to be retained by the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Bill specifically provides that the Minister will have regard to the operational, capital and contingency costs of PIAB when determining the sum to be retained. Therefore, it is intended that PIAB would be permitted to retain sufficient funds to meet these costs.
Table showing the amount of reserves held by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) for the years 2010 to 2017.
|
Year |
Amount € |
|
2010 |
13,004,304 |
|
2011 |
10,459,531 |
|
2012 |
14,145,716 |
|
2013 |
15,367,287 |
|
2014 |
16,678,504 |
|
2015 |
17,880,707 |
|
2016 |
17,012,681 |
|
2017 |
17,449,908 |
Source: PIAB Annual Reports 2010 to 2017
Departmental Contracts Data
Questions (275)
Kate O'Connell
Question:275. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of contracts and-or tenders that have been awarded to a company (details supplied); the value of these contracts, that is, the amount the company has been paid; the services the contracts were for; and the number of public sector and-or publicly funded catering facilities being run by the company. [50356/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department does not have any existing contracts with the company in question, and has not awarded any contracts or tenders to the company in 2018.
Departmental Funding
Questions (276)
Clare Daly
Question:276. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department provides supports in the form of grants or other incentives to companies producing military goods here for export. [50447/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department primarily provides supports to companies producing goods for export through IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.
In line with legal constraints on its remit, IDA does not target companies producing military goods and follows Department policy regarding “dual use regulations”, under the Control of Exports Act and connected EU legislation, in its engagement with existing and potential clients.
There are many products, especially in the high-tech sectors which can have dual use. Sale of such products to military end users across the world is controlled in Ireland by Government, under special licence. IDA Ireland has no involvement in this licensing activity.
Similarly, EI does not provide support to companies producing military goods and follows Department policy regarding “dual use regulations”, under the Control of Exports Act and connected EU legislation, in our engagement with client companies.
My Department’s Trade Licensing and Control Unit is responsible for implementing EU controls (licensing requirements) on exports of Dual-use and Military goods.
Brexit Supports
Questions (277)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:277. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the uptake in the various schemes her Department offers to allow businesses to prepare for Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50515/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department and its agencies are providing extensive supports to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. These supports aim to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and the practical preparatory actions to be taken over the coming months.
The information is set out in the following table.
|
Scheme |
Uptake (as of 19 November 2018) |
|
Brexit Loan Scheme |
307 applications received, 270 approved by SBCI, 54 Loans progressed to sanction at bank level to a value of €12.51 million (23 November 2018) |
|
Enterprise Ireland (EI) Brexit Scorecard - online platform for Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit |
3,332 Brexit Scorecards have been completed, which includes 502 LEOs clients |
|
EI Be Prepared Grant |
148 Be Prepared Grants have been approved |
|
EI Market Discovery Fund - A support to EI clients to research new markets |
166 projects have been approved under this initiative |
|
EI Agile Innovation Fund - Gives rapid fast-track access to innovation funding |
33 Agile Innovation projects have been approved |
|
EI Brexit Advisory Clinics |
11 events been run with approx. 915 in attendance |
|
EI Brexit ‘Act On Programme’ – A support funding the engagement of a consultant to devise report with recommendations to help clients address weaknesses and improve resilience |
130 ‘Act on’ Plans have been completed |
|
EI Strategic Consultancy Grant – A grant to assist EI clients to hire a strategic consultant for a set period |
1,045 Strategic Consultancy Grants have been approved |
|
Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Mentoring |
263 mentoring participants solely focused on Brexit |
|
LEO Technical Assistance Grant for Micro Export - an incentive for LEO clients to explore and develop new market opportunities |
293 clients were approved assistance under the Technical Assistance Grant |
|
LEO LEAN4Micro – The Lean4Micro offer was developed in collaboration between the EI Lean department and the LEOs to tailor the EI Lean offer for LEO micro enterprise clients |
192 LEO clients have participated in the programme |
|
LEO Brexit Seminars/Events |
3,925 Participants at the Brexit Information events |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Advisory Service |
2,350 SMEs have directly engaged with the Brexit Advisory Service |
|
InterTradeIreland (ITI) Brexit Start to Plan Vouchers |
There have been 619 applications, with 514 approved and 105 pending. |
|
Pilot Online Retail Scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland |
Total fund of €1.25m. The first call opened on 24 October. This call will close on 5 December at 3pm. |
Brexit Supports
Questions (278)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:278. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to increase uptake in the various schemes her Department offers to allow businesses to prepare for Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50516/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department and its agencies are providing extensive supports, schemes and advice to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. These measures aim to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and the practical preparatory actions to be taken over the coming months. While I have seen a very positive uptake of the supports available, not everyone is engaging. With Brexit around the corner, I want business to know my Department and agencies are here to help.
My Department and its agencies, have been very active in the 'Getting Ireland Brexit Ready' public information campaign, including workshop events throughout the country aimed primarily at business and people most impacted by Brexit.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) has established a Prepare for Brexit online portal and devised a communications campaign, as well as an online "Brexit SME Scorecard" to help Irish businesses self-assess their exposure to Brexit and a "Be Prepared Grant" to support SME clients in planning to mitigate risks arising from Brexit. It has also launched a new Eurozone Strategy to help SMEs broaden their export footprint beyond the UK. As part of awareness-raising activities, EI has rolled out regional Brexit Advisory clinics throughout the year.
InterTrade Ireland's Brexit advisory service was established in May 2017 to provide a focal point for SMEs working to navigate the changes in cross-Border trading relationships brought about by Brexit negotiations.
Local Enterprise Office funding has been increased and this increase is being used to assist micro-enterprises in becoming more competitive and better able to cope with the changing environment in which they are operating. The suite of LEO Brexit supports includes tailored mentoring to address Brexit-related business challenges and targeted training on specific Brexit challenges.
The Brexit Loan Scheme was launched in April 2018 and provides affordable working capital financing to eligible businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit or will be in the future, to help them innovate, change or adapt to mitigate their Brexit challenge.
In May 2018, the Rescue and Restructuring scheme was extended to include temporary restructuring aid for enterprises experiencing acute liquidity needs. The aid is granted in the form of loans repayable over a period of 18 months. Together with the Brexit Loan Scheme, this temporary restructuring aid will provide valuable stabilisation to businesses as they respond to the immediate and long-term impacts of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.
The Future Growth Loan Scheme was announced in Budget 2019. The scheme will be available to eligible Irish businesses, including those in the primary agriculture and seafood sectors, to support strategic, long-term investment in a post-Brexit environment. It will provide low cost loans for terms of between 8-10 years, which is not readily available on the market. It is expected that this scheme will be operational in Q1 2019.
I will continue to ensure we provide the supports and services best suited to the needs of enterprise over the coming months.
Departmental Funding
Questions (279)
Dara Calleary
Question:279. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the stage of the DTIF fund process; the number of expressions of interest that did not have success in the eligibility criterion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50551/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Department launched the first call of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund on 29 June 2018 and Expressions of Interest were sought by the deadline of 3pm on Friday, 17 August 2018. Information on the Fund and how to apply was provided by the Department with the support of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland. Expressions of Interest were sought for funding commencing in 2019. Subsequent calls will be announced in due course.
The Department received over 300 Expressions of Interest for this Call for funding. Decisions on the Expressions of Interest received were made in September 2018 and were communicated to the lead partners of all consortia. Only those applicants that met all of the eligibility criteria and met the minimum threshold of the selection criteria were invited to submit a full application. Projects that are deemed ineligible for this first call under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) may still apply in subsequent calls.
45 consortia were invited to submit a full application to be received by 12.00 noon on 5th November. Since that date, a panel of international experts has been assessing the detailed applications and interviewing each consortium that submitted a valid application.
The DTIF Advisory Board has met in recent days to review the outcome of the international assessment of proposals and the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation will be provided with the recommendations of the Advisory Board in the near future. The Minister expects to make an announcement about the first tranche of projects to receive an offer of DTIF funding later in December.
Work Permits Applications
Questions (280)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:280. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the permit status of a person (details supplied). [50566/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Employment Permits section of my Department inform me that an application for a Critical Skills Employment Permit for the person concerned was received on 3rd October 2018.
The Employment Permits section is experiencing high levels of demand for employment permits this year and this has contributed to increased processing times for applications. At end October 2018, 13,953 applications had been received, a 28% increase on the same time last year. My Department regrets the current delays, and those involved are working hard to bring processing times back to within customer service target times.
Through a combination of additional resources, fast-tracked training for new processors and various operational and ICT improvements, processing times are now reducing. Trusted Partner processing times have reduced to 5 weeks (from a peak of 7 weeks) and Standard application processing times have reduced to 11 weeks (from a peak of 16 weeks).
Further reductions in processing times are anticipated in the coming weeks as the changes being implemented by my officials continue to show results.
The Employment Permit application in question will be considered within the next 3-4 weeks.
I am determined to bring employment permit processing times back to within our customer service targets as soon as possible.
Brexit Issues
Questions (281)
Bernard Durkan
Question:281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the relevant sectors of her Department are on active footing in the run-up to and aftermath of Brexit in order to ensure that each opportunity is utilised to maximise job creation through opportunities arising from Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50842/18]
View answerWritten answers
Brexit represents the most significant economic challenge facing businesses in the last 50 years but I am satisfied that my Department, its offices and agencies are fully focused on supporting businesses to withstand the challenges presented. I am confident that the agencies under my remit have the supports available to enable companies to consolidate existing market share and build resilience by broadening their exports to other international markets.
Since the outcome of the 2016 referendum in the UK, my Department has been preparing for Brexit. In 2017 for example, we outlined our approach to Brexit in the Report entitled “Building Stronger Business” which identified the anticipated impacts of Brexit on the enterprise sector. Since then, my Department with its agencies has continued to work on Brexit preparedness and contingency planning, putting in place a range of supports to assist businesses to address the challenges posed by Brexit. Our Enterprise Agencies are at the forefront of these efforts.
IDA Ireland, an agency of my Department, continues to focus on converting interest shown from companies into investing in Ireland in key sectors including financial services, bio-pharma, technology and business services. It is making steady progress winning investments and is confident that we will see more Brexit related investments.
As highlighted in a Copenhagen Economics study commissioned by my Department and published earlier this year, limited opportunities from Brexit may arise, mainly concentrated in the financial services sector and some other business services. Financial Services is a key sector where Ireland has considerable strengths. IDA Ireland is taking a targeted but realistic approach to pursuing these opportunities and this is being done in the context of upholding regulatory standards that apply in Ireland managed by the Central Bank. IDA Ireland estimate that more than 40 companies have decided to either expand their existing operations or establish their first presence in Ireland as a consequence of Brexit.
Enterprise Ireland has an extensive range of supports to encourage clients to become more competitive, innovative and to diversify export markets and have put in place a suite of supports to assist companies. These include initiatives such as the Brexit scorecard to help companies assess their Brexit exposure, a Be Prepared grant of up to €5,000 to prepare a Brexit action plan, dedicated Brexit Advisory clinics organized countrywide and a Short Term loan facility of €300m.
In addition, EI is implementing extensive trade mission and event schedules aimed on further developing in-market expertise and networks, new sectoral opportunities and stimulating demand for Irish products and services through international marketing campaigns. These efforts are underpinned by the Eurozone Strategy launched by EI in 2017 to increase exports to Eurozone countries by 50% by 2020.
Key to my Department's response to Brexit has been extensive consultation with stakeholders across all sectors of the economy. Detailed research has been carried out to help the Government decide how to best respond to the challenges of Brexit. Several important steps have already been taken to prepare our economy, including through a range of measures aimed at building resilience and providing new opportunities to business announced in Budgets 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Most recently, in Budget 2019, we have introduced additional measures to assist businesses, complimenting existing Brexit supports. These include the Future Growth Loan Scheme to provide longer-term lending to support capital investment by businesses; an additional €5 million to the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to enhance the programme of supports which they provided at local level, including training in customs procedures for businesses; an additional €8 million for the enterprise agencies and regulatory bodies in their efforts to support businesses; an extra €1 million in capital funding to InterTradeIreland to assist companies trading on an all Island basis and, a doubling of the Retail Online Pilot Scheme to €1.25 million to assist companies to build an online presence.
This Government is also focused on sustaining and creating new employment opportunities. Building on the success of the Action Plan for Jobs, the recently launched Future Jobs programme represents the next phase of Ireland’s economic development. The Future Jobs strategy sets out longer-term ambitions for the future of the economy, taking account of the challenges facing us, including Brexit. We want the economy to sustainably grow in the years ahead and embrace new technologies. It is designed to secure our enterprise base and secure Ireland’s long-term economic prosperity.
I am satisfied that across a range of supports and initiatives, work of my Department and its agencies is focused on supporting businesses throughout the country to withstand current challenges and succeed into the future.
Job Creation
Questions (282, 283)
Bernard Durkan
Question:282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which she continues to maximise business and innovation opportunities to enhance job creation through innovation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50843/18]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which she continues to support business through innovation and maximisation of opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50844/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 283 together.
My Department recognises that innovation is key to maintaining competitiveness for Ireland in global markets, and for providing jobs and sustaining growth across the whole of the economy, as well as embedding the foreign direct investment base in Ireland.
In 2018, Ireland rose to 9th place in the European Innovation Scorecard. We also retained our position in the Global Innovation Index, ranking 10th out of 126 countries.
Ireland's strategy for research and development, science and technology, Innovation 2020, articulates Ireland's ambition to become a Global Innovation Leader, identifying priority themes, which have been revised to reflect the impact of technological change and digitisation.
A report published by my Department in October 2018,‘The Research and Development Budget (R&D) 2017 – 2018’ presents the latest available data on the Government Research and Development (R&D) Budget and on Ireland’s R&D expenditure across all sectors.
It reports that Government Budget Allocations for R&D (GBARD) in 2017 was €739.3m, an increase of 2.8% in expenditure over the previous year. It also reports that a total of 36,087 personnel (full-time equivalents) were working in R&D in 2016. Of these, 18,203 were working in the business sector, 1,891 in the higher education sector and 933 in the Government sector.
My Department, through its agencies Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Enterprise Ireland (EI) and IDA Ireland supports both business and higher education sectors RDI activities. My Department is also making significant investments to develop the national ecosystem of research and technology centres.
Ireland’s continued economic growth and prosperity depends on maintaining and indeed increasing investment across the broad science, technology and innovation spectrum.
My commitment to continuing support for innovation can be evidenced by the increase in my Department's 2019 innovation budget to €368.95m – an increase of €40.25m over 2018. This will be spent over a range of initiatives and programmes that advance innovation and facilitate opportunities for Irish interests on EU and world markets. SFI and EI R&D programmes account for over 80% of my Department's innovation budget. SFI and EI will continue to leverage EU and private sector funding for research programmes, building on successes to date.
A specific innovation programme is Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), managed by EI, which enables public sector bodies to connect with innovative ideas and technology businesses, to provide innovative solutions for specific public-sector challenges and needs. 10 SBIR challenges have issued in 2018 with a further HSE suite of challenges expected before year end.
Of particular innovative relevance in the 2019 budget is the allocation of €20m for Phase I of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, which has a total fund of €500m as set out in Project Ireland 2040. This fund is about exploiting research to deliver new technologies and new solutions. It will incentivise collaborations between companies, colleges and other public-sector bodies to deploy disruptive technology in Ireland, in ways that will create entirely new companies and even new sectors in due course.
The budget also includes an additional €10m in 2019 as part of a €100m dedicated PhD/Masters training programme through SFI in areas aligned to enterprise needs. An additional €5m in 2019 is specifically allocated for the renewal of six of SFI's world-leading research centres. SFI engage in excellent research with industry and to date this has resulted in over 600 contracts with industry, €150m of industry co-funding and €170m of competitively won funding from Europe.
There is also assistance available from the European Union. Horizon 2020 is the instrument that supports collaborative R&D in Europe. Irish companies that compete successfully for funding from Horizon 2020 will boost their innovation capability and competitiveness, which in turn, will deliver strong national economic impacts, including job creation and increases in sales and exports. My agencies provide support to their client companies in this application process. Ireland has secured over €630m research funding through the current Horizon 2020 programme and remains on course to achieve its ambitious target of €1.25 billion in research funding by the conclusion of the programme.
However, notwithstanding all these innovation supports, more needs to be done. Technological change is already impacting several sectors, such as manufacturing, finance, retail and transport. These changes will present both challenges and new opportunities - certain job roles will disappear or be redefined and brand-new job roles will appear requiring new and different skillsets. Technological innovation is radically transforming our lives, and this will continue.
I am aware that we need to work now to position Ireland to prepare for and respond to these changes. For Ireland to be at the frontier of technological developments we must both encourage and facilitate innovation across sectors and firms - by increasing investment in RD&I and promoting strong links between enterprise and the research community, both nationally and internationally.
To this end, my Department, along with the Department of the Taoiseach, is currently developing the Future Jobs Initiative, a new cross-Government strategy to guide the next phase of Ireland's economic development. The focus is on quality jobs, improving productivity and building a resilient and innovative economy. Innovation and technological change is one of the five key pillars and this focus will have a positive impact on the innovation ecosystem.
Job Creation
Questions (284)
Bernard Durkan
Question:284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she continues to encourage enterprise with a view to even greater job creation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50845/18]
View answerWritten answers
Driving more enterprise creation by supporting the indigenous sector is a key focus of mine and I am working closely with the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and with Enterprise Ireland (EI) to achieve this. A strong and resilient indigenous sector is a crucial part of a growing economy.
I recently announced a record budget allocation for my Department to help businesses, entrepreneurs and drive regional growth. The initiatives announced include:
- Getting Business Brexit Ready: €300m long-term Future Growth Loan Scheme; €8m extra for Brexit staffing & supports across enterprise and regulatory agencies; Roll out of customs training through LEOs and EI; €1m additional funding for InterTrade Ireland.
- Driving Indigenous Enterprise and Regional Growth: A new round of €175m for Seed and Venture Capital Fund; €5m Competitive Funding for LEOs; €10m extra for IDA Regional Property Programme; €2.75m for SMEs Regional Innovation and Technology Clusters Programme; €1.8m for Design Craft Council of Ireland; Doubling Retail Online Pilot Scheme to €1.25m.
- Boosting Innovation: €20m for Phase 1 of Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund; €2.75m additional for European Southern Observatory membership; €10m additional for PhD/Research Masters Programme; €0.5m additional for European Space Agency; €5m additional capital for six SFI world-class research centres, €1m additional capital for SFI’s Strategic Partnership Programme; €1m extra funding for Tyndall Institute.
In prioritising three key areas of Brexit, regional growth and innovation, I am confident that our business community will be best placed to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Job Creation
Questions (285)
Bernard Durkan
Question:285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of job-creating enterprises supported by her Department in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50846/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has a comprehensive and wide-ranging approach to fostering and supporting job creating enterprises that encompasses both strategic and enterprise agency led input.
The Regional Action Plan for Jobs (RAPJ) 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 the initiative is to have a further 10 to 15 per cent at work in each region by 2020, with the aim of having the unemployment rate of each region within one per cent of the national average.
Since the launch of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs (RAPJ) there has been an increase of 258,800 people in employment across the State since Q1 2015 to Q3 2018, with 163,500 people in the regions outside of Co. Dublin entering employment in that period. That is over 63% - or 3 out of every 5 jobs created - were for regions outside of Co. Dublin (Q1 2015 - Q3 2018). In the year from Q3 2017 - Q3 2018, just over half (51%) of the jobs created were outside of Co. Dublin.
In April of this year, I asked all the RAPJ committees and other regional stakeholders to start a process to Refresh and Refocus all Regional Plans to ensure their relevance and impact out to 2020. The Refresh and Refocus will ensure that the Plans remain effective and that they continue to deliver jobs across the country and can be robust to address the challenges we face, including Brexit.
All Regions have established a Project Delivery Team, which has met to examine initial proposals for each Region's Strategic Objectives and all Regions now have a working draft of their refreshed Plans. The refreshed Regional Plans aim to be completed by the end of the year.
The IDA has performed very strongly over the last 12 months and it is a huge achievement that there are now over 210,000 people employed in IDA Ireland client companies.
The fact that it has surpassed its overall five-year target of 209,000 within three years is further evidence of the Agency's success in growing the level of employment by multinationals here. I am especially pleased to see that of the 237 overseas investments made in 2017, a record number of 111 were from new companies investing in Ireland for the first time. This reflects the health of the pipeline of foreign direct investment (FDI) here.
The Agency has maintained - if not bettered - its strong performance from 2017 into 2018. Regions outside of Dublin have had some high-profile job announcements including 600 jobs in the Mid-West at Edwards Life Sciences and 400 new jobs promised for Dundalk by Chinese life sciences company Wuxi Biologics. There were also two significant announcements in Longford in Avery Dennison and Red Seal Sups, bringing 300 jobs to the Midlands region.
The global investment climate, we should remember, is becoming ever more competitive. Our collective ability to continue winning new overseas investment for Ireland is therefore a testament to both the work of the IDA and the strength of our offering to multinational companies.
Enterprise Ireland supports approximately 5,000 companies and a total of 209,338 people are now employed in those companies. Despite the challenges and uncertainty created by Brexit, there are also many opportunities and Irish companies have continued to win sales around the world that have supported strong job creation across all regions of Ireland.
19,332 new jobs were created by Enterprise Ireland backed companies in 2017, with 64% of these jobs created in regions outside of Dublin. There was employment growth in every sector and every county.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice, guidance, financial assistance and soft supports such as training and mentoring to those wishing to start or grow their own business.
In 2017, the LEOs supported 7,182 client companies employing 37,485 people. They created 7,135 new jobs with a net increase of 3,760 jobs. The LEOs provided mentoring to 8,393 clients in 2017 and 30,373 people took part in training provided by the LEOs.
My Department also supports InterTrade Ireland (ITI), the cross-border trade and business development body. Funding for ITI is jointly provided by my Department and our Northern Ireland counterpart, the Department for the Economy. Through its innovation and trade initiatives, ITI helps small businesses in Ireland and Northern Ireland to explore new cross-border markets and develop new products, processes and services which help improve capability as well as driving competitiveness, growth and jobs. With the launch of the Brexit Advisory Service in May 2017, InterTrade Ireland is also helping companies to prepare for the UK’s exit from the EU through a range of supports and services. ITI is a small organisation but with a big outreach; to date, the body has assisted over 39,000 companies, created or protected over 14,000 jobs and supported over €1.2bn in additional business development value for small businesses across the island.
Job Creation
Questions (286)
Bernard Durkan
Question:286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans for the maximisation of job creation opportunities throughout the regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50847/18]
View answerWritten answers
Since becoming Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, I have made jobs and enterprise in the regions my top priority.
We want to have a situation where all regions are enabled to realise their potential as contributors to economic recovery and growth, and thereby reduce regional disparities.
Strategic investments within the overarching national context (Project Ireland 2040), and actions focused on maximising the competitive advantages and potential of each of the regions are key to ensuring each region can contribute to, and participate in Ireland's future national growth, and sustain a higher standard of living.
The recently published Q3 2018 CSO Labour Force Survey employment figures are overall very positive. Figures show that employment continues to grow strongly with 66,700 jobs created in the year from Q3 2017 to Q3 2018. This brings total employment to 2,273,000.
The number of people in employment has increased in six of the eight regions in the year from Q3 2017 to Q3 2018. The exception to this is the Mid-West (which has remained static) and the Border region.
Since the launch of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs (RAPJ) there has been an increase of 258,800 people in employment across the State since Q1 2015 to Q3 2018, with 163,500 people in the regions outside of Co. Dublin entering employment in that period.
Over 63% - or 3 out of every 5 jobs created - were for regions outside of Co. Dublin (Q1 2015 - Q3 2018).
In the year from Q3 2017 - Q3 2018, just over half (51%) of the jobs created were outside of Co. Dublin.
My Department's Regional Action Plan for Jobs (RAPJ) 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 the initiative is to have a further 10 to 15 per cent at work in each region by 2020, with the aim of having the unemployment rate of each region to within one percentage point of the State average.
Government policies are working but of course we always want to do more.
That is why in April this year I asked all the RAPJ Committees to start a process to Refresh and Refocus all Regional Plans to ensure their relevance and impact out to 2020. The Refresh and Refocus will ensure that the Plans are more focused and effective, and are robust to address the challenges we face, including Brexit.
I met the Chairpersons of the RAPJ Committees in October to hear directly about the progress made on the Refresh of the Plans to date. All Regions have established a Project Delivery Team, which has met to examine initial proposals for each Region's Strategic Objectives and all Regions now have a working draft of their refreshed Plans.The refreshed Regional Plans aim to be completed by the end of the year.
My Department is also working closely with the agencies (IDA, EI and the LEOs) and other relevant stakeholders, and their ongoing regional activities will also be included in the Plans.
On Monday the 3rd December, under the second call of my Department's Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) managed by Enterprise Ireland, I announced an allocation of just over €29 million in funding that will support regions throughout the country to deliver on their economic and enterprise development potential. A total of 21 projects from all over the country received funding under this second call. This is in addition to the 21 projects that were approved €30.5 million in funding under Call 1 of the REDF announced in December 2017.
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 has supported 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.
Job Creation
Questions (287)
Bernard Durkan
Question:287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which she continues to encourage enterprise and innovation as a means of creating job opportunities throughout rural Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50848/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has laid a solid foundation for businesses, allowing for jobs and growth to flourish while safeguarding against global challenges including Brexit. Innovation is an essential element to maintaining competitiveness, providing jobs and sustaining growth. My Department’s innovation budget for 2019 has been increased by €40m to almost €369m and will fund a range of initiatives and programmes that advance innovation and facilitate opportunities for Irish interests on the European and world stages.
The €500m Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) is being implemented through my Department and its agencies, working with other research funding bodies to develop Ireland’s innovation ecosystem and responsiveness. The fund will see investment in the development and deployment of disruptive innovative technologies and applications, on a commercial basis, targeted at tackling national and global challenges. In 2019, €20m has been allocated to DTIF in Phase 1. Furthermore, an additional allocation of €10m in 2019 has been included as part of the dedicated €100m PhD and Masters training programme through Science Foundation Ireland in areas aligned to enterprise needs.
The Regional Action Plan for Jobs (RAPJ) 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 the initiative is to have a further 10 to 15 per cent at work in each region by 2020, with the aim of having the unemployment rate of each region within one per cent of the national average.
Since the launch of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs (RAPJ) there has been an increase of 258,800 people in employment across the State since Q1 2015 to Q3 2018, with 163,500 people in the regions outside of Co. Dublin entering employment in that period. That is over 63% - or 3 out of every 5 jobs created – were for regions outside of Co. Dublin (Q1 2015 – Q3 2018).
In the year from Q3 2017 – Q3 2018, just over half (51%) of the jobs created were outside of Co. Dublin.
In April of this year I asked all the RAPJ committees and other regional stakeholders to start a process to Refresh and Refocus all Regional Plans to ensure their relevance and impact out to 2020. The Refresh and Refocus will ensure that the Plans remain effective and that they continue to deliver jobs across the country and can be robust to address the challenges we face, including Brexit.
Yesterday, on 3rd December, I was delighted to announce in Navan just over €29 million in funding by my Department through Enterprise Ireland under Call 2 of the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF). This funding has been awarded to 21 regional projects all around the country, bringing the total amount of funding awarded under the two Calls of this scheme to €60 million across 42 regional projects, in all regions.
Since 2015, IDA Ireland has been working towards regional development targets set out in their strategy for the period between 2015-2019. This includes a goal of increasing investment in every region of Ireland by 30%-40%. Real progress is being made towards that objective. In 2017, for example, 45% of all jobs created were based outside of Dublin. The Agency is working hard to increase that percentage further.
I know the IDA and its staff are working, on a daily basis, to secure new investment and jobs for regional areas. It is encouraging to note, for example, that in the first three quarters of 2018 there were 461 site visits and over half of these visits were to regional locations. This helps show the ongoing efforts being made by the Agency to showcase regional sites to prospective investors.
However, we must remember that the ultimate decision as to where to invest is always taken by the company itself. I understand the focus placed on site visits and it is the case that they represent a useful tool by which the merits of regional locations can be showcased to investors. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as almost 70% of all new FDI comes from existing IDA Ireland client companies.
Budget 2019 also saw the Agency allocated an additional €10m for the Regional Property Programme (RPP). This will help ensure that property solutions are in place for overseas companies considering investing or expanding, thereby encouraging more FDI to the regions. The IDA plans to develop new buildings in regional locations including Carlow, Dundalk, Monaghan, Sligo, Athlone, Waterford, Limerick and Galway.
19,332 new jobs were created by Enterprise Ireland backed companies in 2017, with 64% of these jobs created in regions outside of Dublin. There was employment growth in every sector and every county.
In Budget 2019, I allocated an extra €8m to the enterprise agencies and regulatory bodies under my Department, who work with firms at the coalface to develop their supports for business. I allocated an additional €3m to Enterprise Ireland to enhance our Global Footprint. This will help companies to diversify into new markets as the UK leaves the EU. €2.75m will also be allocated to Enterprise Ireland to fund a support programme of Regional Innovation and Technology Clusters.
I have also allocated €1.8m to the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland over 3 years to expand marketing and development programmes to support Irish designers and makers to exhibit at international trade fairs, to develop partnerships with flagship retailers, and to develop e-commerce capacity.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice, and guidance, financial assistance and soft supports such as training and mentoring to those wishing to start or grow their own business.
The LEOs can offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs can provide financial assistance within three main categories: Feasibility Grants (investigating the potential of a business idea); Priming Grants (to part-fund a start-up); and Business Development Grants for existing businesses that want to expand.
The LEOs have been allocated an additional €5m for 2019 and this will allow them to focus resources on specific platforms: Building Locally – a proposal to establish a competitive fund to support high quality proposals in that context; Sustaining and Growing Existing Microenterprises – an additional resource with a focus on key clients with growth potential or in need of devising a plan to counteract the impacts of Brexit; Brexit and Customs implications/impacts - training and awareness programmes to support firms throughout the country, in all regions, in the area of both Import and Export customs implications and procedures.
My Department also supports InterTradeIreland (ITI), the cross-border trade and business development body. Funding for ITI is jointly provided by DBEI and our Northern Ireland counterpart, the Department for the Economy. Through its innovation and trade initiatives, ITI helps small businesses in Ireland and Northern Ireland to explore new cross-border markets and develop new products, processes and services which help improve capability as well as driving competitiveness, growth and jobs. With the launch of the Brexit Advisory Service in May 2017, InterTradeIreland is also helping companies to prepare for the UK’s exit from the EU through a range of supports and services. ITI is a small organisation but with a big outreach; to date, the body has assisted over 39,000 companies, created or protected over 14,000 jobs and supported over €1.2bn in additional business development value for small businesses across the island.
To support this important work, my Department will provide an additional €1 million in capital funding to ITI in 2019. This funding will enable the body to engage with more of the companies that are seeking its support through the Brexit Advisory Service, as well as meeting demand for existing programmes which are all designed to promote and support cross-border trade.
Exports Growth
Questions (288, 289)
Bernard Durkan
Question:288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she remains satisfied that Irish products on world markets remain sufficiently attractive in view of the various international challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50850/18]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which she continues to encourage and expand markets for Irish goods overseas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50851/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together.
Competitiveness is key to success in international markets, to job growth and as a means of achieving sustainable improvements in living standards. Improving competitiveness performance is a core focus for Government, and as part of this work my Department, its agencies and the National Competitiveness Council are continually engaged with relevant stakeholders on the particular policy needs required to strengthen our international competitiveness.
In its 2017 Competitiveness Challenge Report, the Council has identified a range of threats to Ireland’s competitiveness, including the potential impact of Brexit, the concentration of our export markets and the range of products and services exported.
At firm level, Enterprise Ireland (EI) actively supports firms to develop new products and services for new and existing markets. EI’s Strategy 2017-20 “Build Scale-Expand Reach” looks to increase the reach of its client company exports, with two-thirds of exports going beyond the UK. To broaden the export footprint across the globe, the EI Strategy focuses on training and supports to enhance management capability, leadership and productivity, marketing/sales skills, innovation and R&D, access to funding to help companies to build market share and create new market opportunities.
Sustaining and growing jobs and diversifying the export base is a challenge when aligned with the key objective of reducing the overall dependence on the UK market as a percentage of overall exports. Therefore, my Department has allocated additional funding in 2017, 2018 and 2019 to enable EI achieve its objectives.
Extra staff has been placed in EI’s overseas offices with sectoral knowledge and expertise such as in engineering, food, life sciences and construction. Also, in Budget 2019 I allocated an extra €3 million to EI to help it to diversify our Global Footprint. This will drive export growth to international markets where there are known opportunities and reduce reliance on the UK.
There is now a major focus on directing resources and expertise to the Eurozone markets where EI sees opportunities, targeting a 50% increase in exports by 2020. A new ‘Irish Advantage’ communications campaign is targeting Eurozone buyers to buy Irish innovation in key Brexit impacted sectors.
There are also significant opportunities in various other international markets for quality Irish goods and services. The future relative importance and forecasted growth rates of China, India, the South-East Asian countries, the Gulf States, Latin America and Africa combined with the scale of these markets means we will support Irish companies to continue to work to build exports in these markets. In January of this year, EI launched its new Market Discovery Fund to help more Irish companies accelerate their market diversification efforts.
A more diverse export base can reduce exposure to external demand shocks, exchange rate fluctuations and instability in export earnings and enhance growth and jobs. I will continue to work with my Department and EI to ensure Irish-based exporters, particularly in exposed sectors such as traditional manufacturing and agri-food, will continue to be supported to scale and diversify sustainably and strategically.
Innovation remains at the forefront of any business to ensure that they grow and expand to ensure they are at a level to compete on the EU and global markets effectively. Innovation involves helping companies improve competitiveness by developing new processes, products or services or by modernising and adapting current processes, products or services to bring them to a standard that will allow the company to enter new and existing markets internationally. Innovation is an essential component in a company’s ability to maintain a competitive edge in overseas markets. EI has a suite of supports available to assist client companies innovate and develop their enterprise. These supports help new and existing companies to develop new and improved products and services which serve as the basis for sustainable export growth.
Gender Balance
Questions (290)
Bernard Durkan
Question:290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which enterprise led by women continues to be supported by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50852/18]
View answerWritten answers
I am determined to see the numbers of businesses in Ireland led by women grow and for supports to continue to be delivered to businesswomen throughout Ireland. The deputy can be assured that my Department has a strong focus on the provision of supports and programmes to assist women to lead businesses, whether they are established businesses or new businesses.
The Government has to lead by example. Through a concerted effort throughout departments and agencies, the participation by women on State boards has increased over the last few years to 41 per cent. Unfortunately, female representation on corporate boards is lagging far behind. Women currently make up just 18.1 percent of directors of Irish-registered ISEQ20 companies, which is significantly lower than the EU average of 26.2 percent for large publicly-listed companies.
That is why the Better Balance for Better Business initiative was launched at an event in Government Buildings in July of this year. The Government has brought together a team of expert leaders to examine and make recommendations as to why there are so few women in senior executive positions and at board level in Irish companies. The review group will examine the gender mix at the governance and senior management levels in companies, as well as the issues that arise in connection with the appointment of directors and senior management. Dr Orlaigh Quinn, Secretary General of my Department, is one of the leaders on this group alongside Martin Shanahan, chief executive of IDA Ireland and Julie Sinnamon, chief executive of Enterprise Ireland. The Better Balance for Better Business group will report back with actions for Government and business to increase the percentage of women on corporate boards and in senior management in leading Irish companies. It will engage with companies to make the case for change and will report annually on its progress.
Another method to encourage more businesses in Ireland to be led by women is to have businesses start with women at the helm. The 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Ireland data suggest a persistent gender divide in Ireland in the business startup rate in Ireland. A gender divide is evident in most countries. GEM Ireland data suggests that if the rate of new business owners in Ireland for women was at the rate for men, an extra 8,000 women would have started a business in 2017. So clearly, we have an under-utilised resource, which is contributing and can contribute further to Ireland reaching its economic potential.
My Department is leading the way in providing a variety of programmes through its agencies to increase the number of women starting businesses and assisting them at every stage, from potential business leaders to women growing their businesses. My Department published the first National Entrepreneurship Policy Statement in 2014. Action 19 of the policy statement is to promote female entrepreneurship through identification and promotion of female role models, targeted events and awards, support for female entrepreneur networks and promotion of a dedicated area on corporate websites.
Enterprise Ireland has been at the forefront of examining the variance in the female to male ratio of start-ups and have put in place measures to address the imbalance. The Competitive Start Fund (CSF) for Female Entrepreneurs aims to support early stage start-ups. This programme is specifically for Female Entrepreneurs or female-led start-ups, active in the Manufacturing & Internationally Traded Services sectors including the following subsectors: Internet, Games, Apps, Mobile, SaaS, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Lifesciences, Food, Cleantech and Industrial Products. The establishment of this programme has resulted in a spill-over effect with increased female participation in other EI programmes. In 2017, 42 of the 96 businesses in all CSFs were female led. In 2012, just eight percent of the 97 High-Potential Start Ups (HPSUs) were female-led. However, in 2017, 28 percent of the total 90 HPSUs were female led.
As role modelling is particularly important to aspiring female businesswomen, Enterprise Ireland sponsors several key events:
- Image Business Woman of the Year Awards,
- Tatler Business Woman of the Year Awards and Conference,
- Network Ireland Awards and Conference, and
- Inspirefest, Silicon Republic.
Enterprise Ireland and Network Ireland have run ‘Fuelling Ambition’ roadshows across Ireland. ‘Lead and Succeed’ was the theme of this year’s roadshow which aims to encourage, support and drive the ambition of female entrepreneurs nationally by showcasing thriving Irish business women and entrepreneurs. The roadshow incorporated an Elevator Pitch competition and locations visited included Waterford, Kilkenny, Roscommon and Monaghan.
Enterprise Ireland also partners with key providers in providing training and capability development for early stage and establishes entrepreneurs. It developed a series of female accelerator programmes in partnership with knowledge providers. These included:
- Going for Growth with Paula Fitzsimons,
- DCU Ryan Academy Female Propeller Programme,
- NDRC Female Founders Programme, and
- CIT Female Exxcel Programme.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are actively engaged in encouraging and inspiring an increase in female-led businesses through initiatives such as the annual National Women’s Enterprise Day and the Women in Business Networks. An important aspect of the networking programme is the promotion of successful female entrepreneurs as role models and the use of mentoring and networking opportunities which aims to build confidence of newly emerging female entrepreneurs and women operating established businesses.
We have seen progress in the numbers of women availing of many of the Services provided by the LEOs. For example, in 2017, 57% of participants attending core training programme, such as Start Your Own Business, were female.
From these actions and supports, it is evident that my Department has a strong focus on supporting female led enterprises. I want to see the numbers of these businesses increase for the betterment of the business environment and for society in general.
Knowledge Development Box
Questions (291)
Bernard Durkan
Question:291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the knowledge development box continues to be an asset in securing investment in jobs here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50853/18]
View answerWritten answers
Both Enterprise 2025 - Ireland's National Enterprise Policy, and Innovation 2020 - Ireland's national strategy for research and development, science and technology emphasise that increasing our people's standard of living requires Ireland to have a strong, innovative and internationally competitive enterprise base which grows employment, sales and exports. A key factor in achieving this is to ensure we have a coherent innovation ecosystem which is responsive to emerging opportunities and leads to the creation and application of knowledge. An internationally competitive research system that acts as a magnet and catalyst for talent and industry will also help the development of a world renowned pool of talent in Ireland’s public research system and in industry. In the context of an intensely competitive international environment, this helps Ireland remain attractive to investment from both domestic and foreign owned growth businesses.
The Knowledge Development Box (KDB), introduced in Budget 2016 forms part of Ireland’s competitive offering to continue to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and to support Irish owned companies to innovate and to compete effectively on international markets. The relief was adapted by the introduction of a new certification scheme via the Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Act 2017, which eases the qualification process for smaller companies.
The KDB provides an effective 6.25% rate of corporation tax on profits from certain qualifying assets that are earned by a company, chargeable to corporation tax in the State, to the extent that the assets relate to Research and Development (R&D) undertaken by that company. Ireland’s KDB effective rate is internationally competitive.
The KDB complements the existing suite of initiatives and supports available to companies that undertake R&D activities in Ireland across the lifecycle of research and development. These include R&D tax credits, RD&I grant supports, support for technology acquisition (S291A), significant state investments in National Research Centres / knowledge transfer infrastructures, and advisory supports for accessing Horizon 2020 funding. Taken together, these provide a competitive proposition for business investment.
As a key part of Ireland's competitive offering as a location of choice from which to do business, the KDB has helped secure investment since its introduction in 2016 and continues to stimulate further investment in R&D activities by both Irish and foreign owned enterprises resulting in a more resilient and sustainable economy.
Employment Data
Questions (292)
Niamh Smyth
Question:292. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the additional jobs added in the 12 months to the third quarter of 2018 in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath from the latest labour force survey. [50858/18]
View answerWritten answers
The data requested by the Deputy is collected by the Central Statistics Office, which is under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.
In this regard the Department of an Taoiseach have informed me that the exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q3 2018.
Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable Cavan, Monaghan and Meath County estimates from the LFS.
Estimates of employment however, are produced by NUTS 3 Regions.
The NUTS 3 Border region includes counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo.
The NUTS 3 Mid-East region includes counties Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and Louth.
The following table shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by NUTS 3 Border and Mid-East regions in Q3 2017 and Q3 2018 and the annual change.
As the table shows the overall stock of persons employed at given points in time, the annual change which is calculated using these stock figures depends both on the number of jobs lost and jobs created over the period in question.
The LFS does not record whether a job is newly created.
Number of employed persons (ILO) aged 15 years and over classified by NUTS3 Border and Mid-East regions, Q3 2017 and Q3 2018 - Annual Change '000
|
In employment |
Q3 17 |
Q3 18 |
Annual Change |
|
Border |
180.4 |
178.3 |
-2.2 |
|
Mid-East |
319.8 |
327.1 |
7.3 |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q3 Jul-Sep.
Voluntary Sector Funding
Questions (293)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:293. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to relieve the financial burden which non-section 39 voluntary hospice groups are under (details supplied) in view of the difficulties they are facing with having to implement both the Lansdowne Road and public sector pay agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50403/18]
View answerWritten answers
I should clarify from the outset that the North West Hospice in Sligo receives grant funding from the HSE under Section 39 of Health Act 2004 which forms part of its income.
You will be aware that in February 2018, an agreement was reached at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) between my Department, the HSE and health sector Trade Unions in relation to a process aimed at resolving the pay restoration issue for staff employed by section 39 bodies in 50 pilot organisations. The 50 organisations included were agreed at the WRC by all parties. This list did not include North West Hospice in Sligo.
The HSE has completed the first phase of their work in relation to the agencies identified as part of the WRC process. This exercise has shown that of the agencies who returned data, a majority did apply pay reductions of some form. It also showed that some agencies made some form of pay restoration between 2016 and 2018. Following constructive engagement with the assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission, an agreement was reached on 2 October between the parties. Pay restoration will commence with an annual pay increase of up to €1,000 in April 2019 for those employed by the 50 organisations involved in the pilot. Any outstanding balance will be paid in two equal amounts in 2020 and 2021.
It is recognised that some of the remaining organisations will have pay restoration issues also. A process of engagement to address this will commence in 2019.