Written Answers Nos. 21-40
23. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the funding and job creation measures his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have undertaken in Killybegs, County Donegal for each year of the lifetime of the current Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5781/24]
View answerSince taking office, this Government has made regional development a priority. My Department and its agencies have contributed to this effort through funding and job creation measures all across the country, including in Donegal and Killybegs.
This approach is guided by the White Paper on Enterprise, which sets out the Government’s approach to enterprise policy for the period to 2030.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), play an important role at local level as part of a supportive ecosystem, providing services directly to small businesses and promoting entrepreneurship. The LEOs are the first-stop-shop for every business in the country and provide a ‘signposting’ service for all government supports. The results in Donegal LEO have been very positive, with year-on-year increases in the number of assisted clients and total jobs since 2020.
Employment in Enterprise Ireland client companies in Donegal was 3,479 in 2023. The total number of jobs created was 287, with a positive net jobs result of 140 in a very challenging year for businesses. Enterprise Ireland has also funded the Killybegs Marine Cluster under the Regional Technology Clustering Fund and has been working closely with key stakeholders including the Atlantic Technological University to develop it further; funding for the cluster has been extended until February 2025. The North-West Regional Enterprise Plan also includes an action to develop the regional blue economy linked to the Marine Cluster based in Killybegs.
With regard to FDI, regional development is at the centre of IDA Ireland’s strategy. In Donegal there are 22 IDA client companies employing 5,036 people. From 2018 to 2023 over €21 million in grant support was approved for IDA client companies in Donegal. IDA continues to pursue new opportunities for FDI including across the Green Economy. IDA will continue to collaborate with stakeholders, including Donegal County Council, to pursue emerging opportunities offered by Offshore Renewable energy and the role that Killybegs harbour might play in supporting this.
This Government has provided substantial funding to assist regions to support enterprise activity, promote regional growth and create jobs. My Department has provided over €126 million in funding various schemes to support enterprise development and regional jobs growth. The North-West region of Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim has secured €15.5 million in funding under these schemes with Donegal securing €4.7 million for two projects.
With regard to new funding, the Deputy will be aware that I recently launched the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme worth €145 million and co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund. This Scheme will support projects aligned to the Regional Enterprise Plans. The first call of €35 million is now open and there will be further calls in the coming years. I urge projects from Killybegs, Donegal and the North-West to apply for this funding.
24. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Minister has highlighted developing policy to approve new modular construction design technologies that could be deployed in Ireland; if he will outline progress in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5749/24]
View answerTo ensure the delivery of Housing for All targets, and accelerate the ongoing transformation of the construction sector, the Government recognises the need for a continuous flow of compliant innovations in the residential construction sector. This includes the more widespread adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), an umbrella term for a range of innovative construction processes, of which modular (or 3D volumetric) construction is one.
In July 2022, in collaboration with a number of Government Departments, my Department established the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Leadership and Integration Group. This Group looks at a wide range of policy issues that impact the adoption of MMC and, in July 2023, my Department (in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) published the ‘Roadmap for increased adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Public Housing Delivery’. This document sets out 28 actions across a range of topics that the Government is committed to taking to promote MMC.
The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) and Enterprise Ireland are represented on this Group.
The NSAI plays an important role in promoting the adoption of innovative construction products by providing Agrément Certificates to qualifying innovations that provide an evidence base for determining their compliance with Irish Building Regulations. These Agrément Certificates, amongst other factors, can then be used to demonstrate how an innovative technology complies with the Building Regulations to Assigned Certifiers and Building Control Authorities. NSAI has:
• Strengthened their capacity to support an efficient Agrément Process
• Assessed the efficiency of the current Agrément Certification process in an international comparative context.
• Promote understanding of the Certification and Inspection process in the context of the broader regulatory system for residential construction.
Through Enterprise Ireland, the ‘Construct Innovate’ Technology Centre, has been established to support industry-led research and innovation in construction. Also, Enterprise Ireland has rolled out the ‘Built to Innovate’ scheme which offers innovation and business transformation grants to the domestic residential construction sector.
My Department will continue to work with our agencies and with other Government Departments and Agencies to deliver the wider range of actions to promote MMC as set out in the Roadmap document.
27. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of dual-use export licence applications in respect of end-users in Israel approved by his Department since 7 October 2023; the value of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5477/24]
View answerMy Department is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for Export Controls, including Controls on defence-related exports and exports of Dual-Use goods. My Department operates Export Controls to the highest standards, in accordance with EU law and international best practice.
Controls on the export of Dual-use items are administered by my Department, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items.
Dual-use items are products and components, including software and technology, that can be used for both civil and military applications. The bulk of Dual-use exports from Ireland are mainstream business ICT products, both hardware and software (networking, data storage, cybersecurity etc). They are categorised as Dual-use items as a consequence of the fact that they incorporate strong encryption for ICT security purposes.
My Department has safeguards built into the licensing system which enable robust checks and cross-checks to ensure, as far as possible, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated end-user for the stated end-use and will not be used for illicit purposes.
My officials consult with the Department of Foreign Affairs in respect of all export licence applications and seek observations on any foreign policy concerns that may arise in respect of all proposed exports. Such factors are subject to review in the light of developments in a given region. Observations which may arise from this examination are considered in the final assessment of any licence application.
In the period 7 October 2023 to date, my Department issued three individual dual-use export licences with a value of €31.4 million to end users in Israel. The three exports license were for category 5 items - ICT hardware and software.
28. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement that has taken place to support workers in VMWare in Ballincollig who face redundancy. [5669/24]
View answerVMWare 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. The company is planning a substantial rationalisation of VMWare’s headcount across its global operations in 100 countries, and, last December, it notified me of potential redundancies in its Irish operations.
My and Government's first concern remains for the staff and families of those impacted by the redundancy announcement and Government support is on hand to assist the impacted employees in relation to income, employment and training supports.
IDA Ireland has a strong relationship with the Irish and corporate management team at VMWare and has been 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. In that regard, I understand that several alternative employment opportunities have been identified for those likely to be affected by redundancies.
I should also acknowledge that VMWare is still regarded as a highly valuable IDA client-company in the South-West region which has helped to drive the growth of the software and broader technology base in the region.
29. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a progress update on his Department’s actions under Climate Action 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5757/24]
View answerActions committed to under the Climate Action Plan 2023 are reported on through progress reports prepared by the Department of the Taoiseach and published quarterly. Under this reporting process, a selection of ‘high impact’ measures from the Climate Action Plan with more significant abatement potential are focussed on in the progress reports. In 2023, my Department reported on 10 actions in total, and provided final updates on the delivery status of these actions for review in early January.
Pending final confirmation from the Department of the Taoiseach, it is anticipated that the delivery rate of CAP23 commitments for my Department will stand at approximately 50%, with three high-impact actions delayed. My Department is engaging with officials in the Department of the Taoiseach on the timeline for completion of the remaining actions.
I am satisfied that the majority of these outstanding actions are subject to short-term issues and they will not impact on our ability to achieve my Department’s emissions reduction targets.
The delayed high impact actions included the publication of two roadmaps – these were the roadmap for the decarbonisation of industrial heat in manufacturing and the roadmap on the retrofit of commercial buildings.
Drafts of both roadmaps have been produced and are being considered by the relevant Working Groups under the Heat and Built Environment Taskforce. They are expected to be presented to the Taskforce and published in Q1.
A further action, to identify actions to accelerate and drive system wide delivery of industrial heat decarbonisation, will be incorporated into and completed alongside the roadmap for the decarbonisation of industrial heat.
The third high impact action for delivery in Q4 was the completion of a report on ‘Reducing embodied carbon in cement and concrete through public procurement in Ireland’. Final edits are being made and it is expected that this action will also be completed in Q1.
While it is regrettable that a higher proportion of CAP23 actions were not able to be completed before the end of 2023, the aforementioned four delayed actions are fully drafted, at final stages of negotiation and agreement and will be completed by the end of Q1 2024. One other delayed action assigned to the NSAI, to develop a certification scheme for energy efficient retrofit of dwellings, has been delayed until H2 2024 due to a high demand for construction products certification and an effort to focus on delivery in that area.
On a proportional basis, 50% of total actions assigned to my Department are complete and 50% have been delayed.
30. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 18 of 23 November 2023, the status of the implementation of the west regional enterprise plan to 2024; the date of all meetings to-date of the steering group; to provide an update on the most recent meeting of the steering group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5481/24]
View answerGabhaim buíochas leis an gcoiste sin as plean fiontair an iarthair.
Achieving balanced regional development is a priority for this Government and is reflected in the White Paper on Enterprise. My Department aims to contribute to this goal through the work of its Enterprise Agencies, Local Enterprise Offices and the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs).
Each REP is implemented by a Steering Committee comprising regional stakeholders. Evelyn O'Toole is Chair of the West REP Steering Committee, and, together with Programme Manager Helena Deane, is driving implementation on the ground and I wish to acknowledge their incredible work and dedication over the course of the West REP, from ideation to implementation.
I attended the most recent meeting of the West Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Committee on 20 June 2023 and good progress continues to be made in delivering on the strategic objectives of the Plan. The meeting took place in the BIA Innovator Campus in Athenry, a magnificent facility that was officially launched last month. At that last Steering Committee meeting, the Programme Manager updated members on the activities of the BIA Innovator, followed by a presentation by Creative Enterprise West, CREW, on the potential for the creative industries in the west. There was also a spotlight on the experience economy and sustainable tourism led by Údaras na Gaeltachta and WestBIC.
Since the West REP was launched, the Steering Committee also met on 15 June 2022 and 29 November 2022. The next meeting is provisionally scheduled for Friday 1 March 2024.
In addition to the above meetings, the Chair, along with the other REP chairs and key enterprise stakeholders, attended a meeting of the REP National Oversight Group on 26 October 2023, which was jointly chaired by myself, and Ministers Coveney and Richmond.
The Deputy may also be interested to know that my officials are currently reviewing nine REP progress reports which will document implementation to the end of Q3 2023. These reports are expected to be published in Q1 this year.
31. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of supports that are available to local authorities and community groups for the development of enterprise centres or workspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5732/24]
View answer50. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will ensure that additional supports will be provided to local authorities and community groups to develop enterprise centres or workspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5733/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 50 together.
Achieving balanced regional enterprise development is a priority for this Government and is reflected in the White Paper on Enterprise. My Department aims to achieve this goal through the work of the Enterprise Agencies, Local Enterprise Offices and the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans.
Enterprise development is one element of broader economic development, a shared responsibility across Government – both central and local. Under the Local Government Reform Act 2014, local authorities prepare a statutory Local Economic and Community Plan, setting out high-level goals, objectives and actions needed to promote and support economic development over a six-year period.
The contribution made by enterprise hubs, community hubs and remote workspaces across the country is recognised at all levels of government; these facilities provide services to support entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and they also allow people to live and work in their local communities. Government has invested significantly in the development of such facilities.
My Department has provided substantial investment to support enterprise centres and hubs through a number of schemes over recent years, including the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, Border Enterprise Development Fund and Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme. My Department has already provided over €200 million in funding to support the establishment of some 270 enterprise hubs throughout the country through these regional enterprise funds.
I launched the new Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme last October; my Department has secured €145 million, co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund, for projects aligned to the Regional Enterprise Plans. Stream One will support physical infrastructure including development of new enterprise hubs and expansion of existing facilities, up to €10 million per project.
The scheme supports collaborative projects and, as with previous funds, I expect local authorities will be involved in many. The first call of €35 million is open and full information is available on Enterprise Ireland’s website.
The Department of Rural and Community Development has meanwhile invested over €150 million in the development of remote working facilities through programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and Connected Hubs. Successful projects are developed in collaboration with local authorities and communities, with many vacant and derelict buildings converted into remote working hubs.
My Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development are working together to develop the first National Hub Strategy, in consultation with hub managers, local authorities, communities and other stakeholders. The strategy is expected to be brought to Government this year.
Local authorities have been integral to the development of hubs, often contributing significant funding. While local authorities are independent entities, Government will continue to work collaboratively with them to deliver innovative projects including enterprise centres and remote working facilities.
33. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress to develop an approach to the retrofit of the commercial stock as outlined in the climate action plan; the progress on the commercial built action roadmap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5667/24]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan sets out our level of ambition for decarbonising the commercial built environment.
A detailed roadmap is currently being finalised, led by my Department and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, which is also supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Science, the SEAI and other agencies. The objectives for the commercial built environment, including the public sector, are a Sectoral Emissions Ceiling of 7 MtCO2eq. for 2021-2025 and 5 MtCO2eq. for 2026-2030.
The Commercial Built Environment Roadmap Working Group have met on three occasions since March 2023 and has discussed a number of issues including the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD), the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), relevant data availability, the elements to be included in the roadmap, and their approach to engagement with stakeholders.
As part of the Roadmap work, last summer, I invited relevant business representative organisations and professional bodies, representing the high abatement sectors including hotels, hospitality and tourism; retail; office users and commercial landlords, to meet with my officials in relation to the decarbonisation of the commercial built environment.
The Roadmap will set out the key existing and new policy interventions to achieve the objectives set out to reach the targeted level of abatement from our commercial buildings. The decarbonisation of the commercial built environment will rely heavily on the timely delivery of other policy and regulatory measures including the publication of a National Heat Policy Statement; the supply of district heating infrastructure to decarbonise heating in our commercial buildings and the publication of a Roadmap for the phase out of fossil fuel boilers. The delivery of these measures will be crucial if we are to meet our decarbonisation targets in the commercial built environment.
Some of the recommended implementation actions in the Commercial Built Environment Roadmap include:
• Developing a voluntary code of conduct for commercial tenancy or lease agreements that promotes reduced carbon emissions from commercial businesses, and identifies opportunities to align incentives for both the property owner and tenant that will better unlock environmental performance;
• Developing a communications plan and identifying resources to raise awareness on climate and business issues to inform businesses and their commercial landlords of the decarbonisation opportunities, and regulatory requirements up until 2030 and beyond;
• Identification of any skills gaps in the skills needs of the commercial built environment and confirming additional priorities or actions with training providers;
• Reviewing business supports available to business seeking to decarbonise their buildings and the identification of any gaps, including comparison with supports available in other countries.
The Roadmap is scheduled to be considered and approved by the Working Group later this month and will be published shortly afterwards. As the Working Group becomes an Implementation Group, a 2024 workplan will also be considered and agreed.
34. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given the new information from the ESRI on low pay work, if he will consider the abolishment of sub-minimum wage rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5799/24]
View answerCurrently, the minimum wage for those aged under 20 is less than the minimum wage for those aged 20 and over. The minimum wage for those aged 19 is 90% of the prevailing rate, for those aged 18 it is 80% and for those aged 17 and under it is 70%.
As the Deputy will be aware, in 2022, the then Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment requested the Low Pay Commission to again examine the issues relating to retaining or removing these sub-minimum, or youth rates of the National Minimum Wage and to make recommendations on the subject.
The Low Pay Commission takes an evidence-based approach to its work and asked the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, to conduct background research on the issue, under the terms of the Low Pay Commission and ESRI Research Partnership Agreement. This ESRI report “Sub-minimum wages in Ireland” was published in November.
The study examines the incidence and the characteristics of employees that are paid below the full national minimum wage rate. It provides evidence on the number of employees, and the type of employees, that could be impacted by any changes made to the sub-minimum youth rates.
During the summer the Low Pay Commission also held a targeted consultation with employer, employee and youth stakeholders on youth rates.
The ESRI research report and the submissions made by stakeholders have informed the Low Pay Commission’s deliberations on this important issue.
The Low Pay Commission is currently finalising their report and recommendations on subminimum youth rates of the National Minimum Wage. I expect to receive this report over the coming weeks.
I will bring a proposal to Government on the future of subminimum youth rates following consideration of this report.
36. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his engagements regarding the Mercosur Trade Agreement. [5744/24]
View answerThe Mercosur Agreement is designed to cement the close political and economic relations between the EU and Mercosur countries and represents a commitment to rules-based international trade. Since formal negotiations concluded in 2019, the global trade policy landscape has changed considerably. The rise in trade nationalism, the economic impacts of COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and the accompanying impacts on global supply chains have demonstrated the importance of diversifying our import and export markets by securing robust and comprehensive trade deals with global partners. The Mercosur Agreement, if ratified, will support that objective.
However, Ireland and other EU Member States have raised concerns regarding the strength of the trade and sustainability commitments in the Agreement. As a response to those concerns, the European Commission commenced a process with the Mercosur region on a draft interpretative legal instrument addressing sustainability commitments. This interpretative text will have the same legal status as the existing text within the Agreement itself.
Commission negotiators are currently engaging with their Mercosur counterparts on the text of the new instrument. I wish to assure the Deputy that my officials and I continue to closely monitor developments regarding the instrument, and discuss it at EU level at both the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) with other EU Ministers, as well at meetings of officials in the Trade Policy Committee. It is in our collective interests that commitments relating to the environment, biodiversity and sustainability remain central to the overall trade agreement reached with Mercosur.
37. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 23 November 2023, for an update on his Department’s engagement with the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to developing a new business and human rights action plan and implementation body; the number of meetings held to-date by the stakeholder forum; the dates of same; the terms of reference of the stakeholder forum; the expected timeline for the new national plan on business and human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5478/24]
View answerI recognise the importance of businesses having a focus on human rights. It is now expected by society that businesses consider how their operations can impact on human rights. Businesses have reacted well since Ireland launched its first National Plan on Business and Human Rights (2017 - 2020) towards the end of 2017.
Ireland became the 19th state in the world to develop a National Plan. In December 2021, a review of the implementation of the Plan was brought to Government. It found that over 91% of commitments under the Plan were achieved, with plans to implement the remainder.
Stakeholder engagement is an important part of developing the second National Plan. In advance of the initiation of the new stakeholder forum, the Department of Foreign Affairs and my Department launched a public consultation last summer seeking the opinions of interested stakeholders to inform the development of the second Plan. Eleven submissions were received, from business representatives, trade unions, human rights organisations and academia.
The stakeholder forum has met once since it was convened, on 14 December 2023 without any terms of reference. It brought together representatives of Government, civil society, trade unions and business, including officials from my own Department. The purpose of this initial meeting was to draw out common themes that emerged from the public consultation process, and to seek clarification on or elaborate certain recommendations, with a view to establishing the likely scope and content of the new National Plan.
This forum will meet again in the coming months to discuss a working outline of the second plan, along with also meeting officials from other relevant Government Departments. The working outline of the second plan is currently being prepared by officials.
The new Plan is expected to cover a multi-annual timeframe as was covered in the first Plan. It is intended to build on the achievements of the first National Plan, while reflecting new developments in the international understanding of business and human rights, including new EU instruments. It will also align with the commitment in the Programme for Government to ‘ensure that the Action Plan on Business and Human Rights is further developed to review whether there is a need for greater emphasis on mandatory due diligence’. The ambition is to finalise the new plan this year.
39. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the number of IDA and Enterprise Ireland backed jobs and companies in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5730/24]
View answerMy Department, together with the enterprise agencies, plays an integral role in supporting a robust economy and the development of resilient, sustainable enterprises and well-paid employment opportunities across the country. In this regard, balanced regional development remains a priority for IDA Ireland, with 132 of a total of 248 investments - or 54% of investments won last year - choosing to locate outside of Dublin.
The total number of regional jobs in IDA client companies now stands at 163,471. 31,092 of these jobs are in 128 IDA supported companies in the West Region. 16 of these companies are in Mayo with a combined employment of 5,434 jobs.
The FDI performance in the region has been strong over the past several years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 17% over the last 5 years. This includes a significant ecosystem of well-established Life Sciences companies, which has helped drive strong cluster development. The number of people employed in software engineering, technical support, global business services and R&D in the Region has also grown considerably in recent years.
Most recently, in October 2023 Meissner Corporation celebrated the official opening of its new 3,900 m² (42,000 ft²) manufacturing facility in Co. Mayo. This followed an announcement by Charles River Laboratories in July of a €10m expansion of its testing capabilities at its Ballina, Co. Mayo site.
Employment in EI client companies in Mayo has also been increasing over the last three years. CBE in Claremorris, a retail and hospitality technology company announced 25 jobs in October 2023. In November, Irish cybersecurity start-up Cytidel raised €1.3m in funding round and Tarracor Robotics secured a €100,000 pre-seed funding award from Enterprise Ireland.
My Department hosted a Building Better Business event in the Arts Centre in Ballina on October 2013 which was well attended by companies and entrepreneurs in the region. This complemented a series of events run throughout the month focusing on innovation, enterprise and start-ups as part of Mayo Ideas Month, and included key stakeholders and an Enterprise Ireland-hosted Lean Network online event also in October.
Finally, the number of IDA and Enterprise Ireland backed jobs and companies in 2023 in County Mayo are set out in the Table below:
|
- |
Companies |
Jobs |
|
IDA Ireland |
16 |
5,434 |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
103 |
5,620 |
40. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the legislative programme. [3494/24]
View answerMy Department is currently progressing multiple pieces of legislation through the Oireachtas. I have three priority pieces of legislation for the upcoming Spring Dáil session sand seven other bills published in the Spring Legislation Programme for 2024 details of which have been listed below.
Legislation for Priority Publication
• Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024. Ratification of the Agreement on the Unified Patent Court (UPCA) necessitates a transfer of the judicial jurisdictional power outside of the State. A referendum must be held to allow Ireland to ratify the Agreement. Government approval will be sought this week for drafting the General Scheme and to set the date for the referendum.
• Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill - This legislation is to provide for ownership of Microfinance Ireland (MFI) to pass from its current parentage, the Social Finance Foundation to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and to put in place the related governance structures. Pre-legislative scrutiny was completed in September 2023 and I expect to bring the Bill to Government for approval by the end of January 2024.
Legislation for Priority Drafting
• Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill - This bill will enhance and strengthen enforcement and regulatory provisions in the Companies Act 2014. The Heads of the bill are currently in preparation with a view to bringing the General Scheme to Government for approval in early 2024.
All Other Legislation
• Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill - General Scheme to be published in Q1 2024.
• EU Data Bill - Work expected to commence on drafting the General Scheme in Q1 2024.
• Co-operative Societies Bill 2022 - Pre-legislative Scrutiny published in May 2023. Drafting is ongoing with publication due in Q2 2024.
• Employment (Restriction of Certain Mandatory Retirement Ages) Bill - Officials are at an advanced stage in drafting a General Scheme and it is anticipated the General Scheme will be submitted to Government for permission to draft in February 2024.
• Industrial Development (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill - It is intended to seek Government approval for drafting of the General Scheme as soon as possible.
• Miscellaneous Provisions (Transparency and Registration of Limited Partnerships and Business Names) Bill - General Scheme is at an advanced stage, with a view to seeking Government approval for drafting by end Q1 2024.
• Registration of Trade Unions Bill - Work on finalising a general scheme will be progressed in the context of other competing legislative priorities, in particular the Co-operative Societies Bill 2022.
In addition my Department is continuing to progress
• Amendments to the Employment Permits Bill to provide for the Seasonal Employment Permit and a new option to transfer employer without needing a new permit which was approved by Cabinet on 23rd May. Dáil Report Stages is scheduled for 31 January 2024 and Seanad stages will be completed in early 2024.
• the General Scheme of the Digital Services Bill 2023 to implement the supervision and enforcement provisions of the EU Digital Services Act was published on the 5 December 2023. The Bill passed Dáil third Stage with the ETE Select Committee on the 17 January and Dáil Fourth and Fifth Stage is now scheduled for the 24 January.
• The Employment (Collective Redundancies and Miscellaneous Provisions) and Companies (Amendment) Bill 2023 to implement the outstanding company law and employment law commitments set out in the Plan of Action on Collective Redundancies following Insolvency which was published on the 27 October 2023 and underwent second stage in the Dáil on the 15 and 16 November 2023.
