Written Answers Nos. 48-64
48. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide details on the grants given by IDA Ireland to each of the largest 20 technology companies, by value, that are client companies of the agency in each of the years 2013 to 2023, respectively, under various headings such as employment, training, research and development and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14143/23]
View answer49. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide information on the amount of moneys repaid to the State by the largest of the 20 technology companies, by value, that are client companies of the IDA in each of the years 2013 to 2023, respectively, with a particular focus on the area of employment grants where employment targets and conditions of grants were not met in terms of maintenance of employment numbers for a specified period and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14144/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.
As the Deputy is aware, IDA Ireland offers a wide range of financial assistance to companies wishing to locate and/or expand their existing operation in Ireland including but not restricted to:
- Capital;
- Employment;
- Training;
- R&D and environmental supports.
The table attached set outs grant payments to the top 20 Technology companies by grant type and by year from 2013 to 2022 inclusive.
In all instances where financial assistance is approved by IDA Ireland for a company, the Agency and the client enter into a legal and binding contract - a "grant agreement". The contract which is confidential between IDA Ireland and its client includes conditions and milestones that the client is required to comply with before any financial assistance is paid. Clients sign the grant agreement in full knowledge that the penalty for non-performance is pro-rata repayment of grants. IDA Ireland follows up the claw-back - known as "revocation of grants" - where the client has not achieved the agreed performance target or, if appropriate, in the event of a company closure. These cases are reported in the Agency’s Annual Financial Statements.
The table below outlines the number of companies and the total grants repaid to IDA Ireland in each year for the period 2013 – 2022 inclusive. Information such as company names is confidential and commercially sensitive as IDA Ireland is in ongoing relationships with many of the companies on existing and potentially new investments and the companies continue to provide significant employment in Ireland.
|
Year |
No of Companies in the top 20 Technology Companies that repaid grants |
€’000 |
|
2014 |
One Employment Grant Repayment |
1,413 |
|
2020 |
One Employment Grant Repayment |
394 |
50. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on what is now a large divergence between direct and indirect or contracted jobs maintained by multinational technology corporations located in the State and supported by IDA; if he is concerned at this trend; if IDA will revert to stating direct employment numbers in job announcements by all FDI companies and not the total of direct and contract jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14145/23]
View answerIDA Ireland monitors and reports on employment trends in its client portfolio through the Annual Employment Survey (AES) conducted by my Department. In the AES we distinguish between full-time jobs in agency-assisted firms and part-time, temporary or short-term contract employees. The 2022 AES was published by my Department on 1 March 2023.
For the purpose of the survey, full-time employees are taken as those who work full hours and have contracts of nine months or longer. Part-time, temporary or short-term contract employees (‘other employees’) are taken as those employed on a part-time or short-term basis or employed on contracts of less than nine months.
Data from the 2022 AES shows that the share of ‘other employees’ as a proportion of total employment has remained stable in recent years for both the overall client base and within the specific ICT services "NACE" classification.
Data for 2019 through to 2022 is set out in the tables below:
|
Total IDA client base |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Permanent full-time employees |
229,776 |
239,961 |
257,757 |
280,890 |
|
Other employees |
21,353 |
20,802 |
19,699 |
20,585 |
|
Total employment |
251,129 |
260,763 |
277,456 |
301,475 |
|
‘Other’ as share of total |
9% |
8% |
7% |
7% |
|
ICT* |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Permanent full-time employees |
109,104 |
114,022 |
123,251 |
135,747 |
|
Other employees |
6,840 |
6,976 |
5,665 |
5,709 |
|
Total employment |
115,944 |
120,998 |
128,916 |
141,456 |
|
‘Other’ as share of total |
6% |
6% |
4% |
4% |
*Information and Communication Services, Electrical Equipment, and Computer, Electronic and Optical Equipment
51. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has made contact with a company (details supplied) following its recent announcement in relation to a 5% cut to its global workforce; what this may mean specifically for the company’s employees here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14262/23]
View answerFollowing the announcement in February that Dell would seek a 5% reduction to its global headcount, my Department received an early warning report from IDA Ireland on February 7th. However, to date, my Department has not received a collective redundancy notification from Dell Technologies Ireland and as such the impact on Irish jobs is not yet known.
The company is a key employer in Ireland, employing over 4,500 people across 3 key operations in Cork, Limerick, and Dublin. IDA Ireland is engaged with the leadership teams of these sites across a multitude of strategic and operational initiatives. The company is a resilient and long-standing business, and I am informed it is in a good financial position. Furthermore, while current economic conditions are challenging, Dell Technologies is seen as in a strong position to benefit from market recovery as it occurs. Like many other companies impacted by global economic headwinds, Dell has already taken several actions in advance of the decision to reduce jobs, such as pausing hiring and limiting travel spend to reduce costs.
Across all its operations, Dell Technologies Ireland is considered a highly strategic corporate hub for Dell Technologies Inc., and it is expected that the impact, if any, of this announcement on the Irish operations of Dell Technologies will be less than 5%.
Officials at my Department, through IDA Ireland, will continue to work closely with the company over the coming weeks.
Should collective redundancies occur, employees are protected by a robust suite of employment legislation and under the Protection of Employment Act 1977, employees are entitled to a statutory 30-day consultation period.
52. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital and current funding allocation for the regional enterprise innovation scoping scheme in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14279/23]
View answerThe Regional Enterprise Innovation Scoping Scheme 2022 (REISS) Scheme was funded through capital funding allocation of €5m in 2022. A request for REISS proposals was advertised on 4th April 2022 with a deadline for submissions by 18th May. Full review of the proposals was completed, and 47 successful applicants were announced on 14th July 2022. Email confirmation was provided to all successful applicants on 14th July 2022. The feasibility projects were expected to be completed within 6 months and a final claim date of 18th Nov 2022 was initially highlighted. Enterprise Ireland became aware of the challenges that unforeseen delays have caused projects and an extension to the REISS funding was requested and approved on 8th Sept. This allows the projects to submit a single funding claim up to, and no later than, the 31st March 2023.
47 projects have been approved for a total of €3.5 million in grant support under the Regional Enterprise Innovation Scoping Scheme 2022. Some 15 Projects have been approved for REISS Priming Grants of up to €200,000, while 32 projects have been approved for REISS Feasibility Study grants of up to €50,000.
53. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital and current funding allocation for the pre-seed start fund in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14280/23]
View answerThe Pre-Seed Start Fund is being funded through a capital funding allocation of €8m in 2023.
The purpose of the Pre-Seed Start Fund is to accelerate the growth of early-stage start-up companies that have the capacity and ambition to succeed in global markets. The fund is designed to enable companies cover operational costs to undertake key tasks including the development of a market ready product/solution, product testing in the marketplace, building critical skillsets within the start-up team. The Pre-Seed Fund will support early-stage companies to reach key technical and commercial milestones required to attract future Seed Funding within 6 – 18 months.
54. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of National Employment Rights Authority inspectors who have been given training in human trafficking. [14363/23]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body which was established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. It assumed the roles and functions previously carried out by the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), Equality Tribunal (ET), Labour Relations Commission (LRC), Rights Commissioners Service (RCS), and the first instance (Complaints and Referrals) functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT).
Inspection and Enforcement Services within the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) undertake inspection of employment records to ensure employers’ compliance with employment law in the State. The objective is to verify employer compliance with the relevant employment law and if necessary, to enforce compliance with the law.
While the WRC has no statutory functions or responsibilities in relation to human trafficking it is a partner in the State’s response to Trafficking in Human Beings (THB). As potential to detect indicators of THB may arise as part of its workplace inspection role, where this arises, the WRC Inspection and Enforcement Services will refer the matter to An Garda Siochána as potential human trafficking cases..
The entire current cadre of 63 inspectors (which includes 8 Inspection Team Managers) have received training in the identification of indicators of human trafficking. Additional training will be provided on an ongoing basis, as required.
55. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14630/23]
View answerOneLearning, the Civil Service Learning and Development Centre provides a facility for staff to record and log their continuous personal and professional development, previous training and educational qualifications. Currently, my Department does not collect data from staff on their qualifications or the level of qualifications that they have obtained prior to their recruitment or which they have self-funded.
My Department does however offer continued third level educational opportunities through its Advance Payment of Fees (APF) Scheme which aims to facilitate the Department in building appropriate skill and expertise levels, while supporting officers in self-development and life-long learning.
The APF Scheme is governed by the Department of Finance Circular 23/07 and applies to courses of study which are provided by recognised educational institutions or professional bodies and contribute to the business needs of this Department.
Through the APF Scheme, the Department supported and funded 42 staff to embark on new third level opportunities for the academic year 2022/2023. During 2022, my Department also provided continued support and funding to 22 learners on a range of third level academic undertakings and saw 23 staff successfully graduate with third level qualifications at the end of the 2022 academic year.
In line with our ethos of supporting learning and development, as well as in support of innovation, we will continue to offer as many opportunities as possible within the budget allocation to staff interested in pursuing third level education where the course is relevant to the business needs of the Department.
56. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average number of days' training per grade, in his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14852/23]
View answerPrior to 2021, my Department did not keep a record of training days broken down by grade. For information purposes, the total number of training days across all grades for 2019 is 931.75 and 1261.75 for 2020.
A breakdown of the training days per grade for 2021 and 2022 is provided in the table below:
|
Training Days by Grade |
Services Grades |
Clerical Officer |
Executive Officer |
Higher Executive Officer |
Administrative Officer |
Assistant Principal |
Principal Officer |
Assistant Secretary |
Total Days Training |
|
2021 |
8.5 |
364.25 |
415.5 |
391 |
253 |
602 |
223.5 |
7.25 |
2,265 |
|
2022 |
16 |
789.75 |
877.5 |
569.5 |
723.25 |
923.25 |
178.5 |
13 |
4090.75 |
My Department places a high priority on the development of our staff to ensure that they are provided with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute to the work of the Department and improve organisational performance. The pursuit and achievement of the goals in the Department's Strategy Statement are dependent on the excellence and efforts of all our staff, our key asset. Civil Service Renewal has identified staff as the single biggest resource that we have and places an emphasis on the need to maximise the performance and potential of all employees.
The objective of my Department's Learning and Career Development Unit's offerings is to provide and procure quality training which will enable all staff to develop their competencies. Competencies are the knowledge, skills, behaviours and attributes required to do our jobs well in a way which we realise our potential and provide the highest quality service to our customers, both internal and external.
The Department is not aware of any comparative studies that could be referenced in response to the Deputy's question on how this compares internationally.
57. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of dedicated funding that will be provided to each local authority to monitor and enforce the smoky coal ban and any future solid fuel regulations as part of the forthcoming Clean Air Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14054/23]
View answerLocal Authorities are responsible for the enforcement of the solid fuel regulations, identifying unauthorised fuels placed on the market and taking measures to counteract any illegal trade. They are also responsible for the allocation of appropriate resources to ensure that they can fulfil their air quality enforcement obligations. It is at the discretion of each Local Authority to decide its own priorities and to allocate staff and resources accordingly. Funding of such services would generally be met from the Exchequer and Local Authority own resources.
My Department and the Local Government Management Agency are continuing to work together to establish an enhanced enforcement support structure. This structure will support the provision of improved co-ordination, expertise, and advice to support consistent implementation of air quality legislation across the country.
In the interim, my Department is also continuing to engage with enforcement personnel on the ground, developing guidance and training, and supporting the sharing of best practice in relation to a range of legislative obligations that are under the remit of the Local Authorities.
I also made grant funding available in 2022 to support Local Authorities through a pilot solid fuels enforcement scheme to support innovation and enhanced enforcement of the new solid fuel regulations. The Local Authorities involved have reported on the outcomes of their pilot enforcement schemes.
I intend to make €500,000 available to Local Authorities in the coming months for further enforcement projects to be undertaken later this year and will continue to work with the sector into the future to provide further co-ordination and support as appropriate.
58. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the forthcoming Clean Air Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14055/23]
View answerA public consultation on the draft Clean Air Strategy was undertaken during the period March to May of last year and over 100 submissions were received. The strategy has now been reviewed and updated to reflect both the outcome of the consultation process and policy developments which have occurred in the intervening period that impact on plans to improve the quality of our air. The strategy will outline how we will enhance and protect the air we breathe, and set out a pathway, based on a comprehensive cross-Government programme of policies and measures, that will tackle all sources of air pollution. As such, it will also consider the impact of Climate Action Plan 2023 and new proposals at EU level for a revised Ambient Air Quality Directive.
It is my intention to publish the Clean Air Strategy in the coming weeks.
59. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of enforcement notices and prosecutions as reported to the agency by local authorities in each of the years 2018 to 2022, and to date in 2023 under the updated Solid Fuel Regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14056/23]
View answer60. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the maximum fine administered for breaches under the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 529 of 2022); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14057/23]
View answerMy Department does not compile or maintain statistics in relation to the levels of enforcement actions by Local Authorities under the Solid Fuels Regulations. Local Authorities report this information as part of their enforcement activities under environmental legislation to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on an annual basis.
Details of Local Authority environmental enforcement are available from the series of Local Authority Environmental Performance Assessment reports compiled by the EPA. These reports can be accessed at: https://www.epa.ie/our-services/compliance--enforcement/support-and-supervision-of-local-councils/la-performance/
Further questions in this regard may be addressed directly to the EPA or to individual Local Authorities.
Prosecutions under the Solid Fuel Regulations are brought in accordance with the Air Pollution Act, 1987 which provides for fines of up to €5,000 on summary conviction. It should be noted, however, that the Solid Fuel Regulations do not prescribe any specific fine for any particular offence, and that the imposition and extent of any fine would be a matter for the Courts to determine.
61. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the updated average cost for retrofitting a social housing unit as part of the national retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14060/23]
View answer62. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes retrofitted, and heat pumps installed to date as part of the National Retrofitting Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14062/23]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030.
To promote and incentivise the achievement of these targets, in February 2022, Government launched a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills. As part of the new measures, grants including those for heat pumps were significantly increased.
The cost of a retrofit depends on a range of factors including the size and type of home as well as the age and starting condition of the property and the retrofitting works required or recommended.
Local Authority social housing energy upgrades are a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. However, Approved Housing Body (AHB) properties are supported under the SEAI supported National Home Energy Upgrade and Community Energy Grant Schemes. Most recent data from SEAI shows that the average cost for AHB property upgrades is €25,382.
Figures provided by SEAI show that in the period 2019 – 2022, 84,768 home upgrades were supported of which 18,527 were to a B2 level. There were 6,828 heat pumps installed over the same period.
With regard to 2022, as the figures below highlight, there was increased demand across the SEAI supported residential retrofit schemes when compared to 2021 levels:
- 27,200 home energy upgrades were supported in 2022, compared to 15,246 in 2021, representing a 79% increase year-on year.
- Of these, 8,481 upgrades were to a post works Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or better, compared to 4,345 in 2021, representing a 95% increase year-on-year.
- 2,272 heat pumps were installed in 2022 compared to 1,972 in 2021, representing a 15% increase year-on-year.
My Department is working with SEAI to build on the strong performance of 2022. A record €356 million in funding has been allocated to SEAI for residential and community retrofit for 2023 to support the delivery of 37,000 retrofits this year.
63. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 87 of 18 January 2023, if the report which was requested from NewERA has been completed, and if not, the timeline for completion of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14126/23]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 186 of 21 March 2023. The request was approved on the 15th March 2023.
64. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if research has been undertaken by his Department into the processes engaged in the production of plastics in Ireland and transforming plastics in Ireland into syngas using solar technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14288/23]
View answerThe Government provides significant funding to research-performing organisations to carry out climate-relevant research in the sciences and humanities including policy relevant research. The research and innovation required to address climate change challenges span a range of areas from fundamental and applied sciences, to the social sciences, to technology and innovation, to the production of knowledge and evidence to inform public policy. The Climate Action Plan 2023 has an action to simulate research, development and demonstration projects across industry and enterprise sectors with a focus on accelerating energy decarbonisation e.g., innovative approaches to decarbonising heat and electricity, energy storage solutions, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Its contains actions focussing on the introduction of zero-emissions gas, an in particular biomethane and hydrogen sourced from renewable energies.
SEAI manage the National Research, Development and Demonstration programme which provides funding to support solutions that enable technical and other barriers to market uptake to be overcome and to grow Ireland's national capacity to access, develop and apply international class RD&D.
