Thursday, 15 Sep 2022

Enterprise Policy

Questions (21)

Richard Bruton

Question:

21. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work that is underway to develop a circular economy strategy in key sectors. [45050/22]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I fully recognise the need for a transition away from the traditional “take-make-waste” linear waste model to a model that eliminates waste in the first place and moves to a restorative and regenerative model. The nature of the concept requires that waste does not exist and that everything is transformed into a resource that can be utilised.

With high energy prices and increases in the cost of living, it is more important than ever that we continue to encourage businesses to reduce their resource use and to look for ways to move away from fossil-fuel dependence.

Since the Deputy last asked me about the circular economy back in May, the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 has been signed into law. It requires the development of a Circular Economy Strategy, and a series of sectoral targets, setting out the relevant national policy, objectives and priorities in relation to the circular economy. I understand that the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has begun preliminary work on the Strategy, with a view to seeking Government approval during 2023.

In related work, the Deputy will be aware that in March of this year, the Commission set out its proposal for an Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. Council negotiations are ongoing and my Department is undertaking consultations to inform the national position. Ireland is seeking to ensure an ambitious common EU approach to product sustainability in order to maximise the market's power to influence product design and manufactures.

We are continuing to promote the Climate Toolkit 4 Business and to use it to highlight training and other resources available to business in the areas of waste, materials use and circularity. In addition, work is continuing with the cement sector and other stakeholders in the context of Climate Action Plans 2019 and 2021 to increase the use of Solid Recovered Fuels (or ‘waste’ fuel) in that sector.

Inflation Rate

Questions (22)

Paul Murphy

Question:

22. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the role of profiteering in contributing to inflation, the actions that agencies under his remit will take in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45107/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The factors contributing to inflation at the present time have been well documented. These factors are generally accepted to include global supply chain issues relating to rebounding global demand post COVID-19; and the impact of the invasion of Ukraine on international commodity supplies especially grain/oilseeds and energy supplies. These issues are significant and are having impacts right across the economy.

Notwithstanding the issues around supplies and their costs, businesses must behave competitively. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), which is independent in the exercise of its functions, has powers to:

- Enforce competition and consumer protection rules that ensure businesses set prices independently and communicate them appropriately to consumers;

- Ensure that mergers do not result in a significant lessening of competition, which carries a risk of higher pricing;

- Help to educate and inform consumers so they are able to shop around, and in doing so add to the competitive pressure on businesses when they set their prices; and

- Conduct a market study if it suspects that there is a market failure or dysfunction that results in pricing that is causing consumer harm.

Excessive pricing may be illegal if a business is in a dominant position, where it faces little competition, and its customers have little bargaining power. When a business is dominant, it is not allowed to abuse its position. Businesses and their pricing decisions are constrained by the need to compete rather than by any legal obligation.

When the CCPC receives complaints about pricing it assesses them to see if they indicate a possible breach of competition or consumer protection law. It can also take action on its own initiative when it suspects there may have been a breach.

I understand that the Deputy has previously raised the issue of profit margins made by energy providers. The regulation of energy networks in this country falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport and, in turn, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities. However, this is a complex issue and several energy providers across Europe have requested liquidity supports from their governments. The Deputy will also be aware of moves afoot at the EU level to examine some of the underlying structures of energy markets and pricing. In a market economy like ours, businesses are free to set prices in line with market conditions, provided they are not in a dominant position in the market, and provided they do this without colluding with competitors. There are some exceptions, for example suppliers of energy, telecommunications, postal services, and financial services having an obligation to apply to, or inform, a regulator about pricing changes. This means that prices can rise, whether that be as a result of increased input costs or an imbalance in supply and demand. While in these situations companies can make profits, this is not necessarily the same as ‘profiteering’, which normally refers to emergency situations where a product is in such short supply that any seller with stock is able to set a price independently of any competitive constraint.

Redundancy Payments

Questions (23)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

23. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clarify the progress made to date on enacting the recommendations of the Plan of Action – Collective Redundancies in order to protect workers in cases of mass redundancies, tactical insolvencies and other such instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43741/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Work is continuing on implementing the Plan for Action on Collective Redundancies published in June 2021, with some company law changes already made and a number of both employment rights and further company law changes being worked on by my Department.

The Plan sets out several commitments to safeguard further the rights of workers in these circumstances including:

1. amendments to company law and employment law,

2. establishing a new Employment Law Review Group, and

3. the provision of an accessible guidance document.

The Guidance Document was published in December 2021. It provides clear and accessible information in relation to the rights and remedies available to employees facing a collective redundancy situation following a company insolvency.

In relation to refining employment law, work is progressing on the General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Protection of Employment Act 1977. My Department is liaising with the Department of Social Protection to work through certain outstanding policy issues. Once completed, it is intended to bring the General Scheme to Cabinet.

Work has commenced on the establishment of the Employment Law Review Group. This work involves drafting Terms of Reference, organising suitable membership and agreeing a workplan. The Group will initially be established on a non-statutory basis in 2023. The appropriate legislation to have the Group placed on a statutory footing will be drafted as soon as possible thereafter.

Turning to company law, the Companies (Rescue Process for Small and Micro Companies) Act 2021, which was commenced in December 2021 also provided for amendments arising from the Company Law Review Group’s first phase of work in the area of employees’ rights as creditors. These amendments improve the flow of information to employees as creditors during a liquidation and provide for a dedicated position for employees on the committee of inspection, a committee which may be elected to oversee the liquidation.

In December 2021, the CLRG submitted its report following its consideration of the issue of splitting of corporate operations from asset holding entities in group structures. The Group ultimately concluded that the incidence of abusive practices in corporate restructuring, while attracting significant attention, is in fact low. This conclusion was supported by the then Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement which noted that its reviews of liquidations indicated that in over 90% of all liquidations, company directors had acted honestly and responsibly.

Nonetheless, the CLRG made a number of recommendations which my Department has analysed and preparatory work has commenced on making amendments to the Companies Acts 2014 to further enhance the regulatory framework.

Data Centres

Questions (24)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

24. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to commission an annual, independent report assessing existing and planned data centre facilities, particularly in view of their high consumption of electricity which is predicted to rise significantly by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45158/22]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Government published a revised Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Enterprise Strategy at the end of July. The statement was produced in the context of related electricity policy and regulation, and advised that over the short to medium term, the capacity of Ireland’s electricity grid, security of supply concerns, and our determination to decarbonise our electricity system, means that not all demand for data centre development can be accommodated.

It is the Government’s intention to also harness data centre operator’s decarbonisation goals where possible and for data centres to contribute to our national objectives, facilitating investment in areas such as renewable energy, energy storage, ‘energy parks’ or other efficient and sustainable opportunities.

The Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27 mandates that large energy users complete a robust energy audit. The SEAI manages and oversees compliance with Ireland’s obligations under Article 8, with obligated bodies to complete an energy audit every four years.

The ‘Fit for 55’ package of EU legislation, progressing the digitalisation and decarbonisation of the European economy, includes a proposal to recast the Energy Efficiency directive. The proposal currently under negotiation would strengthen the energy audit criteria for obligated enterprises, and set out an EU-wide pathway to develop minimum requirements for monitoring and publishing the energy performance of data centres in particular. Ireland supports an EU wide approach to such monitoring and reporting, ensuring comparability and transparency across Europe on data centre sustainability and efficiency.

In addition, under Action 99 of Climate Action Plan 2021, SEAI are to lead on a “Review the policy context for Large Energy Users (including Data Centres), ensuring alignment of enterprise policy and wider regulatory environment with electricity emission targets and security of supply”. Among the steps identified, is to “Develop an enhanced reporting framework and implementation plan for electricity emissions for LEUs to facilitate reduced carbon intensity across their demand profile and promote grid efficiency”. My Department will work closely with SEAI on this objective to develop a robust, equitable reporting framework for the electricity generation emissions associated with large energy users including data centres.

Cost of Living Issues

Questions (25, 150)

Bríd Smith

Question:

25. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered using price control mechanisms to limit price rises on basic commodities such as milk, bread and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38603/22]

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Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

150. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered using the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act of 2007 to limit price rises on basic food products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38605/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 150 together.

Sections 61 and 62 of the Consumer Protection Act 2007 provide powers for the Government to declare a state of emergency in relation to the supply of a product and to set a maximum price for the sale of that product. The provisions only apply in relation to sales of products to consumers. The 2007 Act repealed the Prices Act 1958 and the Prices (Amendment) Act 1972 which had similar provisions. It should be noted that the 1958 Act was brought in as Ireland emerged from rationing and was likely to have been employed to stem hoarding and the inflationary impact arising from sudden demands, as supply restrictions were relaxed.

In general, maximum ceilings are not set for prices in Ireland. Such an approach aims to promote competition amongst retailers and service providers. Some sectors are regulated and, depending on the sector, the regulator can influence.

Price controls are crude instruments in terms of their aims, and their use may lead to distortions in the market. The setting of too low a price would affect availability and supply, making a bad situation worse. While prices for a controlled product will have stabilised, the pricing could cause a shortfall in availability, withdrawal of supply, reduction in quality, and have a more lasting damage on the supply chain network as retailers and suppliers withdraw from the market for commercial reasons. On the other hand, the setting of too high a price would make the measure ineffective.

To ensure that any imposition of price controls are at just the right point would require a level of foresight on international trends and input price fluctuations as well as a system which would allow prices to be continually reset. Furthermore, the system would require the capability to set prices across products deemed particularly important around which, no doubt, there would be considerable debate as well as a capacity to monitor and enforce pricing.

There could also be risks to our international reputation were Ireland to unilaterally introduce price controls on goods that are internationally traded. Ireland is an open economy. Many of the products we purchase are imported, or significant components of those products are imported. It is very difficult to see how price controls could be successfully implemented when suppliers and manufacturers are relying on imported goods and inputs, the price of which, is not amenable to control.

I can assure the Deputy, Government is acutely conscious of the cost-of-living challenge for people and the rise of input costs for business at the moment. Our responses must help, and not make the situation worse. The fundamental problems lie with matters outside of our domestic control. So we must help our people and businesses through the challenging period and I am confident that Government will shortly introduce a significant range of further measures to alleviate the pressures felt by people and businesses in this regard.

Energy Prices

Questions (26)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

26. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are available to businesses to undertake energy audits to assist them in driving down their energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45101/22]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

It’s clear that this is a really challenging time for enterprise. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has driven energy costs to unprecedented levels. Faced with higher energy prices many companies are looking for ways to bring their costs down. While ultimately this will mean a move away from fossil fuels and towards more sustainable, cheaper alternatives, improving energy efficiency can lead to immediate savings. It reduces a company’s exposure to energy price volatility and improves their climate resilience.

An Energy Audit voucher is available to many businesses from the SEAI. The Support Scheme for Energy Audits pays for a high-quality energy audit for SMEs that spend more than €10,000 annually on energy. There is also a range of energy efficiency modules on offer through the SEAI Energy Academy – a free, online e-learning platform designed and curated by Ireland's leading energy experts. The first step to achieving greater energy efficiency is for businesses to gain a better understanding of their current usage.

The Climate Toolkit 4 Business also provides a clear and accessible starting point for any business, pointing them to enterprise-specific climate action resources, including energy efficiency measures. Businesses can save their results and then monitor their performance over time.

The new Energy Monitoring and Tracking Systems scheme is aimed at energy intensive businesses who are manufacturing clients of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta. It helps them begin to measure and reduce their energy demand, while also accounting for the carbon footprint of their activities. Funded under the Enterprise Emissions Reduction Investment Fund , it offers businesses 50% grants of between €5000 and €50,000 toward the installation and commissioning costs for hardware equipment.

Energy Prices

We are working on new proposals to help businesses with rapidly rising energy prices and I hope to be able to make a positive announcement about that in the Budget.

We’ll also be looking to raise awareness around energy efficiency, helping businesses reduce the amount of energy they use in the first place and improving take-up of the approximately 20 different schemes we already have in place for business.

For example, in June we announced a new €55 million ‘Green Transition’ fund to help businesses move away from fossil fuels and towards more sustainable, cheaper alternatives.

Question No. 28 answered with Question No. 27

Energy Prices

Questions (29)

David Stanton

Question:

29. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his engagement with other Departments regarding the use of renewable energy sources for businesses given the rising energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45145/22]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I am acutely aware of the challenges many businesses are facing, and will face, from the rising cost of energy. We know that these costs are largely driven by a spike in the cost of natural gas, following from Russian's illegal and deplorable invasion of Ukraine. Russia has since demonstrated that it is willing to use its role in global energy markets as a further weapon to disrupt the unity of the European Union and those that share our objectives.

The best way to counter this threat is to diversify our energy sources and reduce our energy use where possible. In Ireland we are well positioned to move to renewable energy sources, thereby mitigating the cost and increasing our security of supply. I and officials in my Department have been engaging across Government on efforts to facilitate businesses reduce their energy costs through the use of renewable energy. With electricity prices high, the cost saving available from using rooftop solar power or other renewables on-site has never been greater.

The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) will provide capital grants for non-domestic applicants for solar PV installations up to 6.0kW primarily for self-consumption, with grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 available. This will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and will become available in late September. Businesses that use a large amount of electricity will benefit most when they consume electricity on site from their own micro-generation. Residual electricity can be sold back to the grid under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff. The financial business case for micro-generation for high electricity users is already strong, with short payback periods based on self-consumption and export payments alone. This year the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is consulting on an implementation plan for the Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff, a guaranteed export tariff support for businesses where they invest in new installations greater than 6.0kW up to 50kW in size, which is fixed for 15 years.

The Climate Action Plan further commits to the development of a support scheme for 'small-scale generators' (SSG) above 50 kilowatts and below 1 megawatt to support the deployment of rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV that is expected to come into effect in 2023.

SEAI have a new Energy Contracting Support Scheme which provides financial assistance to help businesses and public sector organisations to deliver energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects through Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs). This can help businesses optimise their savings from the use of on-site renewables and efficiency measures.

The SEAI have also reviewed the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat, which can remove the gap between the installation and operating costs of renewable heating systems, such as heat-pumps, and the conventional fossil fuel alternatives.

Earlier this year, myself and Minister Ryan launched the Climate Planning Fund for Business, which will give businesses funding to come up with a personalised plan to identify how save energy and remove reliance on fossil fuels in their business. Alongside this the Enterprise Emissions Reduction Investment Fund provides capital funding for transformative decarbonisation investment in our manufacturing sectors, which will be amongst the businesses facing highest energy costs.

Question No. 30 answered with Question No. 27.

Work Permits

Questions (31)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

31. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the role of healthcare assistants in nursing home settings will be included on the critical skills employment permits list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45082/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Ireland’s employment permits system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine roles that are either professional occupations in critical short supply or those ineligible for an employment permit. These lists undergo regular, evidence-based review, guided by relevant research, a public/stakeholder consultation and the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group.

Changes I announced in June last year were aimed at addressing the shortages being experienced in nursing home establishments and hospital settings by providing access to the employment permits system. These employers can apply for the General Employment Permit for non-EEA nationals wishing to take up employment as a Nursing Auxiliary or Assistant (Health Care Assistant). The minimum annual remuneration for a Health Care Assistant is €27,000 based on a 39 hour working week (hourly rate €10.85).

From the start of January to date my Department has issued 1,873 employment permits to Health Care Assistants (HCA), of this figure 1,781 were issued to HCAs in a Nursing Home setting. These roles were distributed across 193 Nursing Homes throughout the State.

The General Employment Permit is the primary vehicle used by the State to attract third country nationals into the State for employment in a broad range of occupations. Unlike Critical Skills Employment Permits where eligible occupations require a minimum remuneration of €32,000 for degree qualified employees, General Employment Permits remuneration thresholds are generally €30,000 with some exceptions.

Officials of my Department are actively engaged with the Department of Health in relation to recruitment challenges for the care sector and my Department is a member of the Cross Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group chaired by the Department of Health to consider the recruitment and retention challenges faced by the care sector.

The Department continues to keep the employment permits system under review in light of changing labour market circumstances and the the timing of the next Review of the Occupational Lists will be kept under consideration.

Work Permits

Questions (32)

Holly Cairns

Question:

32. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that he is taking to fast-track the processing of critical skills employment permits relating to healthcare professionals for the nursing home sector. [44962/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one. The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations.

On 14 June 2021, following a review of the employment permit occupation lists, changes to the employment permit system were announced, to address skills and labour shortages in the healthcare and nursing home sector. Following this review the occupation of Nursing Auxiliary or Assistant (Health Care Assistant) in hospital/nursing home settings became eligible for an employment permit from that date.

From the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic all employment permit applications for medical personnel have been expedited in order to assist the State to respond to the threat of Covid-19.

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 undertaken 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 trebled 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.

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.

Ports Policy

Questions (33)

Verona Murphy

Question:

33. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the specific enterprise plan that his Department has developed for County Wexford, home to Rosslare Europort, which is a vital strategic asset for the country and the south east region, in order to secure direct foreign and indigenous investment to the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45118/22]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Regional enterprise development and sustainable local job creation is a key policy priority of this Government.

Earlier this year, my Department launched nine new Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs) to 2024. The new REPs are an integral part of Ireland’s enterprise policy, aimed at driving economic growth and sustaining better standards of living throughout Ireland. These are bottom-up plans, developed by regional stakeholders including the Local Authorities, the enterprise agencies, local enterprise offices, Regional Skills Forum and education and training institutes in each region. Each Plan is overseen and monitored by a Steering Committee made up of regional stakeholders and chaired by a senior level private sector business person.

Following in-depth consultation among key stakeholders within the region, the South-East REP was launched on 3 March at Kent Stainless in Ardcavan, Co. Wexford. The Plan covers four counties, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford – and Wexford. It contains a set of objectives and related actions to be delivered by end 2024 which are complementary to existing Government initiatives.

Action 2.1 of the South-East REP specifically identifies the importance of Rosslare Europort and the Port of Waterford in positioning the South-East as an offshore and onshore wind energy hub. The ambition outlined in the REP is to secure enabling infrastructural investment in Rosslare Europort and establishing a South-East Wind Energy Working Group bringing all the relevant stakeholders together in a cluster.

The Government is also providing substantial funding to assist regions to drive enterprise activity, promote regional growth and create jobs. Up to €180 million in funding is being made available over the coming months and years to underpin and drive the implementation of the REPs. And to date, my Department, through Enterprise Ireland (EI), has already made available over €126 million in regional enterprise development funding to assist locally-led regional enterprise development projects throughout the country. With regard to this, in the past few years, the South-East has been successful in being awarded funding, including:

Eight projects in the South-East region were funded under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), securing €7.6m in grant funding. This includes an award of some €250k to the Tradebridge Collaboration DAC for a project that creates new opportunities for EI and LEO clients to generate export sales and to open opportunities for the three South East Ports.

Two projects in the South-East region were funded under the Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme (RETS), totalling €206k in grant funding. The RETS was introduced to assist previously funded projects negatively affected by Covid-19, as well as a consequence of Brexit.

Eight projects in the South-East region have secured funding under the Regional Enterprise Innovation Scoping Scheme (REISS), totalling €785k. This includes a priming grant for the High Performance Building Alliance DAC’s project to develop an innovation hub and centre of excellence focused on Green Technologies at Enniscorthy Technology Park. The REISS aims to provide priming and feasibility funding support to develop a credible pipeline of eligible projects.

IDA Ireland markets Wexford as part of the South-East Region (Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, and Kilkenny). The South-East region has 79 FDI client companies who collectively employ 14,932 (Annual Employment Survey 2021). The main sectoral clusters are in high value manufacturing (Pharmaceutical, Medical Devices and Engineering) along with International Financial Services and these clusters form a magnet of attraction for further FDI to the South-East Region, including Wexford.

In this respect, Wexford is home to 25 existing IDA Ireland clients who between them employ almost 3,750 people in a range of manufacturing and service operations, an increase of 610 jobs since 2018 (IDA Annual Employment Surveys 2018, 2021). This is evidenced by a number of recent expansions as well as the establishment of a number of new name companies.

With regard to Rosslare Europort, the IDA recognises how it has grown its share of freight traffic from Ireland to Europe in recent years (The Irish Maritime Development Office Q1 2022 Report), and represents an essential strategic element of the South-East value proposition.

I believe that through the South-East REP, in tandem with the work of EI and IDA, my Department and its agencies are supporting Wexford and the entire South-East in securing direct foreign and indigenous investment for the region.

Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 27.

Question No. 35 answered with Question No. 27.

Energy Prices

Questions (36)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

36. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide details of his and his Department’s engagement with the business community regarding the cost of doing business, specifically the cost of electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43740/22]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Officials from my Department, Ministers of State and I engage with the business community almost on a daily basis. The cost of doing business and in particular the impact of rising energy costs on businesses have featured very prominently in recent weeks.

My Department is taking a leading role in the Government response to this, working closely with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, who coordinate the whole of Government response via the Energy Supply Emergency Group on which my Department is represented. In particular, my Department convenes the Business Energy Users Sub-group which was set up to assess the impacts of rising energy costs on businesses and to help inform the Government response. This includes business representative groups, as well as officials from my Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Enterprise Ireland, and IDA Ireland. The group has met on three occasions to date and most recently met on the 8th of September to update members on the response so far and hear views of members.

Other fora where the cost of doing business and energy costs in particular have been discussed with the business community include:

the Labour Employer Economic Forum on the 7th of September which I attended along with the Taoiseach;

the SME and State Bodies Group on the 13th of July which I chaired with the Minister for Finance;

the Enterprise Forum which I chaired on the 29th of June;

the Retail Forum chaired by Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English on the 8th of June; and

the Hospitality and Tourism Forum chaired by myself and Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD on the 12th of September.

This engagement with the business community will continue to inform the Government’s response to these important issues.

Energy Conservation

Questions (37)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

37. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will engage with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications on streamlining applications for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland-business supports to decarbonise non-domestic buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45056/22]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

There are a range of incentives and advice available to business to help them use energy efficiently, diversify their fuel use and switch to renewable energy sources.

I and my officials are engaging with Minister Ryan’s Department and the SEAI to ensure that assistance to business is appropriate, easy to understand, and efficient in regard to the time and resources required for businesses to access it. I think there is scope for further improvement in this regard, and I know that SEAI is constantly streamlining existing, and developing new, supports for business to support energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption. Further, the enterprise development agencies under my Department are coordinating with SEAI on financial and technical assistance available to businesses, to ensure that the state’s agencies are offering consistent and complementary advice on energy investments, efficiency and competitiveness.

Small businesses can currently receive an energy audit voucher from SEAI to get professional advice on how to increase efficiency and reduce their costs. Other financial supports include incentives for electric vehicles, the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat, grants for microgeneration, the EXCEED programme, as well as GreenStart and GreenPlus programmes available from Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.

The Department, in conjunction with DECC, has launched the Climate Toolkit for Business, which aims to encourage all SMEs to start their zero-carbon journey. The project addresses the imperative for decarbonisation across all of a businesses activities, including their buildings, and will be of particular help for those SMEs that are at the start of the process to understand their carbon footprint.

In March 2021, I launched the Local Enterprise Office Green for Micro programme. This programme offers green transition advice and technical support to micro-enterprises in decarbonising their buildings, transport and supply chains.

Energy Prices

Questions (38)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

38. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement that he has had with the Minister for Finance with regard to providing assistance to businesses in the hospitality sector as a result of rising energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45160/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Responsibility for the hospitality sector is within the remit of Minister Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

The Government is acutely aware of the difficulties businesses have faced over the past number of years, including those in the hospitality sector, with the necessary COVID-19 restrictions and now with the increased cost of living and in particular energy costs.

The Government has already implemented measures to help ease the impact on enterprises of rising energy costs, such as 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.

However, we are conscious of the need to continue working with the business community in Ireland to help businesses, 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 new measures 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.

Industrial Relations

Questions (39)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

39. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact identified by the European Directive on the minimum wage that Member States with high collective bargaining coverage tend to have a low share of low-wage workers; the actions that his Department proposes to take to increase collective bargaining coverage in the private sector; and if he has received any report from a group (details supplied) to review collective bargaining, union recognition and the workplace relations framework. [45117/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The High-Level Group on Collective Bargaining which was formed under the auspices of the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) has very recently submitted its Final Report for consideration. The EU Directive on the Minimum Wage was one of the issues which the Group were considering as part of its work.

It has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments to promote collective bargaining through the laws of this country and through the development of an institutional framework supportive of a voluntary system of industrial relations that is premised upon freedom of contract and freedom of association.

There is an extensive range of statutory provisions designed to back up the voluntary bargaining process. The freedom of association and the right to organise and bargain collectively are also guaranteed in a number of international instruments which the State has ratified and which it is, therefore, bound to uphold under international law.

Industrial Development

Questions (40)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

40. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the efforts by the IDA to attract inward investment to counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44957/22]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

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 in the regions was particularly buoyant, with 53% or 133 projects of the 249 investments won by IDA going to regional locations. Employment growth was recorded in every region of the country.

The Border Region for IDA consists of the counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, as well as Cavan, and Monaghan. There are 67 IDA Ireland supported companies in this region who collectively directly employ 8,721 people. Specifically, there are 8 IDA supported companies in each of Cavan and Monaghan, employing 1,292 people.

The FDI performance in the region has been strong over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 18% as traditional strengths in sectors such as Engineering & Industrial Technologies and Medical Technologies were complemented by new investments from the Technology, International Financial Services and Life Sciences sectors. The most recent announced investment was in March 2022. California head quartered Ultra Clean Holdings Inc. announced that it is establishing an Advanced Technology Cleaning Centre in Cavan, which will create approximately 100 jobs when fully operational.

Key to the region’s success is strategic collaboration with national and local stakeholders on the enhancement of the regional value proposition for FDI. In this regard, IDA Ireland welcomes the significant funding that Cavan and Monaghan have received under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) to date which will add to the placemaking successes and the value proposition of both counties.

The existing FDI base of companies in Cavan and Monaghan enjoy strong collaborative links with several third level colleges including Dundalk Institute of Technology as well as the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and the Atlantic Technological University (ATU).

IDA will target 25 investments for the Border region in the period 2021 to 2024 and will continue to actively promote Cavan and Monaghan as part of the wider Border value proposition. The agency will build on the strengths and competencies of the region with a focus on opportunities arising in the sectors of Life Sciences, Technology and Services. The objective will be to take advantage of emerging technologies and business models, including home and hub working.

IDA Ireland has recently completed the construction of an Advance Building Solution in Monaghan which it is currently actively marketing to potential FDI clients. As part of its new strategy “Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021 to 2024”, the Agency also plans to deliver an Advance Building Solution in Cavan.

Meath is marketed by the IDA as part of the Mid-East Region. There are 103 IDA client companies employing 18,894 people in this region with 16 companies in Meath employing 1,911 people.

The FDI performance in this region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 6%. Counties in the benefit hugely from the direct and indirect employment generated by IDA client companies located in Dublin. The Mid-East has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies. It has also won significant investment in the Food and the Film sub-sectors. The region is strongly supported by third level education providers, including Maynooth University, Dundalk Institute of Technology, IT Carlow’s satellite campus in County Wicklow and Dunboyne College of Further Education.

The IDA will continue to market the Mid-East region drawing on existing assets, including property solutions and placemaking. IDA Ireland will focus on investment opportunities arising in services, high value manufacturing, and RD&I. As part of its strategy IDA Ireland will target 40 investments for the Mid-East region in the period 2021 to 2024.

I am advised that IDA Ireland intend to partner with Meath County Council for the delivery of an advance planning permit for an Advanced Technology Building in Navan, Co. Meath to advance the location from an attractiveness perspective.

IDA Ireland will continue to work closely with existing clients across the regions to retain and strengthen their presence through continued company transformation as well as pursuing new areas of opportunity for client companies. IDA will also continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland and its indigenous base of companies to identify synergies, enhance clusters, participate in site visits and maximise benefits.