Written Answers Nos. 390-410
390. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that the employment permit process and the employment visa process are streamlined under the jurisdiction of one Government Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47630/23]
View answerCurrently Ireland has a clear division between economic migration and general immigration policies. The holder of an employment permit must undergo separate application processes with the Department of Justice for immigration and visa permission to enter the State if the individual is a citizen of a visa-required country.
Since my last response to the Deputy on this matter, I can confirm that the development of a single application procedure is actively underway. The Inter-Departmental Group, led by the Department of Justice has been established to examine the legal and operational changes required to deliver a single-window customer service for users of the employment permits system and visa immigration system.
We are currently at the solution design stage. A number of processes and IT improvements are in progress, not least the deployment in 2024 of a replacement Employment Permits IT system which will result in enhanced data collection and quality as well as dual employer/employee access, alignment between the DETE and Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) online information. The purpose of these changes – being developed in tandem with the Department of Justice – will be to remove duplication of eligibility checks and document validation whilst also ensuring better coordination between the relevant Government Departments and Agencies as well operational efficiencies.
The focus of the IDG is to streamline the customer experience into a single application procedure. However, there are no plans to merge the relevant legislative responsibilities under the jurisdiction of a single Government Department. The parties to the process – my Department, the Department of Justice, the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the Department of Social Protection – will retain responsibility over their respective areas.
391. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of statements of interests for the purposes of section 19 filed by his special advisers in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will provide a schedule of same. [47644/23]
View answerFor the purposes of Section 19 of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995, where there are no interests to disclose, there is no obligation on a Special Adviser to furnish a Nil Statement and no requirement on an Office holder to lay a nil statement of a Special Adviser before the Oireachtas.
As such, there was no statements of interests filed in respect of the Special Advisers in this Department during the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023.
392. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide a breakdown of the advertising spend of his Department and agencies under the remit of his Department, by national media outlet and local newspaper outlet, for each of the years from 2020 to 2022, in tabular form. [47729/23]
View answerThe total advertising spend by my Department for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 was €454,906.99, and is broken down by national media outlet and local newspaper outlet below.
During this time my Department carried out a number of advertising campaigns, including highlighting supports to business around Brexit, the National Remote Working Strategy and the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (SCARP).
Please note also that the advertising activity of the Agencies under my Department’s remit is an operational matter for those agencies, and I do not have any direct function in these matters.
2022 Spend
|
Year |
Media/ Newspaper Outlet |
Spend |
|
2022 |
||
|
National Media Outlet |
€73,123.56 |
|
|
Local Newspaper Outlet |
€34,826.25 |
|
|
Total |
€107,949.81 |
2021 Spend
|
Year |
Media/ Newspaper Outlet |
Spend |
|
2021 |
||
|
National Media Outlet |
€193,150.56 |
|
|
Local Newspaper Outlet |
€106,353.71 |
|
|
Total |
€299,504.27 |
2020 Spend
|
Year |
Media/ Newspaper Outlet |
Spend |
|
2020 |
||
|
National Media Outlet |
€45,225.38 |
|
|
Local Newspaper Outlet |
€2,227.53 |
|
|
Total |
€47,452.91 |
393. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagements his Department, or any agency or body under his direction, has had with the Government of Israel, any state body of the Government of Israel, or any engagement within or with Israel, in 2021 and 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47804/23]
View answerMy Department had six engagements with the Israeli government or related bodies during the time in question.
In February 2021 a meeting was held between then Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Ambassador of Israel to Ireland to discuss Israeli strategy and performance in relation to Covid-19 management and vaccination.
In February 2022, officials from my Department met with the Israel Innovation Authority as part of their work on the establishment of an evidence base to support the development of an Irish National Clustering Policy and Framework.
In August 2022 the Assistant Secretary from my Department’s Trade Division met with Israel’s trade attaché.
In November 2022, the then Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment held a courtesy meeting with the Ambassador of Israel to Ireland.
In December 2022, the Irish delegation to the OECD Ministerial meeting of the Committee on Digital Economy Policy in Spain held several bilaterals with other OECD Members on the margins of the main meeting, which included a bilateral meeting with Israel. The discussion involved officials from my Department and officials from the Israeli National Digital Agency and focussed on the challenges of digitalisation of enterprise.
In early July of this year officials from my Department participated in a video call with the Israeli Ministry of Labour in relation to a study being conducted by that Ministry on the impacts to the workforce of the transition to a low carbon economy and climate change.
In addition, officials of the Department have periodic engagements and contacts with counterparts from Israel in international bodies and groups of which both countries are members, including the OECD and the Small Advanced Economies Initiative.
In respect of the agencies under the remit of my Department, they 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.
394. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagements his Department, or any agency or body under his direction, has had with the Palestinian Authority, any organ of the Palestinian Authority, or any engagement within, or with organisations in, the occupied Palestinian territory, in the years 2021 and 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47822/23]
View answerOfficials from my Department had one engagement with the Palestinian Authority or related bodies during the time in question.
An official from my Department attended an online meeting with the Palestinian Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in February 2023. This meeting was arranged and chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
In respect of the agencies under the remit of my Department, they 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.
395. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether the Government statement on the role of data centres in Ireland's enterprise strategy was screened for a strategic environment assessment. [47847/23]
View answerMy Department led on the publication of the original 'Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy' in summer 2018. A revised version of this Statement was developed and published in July of 2022, with collaboration on both documents from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as well as the relevant State Agencies.
Neither Statement had a formal Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) screening process, as they would not be considered a 'plan or programme' within the meaning of the advice of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided for in the 'Synthesis Report Development of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Methodologies for Plans and Programmes in Ireland'. The 'Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy' is not a programme or plan required by legislative, regulatory or administrative provisions. Nor is the Statement a development plan, a variation of a development plan, a local area plan (or an amendment thereto), regional planning guidelines or a planning scheme.
The Government Statement outlines policy priorities including digitalisation, climate action and energy policy, provided for in national policy documents, assessing and outlining their interaction with regard to data centre development in particular. The Statement relates therefore to the interaction between policies, and not directly to development or planning.
The environmental impacts of data centre developments are assessed, as appropriate, through our planning system, governance of the electricity system, environmental licensing regulation where relevant, and the statutory environmental assessments required on the national, regional, local and site specific development plans that inform them.
396. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the introduction of the Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47852/23]
View answerThe Organisation of Working Time Act (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 is a Private Members' Bill that proposes a period of paid leave following a miscarriage or for the purposes of availing of reproductive healthcare. The Bill was last debated at Committee (Third) Stage of the Seanad on 20 January 2022.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is currently advancing work on the needs of working parents regarding reproductive health, including the issues raised in the Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021.
As part of this work, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has commissioned a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents coping with pregnancy loss. The study examines whether policy interventions are required at a national level to better to support these bereaved parents in the workplace. The study focuses on people who experience pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks’ gestation, as people who have a pregnancy loss after 24 weeks’ gestation can avail of full maternity leave and paternity leave entitlements.
The study has now largely concluded, and a report is being finalised which will be published shortly. The recommendations that arise from this study will help to inform Government policy, including the development of legislation to address the issue of miscarriage leave if required.
397. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of times his Department, under the Protection of Employment Act 1977 (as amended), has been notified to date in 2023 of a collective redundancy situation; to supply a list of companies involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47854/23]
View answerSection 12 of the Protection of Employment Act 1977 provides that employers proposing a collective redundancy must notify the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment of the proposed collective redundancy.
Collective redundancies arise where, during any period of 30 consecutive days, the employees being made redundant are:
• 5 employees where 21-49 are employed,
• 10 employees where 50-99 are employed,
• 10% of the employees where 100-299 are employed,
• 30 employees where 300 or more are employed.
Redundancies outside of these parameters are not required to be notified to the Department.
In 2023, the Department has received 156 collective redundancy notifications up to end-October. A list of the employers who submitted a notification is provided in the table below. Please note that some employers may have submitted more than one collective redundancy notification during the year.
|
Accenture Global Solutions Ireland |
|
Accenture Limited |
|
Alltech Farming Solutions Limited |
|
Amazon Data Services Ireland Limited |
|
AMO Ireland |
|
Anam Technologies Limited |
|
Argos Distributors Ireland Limited |
|
Arrabawn Co-Operative Food Society Limited |
|
Artomatix Ltd |
|
Aspen Pharma Trading Limited |
|
Avaya International Sales Limited |
|
Avid International Ltd |
|
Belgard Solicitors LLP |
|
BrowserStack Limited |
|
BSI Professional Services (Ireland) Limited |
|
Cartamundi Ireland Ltd |
|
Carten Controls Ltd |
|
Cedar House Nursing Home CLG |
|
Citrix System Ireland Limited |
|
Clyde and Co Ireland LLP |
|
Cognizant Technology Solutions Ireland Ltd |
|
Coinbase Ireland Limited |
|
Concentrix |
|
Concentrix SREV Europe Ltd. |
|
Corman Miloko Ireland Ltd |
|
CPL Solutions Limited |
|
CPL Solutions t/a Covalen |
|
Crown Gaming Ireland Limited (DraftKings) |
|
Currencyfair Limited |
|
Custom Burger Limited |
|
CVS (Ireland) Veterinary Services No 2 Limited |
|
Davra Networks Limited |
|
DHL Supply Chain Ireland Ltd |
|
Docusign International (EMEA) Limited |
|
Edwards Vacuum Technology Ireland Ltd |
|
EIS Software Limited |
|
Equifax Technology Ltd |
|
Everise Labs Ireland |
|
Extraspace Solutions Limited t/a ESS Modular |
|
Ezetop Unlimited T/A Ding |
|
Foursite Design Consultants Limited |
|
Frontapp Ireland Ltd |
|
Galfay Ltd T/A Padre Pio Nursing Home |
|
Gamestop Limited |
|
General Electric |
|
Genpact Ireland Private Limited |
|
Genport Limited t/a Hampton Hotel |
|
Genuity Science Ireland Limited |
|
Global Entserv Solutions Galway Limited |
|
Global Retinopathy Screening Limited, t/a Medica Vision |
|
Globoforce Limited t/a Workhuman |
|
Google Ireland Limited |
|
Greenhouse Software Ireland Limited |
|
Greenway Couriers |
|
Groupon International Ltd |
|
GTLK Europe DAC |
|
HealthBeacon PLC |
|
Hertz Europe Service Centre Ltd |
|
Highgrove Property Limited |
|
HRB GTC Ireland Unlimited |
|
HTE Engineering Services Limited |
|
Hubspot Ireland Limited |
|
IDG Communications Ltd |
|
ILC Dover Blarney Limited Partnership |
|
Indeed Ireland Operations Limited |
|
Intel Ireland |
|
Interactive Services, Inc |
|
Internal Results (Ireland) Limited |
|
Irish Management Institute |
|
ISS Ireland Ltd |
|
ITX Retail Ireland Limited |
|
JDX Consulting Ireland Limited |
|
Kepak Cork Unlimited Company |
|
Kyndryl Ireland Limited |
|
LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company |
|
LM Ericsson Ltd |
|
Lumen Technologies CDN Ireland Limited |
|
Mainstream Renewable Power Ltd |
|
Majorel Ireland Limited |
|
Marco Polo Operations (Ireland) Limited |
|
Marks & Spencer (Ireland) |
|
McCurragh Limited |
|
Medtronic |
|
Merative Healthcare Ireland Limited |
|
Meta Platforms Ireland Limited |
|
Metron Stores Ltd |
|
Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited Company and Microsoft Ireland Research Unlimited Company |
|
Milnes Fresh Food Company |
|
Mincon International Limited |
|
MM Fiber Packaging Limited |
|
Musgrave Operating Partners Ireland Limited |
|
Night Mountain Ltd T/A UX Design Institute |
|
Nomadic Structures Ireland Ltd |
|
Occipital Ltd t/a Covalen |
|
Ocuco Ltd |
|
OKBL Services |
|
Overhaul driven by trust limited |
|
P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea) Limited |
|
Peloton Interactive Ireland Limited |
|
Pentagon Technologies Ireland Ltd. |
|
Qualtrics Ireland Limited |
|
Qwertee |
|
Randstad Ireland Operations Limited |
|
Remitly Europe Limited |
|
Repligen Ireland CLG |
|
Sage Hibernia Limited |
|
Sender Technologies Europe Limited |
|
SFDC Ireland Limited |
|
Shalom Nursing Home |
|
Sky Ireland Ltd |
|
Spearline Labs Limited |
|
SSE Renewables Holdings Limited |
|
SSP Ireland |
|
Stafford Fuels Ltd |
|
Staircircle Limited |
|
Supervalu |
|
Taylor Made Glass and Systems Ltd |
|
Teleperformance Ireland Limited |
|
Tesco Ireland Limited |
|
ThinScale Technology Limited |
|
Tripadvisor Ireland Ltd |
|
Twilio Ireland Limited |
|
Twitter International Unlimited |
|
Ulster Bank Ireland DAC |
|
UnipolRE DAC |
|
Urban Picnic Ltd |
|
Vela Games Ltd |
|
Voxpro Limited t/a TELUS International Ireland |
|
Wayfair Stores Limited |
|
Wildlife Studios Limited |
|
Windsor Motors Unlimited |
|
Wipro Ltd |
|
Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland Limited |
|
Yahoo EMEA Ltd |
|
Zalando Ireland Ltd |
|
Zendesk International Limited |
398. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied that the current round of redundancies undertaken by Google does not fall under a collective redundancy situation; and to outline what steps his Department has made to ascertain the number of redundancies taking place currently in Google; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47855/23]
View answerThe Protection of Employment Act 1977, as amended, imposes certain legal obligations on employers proposing collective redundancies. The Act defines a collective redundancy as where, during any period of 30 consecutive days, the employees being made redundant are:
• 5 employees where 21-49 are employed,
• 10 employees where 50-99 are employed,
• 10% of the employees where 100-299 are employed,
• 30 employees where 300 or more are employed.
Other redundancies outside of these parameters are not required to be notified to the Department.
There are several mechanisms in place to ensure employers comply with their obligations under the Act.
First, employees can make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) if they believe their employer has failed to undertake a consultation or to provide information to the employees’ representatives. If the WRC upholds the complaint, employees may be awarded up to four weeks’ remuneration for each breach of the Act.
Second, the Act also makes it an offence for an employer to fail to comply with their legal obligations. An employer who fails to initiate consultations, provide information to employees’ representatives or notify the Minister is guilty of an offence and will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000. An employer who dismisses employees before the expiry of the 30-day period following notification to the Minister is guilty of an offence and will be liable on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €250,000. The WRC is the statutory agency responsible for bringing such prosecutions.
Where redundancies occur which are outside the parameters of collective redundancies, employers are still legally obliged to conduct the redundancy process fairly and to use a reasonable selection criteria in choosing to make people redundant. In accordance with the principles of fair procedures and natural justice, any such process should normally include a consultation with potentially affected employees.
399. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new IDA-sponsored jobs, by county or by region, for the years 2016 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47860/23]
View answer400. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs lost in IDA-sponsored jobs, by county or by region, for the years 2016 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47861/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 400 together.
There were 32,426 new jobs created in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) companies in Ireland in 2022, bringing the total number of people employed in the FDI sector in Ireland to over 300,000 for the first time, despite an increasingly challenging global economic environment. The 2022 figures continued 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.
IDA Ireland continues to see a flow of business and there have been over 60 IDA investment announcements this year alone supporting over 6,500 new jobs. However, it is evident that the global economy faces significant economic headwinds including persistent global inflationary pressures, increased energy prices and rising interest rates, which have led to a decrease in consumer confidence and a more conservative outlook and has resulted in headcount reductions in some IDA client companies.
While any job losses are regrettable, the country is close to full employment with the most recent CSO data showing unemployment at 4.2% for September. Moreover, there is high demand for tech, marketing and other skills across all sectors, and there is a strong pipeline of new investments from overseas and within Ireland across a range of sectors.
The table below details the total number of new jobs created in IDA client companies, job losses and the net change, over the period 2016 to 2022. Information at a county and regional level is set out at the link below.
|
- |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Number of Client Operations |
1,456 |
1,524 |
1,595 |
1,693 |
1,713 |
1,789 |
1,796 |
|
Total Jobs |
207,878 |
220,101 |
236,032 |
251,129 |
260,763 |
277,456 |
301,475 |
|
New Jobs Created (Gross Gains) |
21,391 |
23,376 |
26,082 |
25,634 |
23,376 |
34,159 |
32,426 |
|
Job Losses |
-7,201 |
-11,153 |
-10,151 |
-10,537 |
-13,742 |
-17,466 |
-8,407 |
|
Additional Jobs Created (Net Change) |
14,190 |
12,223 |
15,931 |
15,097 |
9,634 |
16,693 |
24,019 |
Data Source: Annual Employment Survey 2022, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
401. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new Enterprise Ireland-sponsored jobs, by county or by region, for the years 2016 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47862/23]
View answerEnterprise Ireland (EI) compile annual employment figures based on their client company data and release these as part of the EI End of Year Statement in early Quarter 1 of the following year. Prior to 2017, EI accounted for permanent full-time jobs only. Figures for 2017 to 2022 include total jobs created.
The table below shows all relevant EI job creation figures per county for the years 2016 to 2022.
|
County |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
|
Carlow |
275 |
331 |
319 |
142 |
332 |
250 |
312 |
|
Cavan |
310 |
256 |
280 |
574 |
549 |
434 |
302 |
|
Clare |
594 |
417 |
493 |
368 |
425 |
339 |
192 |
|
Cork |
2,091 |
2,045 |
2,309 |
1,861 |
1,810 |
2,214 |
1,923 |
|
Donegal |
210 |
271 |
261 |
424 |
559 |
375 |
282 |
|
Dublin |
7,026 |
6,055 |
6,216 |
5,772 |
7,287 |
6,921 |
5,736 |
|
Galway |
982 |
983 |
555 |
757 |
658 |
1,044 |
525 |
|
Kerry |
466 |
406 |
206 |
261 |
237 |
415 |
176 |
|
Kildare |
597 |
449 |
372 |
834 |
393 |
673 |
483 |
|
Kilkenny |
560 |
549 |
255 |
497 |
430 |
340 |
200 |
|
Laois |
87 |
188 |
201 |
310 |
179 |
168 |
106 |
|
Leitrim |
30 |
86 |
23 |
45 |
63 |
100 |
146 |
|
Limerick |
853 |
915 |
890 |
617 |
874 |
879 |
984 |
|
Longford |
147 |
114 |
190 |
131 |
216 |
174 |
252 |
|
Louth |
613 |
710 |
459 |
554 |
565 |
656 |
420 |
|
Mayo |
481 |
446 |
247 |
473 |
582 |
322 |
247 |
|
Meath |
816 |
706 |
532 |
771 |
563 |
651 |
512 |
|
Monaghan |
435 |
498 |
244 |
386 |
514 |
494 |
379 |
|
Offaly |
264 |
287 |
176 |
227 |
342 |
433 |
210 |
|
Roscommon |
144 |
141 |
81 |
133 |
127 |
127 |
120 |
|
Sligo |
150 |
350 |
116 |
92 |
158 |
212 |
94 |
|
Tipperary |
464 |
518 |
638 |
534 |
448 |
574 |
221 |
|
Waterford |
931 |
630 |
807 |
416 |
681 |
482 |
297 |
|
Westmeath |
297 |
226 |
185 |
206 |
198 |
342 |
227 |
|
Wexford |
535 |
312 |
232 |
367 |
276 |
342 |
188 |
|
Wicklow |
302 |
257 |
209 |
219 |
430 |
371 |
280 |
|
Total |
19,660 |
18,146 |
16,496 |
16,971 |
18,896 |
19,332 |
14,814 |
402. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs lost in Enterprise Ireland-sponsored jobs, by county or by region, for the years 2016 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47863/23]
View answerEnterprise Ireland (EI) compile annual employment figures based on their client company data and release this as part of the EI End of Year Statement in early Quarter 1 of the following year. Prior to 2017, EI accounted for full-time job losses only. Figures for 2017 to 2022 include total job losses.
The table below shows all relevant job losses per county for the years 2016 to 2022.
|
County |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
|
Carlow |
-84 |
-57 |
-461 |
-127 |
-166 |
-92 |
-207 |
|
Cavan |
-310 |
-151 |
-236 |
-329 |
-215 |
-165 |
-57 |
|
Clare |
-76 |
-71 |
-526 |
-189 |
-172 |
-203 |
-137 |
|
Cork |
-939 |
-734 |
-1623 |
-1375 |
-1269 |
-842 |
-418 |
|
Donegal |
-121 |
-65 |
-357 |
-245 |
-121 |
-243 |
-94 |
|
Dublin |
-2637 |
-1937 |
-6718 |
-4330 |
-3511 |
-3877 |
-2,443 |
|
Galway |
-345 |
-269 |
-870 |
-498 |
-451 |
-337 |
-282 |
|
Kerry |
-144 |
-423 |
-387 |
-287 |
-239 |
-96 |
-162 |
|
Kildare |
-413 |
-244 |
-580 |
-593 |
-451 |
-252 |
-344 |
|
Kilkenny |
-307 |
-40 |
-258 |
-181 |
-145 |
-238 |
-134 |
|
Laois |
-76 |
-32 |
-71 |
-164 |
-96 |
-59 |
-55 |
|
Leitrim |
-81 |
-21 |
-41 |
-41 |
-12 |
-39 |
-54 |
|
Limerick |
-628 |
-531 |
-852 |
-421 |
-349 |
-215 |
-70 |
|
Longford |
-83 |
-141 |
-147 |
-138 |
-103 |
-28 |
-19 |
|
Louth |
-592 |
-354 |
-386 |
-240 |
-667 |
-346 |
-244 |
|
Mayo |
-90 |
-66 |
-405 |
-310 |
-299 |
-144 |
-36 |
|
Meath |
-251 |
-168 |
-399 |
-317 |
-361 |
-342 |
-281 |
|
Monaghan |
-127 |
-51 |
-388 |
-370 |
-244 |
-271 |
-102 |
|
Offaly |
-122 |
-65 |
-355 |
-281 |
-90 |
-230 |
-70 |
|
Roscommon |
-84 |
-39 |
-140 |
-111 |
-63 |
-41 |
-45 |
|
Sligo |
-37 |
-32 |
-202 |
-83 |
-141 |
-43 |
-98 |
|
Tipperary |
-471 |
-85 |
-529 |
-351 |
-383 |
-147 |
-163 |
|
Waterford |
-342 |
-149 |
-256 |
-516 |
-181 |
-266 |
-252 |
|
Westmeath |
-74 |
-172 |
-254 |
-429 |
-174 |
-93 |
-182 |
|
Wexford |
-123 |
-195 |
-327 |
-118 |
-123 |
-225 |
-62 |
|
Wicklow |
-262 |
-143 |
-600 |
-221 |
-234 |
-229 |
-250 |
|
Total |
-8819 |
-6235 |
-17368 |
-12265 |
-10684 |
-9023 |
-6,261 |
403. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on progress being made to acquire an IDA purpose-built facility in Longford town. [47883/23]
View answerIDA Ireland’s property investment programme is aimed at supporting economic development and job creation across the country and provides property solutions available to IDA’s, Enterprise Ireland's and the Local Enterprise Offices' respective client bases. In this regard, the provision of property solutions is a key element of IDA’s marketing of the Midlands Region, including Longford.
IDA Ireland has committed to build an Advanced Building Solution - or ABS - in Longford to support the winning of new investment and job creation. An extensive site selection process for the new building is underway. While the site selection process is commercially sensitive until a land acquisition has been completed, I am advised that IDA Ireland continues to explore all possible options to identify and secure suitable lands aligned with investor needs and is continuing to liaise with Longford County Council and with wider stakeholders in this regard. On conclusion of site selection, the design and planning phases will commence. The specific dates for commencement of construction are wholly dependent on, and subject to, the successful outcome of these processes. IDA will use its best endeavours to deliver the building in a timely manner.
I should also note that regional development is a key plank of IDA Ireland's current strategy “Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024”. IDA is targeting half of all investments, a minimum of 400 of 800 investments, to regional locations, under the strategy. 25 of these investments are targeted for the Midlands region. In the meantime, Longford is already home to 7 IDA Ireland client companies directly employing more than 1,620 people and has an impressive range of companies across all industry sectors. This portfolio of multinational companies is hugely significant to the region and today the Midlands has become a key strategic base for global companies of scale.
404. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will respond to issues raised in relation to budget 2024 (details supplied). [47922/23]
View answerThe Government has provided significant support to business throughout the period of rising cost of doing business and has been proactive in limiting the fallout from higher rates of inflation in input costs and prices.
Prior to Budget 2024 a total of €12 billion – 4½ per cent of national income – was provided in direct relief to absorb some of the impact and ease the burden of inflation on households and businesses. The main programme introduced by Government to alleviate cost pressures for small business was the €1.3 billion Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS). Budget 2024 contained a number of measures which will support businesses facing increased costs of doing business.
• 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 31st October 2023 are being extended until 31st March 2024;
• An increase in the limit on the amount that an investor can claim relief on under the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme, to €500,000;
• An increase in VAT registration thresholds for SMEs to €40,000 for services and €80,000 for goods;
• Reduced Capital Gains Tax rate of 16% for Angel Investors in innovative SMEs, on gains of up to €3 million;
• 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;
• The commencement of a range of amendments to the Key Employee Engagement Programme for the attraction and retention of staff;
The Increased Cost of Business Grant (ICOB) was announced as part of Budget 2024 and will be targeted at Small and Medium sized businesses who operate from a rateable premises. Firms who do not have a rateable premises are not within the scope of this scheme. It is important to be clear that this scheme is a once-off grant aid provision and not a commercial rates waiver. It will have no bearing on the commercial rates paid by firms.
The grant is intended to aid firms but is not intended to directly compensate for all increases in wages, or other costs, for every business.
The grant is intended to be paid at a rate of up to half the enterprise’s commercial rates bill, subject to a prescribed limit. It is important to recognise that there were limited resources available to provide support to business through this scheme. The total allocation for this scheme is €250m, to be allocated across all qualifying firms. Therefore, any change to the parameters of the scheme, to include higher rate payers, would require a reduction in support for already qualifying firms.
The Government is committed to a fair wage for all workers and in November 2022, based on the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission, announced the introduction of a National Living Wage for employees which will be in place by 2026. The National Living Wage, along with other measures such as the introduction of statutory sick pay and pension auto-enrolment are positive changes to the workplace in Ireland.
In line with recommendation from the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council in its report Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2022 there is currently an assessment being undertaken by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Social Protection which will examine the cumulative impact of measures including Pension Auto-Enrolment, Parent’s Leave and Benefit, Statutory Sick Pay, Additional Public Holiday, Living Wage, Remote Working. The report is due for publication later in Q4 2023 and will inform public policy in this area.
405. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it has been brought to his attention that approximately 100 engineers have recently come to Ireland from Israel to work with Intel; if it is the case that Israel is to be a key partner in the development of Ireland's weapons industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47945/23]
View answerIreland’s economic migration policy facilitates the entry, in the short to medium term, of non-EEA nationals to fill skills gaps in economically strategic sectors. In framing policy, consideration is given to other instruments that are also available in meeting skills shortages challenges, such as upskilling and activating the unemployed.
The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that it has issued 100 Intra Company Transfer Employment Permits so far in respect of the company mentioned in the details supplied, to facilitate engineers from Israel to work at its Irish operation.
The Intra-Company Transfer Permit is designed to facilitate the transfer of senior management, key personnel or trainees who are non-EEA nationals from an overseas branch of a multinational corporation to its Irish branch. The main attraction of this permit is that it facilitates the temporary injection of corporate personnel and also provides for such employees to stay on the foreign payroll. This type of permit is available on the basis that the employment is temporary. As such, holders do not accrue rights for long-term residency purposes.
As regards to the question of Israel being a partner in the development of a weapons industry in Ireland, I can assure the Deputy that my Department has no enterprise or trade development policy promoting such a thing.
Any trader who wishes to export military goods or services from Ireland must obtain prior authorisation from my Department. My officials administer and enforce Export Controls and EU Trade Sanctions to the highest of international standards, in accordance with EU and national law. A new Act to update and replace the Control of Exports Act 2008 was signed into law on 26 October 2023. The new Control of Exports Act 2023 will enhance Ireland’s comprehensive and effective export control framework, improving compliance and enforcement capabilities and providing clear guidance for stakeholders in fulfilling their obligations in exporting dual-use and military items.
406. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department engages a company (details supplied); if so, the duration and nature of the work; the cost of same to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48009/23]
View answerMy Department has not engaged the company in question, there are no costs to the Exchequer in this regard.
407. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Enterprise Ireland has the capacity for analysing novelty in the technology space; and if it needs to develop a more holistic perspective to the tech sector. [48031/23]
View answerEnterprise Ireland's Horizon Scanning Team conducts ongoing assessments to identify emerging trends, innovations and opportunities across the technology space, both nationally and across global markets. By doing so and by adopting a long-term timeframe, Enterprise Ireland is able to strategically advise it’s client companies on the research and development as well as on strategic business decisions required to capitalise on emerging and novel technology opportunities. Through its Horizon Scanning activities, Enterprise Ireland is able to extract and filter relevant data and information to construct ‘what next’ scenarios, helping to identify the important business and technology drivers for the organisation and for EI client companies. Enterprise Ireland’s Horizon Scanning activities also enables the organisation to formulate strategic responses to emerging technology, for example, helping to inform the work priorities and investment decisions of the Research and Innovation Division, the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) and High Potential Start Up (HPSU) teams. By leading the way in discovering and understanding the business transformation and emerging technologies trends for the future, Enterprise Ireland supports its clients with their innovation actions and helps them sustain, grow and scale their businesses. Enterprise Ireland has strong internal, national, and international technology industry relationships representing a combined expertise that provides it with unique insight into the technology space, helping to drive strategic decision making and support client companies to innovate and grow.
408. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the appetite within his Department for the creation of a pilot funding stream for housing supply-related businesses, especially in the property technology/homes market technology space, such as a company (details supplied). [48032/23]
View answerUnder the Housing for All plan, my Department is working to promote innovation and increased productivity in the residential construction sector, including the more widespread adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
To promote research and development and disseminate the best and most relevant innovations to the players in the construction value-chain in Ireland, my Department with Enterprise Ireland has established a new Construction Technology Centre, Construct Innovate, with initial funding of €5m over 5 years. The Centre is a consortium hosted by University of Galway which also includes Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University College Cork and the Irish Green Building Council.
Through the Built to Innovate programme, Enterprise Ireland is focused on driving productivity and innovation in housebuilding, including increased use of MMC, and has opened up lean and digital grants and funding for research and innovation projects to the domestic residential construction sector.
Enterprise Ireland engages with the property technology sub-sector, with a number of prop-tech companies on its books, as well as ‘construction services’ companies, many of which are start-ups. Enterprise Ireland offers a wide range of financial supports for start-ups, such as equity investment, development grants and non-financial supports such as capability building, engaging with clients in-market via its overseas offices, connecting founding teams with potential investors and with strategic partners, and identifying business opportunities for clients.Regarding early-stage funding streams, there are several funds that may be accessed by property technology companies subject to eligibility. These include:
• The Pre-Seed Start Fund aims to accelerate the growth of early-stage start-up companies that have the capacity and ambition to succeed in global markets. Applicants can apply for €50,000 or €100,000 investment. Successful applicants will be supported by an Enterprise Ireland Development Advisor and can avail of a range of start-up supports from Enterprise Ireland such as a mentor from the Enterprise Ireland panel of mentors, access to Enterprise Ireland’s Market Research Centre and other services.
• High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Funding is aimed at start-up businesses with the potential to develop an innovative product or service for sale on international markets and the potential to create 10 jobs and €1m in sales within 3 years of starting up. Funding supports from Enterprise Ireland are closely aligned to a company’s stage of development. Broadly, HPSU companies are viewed as being at feasibility stage, investor-ready stage, or growth stage.
• The Irish Government, through Enterprise Ireland, has made €175m available as part of the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme (2019-2024) that supports the funding requirements of early-stage innovative Irish companies with global ambition.
• The Irish Innovation Seed Fund (IISF) is a €90 million fund-of-funds, made up of a €30m investment from DETE, through Enterprise Ireland, which is matched by a €30m investment from the EIF, and a €30m co-investment from ISIF (Irish Strategic Investment Fund). As a fund-of-funds, the programme invests in other specialist fund managers who target high growth innovative companies based on disruptive intellectual property, who are at the early stages of external funding.
• The Halo Business Angel Network (HBAN) is the all-island umbrella group for business angel networks. It is focused on creating investor groups/syndicates across the island. This helps companies source monies from private investors.
• The Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) invests in funds, companies and projects which generate commercial returns and supports economic impact and employment in Ireland. Key areas of focus for ISIF are:
• Housing and enabling investments
• Climate
• Food and Agri
• Indigenous Companies
ISIF supports indigenous Irish companies with strong growth potential through its investments. ISIF has supported several domestic venture capital funds who invest in a broad spectrum of early-stage companies, including those within the prop-tech segment.
409. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the overall trade in goods or services exchanged between Ireland and Israel and Israeli-based firms over the last five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48043/23]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) compiles statistical data in relation to Goods Exports and Imports.
According to the CSO, the value of our goods exports to Israel was €271 million in 2017; €281 million in 2018; €318 million in 2019; €386 million in 2020; €821 million in 2021; and €1,049 million in 2022. The value of our goods imports from Israel was €62 million in 2017; €77 million in 2018; €90 million in 2019; €121 million in 2020; €2,439 million in 2021; and €4,836 million in 2022.
The value of our services exports to Israel was €1,005 million in 2017; €2,022 million in 2018; €2,580 million in 2019; €3,294 million in 2020; and €4,352 million in 2021. The value of services imports from Israel was €196 million in 2017; €284 million in 2018; €365 million in 2019; €845 million in 2020; and €1,415 million in 2021. The CSO does not yet have data for our services imports from, and services exports to, Israel for 2022.
Import and export data is not available at an individual firm level.
|
Year |
Goods Exports €m |
Goods Imports €m |
|
2017 |
271 |
62 |
|
2018 |
281 |
77 |
|
2019 |
318 |
90 |
|
2020 |
386 |
121 |
|
2021 |
821 |
2,439 |
|
2022 |
1,049 |
4,836 |
|
Year |
Services Exports €m |
Services Imports €m |
|
2017 |
1,005 |
196 |
|
2018 |
2,022 |
284 |
|
2019 |
2,580 |
365 |
|
2020 |
3,294 |
845 |
|
2021 |
4,352 |
1,415 |
|
2022 |
Not yet available |
Not yet available |
410. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment 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. [48044/23]
View answerIreland distinguishes between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967, in line with international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. This position is common across all Government Departments.
Under the EU Treaties, international trade is a competence vested in the European Commission whereby the Union's negotiating strength is as a bloc of 27 Member States representing some 450 million citizens. As a result, trade relations between the EU and Israel are governed by a Free Trade Agreement that is part of the 2000 EU-Israel Association Agreement whereby the EU and Israel have continuously worked on improving trade and economic relations.
However, as confirmed in the 2015 “Interpretative Notice on indication of origin of goods from the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967”, the European Union, in line with international law, does not recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967, namely the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and does not consider them to be part of Israel’s territory, irrespective of their legal status under domestic Israeli law. Products requiring origin labelling which are produced in Israeli settlements may not carry the indication ‘product of Israel’ as settlements do not form part of Israeli territory according to international law.
