Written Answers Nos. 1-35
13. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to provide initiatives for the establishment of innovation hubs in rural counties such as County Donegal similar to the successful launches of PorterShed in Galway and The Mill in Drogheda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6188/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June 2016, I announced an initial allocation of €5m in competitive funding for 48 local and regional initiatives. PorterShed in Galway and The Mill in Drogheda benefitted from the funding. Two projects from Donegal also benefitted from the funding in 2016.
The Funds were set up to boost job creation by encouraging ‘bottom up’ collaborative projects between private and public organisations e.g. providing incubation space, innovation hubs, mentoring entrepreneurs, start-up accelerator programmes, supporting industry clusters within and between local and regional areas as well as local driven initiatives.
As part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2017, my Department, through Enterprise Ireland, has committed to support the Regional Action Plans for Jobs and provide investment of up to €60m over the period to 2020.
A Regional Competitive Funding Initiative administered by Enterprise Ireland will be launched shortly. The overarching aim is to drive balanced regional enterprise development throughout the country.
My plan over the coming months and years is to work in support of organisations that come forward with good projects to boost enterprise and job creation in their regions.
So I would urge private and public organisations from Donegal to apply.
Applications for funding will be invited through a public call for submission of projects. This will be announced in the National Press over the coming weeks.
14. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if, before welcoming any future announcement of new jobs created, she or her Department will investigate the actual working conditions and employment contracts of workers involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6201/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am confident that IDA client companies generally offer excellent jobs which have significantly positive impacts on communities across the country. The quality of these roles is partly reflected by remuneration levels. In 2016, the average salary in IDA client positions was €51,237, an increase of over €2,000 per year from 2015. This is significantly above the national average annual earnings of €45,075 in 2015. These salary levels are sustained by the high value jobs which we target in a diverse range of key sectors including international financial services, technology, life sciences and engineering.
We should remember as well that jobs created by foreign direct investment drive other economic activity in the State. It is estimated that every ten positions created by an IDA client company support a further seven jobs elsewhere in the economy. When these jobs are included, the total employment impact of IDA Ireland clients extends to approximately 340,000 people.
As regard the terms and conditions of FDI-related employment, all companies operating in Ireland, whether domestic or overseas, are subject to a range of employment-related legislation. This legislative framework provides certainty for the country’s labour market and ensures that workers are treated fairly under the law.
15. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when she will publish the heads of the Terms of Employment (Information) (Amendment) and Organisation of Working Time (Amendment) Bill 2016 and proposals regarding protections for workers on insecure, low-hour contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6320/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, Minister Mitchell O’Connor, and I intend to bring forward proposals in this area for consideration by Government. In this respect, work has progressed well on developing a policy response to the Programme for Government commitment to tackle the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious employment. I intend to include protections aimed particularly at low-paid, more vulnerable workers. Our proposals will address the issue of employees on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts do not reflect the reality of their hours worked. The proposals will also seek to ensure that employees are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements and their core terms at an early stage in their employment.
The policy response is being informed by the University of Limerick study on zero hour contracts and low hour contracts as well as the extensive material and practical examples provided by respondents to the public consultation conducted by my Department.
Developing policy proposals in this area is a complex matter. A balance needs to be found between protecting the rights of employees and avoiding unintended consequences on business which may negatively affect the competitiveness of the Irish economy.
My Department is currently engaged with ICTU and Ibec to secure broad agreement before proposals are finalised. This work is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and is nearing conclusion.
The intention is to submit our proposals to Government in Q1 2017 for consideration and approval to draft a Bill giving effect to those proposals. I envisage that the proposed legislation would, subject to Government approval, be published as a matter of priority once a Bill is drafted.
18. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department has or will consider instituting a presumption of denial policy in regard to weapon and dual use exports to Saudi Arabia in view of that country's bombardment of Yemen. [6178/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU has a range of sanctions in place in respect of countries engaged in conflicts. All licence applications are considered having regard to these measures. Sanctions can include arms embargoes and various restrictive measures including prohibitions on the provision of targeted goods and services. My Department considers all arms embargos and trade sanctions when considering export licence applications, however there are currently no such sanctions in place in respect of Saudi Arabia.
My Department is responsible for controls on the export of dual-use and military items from Ireland. Proposed exports of military and dual-use products to Saudi Arabia, as with all other destinations, are considered on a case-by-case basis. The concept of presumption of denial is not provided for in Irish or EU Legislation. 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 are in regular contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on export licensing issues. They consult with that Department in respect of all military export licence applications and all dual-use export licence applications involving Saudi Arabia. My officials seek observations on any foreign policy concerns that may arise in respect of a proposed export; such factors are subject to review in the light of developments in a given region. Any observations which may arise from this examination are considered in the final assessment of any licence application.
My Department may refuse an export licence, following consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other EU and international export licensing authorities as appropriate.
Between 2014 and 2016 my Department issued 132 export licences to the value of €125m, in respect of Saudi Arabia. 123 of these export licence with a value of €101m were in respect of ICT products, with 9 export licences with a value of €24m related to equipment used in industry.
19. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the sections in the action plan for jobs specifically relating to counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6187/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Jobs, one of the Government’s chief instruments to support job creation, is a whole of Government, national level initiative aimed at creating the optimum conditions for private sector and export led job creation. The Plan does not deal with actions on a county by county basis but does contain a strong focus on developing the regions.
Its objectives include the creation of an additional 200,000 jobs by 2020, including 135,000 outside of Dublin; reduction of the State unemployment rate to 6%; and at a regional level, having an additional 10% to 15% at work in each region, and closing their unemployment rates to within 1% of the State average.
Action Plan for Jobs 2017 includes a series of collaborative actions aimed at stimulating regional growth, including the progression, monitoring and support of the eight Regional Action Plans for Jobs, which aims to realise the national Action Plan’s regional employment targets.
The Regional Action Plan for the North East/North West region aims to support the creation of 28,000 jobs across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, and Louth by 2020. The first Progress Report was published in December and shows strong progress to date, with 5,600 more people in employment across the region since the start of 2015.
Sectors targeted as part of the plan include traditionally strong sectors for the region like agri-food, manufacturing/engineering and tourism, including active promotion of the tourism potential of the Lakelands Region, which includes Cavan and Monaghan.
The Local Authorities, LEOs, and other key public and private sector stakeholders in Cavan and Monaghan have been strongly involved in, and are key drivers of, the North East/North West Action Plan for Jobs.
20. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extra resources which will be provided to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to 2021 to cover the pre and post Brexit periods; the discussions which are taking place in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6182/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of 2017 Budget negotiations, I secured a €100 million increase in funding for my Department by year end 2016 and for 2017.
For 2017, I have secured a 10% increase in Capital funding to bring it to €555 million.
This is the Department’s largest ever capital allocation.
This increase will, amongst other things, help the Enterprise Agencies to proactively respond to the evolving Brexit situation.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to providing an additional €500 million to the Enterprise Agencies to support Government’s Regional jobs plan to 2020.
Our aim is to deliver an extra 200,000 jobs by 2020, of which 135,000 will be in the regions.
The Deputy will be aware that there is a whole of Government approach in place focusing on Brexit. My Department and its agencies are to the forefront of this approach.
The Deputy will appreciate that the future resources available to my Department out to 2021 will be dependent on each annual Budget process.
Nonetheless, I intend to use the opportunity of the “Spending” and “Mid-Term Capital” Reviews currently being undertaken by Government, to ensure that the Enterprise Agencies are sufficiently resourced as part of Government’s overall Brexit response.
21. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the IDA is adequately resourced to deal with the opportunities of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6344/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am strongly aware of the importance of equipping IDA Ireland with the resources it needs to compete for and win new Brexit-related foreign direct investment (FDI). That is why, since the result of the referendum on 23 June, I have engaged extensively with the Agency to assess and determine its additional funding requirements.
This process has led to further financial support being allocated to the IDA. As part of Budget 2017, the Agency received a €15 million increase in capital funding to support its grant and property programmes. This was in addition to a higher pay allocation of €750,000 which will allow for the recruitment of nine new Brexit-related personnel. In September 2016 the Government also provided an extra €500,000 to the IDA in order to strengthen its global communications capacity.
These additional resources are already helping IDA Ireland to better manage the opportunities and challenges associated with Brexit. We should not forget, however, that we are facing stiff global competition for all new FDI, whether Brexit-related or not. I will, therefore, continue to keep the Agency’s financial situation and requirements under review.
22. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the provisions she has made in her jobs plan to ensure jobs created are not subject to precarious hours, bogus self employment, low hours or low pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6204/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government's goal is to achieve sustainable full employment so that all of our people have the opportunity to enjoy rewarding work and to participate and contribute to their full potential to our economy and society.
As unemployment continues to fall we must also focus on the quality of employment, which is a key determinant of the well-being of individuals and households.
Since the first Action Plan for Jobs was launched in Q1 2012, almost 190,000 more people are at work. Employment continues to grow strongly. The number of under-employed part-time workers has continued to decline, by 5.7% in the year to Q3 2016, which is the latest available data.
Ireland has a comprehensive body of employment rights legislation which protects all workers, including those who work on a part-time or temporary basis. We also have a more streamlined and accessible Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), which includes a well resourced and proactive Labour Inspectorate. Further, there are existing mechanisms in place to deal with the issue of bogus self employment.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to tackle the problems caused by the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen regulation of precarious work. I intend to bring forward proposals in this area for consideration by Government. My proposals will include protections aimed particularly at low-paid, more vulnerable workers.
My Department is currently engaged in a dialogue process with ICTU and IBEC to secure broad agreement before proposals are finalised. This work is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and is nearing conclusion. I will bring our proposals to Government in Q1 2017.
23. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 8 December 2016, if she will provide a breakdown by county of the 13,000 jobs created in the south east since the start of 2015; if she is satisfied with job creation efforts by her Department in County Wexford to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6351/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a result of a focused collaborative approach and a range of reforms delivered in the region over recent years, the unemployment rate in the South East has fallen from a peak of 20.1% in 2012 to the current rate of 10.4%. There are 215,000 people now at work in the South East.
The source of the employment data referred to in the Deputy’s question is the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) undertaken by the CSO at regional level, and is not available at county level.
However, CSO’s monthly Live Register figures show that the numbers on the Live Register in County Wexford have fallen by over 1,800 in the past year.
Enterprise Ireland companies currently support 20,450 jobs in the South East region, 4,816 of which are based in Wexford. This is an increase of 2,140 since end-2014 for the region, and an increase of 332 for Wexford. Enterprise Ireland job announcements in 2016 in the South East included CoreHR, Netwatch, and Packaging Hub.
Wexford LEO has supported gross job gains in 2015 of 326 in its client companies. 2016 data are not yet available.
Wexford is home to 17 existing IDA Ireland clients who between them employ almost 2,630 people in a range of manufacturing and service operations. Since end 2014, IDA-supported companies have seen a net increase of 127 jobs in Wexford.
Earlier this week I was pleased to make two significant job announcements in the region. 140 jobs will be created in Kilkenny arising from new animation projects involving Mercury Filmworks of Canada and local studio Cartoon Saloon, while Red Hat, the world’s leading provider of open source solutions, will create up to 60 jobs in Waterford.
24. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the targeted strategies the IDA and Enterprise Ireland have ongoing in the border region at present and particularly in counties Cavan and Monaghan to entice businesses in view of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6186/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland (EI), the Local Enterprise Offices and IDA Ireland are engaging on an ongoing basis with all client companies regarding the impacts being felt as a result of Brexit. They have clear plans in place to mitigate challenges and maximise opportunities arising from the UK decision.
In Budget 2017, I secured additional monies, both current and capital, to support the enterprise agencies’ strategic response to Brexit.
InterTrade Ireland also has a programme of initiatives to deal with the practical consequences of Brexit for cross-border trade.
I have a particular focus on the trade implications for the border region and am heavily engaged with all stakeholders in the Region on an ongoing basis.
I met with a delegation of Councillors, TDs and Senators from Cavan/Monaghan on 19 January last to discuss enterprise and job creation issues in the counties.
The Regional Action Plan for the North East/North West, which has a strong Brexit focus, aims to support 28,000 new jobs across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, and Louth by 2020.
I attended the second Implementation Committee meeting in Cavan in September. There is strong progress to date, with 5,600 more people in employment across the region since the start of 201. Brexit is a standing item on the agenda of these meetings.
25. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to reverse the continual fall in business competitiveness levels and making Ireland an attractive location for business to locate, particularly Ireland's competitiveness standing with the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6323/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland moved from 16th to 7th in 2016 in the IMD’s World Competitiveness Yearbook, and from 24th to 23rd in the 2016 WEF Global Competitiveness Report. The World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business” report shows Ireland is ranked 18th. The World Bank report shows Ireland is ahead of the UK in terms of ease of starting a business and paying tax but behind in the overall rankings.
Ireland’s improved competitiveness performance has been central to employment growth. Brexit means we must do more to enhance our attractiveness as a location to start and locate a business. The 2017 Action Plan for Jobs sets a target to achieve a top 5 global competitiveness ranking based on the IMD measure by 2020. The Plan sets out a range of actions to further enhance competitiveness and help achieve this objective.
To improve competitiveness we must consolidate Ireland’s traditional strengths such as talent, productivity and export competitiveness and address areas such as infrastructure where we lag other countries.
As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, my focus is on ensuring Ireland is a competitive location internationally to establish and run a business. We are stepping up investment in infrastructure. We are driving the implementation of our research strategy Innovation 2020. We are putting more people on the ground in foreign markets to attract investment and to help Irish business who export to the UK and helping others diversify into new markets.
26. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total budget allocated by her Department under Innovation 2020 for scientists engaged in basic research in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6347/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe annual grants budget to Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) for 2017 is €162.5 million. The agency does not predetermine or “ring fence” specific funding allocation for basic or applied research. Funding decisions are made through international peer review on the basis of research excellence and impact. However, an analysis published in SFI's Annual Report 2015 showed that 81% of the value of SFI's awards was at Technology Readiness Levels 1 and 2. This indicates that the vast bulk of SFI funding continues to be in support of “oriented basic” research.
SFI has identified a number of strategic focus areas for 2017 and will align funding programmes to meet objectives associated with Innovation 2020. These are outlined in its Annual Plan for 2017, which is available on its website.
Programme activity in 2017 will include support for individual members of the research community throughout all stages of their career. SFI will continue its goal of attracting and recruiting world leading talent through programmes including the SFI Research Professor Programme and the SFI Future Research Leaders Programme. It will also continue to build links between academia and industry through the funding of SFI Research Centres, SFI Partnership Programme and the SFI Industry Fellowship Programme. The Foundation will also continue to grow links through international partnerships and will support research teams in Ireland to lead and win major awards from Horizon 2020.
27. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a media company (details supplied) ran an investigative piece which examined the hospitality industry and the apparent abuses within it in the west of the country; if she will make retention of the 9% value added tax rate to the hospitality sector conditional on its engagement with the Labour Relations Commission and acceptance of registered employment agreements, in view of the fact that this sector has an embedded culture of widespread low pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6317/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLet me state from the outset that the setting of VAT rates is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance.
Notwithstanding this, the VAT rate for tourism related goods and services was reduced from 13.5% to 9% in July 2011. The Government introduced this measure to promote job creation. This measure has been retained since due to its positive impact on the sector.
Between Q2 2011 and Q3 2016, direct employment in the Accommodation & Food Services sector increased by 38,200, from 114,400 to 153,200.
While the reduction in the VAT rate has not been the only factor driving employment in the sector, it has made a significant contribution. This has had a very positive impact on the competitiveness of tourism in Ireland.
In relation to the media report referred to by the Deputy, Ireland’s body of employment and equality legislation, protects all persons legally employed in Ireland on an employer-employee basis and provides robust safeguards for employees.
Allegations of non-compliance with employment rights should be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission which will investigate any matter brought to their attention.
As the Deputy is aware other wage setting frameworks exist including Registered Employment Agreements. Engagement in these frameworks is voluntary on the part of the stakeholders concerned.
28. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on reports of rampant non-compliance with employment legislation within the horse racing industry, particularly among stable staff, including non-compliance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and below minimum wage rates of pay; the number of cases of non-compliance with employment legislation in this industry investigated by her Department in the past five years; and the steps she will take to have the issues arising addressed. [6177/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s body of employment rights legislation protects all employees who are legally employed on an employer-employee basis. Therefore, once it is clear that a person is working under a contract of employment (written or oral) that person has the same protection under employment law as other employees, including entitlement to the national minimum wage.
All employers carry the same obligations in relation to compliance with employment law.
Inspectors of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) are authorised to conduct inspections and investigations for the purposes of determining compliance with employment rights and employment permit legislation.
Inspections in the equine sector are a regular feature of the WRC’s work and 31 cases in that sector have been dealt with by inspectors in the 5 year period 2012-2016. Contraventions, which range from failure to keep records, inadequate restbreaks, failure to grant annual leave and public holiday entitlements and failure to pay the statutory minimum wage, were detected in 22 of those cases.
I am advised that the WRC’s Work Programme for 2017 makes specific provision for a compliance and enforcement campaign within that sector. Inspectors will be checking compliance with, among other requirements, national minimum wage rates and rest break, leave, public holiday and other entitlements under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 (as amended). The WRC's activities in the equine sector will also include an awareness and educational programme and engagement with stakeholders with the overall objective of achieving employment rights compliance.
Employees or recent former employees in the horse racing industry who feel that their employment rights have been contravened can make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission. The WRC’s Information Officers may also be contacted at 1890 808090 or through the website www.workplacerelations.ie for information on employment rights and entitlements.
29. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress in establishing a TechShop as provided under the Dublin action plan for jobs; the funding that has been allocated by her Department towards this initiative;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6322/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ‘Manufacturing 2020’ strategy highlighted the need to establish a facility that provides shared, subscription-based, access to high end, rapid prototyping equipment, software and expertise, to facilitate development of new products and solutions. TechShop is the recognised international provider of such ‘maker spaces’ and DCU has been working with the TechShop team to develop a suitable business model to bring TechShop to Dublin.
In that context, Action 35 of the Dublin Action Plan for Jobs is to ‘Develop a proposal to establish a Dublin ‘maker space’/TechShop as a catalyst for the hardware start-up ecosystem, based on its potential as a self-sustaining model over the medium term’. DCU is the lead organisation for this Action.
A TechShop Dublin operation would require substantial host city funding. Dublin City Council have committed to supporting the TechShop initiative with DCU, subject to available budgets and contingent on the provision of additional matching/bridging sums being forthcoming from relevant stakeholders.
Support to develop the project is under discussion among a variety of stakeholders, including both public and private organisations.
30. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason the IDA refuse to provide information as to the location of visits for the purpose of foreign direct investment in County Tipperary by town, without any other specific information regarding the visit, citing client confidentiality as the reason, when no client information is being sought; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6185/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have previously stated, IDA Ireland collates and releases data concerning its site visits on a county and regional basis only. Information on visits to specific locations within counties - whether in Tipperary or anywhere else - can unfortunately not be disclosed in order to safeguard the confidentiality of the client concerned. This has long been the approach of IDA Ireland, given that the public release of particular details about individual visits could also lead to unnecessary speculation about investors and potential disappointment if a new project does not come to fruition. It is also the case that many multinational businesses specifically request that details of their site visits are not released.
It should be remembered that the decision by a company as to where to locate can be influenced by a number of factors. These include access to qualified talent, proximity to transport hubs, and the ready supply of suitable property. While IDA Ireland actively encourages its clients to locate or expand in regional locations, ultimately the final decision always rests with the company concerned.
31. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will report on the assessments which are taking place to determine the way each industry and business sector here will be affected by Brexit; her views on whether these effects may be positive or negative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6179/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe United Kingdom’s decision to leave Brexit will have a profound impact on our economy and preparing for its impact is the main priority in my Department. Central to this is a thorough understanding of its impacts, positive and negative, on enterprise – both in general and on a sectoral level.
The impact of Brexit was a foremost consideration in the production of the recently-published Action Plan for Jobs 2017. This year’s plan is at the core of the government’s response to the huge challenge these pose for businesses - to make sure our enterprise base is resilient in the face of changes to come.
Since the Brexit result was announced, I have attended many events on a daily basis at which I engage with stakeholders and listen to their views about challenges and opportunities that it will bring. I have also met with a wide range of representative organisations, including IBEC, ICTU, ISME, the Small Firms Association, the Irish Exporters Association, the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, and the Irish Farmers Association.
I welcome the analyses and reports published by representative organisations identifying challenges for their sectors. These are important inputs to the Government's considerations.
I have had discussions about the impacts of Brexit at the Retailers Forum which I chair and it is a regular item for discussion at the Regional Action Plan for Jobs implementation Committees.
In addition, my Department held a major stakeholder engagement event in Carrick-on-Shannon on 30 January to hear the views of all stakeholders.
My officials have also met a range of organisations and individual firms and relayed their concerns to me.
I am very aware of the importance of monitoring developments that affect Irish enterprise and ensuring we have coherent responses being developed. This is reflected in my Department’s production of a suite of enterprise sector briefs. These briefs, which draw on up-to-date information sources and the expertise of key players, provide a synopsis of the current state-of-play in a number of enterprise sectors that are key to Ireland’s economic fabric. They provide a commentary on opportunities for growth and priority actions needed. The reports will be updated on a rolling basis and will be continue to take account of all related developments, including Brexit.
Assessment of the impact of Brexit on all aspects of society, including enterprise, is being coordinated by the Department of An Taoiseach. Within my Department, a risk assessment of the potential impacts of Brexit across policy areas has been conducted and has fed into the national level assessment.
In terms of research, there have been a number of studies published which set out the potential impacts of Brexit, including sectoral assessments (e.g. tourism, agri-food). Many of these are listed on the merrionstreet.ie website. With regard to sectoral impact specifically, my Department is currently scoping and undertaking research to examine the implications for the most exposed enterprise sectors - in terms of trading and economic relationships - of the UK being outside of the European Single Market and Customs Union. This research will inform a more indepth assessment of the way in which Brexit will affect individual sectors of the economy, and enterprises operating within them. It is planned that the pilot study will be completed by the end of Q1.
My Department is also funding analysis through InterTrade Ireland on the North-South trade implications of Brexit. This project will provide an understanding of the impact of different trade and tariff regimes which might be imposed following Brexit. I am aware also of sectoral-level assessments being conducted by Bord Bia and the Department of Finance of the food and international financial services sectors respectively.
32. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her estimate of the number of jobs in the financial services sectors which could possibly be gained through financial companies relocating from the UK to Ireland; the further measures being taken to promote and encourage this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6181/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government fully recognises that financial services is an area where Ireland could see increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on account of Brexit. That is why there has already been extensive engagement at home and abroad – across both Ministerial and Agency levels – with the industry about new investment in Ireland. The European Financial Forum, which was held in Dublin on 24 January, was also a helpful and timely opportunity to remind international financial services providers about the benefits of doing business in Ireland.
Our focus now is converting the interest shown to date by new investors into new projects here. Both the IDA and the Government will continue to work hard with that goal in mind. The IDA has also recently launched a new global communications campaign, called "Right Place, Right Time", which will help target decision-makers in key locations.
While I am confident about the potential to create new financial services related jobs in Ireland, we do need to be realistic about what is achievable. Competition for all new such investment remains intense and we should not expect tens of thousands of jobs to be created here by default.
33. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action she and her Department have taken since the tobacco factory in Mullingar closed and the significant jobs losses in County Longford to try to attract replacement jobs to both locations. [6198/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI very much regret the decision by the company in question to close its facility in Mullingar. I understand the need to find new employment for the Midlands and I have directed IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland (EI) to explore what potential opportunities there may be for new investment there.
IDA Ireland is already engaging with both current and prospective clients to invest further in Westmeath, Longford and the wider region. It is also actively marketing its business park at Marlinstown to all relevant potential investors.
EI, for its part, aims to create new jobs in the Midlands by providing support to entrepreneurs who may set up start-up companies there and by working with its existing established client companies in the region to assist in their future growth.
34. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to promote County Wexford and the south east for regional development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6324/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe South East Action Plan for Jobs is the key policy response for supporting employment growth in the South East region, including Wexford, with public and private stakeholders actively engaged in delivering a range of innovative and practical actions set out in the Plan.
The core objective of the Plan is to see a further 25,000 at work in the region, including Wexford, by 2020 and to reduce the unemployment rate to within 1% of the State average.
In keeping with the medium to longer term ambition of the Regional Plans, these plans are not broken down by individual county. Key sectors targeted in the South East as part of the Plan include agri-food, tourism, life sciences, manufacturing, retail and financial and business services. The first progress report on the implementation of the Action Plan has recently been published and shows that good progress is being made.
As a result of a focused collaborative approach and a range of reforms delivered in the region over recent years, the unemployment rate in the region has fallen from a peak of 20.1% in 2012 to the current rate of 10.4%.
The numbers on the Live Register in County Wexford have fallen by over 1,800 in the past year.
Since 2012, the South East has had the fastest rate of jobs growth, in percentage terms, of any region in the country. 215,000 are now at work in the South East - an increase of 33,800 since 2012.
While the current unemployment rate is still too high, these figures demonstrate that the overall trend is one of steady improvement.
In addition, both IDA and Enterprise Ireland are placing extra emphasis on regional development in their current strategies. IDA is targeting an uplift of 30-40% in investments in all regions outside Dublin by 2019.
35. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the mental health and wellbeing policies her Department has in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6348/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s HR Unit promotes a positive working environment and provides advice and support to staff members dealing with health and wellbeing issues.
The Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS) is available to all staff and provides extensive advice and support on issues regarding mental health and wellbeing. The CSEAS website contains guidance and advice for Civil Servants who may be experiencing mental health issues. The website contains an Information Guide on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace and links to various external resources such as Aware and the Samaritans, amongst others. It contains webcasts and presentations on topics relevant to mental health and general wellbeing which Civil Servants can access at any time. The service is also available as a resource for managers to provide advice and support when dealing with staff members who may experience mental health or wellbeing issues. The HR Unit of my Department ensures that our staff are made aware of the supports available form the CSEAS both generally as well as in response to individual cases that are brought to our attention either by Line Managers or individual staff members. The Service operates on a confidential basis.
The Civil Service Occupational Health Department, often referred to as the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, advises the Department in relation to workplace health issues. The Office has ongoing engagement with Civil Servants who are absent from work and has a primary role in assisting workplace rehabilitation of employees who experience ill health. The HR Unit of the Department liaises closely with the Service on individual cases.
The Code of Practice on the Employment of Persons with a Disability in the Civil Service sets out the principles, actions and responsibilities of different persons throughout the various stages of the career of a person with a disability. Under the Code, all Department’s must appoint a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) and the DLO within my Department, in consultation with the Personnel Officer/HR Manager, arranges for the provision of supports or accommodations that are deemed reasonable to support the employment of a person with a disability.
The Health and Safety Unit of my Department monitors and maintains staff safety, including safe systems and organisation of work, at it's various workplace locations, in accordance with the provisions of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005. My Department also provides free health check services to staff from time to time, including thematic talks, seminars and webinars.
Finally, my Department participated in a study carried out by Senator Marie Louise O'Donnell on how the Civil Service deals with the dying, death and bereavement amongst its members. The report, entitled "Finite Lives", published in 2015, offered a number of recommendations aimed at increasing supports within Departments. These included, the drawing up of a bereavement policy, training, and further research into the area. Also, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has recently published a revised circular on bereavement leave (Circular 1 of 2017) which increases the amount of bereavement leave available in certain cases. My Department is considering its own policies in place in respect of bereavement in light of the recent circular and the recommendations in the Report.
