Written Answers Nos. 58-77
58. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding that was allocated to Enterprise Ireland’s research, development and innovation fund, including relevant business support schemes in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3495/23]
View answerMy Department allocates funding annually for Enterprise Ireland’s Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) budget to provide direct and indirect research development and innovation supports for indigenous companies and to support the commercialisation of State funded research under the following activities -
Activity 1 – Transforming R&D Activity in Enterprise - provides RD&I support for all stages of company development and innovation.
Activity 2 – Industry Collaboration with 3rd Level Sector – including Technology Gateways, Innovation Partnerships, Technology Centres, International Collaboration (which provides for Horizon Europe related activities), Innovation Vouchers, New Frontiers Programme and European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs).
Activity 3 – Realising the Commercial Potential of Ireland's Research Community - comprising the Commercialisation Fund, Knowledge Transfer Ireland Technology Transfer Strengthening Initiative, and Incubator Space at 3rd level.
Activity 4 – Programme Support: Funds the central resource in Enterprise Ireland to manage and facilitate its RD&I activities.
The table below sets out the allocation of funding to the Enterprise Ireland Research, Development and Innovation budget for 2021, 2022 and 2023.
|
B4 - Allocation |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
REV - Capital |
€ 122,000,000 |
€ 125,925,000 |
€ 130,427,000 |
|
Covid Capital Scheme |
€ 5,000,000 |
€ 1,000,000 |
|
|
Supplementary REV |
€ 13,400,000 |
- |
- |
|
European Digital Innovation Hubs |
- |
€ 3,000,000 |
€ 6,000,000 |
|
European Regional Development Fund Projects |
- |
- |
€ 15,656,000 |
|
Current Funding |
€ 4,854,000 |
€ 5,379,000 |
€ 6,026,000 |
|
Total |
€145,254,000 |
€135,304,000 |
€158,109,000 |
59. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding that was allocated to the workplace relations programme by his Department in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3497/23]
View answerThe State’s dispute resolution mechanisms for industrial relations and employment rights disputes comprise the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), the Labour Court and residual functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT). These are independent, statutory bodies, which are funded by my Department.
The WRC was established in 2015 and its functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services. The Labour Court is the court of last resort in industrial relations disputes and since 2015, is the main appellate body in appeals of decisions of the WRC’s adjudication services. As the WRC and the Labour Court now carry out the functions of the EAT, it will be dissolved in accordance with the Workplace Relations Act 2015, on completion of its legacy caseload.
My Department works closely with the workplace relations bodies in monitoring their resource requirements. I am satisfied that the funding allocation to the bodies is sufficient to enable them deliver on their important work.
The Table attached sets out the amount of funding that was allocated to the workplace relations programme in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Table 1: Workplace Relations programme allocation 2021 – 2023, €,000
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
Workplace Relations Programme - Pay |
€15,503 |
€16,029 |
€17,285 |
|
Workplace Relations Programme – Non-Pay |
€3,104 |
€3,104 |
€3,154 |
|
Workplace Relations Programme – Pensions |
€983 |
€983 |
€1,008 |
|
Total: |
€19,590 |
€20,116 |
€21,447 |
60. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding that was allocated to the balance for better business initiative in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3498/23]
View answerFor 2021, 2022, and 2023, the Balance for Better Business Initiative had a per annum allocation of €175,000. This allocation is designed to cover the services of the Part-Time Programme Director, access to datasets and research, the production and launch of the Annual Report, PR and Communications Services for the Group’s work, and other associated ancillaries.
The actual expenditure figures for 2021, 2022, and 2023 to date are as follows:
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
€105,000.00 |
€190,327.00 |
To Date: €17,613.60Annual Estimate: €175,000.00 |
As noted in the Appropriation Account 2021, a Covid-19 related delay in the 2021 launch event of the Balance for Better Business report to December that year resulted in relevant invoices not falling for payment until 2022, contributing to an underspend in 2021 and an overspend in 2022.
61. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding that was allocated to the local enterprise office supports, including the businesses continuity voucher, trading online voucher scheme, and the micro-enterprise assistance fund in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3499/23]
View answerThe overall capital allocation for LEO programmes in 2023 is €35.8m. The allocation to individual LEO programmes is yet to be finalised and is subject to approval of the Enterprise Ireland board.
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVs) received an allocation of €12.5m in 2021, to meet the increased demand for this support throughout the pandemic, and €3m in 2022.
Both the Business Continuity Voucher and the Micro Enterprise Assistance Fund were introduced as emergency supports in 2020 to help businesses in the immediate aftermath of COVID-19 and neither scheme received an allocation in subsequent years.
|
Category |
Budget Allocation € 2021 |
Budget Allocation € 2022 |
|
Total Grant assistance (including TOVs & Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters) |
24191000 |
14691500 |
|
Enterprise Development and Associated Programmes |
11552000 |
12499781 |
|
LEO National Initiatives |
4920000 |
4608719 |
|
Other Measures (Competitive Fund, Border Brexit programmes and Exporting Seminars) |
5337000 |
0 |
|
Total allocation to LEOs through the A8 Budget |
46000000 |
31800000 |
62. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding that was allocated to the Intertrade Ireland supports, including e-merge, emergency business solutions, ready for customs grant, online customs insights course, and Brexit advisory clinics in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3500/23]
View answerThe Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment provides joint funding, alongside the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy, for InterTradeIreland (ITI), the North-South implementation body responsible for the promotion of trade and business on an all-island and cross-border basis. ITI uses this funding from both departments to operate a wide range of supports to help promote trade and business on an all-island and cross-border basis.
DETE’s budget allocation for ITI in 2021 was €11.036m, of which €8.37m is dedicated to capital funding to allow ITI to operate its supports.
DETE’s budget allocation for ITI in 2022 was €11.586m, of which €8.9m is dedicated to capital funding to allow ITI to operate its supports.
DETE’s budget allocation for ITI in 2023 is €11.586m, of which €8.9m is dedicated to capital funding to allow ITI to operate its supports.
The below table sets out ITI's expenditure on its Brexit and Covid-19 supports. The body's Covid-19 support schemes, E-Merge and Emergency Business Solutions, concluded in 2021. ITI is not yet in a position to report on 2023 expenditure as the accounts for the year-ended 31 December 2022 are still in progress.
|
InterTradeIreland Support |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Brexit supports |
€1,573,118 |
€711,577 |
|
Emerge |
€1,491,144 |
|
|
Emergency Business Solutions |
€1,411,670 |
63. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown of Enterprise Ireland-supported jobs over the past five years per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3564/23]
View answerEnterprise Ireland supported jobs over the past five years are as follows:
Annual Employment Survey (AES) Total Employment by county per given year
|
County |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
|
Carlow |
3,815 |
3,500 |
3,171 |
3,257 |
3,221 |
|
Cavan |
6,534 |
6,506 |
6,045 |
6,089 |
5,842 |
|
Clare |
5,266 |
4,286 |
4,372 |
4,325 |
4,115 |
|
Cork |
25,585 |
24,962 |
25,706 |
25,130 |
24,444 |
|
Donegal |
4,308 |
4,209 |
4,148 |
4,236 |
3,993 |
|
Dublin |
70,785 |
66,704 |
77,352 |
78,003 |
77,426 |
|
Galway |
8,651 |
8,122 |
8,369 |
8,431 |
8,095 |
|
Kerry |
4,874 |
4,598 |
4,697 |
4,828 |
4,833 |
|
Kildare |
9,270 |
9,098 |
9,154 |
9,301 |
8,931 |
|
Kilkenny |
4,908 |
4,960 |
4,784 |
4,832 |
4,549 |
|
Laois |
1,924 |
1,886 |
1,849 |
1,769 |
1,543 |
|
Leitrim |
834 |
622 |
585 |
610 |
607 |
|
Limerick |
8,736 |
9,141 |
9,774 |
9,755 |
9,561 |
|
Longford |
2,223 |
2,262 |
2,959 |
2,954 |
2,979 |
|
Louth |
6,369 |
6,521 |
6,372 |
6,207 |
5,937 |
|
Mayo |
5,288 |
4,862 |
4,888 |
5,037 |
4,714 |
|
Meath |
7,943 |
7,510 |
7,845 |
7,687 |
7,393 |
|
Monaghan |
6,255 |
5,579 |
5,548 |
5,749 |
5,626 |
|
Offaly |
4,260 |
4,249 |
4,172 |
4,238 |
4,314 |
|
Roscommon |
1,619 |
1,684 |
1,754 |
1,788 |
1,791 |
|
Sligo |
2,116 |
1,966 |
1,992 |
2,013 |
1,917 |
|
Tipperary |
6,542 |
6,287 |
6,556 |
6,225 |
5,945 |
|
Waterford |
7,502 |
6,519 |
6,208 |
6,853 |
6,849 |
|
Westmeath |
3,099 |
3,019 |
3,296 |
3,382 |
3,564 |
|
Wexford |
5,580 |
5,024 |
5,114 |
4,926 |
4,714 |
|
Wicklow |
3,892 |
3,818 |
3,903 |
4,270 |
4,283 |
|
Grand Total |
218,178 |
207,894 |
220,613 |
221,895 |
217,186 |
In 2022, 19,660 new jobs were created by Enterprise Ireland client companies.
Enterprise Ireland companies now employ 218,178 people, an increase of 5% on the 2021 outturn and 68% of these jobs are outside Dublin.
Employment increased across Enterprise Ireland’s three core economic sectors - Technology & Services (+8%), Industrial and Life Sciences (+5%) and Food and Sustainability (+3%).
Strong employment growth was reported in specific sub sectors such as:
- Climate, Sustainability and Agritech (+13%)
- Digital Technology (+9%),
- High Tech Construction and Housing (+6%)
- Fintech, Financial and Business Services (+6%)
The employment base in Ireland is already strong as further evidenced by the substantial jobs figures announced by Enterprise Ireland in recent days. 2021 was a record year for employment creation in Enterprise Ireland companies and to see a further 5% increase in total employment in 2022 shows the potential we have to continue to go from strength-to-strength.
Balanced regional development is being achieved in terms of both new jobs created and total employment. More than 147,000 people outside of the Dublin region are now employed by Enterprise Ireland client companies, making an enormous contribution to local economies and communities.
The Government’s target to have a record 2.5 million people employed by 2024 has already been exceeded. Enterprise Ireland has also exceeded its own employment target for 2022.
64. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the granting of controlled burning permits by local authorities; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no permits are currently being granted due to a directive from his Department. [3470/23]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. [1926/23] of 18th January, 2023. The position is unchanged.
65. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the invalidity pension is a qualifying payment for the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3521/23]
View answerThe eligibility criteria for the Warmer Homes Scheme are mainly linked to Department of Social Protection (DSP) means tested payments. Priority is then given to those living in the worst performing homes, with Building Energy Ratings of E, F or G. These criteria are in place with the aim of targeting the support to those on the lowest incomes in the least efficient homes, so that the resources available to the scheme can have the greatest impact. There are no plans currently to amend the eligibility criteria.
The Invalidity Pension is not a qualifying payment for the Warmer Homes scheme. However, households where someone is in receipt of the Invalidity Pension may qualify for one of the DSP payments that are eligible payments for the Warmer Homes scheme, such as the Fuel Allowance. However, this would be subject to the household meeting the relevant DSP operational guidelines and means test where required for the respective payment. My Department has no function in relation to DSP schemes, means testing or payments.
For people who do not meet the qualifying criteria for free upgrades the Government also provides supports to homeowners to improve energy efficiency in their homes. Included in these supports are grants for attic and cavity wall insulation which were tripled in value last year, to urgently reduce energy use and cost as part of the Government’s overall response to high energy prices and the increased cost of living. Details are available on SEAI’s website at www.seai.ie/grants
There are also other grants and schemes available from Government that could be of assistance where there is an urgent need for home repairs. These include the Department of Social Protection Urgent Needs Payment available through the Community Welfare Service at local DSP offices, and the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme which is administered by the Local Authorities.
66. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on his efforts to provide for packaging-free zones in supermarkets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3568/23]
View answerA number of relevant measures are in development which are supportive of retailers developing packaging-free zones.
Ireland's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model for packaging places legal obligations on packaging producers to recover and recycle the packaging they place on the Irish market. Repak, the national producer responsibility organisation, helps members meet these legal obligations through financial incentives and support measures, such as:
- Eco-modulation: In 2021, Repak introduced a modulated fee structure for plastic packaging, incentivising more sustainable production amongst producers. Repak members, including all the major retailers/supermarkets, must pay according to both the amount and type of packaging they place on the Irish market; paying more for packaging that cannot be readily recycled.
- Plastic Pledge: Repak's Plastic Pledge initiative supports a commitment from members to prioritise the prevention of plastic packaging waste, to minimise single use packaging and to promote packaging reuse. The Plastic Pledge report is published online annually. The 2021 report states that an average reduction in plastic packaging of 25% was achieved by members who participated.
At EU level, the European Commission published its proposals for a revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive in November 2022. The proposal seeks to reduce packaging waste by 15% by 2040 per Member State per capita, compared to 2018. The specific measures proposed include the mandatory use of reusable or refillable packaging. Negotiations of the proposal are now underway. Ireland has expressed its support for the revision.
Finally, the Government’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy includes a range of ambitious, holistic measures to reform and strengthen how we manage our waste. The Plan commits to supporting reuse in Ireland and mandates the inclusion of reuse targets within the National Waste Management Plan which will be published this year.
67. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has considered the French government's steps to introduce solar panels on all car parks in France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3569/23]
View answerMy colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage has responsibility for the overall development of national planning policy and legislation. Under that remit, his Department also has responsibility for the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive and are working closely with the EU Commission and other member states in relation to the revised Directive, which is currently being finalised. This recast Energy Performance in Buildings Directive includes provisions that will have a considerable effect in supporting an EU-wide rooftop solar strategy for multiple building types over the coming years. Article 9a of the current draft version of the Directive refers to requirements for Solar energy in buildings and focuses on Member States ensuring that all new buildings are designed to optimise their solar energy generation potential on the basis of the solar irradiance of the site which in turn will enable the later cost-effective installation of solar technologies. This draft also includes targets for Member States to ensure the deployment of suitable solar energy installations on all new public and commercial non-residential buildings by 2027 and all new residential buildings by 2029. The final version of the directive is due to be published shortly and further details can be obtained from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. My department oversees both the Microgeneration Support Scheme for installations up to 50kWe gov.ie - Micro-generation (www.gov.ie) and is developing the Small-Scale Generation scheme gov.ie - Consultation on a Small-Scale Generation Support Scheme (SSG) in Ireland (www.gov.ie) for generators above 50kW to support the deployment of rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV in cohorts that are not as suited to other support measures, such as the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme.
68. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will survey the use and demand on the current 13.35 Dublin Connolly to Rosslare Europort train service; if there are any current considerations to increase the number of carriages on the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3453/23]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue of the surveying of rail passenger demand and the amendment of rail services is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to both Iarnród Éireann and the NTA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
69. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is funding the DAA to purchase land (details supplied); if he is concerned that this will create a monopoly in terms of parking for the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3461/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, daa plc has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport, which they do on a commercial basis with no recourse to Exchequer funding.
Any complaint in relation to competition in the market is a matter for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission who are the statutory body responsible for promoting compliance with, and enforcing, competition and consumer protection law in Ireland.
70. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the anticipated timeline for the assessment of stage 1 applications and for applicants to be invited to move to stage 2 of the process with respect to the local hackney pilot scheme, notwithstanding the final acceptance date of 28 February 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3468/23]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the Local Area Hackney Scheme, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
71. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to cases whereby driving test candidates have been refused tests due to NCT expirations on their vehicle, in spite of having one booked, and the known delays for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3475/23]
View answerThe operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred this question to the Authority for reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within 10 days.
However, I am informed by the RSA that where a motorist has a driving test appointment and their vehicle's NCT has expired within 3 months of the driving test date, if the candidate can bring evidence of an NCT test appointment then the test will proceed.
72. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving tests cancelled in north Kildare due to the usual testing roads not being gritted during the recent cold snap; if such gritting will be undertaken as a normal activity in the future in the event of ice forecast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3542/23]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test services. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days. Neither my Department or the RSA has any role in determining when or where gritting of roads takes place.
73. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport the average installation cost of a sheltered bus stop. [3619/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
Noting their responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
74. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport the average yearly maintenance cost of a sheltered bus stop. [3620/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
Noting its responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
75. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport the average amount of the monthly maintenance cost that is offset by advertising on sheltered bus stops. [3621/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
Noting its responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
76. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus stops per county; and of those, the number that are sheltered, in tabular form. [3622/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
Noting its responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
77. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport the dates and times of bus cancellations from Donegal town and Dublin Airport in the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3627/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.Further, Bus Éireann's Expressway services, including route 30/X30, are commercial bus services and responsibility for the operation of those services is a matter for the company.I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
