Written Answers Nos. 396-410
396. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what happens in the event of an overpayment of a subsidy or grant to a business; and whether costs can generally be recouped. [36631/23]
View answerThe State Aid Framework is the EU’s internal subsidy control system. In general, State Aid is prohibited under the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) because of its anti-competitive effects, however, State Aid is allowed in clearly defined circumstances.
The European Commission has competence in relation to State Aid Rules and is obliged to keep State Aid systems under constant review, to examine notified aid proposals, and to investigate any complaints made in relation to State Aid schemes or payments. The State Aid Unit in my Department is the National Contact Point for State Aid policy.
When an over-payment occurs as an administrative matter, the excess can be recouped using a claw-back mechanism. The specific modalities of the claw-back would depend on the granting authority's procedures and the terms of the grant agreement.
Where an aid award is deemed incompatible or unlawful, Article 16 of Council Regulation (EU) 2015/1589 (the Procedural Regulation) requires the Commission to order the Member State in question to recover the aid with interest from the beneficiary.
397. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA-supported jobs, by county, at the end of June 2023 or the latest date available, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36673/23]
View answerIDA Ireland reported strong annual results for 2022 with a substantial increase in growth in FDI employment on 2021, numbers are now at the highest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) employment level ever.
Growth in employment in 2022 brought the number of people employed in the FDI sector in Ireland to over 300,000. The results show continued substantial growth in FDI in 2022 despite a difficult global economic environment with 33,000 new jobs created in 2022.
Job losses, which were at historically low levels in recent years, increased in the latter half of 2022 as some tech companies sought to reduce costs and employee numbers in line with reduced revenue forecasts and weakening company valuations. These lay-offs, proportionate to the size of the overall portfolio, resulted in less net employment growth in 2022, giving a net increase of some 25,000 jobs year on year.
Growth in regions continued with employment growth recorded in every region of the country. Strongest regional performance among IDA clients in 2022 was in the Mid-East region (net change 13.6%), followed by Dublin (10.8%) and the Midlands (9.7%).
The strong growth in regional investment was supported by IDA Ireland’s property programme which supports the provision of a robust property and infrastructure ecosystem as a key differentiator in winning FDI projects.
The 2022 figures, which are the most up to date figures available, continue the pattern of sustained, robust growth in FDI investment and FDI-related employment that has been achieved over a continuous period of more than ten-years. However, at the announcement of the mid-year results earlier this month, the IDA noted that the global economy continues to face serious headwinds with the ongoing international turmoil caused by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, persistently high inflation and geopolitical developments, in particular, which have dampened FDI growth rates globally, including for Ireland, although Ireland is still performing well in the highly competitive FDI marketplace.
The table below details the number of new IDA jobs created by county for 2022.
|
County |
|
2022 |
|
Cavan |
Number of Client Companies |
9 |
|
Total Jobs |
795 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
39 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
18 |
|
|
Donegal |
Number of Client Companies |
21 |
|
Total Jobs |
3,696 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
299 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
25 |
|
|
Leitrim |
Number of Client Companies |
4 |
|
Total Jobs |
1,011 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
196 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
196 |
|
|
Monaghan |
Number of Client Companies |
8 |
|
Total Jobs |
428 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
26 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-17 |
|
|
Sligo |
Number of Client Companies |
31 |
|
Total Jobs |
2,955 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
335 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
305 |
|
|
Dublin |
Number of Client Companies |
965 |
|
Total Jobs |
137,822 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
17,207 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
13,108 |
|
|
Kildare |
Number of Client Companies |
39 |
|
Total Jobs |
12,174 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
2,528 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
2,389 |
|
|
Louth |
Number of Client Companies |
36 |
|
Total Jobs |
4,485 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
415 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-201 |
|
|
Meath |
Number of Client Companies |
18 |
|
Total Jobs |
2,449 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
346 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
321 |
|
|
Wicklow |
Number of Client Companies |
20 |
|
Total Jobs |
2,753 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
114 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
15 |
|
|
Clare |
Number of Client Companies |
70 |
|
Total Jobs |
6,643 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
586 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-143 |
|
|
Limerick |
Number of Client Companies |
69 |
|
Total Jobs |
14,793 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
1,125 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
878 |
|
|
Tipperary |
Number of Client Companies |
15 |
|
Total Jobs |
4,568 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
198 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
160 |
|
|
Laois |
Number of Client Companies |
5 |
|
Total Jobs |
167 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
14 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
2 |
|
|
Longford |
Number of Client Companies |
7 |
|
Total Jobs |
1,620 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
172 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
170 |
|
|
Offaly |
Number of Client Companies |
11 |
|
Total Jobs |
1,377 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
142 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
137 |
|
|
Westmeath |
Number of Client Companies |
27 |
|
Total Jobs |
4,501 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
466 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
417 |
|
|
Carlow |
Number of Client Companies |
4 |
|
Total Jobs |
1,515 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
50 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
46 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
Number of Client Companies |
11 |
|
Total Jobs |
884 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
72 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-31 |
|
|
Waterford |
Number of Client Companies |
46 |
|
Total Jobs |
9,461 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
881 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
503 |
|
|
Wexford |
Number of Client Companies |
25 |
|
Total Jobs |
3,660 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
240 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-60 |
|
|
Cork |
Number of Client Companies |
212 |
|
Total Jobs |
50,208 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
4,320 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
3,550 |
|
|
Kerry |
Number of Client Companies |
17 |
|
Total Jobs |
2,020 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
108 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
84 |
|
|
Galway |
Number of Client Companies |
99 |
|
Total Jobs |
24,400 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
2,077 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
1,690 |
|
|
Mayo |
Number of Client Companies |
17 |
|
Total Jobs |
5,525 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
344 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
337 |
|
|
Roscommon |
Number of Client Companies |
10 |
|
Total Jobs |
1,565 |
|
|
|
New Jobs Created |
126 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
120 |
398. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Enterprise Ireland-supported jobs, by county, at the end of June 2023 or the latest date available, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36674/23]
View answerEnterprise Ireland undertakes an Annual Employment Survey during the fourth quarter of every year, the figures are reported to their Board and released to the public in January of each year.
As of June 2023, the most up to date employment data refers to the results of the survey conducted in Q4 of 2022.
|
County |
No of Companies |
2022 Total Employment |
|
Carlow |
68 |
3,815 |
|
Cavan |
67 |
6,534 |
|
Clare |
100 |
5,266 |
|
Cork |
468 |
25,585 |
|
Donegal |
103 |
4,308 |
|
Dublin |
1,736 |
70,785 |
|
Galway |
225 |
8,651 |
|
Kerry |
90 |
4,874 |
|
Kildare |
155 |
9,270 |
|
Kilkenny |
84 |
4,908 |
|
Laois |
39 |
1,924 |
|
Leitrim |
18 |
834 |
|
Limerick |
175 |
8,736 |
|
Longford |
30 |
2,223 |
|
Louth |
127 |
6,369 |
|
Mayo |
97 |
5,288 |
|
Meath |
151 |
7,943 |
|
Monaghan |
79 |
6,255 |
|
Offaly |
53 |
4,260 |
|
Roscommon |
32 |
1,619 |
|
Sligo |
46 |
2,116 |
|
Tipperary |
99 |
6,542 |
|
Waterford |
100 |
7,502 |
|
Westmeath |
71 |
3,099 |
|
Wexford |
85 |
5,580 |
|
Wicklow |
133 |
3,892 |
|
Ireland |
4,431 |
218,178 |
2022 saw the creation of 19,660 new jobs by Enterprise Ireland client companies. This translates into a net increase of 10,841 jobs. Growing net employment by 5% his compares favourably with the CSO Labour Force Survey for 2022 which showed an increase of 3.4% in total employment across the economy.
Despite the ongoing global challenges, the diversity of Irish enterprise continues to be seen through the cross sectorial job growth. Sectors such as Climate, Sustainability and Agritech saw an increase in employment of 13% and Digital Technology saw an increase of 9% in employment.
This trend continued in the regional spread of job creation, with 68% of the jobs created being based outside of Dublin. This increase in sectorial and regional Irish employment highlights the resilience and business acumen of Irish Entrepreneurs.
The year 2022 was also marked by Enterprise Ireland hitting a number of key targets such as 1,271 new overseas contracts secured, 144 climate and green projects approved and 238 new companies entering new markets.
399. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36693/23]
View answerDetails regarding whether my Department and its Offices have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms are set out in the table attached.
Contact details for my Department are included in all headed noted paper templates that should be used by all staff when my Department corresponds with the public.
With regard to the telephone contact details of the agencies under my Department’s remit, these are operational matters for them and I do not have any direct function in these matters.
400. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement he has had with the Minister for Transport regarding a project (details supplied) to date in 2023, including any meetings held in Government Buildings on the matter and the details of those present. [36843/23]
View answer401. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement he has had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding a project (details supplied) to date in 2023, including any meetings held in Government Buildings on the matter and the details of those present. [36844/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 400 and 401 together.
I can confirm that no meetings took place between Minister Coveney and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
402. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to address the skills gap to deliver the national retrofitting plan, including heat pump installation; if he has plans to expand green apprenticeships to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36852/23]
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.
403. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is concerned at reports (details supplied) of Irish manufactured components having found their way into armaments used by the Russian military; if he will describe the nature and scope of the investigation referred to by the Taoiseach on his recent visit to Kyiv; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36857/23]
View answerIreland continues to stand with the people of Ukraine and condemns Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine. The use of such military aggression should have no place in the twenty-first century. Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to choose its own foreign and security policy path remains unwavering.
The EU is responding to Russia’s illegal actions with unity, firmness, and determination. The EU has to date adopted eleven packages of sanctions in response Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. These sanctions are broad-ranging and designed to degrade Russia’s ability to continue its military aggression against Ukraine.
My Department has responsibility for the implementation of the trade measures in the sanctions packages. The Trade measures of these sanctions are sophisticated and targeted. For example, they prohibit the export of goods and technology from the EU to Russia which might contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement, or the development of its defence and security sector. They also prohibit the import from Russia into the EU of certain goods which generate significant revenues for Russia thereby enabling its actions in Ukraine. My Department is fully committed to the comprehensive implementation of these measures.
I am concerned about reports of potential Irish components recovered from the wreckage of armaments deployed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. My officials are working to establish the facts of the matter and in particular, whether any breach of sanctions has occurred. EU sanctions regulations have direct effect in all Member States of the EU, and, as such, are legally binding on all natural and legal persons in Ireland. Private companies, therefore, have an obligation to ensure that they are in full compliance with these new measures. A natural or legal person who contravenes a provision of an EU sanctions regulation shall be guilty of an offence and liable to prosecution.
In the first instance, My officials are working to establish the provenance of the recovered items and We are working closely with the Ukrainian authorities to establish the origin of the components and the distribution channels from which they were acquired by the producer of the armaments. My Department is also actively working with Conflict Armament Research, which is funded by the EU. As the items in question are in circulation in many jurisdictions, they may have been re-sold a number of times before being acquired by bad actors. To this end, my officials are engaging with the companies concerned, as well our EU and international partners.
404. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in view of the European Commission's announcement of 13 July 2023 that it is to send Ireland a reasoned opinion for the failure to fully transpose the Representative Actions Directive (Directive (EU) 2020/1828) by the agreed deadline of 25 December 2022, when he expects the Government to fully comply with its obligations in respect of this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36864/23]
View answerThe Representative Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers Act, 2023 passed all stages in the Oireachtas and it was signed into law by the President on Tuesday 11th July. The Act transposes Directive (EU) 2020/1828 into Irish law.
My officials notified officials in the European Commission of this development, informally, on Wednesday 12th July.
My officials tell me that the European Commission issued infringement proceedings on 14 July to Ireland, as well as Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg and Poland, for failure to notify it of measures transposing this Directive into domestic law. My department’s officials are awaiting publication of the text of the Act in electronic format before formally notifying the European Commission of the sections of the Act which transpose the relevant provisions in the Directive. I understand from my officials that this will take place in the coming days.
405. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he intends to abolish sub-minimum wage rates for those under 20 years; what research he has commissioned on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36906/23]
View answerIn the past, the Low Pay Commission (LPC) was asked to examine the issues around subminimum rates under the National Minimum Wage Acts and reported on the matter in December 2017.
The LPC, having examined all available evidence and submissions, and having considered a range of options, made recommendations in its report to simplify youth rates based on age and to abolish training rates unless an employee is part of a proper apprenticeship programme already approved by the State.
In February 2022, the LPC was asked by the Minister under Section 10 (4) (a) of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 to re-examine the issues around retaining or removing the subminimum (age-related) rates and to make recommendations on the subject.
To inform its work, the LPC has asked the ESRI to conduct background research on this issue under the terms of the LPC-ESRI Research Partnership Agreement. This report is expected in the second half of 2023. The LPC’s report and recommendations on subminimum rates are expected by the end of 2023.
The Government supports the independence of the LPC and while the issue of subminimum rates is being considered, the Government will continue to be guided by the recommendations of the LPC with regard to any future changes in the National Minimum Wage.
406. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current status of Action 2.5 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy (for which his Department is responsible); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36944/23]
View answerAction 2.5 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy refers to utilising the Corporate Social Responsibility Stakeholder Forum to advance LGBTI+ workplace inclusion amongst private sector employers, and to raise awareness of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy through the available Corporate Social Responsibility channels.
The CSR Stakeholder Forum was a business led voluntary body that was tasked with driving the implementation of the seventeen actions in the National Plan on CSR. Over the period the Forum developed a work programme each year which focused on themes that aligned with actions in the National Plan on CSR.
Towards Responsible Business, Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility 2017-2020 was published in June 2017. The aim of the Plan was to continue to build on the awareness created under the first National Plan on CSR Good for Business Good for Community, Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility 2014-2016.
The second National Plan on CSR 2017-2020 set out seventeen actions across four goals (i) awareness (ii) access (iii) support and (iv) policy alignment under four key dimensions: The Workplace, The Environment, The Community and The Marketplace. The Workplace as one of the four dimensions of CSR, covers a wide range of best practice initiatives including active management of equality and diversity measures. Over the course of the National Plan 2017 – 2020, the CSR Stakeholder Forum worked with relevant Government Departments, agencies and businesses to help and to promote the integration of workplace CSR best practice.
Diversity and Inclusion was a key theme identified by the CSR Stakeholder Forum as part of its 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 work programme and the Forum established a CSR Project Team on Diversity and Inclusion with a dedicated session on Diversity and Inclusion at the CSR Stakeholder Forum’s meeting in November 2018. The meeting was open to non-Forum members and over sixty people attended from Government, business and civil society.
Over the period of the Second National Plan on CSR 2017 – 2020, the Stakeholder Forum in the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (now Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment) contributed to key policy areas including the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy
Three Progress Reports were published under Towards Responsible Business, Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility 2017-2020 - CSR Check 2018, CSR Check 2019 and CSR Check 2020. The CSR Checks are available on enterprise.gov.ie.
CSR Check 2020 was the final Progress Report on the National Plan on CSR 2017-2020 and concluded the initiative.
CSR Check 2020 highlighted that the Irish Government recognises the key role that CSR can play in the promotion of growth, quality jobs and inclusiveness. The contribution that business, both small and large, makes to build a more inclusive Ireland, shows that Ireland is a good place to do business and this is fundamental to building a sustainable economy and society.
There are multiple initiatives underway across the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, that relate to new EU and other international regulations on how businesses operate, with a view to promoting positive impacts (and reducing negative impacts) on environmental, societal and human rights issues. These initiatives, which broadly correlate to the corporate ESG agenda and are inter-related, are being coordinated within DETE under the heading of “Responsible Business” and further information on this is available on the Department's website www.enterprise.gov.ie.
407. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when specific additional financial supports will be introduced to assist local authorities and community development organisations in the development of enterprise centres, in view of their importance in providing workspace for start-up businesses and small enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37062/23]
View answerEnterprise Ireland has invested over €160 million in not-for-profit Enterprise Centres under several schemes, including the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, the Border Enterprise Development Fund, the Community Enterprise Centre Schemes and the Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme since 1999.
They are important hubs that play a crucial role in supporting local businesses and fostering economic development in their respective communities. These centres are typically non-profit organisations that provide affordable workspace, facilities, and various support services to small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and entrepreneurs.
Key features and functions of Community Enterprise Centres in Ireland include -
• Affordable office spaces, shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and sometimes industrial units to accommodate a diverse range of businesses.
• Provision of a range of support services such as mentoring, training, workshops, and networking events to help entrepreneurs and businesses grow and succeed.
• Often act as business incubators, offering a nurturing environment for startups and early-stage companies.
• Crucial for promoting economic development in local communities, creating job opportunities, and supporting local entrepreneurship.
• Especially valuable in rural areas where access to resources and support for businesses may be limited.
• Encourage collaboration and networking among businesses operating within their premises, fostering a vibrant and innovative ecosystem.
Enterprise Ireland are working on finalising a new Smart Regional Enterprise Innovation Scheme to support new regionally strategic and impactful projects; existing or new cluster/consortia projects; and operational and programmatic support for the expansion of scale and scope of existing REDF & BEDF projects. This will include the possibility of funding for Community Enterprise Centres.
This new scheme which is being funded under the European Regional Development Fund is going through final scheme design, state aid and legal sign off and approvals currently. It is planned to launch this scheme in September 2023.
408. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vacancies in the Workplace Relations Commission; and the roles which are vacant. [37078/23]
View answerThe table below sets out the current vacancies in the Workplace Relations Commission, broken down by location, number and role/grade:
|
Number of vacancies |
Location |
Role/Grade
|
|
1 |
Dublin |
Director General |
|
1 |
Dublin |
Adjudication Officer (Assistant Principal Equivalent) |
|
1 |
Cork |
Inspector Team Manager (Higher Executive Officer equivalent) |
|
2 |
Dublin |
Industrial Relations Officer (Higher Executive Officer equivalent) |
|
1 |
Dublin |
Higher Executive Officer (General) |
|
1 |
Cork |
Inspector (Executive Officer Equivalent) |
|
2 |
Carlow |
Inspector (Executive Officer Equivalent) |
|
1 |
Ennis |
Inspector (Executive Officer Equivalent) |
|
1 |
Dublin |
Inspector (Executive Officer Equivalent) |
|
4 |
Dublin |
Executive Officer (General) |
|
6 |
Carlow |
Clerical Officer (General) |
|
2 |
Dublin |
Clerical Officer (General) |
Regarding the Director General vacancy, arrangements are currently underway to fill this vacancy following a competitive process run by the Public Appointments Service on behalf on my Department.
With regards to the other vacancies in the Workplace Relations Commission, my Department is working closely with the Public Appointments Service to have them filled as soon as possible.
409. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the engagement the IDA has had with companies and potential FDI investors in County Louth in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37141/23]
View answerRegional Development is a key plank of the Government's enterprise policy, as set out in the White Paper on Enterprise, and is the key focus of my Department's leadership of the Regional Enterprise Plans. Similarly, the IDA’s strategy 'Driving Recovery & Sustainability, 2021-2024', has an ambitious target of 800 investments over the lifetime of its current strategy and it will target half of all investments to regional locations.
The FDI performance in the Mid-East Region, which comprises counties Louth, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, has been strong over the past five years. County Louth is home to 36 IDA Ireland client companies directly employing 4,485 people.
The timely provision of appropriate, cost-effective property and infrastructure solutions to meet the needs of multinational companies remains essential to winning FDI. In June 2021, IDA Ireland acquired two landbanks in Co Louth. These land acquisitions, with a combined total of c.157 acres are situated in Drogheda and in Dundalk and form part of IDA’s long-term strategic plan to position Louth and the wider region to compete for FDI investment.
IDA has also recently delivered an Advanced Office Solution on IDA’s Finnabair Business Park and an Advanced Business Solution building at IDA’s Mullaharlin Science & Technology Park in Dundalk. The agency also plans to commence the delivery of an Advanced Building Solution in Drogheda as part of the current strategy 2021-2024. Furthermore, the IDA continues to work with private sector commercial property owners, developers and Local Authorities to market other property solutions across all regions where they exist.
Recent announcements which demonstrate the excellent work being carried out in this area include
• ABB opening a multi-million-dollar R&D centre to drive technological advancements in pulp which will create 30 jobs in Dundalk which was announced in February this year;
• Panasonic Avionics' announced expansion of its European MRO (maintenance, repair & overhaul) facility in Dundalk in October 2022 which will increase its workforce at the site to 60 people with 30 additional jobs over the next 3 years; and
• Kaseya, a US IT management and security software company, who, in July 2022, announced plans to establish a new Centre of Excellence in Dundalk with the creation of 250 jobs over three years.
410. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the work being done by the IDA to address concerns around issues such as AI, social media algorithms, disinformation and cybersecurity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37142/23]
View answerIDA Ireland’s current strategy aims to realise opportunities from the digital transformation along with those arising from new business models, an enhanced focus on operational resilience, supply chain reconfiguration and the future of work.
IDA Ireland has identified Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an area of specific opportunity and promotes the adoption of AI among its client base to further their efficiency and digital ambitions. However, the agency does not have a specific role in assessing the trustworthiness of AI systems.
While IDA Ireland does not have specific workstreams to address concerns around issues such as AI, social media algorithms, disinformation and cybersecurity, the agency does participate in a number of Government fora addressing these matters. In particular, IDA Ireland is represented on the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum, established by my Department in 2022. This Forum brings together representatives of indigenous enterprise of all sizes, multinational enterprises, and experts in digital technologies involved in their adoption by enterprise. The Forum has an agreed Work Programme for 2023 which covers five workstreams including awareness raising, driving digitalisation in enterprise and outreach; advancing AI in Ireland; Digital Inclusion, Skills, GovTech and Cybersecurity.
IDA is also directly engaged in driving the national digital strategy, “Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework Strategy", through supports for their clients. The aim of this strategy is to drive and enable the digital transition across Irish economy and society.
The agency also engages with the individual member companies of Cyber Ireland, the national cybersecurity cluster, working on their continued development and expansion. The enterprise agencies will work with this cluster and the National Cyber Security Centre to help meet national obligations under EU law with a focus on creating a vibrant national cybersecurity ecosystem that is engaged with communities in other EU Member States.
