Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment The number of loans approved for each State-backed loan scheme supported by his Department in Dún Laoghaire and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30105/21]
View answerSince the onset of COVID-19, Government has worked to put in place a range of loan guarantee schemes that offer access to appropriate financing to businesses as they respond to the impacts of the pandemic on their business. The reporting for these schemes includes details on the uptake of schemes at county level, but more granular details are not provided.
These include the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, which makes available up to €2 billion in lending for terms of up to five-and-a-half years. These loans may be used for liquidity as well as for investment purposes, which means that this support may be of assistance to businesses in need of liquidity support post-lockdown. These loans are available at interest rates below market value for similar loans without a State guarantee.
Up to 20 May 2021, there had been 5,005 loans approved under the scheme, to a total value of €309.80m. As of the same date, there had been 1,092 loans drawn by businesses in Dublin, to a total value of €90,643,189.
The COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme makes relatively short-term working capital lending available to pandemic-impacted businesses. Loans under this scheme must be used to innovate, change or adapt in response to the impacts of the pandemic. These loans are offered for terms of up to three years, at a maximum interest rate of 4%.
To date (31 May), there have been 1,025 loans approved to sanction under this scheme, to a total value of €140.18m. Per-county uptake figures for this scheme are made available as part of quarterly reports on the scheme. The most recent report is that to the end of Q4 2020. As of this report, there had been 309 loans drawn by businesses based in Dublin, to a total value of €36.77m.
The Brexit Loan Scheme offers lending under similar terms to the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, however it is made available to eligible Brexit-exposed businesses. To date (24 May), there have been 291 loans approved to sanction under the scheme, to a total value of €58.53m. As of the most recent quarterly report (Q4 2020), there had been 102 loans drawn by businesses based in Dublin, to a total value of €19.4m.
The Future Growth Loan Scheme was launched in 2019 and was expanded by €500m in July of 2020 to bring the total available lending under this scheme up to €800m to assist long term, strategic investment by eligible businesses, including in response to Brexit and COVID-19. Loans under this scheme are for terms of 7-10 years.
To date (31 May), there have been 3,315 loans approved to sanction under this scheme, to a total value of €685.4m. Per-county uptake figures for this scheme are made available as part of quarterly reports on the scheme. The most recent report is that to the end of Q4 2020. As of this report, there had been 243 loans drawn under the scheme by businesses in Dublin, to a total value of €80.72m.
The Microenterprise Loan Fund operated by Microfinance Ireland assists businesses with fewer than ten employees. It provides much-needed funding to help microenterprises meet payments for stock, working capital requirements and other overhead expenses through the provision of low-cost lending facilities.
Microfinance Ireland provides vital support to microenterprises by filling the lending gap in the market by lending to business that cannot obtain loans from other commercial lenders. It lends to business that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by commercial lenders and applies interest rate charges for its lending which are not reflective of its credit risk. Loans are available for up to €25,000, with interest rates ranging from 4.5% to 5.5% on the Covid-19 Business Loan and from 6.8% to 7.8% on standard business loans.
Between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021, MFI approved 296 loans to businesses in Dublin, to a total value of €7.4m.
62. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are in place to sustain the events sector at present. [29842/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on businesses right across the country. With this in mind the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), Small business assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. The level of business supports is unprecedented and were further expanded by Government as announced earlier this week as part of the Economic Recovery Plan.
Budget 2021 provided a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website.
As you will be aware I have also announced the expansion of the SBASC scheme which will now take into account businesses who do not pay rates and also businesses that have a turnover below €50,000. Phase 2 of this scheme will be open for applications in early June, with a closing date of 21st July. Further details of the scheme including all eligibility criteria will shortly be available on my Department's website www.enterprise.gov.ie and on Local Authority websites.
As noted earlier, on Tuesday the Government launched the Economic Recovery Plan including a substantial extension of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), and the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), and considerable enhancement of both EWSS and CRSS. This is complemented by a range of initiatives including extension of Commercial Rates Waiver, new additional Business Resumption Support Scheme, and extension of Tax Debt Warehousing Scheme.
The Economic Recovery Plan confirmed that a new events sector support scheme will be established providing a once-off scheme to address a gap in supports for SMEs in the sector for those that don’t qualify for CRSS or don’t make an application for support under MEBAS.
In the Economic Recovery Plan we have committed to continue to provide supports for worst-affected sectors including tourism and events as they continue to re-open, including the extension of 9% VAT rate for tourism and hospitality sector and supports for live entertainment and the events sector. The Deputy can find more details on gov.ie or can seek further information from my colleague Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media who has primary responsibility for the tourism, hospitality and events sector.
63. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of efforts to support orphan companies. [30230/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on businesses right across the country.
With this in mind the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.
Budget 2021 provided a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors.
The schemes are there to help meet fixed costs that cannot be avoided and to provide basic weekly income support up to maximum of €350 per week. They are not created to provide compensation for loss of personal income above this level or compensation for loss of profits for any sector.
We announced the new Economic Recovery Plan this week, with €4 billion of stimulus to fuel the economy and businesses to recover and rebuild.
The Plan also outlined a number of changes to the current financial supports as public health restrictions unwind, assuring that the CRSS will remain in place for businesses that have to stay closed. For businesses re-opening in June and July, they will receive a double payment for the first three weeks upon reopening up to a maximum of €30,000. This will help firms with cashflow and to restock and re-engage with staff.
The EWSS is being extended until the end of 2021, the commercial rates waiver will continue during the third quarter of this year for those availing of it, the 9% VAT rate will be extended until the 1 September, 2022, tax warehousing is being extended until the end of the year and will be interest free in 2022, the PUP will be closed for new entrants from 1 July of this year and will be gradually phased out from 7 September.
A new additional, more streamlined business support scheme, the Business Resumption Support Scheme, will be introduced in September 2021 for businesses with significantly reduced turnover as a result of public health restrictions. More details will be announced shortly.
I would urge business owners to seek the supports outlined above if they have not already done so. I would also suggest they contact their Local Enterprise Office who can signpost them and advise them of supports that may be available for their business.
65. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the specific measures that will be taken to support the north-west recover from the job losses due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29215/21]
View answerDelivering balanced regional growth is a core objective in the Programme for Government.
Overseen by my Department, nine new Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024, including for the North West, are currently being developed by regional stakeholders which will identify growth opportunities, recognise vulnerabilities, and enable job creation across the regions.
The new North West Plan to 2024 which covers Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim will build on the core activities of the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs and the wider range of State Bodies involved in supporting enterprise development in the region. My Departmental colleague, Minister Robert Troy is driving the delivery of the new Plan in the North-West. The new Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024 for the North West is expected to be completed in Quarter 3 this year.
The Government has put several funding streams in place to support regional development. Under my Department’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) administered by Enterprise Ireland, the North-West region has secured total funding of over €5.6 million across five projects. The ring-fenced Border Enterprise Development Fund has seen almost €9 million approved for four projects in the North-West for enterprise ecosystem strengthening projects that will assist in mitigating the challenges for businesses in the region in the face of Brexit. These Funds are supporting significant collaborative and innovative regional projects that when complete will provide a timely impetus to job creation in the North West.
Through Enterprise Ireland my Department has introduced new funding to sustain companies, including those in the North-West, and assist them to navigate the economic impact of Covid-19. These include: the Sustaining Enterprise Fund; the Covid-19 Business Planning Grant; the Lean Business Continuity Support; the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme; and the Covid-19 Enterprise Centres Fund.
In 2020, 235 Enterprise Ireland client companies employing 6,725 people were operating in the North-West region. The North-West Region is serviced by IDA Ireland offices in Sligo and Donegal, dealing with a base of 50 client companies who collectively employ 7,129 people. IDA will target 25 investments for the Border region in the period 2021 to 2024. IDA will deliver advanced building solutions in Letterkenny and Sligo in the same period. The region is well serviced with a range of Business and Technology Parks, with further upgrade works progressing on IDA parks in Donegal and Sligo to ensure that the North West remains an attractive proposition for existing clients and potential new FDI.
This work will be backed up by this week's Economic Recovery Plan and other forthcoming government plans, such as the updated National Development Plan, which will seek to achieve regionally balanced growth.
66. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Limerick that have availed of the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30051/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS) is the largest loan guarantee scheme in the history of the State. The Scheme provides €2 billion in lending, for terms up to five-and-a-half years and offers a range of lending products between €10,000 and €1 million at interest rates below market rates for similar type loans. It is available to SMEs and small mid-caps (business with less than 500 employees), including primary producers (businesses engaged in the farming and seafood sectors). The Scheme is available until 31 December 2021 following a Government decision in March to extend it in line with the extension of the European Commission’s Temporary Framework on State Aid.
In order to provide the public with relevant data on the performance of the scheme, my Department publishes weekly and monthly reports on its website. These reports provide data on loans drawn under a wide variety of themes and are available at enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/COVID-19-Credit-Guarantee-Scheme-Performance-Reports.html.
As at 20 May, 199 businesses in County Limerick have availed of the CCGS and have drawn loans with a value of €10,832,538.
The Scheme is currently available through three commercial banks, six non-bank lenders and nineteen credit unions. This long-term policy goal of diversification adds competition in the market and ensures a wide range of loan products are available throughout the regions.
I would strongly encourage businesses to avail of the low-cost lending facilities provided under the scheme as they look towards reopening.
67. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal enterprises that that have applied to the small business assistance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30056/21]
View answerThe total number of Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) applications received for the SBASC grant for Sligo is 45. Of that figure to date 23 have been approved for payment, and 16 are still being assessed. 6 applications have been refused.
For County Leitrim the total number of applications received is 34, to date 10 have been approved and with 18 applications have been rejected.
For County Donegal the total number of applications received is 164, to date 81 applications have been approved and 77 have been rejected.
Refusals have occurred due to eligibility requirements such as businesses not meeting the turnover criteria, turnover was not down 75% during the eligibility period, incomplete application form, the business was in receipt of CRSS or they were not in a rateable premises.
As you may be aware I recently announced an expanded SBASC phase 2 scheme which will be open for applications in early June with a closing date of 21st July. Phase 2 has been expanded to include businesses working from a non rateable premises and those whose turnover is below €50,000.
Businesses who are working from non rateable premises and meet all other eligibility criteria will receive a €4,000 grant and businesses whose turnover is below €50,000 and meet all other eligibility criteria will receive €1,000 grant. These businesses have been ineligible for schemes in the past and it is my intention to ensure that these businesses receive some state support during these difficult time. The purpose of these grants are to help meet fixed costs associated with running a business.
Further details of this expanded SBASC scheme will be available shortly on my Department's website and on Local Authority websites who will once again administer the scheme.
68. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to replace the job losses at a company (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28806/21]
View answer86. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of efforts to replace jobs lost at a factory (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29733/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 86 together.
The closure of the Aptar plant in Ballinasloe was a very disappointing development for the region and I am keenly aware of the blow this has been for the affected employees and their families.
IDA Ireland has been working with the company to market the plant to potential investors, using the employee skills audit in their efforts to attract new investment to Ballinasloe. The IDA introduced a number of companies to the Aptar management team and also arranged visits to the site.
Last week I was pleased to learn that Chanelle Pharma would be moving into the former Aptar site, investing €5 million and creating 60 new jobs over the next five years, as it expands its distribution and manufacturing operations in Ireland. This is a great development, and I would like to commend the work of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in bringing about this outcome.
We will continue our work to increase investment in all regions. IDA, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices are working with stakeholders in the West to secure sustainable employment opportunities, including in Ballinasloe.
My Department has developed a series of Regional Enterprise Plans which are focused on strengthening the regional ecosystem to enable job creation. I met with the West Regional Enterprise Steering Committee in December 2020, which comprises representatives of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Local Authorities, LEOs, private sector, and Western Development Commission amongst others, to discuss enterprise potential in the West. I requested that they refresh the Plan for the West to cover the period to 2024. I have asked Minister of State Robert Troy to work closely with the Committee in this task and he has since met with the Committee (on 2nd March last) to get this work underway. My Department and its agencies are working towards ambitious targets to ensure that we continue to attract new investment to Ireland. This will remain a priority in the time ahead, particularly as we seek to recover from the economic impact of Covid-19.
69. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will liaise with the Minister for Justice and ensure free legal representation for workers in labour disputes with their employers at the WRC and Labour Court given that such services are currently unavailable in both fora and resulting in inherently-disadvantaged lay-litigant status of workers due to their lack of ability to pay professional legal fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30159/21]
View answerLegal Aid policy is a policy matter solely for my colleague, the Minister for Justice. I understand that legal aid is not currently available for employment rights disputes.
The employment rights enforcement frameworks have been designed to deliver a fair, simple, cost effective and user-friendly service for employers and employees in the State. Parties availing of the adjudication services of the WRC are not subject to cost orders and proceedings are designed to be inclusive of lay litigants.
However, in accordance with section 40 of The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, there are circumstances in which the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) can give legal assistance to a person who wishes to bring or has, a matter before the Workplace Relations Commission or the Courts.
70. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the recruitment campaign to increase the number of Workplace Relations Commission inspectors from 53 to the 90 inspectors it was authorised to recruit in 2006. [29943/21]
View answerI have already responded to the Deputy’s colleague on this question via Parliamentary Question 29941/21.
To reiterate the points made:
The WRC Inspectorate is staffed by civil servants of my department.
As of 31st May 2021, there are a total of 53 WRC Labour Inspectors. These are supervised by 3 Assistant Principals and 1 Chief Labour Inspector.
There are currently 60 sanctioned Labour Inspector posts (53 EO Inspectors and 7 HEO Inspector Team Managers).
Currently, there are 2 competitions ongoing with the Public Appointments Service. Interviews for a HEO Inspector Team Manager competition have been finalised and WRC expect 2 appointments from that competition shortly. A recruitment drive for inspectors is currently underway.
The WRC’s funding allocation for 2021 is €15.17 million for pay and non-pay. Furthermore, an additional €1 million in Budget was provided to the WRC in Budget 2019.
My Department is committed to ensuring that adequate resourcing is provided to the WRC and I am confident that the resources provided to the WRC is sufficient to enable it deliver on its mandate.
71. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action the State’s enterprise promotion agencies are taking together and on a cross-Border basis to promote jobs and investment in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30037/21]
View answerDriving balanced regional enterprise development is a priority in the Programme for Government and also a core goal of the enterprise agencies.
Enterprise Ireland works with approximately 660 client companies in the North East and North West regions with employment of almost 25,000 in 2020 and direct Government funding of €39 million between 2018 to 2020.
The Border Enterprise Development Fund was launched in 2020 as part of the July Stimulus Package with 11 projects approved funding of €17.2million to date. To stimulate economic activity and create jobs, 37 Community Enterprise Centres and 3 Campus Incubation Centres in the Border region have also received assistance. Enterprise Ireland also collaborates with Invest NI in the development of enterprise on the island of Ireland.
IDA Ireland’s work in the Border Regions includes a focus on cross-border talent pools, demographics and education institutes and includes 66 client companies with employment of 8,625. IDA has been involved with supporting and developing the FinTech Corridor, a network developed out of the growing cluster of financial services and fintech companies located in the North East.
I nterTradeIreland, one of the North/South Implementation Bodies, helps small businesses to explore new cross-border markets, develop new products and services and become investor ready. Since its establishment it has assisted over 42,000 businesses, supported the creation of 16,000 jobs and generated more than €1.3billion in business development. Notwithstanding new challenges and a challenging trading landscape, the promotion and development of cross border trade continues to be a priority. My Department has been steadily increasing funding for ITI and the budget allocation for 2021 is over €11million. This will enable the body to continue to assist SMEs to adjust to trading post Brexit.
The development of the all-island economy is a priority across Government. One aim of the new shared island unit is to further develop our shared island economy by deepening our cooperation in areas like health and education and investing together to benefit the North West and border regions. In Budget 2021, the Government announced the Shared Island Fund, with €500m ring-fenced for Shared Island projects to 2025.
72. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of County Clare enterprises that that have applied to the small business assistance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30048/21]
View answerThe total number of Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) applications for County Clare is 97. Of that figure to date 75 have been approved for payment, and one is still being assessed. 21 applications have been refused.
Refusals have occurred due to eligibility requirements such as businesses not meeting the turnover criteria, turnover was not down 75% during the eligibility period, incomplete application form, the business was in receipt of CRSS or they were not in a rateable premises.
As you may be aware I recently announced an expanded SBASC phase 2 scheme which will be open for applications in early June with a closing date of 21st July. Phase 2 has been expanded to include businesses working from a non rateable premises and those whose turnover is below €50,000.
Businesses who are working from non rateable premises and meet all other eligibility criteria will receive a €4,000 grant and businesses whose turnover is below €50,000 and meet all other eligibility criteria will receive €1,000 grant. These businesses have been ineligible for schemes in the past and it is my intention to ensure that these businesses receive some state support during these difficult time. The purpose of these grants are to help meet fixed costs associated with running a business.
Further details of this expanded SBASC scheme will be available shortly on my Department's website and on Local Authority websites who will once again administer the scheme.
73. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will halt any attempt to progress CETA ratification in view of the outstanding constitutional legal case, the principle of limiting liability in climate change matters which has been included in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 and the existing protection from an investor court not open to the public to hold investors accountable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30032/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on EU Affairs has been considering CETA over the last several weeks with various interests setting out their perspectives and debating the terms of the Agreement with Oireachtas Members. I myself participated last week in a good engagement with the Committee.
I have previously set out the case for ratification by Ireland based on how the EU's suite of Free Trade and Investment Protection Agreements provide better market access for Irish exporters and investors as as well as increasing the attractiveness of the EU - and Ireland - for mobile Foreign Direct Investment.
In relation to the matters that the Deputy has identified as a basis for halting our ratifications process, I am happy to confirm that both parties to the High Court case regarding whether a referendum is required prior to ratifying CETA - which the Government is opposing - had sought an early hearing and the President of the High Court has already assigned a Judge to the case and the Parties are working towards a Hearing in July. In that regard, I will not be seeking to have a Motion for Ratification tabled before the House before that case has been determined by the High Court.
On the issue of "the principle of limiting liability in climate change matters which has been included in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021", I see no reason why this would impinge on our ratification timetable. I have been clear in response to previous Parliamentary Questions, and in Committee, that CETA does not prevent national Governments across the EU - or Canada - from legislating in the area of environmental protection. Moreover CETA commits the Parties to the Agreement to the commitments under the Paris Agreement. Thus, this Bill demonstrates that the provisions of CETA do not prevent the Irish Government bringing forward legislation on Climate, the Environment, or indeed, in other policy areas and has no bearing on whether CETA should or should not be ratified at this time.
In relation to CETA's Investor Court System (ICS), it is important to note that all international trade agreements have dispute resolution arrangements. Moreover, where such agreements cover investment rules and protections, then there must be a dispute resolution mechanism that covers investments. The ICS in CETA reflects reforms promoted by the EU which address the concerns that had previously been raised by NGOs and others regarding the old Investor-State-Dispute-Settlement mechanism - or ISDS – on issues such as transparency, legitimacy and public interest.
However, it is important to remember that a Canadian firm can seek to sue the government for alleged unfair treatment or discrimination in our Courts whether CETA exists or not. CETA simply provides an arbitration alternative - the ICS. Importantly, that alternative, unlike a challenge in the Courts, cannot find any act by Government to be ultra vires or unconstitutional - it is only concerned with redress for proven harm by discriminatory actions or unfair or inequitable treatment as set out in CETA.
The ICS provides a single, consistent mechanism where investors, be they Canadian or European, can seek redress. However, under CETA the right of Member States (and Canada) to regulate for public policies (e.g. in health, environment, security) is fully preserved, and it is made clear that the Agreement does not imply an expectation that public policies will remain unchanged. Further, an investor’s loss of profits will not be sufficient grounds for making a claim against a Government. Any claim must be based on discriminatory and unfair treatment. Investors will retain the option of utilising either national courts or the ICS but are precluded from using both, to avoid forum shopping. All documentation in a dispute will be publicly available including decisions and third parties such as NGOs will be able to participate.
Moreover, CETA also provides a forum for civil society advisory groups to submit opinions or make recommendations in relation to matters related to the Trade and Environment Chapter of CETA. CETA further encourages inter-government cooperation on environmental related issues and cooperation in international forums. In this regard, the CETA civil society forum has met on three occasions to date, most recently on 8/9 December 2020 where parties discussed the potential for future collaboration between Civil Society Organisations and the EU and Canada on issues such as Gender equality in access to trade opportunities, SMEs and Climate Action and the Paris Agreement.
In summary, what ICS does is provide a reformed alternative for investors where they may be in dispute with a State, alleging discrimination or unfair treatment. On the other hand, any investor can always, to use the Deputy's term, be held "accountable" before different domestic or EU fora, as all investors in Ireland are subject to the same national and EU legal order and obligations, notwithstanding CETA.
74. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has made representations to the Minister for Health in relation to mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30237/21]
View answerMy Department is represented on the Expert Advisory Group on Travel which provides advice to the Chief Medical Officer in relation to the designation and de-designation of countries for the purpose of mandatory hotel quarantine as provided for in the Health Act, 1947.
My Department is also represented on the Senior Officials Group on COVID and International Travel which carried out the recent Review of Mandatory Quarantine Arrangements and International Travel which informed the Government decision-making process on these matters.
Officials from my Department have engaged with the Department of Health in relation to arrangements for persons travelling from designated countries for the purpose of carrying out essential services. New arrangements in relation to such travellers are set out in SI 241 of 2021 - Health Act 1947 (Exempted Traveller) (COVID-19) (Amendment) (No. 6) Regulations 2021 signed by the Minister for Health on 13 May.
75. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question 125 of 17 December 2020, if Enterprise Ireland’s draft Disability Inclusion Strategy – Supporting Entrepreneurship has been approved by the Enterprise Ireland senior management team; the way this strategy document specifically supports entrepreneurship and self-employment for persons with a disability as outlined in action 116 of the mid-term review of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30071/21]
View answerEnterprise Ireland has worked closely with the National Disability Authority on the issue of disability and is committed to providing inclusive services and promoting awareness of entrepreneurship to people with disabilities. The Senior Management Team in Enterprise Ireland has reviewed a draft version of the Disability Inclusion Strategy and is finalising year one actions. While the Strategy has not yet been approved, Enterprise Ireland has commenced work in this important area.
In line with National Disability Authority and best practice advice, Enterprise Ireland has taken an approach of delivering inclusive rather than separate disability services. Work is ongoing and includes a partnership with IDA Ireland in relation to seminars held to promote ability within the neurodiverse community. On the 2nd December 2020 an event promoting ability within the neurodiverse community took place which was developed in conjunction with Specialisterne Ireland and “AsIAm “ (Irelands Autism Charity). The event highlighted promoting the ability and talent of those with neurodiverse conditions to help address the high levels of unemployment experienced within this community.
Enterprise Ireland, in partnership with the National Disability Authority also ran a recent event, “The Universal Design” webinar which took place on the 25th March 2021 focussed on how Inclusive and Universal Design principals provide opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship for people with disabilities.
77. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Kilkenny that have availed of the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30039/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS) is the largest loan guarantee scheme in the history of the State. The Scheme provides €2 billion in lending, for terms up to five-and-a-half years and offers a range of lending products between €10,000 and €1 million at interest rates below market rates for similar type loans. It is available to SMEs and small mid-caps (business with less than 500 employees), including primary producers (businesses engaged in the farming and seafood sectors). The Scheme is available until 31 December 2021 following a Government decision in March to extend it in line with the extension of the European Commission’s Temporary Framework on State Aid.
In order to provide the public with relevant data on the performance of the scheme, my Department publishes weekly and monthly reports on its website. These reports provide data on loans drawn under a wide variety of themes and are available at enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/COVID-19-Credit-Guarantee-Scheme-Performance-Reports.html.
As at 20 May, 97 businesses in County Kilkenny have availed of the CCGS and have drawn loans with a value of €5,236,459.
The Scheme is currently available through three commercial banks, six non-bank lenders and nineteen credit unions. This long-term policy goal of diversification adds competition in the market and ensures a wide range of loan products are available throughout the regions.
I would strongly encourage businesses to avail of the low-cost lending facilities provided under the scheme as they look towards reopening.
78. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the administration of the small business assistance scheme. [30231/21]
View answerThe Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID was introduced to help businesses not eligible for the Government’s COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) and the Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity grant or other direct sectoral grant schemes.
The Scheme was launched on 9th March 2021 through the Local Authorities, with a closing date of 21st April for applications for Q1 2021. The Scheme provided a payment of €4,000 relating to the first quarter of 2021.
There were 5,020 applications for the SBASC in Q1 as of the closing date of 21st April. Of those, as of 28th May 1,834 have been rejected, with 493 still being assessed and 2,693 either approved for payment or paid.
Earlier this month Government agreed to expand the SBASC scheme which will now take into account businesses who do not pay rates and also businesses that have a turnover below €50,000. Phase 2 of this scheme will be open for applications in early June, with a closing date of 21st July. As with Phase 1 it will be administered by the Local Authorities.
Further details of the scheme including all eligibility criteria will shortly be available on my Department's website www.enterprise.gov.ie and on Local Authority websites.
79. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA backed companies that are currently located within each county; the number of IDA backed companies located in each county in the past five years, respectively; the number of site visits that were conducted by the IDA in each county in the past five years, respectively; the amount of funding that was expended by the IDA in each county in the past five years, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30072/21]
View answerThe Deputy has asked for the number of IDA client companies located in each county over the past 5 years, details of which are set out below:
|
County |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
|
Carlow |
5 |
5 |
5 |
7 |
7 |
|
Cavan |
9 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
Clare |
64 |
69 |
68 |
70 |
71 |
|
Cork |
194 |
201 |
191 |
179 |
169 |
|
Donegal |
16 |
16 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
|
Dublin |
861 |
895 |
828 |
788 |
747 |
|
Galway |
93 |
89 |
88 |
81 |
75 |
|
Kerry |
17 |
18 |
17 |
14 |
14 |
|
Kildare |
29 |
30 |
29 |
28 |
26 |
|
Kilkenny |
8 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
|
Laois |
5 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
Leitrim |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Limerick |
67 |
63 |
60 |
58 |
56 |
|
Longford |
6 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
|
Louth |
30 |
30 |
29 |
26 |
23 |
|
Mayo |
17 |
17 |
16 |
17 |
17 |
|
Meath |
18 |
18 |
18 |
17 |
18 |
|
Monaghan |
7 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
|
Offaly |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
Roscommon |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|
Sligo |
29 |
29 |
26 |
26 |
26 |
|
Tipperary |
12 |
12 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
|
Waterford |
39 |
38 |
37 |
37 |
37 |
|
Westmeath |
22 |
22 |
22 |
21 |
16 |
|
Wexford |
22 |
22 |
20 |
19 |
19 |
|
Wicklow |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
21 |
|
Total |
1,616 |
1,653 |
1,556 |
1,486 |
1,418 |
The Deputy has also asked for the number of site visits conducted by the IDA in each county in the past five years:
|
County |
2020* |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
|
Carlow |
2 |
9 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Clare |
16 |
28 |
13 |
22 |
18 |
|
Cork |
30 |
68 |
61 |
51 |
49 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
12 |
8 |
2 |
7 |
|
Dublin |
121 |
284 |
269 |
327 |
284 |
|
Galway |
21 |
46 |
54 |
62 |
42 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
5 |
10 |
9 |
3 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
14 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
|
Kilkenny |
8 |
13 |
5 |
6 |
10 |
|
Laois |
2 |
5 |
10 |
4 |
6 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
8 |
|
Limerick |
26 |
57 |
35 |
42 |
49 |
|
Longford |
1 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
|
Louth |
14 |
40 |
20 |
22 |
24 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
3 |
10 |
7 |
5 |
|
Meath |
2 |
4 |
6 |
3 |
8 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
9 |
29 |
15 |
18 |
20 |
|
Tipperary |
12 |
7 |
5 |
8 |
8 |
|
Waterford |
9 |
18 |
21 |
11 |
17 |
|
Westmeath |
14 |
22 |
22 |
42 |
36 |
|
Wexford |
4 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
|
Total |
311 |
700 |
607 |
682 |
638 |
*In response to COVID 19, IDA Ireland migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms. The use of digital platforms by IDA staff has contributed to an enhanced digital engagement with existing clients and also in hosting E-Site visits with potential new investors. 2020 figures are consequently a combination of ‘in person’ visits and ‘E-visits’. details of which are set out below:
- TThe table below sets out the details of the amount of funding expended by the IDA in each county in each of the past 5 years, as requested by the Deputy. Note that payments shown in the table relate to grants paid. There are several reasons why certain counties might have registered a small or zero figure in any given year. The grant may be paid in a different year than approved. Grants are for specific projects and the life time of these is generally 3-5 years, so although a small or zero figure is shown it does not necessarily mean there was no activity. And finally the number of FDI companies in a particular county will affect the number/amounts of grants paid in that county.
|
County |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
|
Carlow |
€0 |
€4,553 |
€420,000 |
€82,725 |
€1,080,631 |
|
Cavan |
€269,273 |
€0 |
€5,000 |
€64,180 |
€418,271 |
|
Clare |
€8,069,014 |
€3,788,972 |
€2,412,357 |
€2,521,600 |
€3,023,557 |
|
Cork |
€24,569,556 |
€17,430,002 |
€11,415,316 |
€20,843,403 |
€13,220,973 |
|
Donegal |
€269,360 |
€4,667,694 |
€1,127,160 |
€1,602,200 |
€685,500 |
|
Dublin* |
€26,872,060 |
€24,794,941 |
€22,157,870 |
€19,949,601 |
€20,136,706 |
|
Galway |
€10,581,508 |
€12,622,184 |
€11,061,925 |
€7,681,690 |
€13,611,022 |
|
Kerry |
€1,264,097 |
€440,688 |
€1,136,091 |
€2,357,952 |
€1,024,766 |
|
Kildare |
€34,650 |
€2,004,030 |
€66,865 |
€2,096,053 |
€3,573,544 |
|
Kilkenny |
€0 |
€429,000 |
€815,000 |
€156,000 |
€440,000 |
|
Laois |
€4,950 |
€0 |
€24,850 |
€24,500 |
€5,000 |
|
Leitrim |
€0 |
€138,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Limerick |
€5,413,824 |
€5,756,874 |
€18,797,498 |
€7,036,757 |
€13,589,484 |
|
Longford |
€928,877 |
€3,565,809 |
€2,440,323 |
€3,297,973 |
€169,542 |
|
Louth |
€2,022,330 |
€9,139,112 |
€1,428,041 |
€924,060 |
€3,031,765 |
|
Mayo |
€4,572,443 |
€218,646 |
€2,963,460 |
€3,184,082 |
€1,498,389 |
|
Meath |
€107,719 |
€0 |
€182,259 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Monaghan |
€0 |
€0 |
€150,000 |
€0 |
€200,000 |
|
Offaly |
€0 |
€1,195,208 |
€201,335 |
€960,089 |
€355,540 |
|
Roscommon |
€1,110,153 |
€259,917 |
€307,000 |
€185,500 |
€0 |
|
Sligo |
€3,771,782 |
€2,057,405 |
€1,680,337 |
€2,875,340 |
€922,814 |
|
Tipperary |
€4,792,342 |
€2,159,434 |
€4,396,502 |
€3,428,740 |
€2,580,100 |
|
Waterford |
€7,001,542 |
€4,402,166 |
€3,532,451 |
€7,794,598 |
€10,914,081 |
|
Westmeath |
€747,350 |
€4,557,617 |
€3,146,661 |
€2,078,588 |
€1,768,687 |
|
Wexford |
€260,158 |
€155,000 |
€690,408 |
€1,473,521 |
€568,307 |
|
Wicklow |
€3,420,440 |
€557,577 |
€487,818 |
€321,734 |
€159,372 |
|
Total |
€106,083,428 |
€100,344,829 |
€91,046,527 |
€90,940,886 |
€92,978,051 |
*Includes NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training) payments to the value of €62,966,581.
IDA Ireland launched their new Strategy Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth in January last. The strategy will be delivered through a focus on five pillars: Growth, Transformation, Regions, Sustainability and Impact. These interlinked pillars align with and are guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. At a national level they reflect the approach and ambition of the Programme for Government.
Regional development is at the very heart of the Agency’s strategy in that it contains a commitment to more balanced, compact regional development which can help to advance national development.
The IDA has a target of 400 investments - half of all new investments – in regional locations. The strategy will drive recovery and support development in each region, partner with clients to facilitate innovation and upskilling, develop clusters, work with clients to enable remote working opportunities and continue the role out of the Agency’s regional property programme.
80. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the new Brexit impact loan scheme; when the scheme is expected to be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30178/21]
View answerThe Loan Guarantee Schemes Agreements (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland) Act 2021 was signed into law by the President on the 25th of May 2021 and I will be signing the Commencement Order that brings this legislation into effect this week. This legislation will provide myself and the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with the powers to enter into a legal agreement with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) for the delivery of the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme.
An Open Call to lenders has been launched by the SBCI to invite expressions of interest from banks and non-bank lenders to participate in the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme. This Open Call will remain live until the 9th of June, after which a review process will determine successful applicants.
The Brexit Impact Loan Scheme will be underpinned by a counter-guarantee from the European Investment Fund [EIF] through the pan-European Guarantee Fund. The effect of this counter-guarantee is that the EIF will take a risk share of 56% for the scheme, with SBCI taking 24% and lenders for the scheme taking a 20% risk share.
A number of legal agreements need to be in place for the scheme to launch. Negotiations on the counter-guarantee between the EIF and the SBCI are already under way, while the cooperation agreement between myself and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the SBCI for delivery of the scheme is also being developed. Guarantee agreements between the SBCI and each of the lenders successful in their application for participation in the scheme will also need to be completed.
It is anticipated that the first lenders under the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme will launch in the early half of July 2021, with further lenders coming on board as soon as possible thereafter.
The Brexit Impact Loan Scheme will replace the existing Brexit Loan Scheme. This new scheme will provide for a number of enhancements for Brexit-impacted SMEs seeking to access finance, including: removal of the innovation eligibility criterion, providing funding for primary producers, offering longer loan terms of up to six years, and lending for a wider range of loan purposes, including refinancing (of remaining Brexit Loan Scheme loan balances and for existing short-term credit up to a maximum of 30% of any new loan) and financing to support cash flow and for investment.
The enhanced scheme has been developed in the context of the additional complexities and implications that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about for Brexit impacted businesses, and will be an important instrument in ensuring that Brexit impacted SMEs have an appropriate option for accessing low cost lending as the impacts of Brexit and COVID-19 continue to be felt.
