Louise O'Reilly
Question:442. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost of increasing the innovation voucher scheme by 25% and 50%. [27507/23]
View answerDepartmental Schemes
Questions (442)
Written answers
The Innovation Voucher Programme is funded by my Department, though Enterprise Ireland.
The Innovation Voucher Programme is designed to build links between Ireland's public knowledge providers (higher education institutions and research performing bodies) and small businesses and help to create a cultural shift in the small business community's approach to innovation. The €5,000 vouchers encourage companies and public knowledge providers to work together on specific innovation questions and projects related to a company’s needs and is available to the broadest number of companies. The nature of these projects will be such that they transfer knowledge that is new, thereby enabling a company to use this newly acquired knowledge to innovate a product, production process or service.
The Innovation Voucher Programme budget outturn for 2022 was €1,898,526 which comes from capital expenditure. Data on innovation vouchers is collated on the basis of the time of redemption of the voucher, rather than the date of issue. The table below shows the cost of increasing this funding by 25% and 50% and the total expenditure inclusive of the differing rates of increase.
|
- |
25% increase |
50% increase |
|
|
Budget outturn for 2022 |
€1,898,526 |
||
|
Cost for various % increases |
€474,652 |
€949,263 |
|
|
Total cost including increases |
€2,373,158 |
€2,847,789 |
Enterprise Support Services
Questions (443)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:443. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding provided for the 'skills for better business' initiative in 2022; and the estimated cost of increasing that funding by 5%, 10%, 25% and 50%, in tabular form. [27508/23]
View answerWritten answers
(A) Budget Allocation for Skills for Better Business
|
- |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
2023 |
€62,000 |
Nil |
€62,000 |
(B) Hypothetical Cost of Increasing the Budget for Skills for Better Business
|
Increase % |
Additional |
New Total |
|
|
+5% |
€3,100 |
€65,100 |
|
|
+10% |
€6,200 |
€68,200 |
|
|
+25% |
€15,500 |
€77,500 |
|
|
+50% |
€31,000 |
€93,000 |
The tables above show (A) the current budget allocation for Skills for Better Business for 2023 and (B) calculations of what four specific hypothetical increases to that budget would amount to.
Skills for Better Business was launched on 30th November. It is a two-part initiative aimed at assisting SME owners and managers across Ireland. It comprises an Online Tool for management skills assessment, complemented by a sign-posting resource providing quick contact information for management education and training.
The Online Tool is designed to make it easy for time-poor SME owners and managers to carry out an initial assessment of their own management skills. Once they complete the questionnaire, they receive a short report detailing where they may need to focus. They are then directed to the Skills for Better Business: Courses and Contacts pages on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s website to find a training or education provider to support them in the next steps of their journey.
The 14 project partners involved in delivering Skills for Better Business are: Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Skillnet Ireland; Enterprise Ireland; SOLAS; the Small Firms Association (SFA); ISME; the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs); the Regional Skills Fora; the Higher Education Authority (HEA); the Higher Education Colleges Association (HECA); Chambers Ireland; Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI); the Irish Universities Association (IUA); and the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA).
The direct cost of the Online Tool, at €60,300, is only a small part of the resource input into the project. Different sub-groups of the 14 partners worked on the Online Tool, the Courses & Contacts pages, and the Comms Strategy for the project. The contribution in time and expertise from all involved was very substantial throughout. The project is continuing in a similar manner in 2023, the focus being to maintain and promote the website on which the online tool is located.
Skills for Better Business is currently being promoted by the project partners, led by my Department. It is important that the message gets out to SME owners and managers across Ireland that Skills for Better Business is now launched and its resources are available. We want SMEs to make use of the Online Tool and engage with management education and training providers to identify the courses they need to improve their management skills and practices.
Enterprise Support Services
Questions (444)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:444. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding provided for the MODOS training programme in 2022; and the estimated cost of expanding the MODOS training programme across all LEOs. [27509/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are a ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business and act as a ‘signposting’ service for all government supports available to the SME sector. The LEOs can provide information and referrals to other relevant bodies under agreed protocols.
The MODOS Training Programme, which is a joint initiative of Dublin City Council and the Eastern-Midlands Regional Waste Management Planning Office, is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This training programme is promoted by LEO Dublin City on behalf of Dublin City Council’s Economic Development Unit and is an example of the ‘signposting’ service provided by the LEOs.
As this is not funded by the LEOs or my Department, I do not have data on the cost of the programme. As the funding for MODOS is provided by the EPA, this matter can be addressed to the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications for response.
Enterprise Support Services
Questions (445)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:445. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding provided for the 'lean for micro' programme in 2022; and the estimated cost of increasing that funding for each programme by 5%, 10%, 25% and 50%, in tabular form. [27510/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Enterprise Office Lean for Micro programme is designed to encourage clients to adopt lean business principles in their organisations to increase performance and competitiveness. The programme is open to all micro-enterprises and non-Enterprise Ireland/IDA clients employing between 10-50 on a limited basis in consultation with the LEO.
Lean tools and techniques are helping companies of all sizes and sectors, across the globe to address competitiveness issues within their businesses by building the capability of their people to identify problems, improve operations and create a more innovative organisation.
Funding allocated under the Department's A8 subhead includes a capital allocation for LEO financial grant assistance and also for management training and development, mentoring, consultancy and entrepreneurship education programmes, including the Lean for Micro programme. The funding is subsequently allocated to each of the 31 LEOs based on their Local Authority banding.
Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs agree the distribution of the budget across each of the different programmes based on previous and projected demand. At the end of each year the LEOs report their total outturn under each measure and in 2022 the LEO network provided €941k for the Lean Programme.
The table below indicates the estimated increased budget for the Lean Programme, based on 2022 outturn:
|
- |
€ |
5% |
10% |
25% |
50% |
|
2022 Lean Programme outturn |
0.941 |
0.988m |
1.035m |
1.176m |
1.412m |
Departmental Schemes
Questions (446)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:446. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding provided for the 'leadership 4 growth' training programme in 2022; and the estimated cost of increasing that funding for each programme by 5%, 10%, 25% and 50%, in tabular form. [27511/23]
View answerWritten answers
€1,055,776 funding was provided for the 'leadership 4 growth' training programme in 2022. The following table details the estimated cost of increasing that funding by 5%, 10%, 25% and 50%.
|
Management Development Programme |
2022 Spend |
5% Increase |
10% Increase |
25% Increase |
50% Increase |
|
Leadership for Growth |
€1,055,776 |
€1,108,565 |
€1,161,354 |
€1,319,720 |
€1,583,664 |
Departmental Schemes
Questions (447)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:447. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding provided for the 'go global 4 growth' training programme in 2022; and the estimated cost of increasing that funding for each programme by 5%, 10%, 25% and 50%, in tabular form. [27512/23]
View answerWritten answers
€159,786 funding was provided for the 'go global 4 growth' training programme in 2022. The following table details the estimated cost of increasing that funding by 5%, 10%, 25% and 50%.
|
Management Development Programme |
2022 Spend |
5% Increase |
10% Increase |
25% Increase |
50% Increase |
|
Go Global for Growth |
€159,786 |
€167,775 |
€175,765 |
€199,733 |
€239,679 |
Departmental Schemes
Questions (448)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:448. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding provided for a list of all LEO management development programmes in 2022; the funding provided to each programme; and the estimated cost of increasing that funding for each programme by 5%, 10%, 25% and 50%, in tabular form. [27513/23]
View answerWritten answers
Funding allocated under the Department's A8 subhead includes a capital allocation for LEO financial grant assistance and for management training and development, mentoring, consultancy and entrepreneurship education programmes. The funding is subsequently allocated to each of the 31 LEOs based on their Local Authority banding.
Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs agree the distribution of the budget across each of the different programmes based on previous and projected demand. At the end of each year the LEOs report their total outturn and in 2022 the LEO network provided €994k for management development programmes.
The table below indicates the estimated increased budget for management development programmes based on the 2022 outturn:
|
- |
€ |
5% |
10% |
25% |
50% |
|
2022 management development outturn |
0.994m |
1.044m |
1.093m |
1.243m |
1.491m |
Departmental Schemes
Questions (449)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:449. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding provided for a list of all EI management development programmes in 2022; the funding provided to each programme; and the estimated cost of increasing that funding for each programme by 5%, 10%, 25% and 50%, in tabular form. [27514/23]
View answerWritten answers
€2,152.969 was spent on all EI management development programmes in 2022. The following table details the spend in respect of each initiative and the cost of increasing that funding for each programme by 5%, 10%, 25% and 50%.
|
Management Development Programme |
2022 |
5% increase |
10% increase |
25% increase |
50% increase |
|
Leadership for Growth |
1,055,776 |
1,108,565 |
1,161,354 |
1,319,720 |
1,583,664 |
|
Enter the Eurozone |
336,065 |
352,868 |
369,672 |
420,081 |
504,098 |
|
Go Global for Growth |
159,786 |
167,775 |
175,765 |
199,733 |
239,679 |
|
Business Navigator programme |
55,799 |
58,589 |
61,379 |
69,749 |
83,699 |
|
Innovation master classes |
67,969 |
71,367 |
74,766 |
84,961 |
101,954 |
|
Founders Forum |
181,315 |
190,381 |
199,447 |
226,644 |
271,973 |
|
Spotlight on Skills |
257,259 |
270,122 |
282,985 |
321,574 |
385,889 |
|
Attracting & Retaining talent |
39,000 |
40,950 |
42,900 |
48,750 |
58,500 |
Work Permits
Questions (450)
Colm Burke
Question:450. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consideration will be given to including agricultural mechanics, construction plant fitters and heavy vehicle mechanics in his Departments critical skills occupations list, in view of the critical shortage of qualified mechanics in the farm machinery industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27577/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland operates a managed employment permits system, maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term.
The Occupational Lists (Ineligible Occupations List and Critical Skills Occupation List) for employment permits are subject to evidence-based review incorporating consideration of available research, and a public consultation which provides stakeholders with an opportunity to submit data on the extent of skills or labour shortages. Submissions to the review are considered by the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy with membership drawn from key Government Departments including the Department of Transport and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine who, as lead policy departments for the sectors specifically related to these occupations, may provide observations on the occupation under review.
An occupation may be considered for inclusion in, or removal from, the Occupations Lists where evidence supports that no suitable Irish/EEA nationals are available to undertake the work; development opportunities are not undermined; genuine skills shortages exist; and recruitment or retention issues are affected by factors other than salary and/or employment conditions.
The occupation of mechanic - agricultural or heavy vehicle - is currently on the Ineligible Occupations List and, as such, an employment permit cannot be granted at present for this occupation. The Department has engaged with the Department of Transport on the sector and expects to receive a submission on mechanics when the review of the occupations lists commences in coming weeks.
The occupation of Construction Plant Fitter, while not on the Critical Skills Occupations List, is eligible for a General Employment Permit subject to a labour market needs test.
The next review of the lists is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks. Stakeholders and interested parties are invited to register their interest to receive notification on the Employment Permits page of the Department's website.
Enterprise Support Services
Questions (451)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:451. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of increasing funding for the Digital Start Initiative by 10%, 20% and 50%. [27582/23]
View answerWritten answers
Digital Start is designed to help businesses prepare and implement a plan for the adoption of digital tools and techniques across the business. Digital Start will provide strategic intervention for businesses to work with third party consultants to:
• assist them in identifying where they are on their digital business journey,
• develop a digital adaptation plan based on their identified need,
• implement their digital adaptation plan.
Digital Start may be used to obtain digital strategy, technical and/or advisory service from approved providers. The maximum value of the Digital Start support per applicant business is €4,500 incl. VAT, which equates to approximately 4 days of consultancy. There is no applicant contribution. Digital Start is open to businesses in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors, including those with up to 50 employees. There were 137 Digital Start projects approved in 2022.
The budget in 2023 is €982,900 which if increased by:
• 10% would be €1,081,190
• 20% would be €1,179,480
• 50% would be €1,474,350.
Enterprise Support Services
Questions (452)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:452. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of increasing funding for the Digital Start Initiative to deliver funding to the value of five days of consultancy for firms instead of four days. [27583/23]
View answerWritten answers
Digital Start is designed to help businesses prepare and implement a plan for the adoption of digital tools and techniques across the business. Digital Start will provide strategic intervention for businesses to work with third party consultants to:
• assist them in identifying where they are on their digital business journey,
• develop a digital adaptation plan based on their identified need,
• implement their digital adaptation plan.
Digital Start may be used to obtain digital strategy, technical and/or advisory services from approved providers. Maximum value of the Digital Start support per applicant business is €4,500 inclusive of VAT. This amount equates approximately to 4 days of consultancy. There is no applicant contribution. Digital Start is open to businesses in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors, including those with up to 50 employees. There were 137 Digital Start projects approved in 2022.
Increasing the level of funding to a maximum of five days instead of four would increase the individual project cost by just over €1,100 to approximately €5,600. €0.983m was allocated to the Digital Start Pilot in 2023, and increasing the number of days would require an increase in the budget to €1.23m.
State Bodies
Questions (453)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:453. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the budget allocation for the Corporate Enforcement Authority in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27624/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Corporate Enforcement Authority was established on the 7th July 2022 under the Companies (Corporate Enforcement Authority) Act 2021, delivering on a Programme for Government commitment to establish an independent, appropriately resourced and accountable enforcement body with a well-defined mandate. The CEA was invested with significant functions and powers to meet the differing demands of its remit which include promoting compliance with company law, investigating instances of suspected breaches of company law, taking appropriate enforcement action in response to breaches of company law, supervising the activities of liquidators of insolvent companies and operation of a regime of restriction and disqualification undertakings in respect of directors of insolvent companies. The CEA tackles allegations of company law breaches and investigates alleged criminal activity in the areas of fraudulent trading and dishonest dealings before a company becomes insolvent among other suspected breaches of company law.
The budget for the CEA, since its establishment in July 2022 is set out below in tabular form. No budget allocation is provided for 2021 as the CEA was not established.
|
Year |
Budget Allocation |
|
2023 |
€9,706,000 |
|
2022 (July to December) |
€3,779,000 |
State Bodies
Questions (454)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:454. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of WTE vacancies by job title at the Corporate Enforcement Authority as of 29 May 2023; and when these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [27625/23]
View answerWritten answers
The number of WTE vacancies in the Corporate Enforcement Authority as of 29 May 2023 was 17.
These vacancies are set out by job title and when each is expected to be filled in the table below.
|
No of vacancies |
Title |
Status |
|
1 |
Senior Criminal Enforcement Manager |
Post due to be filled on 31st July 2023. |
|
2 |
Legal Advisors x 2 |
Competition due to be advertised in the week beginning 12th June with filling of these roles envisaged in Q3 2023. |
|
1 |
Senior Forensic Accountant |
It is planned to run a competition to fill this post shortly. |
|
1 |
Senior Insolvency Manager |
This post is currently being filled on a temporary “acting-up” basis. It is intended to advertise the position through open competition in the coming months. |
|
10 |
Clerical Officers |
5 vacancies are at clearance stage in the Public Appointments Service process and are due to commence in the months June, July and August, with the remaining 5 expected to be assigned shortly thereafter. |
|
1 |
Detective Sergeant |
A successful candidate was selected following a recent competition and a commencement date is currently awaited. |
|
1 |
Detective Inspector |
Competition was advertised in the week beginning 29th May with a closing date of the 16th June 2023. |
Ticket Touting
Questions (455, 456)
Alan Dillon
Question:455. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how effective the new law banning ticket touting has been since 2021; how many people have been prosecuted since the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021 was brought into force in 2021; the type of event the offence was committed in that is, concert, sporting event, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27646/23]
View answerAlan Dillon
Question:456. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many people have been prosecuted since the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021 was brought into force in 2021; the breakdown of sentences received for individuals prosecuted; the type of event the offence was committed in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27647/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together.
The Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021 commenced in full on 31 July 2021. The Act protects consumer rights and promotes fairer access to event tickets in the resale market by prohibiting the sale, or advertising for sale, of tickets for price exceeding the original sale price for designated events or events taking place in designated venues. An Garda Síochána have confirmed that to date, there have been no prosecutions under the Act while 32 venues and 76 events have been designated in accordance with the Act.
The Act, including the designation application process has worked very well since its inception resulting in no negative feedback received from consumers, venue operators or event organisers. There has been no delays or backlogs with regard to processing designation applications. There has been full compliance from primary and secondary ticket sellers with all requirements under the Act with regard to tickets for designated venues and events.
Question No. 456 answered with Question No. 455.
Departmental Communications
Questions (457)
Holly Cairns
Question:457. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage of social media videos posted on each of his Departmental social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023, inclusive; and the percentage of same that feature translations into Irish or another language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27653/23]
View answerWritten answers
The percentage of social media video posts that included closed captioning/subtitling, and the percentage of same that feature translations into Irish or another language, between 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023 on the social media accounts of my Department and its Offices are set out in the attached table.
Table for PQ27653/23
|
Department and its Offices |
Social media channel |
Percentage that included subtitling |
Percentage that included subtitling with translations into Irish or another language |
|
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
|
93.3% |
0% |
|
|
93.3% |
0% |
|
|
Intellectual Property Office of Ireland |
|
85.7% |
0% |
|
|
62.5% |
0% |
|
|
|
73.7% |
0% |
|
|
Workplace Relations Commission |
|
100% |
56.0% |
|
|
100% |
29.2% |
The social media activity of the Agencies under my Department’s remit is an operational matter for them and I do not have any direct function in these matters.
Departmental Policies
Questions (458)
Holly Cairns
Question:458. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department, and public bodies and agencies under his remit, have an anti-racism policy which can be accessed by the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27671/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, as a public body my Department has a duty to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and protect the human rights of staff and the people availing of its services.
In February my Department published its first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement, which sets out the principles we work by, and the actions we undertake, to ensure compliance with this legislation and ensure we are promoting equality, diversity and inclusion as an employer and public body across the nine grounds of discrimination, which includes race. This Statement is publicly available in the publications section of our website. The Statement includes commitments to promote equity and diversity and to apply principles of respect and inclusion in how we deliver services to members of the public.
Further to the publication of this Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement, we are working to develop our first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, which will set out a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in this Department and how that will be effected for both customers and staff of the Department.
My Department also operates in line with the Civil Service 'Dignity at Work' policy, which outlines clearly the procedure followed where a staff member reports experience of harassment related to the nine discriminatory grounds in the workplace. The Department takes complaints made under this policy very seriously.
The operation of such policies by the agencies under the Department’s remit is an operational matter for those agencies.
Job Creation
Questions (459)
Bernard Durkan
Question:459. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which job creation through FDI continues throughout County Kildare; the number of jobs created in Kildare through FDI in the past three years to date; the percentage of Ireland's GDP provided by Kildare through FDI, EI, LEO employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27804/23]
View answerWritten answers
The IDAs Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth Strategy for 2021-2024 aims to ensure that FDI can make a significant contribution to the growth of the economy. Its targets include:
• To win 800 total investments, to support job creation of 50,000 and economic activity
• To partner with clients for future growth through 170 RD&I and 130 training investments
• To win 400 investments to advance regional development
• To embrace a green recovery with 60 sustainability investments
• To target a 20% increase in client expenditure in Ireland to maximise the impact of FDI.
The strategy is delivered through a focus on five pillars: Growth, Transformation, Regions, Sustainability, and Impact. These interlinked pillars align with and are guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At a national level they reflect the approach and ambition of the Programme for Government and the White Paper on Enterprise.
Despite the difficult global economic environment, total employment in IDA client companies in Ireland reached 301,475 in 2022, a 9% increase on 2021. The best FDI employment figures in a single year were also recorded in 2022 – with over 24,000 (24,019) net new jobs created, which represented a 43% increase on 2021. In total, 242 FDI investments were won by IDA in 2022, of which 103 were new name investments. Regional employment now stands at 163,653 an increase of 7% on previous year, 127 projects (52%) of the 242 investments won, went to regional locations. Employment in IDA client companies grew in every region of the country, with the Mid-East region showing growth of 13.1% on the previous year.
The IDA Mid-East Region comprises counties Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow. There are 113 IDA client companies in the Mid-East Region, employing 21,861 people, with 39 companies employing 12,174 people in Co Kildare. The FDI performance in the region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 30%. Counties in the Mid-East also benefit hugely from the direct and indirect employment generated by IDA client companies located in Dublin. Moreover, the Mid-East has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies. It has also won significant investment in the Food and the Film sub-sectors.
There were 9,270 people employed in Enterprise Ireland supported companies in County Kildare in 2022.
Employment numbers for IDA and EI client companies for the past three years, as requested by the Deputy, are shown below:
|
Kildare |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
|
EI Client Companies Total Jobs |
9,270 |
9,098 |
9,154 |
|
IDA Client Companies Total Jobs |
12,174 |
9,785 |
9,594 |
While data for the contribution of Ireland's GDP provided by Kildare through FDI, EI, LEO employment is not publicly available, the CSO publishes measures of total output - from all FDI and domestic enterprises - and disposable income at regional and county level. In 2020, the Mid-East Region (which encompasses counties Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow) accounted for 8.1 per cent of total output as measured by Gross Value Added. From the perspective of household disposable income, Kildare accounted for 4.6 per cent of the State’s total in 2020. On a per capita basis, disposable income per head in Kildare was €23,554 - the fourth highest in the State after Cork, Limerick and Dublin. This data is sourced from the CSO at: www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cirgdp/countyincomesandregionalgdp2020/
Work Permits
Questions (460)
Mattie McGrath
Question:460. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will have the mechanics, specifically agricultural mechanics, construction plant fitters and heavy vehicle mechanics added to his Department's Critical Skills list due to the critical shortage within the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27889/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland operates a managed employment permits system, maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term.
The occupational lists for employment permits are subject to evidence-based review incorporating consideration of available research and a public consultation which provides stakeholders with an opportunity to submit information and perspectives on the extent of skills or labour shortages. Submissions to the review are considered by the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy with membership drawn from key Government Departments including the Department of Transport and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine who, as lead policy departments for these sectors, may provide observations on the occupation under review.
An occupation may be considered for inclusion on or removal from the Occupations Lists where evidence supports that no suitable Irish/EEA nationals are available to undertake the work; development opportunities are not undermined; genuine skills shortages exist; and recruitment or retention issues are affected by factors other than salary and/or employment conditions.
The occupation of mechanic - agricultural or heavy vehicle - is currently on the Ineligible Occupations List and, as such, an employment permit cannot be granted at present for this occupation. The Department has engaged with the Department of Transport on the sector and expects to receive submissions in regard to the occupation of mechanic when the review of the occupations lists commences.
The occupation of Construction Plant Fitter, while not on the Critical Skills Occupations List, is eligible for a General Employment Permit subject to a labour market needs test.
The next review of the lists is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks. Stakeholders and interested parties are invited to register their interest to receive notification on the Employment Permits page of the Department's website.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (461)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:461. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding provided for technology centres in 2022; and if this is capital or current funding; and the cost of increasing this funding by 10%, 20%, and 25%. [27890/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Technology Centre programme is a joint initiative between Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, which is funded by my Department, through Enterprise Ireland.
The programme allows Irish companies and multinationals to work together on market focused strategic R&D projects in collaboration with research institutions. Technology Centres are collaborative entities established and led by industry. Participating companies propose areas and themes of greatest relevance to them over a 3–5-year period and co-fund part of the research. In response, the researchers develop solutions that respond to these needs.
The Technology Centre programme budget outturn for 2022 was €14,944,322 which comes from capital expenditure. The table below shows the cost of increasing this funding by 10%, 20% and 25% and the total expenditure inclusive of the differing rates of increase.
|
- |
10% increase |
20% increase |
25% increase |
|
|
Budget outturn for 2022 |
€14,944,322 |
|||
|
Cost for various % increases |
€1,494,432 |
€2,988,864 |
€3,736,081 |
|
|
Total cost including increases |
€16,438,754 |
€17,933,186 |
€18,680,403 |