Written Answers Nos. 115-134
115. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of complaints lodged with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in each of the years 2015 to 2018, relating to the sale of tickets and-or ticket touting practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2183/19]
View answerThe Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for the enforcement of competition and consumer law in the State.
Section 9(5) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 provides that the CCPC is independent in the performance of its functions, including its day to day operational work regarding complaints made to it and I, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, have no direct function in such matters.
Notwithstanding this, the CCPC have informed me of the aggregated figures for consumer and competition-related complaints in relation to ticketing by year that have been logged on their consumer contact line (supplied below).
Year No. of complaints
2015 104
2016 220
2017 332
2018 350.
116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if entitlement to work in the case of persons (details supplied) can be transferred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2208/19]
View answerThe Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that the individual referred to by the Deputy does not currently hold an employment permit but may have immigration permission allowing the individual to work without an employment permit. My colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, has responsibility for issuing immigration permissions and visas.
It is open to any foreign national living in the State with the requisite immigration permission to apply for an employment permit. Any such application should meet with the relevant legislative requirements including having secured a job offer for an eligible occupation from an Irish registered employer.
Details on how to apply for an employment permit are available on the Department's website at the following link - https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/
My officials have produced a comprehensive Frequently Asked Question document covering all aspects of the Employment Permits regime which is available here -
https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/FAQs/Employment-Permits-FAQs-2018.pdf
117. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if a tenant has been secured in the IDA advanced facility in Castlebar as was announced recently to local media by a person (details supplied). [2233/19]
View answerIDA Ireland are not in a position to provide details on a prospective tenant for the IDA advanced facility in Castlebar.
It should be noted that the announcement of any investment by IDA Ireland client companies is always at the discretion of the individual company involved.
118. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the take-up of all Brexit supports in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2248/19]
View answerMy Department and its agencies are working to provide 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 weeks.
In addition to the direct supports outlined in the following table, my Department and I have been very active in the 'Getting Ireland Brexit Ready' public information campaign. This campaign includes workshop events throughout the country aimed primarily at business and people most impacted by Brexit. Officials from my Department and agencies also participated in the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready events, which included Enterprise Ireland, IDA, the LEOs, NSAI and the HSA.
Further to the below, increased funding has been allocated to Brexit-related support from my Department and its agencies as part of Budget 2019. An additional €5 million capital funding has been allocated to the Local Enterprise Offices, an increase of 22%, and a further €1 million allocated to InterTrade Ireland to help SMEs prepare for the particular North-South challenges associated with Brexit. Additional resources have also been distributed across Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority.
Work continues on the development of the Future Growth Loan Scheme, which will provide a longer-term facility, 8 to 10 years, of up to €300m to support strategic capital investment for a post-Brexit environment by business at competitive rates.
While many businesses have taken preparedness actions, a number have yet to do so. It is vital that businesses prepare themselves for Brexit impacts and take actions to mitigate. Firms that do business with the UK, whether buying goods or exporting products, should examine their supply chains to determine their vulnerabilities and take appropriate action.
|
Scheme |
Uptake as at 7 January |
|
Brexit Loan Scheme |
369 applications received, 325 approved by SBCI, 63 Loans progressed to sanction at bank level to a value of €14.83 million (this figure as at 11 January) |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit Scorecard - online platform for Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit |
3,712 Brexit Scorecards have been completed. 651 LEO clients have completed the scorecard. |
|
Enterprise Ireland Be Prepared Grant |
151 Be Prepared Grants have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Market Discovery Fund - A support to EI clients to research new markets |
208 projects have been approved under this initiative |
|
Enterprise Ireland Agile Innovation Fund - Gives rapid fast-track access to innovation funding |
39 Agile Innovation projects have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit Advisory Clinics |
11 Brexit Advisory Clinics have been run with approx. 915 in attendance |
|
Enterprise Ireland 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 |
165 “Act on” Plans have been completed |
|
Enterprise Ireland Strategic Consultancy Grant – A grant to assist EI clients to hire a strategic consultant for a set period |
1,049 Strategic Consultancy Grants have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit-exposed companies that have completed sustainable growth plans |
706 |
|
Local Enterprise Office Technical Assistance Grant for Micro Export - an incentive for LEO clients to explore and develop new market opportunities |
391 clients were approved assistance under the Technical Assistance Grant |
|
Local Enterprise Office LEAN for Micro - The LEO 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 |
221 LEO clients have participated in the programme |
|
Local Enterprise Office Mentoring |
402 mentoring participants solely focused on Brexit |
|
Local Enterprise Office Brexit Seminars/Events |
3,996 Participants at the Brexit Information events |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Advisory Service |
4,175 SMEs have directly engaged with the Brexit Advisory Service in 2018 [this figure as at early December 2018, pending annual report] |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Start to Plan Vouchers |
There have been 811 applications, with 657 approved and 25 still pending assessment [this figure as at early December 2018, pending annual report] |
|
Pilot Online Retail Scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland |
Total fund of €1.25m. The first call opened on 24 October and closed on the 5 December. Applications are currently being assessed by Enterprise Ireland and the successful applicants will be announced in Q1 2019. There will also be a second call in 2019 |
119. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount spent in each year for the past five years on accountancy and consultancy firms in relation to capital projects; the specific capital project in which the costs were incurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2255/19]
View answerDetails of expenditure by my Department on accountancy and consultancy in relation to capital projects in each of the last five years are set out in the following tables.
|
2018 |
|
Nil |
|
2017 |
|
Nil |
|
2016 |
|
Nil |
|
2015 |
||
|
Capital Project |
Consultancy/Accountancy Firm Contracted |
Amount |
|
Consultancy to assess Ireland’s future research Infrastructure needs to support a national strategy for science, technology & innovation |
Technopolis Group |
€40,836 (VAT inc) |
|
2014 |
||
|
Capital Project |
Consultancy/Accountancy Firm Contracted |
Amount |
|
Consultancy to assess Ireland’s future research Infrastructure needs to support a national strategy for science, technology & innovation |
Technopolis Group |
€30,750 (VAT inc) |
120. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funding allocated to the programme for research in third level institutions in each of the years 2010 to 2018; the amount subsequently expended in each year; the amount of funding allocated in 2019; the amount of funding that has been ring-fenced for frontier research in 2019, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2290/19]
View answerThe Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) was launched in 1998, with five cycles of expenditure to-date. The Programme is designed to facilitate Ireland’s Higher Education Institutions to produce world class research in key strategic areas including bioscience/biomedical; medical technologies; energy, environment and marine; food and drink; social sciences and humanities; ICT and advanced communications and platform technologies and materials.
The PRTLI has supported the provision of top-class research infrastructure (buildings, laboratories and cutting-edge equipment) as well as human capital development, through Structured PhD/Emergent Technology programmes across Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). My Department took over responsibility for the PRTLI in May 2010, from the Department of Education and Skills. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) continues to administer Cycle 5 of the Programme on behalf of my Department.
The allocations and amounts expended on the PRTLI in the years 2010 – 2018 are set out in Table A, with some increases in funding due to Supplementary Estimates (as detailed below). The full amount allocated in the Department’s Vote under the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions is expended within the year. The PRTLI allocation for 2019 is €24.3m.
Table A - PRTLI funding 2010-2018
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Allocation €m |
49.9 |
57.9 |
54.7 |
45.2 |
39 |
55.5* |
30.4** |
26.4*** |
18.3**** |
*2015 allocation included a Supplementary Estimate of €23.5m in December 2015
**2016 allocation included a Supplementary Estimate of €20m in December 2016
***2017 allocation included a Supplementary Estimate of €12m in December 2017
****2018 allocation included a Supplementary Estimate of €4m in December 2018
While there is no specific allocation within the PRTLI for frontier research, Innovation 2020 committed to establishing a new programme of funding for frontier research across all disciplines. The Irish Research Council (under the Department of Education and Skills) launched the Frontier Research Programme or Laureate Awards in April 2017 with an initial fund of €2.5 million, to support researchers to undertake project-based frontier research and to develop as Principal Investigators. A total of €29.6 million was subsequently announced for investment by the Irish Research Council in “frontier research” projects in March, 2018.
As in previous years, the 2019 PRTLI allocation of €24.3 million is being used to part pay outstanding bills for PRTLI Cycle 5 projects. It also funds vital shared infrastructure essential to the third level research sector, including part payment of an annual subscription for e-Journals. E-Journals funding provides Irish based scientists online access to a wide range of leading international scientific journals and is a necessary tool to enable them to conduct their own research. E-Journals formed part of the transfer of functions between my Department and the Department of Education & Skills as decided by Government order in May 2010.
In addition, some of this money will be used to allow for the commencement of dedicated funding for PhD/Research Masters enrolment through the new Centres for Research Training. This programme is administered by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and will fund postgraduate enrolments in disciplines under their remit. This initiative accords with the action in Innovation 2020 to increase postgraduate researcher enrolments, in disciplines aligned to enterprise and national needs.
In 2017, my Department and its agencies were responsible for the largest proportion of Government investment in R&D at €380.6m or 51.5% of total Government Investment. Other Departments also provided funding for research and development across sectors. The Department of Education and Skills had an R&D outturn in 2017 of €180.4m or 24.4% of total Government Investment in R&D while the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine invested €95.1m or 12.9% in 2017. Overall Government funding of R&D in 2017 was €739.3m and represents an increase of 2.8% over the outturn figure for 2016. Government investment in R&D includes funding for programmes that encompass all disciplines and all types of research.
121. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the introduction of a new five-year cycle with respect to the programme for research in third level institutions; the duration of the cycle in operation; and when it ceases. [2291/19]
View answerThe current Cycle 5 of the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) was announced in 2010 and has involved exchequer expenditure of approx. €277m with a further €59m of private investment. Cycle 5 projects have now been completed and my Department is addressing the remaining payments associated with these awards. In addition to supporting the provision of top-class research infrastructure (buildings, laboratories and cutting-edge equipment), PRTLI saw significant investment in human capital development, through Structured PhD/Emergent Technology programmes across Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes (HEIs).
Innovation 2020, the Government's strategy for research and innovation, includes an action to scope out and develop a successor to PRTLI to support new investment in research infrastructure, including buildings and equipment. It also contains an action to increase the enrolment of PhD and research masters students. The scoping of a future cycle of PRTLI has been undertaken by my Department, working with the Department of Education and Skills (DES).
While future cycles of PRTLI are referenced in the National Development Plan, Project Ireland 2040, it is important to note that actions are already being taken by DBEI and DES to fund all of the key elements that had been encompassed by PRTLI including research buildings, equipment and structured PhD programmes. These actions include:
- my Department, through Science Foundation Ireland, has allocated more than €74m for research equipment across the higher education system since the start of 2016, providing significant additional investment for research equipment. This includes €24.8m in 2018.
- My Department, again through Science Foundation Ireland, has commenced roll-out of a new €100 million programmes of investment in PhDs and Research Masters through new Centres for Research Training (CRT). The annual budget for this programme will increase to €15 million this year. The CRT programme will provide training for cohorts of Research Masters and PhD students with new cohorts of students enrolling each year for four years from 2019. It will provide training for 600 postgraduate students in areas of nationally and internationally identified future skills needs of digital, data and ICT.
- The Department of Education and Skills also announced funding in the context of Budget 2018 and 2019 to address the need for physical space for research in the higher education sector. This included Budget 2018 announcements of €200m for public private partnerships in the Institute of Technology sector and €257m for investment in the higher education sector generally, including for research. Budget 2019 then saw announcements of €57 million to be invested in higher education initiatives in 2019 along with capital investment of €150 million being allocated to the higher education, further education and training and research sectors. Project Ireland 2040 signals a significant commitment in capital investments in the region of €2.8 billion by the Department of Education and Skills in higher education over the coming decade and this includes support for research. On 11th January 2019, the Minister for Education and Skills announced a call for applications for a €80 million Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund which forms part of this Project Ireland 2040 programme of investment.
The actions being taken by my Department and the Department of Education and Skills are addressing to a significant degree the requirements for increased investment in both physical infrastructure and human capital in higher education research as identified in Innovation 2020.
122. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the level of public research and development intensity as measured as a percentage of GDP in each of the years 2005 to 2018; and the budgeted figure for 2019, in tabular form. [2292/19]
View answerThe information is contained in the table.
|
Year |
GBARD as percentage of GDP |
|
2005 |
0.42% |
|
2006 |
0.41% |
|
2007 |
0.45% |
|
2008 |
0.50% |
|
2009 |
0.52% |
|
2010 |
0.49% |
|
2011 |
0.45% |
|
2012 |
0.43% |
|
2013 |
0.40% |
|
2014 |
0.37% |
|
2015 |
0.28% |
|
2016 |
0.26% |
|
2017 |
0.25% |
|
2018 estimate |
0.24% |
The Table shows Government Budget Allocations on R&D (GBARD) as a percentage of GDP for the years 2005 to 2018. Note data for 2019 is not available yet. For more information please see the R&D Budget 2017-2018 at the following link:
https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/The-R-D-Budget-2017-2018.html.
123. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the Eurostat data as a percentage of each member state’s GDP; and the monetary amount each Government expended on research spending on an annual basis over the 2018 period. [2293/19]
View answerThe information is as follows:
Year: 2017
|
GEO |
GBARD €m |
GBARD as percentage GDP |
|
European Union (current composition) |
96,470.7 |
0.63 |
|
Euro area (19 countries) |
74,538.8 |
0.67 |
|
Belgium |
2,870.2 |
0.66 |
|
Bulgaria |
109.6 |
0.21 |
|
Czechia |
1,240.7 |
0.65 |
|
Denmark |
2,613.4 |
0.90 |
|
Germany |
29,006.1 |
0.89 |
|
Estonia |
143.2 |
0.61 |
|
Ireland |
739.3 |
0.25 |
|
Greece |
850.2 |
0.48 |
|
Spain |
5,917.8 |
0.51 |
|
France |
14,747.9 |
0.64 |
|
Croatia |
355.0 |
0.72 |
|
Italy |
8,577.9 |
0.50 |
|
Cyprus |
61.1 |
0.31 |
|
Latvia |
60.0 |
0.22 |
|
Lithuania |
132.2 |
0.31 |
|
Luxembourg |
352.9 |
0.64 |
|
Hungary |
317.8 |
0.26 |
|
Malta |
21.3 |
0.19 |
|
Netherlands |
5,107.4 |
0.69 |
|
Austria |
2,854.3 |
0.77 |
|
Poland |
1,687.9 |
0.36 |
|
Portugal |
712.6 |
0.37 |
|
Romania |
352.4 |
0.19 |
|
Slovenia |
172.3 |
0.40 |
|
Slovakia |
297.1 |
0.35 |
|
Finland |
1,885.9 |
0.84 |
|
Sweden |
3,806.7 |
0.80 |
|
United Kingdom |
11,448.5 |
0.49 |
|
Iceland |
132.5 |
0.61 |
|
Norway |
3,562.1 |
1.01 |
|
Serbia |
147.5 |
0.40 |
The table shows Government Budget Allocations on R&D (GBARD) and as a percentage of GDP for EU countries for 2017. Data for 2018 is not yet available from Eurostat. For more information please see the R&D Budget 2017-2018 report at the following link:
https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/The-R-D-Budget-2017-2018.html.
124. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount expended here as a percentage of GDP on research spending in each of the years 2010 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [2294/19]
View answerThe information is as follows:
|
Year |
GERD as a percentage of GDP |
|
2010 |
1.6% |
|
2011 |
1.6% |
|
2012 |
1.6% |
|
2013 |
1.6% |
|
2014 |
1.5% |
|
2015 |
1.2% |
|
2016 |
1.2% |
|
2017 |
1.2% |
The table shows Gross Expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP for Ireland for 2010-2017. Gross expenditure on R&D includes R&D carried out in the Government, Business and Higher Education sectors. Note data on 2018 is not available yet. For more information please see the Research and Development Budget 2017-2018 at the following link:
https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/The-R-D-Budget-2017-2018.html.
125. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of capital expenditure in public research and development in each of the years 2005 to 2018; the 2019 budgeted figure, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2295/19]
View answerThe information is as follows:
Government R&D Capital Expenditure
|
Year |
€m |
|
|
2005 |
€m |
79.7 |
|
2006 |
€m |
105.7 |
|
2007 |
€m |
160.5 |
|
2008 |
€m |
182.7 |
|
2009 |
€m |
162.7 |
|
2010 |
€m |
111.5 |
|
2011 |
€m |
83.3 |
|
2012 |
€m |
72.4 |
|
2013 |
€m |
58.8 |
|
2014 |
€m |
64.9 |
|
2015 |
€m |
72.9 |
|
2016 |
€m |
69.3 |
|
2017 |
€m |
64.5 |
|
2018 |
€m |
60.7 |
Note data for 2019 is not available yet. For more information please see the R&D Budget 2017-2018 at the following link: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/The-R-D-Budget-2017-2018.html
126. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of SMEs that have been recipients of Horizon 2020 funding in each year since the programme became operational by county, in tabular form. [2296/19]
View answer128. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of Horizon 2020 funding provided to SMEs on an annual basis since it was established by county, in tabular form. [2299/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 128 together.
The following tables provide the total Horizon 2020 (EU) funding awarded to SMEs, by county, for each of the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. These figures were previously provided in response to PQ 19542/18 and have been updated to include 2018 data up to November 2018.
The tables are based on the European Commission's most recent data release on Horizon 2020, which cover the period up to the 13th November 2018, and includes the number and value of grant agreements which were signed by Irish SMEs in each year.
It should be noted that the information requested is not collated by my Department - it is maintained and updated by the European Commission.
The Commission has recently upgraded the level of reporting available to the public regarding Horizon 2020, which is accessible at https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/dashboard/
2014
|
County |
No of SMEs involved in awards |
Amount awarded |
|
CARLOW |
1 |
€ 92,003 |
|
CORK |
4 |
€ 1,093,563 |
|
DUBLIN |
21 |
€ 4,088,854 |
|
GALWAY |
3 |
€ 776,040 |
|
KERRY |
4 |
€ 758,150 |
|
LIMERICK |
1 |
€ 50,000 |
|
OFFALY |
1 |
€ 50,000 |
|
WATERFORD |
1 |
€ 50,000 |
|
WESTMEATH |
1 |
€ 50,000 |
|
2014 Total |
38 |
€ 7,008,610 |
2015
|
County |
No of SMEs involved in awards |
Amount awarded |
|
CARLOW |
3 |
€ 569,425 |
|
CORK |
12 |
€ 7,402,156 |
|
DUBLIN |
47 |
€ 15,292,147 |
|
GALWAY |
11 |
€ 3,442,232 |
|
KERRY |
2 |
€ 50,000 |
|
KILDARE |
1 |
€ 57,603 |
|
LIMERICK |
6 |
€ 2,182,470 |
|
LIMERICK CLARE |
1 |
€ 50,000 |
|
LOUTH |
7 |
€ 1,599,861 |
|
TIPPERARY |
1 |
€ 77,239 |
|
WICKLOW |
4 |
€ 2,576,860 |
|
2015 Total |
95 |
€ 33,299,991 |
2016
|
County |
No of SMEs involved in awards |
Amount awarded |
|
CAVAN |
1 |
€ 240,000 |
|
CORK |
7 |
€ 5,709,126 |
|
DUBLIN |
49 |
€ 18,094,783 |
|
GALWAY |
5 |
€ 1,968,975 |
|
KERRY |
4 |
€ 2,852,605 |
|
KILDARE |
3 |
€ 574,719 |
|
LIMERICK |
5 |
€ 841,928 |
|
LONGFORD |
1 |
€ 123,960 |
|
LOUTH |
1 |
€ 1,090,443 |
|
MAYO |
1 |
€ 136,999 |
|
MEATH |
1 |
€ 495,653 |
|
SLIGO |
1 |
€ 50,000 |
|
WATERFORD |
1 |
€ 665,967 |
|
WESTMEATH |
1 |
€ 1,014,224 |
|
WICKLOW |
3 |
€ 663,550 |
|
2016 Total |
84 |
€ 34,522,931 |
2017
|
County |
No of SMEs involved in awards |
Amount awarded |
|
CARLOW |
1 |
€ 332,063 |
|
CORK |
7 |
€ 1,669,379 |
|
DUBLIN |
43 |
€ 13,893,376 |
|
GALWAY |
9 |
€ 5,621,857 |
|
KERRY |
4 |
€ 2,000,185 |
|
LIMERICK |
8 |
€ 7,453,290 |
|
LOUTH |
1 |
€ 217,500 |
|
MEATH |
1 |
€ 50,000 |
|
MONAGHAN |
1 |
€ 340,004 |
|
OFFALY |
1 |
€ 250,000 |
|
WICKLOW |
3 |
€ 863,132 |
|
2017 Total |
79 |
€ 32,690,785 |
2018 (Up to Nov 2018)
|
County |
No of SMEs involved in awards |
Amount awarded |
|
CORK |
11 |
€ 4,379,525 |
|
DONEGAL |
2 |
€ 738,469 |
|
DUBLIN |
31 |
€ 15,538,662 |
|
GALWAY |
4 |
€ 2,605,741 |
|
KERRY |
3 |
€ 414,438 |
|
KILDARE |
2 |
€ 2,092,125 |
|
LEITRIM |
1 |
€ 70,000 |
|
LIMERICK |
3 |
€ 291,118 |
|
LOUTH |
2 |
€ 444,188 |
|
MAYO |
1 |
€ 323,750 |
|
MEATH |
2 |
€ 1,676,843 |
|
TIPPERARY |
1 |
€ 73,803 |
|
WATERFORD |
1 |
€ 50,000 |
|
WICKLOW |
3 |
€ 503,851 |
|
TOTAL |
67 |
€ 29,202,512 |
127. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the latest findings by the EU Research and Innovation Observatory (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2297/19]
View answerInnovation 2020 is Ireland’s whole of Government Strategy for Research and Development, Science and Technology, driven by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The Government’s ambition is for Ireland to become a Global Innovation Leader and this is the key vision of the Innovation 2020 Strategy.
The details supplied by the Deputy refer to the recent report published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. The report highlights Ireland’s gross Research & Development (R&D) expenditure as a percentage of GDP compared with other EU member states. Ireland, along with our EU colleagues, signed up to the Europe 2020 Strategy in 2011. Under Europe 2020, Ireland committed to raise gross (public and private) investment in R&D to 2.5% of GNP by 2020. We reiterated this commitment in Innovation 2020. Ireland determined to use GNP as the intensity rate denominator and not GDP due to the effects of foreign owned companies on our economy.
The key Innovation 2020 commitment to increase public and private investment in RDI to 2.5% of GNP by 2020 is challenging and it is unlikely that we will meet this target within the given timeframe.
Since the publication of the Strategy in 2015, direct Exchequer funding of RDI has increased steadily- from €736m in 2015 to an estimated €751.7m in 2018. This is the highest level of public expenditure on RDI since 2012.
However, the Irish economy is experiencing far higher economic growth than most other European countries. This is one of the main reasons for our lack of progress on the RDI intensity rate. In 2018, Ireland’s GDP grew by 7.8%, the fastest in the EU.
It is noted that only four member states have reached their Europe 2020 targets and the EU as a whole remains below its target of 3% of GDP.
The Gross Expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP intensity rate of 1.05% of GDP for 2017 from the Eurostat report is calculated using preliminary figures for Business Expenditure on R&D (BERD) and Higher Education Expenditure on R&D (HERD). Surveys on both are currently being compiled and are due to be published later this year from the Central Statistics Office and my Department respectively and will give the full picture on RDI expenditure for 2017.
In October 2018 my Department published the Research & Development Budget 2017-2018 which estimated that GERD as a percentage of GDP was 1.15% in 2017. The figure for the GERD as a percentage of GNP for 2017 was 1.46%.
The report showed that in 2017, the business sector contributed 71% of Ireland’s gross expenditure on RDI, the third highest private investment figure in the EU. A very significant part of public policy has been to align our efforts in a manner that maximises the capacity to leverage RDI activity in the enterprise sectors. We are frequently cited as one of the most R&D-effective countries in the EU, maximising innovation output per euro of public funding.
Innovation 2020 recognises that innovation is central to ensuring that our enterprise base is resilient and internationally competitive and a key goal is to increase enterprise engagement in RDI. Under the National Development Plan and as part of Project 2040, the Government launched the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, or DTIF, in 2018. It is being delivered through the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and its agencies with a resource allocation of €500 million over the period 2018-2027 consisting of an initial Exchequer allocation of €180 million to 2022. As a first tranche, €20 million will be allocated during 2019, which will leverage the same again in private sector matched funding. 27 projects have been announced from the first tranche of funding, worth €75m to 2021. All projects include collaborations between start-ups, SMEs, multinationals and academic institutions. Every project involves at least one SME and many are led by an SME. Over the next ten years €500 million will be allocated through the fund, which was announced as part of Project Ireland 2040.
In the European Innovation Scoreboard 2018, Ireland remains in the category of “Strong Innovator” and has moved up a place to 9th in the EU. Ireland is placed first in three out of the ten dimensions considered - innovative SMEs, employment in knowledge-intensive activities and sales due to innovation activities. Ireland is ranked higher than 12 other member states that invest a higher amount of public funds as a percentage of GDP. Ireland has also retained 10th place in the Global Innovation Index, out of 126 countries assessed.
129. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures he plans to implement to improve the pay and conditions for nurses in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2253/19]
View answerThe Government has already approved a range of measures that would improve the pay and conditions of nurses and midwives in the health service.
The Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) is delivering wage increases of 6.4% to 7.2% over 2018-2020. In addition to the pay increases nurses and midwives can expect under the PSSA, they would also benefit from the proposals announced last September relating to the ‘new entrant’ pay issue, benefiting approximately 10,000 nurses in Ireland who entered the health service since 2011. Measures proposed by the Public Service Pay Commission for nurses and midwives and accepted by the Government include increases of 20% in Local and Qualification Allowances for Nurses, extension of these allowance to maternity services, and a reduction of time required to become eligible for the Senior Staff Nurse/Midwife Grade.
While the INMO and PNA have rejected these measures and are set to engage in industrial action in pursuit of cost increasing pay claims, they are parties to the PSSA. The pursuit of cost increasing pay claims and engagement in industrial action are both specifically excluded under the terms of the PSSA.
Officials from my Department and the HSE met with the INMO and PNA on Tuesday and a further meeting is scheduled for next Monday. Management have undertaken to respond to a number of queries raised at Tuesday’s meeting and this will be done within the confines of the PSSA. The parties have also been invited to meet with the National Oversight Body (which oversees the PSSA) on Friday of this week.
130. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant positions within the orthopaedic department of Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan. [2045/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
131. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of elective procedures that have taken place in the past four years in the orthopaedic department of Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan. [2046/19]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
132. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans for a new ambulance base in County Cork further to the reference to same in the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2058/19]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
133. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans and the plans of the HSE for the development of new hospitals in County Cork; the status of progress in relation to the matter; the timelines in this regard; the funding that has been ring-fenced in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2059/19]
View answerI take it that the Deputy is referring to the proposed development of an elective only facility in Cork, as proposed in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 - 2027.
The NDP includes significant new programmes and projects, particularly in relation to additional capacity and the development of three elective only facilities. These projects reflect the next stage of health sector development, and many require significant policy scoping and planning assessment to be carried out.
As set out in the Sláintecare Implementation Plan, the intention now is to progress the development of these new facilities, within a national framework.
Detailed policy analysis to underpin this very significant health capital investment is now being considered by my Department, with the aim of ensuring value for money and meeting both current and future service needs. This will guide the service and operational specification for the new facilities and allow for an objective basis for the evaluation of proposals. There will be appropriate consultation in the development of this policy which will be based upon international best practice and national population health planning.
I want to see the development of new facilities progress as quickly as possible, in accordance with the timelines set out in the Sláintecare Implementation Plan.
134. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when Translarna will be made available through the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2065/19]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
