Holly Cairns
Question:61. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that he is proposing to support SMEs struggling to meet rising energy bills. [45127/22]
View answerSmall and Medium Enterprises
Questions (61, 73, 74, 75, 83)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:73. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across the country; his plans to support businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44870/22]
View answerFergus O'Dowd
Question:74. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across the country; his plans to support businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44875/22]
View answerFergus O'Dowd
Question:75. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across the country; his plans to support businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44878/22]
View answerHolly Cairns
Question:83. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that he is proposing to support SMEs struggling to meet rising operational costs. [45128/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 73, 74, 75 and 83 together.
The Government is acutely aware of the difficulties businesses have faced over the past number of years with the necessary COVID-19 restrictions and now with the increased cost of living and in particular energy costs.
The Government is fully committed to helping business particularly over coming months but also into next year as energy prices escalate and the cost of living increases. This will be central to our budget discussions and any new measures to assist businesses will be announced on Budget Day.
Officials in my Department are working with officials in the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform, Finance and Environment, Climate and Communications and other relevant Departments to develop proposals to assist all business. A priority is to deliver that assistance as effectively and efficiently as possible.
The Government has already implemented measures to help ease the impact on enterprises of rising energy costs, including a temporary reduction in the excise duties charged, by 20 cent per litre of petrol, 15 cent per litre of diesel, and 2 cent in the excise duty charged on marked gas oil.
There are over 20 other government grants, vouchers and training available to help enterprises reduce their energy bills by reducing their use and becoming more energy efficient. Details of these are available on gov.ie. But we need to do more. We need a mix of broad based measures that will help all business and we also need targeted interventions for those most impacted.
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and his Department are involved in the EU negotiations on energy and we are expecting to see a full set of measures to support enterprise. My Department is also working with the European Commission to allow us to grant state aid to certain businesses to help them with additional costs (both liquidity and energy costs) due to the Russian war on Ukraine.
Trade Agreements
Questions (62)
Patricia Ryan
Question:62. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the Mercosur trade deal [44168/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the EU reached political agreement in their trade negotiations with the Mercosur region in June 2019. The Agreement will cement the close political and economic relations between the EU and Mercosur countries and represents a clear commitment from both regions to rules-based international trade.
In 2021, Ireland exported nearly €0.5 billion worth of goods to the Mercosur region. In 2020 – the most recent year for which figures are available – Ireland exported approximately €1 billion worth of services to Mercosur. Further expansion into the Mercosur markets is expected as a result of the Agreement reached. The independent impact assessment commissioned by my Department, and published in 2021, concluded that Irish exports to the Mercosur market are expected to be 17% higher in 2035 under the terms of the Agreement.
However, we also have some well-known concerns regarding climate change and the environmental impact of the extensive forest fire we have seen in the Amazon. I have raised these concerns at all political levels, including through my engagement with the Commission and with Trade Minister colleagues in Council.
It is on the basis of these concerns, raised by Ireland and other Member States, that the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) are engaged with the Mercosur countries on negotiating further enforceable commitments on climate and deforestation. Enforceable commitments on matters relating to trade and sustainable development, including environmental and deforestation protections, must be added to the Agreement and we support the work of the Commission and particularly Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis in negotiating additional text.
When the final text is presented to Member States, including the additional commitment sought from Mercosur, our position will depend on our assessment of these additional climate and environmental enforcement provisions, as well as the findings of the Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment, which was commissioned in line with the Government’s stated commitments as part of the formation of Government in 2020 and published in July 2021.
Trade Agreements
Questions (63)
Patricia Ryan
Question:63. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. [44169/22]
View answerWritten answers
As I have previously outlined, ratifying CETA is Government policy and an objective of mine as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Ireland has benefitted immensely from our export-oriented enterprises trading across the globe. As a small open economy, we support international trade and the EU free trade agreements that seek to underpin this. In that context, I believe that ratifying the agreement would send a positive message to our trading partners around the world that Ireland continues to be committed to the values of open and fair global trade.
The Agreement has provisionally applied since 21st September 2017, meaning a great many of the benefits are already in place. Since provisional application, duties on 98% of products that the EU trades with Canada have been removed and goods exports to Canada have increased from €953 million in 2016 to more than €1.3 billion in 2021, an increase of 36%, while services exports grew from €1.6 billion in 2016 to more than €2.2 billion in 2020, an increase of 38 per cent. These figures demonstrate the positive impact of CETA.
At the Joint Oireachtas Committee last year, I highlighted the benefits of CETA. I also said that, while I welcome the scrutiny at Committee, I do not want ratification delayed and drifting indefinitely, and for Ireland to have to stand by and watch other EU member states ratify it ahead of us, as the majority have. That would send out the wrong message to the world. The number of EU Member States to ratify the Agreement rose from 15 to 16 in July this year when the Dutch Senate voted in favour of the Agreement.
The ratification process for CETA in Ireland has also been subject to legal challenges. In March last year, Deputy Patrick Costello commenced High Court proceedings on the basis of his view that CETA requires a referendum in order to be ratified in Ireland. The Government very much welcomed the Judgement in those High Court proceedings that issued last September. Deputy Costello has subsequently appealed the High Court’s decision to the Supreme Court and judgement is currently awaited. Separately, Senator Lynn Boylan has initiated a High Court action on ratification but a hearing date has not yet been set in this matter.
It remains the position that Government will consider the next steps in Ireland’s ratification process once the Supreme Court has delivered its judgement.
Employment Rights
Questions (64)
Mattie McGrath
Question:64. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to ensure that the terms of an employment regulation order (details supplied) for the security industry are honoured; the actions that he intends to take to ensure that the terms and conditions of the ERO are implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44422/22]
View answerWritten answers
On 3 August 2022, I announced my intention to issue an Order to give effect to a statutory recommendation of the Labour Court concerning minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions in the Security Sector. The Order was to apply from 29 August 2022.
On 24 August 2022 my Department was informed that the High Court had granted an Injunction prohibiting the commencement of the proposed Statutory Instrument giving effect to the new Employment Regulation Order for the Security Industry.My officials are in the process of seeking legal advice on the matter.
Employment Rights
Questions (65)
Paul Murphy
Question:65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update regarding engagements between the European Union Commission and his Department relating to the mechanism for dispute resolution for European Works Councils and Irish legislation; if the Government has received legal advice on the matter; when the Government will respond to the letter of formal notice European Union Commission of 19 May 2022, which upheld a complaint taken to it by a union (details supplied) on dispute resolutions for a European Working Conditions Survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44549/22]
View answerWritten answers
The European Commission wrote to the Irish Government with a letter of formal notice on the 19 May 2022. Having consulted with the Attorney General’s Office, my Department responded to the Commission on the 19 July 2022.
A European Works Council (a “EWC”) is a body that facilitates information and consultation with European employees on transnational issues. EWCs are subject to the law of the Member State in which they are located. They derive from Directive 1994/45/EC (the “EWC Directive”) as transposed into Irish law by the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act 1996. A recast by Directive 2009/38/EC was given effect by European Communities (Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act 1996) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 380 of 2011). The general provisions of the Irish Regulation follow the provisions of Directive 2009/38/EC faithfully, including providing mechanisms for dispute resolution.
My officials propose to meet with the Commission in the near future on the matter.
Departmental Staff
Questions (66)
Catherine Murphy
Question:66. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons employed in his Department that have a formal agreement to work from home one day per week, two days per week and five days per week; his Department’s policy in respect of facilitating requests by persons to work from home; and the number of persons that have made requests to work from home in 2021 and to date in 2022, that have been declined. [44577/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department’s Blended Working Policy was launched in June 2022. The Policy is informed and guided by the Civil Service Blended Working Policy Framework published in March 2022.
Under the Department's Blended Working Policy, all staff are eligible to apply for formal blended working arrangements and each application will be assessed on its own merits taking account of role suitability, employee suitability and health and safety requirements.
The Blended Working Policy envisages that the average number of remote working days per week that staff will apply for will be three days. There may be instances where business needs dictate that staff are required to attend the office more than that. Similarly, some staff may also apply to work remotely for more than three days per week, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applications for formal blended working arrangements opened to staff in my Department on Monday last, 12th September 2022. As the application process has just opened, my Department has not fully processed any application for blended working and therefore does not have statistics to hand on the number of persons granted or denied a formal blended working arrangement, or the number of days associated with such arrangement.
As applications are processed over the coming weeks, the Department will have this information to hand. Based on extensive engagement with staff and managers throughout the Department in preparation of the roll out of the application process, it is anticipated that there will be a high level of uptake among staff to avail of formal blended working arrangements.
Trade Missions
Questions (67)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a trade mission to Australia will commence before the end of 2022. [44612/22]
View answerWritten answers
Each year, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland collaborate on a programme of ministerial led trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment.
In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led Trade Missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represented the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These Trade Missions focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and lifesciences.
Due to Covid-19, trade missions took place virtually throughout 2020 and during Quarters 1 to 3 of 2021. Physical trade missions resumed in Quarter 4 of 2021.
It had been hoped to arrange a trade mission to Australia and New Zealand in Quarter 2 of 2022, however New Zealand’s annual National Agricultural Fieldays was postponed to end November / early December due to Covid-19 concerns.
My Department is currently working closely with its agencies in relation to a trade and investment mission schedule for Quarter 4 of 2022 which will maximise opportunities to help Irish companies to access new markets and to increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland. It was decided to plan and review the trade mission schedule for 2022 on a quarterly basis due to the changing global environment and adjustments are being made where deemed necessary and the question of a trade mission to Australia will be given full consideration in that context.
Flexible Work Practices
Questions (68)
James Lawless
Question:68. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2021 will take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44650/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Right to Request Remote Working Bill is part of a broader Government vision to make remote working a permanent feature of Ireland’s workforce in a way that can benefit all – economically, socially and environmentally.
The Right to Request Remote Working Bill will, for the first time, provide a legal framework around which requesting, approving or refusing a request for remote work can be based. It will also provide legal clarity to employers on their obligations for dealing with such requests.
On 25th January the Government approved the priority drafting of the Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2022.
Pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment commenced on 9th February and the Report of the Committee was published on the 7th of July. Department officials are carefully considering its contents and have conducted some informal engagement with stakeholders including the social partners.
The Bill will be progressed through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible.
Work Permits
Questions (69)
Paul Kehoe
Question:69. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a work permit allocation and application system is in place for HGV drivers from Ukraine, Argentina and North Macedonia once licences from these three countries are recognised in Ireland to deal with the severe HGV driver shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44721/22]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill skills and labour gaps for the benefit of our economy, in the short to medium term.
As part of a cross-Departmental response to the crisis in the transport/logistic industry my Department took steps to assist the sector with HGV Driver recruitment by eliminating the restriction of a quota allocation of permits for this role. The role of HGV driver is eligible for the General Employment Permit and may be granted to the holders of valid mutually recognised CE/C1E licences verified by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). At present four countries are covered by mutual recognition agreements for CE/C1E licences – South Africa, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
Issues relating to mutual recognition and validation of driving licences should be addressed to the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority who have policy responsibility for this sector.
While the Department welcomes Ireland’s response to the arrival of Ukrainian nationals by providing them full access to the labour market similar to the rights of EEA nationals, validation of the Ukrainian HGV driving licence – as with the Argentinian and North Macedonian licences – is also a matter for the Minister for Transport.
Flexible Work Practices
Questions (70)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:70. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the timeline for the introduction of the Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2022 into the Houses of the Oireachtas; when persons will be able to make requests to their employer under the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44761/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Right to Request Remote Working Bill is part of a broader Government vision to make remote working a permanent feature of Ireland’s workforce in a way that can benefit all – economically, socially and environmentally.
The Right to Request Remote Working Bill will, for the first time, provide a legal framework around which requesting, approving or refusing a request for remote work can be based. It will also provide legal clarity to employers on their obligations for dealing with such requests.
On 25th January the Government approved the priority drafting of the Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2022.
Pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment commenced on 9th February and the Report of the Committee was published on the 7th of July. Department officials are carefully considering its contents and have conducted some informal engagement with stakeholders including the social partners.
The Bill will be progressed through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible.
Employment Rights
Questions (71)
Mick Barry
Question:71. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the recourse that fishers have at the Workplace Relations Commission in cases in which Sunday pay, which is included in the standard Department of Justice-approved contracts for the atypical work permit scheme for non-EEA fishers is not honoured by employers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44827/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent statutory office under the aegis of my Department. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services.
I understand that Section 2(1) of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, incorporating Section 14 (Sunday entitlement), does not apply to those engaged in sea fishing. Notwithstanding, it is open to a fishing vessel owner to include a Sunday entitlement in employment contracts. In such circumstances where an Owner then fails to give this entitlement there may be scope to present a complaint to an Adjudication Officer of the WRC under Section 5 of the Payment of Wages Act 1991.
As the Deputy is aware, the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) was established as a cross Departmental response to address the matter of non-EEA workers on certain categories of vessels in the Irish fishing fleet. The scheme provided, for the first time, a framework for the employment of non-EEA workers within defined segments of the Irish fishing fleet and was welcomed as a solution to the risk of exploitation and to guarantee employment rights and protections to non-EEA fishers availing of the scheme.
The Review of the AWS for Sea Fishers is a cross Departmental review with representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Justice and my Department. The cross-departmental group’s report remains under active consideration by the relevant Departments, with a view to bringing recommendations to Government in the near future. In the meantime, the Oversight Committee, chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine continues to oversee the scheme as currently structured.
Work Permits
Questions (72)
Mick Barry
Question:72. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he or his Departmental officials have met with representatives of the fishing vessel owners' organisations since March 2022 to discuss the review of the atypical work permit scheme for non-EEA fishers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44828/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Justice led a cross-departmental group to Review the Atypical Working Scheme and my Department has taken an active part in this process. The Group consulted extensively with stakeholders in relation to their views and experiences of the scheme.
Officials of my Department met with representatives of the sector including fishing vessel owners organisations on 22nd July last to discuss the review.
Question No. 73 answered with Question No. 61.
Question No. 74 answered with Question No. 61.
Question No. 75 answered with Question No. 61.
Work Permits
Questions (76)
Niamh Smyth
Question:76. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the issuing of work permits; the number of applications that are currently waiting to be processed in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44959/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment experienced a significant increase in applications for employment permits in the past year and a half, which impacted on processing times.
From the start of January to the end of December 2021, some 27,666 applications were received, representing a 69% increase over the same period in 2020 (16,293) and a 47% increase on 2019 (18,811), which itself represented an 11 year high in applications. 16,275 employment permits were issued in 2021, and a total of 17,968 applications processed, which represents a significant volume of activity. This increased demand was also driven by the extension of categories of employment permits following the Review of the Occupational Lists in October 2021.
The Department and I recognised the impact delays in the processing times for employment permits has had for businesses and their workers. Therefore, an internal plan of action was implemented which has increased resources and implemented more efficient methods of processing applications in the permits system. The processing team has trebled in size and daily output has more than tripled compared to 2021 levels.
Since the implementation of this plan, the Employment Permits Unit has made positive progress by reducing the number of applications awaiting processing from c. 11,000 in January 2022 to approximately 2,500 today, despite further strong growth in demand during 2022 for permits.
The table below details the number of Employment Permits by permit type currently awaiting processing.
|
Permit Type |
Awaiting Processing |
|
Critical Skills Employment Permit |
1,487 |
|
General Employment Permit |
871 |
|
Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit |
127 |
|
Sport and Cultural Employment Permit |
12 |
|
Reactivation Employment Permit |
8 |
|
Internship Permit |
4 |
|
Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit |
2 |
|
Contract for Services |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
2,512 |
Work Permits
Questions (77, 78)
Michael McNamara
Question:77. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the improvements that have been made to introduce a minimum time for the processing of applications for work permits for non-EEA workers in the hospitality sector in which there is a critical shortage of available skilled workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45010/22]
View answerMichael McNamara
Question:78. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has deployed additional staff to the employment permit section of his Department in 2022 to reduce the backlog in work permit applications and to enhance the level of engagement with applicants to ensure completed applications are not rejected due to a clerical error or omission in the application form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45012/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 78 together.
My Department experienced a significant increase in applications for employment permits in the past year and a half, which impacted on processing times. From the start of January to the end of December 2021, some 27,666 applications were received, representing a 69% increase over the same period in 2020 (16,293) and a 47% increase on 2019 (18,811), which itself represented an 11 year high in applications. 16,275 employment permits were issued in 2021, and a total of 17,968 applications processed, which represents a significant volume of activity. This increased demand was also driven by the extension of categories of employment permits following the Review of the Occupational Lists in October 2021.
My Department and I recognised the impact delays in the processing times for employment permits has had for businesses and their workers. Therefore, an internal plan of action was implemented which has increased resources and implemented more efficient methods of processing applications in the permits system. The processing team has trebled in size and daily output has more than tripled compared to 2021 levels.
Since the implementation of this plan, the Employment Permits Unit has made positive progress by reducing the number of applications awaiting processing from about 11,000 in January 2022 to under 2,500 today, despite further strong growth in demand in 2022 for permits.
Processing times for Critical Skills applications from Trusted Partners have fallen from 21 weeks to 3 weeks with Standard applications reduced to 4 weeks. General Employment Permit applications for Trusted Partners fell from 22 weeks to 3 weeks with Standard applications reduced from 22 weeks to 4 weeks.
The Employment Permits Unit proactively seeks to minimise the level of incomplete or incorrect applications submitted by those accessing the permits system. User guides are in place to assist applicants and a range of dedicated checklists have been developed setting out the requirements involved in applying for different employment permits.
The Department also provided comprehensive information on its website in relation to all aspects of the Employment Permits system. In addition, the Employment Permits Unit conduct dedicated online awareness sessions for representative groups to develop greater awareness in submitting employment Permit applications, in order to seek to reduce the number of incomplete or incorrect applications received. The Employment Permits Unit also actively engage with applicants directly in relation to incomplete or incorrect applications received.
Question No. 78 answered with Question No. 77.
Employment Rights
Questions (79)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:79. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 8 September 2022, when he will ratify International Labour Organisation Convention No. 190. [45042/22]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is committed to ratifying ILO Convention No.190. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is currently undertaking a stakeholder consultation which is open to interested parties to make submissions. Following the conclusion of the consultation, the views of the Attorney General will then be sought, followed by the formal approval of the Government for ratification. I anticipate that the Instrument of Ratification can be signed as soon as is practicable thereafter.
Industrial Development
Questions (80, 81, 82)
Denis Naughten
Question:80. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022 to Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45066/22]
View answerDenis Naughten
Question:81. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022 to Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45067/22]
View answerDenis Naughten
Question:82. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022 to County Roscommon; the locations visited on each occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45068/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 82, inclusive, together.
2021 was a record-breaking year for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) employment, with total employment in IDA client companies now standing at 275,384, up over 29,000 on 2020. Growth outside of Dublin was particularly buoyant with 53%, that is 133 projects of the 249 investments won going to regional locations and employment growth was recorded in every region of the country.
Galway and Roscommon are marketed by the IDA as the West Region. There are 120 IDA supported companies in this Region, employing 29,419 people. There are 94 IDA supported companies in Galway city and county, employing 22,801 and 10 in County Roscommon employing 1,473 in total. The FDI performance in this Region has been strong over the past five years. There is a significant ecosystem of well-established Life Sciences companies, which has helped drive strong cluster development. The number of people employed in software engineering, technical support, global business services and R&D in the Region has also grown considerably in recent years.
Athlone is in the IDA Midlands Region, where there are 49 IDA client companies, employing 6,868 people. The FDI performance in the region has been consistent over the past five years. The region has an impressive range of companies across all industry sectors, with strengths in Life Sciences, Technology, Global Business Services, International Financial Services, and Engineering & Industrial Technologies. The existing FDI base of client companies in the region continues to perform well in terms of their operational sustainability, job retention and ongoing transformation.
IDA Ireland continues to engage with new companies on promoting Ireland as a location for their business utilising virtual site visits as well as physically visiting the county. As a result of the severe restrictions on international travel over the last two years, the ability to host site visits was severely limited. IDA Ireland has developed an E-Site Visit experience for potential investors. As with in-person visits, a number of locations can be marketed within an E-Site Visit.
Site visit details are recorded on a county basis. The numbers of site visits to Counties Galway, Roscommon, and Westmeath from 2020 to Q2 2022 are set out in the table below:
|
- |
To end Q2 2022(inc E-visits) |
2021(inc E-visits) |
2020(inc E-visits) |
|
Galway |
23 |
31 |
21 |
|
Roscommon |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
13 |
20 |
14 |