Written Answers Nos. 399-419
399. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if a person (details supplied) is entitled to any refund for previous years in respect of their pension paid as a former civil servant as part of the Building Momentum Agreement and any increases arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1310/24]
View answerI am informed by the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) that due to Data Protection the NSSO cannot comment in public on an individual’s personal pension entitlements. However, the NSSO have advised that they have contacted the individual directly to advise them on this matter
400. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 14 November 2023, if he has completed his investigation into this matter and if he can now provide a more substantive response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1488/24]
View answerOn foot of PQ No. 157 of 14th November 2023 the Office of Public Works (OPW) investigated the matter and can confirm that the location concerned does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which falls under the remit of the OPW under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act. The OPW therefore has no responsibility for the maintenance of the channel, nor any authority to carry out any works there.
The property concerned is located within the Cromogue River Drainage District. Tipperary County Council has confirmed that they carry out maintenance work every year on this river which typically includes clearing of vegetation and blockages in the river channel. The Council has advised that removal of silt and dredging of the river bed is not feasible due to ecological and environmental constraints.
The OPW has requested that Tipperary County Council liaise with the property owner with a view to discussing the response to flood risk and events at this location.
401. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department will sanction an increase for GP's who are in receipt of district medical officer salaries in view of the immense service that they provide in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1579/24]
View answerThis is a matter for the Department of Health.
402. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2021; and when this Bill will move to the next stage. [1632/24]
View answerA review of the FOI regime has been undertaken and is at an advanced stage of completion.
The review process has been an open and collaborative one, taking in the views of a wide range of stakeholders. It commenced with a scoping process which sought the views of stakeholders across all sectors in setting the direction of the review. Approximately 1,200 responses were received at this stage of the process from individuals, organisations, and public bodies.
In addition, a customer satisfaction survey was undertaken, which sought the views of both requesters and the staff of public bodies involved in processing requests. 1,100 further responses were received in this project.
Based on key themes identified in the previous stages of information gathering, a full public consultation was undertaken, with 60 further responses received. In order to further tease out particular issues, a series of focus group sessions and interviews were carried out with key stakeholder groups.
This process of engagement was accompanied by a review of international approaches to FOI, seeking to identify best practices and innovations globally.
A progress update was issued to stakeholders at the end of 2022, which summarised key findings in the information gathering process to date, and set out in broad terms the matters under consideration.
There are three main strands. Firstly, a more coherent approach to information governance and access. Secondly, supplementing formal FOI requests with less bureaucratic and more direct ways of achieving transparency, including proactive publication of information. Finally, the review addresses various issues and proposals for improving the FOI request process.
The process of preparing the final review report commenced in mid-2023. This has been undertaken in close collaboration with the Office of the Information Commissioner, but also other policy-holders in related areas, such as the National Archives. The report is now nearing completion, and will be finalised with the intention that it is brought to Government in the first quarter of 2024. It is intended that the recommendations arising from the review will inform the preparation of amending legislation.
403. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform given the recent announcement that exhumations are to take place in Mountjoy Prison to recover the remains of executed prisoners buried on site, if his Department will commence a similar scheme of exhumations to take place at Kilmainham Gaol. [1687/24]
View answerRequests such as this are of a very sensitive and delicate nature and there are a number of matters to consider, both in terms of the significant practicalities involved and the ethical issues. While the general area of the site of graves in Kilmainham is relatively well known, there is no detailed plan showing definitively exactly where individuals were interred and even were it to be precisely located, there would be practical issues involved in positively identifying the remains.
Were the OPW to possess the power to institute such a move (which it does not, given the responsibility of the Minister for Heritage under the National Monuments Acts), it would still likely be of such delicacy as to require being considered at the highest levels of Government.
404. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on proposed developments at the Oldbridge site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1758/24]
View answerOldbridge Estate is the site of the original historic battlefield of the Battle of the Boyne. It was acquired by the Irish State for the purpose of conserving and presenting the location of this pivotal event in Irish history, and welcomes 30,000 annual visitors to the Visitor Centre and almost 500,000 people annually to the parklands.
In 2023, the OPW completed two major studies into the built and natural heritage of Oldbridge Estate: a Conservation Management Plan (CMP), to be published in Q1 2024, and Biodiversity Baseline Study. These studies have informed a number of projects that were delivered in 2023: upgrades to the path surfaces and edges in the Walled Garden and Octagon Garden, works to prop up a limb of the Battle Oak, refurbishment of the Butler’s House as usable back-of-house space, and investigative work to the ceilings in the Visitor Centre. Projects identified for 2024 include investigations into the restoration of the historic Pit House in the Walled Garden, works to conserve the remaining Estate Walls, a programme of interior and exterior painting, and upgrades to visitor facilities in the Walled Garden.
In the longer-term, the OPW plans an extensive refurbishment of Oldbridge House, to restore and open the upper floors in compliance with disability access and fire regulations. It is envisioned that the fully restored Oldbridge House will serve both as a heritage experience, encompassing the Battle of the Boyne and the lengthy ownership by the Coddington family, and will also have the flexibility to serve as a location for Government business. This scheme is in the design phase and works will likely be subject to planning, so a programme of works cannot be provided at this early stage.
The Farmyard Complex, located between the battlefield and the River Boyne, is in need of restoration works, and is not currently open to visitors. The OPW plans to develop a full project to refurbish and conserve the Farmyard to expand and evolve the scale and scope of visitor experience on site. This project is at an early stage and is subject to final sanction as a capital project. To progress this, a ground penetrating radar survey of the farmyard will begin shortly to identify any archaeological material below ground. Tenders have also been invited for an ecological survey of the Farmyard Complex as the first step in developing this landmark scheme. Delivery of this project will be subject to available funding.
Meath County Council’s Boyne Greenway project is continuing to progress, with a new Emerging Preferred Route announced before Christmas. This revised route will follow the canal towpath on the south bank of the river Boyne, and along the boundary of Oldbridge Estate for approximately 1.5km. It will add significantly to the accessibility of Oldbridge to a range of visitors.
405. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if a start date has been agreed for the commencement of remedial works on Cairn T, at the Loughcrew heritage site near Oldcastle, County Meath; the plan and schedule for the re-opening of Cairn T to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1778/24]
View answerThe megalithic passage tombs of Loughcrew Megalithic Cemetery are an extraordinary part of our national heritage which are particularly vulnerable and require careful conservation and management. Unfortunately, in recent years there have been increases in reports of damage to archaeological monuments including at the Slieve na Caillaigh Loughcrew Cairns.
OPW held constructive meetings on site and conducted subsequent discussions with the National Monuments Service of the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to agree details of the continued structural supports that will be needed to safeguard Cairn T.
Detailed design proposals regarding safe access for OPW and consultants and contractors has recently been finalised by our conservation specialist Structural Engineer and will issue to the DHLGH for approval shortly. The temporary additional support of the interior of the Cairn will allow safe access to our architects, engineer and District Works in-house stone masons to understand the structural concerns and define the scope and agreed approach which will be required to progress these remedial works. Access for our own team is not possible until this is completed.
The public will be unable to access Cairn T until subsequent works are designed and completed and as assessment carried out at that time as to the short, medium and long term position is regarding protection of the monument.
We cannot determine how long this will take until the design is completed and goes through the process of archaeological assessment with DHLGH Archaeologists, which, due to the sensitivity of the site and the fragility of this Monument, may result in further revisions and/or modifications.
406. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that issues affecting the operation and running of the National Lottery are resolved to the satisfaction of his Department with particular reference to the extent to which players of the lottery have a reasonable chance of winning in line with the mission statement; the extent to which unclaimed prizes are returned to the national lottery, its operators; if he continues to be satisfied that those who play the National Lottery are adequately protected to the highest possible standards for the operation of such lotteries [1815/24]
View answerI am informed by the Regulator of the National Lottery that the chances of winning the Lotto jackpot are available on the National Lottery website and are 1 in 10.7 million. This version of the Lotto game commenced in 2015. There are detailed procedures in place to ensure the integrity of every draw and independent observers from KPMG check that each step is followed for each and every draw.
The Lotto jackpot can be won in every draw and the chances of winning are the same in every draw. In 2023 the Lotto jackpot was won on consecutive weeks on two occasions (July and October). The nature of National Lotteries is that winning the jackpot is not guaranteed in any individual draw, however a change to the Lotto game rules introduced in 2021 means that the Lotto jackpot cannot roll over indefinitely.
Following the unprecedented Lotto jackpot rollover in 2021, after the Lotto jackpot reached the historic high of €19.1 million and was therefore capped, the Lotto game rules were changed to also cap the number of rollovers at the new capped amount. If the Lotto jackpot rolls over to an amount above the previous historic jackpot amount, it will be capped at this new amount and allowed to roll over 5 times at most. At this point the next Lotto draw becomes a Will Be Won event whereby if it is not won by a ticket matching all 6 numbers, the entire Lotto jackpot will be shared among the next winning prize tier winners.
The first ever Lotto Will Be Won draw was held on 15 January 2022 and was won by a single ticket matching all 6 numbers. The Lotto jackpot was won 10 times in 2022 and 10 times in 2023.
With regard to unclaimed prizes, the Licence to operate the National Lottery requires that prizes that expire unclaimed are ringfenced and used solely for the promotion of the National Lottery and/or Lottery Games, and must be used for these purposes within 365 days. The Regulator monitors and enforces the operator’s compliance with the Licence.
In terms of safeguards for players, an independent statutory Regulator holds the Operator to account in safeguarding players through:
• Rigorous analysis of game approval requests.
• Proactive monitoring of the online and retail sales environments.
• Assessing the Operator’s promotional activities against the prescribed Code of Practice.
• Researching and identifying processes and practices that have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing harm and have potential to improve the National Lottery’s measures.
• Commissioning independent mystery shopping exercises.
A comprehensive range of safeguards are in place to ensure that players enjoy taking part in a safe and healthy manner and that their consumer rights are upheld:
• The rules and odds of every National Lottery game are readily available.
• The Operator must meet targets for how quickly it pays out prizes.
• The anonymity of winners is strictly protected.
• The Operator is limited in the type of products it can sell.
• It is illegal for any person, including the operator and any retailer, to sell or to offer for sale by any means a National Lottery ticket to a person under the age of 18, and mandatory ID for online sales, mystery shopping for retail sales and other measures are in place and monitored by the Regulator to prevent minors from purchasing.
• You cannot buy a ticket for any National Lottery draw after 10pm or before 7am.
• There are practical limits on how much you can spend in store on scratch cards and enforced limits on how much you can spend online.
• Online tools are available to players to assist them in controlling their spend including optional lower spend limits and self-exclusion for varying periods, including permanently.
• Advertising and promotion of the National Lottery is subject to detailed regulations specific to the nature of the product and in line with advertising standards generally in Ireland.
Since the commencement of the Licence in 2014, the Regulator has rejected schemes of games deemed to be of excessive risk to players, driven improvements in the accessibility and quality of information and measures to prevent problem gambling, and taken enforcement action for breaches of the Advertising and Promotion Code of Practice.
The Office of the Regulator continues to work to ensure the National Lottery is as safe as possible for the people of Ireland to play and enjoy.
407. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when the planning permission for the flood defences for Midleton will be submitted; and what interim measures will be put in place to protect citizens and their property in the East Cork area. [2005/24]
View answerThe Government has assessed the flood risk for those communities most at risk from significant flood events. The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management or the CFRAM Programme – Ireland’s largest study of flood risk – was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. An output of the CFRAM Programme, the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans provide the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at risk communities.
Cork County Council is leading the design of the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme and in 2017 appointed engineering and environmental consultants. Major flood relief schemes involve complex engineering and construction operations that can impact on people's living, built and natural environment.
The process follows a number of stages from feasibility through design, planning, detailed design and construction. It is important that the work is done correctly and achieves its objectives. Extensive and detailed technical analysis is required to establish the most appropriate solution, technically and environmentally, from a range of possible mitigation options. The solution has also to be adaptable to the increased risk from climate change.
Midleton has proven to be one of the most complex schemes with flooding coming from four sources. The preferred scheme has now been identified with a total project budget of €50m and when complete will provide protection to 580 properties.
At this time an assessment following the Storm Babet flood event is being undertaken and will both provide further evidence to support the preferred option for a scheme for Midleton, allowing planning consent to be applied for in Quarter 4 2025 and to inform any interim measures that can be progressed in advance of the scheme. The OPW and local authorities do not have powers to expedite these schemes arising from the damage caused by flooding events and the delivery of all schemes must meet all of the regulatory and planning requirements.
Midleton is just one of six major flood relief schemes at design in Cork County and some 100 flood relief schemes that are at design and construction, nationally at this time. Nationally, this is a threefold increase since 2018 and is supported by €1.3bn for flood relief measures through the National Development Plan. It is not possible to progress all 150 flood relief schemes identified by the Flood Risk Management Plans simultaneously, due to the constraint of the availability of the professional and specialised engineering skills required to design and construct flood relief schemes.
While the prioritised approach to delivering schemes means that work is complete or underway to protect some 80% of all at risk properties, nationally, the flood relief projects for Castlemartyr and Youghal are not in the first phase of projects being progressed nationally. However the funding for theses scheme is available.
The OPW, working closely with its Local Authority, at all times strives to expedite and progress capital flood relief works with the minimum delay within the resources, including the specialised engineering resources, available to it.
The OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme provides funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation or coastal protection works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. This scheme provides 90% funding to local authorities to manage localised flood risk. It is open to Cork County Council to apply to the OPW for flood mitigation measures in Youghal, Castlemartyr and other towns such as Rathcormac ahead of works to start the design of a major flood relief scheme.
408. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports available for small businesses that are struggling with increased costs since the return to 13.5% VAT rate and the upcoming repayment of debt warehouse tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1986/24]
View answerAs part of the Budget 2024 package, the Government announced the introduction of the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant.
While this grant is intended to aid firms with the challenge posed by increased costs, it is not intended to directly compensate for all increases in wages, or other costs, for every business. It is important that I be clear that this scheme is not related to the change in the rate of VAT applied to the Hospitality sector or the repayment of warehoused tax debt.
In this context it is also important to recognise the favourable interest rates that were provided to businesses who availed of the tax debt warehousing scheme offered by Revenue. Revenue has also provided the option for participants to enter into Phased Payment Arrangements (PPA) by 1 May 2024.
The ICOB grant is particularly 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. The total allocation for the ICOB grant is €257m.
The grant is intended to be paid at a rate of half the enterprise’s 2023 commercial rates bill, for firms paying up to €10,000 in rates. For those paying between €10,000 and €30,000 in rates, they will receive a flat grant of €5,000 each. No grant will be available for firms paying more than €30,000.
Officials in my Department are currently working with the Local Authorities on the administration of the ICOB grant. This grant will be paid through the Local Authorities and it is intended that this will be done in the first quarter of this year. It is not intended that there be a formal application process, rather it is intended that the business will be contacted directly by the local authorities.
Eligibility for the ICOB grant will be assessed on the basis of an applicant satisfying a minimum of the below conditions:
- The business is a commercially trading business operating directly within a premises that is commercially rateable by a Local Authority.
- The business has provided confirmation of its bank details to the respective Local Authority.
- The business is rates compliant, including those businesses with a phased payment arrangement in-place.
- The business is tax compliant, and in possession of a valid Tax Registration Number.
- I would emphasise that this scheme should not be looked at in isolation and should be considered in light of the range of supports that have been made available to business in recent years, with shocks ranging from Brexit to COVID-19, to supply change disruption and to rising energy costs associated with the crisis in Ukraine. These include the Covid-era Commercial Rates grant and waiver schemes, the Restart Grant, and Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid (SBASC); the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS); and the Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme. In addition, the Business Users Support Scheme for Kerosene (BUSSK), launched in September 2023, provides assistance to businesses impacted by significant increases in the cost of kerosene heating oil.
I would further note that broader supports for SMEs announced in Budget 2024 included the extension of the 9% VAT rate on gas and electricity from the end of 31st October 2023 to the end of October 2024. Furthermore, the temporary excise rate reductions applying to auto diesel, petrol and marked gas oil were due to expire on 31st October 2023 and were also extended until 31st March 2024.
409. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the Irish trade office in Taiwan was previously closed; if there are plans to reopen such a trade office in Taiwan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56347/23]
View answerIDA Ireland, the agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland, actively manages the Taiwanese market from its Singapore office. IDA Ireland’s decision to close its Taiwan office on 31 December 2011 was solely based on business reasons. There have been no new IDA investment projects from Taiwan for several years despite active marketing programmes in the country.
IDA’s market experience indicates that the majority of Taiwanese companies are focussed on targeting the vast Chinese market and other markets in the Asia Pacific region. This means less emphasis on investment in other regions, such as Europe. That said, IDA is still very active in the Taiwanese market. IDA’s Singapore office actively manages the Taiwanese market as an integral element of the IDA’s ongoing market development plan for the ASEAN and Taiwan market.
In response to continuing trends identifying Singapore as the primary source of outbound FDI destined for Europe, IDA Ireland considers it prudent to maintain its on-the-ground market presence in Singapore. Market analysis shows that the vast majority of all ASEAN outward FDI is intra-Asia and circa 65% of all Europe outbound FDI from the region originates in Singapore, while Taiwan is a distant second.
In this context, there are no current plans to reopen an IDA office in Taipei and the market will continue to be served from Singapore.
410. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of imports and exports between Ireland and Taiwan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56383/23]
View answerThe total value of Ireland’s trade with Taiwan in 2022 was €4.6 bn, which was a 322% increase in the 10 years since 2012.
In 2022, the total value of exports from Ireland to Taiwan was €2.2 bn and the total value of our imports from Taiwan was €2.4bn.
With a value of €1.7bn, services exports accounted for 77% of Ireland’s exports to Taiwan while goods exports of €505 million accounted for the remaining 23% of our exports to Taiwan in 2022.
Medical & Pharmaceutical Products accounted for 47% of Ireland’s goods exports to Taiwan in 2022 while Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices accounted for almost 40% of our goods imports from Taiwan in the same year.
411. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his proposals to develop the trading relationship between Ireland and Taiwan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56384/23]
View answerIreland, along with our EU partners, adheres to the One China Policy. This means that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and that we recognise the People's Republic of China as the legal representative of China. This does not preclude the development of economic, cultural, and people-to-people connections with Taiwan; nor the meaningful participation of Taiwan in relevant multilateral fora.
The European Union is represented in Taiwan by the European Economic and Trade Office, which seeks to strengthen economic and trade relations with Taiwan. There has been a Taipei Representative Office in Dublin since 1988.
The Central Statistics Office compiles statistical data in relation to goods exports and imports. According to CSO data, the total value of Ireland’s trade with Taiwan in 2022 was €4.6bn, which was a 322% increase in the 10 years since 2012. In 2022, the total value of exports from Ireland to Taiwan was €2.2bn and the total value of our imports from Taiwan was €2.4bn.
The Department and its agencies are continuing to work together both to attract inward investment and to assist Irish companies to access new opportunities in overseas markets, including Taiwan.
IDA Ireland, the agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland, actively manages the Taiwanese market from its Singapore office. In response to continuing trends identifying Singapore as the primary source of outbound FDI destined for Europe, IDA Ireland considers it prudent to maintain its market presence in Singapore.
Taiwan, accounted for €37.5m of total Enterprise Ireland client exports in 2022. This represents 4% of total client exports to China. The €37.5m of EI client exports is made up of 50% food and 50% non-food exports. Marketplace services for Irish companies targeting Taiwan are provided through Enterprise Ireland’s office in Hong Kong and locally in Taipei via consultancy/pathfinder engagements which are managed by the Enterprise Ireland Hong Kong office.
412. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he is considering designing such a scheme as suggested in the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56688/23]
View answerMy Department is committed to sustainable economic development through the creation and maintenance of high-quality employment across all regions of our country. We champion enterprise and ensure a competitive business base to incentivise work, enterprise, innovation and investment.
The Local Enterprise Offices can help seasonal businesses to identify and market their unique selling points and also offer training and development programmes that can help businesses to identify cost saving measures and practices that will make them more competitive and ultimately more profitable. I would encourage any business that is looking for assistance to first contact their Local Enterprise Office as the provide a signposting service to all available government supports. If they cannot assist directly, they may be able to provide referrals to other relevant offices and agencies that can.
Owing to the risk of displacement in the typically small marketplace of seasonal businesses, my Department is not able to financially support these businesses. However, Government does provide support to this sector through the Arts Council which is under the aegis of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
413. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of breaches of the minimum wage legislation in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; if he is satisfied at the enforcement of the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56709/23]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services.
All inspections carried out by Labour Inspectors of the WRC involve checking compliance with all relevant legislation, including the National Minimum Wage Act, 2000. Where breaches are identified, WRC Inspectors seek the immediate restoration of rights and entitlements and the payment of any associated unpaid wages.
Where compliance is not achieved the WRC has a number of legal instruments available to achieve compliance; these include Fixed Penalty Notices, Compliance Notices and in the case of the National Minimum Wage Act, criminal prosecution. In 2023 WRC inspectors secured repayment to employees of €1,950,601 in unpaid wages and entitlements across all legislation. The WRC inspectorate is currently carrying out a campaign of inspections aimed at highlighting the increased National Minimum Wage rates from 1 January 2024 and ensuring that employees are in receipt of all legal entitlements.
I am satisfied that the WRC’s approach to achieving compliance with the legislation is both effective and proportionate.
The Table attached sets out the number of breaches of the minimum wage legislation identified by the WRC inspectorate in the course of its inspections in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
414. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of IDA lands north of the Kilbarry Enterprise Centre in Cork, which were re-zoned for residential development in the most recent Cork City Development plan; whether the IDA agreed to transfer these lands to the Land Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56715/23]
View answerIDA Ireland’s Regional Property Programme aims to ensure the supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations to meet the needs of current and prospective clients of the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices and is a significant contributor to regional economic development and job creation. In this regard, the Kilbarry Business & Technology Park is one of several IDA Ireland business parks that have supported the growth of employment and investment to Cork and the South-West Region. The IDA, has, however, agreed terms to transfer ownership of a portion of lands comprising c.40 hectares at the north of the IDA Business & Technology Park at Kilbarry to the Land Development Agency. This proposed sale is subject to contract, and the Land Development Agency is currently undertaking due diligence in respect of these lands.
415. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the IDA and other State supports that a company (details supplied) has received since its establishment in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56765/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, IDA Ireland provides a range of financial supports to FDI companies in the form of employment, capital, research and development, environmental and training grants. In this regard, IDA Ireland provided a total of €4,047,964 in grant support of VMWare’s Cork operation since 2005. This sum is broken down as follows:
|
Year Approved |
Grant Type |
Grants paid |
|
2005 |
Employment Grant |
€468,000 |
|
2006 |
Employment Grant |
€1,845,000 |
|
2008 |
Employment Grant |
€1,250,000 |
|
2016 |
Research & Development |
€127,317 |
|
2019 |
Training |
€11,000 |
|
2019 |
Research & Development |
€249,993 |
|
2019 |
Training |
€96,654 |
|
TOTAL |
|
€4,047,964 |
VMWare is a leading virtualisation and cloud computing software and services company, which first established in Ballincollig in 2005, following its acquisition by EMC. In May 2022, VMWare and Broadcom jointly announced that Broadcom would acquire VMWare. As a result of the acquisition, which formally closed on Wednesday 22nd November 2023, Broadcom’s current software division rebranded and operates as VMWare.
The company is planning a substantial rationalisation of VMWare’s headcount across its global operations in 100 countries, and, on Monday 11th December, VMWare notified me as Minister of potential redundancies in its Irish operations. My and Government's first concern is for the staff and families of those impacted by the redundancy announcement. Government support is on hand to assist the impacted employees in relation to income, employment and training supports. In this regard, IDA Ireland has a strong relationship with the Irish and corporate management team at VMWare and is working with the local leadership team to understand the skills profile of impacted employees and to match that with existing or target client-company skills requirements.
VMWare is, and remains, a highly valuable IDA client-company in the South-West region and has helped to drive the growth of the software and broader technology base in the region.
416. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 14 November 2023, if the referenced ‘small number of full time workers employed on site’ (details supplied) is greater or less than the eight full time workers employed on site’ as referenced in the previous Parliamentary Question No. 244 of 20 September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56796/23]
View answer417. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 14 November 2023, if there has been any update on the recipes that have been submitted by the company (details supplied) for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56797/23]
View answer418. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 244 of 20 September 2023, if there have been any further engagements by his Department or associated State agencies with the owners or management of a factory (details supplied); when it is now expected that the factory will move to trial production stage as referenced in the previous response; the current number of employees at the factory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56798/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 416, 417 and 418 together.
The company in question is at an early stage of development and is being supported by Enterprise Ireland to explore business opportunities both in China and across the wider nutritional powders market. I understand that there has been no change in the number of full-time workers employed on site. There is an expectation that employment numbers will increase as the business develops.
For reasons of commercial sensitivity, it would not be appropriate to provide further details of the company's application for approval of infant formula recipes by the Chinese authorities, which I understand is ongoing.
419. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will list the ongoing research commissioned under the remit of his Department through the North-South Ministerial Council, Shared Island Initiative or through other all-island arrangements; if he will outline the research that has been completed; the date of publication of the research since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56911/23]
View answerInterTradeIreland is one of six North-South Implementation Bodies established under the 1998 Belfast-Good Friday Agreement that works on an all-island basis. InterTradeIreland’s remit is to promote trade and business development on an all island and cross border basis. InterTradeIreland is funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Ireland and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, on a 2:1 ratio.
As the North South body responsible for trade and business development, ITI plays a key role in producing North-South research relevant to my Department’s remit. Since the establishment of InterTradeIreland the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has supported them in many research projects. The list below contains each of the research papers published by ITI alongside their year of publication, all of which are available online at research.intertradeireland.com.
|
InterTradeIreland Research Papers |
Year of Publication |
|
Ireland: A £20 billion retail market |
2000 |
|
Domestic Furniture. An Ireland Retail Perspective |
2000 |
|
Giftware & Jewellery. An Ireland retail perspective |
2000 |
|
Houseware and soft furnishings. An Ireland retail perspective |
2000 |
|
Hotel furniture. An Ireland perspective |
2000 |
|
Contract office furniture. An Ireland perspective |
2000 |
|
Contract fitted furniture. An Ireland perspective |
2000 |
|
Clothing and footwear. An Ireland retail perspective |
2000 |
|
Cross-Border Trade: A Discussion Paper on North–South Trade Issues |
2000 |
|
Supply Chain Challenge. A Discussion on the North/South Dimension |
2000 |
|
Higher Education – Industry Cooperation. A Discussion Paper on the North-South Dimension |
2000 |
|
Small kitchen appliances. An Ireland retail perspective |
2001 |
|
Chamber SME E-business survey |
2002 |
|
All-Island Competitiveness Information and Communications Technology |
2002 |
|
All Island Competitiveness. E-Business Working Paper |
2002 |
|
Baseline Survey of Commercialisation Staff & Skills in Major R&D Performing Institutions in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Working Paper |
2002 |
|
A Review of the All-Island Horticulture Industry |
2002 |
|
All-Island Business Case Studies |
2003 |
|
Developing all-Ireland air services on the island of Ireland |
2003 |
|
North/South Trade: A Statistical Ground-Clearing Exercise |
2003 |
|
Mapping the Bio-Island. A North-South study of the private biotechnology sector Republic of Ireland. |
2003 |
|
Analysis of Manufacturing Growth and Productivity |
2003 |
|
Entrepreneurship on the Island of Ireland |
2003 |
|
A Review of the All-Island Furniture Industry |
2003 |
|
Toward Mutual Recognition of Qualifications on the Island – An Information Guide |
2003 |
|
A Review of the All-Island Construction Sector |
2003 |
|
Entrepreneurship on the Island 2004 – Full |
2004 |
|
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2004 |
2004 |
|
Entrepreneurship on the Island of Ireland in 2004 – NI Summary |
2004 |
|
Entrepreneurship on the Island of Ireland in 2004 – Ireland Summary |
2004 |
|
Survey of business links on the island of Ireland – Full report |
2005 |
|
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2005 |
2005 |
|
Survey of business links on the island of Ireland – Summary Report |
2005 |
|
Cutting our cloth: A review of the all-island clothing and textiles industry |
2005 |
|
Engineering a Knowledge Island 2020 Summary Report |
2005 |
|
Engineering a Knowledge Island 2020 Full Report |
2005 |
|
University Collaboration on Technology Transfer: An All-Island Feasibility Study |
2006 |
|
Business Networks on the island of Ireland |
2006 |
|
A Competitiveness Analysis of the Polymer & Plastics Industry on the Island of Ireland |
2006 |
|
Spatial Strategies on the Island of Ireland: Development of a Framework for Collaborative action |
2006 |
|
Mapping Study of Research & Technological Development Centres on the island of Ireland |
2007 |
|
North Atlantic Trade and Transport Study |
2007 |
|
Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy |
2007 |
|
Freight Transport Report for the Island of Ireland |
2008 |
|
Environmental Goods and Services Sector on the Island of Ireland Final Report |
2008 |
|
A Study of the Design Services Sector on the Island of Ireland |
2008 |
|
Working Paper: Investigation into North/South Trade Statistics |
2009 |
|
Newry-Dundalk Twin City Region: Supporting the Implementation of Cross-Border Collaborative Frameworks |
2009 |
|
A Gravity Model Approach to Estimating the Expected Volume of North/South Trade |
2009 |
|
Regulatory Barriers to Cross-Border Trade and Business |
2009 |
|
Management matters in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland |
2009 |
|
Exploration Of Factors That Might Explain The Level Of North/south Trade |
2009 |
|
Market Report on the Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Sectors |
2009 |
|
Market Report on the Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Sectors 09 |
2009 |
|
All-Island Procurement Competitiveness Report |
2009 |
|
Infrastructure for an Island Population of 8 Million – Full report |
2010 |
|
Infrastructure for an Island Population of 8 Million – Summary Report |
2010 |
|
Market Report on the Microgeneration of the Renewable Energy Sector |
2010 |
|
Business Networks on the island of Ireland April 2011 |
2011 |
|
Market report on the energy management sector |
2011 |
|
Agri-Food: A Study for Cross-Border Cooperation |
2011 |
|
Environmental regulations and cross-border trade & business report |
2011 |
|
Business and Carbon Measurement on the Island of Ireland |
2011 |
|
Construction Materials Sector Report May 2012 |
2012 |
|
Leveraging the Innovation Ecosystem for business advantage: a cross-border study |
2012 |
|
Regions and Innovation: Collaborating across borders |
2013 |
|
Access to Finance for growth for SMEs on the island of Ireland |
2013 |
|
Analysis of the key features of an exporting SME on the island of Ireland |
2013 |
|
SMEs, Credit constraints and Growth – A Cross-Border Study |
2015 |
|
Competitive Analysis of the Construction Materials Sector on the Island of Ireland |
2015 |
|
Mapping the Potential for all-island Sectoral Ecosystems |
2015 |
|
Funding for Growth – The Business Angels Market on the Island of Ireland |
2016 |
|
InterTradeIreland – Brexit Case Studies |
2017 |
|
InterTradeIreland Potential Impact of WTO Tariffs on cross-border trade |
2017 |
|
Equity Crowd Funding Resource |
2018 |
|
Export Participation and Performance of firms across the island of Ireland |
2018 |
|
Cross-Border Trade & Supply Chain Linkages |
2018 |
|
Analysis of UK “No Deal” Tariff Schedule in the Context of Cross-Border Trade |
2018 |
|
Shock absorption Capacity of Firms in Ireland and Northern Ireland |
2019 |
|
Mapping the Cyber Island report |
2020 |
|
A V-LINC Analysis of the Irish South West Cyber Security Ecosystem |
2020 |
|
A V-LINC Analysis of Northern Ireland’s Cyber Security Ecosystem |
2020 |
|
Clustering on the Island of Ireland: A Gap Analysis |
2022 |
|
Medium-Term Potential Growth of Cross-Border Trade |
2022 |
|
Productivity and Business Dynamism Across Regions |
2022 |
|
An analysis of the needs of SMEs with regards to investor readiness support on the island of Ireland |
2022 |
The Shared Island Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach is also playing an important role in exploring opportunities in the all-island economy through its research programme. The purpose of the Shared Island research programme is to provide high-quality evidence and analysis on the opportunities, and the challenges, around deepening cooperation and connections on the island. The unit is working with the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), Irish Research Council (IRC) and other partners. Research is progressed in consultation with lead Departments.
Over the past three years the Shared Island unit have worked closely with the Economic and Social Research Institute as part of their research partnership. Outputs from this partnership include papers on the Cross-Border Trade in Services, Enhancing attractiveness of the island of Ireland to FDI, and Modelling Productivity Levels in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
