Tuesday, 13 Dec 2022

Written Answers Nos. 128-149

Labour Market

Questions (128)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the total number of persons currently employed in the manufacturing sector throughout the country. [62300/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of employment estimates in the State.

The LFS sectoral employment figures are based on the EU NACE Rev. 2 classification.

In Q3 2022 291,300 persons were employed in NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector C Manufacturing.

Table 1 below shows the number of persons aged 15 - 89 years in employment (ILO) in NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector C Manufacturing the third quarter 2012 – 2022.

Table 1 Persons aged 15-89 years in employment (ILO) in NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector C Manufacturing Q3 2012-2022

'000

Economic sector (NACE Rev.2)				Q3 2012	Q3 2013	Q3 2014	Q3 2015	Q3 2016	Q3 2017	Q3 2018	Q3 2019	Q3 2020	Q3 2021	Q3 2022
C	Manufacturing			207.9	220.7	222.0	236.0	256.6	257.0	254.1	261.1	263.8	276.1	291.3

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.

Data may be subject to future revision.

Reference period: q3=July- September.

Services Sector

Questions (129)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the total number of persons currently employed in the services sector throughout the country. [62301/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Jack Chambers)

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of employment estimates in the State.

The LFS sectoral employment figures are based on the EU NACE Rev. 2 classification.

In Q3 2022 1,947,900 persons were employed in NACE Rev.2 Economic Sectors G-U (Total Services).

Table 1 below shows the number of persons aged 15 - 89 years in employment (ILO) classified by NACE Rev.2 Economic Sectors the third quarter 2012 – 2022.

Table 1 Persons aged 15-89 years in employment (ILO) classified by sex and NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector Q3 2012-2022

'000

Economic sector (NACE Rev.2)		Q3 2012	Q3 2013	Q3 2014	Q3 2015	Q3 2016	Q3 2017	Q3 2018	Q3 2019	Q3 2020	Q3 2021	Q3 2022
A	Agriculture, forestry and fishing	110.1	112.2	108.9	112.0	115.9	111.2	104.5	99.3	98.3	107.0	94.6
B-F	Total Industry	315.4	339.1	347.0	377.0	404.2	417.6	431.1	443.8	432.7	453.4	501.4
B-E	Industry	232.7	249.8	250.3	266.4	284.7	289.1	284.6	294.0	298.9	307.1	330.4
F	Construction	82.8	89.2	96.8	110.6	119.5	128.5	146.5	149.8	133.7	146.3	171.0
G-U	Total Services	1,456.0	1,504.8	1,543.5	1,578.9	1,628.3	1,667.4	1,724.9	1,774.7	1,715.4	1,905.9	1,947.9
G	Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles	276.5	284.8	290.2	290.5	299.2	303.9	300.8	300.9	302.3	310.8	315.3
H	Transportation and storage	83.3	83.6	84.1	87.0	92.6	93.7	101.1	103.7	100.1	108.7	108.5
I	Accommodation and food service activities	127.2	144.5	148.6	150.3	162.5	164.8	181.2	176.7	137.2	176.7	170.0
J	Information and communication	91.2	97.5	95.8	101.9	109.4	117.0	124.1	130.8	128.3	147.3	159.5
K-L	Financial, insurance and real estate activities	103.5	104.3	108.1	105.3	108.7	108.1	100.8	114.2	123.4	137.9	127.4
M	Professional, scientific and technical activities	106.2	121.5	128.6	135.8	140.1	132.9	134.8	132.7	140.6	164.9	165.7
N	Administrative and support service activities	79.7	78.8	79.9	83.8	84.4	92.6	105.2	109.2	92.1	103.1	110.9
O	Public administration and defence; compulsory social security	88.5	87.3	90.3	93.7	92.2	95.4	103.6	113.9	117.7	124.2	132.2
P	Education	134.0	136.6	140.7	143.7	146.6	160.2	169.8	182.6	182.6	208.3	206.3
Q	Human health and social work activities	257.8	257.9	266.7	271.2	273.9	281.2	281.3	290.8	288.0	306.4	336.6
R-U	Other NACE activities	108.0	108.0	110.5	115.6	118.8	117.6	122.3	119.2	103.0	117.6	115.6
	Not stated	7.0	5.9	9.9	10.7	10.0	[7.9]	8.4	[5.6]	*	*	10.4
	Total persons	1,888.5	1,962.0	2,009.4	2,078.6	2,158.4	2,204.2	2,268.9	2,323.4	2,250.0	2,471.2	2,554.3

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.

Parentheses [ ] indicate where there are 30-49 persons in a cell, estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution.

An asterisk (*) indicates that estimates for numbers of persons or averages where there are less than 30 persons in a cell are not produced as estimates are too small to be considered reliable.  

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.

Data may be subject to future revision.

Reference period: q3=July- September.

Job Creation

Questions (130)

Charles Flanagan

Question:

130. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Taoiseach if he will outline in detail the level of employment growth in quarter 3 2022 in counties Laois and Offaly, each of the midland counties and nationally in other counties. [61791/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Jack Chambers)

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of employment estimates in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q3 2022.

The quarterly LFS employment estimates are produced by NUTS3 Regions (NUTS3 is a geocode standard referencing the eight subdivisions of Ireland for statistical and planning purposes). Due to the methodology and sample size of the survey it is not possible to produce reliable county estimates from the LFS.

The NUTS 3 Midland region includes counties Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.

Employment in the Midland region increased by 6,200 to 148,800 in the year to Q3 2022. Employment in the Midland region in Q2 2022 was 153,000.

Nationally, the estimated number of persons in employment in Q3 2022 was 2,554,300, an increase by 83,000 or 3.4% in the year to Q3 2022. The Q2 estimate for the number of persons in employment was 2,554,600.

The table below shows the employment figures for persons aged 15-89 years in the Midlands NUTS3 Region and the national regional comparisons for the third quarter 2012-2022.

Table 1 Persons in Employment aged 15 years and over classified by NUTS2 and NUTS3 Regions

Region	Q3 12	Q3 13	Q3 14	Q3 15	Q3 16	Q3 17	Q3 18	Q3 19	Q3 20	Q3 21	Q3 22
Northern and Western	327.7	346.9	352.9	359.0	370.6	383.6	386.2	395.8	382.8	428.3	437.2
Border	145.7	158.4	168.3	174.2	178.4	180.4	178.0	176.4	165.6	196.7	200.0
West	182.0	188.5	184.7	184.8	192.3	203.2	208.2	219.4	217.2	231.6	237.2
Southern	632.7	660.4	666.9	687.2	718.2	719.0	734.3	736.2	724.9	792.3	822.7
Mid-West	189.1	198.1	202.9	206.9	213.5	215.2	215.2	217.4	210.2	232.1	239.5
South-East	157.5	162.3	170.7	175.9	184.2	185.7	186.5	189.6	187.5	200.8	216.9
South-West	286.1	300.0	293.4	304.4	320.4	318.1	332.7	329.2	327.2	359.3	366.3
Eastern and Midland	928.0	954.7	989.6	1,032.3	1,069.6	1,101.6	1,148.4	1,191.4	1,142.3	1,250.6	1,294.4
Dublin	552.2	576.4	593.4	621.7	648.8	662.5	694.9	717.6	678.6	747.9	771.3
Mid-East	276.5	272.0	288.9	298.6	306.3	319.8	326.5	342.4	332.0	360.1	374.3
Midland	99.3	106.3	107.3	112.0	114.5	119.3	126.9	131.4	131.7	142.6	148.8
State	1,888.5	1,962.0	2,009.4	2,078.6	2,158.4	2,204.2	2,268.9	2,323.4	2,250.0	2,471.2	2,554.3

Source: Labour Force Survey, CSO

Departmental Funding

Questions (131)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

131. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Taoiseach the funding that was provided to Limerick from his Department in 2022, broken down by project in tabular form. [61631/22]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

My Department has not provided any funding to projects in Limerick in 2022.

Departmental Policies

Questions (132)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

132. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020 [61658/22]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

Since 27 June 2020, my Department has been working with Departments to progress key national priorities set out in the Programme for Government through the work programmes of the eleven Cabinet Committees established:

- delivery of the Economic Recovery Plan 2021 and protecting Ireland’s economic recovery through continued job creation and transitioning towards a decarbonised and digital economy;

- delivering a fair and progressive budget providing €11 billion in measures to help families and business cope with the impact of rising prices

- coordinating the work across Government on Ireland’s humanitarian response for over 65,000 people who have arrived from Ukraine and have availed of Temporary Protection in Ireland;

- publication of the Housing for All Plan, an ambitious and far-reaching plan to address the provision of housing, which is driving delivery of the Government’s commitment to increase the supply of housing and to provide a sustainable housing system into the future;

- publication of the report and recommendations on the Future of Media Commission;

- a new national digital strategy was launched to drive and enable the digital transition across the Irish economy and society;

- management of the whole of Government Response to COVID-19 including the vaccine roll-out;

- the establishment of a Shared Island Unit in my Department, the Shared Island Fund of €1 billion to 2023, which has already supported a range of projects and a series of dialogues and research to inform this work;

- completion of the work of Citizens’ Assemblies on Gender Equality and on a directly-elected mayor for Dublin. The report for the Citizens’ Assembly on a directly-elected mayor for Dublin is being finalised and is expected to be submitted to the Oireachtas by the end of the year. Work of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss is also nearing completion;

- continuing the programme of events as part of the Decade of Commemorations, including the Centenaries of the Handover of Dublin Castle, the Irish Civil War and the inauguration of the Irish Free State, in addition to the Annual State Commemorations: Easter Sunday 1916 Rising and the National Day of Commemoration;

- advancing Ireland's role in Europe and the world, including through my participation in the European Council, Ireland's seat on the UN Security Council and with respect to continuing EU-UK discussions on the Northern Ireland protocol;

- seven legislative programmes published setting out priority legislation across Government;

- launch of the revised National Development Plan, setting out the roadmap for investment of €165 billion in new and upgraded infrastructure over the decade ahead;

- supporting the development of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and the Climate Action Plan 2021 which are key elements of a suite of measures introduced to fundamentally alter Ireland’s approach to climate change-

- continued work across my Department in a range of initiatives such as implementing Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework; progressing Ireland’s well-being framework, developing the Government’s approach to social dialogue, implementation of the future of policing plan, supporting the work of the North East Inner City and work on Civil Service Renewal.

Departmental Funding

Questions (133)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

133. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if the additional €50 million shared island funding announced on 5 December 2022 includes an allocation to the City of Derry Airport for the reopening of the Dublin to Derry route which he discussed with the North West Regional Development Group when he met with representatives earlier in 2022. [61666/22]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Shared Island fund allocations announced on 5 December 2022 do not relate to air transport. Further details of these allocations can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/5c8f1-taoiseach-announces-over-50m-in-new-funding-for-shared-island-programmes.

The air connectivity review, which is a commitment under the New Decade, New Approach agreement, and includes the Dublin Derry route, remains under consideration by Government. This review is being conducted by the Department of Transport, and as part of ongoing engagement, Minister of State Naughton met with members of both management and the Board of City of Derry Airport on 8 November.

Northern Ireland

Questions (134, 138)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

134. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Taoiseach the status of the shared island programme since its establishment in 2020; the key initiatives taken; and his assessment of their impact to date. [61718/22]

Cormac Devlin

Question:

138. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an overview of the Shared Island programme since its launch in 2020; the funding provided; and the initiatives supported. [62173/22]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 138 together.

Through the Government’s Shared Island initiative, we are engaging with all communities and political traditions to build consensus around a shared future; and delivering tangible benefits for the whole island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.

This work proceeds on a whole of Government basis, and working with Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government counterparts, and with cross-border local authority, education institution and civil society partnerships.

On 5 December, I convened the 2 Shared Island Forum with over 200 civic and political representatives participating in-person from across the island of Ireland and Britain, and proceedings were broadcast online. The event reviewed progress with the Shared Island initiative over the last two years and key objectives and concerns for the years ahead.

In delivering the keynote address, I announced over €50m in allocations by Government from the Shared Island Fund, to deliver a suite of new programmes:

- €11m for all-island biodiversity actions on peatlands restoration and biosecurity;

- €7.6m for a new all-island tourism brand collaboration and marketing initiative;

- €8m for a Shared Island dimension to the Creative Ireland programme and cultural heritage projects over 2023-2027;

- €2m funding contribution to a new Shared Island Civic Society fund;

- €12m for development of a cross-border innovation hub; and

- €10m funding contribution to a second round of the North South Research Programme.

I also confirmed a contribution of €20m from the Shared Island Fund for Co-Centres for Research and Innovation on Climate and Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems.

In total over 2020-2022, the Government has allocated over €190m from the Shared Island Fund, delivering on our investment commitments and objectives on Shared Island, as set out in the Programme for Government and revised National Development Plan.

Shared Island Fund allocations are enabling the long-standing Ulster Canal and Narrow Water Bridge projects to move forward and a range of new all-island programmes that bring people together around common objectives including on: research collaboration, community climate action; installation of EV charging infrastructure; arts investment projects; and new cross-border local authority investment proposals.

The Government will continue in the years to come to make allocations from the Shared Island Fund to take forward investment and cooperation projects that create a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island for all communities.

The continuing absence of the power-sharing Executive and inability of the North South Ministerial Council to meet impacts what is possible, and it is crucial that all political institutions of the Good Friday Agreement return to effective operation without further delay.

The Government is ready to undertake significantly more all-island investment cooperation in the time ahead, working with a new Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government.

The Shared Island unit in my Department has commissioned a comprehensive programme of published research to examine and deepen understanding of the island in economic, social, cultural and political terms. Research so far includes:

- a comprehensive report by the National Economic and Social Council with recommendations to Government on deepening beneficial co-operation across a range of economic, social and environmental areas on the island; and,

- a joint research programme by my Department with the Economic and Social Research Institute, with reports to date examining Services, Foreign Direct Investment, Productivity and Education, Primary Healthcare, and Renewable Energy systems on an island-wide basis.

Over the last two years, I and my Government colleagues have convened 14 Shared Island Dialogue events, hearing from more than 2,500 citizens and civic representatives from across all communities, traditions and regions on how in tangible ways we could better share this island. Dialogues have been held this year in person and across the island, focusing on sectoral issues - tourism; sport; and rural development - and on wider societal concerns for the island, including identity; arts and culture; and tackling gender-based violence and abuse.

The Dialogues have confirmed the broad support there is for more ambitious action and interaction right across this island and inform how the Government is developing new investment, policy and cooperation under the Shared Island initiative.

On 5 December, my Department published a report setting out how the Government has taken forward the initiative in 2022, available at www.gov.ie/sharedisland .

As a Government, we are taking sincere, ambitious, sustained action to enable the best prospects for our shared future on this island. The Government’s Shared Island Initiative is an inclusive, practical, positive agenda of action on a shared future for all communities, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.

Cabinet Committees

Questions (135)

Alan Kelly

Question:

135. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will detail all Cabinet Committee meetings in whatever form to date in 2022, by date and meeting name in tabular form. [62078/22]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Government has established 11 Cabinet Committees as set out in the table below, the date each of those Cabinet Committees has met in 2022 to date is also listed. Cabinet Committees are established by the Government to assist it in carrying out the responsibilities of Government in the areas indicated by their titles. They meet as appropriate according to their work schedules.

Cabinet Committee meetings held in 2022

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec	No. of meetings held to date
COVID-19	-	28 Feb	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Economic Recovery and Investment	-	10 Feb	28 Mar	-	16 May	-	14 Jul	-	-	3 Oct	28 Nov	-	6
Housing	24 Jan	-	3 Mar	4 Apr	12 May	-	11 Jul	-	15 Sept	24 Oct	21 Nov	-	8
Health	-	28 Feb	31 Mar	28 Apr	-	9 Jun	-	-	-	-	14 Nov	-	5
Environment and Climate Change	-	21 Feb	-	-	9 May	-	25 Jul	-	-	27 Oct	-	-	4
Social Affairs and Equality	-	-	7 Mar	-	16 May	-	-	-	-	25 Oct	-	-	3
Education	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0
Europe	-	-	7 Mar	-	-	20 Jun	-	-	-	13 Oct	-	8 Dec	4
Brexit and Northern Ireland	-	-	-	-	-	27 Jun	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
Government Co-ordination	4 Jan 11 Jan 17 Jan 24 Jan 31 Jan	7 Feb 14 Feb 21 Feb 28 Feb	7 Mar 21 Mar	4 Apr 12 Apr 25 Apr	9 May 18 May 23 May	13 Jun 20 Jun 27 Jun	11 Jul 26 Jul	-	6 Sept 13 Sept 19 Sept 26 Sept	3 Oct 10 Oct 24 Oct	21 Nov 28 Nov	5 Dec 12 Dec	33
Accommodation and Supports for Ukrainian Refugees	-	-	-	-	12 May	13 Jun	25 Jul	-	-	24 Oct	-	-	4

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (136)

Neale Richmond

Question:

136. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the French President, Emanuel Macron. [60898/22]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I attended a working lunch with President Macron in Paris on Thursday, 24 November.

The meeting was an opportunity to mark the intensification of our bilateral relations in recent years, and to exchange views on current EU and international issues ahead of the December European Council.

Relations between Ireland and France have never been stronger, underpinned by the Joint Plan of Action we agreed when President Macron visited Dublin in 2021.

This includes the significant increase in maritime connections to Cork, Rosslare and Dublin, as well as progress on the Celtic Interconnector, which will link the Irish and French electricity grids when it comes online in 2026.

President Macron and I agreed that the EU will only rise to the many challenges it faces if we continue to stand together, to work with unity and purpose, and support each other through difficult times.

We discussed our shared, unequivocal support for the people of Ukraine; further steps in the EU’s coordinated response on energy prices and security of supply; and driving forward with the digital and green transformations while maintaining the EU’s global competitiveness.

We also discussed renewing and strengthening the EU’s partnerships with key allies, including the US and the UK, at a time when democracy is under pressure in many parts of the world.

I took the opportunity to express again my personal thanks to President Macron for his unswerving solidarity with Ireland throughout Brexit.

Labour Market

Questions (137)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

137. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on employment rates. [61737/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a household survey which provides quarterly statistics on employment and unemployment and is the official source of labour market estimates in the State. The primary classification used for the LFS results is the ILO (International Labour Organization) labour force classification.

The most recent figures available from the LFS are for the third quarter (Q3) of 2022.

The Q3 2022 employment rate was 73.2%. The corresponding value in Q2 2022 was 73.5%.

The employment rate (ILO) is the number of employed persons aged 15-64 years expressed as a percentage of the total population aged 15 to 64 years.

Table 1 below shows the employment rate (ILO) for persons aged 15-64 years in Ireland for Q3 2012-2022.

Employment (ILO) rate for persons aged 15 - 64 years classified by gender, Q3 2012 - Q3 2022

	Employment Rate %
Q3 2012	60.2
Q3 2013	62.5
Q3 2014	63.8
Q3 2015	65.3
Q3 2016	67.2
Q3 2017	67.9
Q3 2018	68.9
Q3 2019	69.5
Q3 2020	66.4
Q3 2021	72.2
Q3 2022	73.2

Source: Labour Force Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.

Data may be subject to future revision.

Reference period: q3=July- September.

Question No. 138 answered with Question No. 134.

Official Engagements

Questions (139)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

139. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Taoiseach the protocol for Ministers visiting counties and constituencies in respect of extending invitations to local councillors and Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. [62345/22]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

My Department has no protocol for extending invitations to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and Local Councillors on my visits to constituencies.

Business Supports

Questions (140)

Denis Naughten

Question:

140. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans that he has to extend financial supports to businesses involved in import substitution from outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58144/22]

Written answers

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

Success in export markets is crucial to the long-term growth of Irish businesses and the Irish economy. Assistance for companies focused on growth through international sales is a priority for my Department and for our enterprise development Agencies.

A keen knowledge of the competitive and sometimes challenging environment in which Irish companies operate in is the key to successful export growth. Through its Market Research Centre, Enterprise Ireland, for example, utilises world class market research reports on behalf of its clients in order to prepare companies for their export journey, equipped with the latest data on trade and market entry requirements, in particular for non-EU markets.

Enterprise Ireland also have a programme of trade missions, trade fairs and knowledge events that give clients the opportunity to connect with existing and new customers, access key decision makers, increase sales in international markets and exchange ideas.

Global Ireland 2025 was launched in 2018 by Enterprise Ireland with the aim of doubling the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period to 2025. In that regard, Enterprise Ireland has expanded its global presence through the opening of eight new offices internationally including in Third countries such as Montreal, Seattle, Melbourne and Ho Chi Minh City. These offices are being embedded into the Enterprise Ireland overseas network and will help to build new buyer relationships in markets where growth opportunities have been identified and where market entry challenges can be identified, including the practice of import substitution if it arises.

As far as my Department is concerned however the issue of import substitution has not been raised by clients of Enterprise Ireland although supply chain difficulties, currency fluctuations, and general inflation impacting competitiveness continue to cause difficulties for certain sectors. I also am informed that import substitution has not yet been raised as an issue by Irish companies or domestic stakeholders in our engagement with the relevant Market Access Advisory Committees in Brussels.

Departmental Policies

Questions (141, 142)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

141. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61647/22]

Joe Flaherty

Question:

142. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions that have been taken to boost jobs and businesses since 27 June 2020. [61716/22]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together.

My Department’s Statement of Strategy sets out a vision of making Ireland the best place to succeed in business in all parts of our country, with vibrant enterprises, more high-quality employment, growing trade, fair workplaces and higher productivity.

The Strategy was developed at a time when the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union were creating unprecedented challenges for the business community in Ireland. These events and the subsequent impact of the war in Ukraine have necessitated a wide-ranging and comprehensive response from the Department.

In preparation for Brexit, the Department carried out extensive work to ensure a coordinated and coherent approach. There was intensive engagement with stakeholders in preparation for all Brexit outcomes, including the possibility of a no-deal scenario.

The Department introduced a range of funding initiatives for businesses impacted by the crises, including:

- €650 million was made available to companies through the Restart Grant and Restart Grant Plus to contribute towards the cost of reopening or keeping businesses operational during the crisis.

- Over 5,500 businesses were supported by the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19 .

- The €2 billion COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme facilitated low-cost lending to almost 10,000 businesses.

- Over €185 million was made available to SMEs under the Sustaining Enterprise Fund and the Accelerated Recovery Fund .

- The €100 million Brexit Response Scheme and the Brexit Resilience Fund were introduced to bolster the resilience of companies facing Brexit related challenges.

- The Brexit Impact Loan Scheme will provide up to €330 million to SMEs that have been impacted by Brexit and COVID-19.

- The €200 million Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme was launched in October 2022 and is helping businesses to manage the economic impact of the current crisis in Ukraine.

- To assist the wider business sector with liquidity a €1.2 billion State-backed Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme will provide low-cost working capital to businesses.

The last two years have seen strong growth in employment, driven mainly by our exporting sectors. By the end of 2021 employment figures were well above pre-pandemic levels. The Department has continued to support job creation through its agencies. The target of 2.5 million people at work set out in the Economic Recovery Plan was achieved in Q2 of 2022 and now stands at 2.554 million.

The Department oversaw the development of nine new Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024 with €180 million provided for implementation. We launched the national Remote Work Strategy in January 2021 to maximise the benefits that remote working can bring and to provide opportunities for balanced regional development.

My department was instrumental in developing Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework . The Digital Transition Fund was launched in June 2022. This €85 million fund is helping businesses at all stages of their digital transition.

DETE has delivered a number of important enhancements to workers’ rights. A new public holiday has been introduced and will fall on the 1st Monday of February, St. Brigid’s Day/Imbolc. The Sick Leave Act 2022 ensures that all qualifying employees will have an entitlement to employer-paid sick leave. This progressive Act will commence on 1st January 2023. The Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Act 2022, which came into effect on 1 December, has given employees legal rights on the protection of workplace tips. The Right to Request Remote Working Bill has been integrated into the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill which is expected to be delivered by the end of the year. To protect low paid workers, the minimum wage will move to €11.30 on 1 January 2023.

During pandemic, DETE developed the Work Safely Protocol which set out the steps and processes that businesses needed to take to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace and the Health and Safety Authority led in coordinating compliance with the measures in the Protocol. We adapted company law in response to the pandemic with a view to protecting viable businesses and preserving employment

We have taken a number of important steps to enhance consumer protection. The Sale of Tickets Act 2021 commenced in July 2021. It regulates the secondary ticket market where tickets are resold after their original purchase from the primary ticket market and where prices are more likely to be sold above their original sale price. The Consumer Rights Bill 2022 was passed by the Oireachtas in October 2022. It is the biggest reform of consumer law in 40 years. There was continued implementation of the Action Plan on Insurance Reform, which aims to deliver on commitments made in the Programme for Government to bring down the cost of insurance for consumers and business.

The Government’s new Trade and Investment Strategy Value for Ireland, Values for the World was launched in April 2022. Its goal is to see Ireland grow sustainably, diversify export markets and provide for continued economic wellbeing. We have continued to work closely with the European Commission and Member States to advance negotiations for several trade agreements.

DETE contributed to the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2021 and to Ireland’s 2050 carbon neutrality ambition. The enterprise sector is mandated to reduce manufacturing emissions by 35% to 2030 under the sectoral emissions ceilings announced in summer 2022.

A White Paper on Enterprise was published last week, ensuring Ireland is well positioned to leverage the opportunities that will arise in the period to 2030.

Question No. 142 answered with Question No. 141.

Business Supports

Questions (143)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

143. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action that has been taken to boost Ireland’s economic competitiveness since 27 June 2020. [61719/22]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Government’s Economic Recovery Plan laid the foundations for economic recovery and improving competitiveness emerging from the pandemic. Central to this was the scale of the unemployment challenge and getting people back to work, accelerating the provision of training, reskilling and upskilling. The Economic Recovery Plan set out an ambition of exceeding pre-crisis employment levels by reaching 2.5 million people in work by the end of 2024 with a two-pronged recovery approach: a focus on domestic SMEs, whilst leveraging and reinforcing the strength and resilience of the Foreign Direct Investment sector. We have hit that employment target early, with 2.55 million people now in employment.

The Government also receives advice from the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) on competitiveness and productivity issues facing the Irish economy. This year, in their annual report, Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2022 - " Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge 2022 - Competitiveness" - the Council made 20 recommendations on the policy actions required to enhance Ireland’s competitive position and improve productivity. In November, the Department of An Taoiseach issued an official response outlining how the Government is responding or will respond to the twenty actions proposed by the NCPC - "gov.ie - Response to Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2022 (www.gov.ie)".

The potential scarring effects of Brexit and then the pandemic have been minimised and our economic activity is strong. The Quarterly National Accounts for the third quarter of 2022 indicate that Modified Domestic Demand stands 9 per cent above the pre-pandemic level in the fourth quarter of 2019. GDP grew by 2.3 per cent in the third quarter due to strong MNC-related exports.

From this position of economic strength, on Wednesday 7th December, I published the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 which is available on my Department's website at white-paper-on-enterprise-2022-2030.pdf. The White Paper sets out the Government’s enterprise priorities in the period to 2030 set against an ambitious vision for Ireland’s enterprise policy, to protect economic competitiveness, and to respond to challenges and opportunities that have emerged as a result of the pandemic, wider economic and geo-political developments, digitalisation and an increased urgency to decarbonise industry. The White Paper vision is for a sustainable, innovative and high-productivity economy, with rewarding jobs and livelihoods in the period ahead.

To achieve the White Paper vision, Government will focus on seven priority enterprise policy objectives:

1. Integrating decarbonisation and net zero commitments where our targets are a 35% emissions reduction from Industry by 2030 and 45% emissions reduction from Commercial Built Environment by 2030.

2. Placing digital transformation at the heart of enterprise policy where our target is that 90% of SMEs are at basic digital intensity by 2030.

3. Strengthening the Irish-owned exporting sector where we are targeting 2.5% average annual growth in Irish-owned enterprise productivity by 2024, a 50% increase in the number of large Irish exporting companies by 2030, 2,000 additional Irish-owned exporters by 2030, and over two-thirds of Enterprise Ireland assisted new jobs between 2022 and 2024 will be created outside of Dublin.

4. Enabling locally trading sectors to thrive where our target is a 1% average annual increase in multifactor productivity growth in domestic sectors of the economy by 2025.

5. Advancing Ireland’s FDI and trade value proposition with targets of a 20% increase in IDA client expenditure in Ireland by 2024, and at least half of all FDI investments between 2021 and 2024 to be located outside of Dublin.

6. Stepping up enterprise innovation such that Gross Expenditure on R&D will increase to 2.5% of Gross National Income by 2030 and the Number of High-Potential Start-Ups is increased by 20% by 2024.

7. Building on strengths and opportunities where our targets are five national cluster organisations funded under a new National Clustering Programme by 2025 and unemployment not to exceed one percentage point of national unemployment rate in any region.

Implementation of the White Paper will be regularly reported on to Government through a monitoring and tracking of progress against identified targets and there will be biennial Implementation Plans.

Across Government we will also continue to prioritise our work on ensuring that Ireland’s business environment is attractive and supports sustained economic competitiveness, including in the areas of:

- Infrastructure challenges constraining enterprise policy

- Cost of Doing Business

- Skills and Talent

- Access to Finance

- Taxation, and Regulation.

I am also conscious that we need to make progress on basic infrastucure needs like adequate housing, energy and water. This requires cross-government collaboration and will be a focus of government in the coming years.

Health Services Staff

Questions (144)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

144. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61745/22]

Written answers

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

The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that at the time of answering there is no record of any employment permit application received for the person referred to by the Deputy.

Business Supports

Questions (145)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

145. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the full range of financial supports that are available to SMEs excluding grants or vouchers for IT and websites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61780/22]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

My department provides a range of tailored supports for small and medium enterprises. Supports include access to finance, management development, mentoring supports, business development programmes, market supports and trade promotion.

Details of the full range of supports available to SMEs are set out on a dedicated website at the following address: supportingsmes.gov.ie

Departmental Bodies

Questions (146)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

146. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress being made in filling the vacant CEO post at IDA Ireland. [61884/22]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The position of CEO of IDA Ireland was advertised nationally and internationally in early November 2022. The selection progress is ongoing.

Workplace Relations Commission

Questions (147)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

147. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views that a company (details supplied) has reneged on a WRC agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61948/22]

Written answers

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

Firstly, I extend my sympathies to the former workers of the company concerned who have been made redundant. I fully appreciate how difficult the situation is for those involved and for their families.

I also recognise that the workers involved are a vulnerable cohort of the workforce. At the time of the announced job losses in Limerick, at a local level dedicated staff in the Department of Social Protection were assigned to work directly with the employees affected by redundancy, to ensure they received their proper entitlements and any other services that were available to them.

Officials also held group information sessions and one-to-one phone meetings with the workers involved. They advised the workers on supports for jobseekers with disabilities, including the EmployAbility service which is an employment and recruitment service that helps people who have a disability to secure and maintain employment.

This action ensured employees were able to access their entitlements swiftly and in a manner that hopefully did not cause any further distress.

By law, it is the employer’s responsibility to pay statutory redundancy to eligible workers. In situations where an employer is genuinely unable to pay statutory redundancy entitlements due to financial difficulties or insolvency, the State provides a safety net and may make the statutory redundancy payments on the employer’s behalf from the Social Insurance Fund.

However, negotiations on enhanced redundancy packages over and above the statutory entitlement are entirely a voluntary matter between employers and workers. The State has no role in this matter.

For its part, the State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement mechanisms, that is, the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court, to support parties in their efforts to resolve their differences. However, I must emphasise that Ireland’s system of industrial relations is essentially voluntary in nature. The responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers rests in the first instance with the employer, the workers and their representatives.

I understand the workers and their families are disappointed that this issue is not yet resolved, but as Minister I cannot intervene in this matter. This is because the WRC and the Labour Court are independent offices of my Department. Recommendations arising from the WRC and the Labour Court are not legally binding. The State cannot compel a party to comply with a Labour Court Recommendation. I understand the most recent hearing in the Labour Court on the matter was in November.

I want to emphasise that I strongly encourage parties to engage in the industrial relations process in a constructive manner and to comply with any recommendations arising from this process. All parties should respect the arms of the State and the industrial relations machinery, which works extremely well and effectively in most cases.

Low Pay Commission

Questions (148)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

148. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 50 of 26 October 2022, the status of the report by the Low Pay Commission on universal basic income; the timeline for the publication of the report and its accompanying research report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61995/22]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

As I previously advised, I have received the Low Pay Commission’s report on Universal Basic Income, and its accompanying research report which was prepared by the Economic and Social Research Institute under the terms of the Low Pay Commission – ESRI Research Partnership Agreement.

I am considering the next steps to take including the publication in due course of the two reports.

Visa Applications

Questions (149)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

149. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when visa applications for non-EU nationals looking to work in the agricultural farming sector will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62014/22]

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 in critical short supply or are ineligible for an employment permit.

The system 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. The lists undergo periodic evidence-based review guided by relevant research, a public/stakeholder consultation and the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group and relevant policy Departments including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine who have policy responsibility for this sector.

Occupations in the farming sector that have been provided with further extensions to quotas of General Employment Permits in the past year include Dairy Farm Assistant (100 GEPs), Horticulture Operative (1000 GEPs), and Work Riders (100 GEPs). The quota for Dairy Farm Assistant has now expired with the last permits issued in early November.

The use of quotas ensures that in the longer-term, strategies are put in place to source labour supply from both the domestic and European labour markets and to invest in innovative technologies to automate the sector when possible.

In order to have an occupation considered for adding to or removing from the Occupations Lists, or for a quota to be created, recruitment difficulties should be demonstrated as due to shortages across the EEA and not to other factors such as salary and/or employment conditions. Sectors are also required to engage structurally with the public employment service of the Department of Social Protection.

My Department has recently received a request from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an additional quota of General Employment Permits for the role of Dairy Farm Assistant. Final consideration is now being given to this matter and a decision is expected in due course.

My Department continues to keep the employment permits system under review in light of changing labour market circumstances.