Written Answers Nos. 347-360
347. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to disaggregate the €0.75 billion allocated to Other in non-core expenditure in 2024, as per Table 7 of the Summer Economic Statement, by programme type. [35234/23]
View answerThe 2023 Summer Economic Statement (SES) set out the Government’s medium-term budgetary strategy and outlines the fiscal parameters within which discussions will take place ahead of Budget 2024. In planning the fiscal and budgetary response for 2024, Government will continue a balanced approach of supporting investment in public services while seeking to ensure fiscal sustainability.
Alongside the additional core expenditure being provided in Budget 2024 to facilitate the continued investment in frontline services and National Development Plan implementation, Budget 2024 will also provide for non-core spending of up to €4 billion for measures towards mitigating the temporary challenges our society is facing.
This €4 billion amount includes indicative provisions of €2½ billion to provide humanitarian supports for arrivals to Ireland from Ukraine, €¾ billion for areas experiencing legacy impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic and an indicative €¾ billion for other non-core challenges.
This ‘other’ provision will provide for areas including necessary project funding to address the impact of Brexit, implementation of existing projects under our National Recovery and Resilience Plan and funding for RePowerEU projects. Exact allocations for each of these categories, and other areas where there are expected to be temporary funding needs, will be determined as part of the 2024 Estimates process.
Over the coming weeks my Department will be engaging with other Departments across Government as part of the 2024 Estimates process. As part of this process funding requirements both core and non-core will be considered. In advance of this it is not possible to dis-aggregate funding by programme type. Any allocations made will be included in the Estimates or Revised Estimate publications as appropriate.
348. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline the internships, apprenticeships and graduate schemes run by his Department and public bodies under the aegis of his Department. [35491/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to her in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 51(1)(b).
349. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the total number of National Lottery winners in the past twelve months; the number involving prizes in excess of €1 million or more, €500,000 or more and €500,000 or less in the past twelve months; how this compares with winnings in the previous 12-month period; if the amount spent on advertising is more than in previous twelve months; if it is less; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35556/23]
View answerI am informed by the Regulator of the National Lottery that, as set out in the Licence to Operate the National Lottery, prize winnings above €15,000 must be claimed directly from the National Lottery, where winners are required to identify themselves to the operator PLI; winners of most small prizes collect them in retail outlets anonymously. Thus the National Lottery does not have information on the number of winners of prizes less than €15,000 in a particular period.
The information that can be provided on the number of prize winnings is as follows :
• of €1m or above in value in 2022 was 34 and in 2021 was 31;
• of €500,000 or above in value and below €1m in value in 2022 was 30 and in 2021 was 49 ; and
• of €15,000 or above in value and below €500,000 in value in 2022 was 540 and in 2021 was 501
Note: a single cheque issues for each prize win; where a prize is won by a syndicate this is treated as a singular claim.
In relation to the part of the question concerning advertising spend, I am informed by the Regulator that the Operator, PLI, has responded that it considers such information to be commercially sensitive for PLI / National Lottery, as it is for all other commercial entities, and, consequently, PLI is not in a position to provide consent for the release of that information.
350. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of a case of a person (details supplied); if he will ask officials to review the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34789/23]
View answerThe Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that the General Employment Permit application submitted in respect of the person concerned (in the details supplied) was refused on 30th March 2023. A request for a review of the refusal decision was received on 27th April 2023, however on 24th June 2023 the refusal decision was upheld by the Reviewing Officer.
The application was refused following consideration of the information provided with the application, the role was considered to be that of a Tofu Production Operative. Therefore it was considered that the most relevant SOC (standard occupational classification) code for this occupation would be 8111 - food, drink and tobacco process operative. As this role is currently on the ineligible list of occupations, it is not possible to grant an employment permit for this occupation. An employment permit can only be issued when all the qualifying conditions are satisfied.
Once the reviewing officer has made a decision in respect of an appeal, it is not possible for this decision to be revisited.
The applicant was advised of the refusal reasons by the reviewing officer on 24th June 2023 and that a 90% refund of the fee paid would be refunded to them on receipt of the completed electronic funds transfer mandate form which was issued with the refusal decision.
351. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of personnel in his Department at Principal Officer level or above who, on retiring from that position, were subsequently appointed to a State or semi-State board over the past ten years. [34920/23]
View answerMy Department does not collect or hold the information requested by the Deputy. The process of identifying suitable candidates for appointment to State Boards is administered by the Public Appointments Service, State Boards Unit. The website www.stateboards.ie is the channel used by the Public Appointments Service to both inform the public of vacancies on State Boards and to collate expressions of interest in those roles for the Minister. It also provides information and resources of relevance for State Board appointments, including eligibility requirements and annual activity details on individual Boards.
352. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider the introduction of an employment wage support scheme for small to medium sized enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35002/23]
View answerA key objective of the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 is to ensure that the wider economic and enterprise ecosystem is appropriately supported, and that Ireland can continue promoting strong employment growth and a resilient SME sector. Targets on maintaining full employment and ensuring balanced regional employment growth are listed amongst the 15 targets for delivery set out in the White Paper.
The White Paper details Government’s commitment to supporting Ireland`s SME base through initiatives such as the expansion of Local Enterprise Offices (LEO`s) supports, increasing access to finance for SMEs, as well as addressing productivity challenges in the locally traded sector. Through the LEO`s, the Priming and Business Expansion grants in particular support SME employment, by including salary costs as eligible expenditure. This is under the condition that a maximum grant of €15,000 per full time job created shall apply in respect of any employment support granted.
Previous wage support schemes such as the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) were unique schemes developed and operated in exceptional circumstances during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Beyond such circumstances, a general scheme of employment wage support for small to medium sized enterprises would constitute State Aid, which is prohibited under the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU due to its potential to distort competition and affect trade between Member States of the European Union.
The Government has however, provided a wider range of measures to support Irish enterprise and Irish workers as we face strong headwinds in the global economy. A total of €12 billion has now been provided in direct relief to absorb some of the impacts and to ease the burden of inflation on households and businesses. Government has also introduced the €200 million Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme, to assist vulnerable firms in managing the economic impact of the current crisis in Ukraine. The €100 million Brexit Response Scheme and the Brexit Resilience Fund were introduced to bolster the resilience of companies facing Brexit related challenges, whilst the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme will provide up to €330 million to SMEs that have been impacted by Brexit and COVID-19.
In regards to short-time work support, the Pathways to Work 2021-2025 strategy, sponsored by Minister Humphreys and her Department, includes the following commitment: "building on the EWSS/TWSS and drawing on existing international models, explore the possibility of introducing a new Short Time Work Support scheme to enable employers retain people on their payroll in response to short-duration shocks to employment".
Further details on the Pathways to Work strategy, including the ‘First Annual Progress Report, July 2021 to June 2022’, can be located as follows: www.gov.ie/en/publication/1feaf-pathways-to-work-2021/.
353. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consideration will be given to the introduction of Government-backed low-interest rate loans for small to medium sized enterprises in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35003/23]
View answerMy department is actively working with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland to deliver low-cost loan schemes to address market failures or emergency requirements for SMEs.
Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme (UCGS)
On the 30th of January this year, the Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme (UCGS) was launched as part of the government’s response to assist businesses effected by the crisis in Ukraine. The UCGS provides up to €1.2 billion in low-cost loans for purposes of working capital and medium-term investment, to SMEs, primary producers, and small mid-caps (businesses with fewer than 500 employees).
Loans under the scheme range from €10,000 to €1 million, for terms of up to six years, with no collateral required for loans up to €250,000.
The scheme is operated by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and is available from Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Bank Group, with non-bank and credit union lenders joining the scheme in the coming months. The scheme will run until 31 December 2024.
The UCGS is similar to the very successful Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme which was available from September 2020 until June 2022 and provided 9,857 loans with a value of €708 million to businesses impacted by the effects of the pandemic.
Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS)
The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) is a new long-term loan guarantee scheme which will make up to €500 million in low-cost investment loans of up to 10 years available to SMEs, including farmers and fishers and small mid-caps, with no collateral required for loans up to €500,000. A minimum of 30% of the lending volume will be targeted towards environmental sustainability. 70% of lending will be for strategic investments with a view to increasing productivity and competitiveness and thus underpinning future business sustainability and growth. It is anticipated that it will be launched in the market in the coming months.
The new Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) is similar to the very successful Future Growth Loan Scheme (FGLS). This scheme, now ceased provided 3,512 sanctioned loans with a value of over €771 million.
Microfinance Ireland (MFI)
Microfinance Ireland (MFI) was established in 2012 to provide loans to microenterprises with fewer than 10 employees and with an annual turnover of less than €2 million, which do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by commercial lenders. It provides much-needed funding to help microenterprises meet payments for stock, working capital requirements and other overhead expenses through the provision of low-cost lending facilities.
It provides loans of €2,000 up to €25,000 to businesses and applies interest rate charges for its lending which are not reflective of its credit risk. MFI also provides post approval mentoring services to its borrowers through the Local Enterprise Office Network. Since its establishment, and as of the 31st of May 2023, MFI has approved a total of 4,836 loans to the value of €79.8 million supporting over 10,000 jobs.
354. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the proposed industrial park for Ballina, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35018/23]
View answerThe IDA actively promotes available buildings and land in IDA Business Parks and high-quality buildings in private ownership through their network of overseas offices. IDA Ireland owns approximately 10.6 hectares of industrial zoned land on the Sligo Road in Quignashee, Ballina and the site has been "concept master planned" by the Agency to demonstrate its potential to investors.
IDA Ireland continues to market the site to existing and prospective investors that may be interested in expanding or locating in County Mayo. IDA Ireland is working in collaboration with Mayo County Council and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the potential for the IDA Ballina lands to further support the objectives of IDA’s current strategy 2021-2024 is maximised.
Planning permission had been previously obtained for infrastructural development, although this has since expired. I am advised, however, that IDA Ireland has a planning submission application being drafted for a Phase 1 infrastructure delivery and is awaiting a final confirmation of feasibility response from key stakeholders to include in this planning application. I am further advised it is IDA's intention to lodge the planning application on receipt of same. IDA Ireland will work with Mayo County Council to ensure the infrastructure development will be complimentary to the wider development plans for Ballina and that the site, once developed will be positioned and marketed as a suitable location for indigenous and FDI developments.
355. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the IDA began supporting companies to set up data centres in the State. [35116/23]
View answerIDA engages with overseas companies interested in investing, expanding or establishing in Ireland, and this may include discussions companies seeking to establish data centres.
Data centres serve a key infrastructure role in our society, supporting the success of the technology sector and enabling Ireland to become a destination of choice for the world’s leading technology companies. Some are owned and operated by large multinationals while others serve Ireland’s indigenous technology service providers. Data centres are integral for many of the services which we now take for granted and provide the foundation for almost all online aspects of our social and work lives, including video calling, messaging and apps, retail, banking, travel, media, and public service delivery. They are also necessary to technological advances such as cloud computing, quantum computing and AI, and the rapid growth of the use of internet services by both enterprise and consumers alike.
The Government published its revised policy statement on the “Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy” in July 2022. Its revision was designed to ensure that the twin transition of decarbonisation and digitalisation of Ireland’s economy and society are complimentary and in harmony with environmental policy. This focus on the twin transition was reiterated in the White Paper on Enterprise, published in December 2022, which sets out the policy direction to ensure Ireland remains an attractive and sustainable place to do business.
In view of the capital intensity of data centres and their location, to date, in the greater Dublin area, IDA Ireland has not provided grant aid towards the construction or employment activities of data centres.
356. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of a survey (details supplied) which cites labour shortages one of the main barriers to achieve national retrofitting targets; how he plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35128/23]
View answerThrough the Housing for All strategy, and specifically the strategy’s Industry Capability working group, my Department is working with a range of partners across Government to ensure that the skills needs across all construction activities- housing new builds, infrastructural development, and retrofit- are fully addressed and we deliver on the targets set out in Housing for All, Project Ireland 2040 and the National Retrofitting Programme.
The working group is chaired by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, which is responsible for construction related training, including apprenticeships, across the Further Education and Training and Higher Education sectors. The Working Group’s focus is on leading initiatives associated with innovation and productivity, skills and labour, enterprise support, standards and compliance, and sectoral engagement.
Its skills planning is framed by the Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofitting 2023-2030, which was commissioned and published by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in late 2022.
My Department’s chief contribution towards addressing our construction sector skills needs is through the facilitation of international recruitment, which is being progressed by the Housing for All International Recruitment subgroup, and specifically the recruitment of non-EEA construction workers through the employment permits system.
In 2022, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment issued 1,474 employment permits for roles within the construction sector, an increase of 142 per cent on 2021 levels. In 2023, to date, 723 employment permits have been issued for roles in the sector. These increases have come as a result of comprehensive changes to eligibility criteria for employment permits made by the Department since April 2019.
The result is that most construction occupations, including those key to the delivery of the National Retrofitting Programme, are now eligible for an employment permit. Those roles eligible for a critical skills employment permit are: Architect, Architectural Technologist, Civil Engineer, Construction Project Manager, Electrical Engineer, Façade Designer, Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers with BIM expertise, Quantity Surveyor, Setting out Engineer, Site Manager, and Structural/Site Engineer.
Those roles eligible for a General Employment Permit include: Architectural Technician, Bricklayer, Carpenter and Joiner, Civil and Structural Engineering Technician, Construction and Building Trades Supervisor, Construction Safety Manager, Construction Safety Officer, Crane Driver, Draughtsperson, Electrician, Floorer and Wall Tiler, Foreman, Glazier, Window Fabricator and Fitter, Mason, Painter and Decorator, Plasterer, Plumber and Heating and Ventilating Engineer, Roofer, Roof Tiler and Slater, Scaffolder, Stager and Rigger, Sheet Metal Worker, Shuttering Carpenter, and Welding Trade.
My Department will continue to be responsive to demonstrated skills needs across construction activities, through the timely and efficient operation of our employment permits system.
357. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost of establishing and fully resourcing the health and social care advisory committee within the Health and Safety Authority; the additional staffing and inspection requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35137/23]
View answerFollowing a recent meeting with representatives of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Minister Coveney asked the Board of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to consider establishing a new Health and Social Care Advisory Committee of the Board under Section 38 of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The purpose of such Committee would be to place a particular focus on health and safety issues in health and social care service provision in the same way as with the construction and agricultural sectors. It could also develop new and targeted activities aimed at reducing the large number of incidents, injuries, and accidents in the sector.
The Chairperson of the Board has confirmed that it will establish a Health and Social Care Advisory Committee. Terms of reference for this Committee are being prepared and will be considered by the Board at its next meeting in September. In the absence of agreed terms of reference, it is not possible, at this stage, to set out the potential additional impacts of the work of this advisory committee on the HSA’s existing or future programmes of work or resources.
I would add, however, that the HSA had increased resources focusing on the health sector during the pandemic and it now has a dedicated national policy and inspection team focusing on the sector as part of its newly established Occupational Health Division. The HSA continues to prioritise the health sector and is carrying out a mix of pro-active and reactive inspections across the sector as well as providing health sector specific information and guidance and e-learning programmes on managing occupational health and safety in healthcare settings.
358. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of occupations (details supplied) that have been recruited from outside the EU since these occupations were added to the critical skills occupations list; if an incentive package has been put in place to attract these occupations from outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35370/23]
View answerAn efficient and responsive Employment Permit system is a critical component to ensure that talent is attracted to Ireland from non-EEA countries.
In June 2022, changes were introduced to the eligible occupations lists to help alleviate skills shortages in the health sector. The roles of psychologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, and therapy professional (Orthoptist) were added to the critical skills permit list, the permit type used to attract highly skilled professionals into employment in the state.
The table below provides details of the number of Employment Permit applications issued, refused and withdrawn, in respect of the above-mentioned occupations by my Department since June 2022.
|
Soc Code |
Soc Title |
Issued |
Refused |
Withdrawn |
|
2212 |
Psychologists |
11 |
5 |
|
|
2221 |
Physiotherapists |
56 |
3 |
1 |
|
2222 |
Occupational therapists |
22 |
2 |
1 |
|
2223 |
Speech and language therapists |
3 |
||
|
2229 |
Therapy professionals n.e.c. |
6 |
2 |
1 |
Officials in my Department are in regular contact with officials in the Department of Justice on the issue of labour market access as part of wider collaboration on economic migration and talent attraction.
359. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline how much in IDA grants and supports have been awarded to a company (details supplied) for their sites at Tullagreen and Springhill since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35399/23]
View answerThe Stryker facilities in Tullagreen and Springhill were established in 1997. The total grants paid since 1997 by the IDA are as follows:
• Tullagreen - €8,513,899, and
• Springhill - €8,813,425.
Additionally, the Stryker 3D R&D Printing Centre in Anngrove, Carrigtwohill, was established in 2017 following the development of a global corporate strategy to exploit 3D Printing technologies across all of its operating divisions. The Stryker Anngrove site is one of the largest 3D Printing Medical Technology facilities in the world. Total grants paid since 2017 in regard to the Anngrove Stryker investment is €9,976,748.
360. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the internships, apprenticeships and graduate schemes run by his Department and public bodies under the aegis of his Department. [35483/23]
View answerMy Department does not have responsibility for running internships, apprenticeships, and graduate schemes. However, the table below contains details on the internships, apprenticeships, and graduate schemes that my Department currently participates in. The agencies that come within my remit are statutorily independent in their functions and this is an operational matter for them. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the agencies for direct reply.
|
IGEES Internship Programme |
Since 2018 my Department has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to facilitate the placement of Undergraduate and Masters students through the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) Internship Programme. The internships run for 12 weeks through the summer period and provide interns with on-the-job training and development opportunities, focused on project work involving data analysis and research. Applications for the internship programme are via Universities. The internships provide an effective development pathway towards potential future employment as graduate Policy Analysts and Economists within the Civil Service. My Department has placed five interns in 2023 through this programme. |
|
ICT Apprenticeship Programme |
Since 2020, my Department has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to facilitate the placement of ICT Apprentices. The ICT Apprenticeship Programmes are two-year, full-time programmes run in conjunction with FIT, the national coordinating provider for ICT Tech Apprenticeships, and City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB). The programmes, covering three important areas (cyber security, network technician, software developer), will ensure that the Civil Service is able to attract and retain talented ICT staff and that all entry routes to ICT roles in the Civil Service are catered for, including retraining schemes and apprenticeships. The programme is intended as a recruitment pathway to established positions within Civil Service organisations. One ICT apprentice is currently on placement with my Department through the 2023 programme. |
|
Public Appointments Service (PAS) Administrative Officer Graduate recruitment |
My Department recruits Administrative Officers (AOs) directly from the Public Appointment Service, which is the centralised provider of recruitment assessment and selection for the Civil Service. The AO is the main graduate recruitment grade for the Civil Service and provides successful candidates with the opportunity to progress to middle management. AOs have a crucial role in policy and strategy formulation across the spectrum of economic, financial, international, environmental, and social issues. |
|
AO Graduate Programme |
All Administrative Officer graduates recruited to my Department are invited to participate in the AO Graduate Programme run by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. This Programme has been designed to support new recruits at Administrative Officer level, in meeting their potential and facilitating the development of collaboration and strong working relationships between staff from across the Civil Service. The Programme combines Civil Service Essential Knowledge modules, peer to peer learning, lunch and learn events and input from members of the Senior Public Service Skills all of which will assist new AO Graduates in developing the skills, understanding and network that they will need to perform at the highest level throughout their career in the Civil Service. |
|
Willing, Able, Mentoring (WAM) Internship Programme |
My Department currently participates in the WAM Programme which is an initiative of *AHEAD. The Programme is a paid, mentored work experience programme offering graduates with intellectual and/or physical disabilities work placements. Graduates who successfully complete their placements are eligible to participate in a confined competition for permanency, which is run by PAS. Two graduates from last year’s programme who completed work placements in my Department were successful following their interviews for permanency and are now working in a full time capacity in the grade of EO in my Department. There is currently one WAM graduate in my Department taken from the 2023 Programme. *AHEAD is an independent non-profit organisation working to create inclusive environments in education and employment for people with disabilities. The main focus of their work is further education and training, higher education, and graduate employment. |
|
Oireachtas Work and Learn programme (OWL) |
My Department participates in the OWL (Oireachtas Work and Learn) programme, an applied learning, development and socialisation programme for young adults with an intellectual disability, run by the Houses of the Oireachtas. We have one permanent staff member who joined the Department through this scheme in 2022. |
