Written Answers Nos. 198-211
198. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will confirm when the final public consultation on the Blackpool flood relief scheme will take place; what format it will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31793/23]
View answerPublic consultation for schemes submitted under European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019 are provided for under Section 7C of the Regulations. It is my intention to hold a public consultation on the River Bride (Blackpool) Flood Relief Scheme shortly, and Officials in my Department are working with independent environmental consultants to progress this.
As set out in the Regulations, during the period of public consultation a copy of the scheme and the environmental impact assessment report relating to the scheme will be available for inspection for a period of not less than 30 days. Members of the public will be able to make submissions in writing, including by means of electronic communication in relation to the environmental impacts of the scheme.
Details regarding the period of public consultation and how to make a submission will be made available on my Department's website in due course.
199. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide a full breakdown of the NDP projects and costs included in'budgetary decisions for 2023 in the summer economic statement 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31795/23]
View answerThe Government’s approach to public expenditure policy is set out in the Medium Term Expenditure Strategy (MTES). The objectives of the MTES are twofold: to ensure that the level of core expenditure growth is sustainable long-term, and that investment in expenditure protects and delivers improvements to public services. This framework must be responsive to the economic landscape and is reviewed annually as part of the whole of year budget process including the Summer Economic Statement (SES) and the Estimates process.
The 2022 Summer Economic Statement set out the budgetary strategy for the period to 2025. As part of the total budget package set out for each year to 2025, amounts of between €3-3.4 billion were indicated for ‘budgetary decisions’ in Table 1 of the document. For 2023, this figure under ‘budgetary decisions’ was €3 billion. This category comprises provision for Existing Levels of Service (ELS) costs and the planned core capital expenditure increases under the National Development Plan (NDP).
The NDP published in October 2021 provides a detailed and positive vision for Ireland over the next 10 years, and sees total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030. Core capital increases have been in line with the parameters set out in the NDP, with an additional €0.8 billion in 2023.
The NDP includes indicative Exchequer allocations for each Department for a five year period (2021 to 2025) and the overall capital expenditure ceilings out to 2030. This expenditure was considered and agreed in order to support those sectors that would be key in delivering the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) identified in the National Planning Framework (NPF). The NDP contains expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which have been determined by the relevant Departments as central to the delivery of the National Planning Framework vision.
In 2023, over €12 billion will be made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects, which will provide more schools, homes, hospitals and other pieces of vital infrastructure. This level of expenditure will be pivotal in consolidating the progress already made, supporting balanced regional development and, most importantly, delivering the necessary infrastructure to support our future climate change obligations as well as our social and economic requirements.
Under the approach set out in the 2021 Summer Economic Statement, 3% of the core current expenditure base is being set aside each year to meet ELS costs. These include costs arising from demographic pressures, population growth, carryover costs from measures already introduced in prior year Budgets, and public service pay commitments under existing pay deals. €2.2 billion was provided for in last year's SES to meet these these costs in Budget 2023.
The division of the available resources under this 3% provision between the areas covered by ELS are examined and allocated as part of the Estimates process each year, with the breakdown published in the Expenditure Report. 2023 allocations by Ministerial Vote Group of additional capital, ELS and new measures funding can be found in the Budget 2023 Expenditure Report. Detailed information on the allocation of voted expenditure is published each December in the Revised Estimates for Public Services which sets out the funding allocated to each Vote by programme and subhead.
The Summer Economic Statement (SES) will be published in the coming weeks. It sets out the fiscal and expenditure strategy for the year ahead within which discussions will take place in advance of Budget 2024. Each year the SES sets out our plans for sustainable expenditure growth to provide for the delivery of investment in public services and infrastructure to support a strong, fair and equal society into the future.
200. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the steps he has taken to support the OPW in reducing the number of leased buildings and office spaces following the IGEES review of the OPW's estate in 2022, which found that the cost of building office accommodation is between 29% and 38% lower than the cost of leasing accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31798/23]
View answerOPW will respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.
201. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department purchased or produced any memorabilia such as pens, stationery, pins, badges, mugs or other types of souvenirs to mark or celebrate Pride 2023; if so, the costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31815/23]
View answerThroughout my time in Ministerial positions, I have been wholeheartedly committed to the positioning of equality and inclusivity as vital to the modern workplace, as articulated in the Civil Service Renewal Strategy 2030.
My Department is committed to further developing a positive, accepting and supportive work environment where every employee is treated with dignity and respect.
An example of our commitment to LGBT+ inclusion, is the formation, in 2019, of the FinPER Pride Network, which is comprised of staff from both the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. The establishment of the Network followed on from the publication of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 -2021 which aimed for the establishment of a Civil and Public Service wide LGBT+ Employee and Ally Network.
To mark Pride 2023, the Network, with the support of my Department, provided T-Shirts for staff members who chose to participate in the Dublin Pride March on the 24th of June. These cost €415.74 inclusive of VAT. Together with colleagues from other Departments, this allowed participants to visibly represent the Civil Service.
Ireland is today a more welcoming place for LGBT+ people than it once was. I believe that this is primarily thanks to individual people coming out and sharing their authentic selves with their families, friends and communities. I also believe many of these people in turn have found this an easier experience than it would otherwise have been, when they have known they have the sincere and committed support of inclusive workplaces.
This is why I was proud to march myself with the staff in my Department, as well as with my own Fine Gael party’s LGBT group at Dublin Pride 2023. I will continue to foster a positive and inclusive working environment in my own Department where every individual feels welcomed and respected.
202. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the action he has taken to enhance and expand public investment since 27 June 2020. [31850/23]
View answerSince this Government took office in June 2020, we have introduced significant changes to enhance the delivery of the State's national investment priorities.
Following a comprehensive review of the National Development Plan (NDP) over the course of 2020 and 2021, the Government committed €165 billion funding for capital investment, as set out in the NDP published in October 2021. As Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The NDP includes indicative Exchequer allocations for each Department for a five year period (2021 to 2025) and the overall capital expenditure ceilings out to 2030. This expenditure was considered and agreed in order to support those sectors that would be key in delivering the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) identified in the National Planning Framework (NPF). The NDP contains expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which have been determined by the relevant Departments as central to the delivery of the National Planning Framework vision.
In 2023, over €12 billion will be made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects, which will provide more schools, homes, hospitals and other pieces of vital infrastructure. This level of expenditure will be pivotal in consolidating the progress already made, supporting balanced regional development and, most importantly, delivering the necessary infrastructure to support our future climate change obligations as well as our social and economic requirements.
In March this year, I informed Government of a package of significant actions aimed at enhancing project delivery of the NDP. The actions include significant changes to reduce the administrative burden for Departments and public bodies developing capital projects. One of these specific changes was the general threshold for major projects increasing from €100m to €200m. These thresholds will be reviewed every 3 years to ensure they are still appropriate.
This will mean for projects with an estimated cost of less that €200m, Departments will no longer be required to engage with the External Assurance Process (EAP) or to submit these projects to my Department for technical review. As required within the Public Spending Code, the relevant Approving Authority must carry out a technical review of project proposals issued to them by their Sponsoring Agencies and it is the responsibility of the Accounting Officer to ensure these reviews ensure compliance with the requirements of the Code.
The Government will continue to detail the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This will be achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and map as well as the publication of annual reports and regional reports highlighting Project Ireland 2040 achievements and giving a detailed overview of the public investments which have been made throughout the country.
The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
In addition, Regional Reports on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040 in the three Regional Assembly areas have been published for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, with an update for 2022 scheduled to be published in the coming weeks. The reports set out the regional projects and programmes, which are being planned and delivered across the State, as part of the public investment detailed in Project Ireland 2040. While the reports do not provide an exhaustive list of all public capital expenditure, they serve to highlight the diverse range of investments being made by the State under Project Ireland 2040.
The Project Ireland 2040 Regional Reports, capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
203. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31867/23]
View answerThe staff of my Department have worked collaboratively on a wide range of policies and initiatives to deliver on the strategic goals set out in the Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2023. This includes the strategic management of well-targeted and sustainable public spending and the negotiation and allocation of €91.1 billion of funding for 2023.
In addition to the Strategy implementation, my Department has also drafted policy in response to the global health pandemic, supporting an equitable, digital and green recovery, blended working arrangements, opening our country to those fleeing a terrible war and the cost of living crisis in an appropriate, considered and timely manner to continue to safeguard the sustainability of public expenditure.
The Department’s new Statement of Strategy for 2023-25 will be published shortly and sets out an ambitious range of actions to be implemented between now and 2025 under three key strategic goals: Enhancing Governance; Building Capacity; and Delivering Effectively.
Some of the main policy achievements over this period include;
• The publication of the revised National Development Plan (NDP) – the largest and greenest NDP in the history of the State with a particular focus on responding to the key issues of public housing provision and climate.
• The update of the Public Spending Code to strengthen our approach to capital expenditure management. This included the introduction of the External Assurance Process (EAP) and Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG).
• The commencement of the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019.
• Leading on digital transformation including the publication of the National Artificial Intelligence strategy to drive digital adoption and provide transformative, disruptive technologies and the publication of Connecting Government 2030: A Digital and ICT strategy for Ireland’s Public Service which sets out an approach to deliver digital government for all.
• Worked collaboratively with other Departments in designing the first Civil Service Blended Working Framework which was launched to support Civil Service organisations to develop their own blended working policies.
• In response to rising inflation and increases in the cost of living, an extension to the current Public Service Agreement, Building Momentum was agreed.
• Development of the Partnership Agreement, the overarching strategic document that lays out Ireland’s investment strategy and priorities to be addressed via the Cohesion Policy programmes.
• Providing appropriate funding for a whole of Government response to meeting our climate ambitions and Housing for All targets.
• Publication of Better Public Services, a new Strategy to 2030 for the Public Service aimed at delivering for the public and building trust.
• Through a continuum of measures, this Department proactively continues to respond with targeted measures to alleviate pressure on households and exposed sectors of the economy.
• The management of a responsive fiscal policy which invests in better public services and infrastructure for our growing and changing population while allowing us to respond to external challenges faced by households, businesses and individuals across the country. This planned and careful management of our public expenditure has helped us to return Government finances to a surplus.
The Deputy may also wish to note that full details in relation to the achievements of the Department in are set out in the Department’s Annual Reports published each year on Gov.ie. Further details in relation to policy achievements in 2022 will be set out in my Department's Annual Report 2022, which will be published shortly.
The 2020 and 2021 Annual Reports can be found at the following links;
www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/228322/cf7a63a8-6bda-43d2-9020-19ac6db63a37.pdf#page=null
www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/134835/161df9dc-c422-47c4-8f65-b0b9fffe2f33.pdf#page=null
A broad range of information and updates about the Department's key policy areas are published on its section of the gov.ie website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-public-expenditure-and-reform/
204. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will furnish all Deputies with a full list of names and contact details for all special advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31900/23]
View answerSpecial Advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State may be appointed by Government in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Advisers employed by my Department are outlined below:
|
Minister |
Special Adviser |
|
Paschal Donohoe |
Deborah Sweeney |
|
Paschal Donohoe |
Fiona O'Connor |
All special advisers and officials working in my Department can be contacted in the following ways:
Telephone: +353 1 676 7571
Email: eolas@per.gov.ie and pressoffice@per.gov.ie
205. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the total advertising budget allocated by his Department and agencies in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2023, respectively; the funding provided directly to RTÉ in each year; if he has sought and secured an assurance that none of this funding was rebated via the RTÉ advertising barter account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32013/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not allocated any funding or made any payments to RTE.
The following is the position regarding the advertising budget spend by my Department and the bodies under the aegis of my Department in each of the past ten years.
Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform
|
Year |
Total Advertising Budget Allocated/Spent |
|
2013 |
Nil |
|
2014 |
Nil |
|
2015 |
€2460.00 |
|
2016 |
€1,333.66 |
|
2017 |
€3,780.14 |
|
2018 |
€9,501.82 |
|
2019 |
€53,702.84* |
|
2020 |
€38,411.01* |
|
2021 |
€8,659.33 |
|
2022 |
€6,485.79 |
|
To date in 2023 |
€45,909.40* |
*The increased spending in 2019 reflects spending on the Project Ireland 2040 Public Information campaign - two-week tranches of transit advertising on public transport networks throughout Ireland. The increased spending in 2020 relates to to secure advertising space in a number of local and national newspapers in order to publish a notice of statutory Public Consultations held under the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019, which deals with the development of flood relief schemes. The increased spending to date in 2023 relates to the national media campaign consisting of press, radio and digital advertising to promote the new eTenders platform.
Bodies under the Aegis
OPW
|
Year |
Total Advertising Budget Allocated/ Spent |
|
2013 |
€252,484 |
|
2014 |
€329,225 |
|
2015 |
€410,825 |
|
2016 |
€302,477 |
|
2017 |
€507,511 |
|
2018 |
€389,992 |
|
2019 |
€453,177 |
|
2020 |
€471,680 |
|
2021 |
€424,228 |
|
2022 |
€451,355 |
|
To date in 2023 |
€246,435 |
Office of the Ombudsman
|
Year |
Total Advertising Budget Allocated/Spent * |
|
2013 |
€53,688.00 |
|
2014 |
€39,739.00 |
|
2015 |
€135,044.00 |
|
2016 |
€164,133.00 |
|
2017 |
€64,488.00 |
|
2018 |
€67,978.00 |
|
2019 |
€49,898.00 |
|
2020 |
€48,419.00 |
|
2021 |
€25,559.00 |
|
2022 |
€17,096.00 |
|
To date in 2023 |
€20,118.00 |
*This is the total expenditure per year incurred by the Office of the Ombudsman Vote (Vote 19). This comprises of the Office of the Ombudsman, the Standards in Public Office Commission (including the Regulation of Lobbying), the Office of the Information Commissioner, the Commissioner for Environmental Protection, the Commission for Public Service Appointments and the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner. The increase in expenditure in 2015 and 2016 related to an advertising campaign concerning the launch of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.
Public Appointments Service
|
Year |
Total Advertising Budget Allocated/ Spent |
|
2013 |
€502,655.00 |
|
2014 |
€705,124.00 |
|
2015 |
€685,770.00 |
|
2016 |
€633,681.00 |
|
2017 |
€660,235.00 |
|
2018 |
€804,500.00 |
|
2019 |
€926,050.00 |
|
2020 |
€751,183.00 |
|
2021 |
€912,477.00 |
|
2022 |
€859,667.00 |
|
To date in 2023 |
€517,487.00 |
National Shared Service Office
|
Year |
Total Advertising Budget Spent |
|
2013 |
Nil |
|
2014 |
Nil |
|
2015 |
Nil |
|
2016 |
Nil |
|
2017 |
Nil |
|
2018 |
Nil |
|
2019 |
Nil |
|
2020 |
Nil |
|
2021 |
Nil |
|
2022 |
€244.00 |
|
To date in 2023 |
Nil |
State Laboratory and Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery
Both the State Laboratory and the Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery have advised that there was no advertising budget allocated or spent in the last ten years or to date in 2023.
206. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of SME credit advanced in previous credit guaranteed schemes in the past 12-months, by county and sector; what that quantum of funding is, in relation to the previous year's allocation; the variance estimated in relation to the proposed new credit guaranteed SME scheme to be announced, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31681/23]
View answerThe Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS) which was launched in September 2020 provided loans to SMEs and small Mid-Caps until 30 June 2022. No further loans were approved after that date. The scheme closed due to the expiry of the State Aid Temporary Framework. The State aid Temporary Framework was adopted on 19 March 2020 to enable Member States to use the full flexibility foreseen under State aid rules to support the economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. 9,857 loans for a value of €708 million were drawn under the CCGS between its launch in September 2020 and closure of the scheme on 30 June 2022. There was a wide regional spread of loans across the country with 72% of loans by value drawn outside Dublin. This scheme provided vital access to lending facilities for a wide range of sectors. Businesses which were most impacted by the effects of COVID-19 used the Scheme. The wholesale and retail sector accounted for 18% of loans drawn by value, the accommodation and food services sector accounted for 13.6% of loans drawn, construction accounted for 13% of loans drawn and the primary agriculture and fisheries sector accounted for 12% of loans drawn.
The €1.2 billion Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme (UCGS) which was launched on 30 January 2023, with Bank of Ireland, provides low-cost loans for working capital purposes and for medium-term investment, especially in energy saving measures. It forms part of the government’s response to assist businesses effected by the crisis in Ukraine and is available to SMEs, primary producers, and small mid-caps (businesses with fewer than 500 employees). Loans of up to 6 years are available, from €10,000 to €1 million, with no collateral required for loans up to €250,000. The scheme is operated by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and will be available until 31 December 2024.
AIB joined the scheme on 14 June and a number of credit unions and non-bank lenders are finalising their systems with a view to joining the scheme in the coming months. Loans with a value of €61 million have been approved up to 16 June 2023, of which €49 million have been drawn. SBCI is currently working with lenders with a view to providing loan data by county and sector in the third quarter of 2023.
Schemes operating under the Credit Guarantee Act, which includes the CCGS and UCGS, are based on contingent liability. This means that, other than administration costs, there is no cost to the State unless a participating enterprise is unable to pay back the loan and the finance provider calls on the guarantee for 80% of the outstanding balance.
CCGS and UCGS expenditure for 2021 to June 2023
|
|
Claims on the Guarantee - CCGS |
Administrative and legal costs paid to date CCGS |
Administrative and legal costs paid to date UCGS |
|
2021 |
€252,346 |
€1,709,977 |
0 |
|
2022 |
€3,654,456 |
€1,108,054 |
€20,561 |
|
2023 |
€3,902,052 |
€498,761 |
€38,745 |
No claims have been submitted under the UCGS as yet.
The launch of the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) in the market in mid 2023 is a key priority action to ensure an adequate supply of credit to SMEs. The GSLS is a new long-term loan guarantee scheme jointly developed by Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine and will be underpinned by resources from the European Investment Bank Group and delivered by the SBCI.
207. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount paid out to all consultancy firms for any services rendered; and the cost per contract for the year-to-date 2023, in tabular form [31686/23]
View answerMy Department considers hiring external consultants in cases where there is not the necessary expertise to deliver the project in-house, in cases where an external assessment is deemed essential, or in cases where a project must be completed within a short time scale, and although the expertise or experience may be available in-house, performing the task would involve a prohibitive opportunity cost.
My Department complies with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform's guidelines for engagements of consultants by the civil service, having regard to public procurement guidelines.
To date in 2023, my Department has paid €174,706 to consultancy firms for their services. The cost per contract for the year to date is set out in tabular form below:
|
Consultancy Contract |
Consultancy Firm |
Cost to date 2023 |
|
Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact (ABSEI) 2022 |
Insight Statistical Consulting |
€14,834 |
|
Evaluation of State Supports for Equity Investment in Ireland |
SQW Limited |
€51,009 |
|
Shannon Estuary Taskforce: Floating Windfarms |
G&D GEOSOLUTIONS |
€29,336 |
|
Shannon Estuary Taskforce: Decarbonisation of Process Heat |
Tipperary Energy Agency |
€15,160 |
|
Economic analysis of the agri-food sector in the North-East region |
KPMG |
€11,378 |
|
Midlands ICT Cluster Action Plan |
Second Edge Technology Solutions |
€17,165 |
|
Trade and the Digital Transition |
Indecon Consultants |
€24,754 |
|
Finance for Scaling 2023 |
Select Strategies |
€11,070 |
208. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the expected level of exports by Enterprise Ireland-backed companies this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22027/23]
View answerEnterprise Ireland has advised that this information is not available but will be obtained through the Agency’s Annual Business Review survey which will be undertaken in January 2024.
The latest year for which this information is available is 2022 which saw exports by Enterprise Ireland backed companies increase by 19% to a record €32.1bn.
This is the highest ever level of growth for Enterprise Ireland backed companies in export value. Growth occurred across all overseas regions and in individual industry sectors.
Exports to the Eurozone increased by 28% in 2022, reaching €7.9bn, with the Eurozone now representing 25% of all exports by Enterprise Ireland backed companies. Expansion in trade with the Eurozone has taken place in tandem with strong Irish exports to the UK post-Brexit.
Exports to the UK increased by 13%, reaching €9.2bn. The UK now accounts for 29% of all exports by Enterprise Ireland backed companies.
Exports to North America increased by 13%, reaching €5.5bn. North America now accounts for 17% of all exports by Enterprise Ireland backed companies.
Increases in exports were recorded across all sectors with Food and Sustainability increasing by 23%, Technology and Services increasing by 18% and Industrial and Life Sciences increasing by 14%.
In line with the Government’s White Paper my Department will continue to work with our agencies to protect Ireland’s strong economic position, and respond to challenges and opportunities as they emerge providing for a sustainable, innovative and high-productivity economy, with rewarding jobs and livelihoods in the period ahead.
209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which his Department continues to work with all relevant Departments and agencies to assist in the promotion of Ireland as an attractive location for business, investment and trade. [24621/23]
View answerEach year, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland prepare a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment, and showcasing opportunities for foreign direct investment in support of high-quality jobs and regional development throughout Ireland.
In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led trade missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represent the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These missions have focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in a range of sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and life sciences.
My Department works closely with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to identify opportunities to help Irish companies access new markets and increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland.
To date in 2023, Ministerial-led trade and investment visits and missions have taken place to Arab Health in Dubai; the US West Coast; UN City Copenhagen; the US East Coast; Warsaw and Prague; and Germany and France. My Department is continuing to work closely with its agencies in relation to a programme of trade missions and visits for the second half of 2023.
210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to his Department's Strategy Statement 2021-2023, if he continues to make efforts to work with all relevant Departments and agencies to assist in the promotion of Ireland as an attractive location for business, investment and trade. [24994/23]
View answerIn spite of the challenges across the global economy over recent years, Ireland’s continues to remain resilient and perform well. We have our highest level of FDI employment ever, with 301,475 persons directly employed in IDA multinational clients during 2022 while our Enterprise Ireland companies employed 218,180 people during 2022.
As we look to the future, FDI and trade will remain central to our growth model and economic strategy, building on the strong fundamentals we have in place. In my Department’s new Statement of Strategy, 2023-2025, we identify as key goals to enhance our business regulatory environment and Ireland’s attractiveness as a place to do business as well as to deepen and extend Ireland’s global business and trade in a responsible, fair and environmentally sustainable manner supporting of higher living standards and growing the all-Ireland economy.
This strategic approach reflects and reaffirms the objectives of the White Paper on Enterprise, published in December 2022. The White Paper on Enterprise sets out Ireland`s industrial policy for the medium- to long-term, building on Ireland`s economic strengths of an open economy with strong trade and foreign direct investment, a vibrant innovation hub, and a resilient labour market. Key targets include maintaining full employment, strengthening the Irish-owned exporting sector, and advancing Ireland’s FDI and trade value proposition.
The effective implementation of The Trade and Investment Strategy: Value for Ireland, Values for the World will be integral to our efforts to support Ireland to increase exports sustainably, to deepen and extend our trade relationships, to grow quality employment, and to build a more resilient economy.
The White Paper also acknowledges challenges around enterprise framework conditions, which impact Ireland`s attractiveness as a place to live, work and invest, and which can only be addressed through cross-Government collaboration. These conditions include infrastructure. Through Project Ireland 2040 and Housing for All, the Government is committed to substantial investment to overcome infrastructure bottlenecks that could hinder us from realising our ambitions for enterprise.
The development and ongoing implementation of the White Paper represents a whole of Government effort. This includes ongoing and forward-looking collaboration efforts across our enterprise agencies and with various Government Departments on key policy areas such as skills, innovation and decarbonisation, amongst others.
My Department is responsible for the development of consecutive two-year plans of cross-Government activity to implement the White Paper on Enterprise commitments. Last month, I published the first of these Implementation Plans, covering the period to the end of 2024. This identifies a portfolio of 40 key initiatives and projects across each of our seven priority objectives, a significant number of which focus on enhancing Ireland’s attractiveness as a location to do business, to invest and to trade. These include initiatives that will enhance foreign direct investment in our regions, transform our exporting base, enhance skills capacities and promote trade opportunities for Irish enterprise, amongst others. My Department will continue to collaborate with our enterprise agencies and other Government Departments in undertaking these efforts.
211. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of the failures in the statutory consultation process surrounding redundancies at a company (details supplied); the proposed policy measures planned by his Department to ensure people are not treated this way in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24359/23]
View answerFirstly, my thoughts are with the workers at Indeed, and their families, during what has been a very difficult and stressful period of uncertainty.
Ireland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation to protect and support workers in collective redundancy situations. The Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes certain legal obligations on employers proposing collective redundancies. These obligations include engaging in an information and consultation process of at least 30 days with employees’ representatives, and notifying the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment of the proposals at least 30 days before the first dismissal takes place. A collective redundancy notification was received from the company on 29 March 2023.
The consultation with employees’ representatives should include the possibility of avoiding the proposed redundancies, reducing the number of employees effected or mitigating their consequences.
While I strongly encourage parties to engage in the consultation process in a constructive manner with a view to finding a mutually acceptable solution, the ultimate responsibility for the resolution of any issues arising rests with employers, the workers and their representatives.
It is the employer’s responsibility to comply with the legal obligations under the 1977 Act and employers who fail to comply are guilty of an offence and may be liable on conviction to fines ranging from €5,000 up to a maximum of €250,000. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is the statutory agency responsible for bringing such prosecutions.
The WRC is also the organisation which is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. Employees have the right to refer complaints to the WRC on a wide range of employment law breaches for an adjudication and compensation where appropriate. This includes the right to refer a complaint under the Protection of Employment Act 1977 should an employer fail to consult or provide certain information to employees. The WRC is independent in the performance of its functions.
