Written Answers Nos. 61-80
62. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the action being taken by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to support new businesses and jobs in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44291/23]
View answerPerformance has been strong in the first half of the IDA strategy 2021-2024 despite the difficult global economic environment. Total employment in IDA client companies reached 301,475 in 2022. Furthermore, 260 investments of the 400 targeted over the lifetime of the Strategy for regional locations have been won.
Employment in IDA client companies in the South-East region grew by 3% and regional employment now stands at 163,653 an increase of 7% on the previous year. There are 86 IDA client companies employing 15,520 people in the region, including significant employment in Carlow with IDA client companies employing approximately 1,500 people in the county. Moreover, the IDA’s Regional Property Programme has committed to delivering 19 Advanced Building Solutions in 15 regional locations over the lifetime of their current strategy and this includes the 'Advanced Building Solution' in Carlow which is completed and included as part of IDA marketing material for FDI and Enterprise Ireland clients alike.
Furthermore, the enterprise agencies work closely with existing clients to transform, enhance, protect and grow their existing operations and IDA is committed to assisting these companies to build and grow their operations in Carlow. On 12th September 2023, MSD Ireland, one of the country’s leading healthcare companies, announced the official opening of a new, state-of-the-art site in Meath in addition to a significant expansion at its Carlow site. The projects represent a recent investment of over €1billion across both facilities.
MSD Carlow serves as a filling site for the launch and commercial supply of vaccines, biologics, and small molecule drug products. Established in 2008, this state-of-the-art facility was MSD's first vaccines operation outside of the United States and has seen significant growth, expansion, and investment since first opening its doors. The new expansion will strengthen MSD’s global manufacturing capabilities to meet increased demand for MSD’s medicines and vaccines.
Enterprise Ireland has approximately 68 client companies in County Carlow, employing 3,815 people across a broad number of sectors. In 2022, the South-East Region, including Carlow, witnessed positive developments in terms of support for new businesses and job creation. Enterprise Ireland played a significant role in this endeavour, with, for example, six start-ups from the South-East Region securing High Potential Start-Up investments totalling over €1million from Enterprise Ireland.
Irish micro mobility start-up ZEUS Scooters has raised €5m for expansion and development of its innovative solutions for markets globally. This Carlow company was Established in 2019 and launched in Germany in 2020, ZEUS has expanded into six countries across two continents and over 40 locations, making it Ireland’s largest micro mobility company. The new investment comprises €2m through Irish Based BVP investments, €350k from Enterprise Ireland, €1.65m of angel investment and €1m in debt.
I can assure the Deputy that both Agencies are strongly focussed on attracting and retaining employment opportunities for Carlow and the South-East Region.
63. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 29 June 2023, for an update on the implementation of the West Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024; for a status update on the development of the BIA Innovator Campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44205/23]
View answerBalanced regional enterprise development continues to be a key policy of mine and this Government, and is reaffirmed in the Department’s White Paper on Enterprise.
My Department contributes to this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans.
The West Regional Enterprise Plan covers Galway, Mayo and Roscommon and was launched in Castlebar on 4 March last year.
Each Regional Enterprise Plan is overseen and monitored by a Steering Committee made up of regional stakeholders and chaired by a senior level private sector businessperson.
Minister Calleary attended the most recent meeting of the West REP Steering Committee on 20 June in the BIA Innovator Campus in Athenry and I believe good progress is being made in delivering on the strategic objectives of the Plan.
With regard to the BIA Innovator Campus, the Inaugural Irish Drink Summit, supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine was held there in September .
Furthermore, partnering with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Galway and Leitrim County Councils, BIA is also leading out on a Shared Island AgriFood Infrastructure Enabling Growth project. Recently BIA welcomed over 40 Shared Island delegates to the campus over two days for an immersion and co-creation event.
BIA is also the facilitator of the AgTech Centre for Innovation, a priority project within the West’s Regional Enterprise Plan, designed to build regional capacity to enable agri-innovators to become more productive, sustainable and enterprising. Funding for this project was granted under the Regional Enterprise Innovation Scoping Scheme.
My Department has secured up to €145 million in funding to assist in delivering on the objectives set out in the nine Regional Enterprise Plans and support projects aligned to those Plans. This funding builds on the €126 million my Department has already allocated in regional enterprise funding.
Earlier this week I announced the first call amounting to €35 million under the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme (SREIS). The overall objective of this Scheme is to drive job creation and enterprise development; it provides an opportunity for regional stakeholders to unlock potential from the bottom up through collaboration and will have a major impact in all regions of the country.
The Scheme is now open for applications on Enterprise Ireland’s website and the first call will close on 31 March 2024. I expect that there will be up to four calls under this fund over the coming years. I look forward to seeing innovative enterprise focused projects coming from the West for this funding.
This funding will help support entrepreneurship, start-ups and scaling companies, primarily micro and SMEs, through the provision of appropriate infrastructure and support for key staff resources.
Finally, the Department is holding nine ‘Building Better Business’ conferences around the country throughout 2023. These focus on the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation and the transition to a low-carbon economy, as well as showcasing the government and agency supports available to small and medium enterprises. Regional Enterprise Plan Chairs also have the opportunity to address attendees about the progress being made in the implementation of their Plans.
The most recent conference was held on 22 September in Dundalk and focused on the North-East region. The next event will focus on the West region and takes place tomorrow in Ballina and I hope to see the Deputy there.
I believe the conferences demonstrate the firm commitment of this Government to balanced regional enterprise development for all regions of Ireland, including the West.
65. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 407 of 25 July 2023, if he will outline the details of the smart regional enterprise innovation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44466/23]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that my Department has secured up to €145 million in funding supported by the European Regional Development Fund for a new regional enterprise scheme. This new Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme (SREIS) will assist in delivering on the objectives set out in the nine Regional Enterprise Plans and support projects aligned to those Plans.
As part of Budget 2024 package this week I announced the first call for €35 million under the new Scheme. The overall objective of the Scheme is to drive job creation and enterprise development. It will provide an opportunity for regional stakeholders to unlock potential from the bottom up through collaboration and will have a major impact in all regions of the country.
The SREIS is now open for applications on Enterprise Ireland’s website and this first call will close on 31 March 2024. I expect that there will be up to four calls under this fund over the coming years.
I look forward to seeing innovative enterprise focused projects from all regions of the country applying for this funding.
67. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the causes of inflation, both internal and external, and their effects on business, trade and enterprise; the efforts to date in identifying possible remedies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44462/23]
View answerMy Department continuously monitors the areas which are generating high headline inflation.
As a small, open trading economy Ireland is exposed to global inflationary pressures, including fluctuations on international markets for energy, commodities and food. Ireland is effectively a price taker on most international markets, and many of the drivers of Irish inflation are outside our control. Our remote geographic location can also add to transport costs for goods, which along with our small market size, can add to costs for businesses.
As a result of these inflationary pressures, input costs have gone up for many businesses. However, wholesale price inflation has levelled off across a number of areas in recent months. Irish wholesale electricity prices were 72.5% lower in August 2023 than in August 2022, and while wholesale prices for construction products rose by 2.1% in the year, overall, manufacturing producer prices were 0.3% lower in August 2023 than August 2022. Although still elevated, consumer price inflation is generally declining, and reached 4.9% in August – below the broader Euro Area rate of 5.3%.
Although the Government cannot fully insulate individuals and businesses from developments in international markets that are outside of our control, we have been proactive in putting in place measures to remedy the fallout from higher rates of inflation. The Government is committed to supporting enterprise and Budget 2024 continues this approach. Among the measures included, are:
• The 9% VAT reduction for gas and electricity is being extended for an additional 12 months, until 31st October 2024;
• The temporary excise rate reductions applying to auto diesel, petrol and marked gas oil which were due to expire on 31 October 2023 are being extended until 31 March 2024;
• An increase in VAT registration thresholds for SMEs to €40,000 for services and €80,000 for goods;
• An increase in the R&D tax credit from 25% to 30%, as well as increasing the first-year upfront payment from €25,000 to €50,000, which will be of particular benefit to SMEs;
• Introduction of the Increased Cost of Business Scheme, which will provide a once-off grant to benefit up to 130,000 small and medium businesses at a cost of €250 million.
Analysis from the Central Bank of Ireland suggests that profits have contributed significantly to ‘Gross Value-Added inflation’ – an alternative measure of inflation – across 2021 and 2022, at 5% per annum. While I acknowledge that the impact of energy price increases varies significantly by sector, and that firms in increasing their prices, may be acting in a precautionary way in order to offset future cost increases, I believe it is important that firms act sensibly in their pricing to reduce risks of a wage-price spiral which would have lasting effects on inflation.
68. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will meet with retail and security workers regarding workplace safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44311/23]
View answerUnder the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 employers have an obligation to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, employee safety, health and welfare at work. Employers have a duty to undertake a risk assessment to identify the hazards in the workplace and to put in place appropriate controls to protect employees.
Hazards associated with violence and aggression in the course of work occur where employees are aggressively verbally abused, threatened or physically assaulted. The Health and Safety Authority is available to offer advice and guidance to employers in both the retail and security sectors and to assist them in identifying such hazards and to determine any controls to prevent or reduce the potential to experience violence or aggression in a workplace. Supports can also be found on the HSA website; www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/violence_at_work/.
Separately I chair the Retail Forum, which provides a platform for engagement with members of the retail sector to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the sector.
At a recent meeting of the Retail Forum, concerns around workplace safety and retail crime were discussed. I have since met with my colleague the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee T.D., to share these concerns and to discuss available options.
I remain available to engage with both workers and business owners in the retail and security sectors regarding their workplace safety concerns. I would also urge workers who have specific concerns about their own workplace to bring those concerns directly to the Health and Safety Authority at contactus@hsa.ie or by LO-Call at 0818 289 389.
69. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 25 July 2023, when a decision will be reached regarding an individual's application to the foreign birth register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44499/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service requested further supporting documents from the applicant. A member of the FBR team has contacted the applicant in this regard. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received by the Passport Service.
70. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a response will issue to correspondence sent to his Department by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in relation to an error in respect of their foreign birth registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44565/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for the application were received following a request by the Passport Service. These documents are currently being processed, and a member of the FBR team will be in contact with the applicant in due course.
71. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the way his Department applies the whole-of-Government approach regarding Ireland's policy on differentiation between Israel and the illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land; the practical steps his Department takes in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44620/23]
View answerIn accordance with international law, Ireland distinguishes between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967 and ensures that any bilateral agreements with Israel do not apply to the occupied territories.
A whole of Government approach is applied to this policy of differentiation and my Department ensures that this is the case by making available information for the public and companies regarding Ireland's policy on settlements on its website. The Department of Foreign Affairs provides information on the policy of differentiation to other Government Departments as required.
Ireland remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting two-State solution on the basis of international law and agreed international parameters.
72. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a schedule of lands and buildings his Department and bodies under his aegis acquired by using a compulsory purchase order in the past 20 years to date; and the amount expended on same. [44549/23]
View answerMy Department has not acquired any lands or buildings by compulsory order in the past 20 years.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
73. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the criteria for individual SEAI grants will be extended to include windows and doors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44588/23]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.
Grant support for window and door upgrades is not offered as an individual energy upgrade but may be available as part of a suite of upgrades under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme. When a homeowner is completing a whole home energy upgrade under these Schemes, the overall fabric of the property is assessed through the home energy survey and assessment. The assessment may recommend particular measures, including windows and doors, to ensure that home achieves a B2 rating or is suitable for installation of a heat pump.
Under the Warmer Homes Scheme, the poorest performing homes are upgraded and in certain circumstances windows may be recommended following a survey and provided where suitable. Eligibility for the Warmer Homes Scheme requires applicants to be in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments.
My officials engage with their counterparts in the SEAI on an ongoing basis in relation to the operation of the schemes and as part of this will continue to ensure that grant rates and measures available under the various grant schemes are kept under review taking account of evolving science, innovation, technology and other relevant factors.
74. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the amendments to the existing non-domestic microgeneration scheme; if the amended scheme has led to an increase in uptake; the number of grants that have been awarded over the lifetime of the scheme and since it was amended; the average amount of award over the schemes lifetime and since it has been amended; what is Ireland’s non-domestic solar capacity; the 2030 target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44289/23]
View answerThe Government approved the Micro-Generation Support Scheme (MSS) design on the 21st December 2021 to support 380MW of new micro-generation capacity by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan 2021. This would generate over 300 GWh of renewable electricity per annum.
The first phase saw the commencement of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16th February 2022, with grants available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), up to a maximum of €2,400.
The second phase of the MSS commenced on 22nd September 2022, when the SEAI extended the solar PV grant scheme to the non-domestic sector, including schools, businesses, small farms and community enterprises, for installations up to 6kW.
An extended funding range from €2,700 to €162,600 was introduced in July 2023 to support non-domestic installation sizes between 7 kWp and 1,000 kWp (1 MW) capacity, on a pilot basis to the end of 2023. This includes cohorts typically covered under the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS).
The amendments to the scheme have led to a significant increase in uptake as follows:
Phase 1 (support of up to €2,400 for up to 6kW) – September 2022 to July 2023 (10 months): Approximately 100 applications, 600kWp, €240,000 grant offers
Phase 2 (support of up to €162,600 for up to 1000kW) – July 2023 to 8th October (12 weeks): 463 applications, 41,149kWp, €7.99 million grant offers
Since the scheme was amended 463 grant offers, totalling €7.99 million in Government MSS supports have been made, with an average grant offer of €17,257 across a range of commercial businesses, as well as Retail, Community and Agri sectors
75. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the steps taken to monitor and minimise contamination from water runoff on our national road network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44563/23]
View answer90. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the steps taken to monitor and manage contamination from water runoff on our national road network; the steps taken by TII in the management of attenuation ponds to treat such contaminated water before its discharge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44562/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 90 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
76. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the work undertaken by his Department to introduce mandatory accessibility requirements, similar to road safety standards for motorists, rather than design guidelines for persons using walking infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44477/23]
View answer77. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the members and participation of the National Guidelines and Standards Group in his Department; the work completed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44478/23]
View answer78. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline representation and participation by disability advocates or persons with disabilities in the work of the National Guidelines and Standards Group currently operating in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44479/23]
View answer79. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline work undertaken by his Department and by the National Guidelines and Standards Group to remove shared space guidelines from national documents, standards and circulars including the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44480/23]
View answer80. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 28 of 22 June 2023, and in light of the October 2022 TII briefing report on possible fatalities and serious injuries, if he will consider a further allocation of funding this year to progress the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44482/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.
In 2023, €600,000 was allocated for the N2 Ardee to south of Castleblayney scheme. This project is listed in the NDP and will continue to be considered for further funding in future years over the life of the current NDP.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct update as to the status of this scheme. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
