Written Answers Nos. 105-124
105. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the smaller projects that are serviced by independent youth services will be secured in view of the changes proposed to the Garda youth diversion projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17016/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, my Department is obliged to carry out a call for proposals process during 2018 in relation to the provision of Garda Youth Diversion Project (GYDP) services, to fully comply with requirements related to the co-funding of projects by the European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
To ensure State-wide coverage of GYDP services for young people, (which does not exist at present), the intention is that, in general, service provision will be aligned with Garda Divisions or other appropriate local areas with a distinct community identity as may be agreed during a wide ranging consultation process which is currently ongoing. Issues of community identify and numbers of potential participants on GYDPs in the area will be key considerations here.
The provision of GYDP services in all parts of the State has obvious advantages, particularly in terms of providing services for significant numbers of young people who cannot currently access them. In this regard, an independent evaluation report of the operation of an integrated approach to delivery of GYDP services within County Kerry, commissioned by my Department is expected to be finalised shortly. This report will help with the further development GYDP services in the context of the Call for Proposals.
GYDPs deliver valuable services for young people who have committed a crime or may be at risk of offending as well as providing important support for An Garda Síochána at local level. I can assure the Deputy that in the context of the Call for Proposals my Department is committed to ensuring continuity of service for participants on GYDPs and maintain a community driven approach to their operation, as well as minimising any disruption for workers and service providers. In this regard, and in line with the overall objective of providing GYDP services to all children and young persons who require them, I am advised that the Call for Proposals will require applicants to provide for continuity of GYDP services for young people currently participating in the service. Furthermore, the Call for Proposals process will facilitate existing service providers forming consortiums, which could apply to provide services under the new comprehensive approach that is being developed.
GYDPs provide an effective and essential support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme by An Garda Síochána. The principal focus of GYDPs is on young people who receive a Garda caution under the Diversion Programme for involvement in criminal or anti-social behaviour and are referred to a local GYDP (primary referrals). GYDPs also accommodate a certain proportion of young people who are considered to be at risk of involvement in offending or anti-social behaviour (secondary referrals).
In relation to secondary referrals, it has to be considered if, in principle, it is appropriate to refer a child to a Garda project where no criminal act has been identified. For some, a better option might be referral to available mainstream youth services that could appropriately support them. That being said, it is accepted that referrals to GYDPs must take account of local needs and issues in relation to access and availability of mainstream youth services. Following the Call for Proposals process, GYDP services will still accommodate secondary referrals and the proportion of these may vary from area to area depending on identified local needs.
My Department is very much aware of the range of concerns expressed in relation to the Call for Proposals process. I can assure the Deputy that careful consideration is being given to all issues raised by stakeholders involved in GYDPs, including those of independent service providers, as part of the extensive consultation process which is currently ongoing. This process includes arrangements for an extensive series of meetings with community based organisations and project workers which will facilitate closer communication and exchange of information in relation to these matters. In addition, the consultations will include arrangements to hear the views of young people, including participants or former participants on GYDPs.
I can assure the Deputy that the new approach to GYDP provision which is being developed in preparation for the Call for Proposals will not reduce the level of service that already exists, or the importance of community involvement in its delivery. On the contrary, the intention is to build on, update and improve a very valuable service so that it is available to every child or young person in the country who requires it. This improvement to the service will have benefits for significant numbers of young people in the State who cannot currently access GYDP services. While certain aspects of the new service delivery approach have been determined, work is ongoing to complete the full details to be included in the Call for Proposals, which is expected to issue in the second quarter of this year. I am convinced that community ownership and participation of the projects is an essential dimension that must be preserved and strengthened in the working out of this process.
106. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs supported by the local enterprise office in Galway city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16188/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Galway City & County is the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and ‘soft’ supports in the form of training and mentoring to anyone wishing to start or grow a business.
LEO Galway provides a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant state supports available through agencies such as Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, Education and Training Boards, Credit Review Office and Microfinance Ireland.
Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs provide financial assistance to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities.
In that regard in 2017 the LEO Galway City & County supported 254 clients with 1,039 total jobs which was a gross increase of 192 jobs on 2016.
107. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the work that has been done by her Department to date in relation to combatting trade deficits which may be experienced by suppliers and companies in counties Longford and Westmeath and the midlands post-Brexit; the number of staff that have been working on this issue across agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14015/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the primary providers of supports to assist enterprises within the indigenous sector that are facing challenges arising from Brexit. They are working vigorously to enable companies to consolidate market share within the UK and also to become more resilient by broadening their sales to other international markets.
My Department provided additional resources in 2017 to enable EI and the LEOs to ramp up supports in light of Brexit to drive improvements in:
- productivity,
- competitiveness,
- innovation, and
- management capability and leadership skills.
Enterprise Ireland’s funding for 2017 included an additional €1.7 million to assist in the recruitment of 39 Brexit specific posts. A further €1.3m was provided in budget 2018 to enable EI to recruit approximately 18 additional staff this year.
As part of EI’s response to Brexit, the agency launched several initiatives including:
- Brexit Scorecard: This interactive online platform can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit under six business pillars. Based on answers supplied by the user, the Scorecard generates an immediate report which contains suggested actions and resources, and information on events for companies to attend, to prepare for Brexit.
- Be Prepared Grant: This grant offers SMEs a grant of up to €5,000 to assist them in preparing an action plan for economic shocks such as Brexit. The grant can be used to help cover consultancy, travel and travel expenses associated with researching the direction of their action plan.
- Brexit Advisory Clinics: Enterprise Ireland held four Brexit Advisory Clinics over the past few months in Portlaoise, Mayo, Cavan and Cork. The purpose of these Clinics is to support companies affected by Brexit to take immediate action to address their exposure. More dates will be announced soon.
- Brexit Act On Programme: A consultant spends time with EI client companies to discuss specific challenges and draw up a report with tailored recommendations that will help them address weaknesses and become more resilient.
In addition, EI is implementing extensive trade mission and event schedules focused on global and sectoral opportunities, further developing in-market expertise and networks, placing greater focus on identifying new sectoral opportunities and stimulating demand for Irish products and services through international marketing campaigns. In 2017, EI launched a new Eurozone Strategy to increase exports to Eurozone countries by 50% by 2020.
The LEOs are supporting their clients by providing information, training and mentoring on Brexit related issues as well as advice on other sources of support. The six LEOs in the Border region are also working together with their Northern Ireland counterparts under the EU Co-Innovate Programme.
Other initiatives that my Department are advancing include the €300 million Brexit Loan Scheme, under which accessible finance is made available to businesses at favourable terms.
In addition, on Monday 16th April last I launched the second call of the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, which is aimed at supporting the development and implementation of collaborative and innovative projects that can sustain and add to employment at a national, regional and county level. Twenty-one successful applicants representing all regions of the country have secured up to €30.5m for their projects in the first competitive call. I know there is great interest in this Second Call in across all counties, including in Longford and Westmeath, and I would encourage all stakeholders in those counties to continue to work collaboratively to develop strong and competitive proposals over the coming weeks.
108. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the type of projects eligible for support under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund 2017-2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16189/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the Second Call of the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) on Monday the 16th of April. The first call under the Fund was announced in May 2017, with the results released in December 2017. Twenty-one applicants representing all regions of the country secured a total of up to €30.5m in financial support for a range of enterprise and capability development projects. The second call will fund projects with the balance of the €60m remaining under the fund.
The REDF is aimed at accelerating economic recovery in every part of the country by delivering on the potential of local and regional strengths. The funding is provided by my Department, through Enterprise Ireland under the National Development Plan. It is a key action to support the Regional Action Plans for Jobs and the Action Plan for Rural Development.
A maximum support level of up to 80% is available for projects, with the balance to be leveraged from the private, community or public sector.
The Fund will support major new collaborative and innovative initiatives that can make a significant impact on enterprise development in the region/across regions or nationally to build the unique USP capabilities to grow the regions. Projects must be impactful, with the impact being jobs.
The fund will consist of 4 streams, as follows:
Stream 1: Major Regional Change Projects
Investment of €2m up to €5m per project (min of 20% to be leveraged from the private, community or public sector) for major initiatives with high impact on enterprise development of the region and ability to create jobs, for example in Specialised Incubators; Hubs in Design; and initiatives in areas such as Medical Devices, Fintech, Agri-tech and Food etc.
Stream 2: Regionally Significant Change Projects
Investment of €250,000 up to €2m per project (min. of 20% to be leveraged from the private, community or public sector) for initiatives with high impact at regional/multi-regional level. Examples of potential initiatives include:
- Developing e-working centres;
- Stimulating the development of SME outreach from 3rd level;
- Projects to accelerate start-ups.
Stream 3: Local & Community Enterprise Development Initiative
Investment of €50,000 up to €250,000 per project (with a minimum of 20% to be leveraged from the private, community or public sector) to stimulate the development of community based enterprises & networks that can grow and sustain jobs in their area/county/region. Examples of potential projects include:
- Start-Up/Scaling Academies;
- Local Networks/ Consortia to deliver sectoral growth;
- Addressing sectoral challenges around Green, Energy, Digital, Innovation.
Stream 4: Industry Clusters
Investment of €50,000 up to €250,000 per project (min of 50% to be leveraged from the private, community or public sector) to maximise the benefits of collaborative opportunities through industry clusters (both established and new).
Further information and detail on the schemes is available on Enterprise Ireland’s website.
109. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the specific steps being taken by IDA Ireland to support job creation in County Limerick and the mid-west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16191/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to supporting job creation in the regions. My Department and its agencies are working towards ambitious targets to ensure that employment and investment are distributed as evenly as possible across the country. This includes County Limerick, which is marketed by the IDA as part of the Mid-West region.
The employment situation in the Mid-West, which covers Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary, has been steadily improving in recent years. IDA Ireland client companies in the Mid-West created 1,481 new jobs last year, an increase of 5% over the previous year, with total employment in overseas companies in the region now at 17,787 people across 128 client companies.
Looking ahead, the IDA will continue to work with both existing and prospective clients to identify new opportunities for investment in the Mid-West. In doing so, the Agency will continue to highlight the region's strengths to overseas firms. These include the area's accessibility and the strong collaboration between industry there and Limerick's third level institutions, which has seen clusters of expertise develop in a number of sectors.
In addition, the Agency is itself investing in property solutions to help drive the growth of foreign direct investment in the region. The IDA’s €150m regional property programme, launched in 2015, includes the construction of nine new advance facilities around the country, one of which will be located in Limerick. The completion of that facility in Limerick, which will help to attract further investment there, is expected next year.
110. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to increase employment opportunities in north-west areas of County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8705/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, through its Enterprise Agencies, is committed to supporting indigenous and FDI businesses to grow, innovate and perform strongly in global markets.
I am delighted to say that 2017 was a particularly good year for job creation in Agency supported companies, with Enterprise Ireland client companies creating a total of 1,714 new full time jobs in County Cork, IDA client companies creating a total of 2,388 new full time jobs and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) creating 491 new full time jobs in County Cork.
Enterprise Ireland’s focus for 2018 is to help clients, including those located in West Cork, to build on the strength of their 2017 performance by supporting them to innovate, be competitive and to diversify their global footprint - key attributes required to be resilient to economic shocks, such as those emerging from any kind of Brexit. In delivering on this, new supports have been introduced, others streamlined, and a Global Ambition campaign launched.
Enterprise Ireland recognises the importance of strengthening enterprise capability across all regions of the country. On Monday, I launched the Second Call of the Regional Enterprise Development Fund. The first call under the Fund was announced in May 2017, with the results released in December. Twenty-one applicants representing all regions of the country secured a total of up to €30.5m in financial support for a range of enterprise and capability development projects. The second call will fund projects with the balance of the €60m remaining under the fund.
2017 was also a good year for regional job growth in Ireland, with 64% of new jobs created being located outside Dublin. It is important, however, not to become complacent and it is with this in mind that Enterprise Ireland will continue to implement its wider strategy contained in its Build Scale, Expand Reach 2017-2020 report, which includes aims such as:
- Assisting clients to create 60,000 new jobs by 2020 while sustaining the existing record level of jobs;
- Growing the annual exports of client companies by €5bn to €26bn per annum;
- Increasing the level of spend made by client companies in the Irish economy by €4bn to €27bn per annum by 2020; and
- Inspiring more Irish owned companies to have global ambition.
The three Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) located in Cork (Cork City, Cork South and Cork North and West) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for anyone that intends to start or grow a business in the country. The LEOs operating in Cork have a total of 620 clients, employing 3,324 people.
IDA Ireland’s strategy, Winning Foreign Direct Investment 2015-2019, sets out challenging targets in respect of the FDI sector for the period. Under the programme, IDA is targeting a minimum increase in investment of 30% to 40% in each region outside Dublin.
111. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the likely impact of the recently announced US Treasury sanctions against Russian oligarchs for both Irish and overseas companies operating here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16873/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra112. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the likely impact of the recently announced US Treasury sanctions against a person (details supplied) on a business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16874/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together.
The Government is currently working to determine the extent to which the recent sanctions announced by the US Government will impact on companies operating in Ireland. It is very much aware of the risk, in particular, for Aughinish Aluminia. I have already spoken directly with the company's CEO about the situation and the Taoiseach met with its senior management in Limerick last week. The IDA has also been in regular contact with the firm since details of the sanctions first emerged.
This though remains a fluid situation, with businesses still assessing their own respective potential legal and commercial exposure.
113. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the process by which her Department will be developing and contributing draft actions to be considered as part of the action plan on Internet safety to be published in June 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16886/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternet safety and security for children and young adults is one of the most urgent and pressing child protection concerns facing policy makers, parents and guardians, teachers and children themselves.
An Open Policy Debate on online safety took place on 8th March. It was led by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment with the support of five other Government Departments including Justice & Equality; Education & Skills; Business, Enterprise and Innovation; Health; and Children and Youth Affairs.
Furthermore, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation is participating in a cross-Departmental Committee, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, tasked with the preparation of the Action Plan which will contain specific actionable measures, with timelines, to be taken by the relevant Government Departments.
In light of the findings of the Open Policy Debate and the work underway through the cross-Departmental group, it is anticipated that an Action Plan will be published by the end of June 2018.
114. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied that the ODCE is adequately staffed and funded to enable it to undertake its role in data protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16905/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Data Protection Commissioner is responsible for upholding the rights of individuals as set out in the Data Protection Acts. The Commissioner is appointed by Government and is independent in the exercise of her functions.
Since mid-2016 my Department has been participating in the Inter-Departmental Committee on Data Issues, led by the Department of the Taoiseach. The implications of, and preparedness for, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been the main agenda item over this time. This forum has provided observations on the Data Protection Bill, and has also acted as a very useful network to discuss issues across Government Departments and what needs to be done to respond accordingly.
It is a requirement under the GDPR for Government Departments to have a Data Protection Officer (DPO). The DPO in my Department plays a critical role in assisting the Department on data protection, and with preparing for, and responding to, issues that may arise when the EU GDPR comes into force on 25 May 2018. This Officer works with Business Units across the Department, and also with the Offices that come within its remit, including the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.
115. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to meet the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to discuss media ownership and media diversity here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16908/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe media merger functions previously held by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation were transferred to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has a statutory role in determining certain mergers and acquisitions. With respect to media mergers, under section 18(1)(b) of the Competition Act 2002, and pursuant to Statutory Instrument No. 122 of 2007, a merger or acquisition must be notified to the CCPC, irrespective of the turnover of the undertakings involved, if:
(a) two or more of the undertakings involved carry on a media business in the State, or
(b) one or more of the undertakings involved carries on a media business in the State and one or more of the undertakings involved carries on a media business elsewhere.
The sole role of the CCPC is to form a view whether the result of the merger or acquisition would be to substantially lessen competition in markets for goods or services in the State. It does not have any role in relation to media plurality or diversity.
Section 9 (5) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 provides that the CCPC is independent in the performance of its functions, including making a determination in relation to a merger or acquisition.
As merger notifications form part of the day to day operational work of the CCPC, I, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, have no direct function in determining merger notifications, including media mergers.
116. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she discussed with her officials the impact of fake news on social media here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16910/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has met companies (details supplied) to discuss the impact of fake news here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16911/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.
I have not met with Facebook or Twitter to specifically discuss the impact of "fake news" here in Ireland, nor have I discussed this matter in detail with my officials.
Interaction between my Department and multinational companies based here is primarily focused on and aligned with the Department’s key objectives in this area, namely the continued attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) and creating and sustaining high quality enterprise and employment across Ireland. My priority in this area, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, remains increasing the economic opportunities associated with FDI for the people of this country.
118. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 98 of 14 November 2017, if the request from a society (details supplied) to have the first aid at work UK qualification recognised has received a response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16988/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations (S.I. No. 299 of 2007) concerning first aid at work employers have a duty to provide first-aid materials/equipment at all places of work where working conditions require it. Depending on the size and/or specific hazards of the workplace, trained occupational first aiders must also be provided.
An “occupational first aider” is defined in the Regulations as a person trained and qualified in occupational first aid. Such training can only be provided by organisations or individuals on the Register of Occupational First Aid Training Providers.
However, the management of first aid qualifications does not rest with the Health and Safety Authority. This rests with the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) and they are best placed to provide up to date information on any requests for, or progress on, mutual recognition arrangements.
PHECC is the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council and is an independent statutory agency with responsibility for standards, education and training in the field of pre-hospital emergency care. It was established by the Minister for Health.
QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) is an independent State agency responsible for promoting quality and accountability in education and training services in Ireland. It was established in 2012 by the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012. It operates under the aegis of the Minister for Education and Skills.
In this regard queries on this matter would be best referred to my colleagues the Minister for Health and the Minister for Education and Skills respectively.
119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the specific programmes to assist small and medium-sized enterprises that face particular difficulties due to Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16996/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is continuing to work hard to help Irish businesses across the country to withstand the challenges and avail of the opportunities posed by Brexit. The long-term response to Brexit is for companies to become more competitive, more innovative, and to diversify their export footprint into more markets.
In response to Brexit, EI has introduced a range of new supports, streamlined others, and launched a Global Ambition communications campaign.
For client companies, being prepared is crucial to ensuring resilience to emerging challenges. To promote awareness, and supported by a national Prepare For Brexit campaign, EI has:
- Developed and launched the Brexit SME Scorecard, an interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit under six business pillars. To date over 2,000 companies have utilised this Scorecard.
- Designed and launched a €5k Be Prepared Grant that helps to support the costs of SME clients to prepare a plan to mitigate risks and optimise opportunities arising from Brexit.
- Held a number of Brexit Advisory Clinics to encourage companies to examine their potential exposure to Brexit.
In 2018 EI is:
- Continuing to run regional Brexit Advisory Clinics to support companies to take immediate action to address their potential exposure.
- Providing an independent consultant to companies through the Act On Programme. This consultant will assist companies to identify specific actions they can take over a short period to address some of the risks and opportunities caused by Brexit.
To support the eight Regional Action Plans, and as part of the Government’s strategic response to Brexit, additional funding of up to €60m is being rolled out by EI over the next 4 years. The Fund will support collaborative projects that will boost the regions by supporting enterprise and creating jobs. Twenty-one successful applicants representing all regions of the country have secured up to €30.5m for their projects in the first competitive call. The second call was launched earlier this week.
The Local Enterprise Offices are supporting their clients by providing information, training and mentoring on Brexit related issues as well as advice on other sources of support. A suite of LEO Brexit supports are available to micro and small businesses through the 31 LEOs nationwide.
InterTrade Ireland (ITI), has also been very active in assisting businesses address the challenges that Brexit may present for future cross-border commerce. A series of information and awareness raising events have been underway in towns across both North and South over recent months. ITI is also rolling out a ‘Start to Plan’ readiness voucher scheme, which enables companies to purchase specialist advice in areas such as customs, tax, tariff and non-tariff barriers, legal and labour mobility issues.
My Department has also launched a Brexit Loan Scheme. The Scheme makes a fund of up to €300 million available to eligible Irish businesses. Finance provided under the scheme is easier to access, more competitively priced, and offered at more favourable terms than other lending for such businesses.
120. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the specific programmes that will be introduced to assist enterprises and businesses that are heavily or totally dependent on the British market for exports in view of the challenges that have already occurred and the further difficulties that will arise from Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16997/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, am acutely aware that many Irish exporters are highly reliant on the UK as their primary export destination. My Department is central to the Government wide effort to prepare Irish enterprises and our wider business ecosystem for Brexit. Steps already taken include Budget 2018 (and 2017), our Trade and Investment Strategy published in March 2017 and through the Action Plan for Jobs 2017 and 2018.
“Building Stronger Business” sets out work underway, and planned, by Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) and its Agencies in response to Brexit, including supports available to companies, to help them prepare for Brexit. It also describes our research programme designed to inform that response. This Paper focuses on businesses given that they are already dealing with the consequences of the Brexit referendum result. The Government is responding with supports to help make companies more resilient in the face of changes to come because of Brexit but also because of broader global challenges. We are focusing on deepening national and firm level competitiveness, fostering product, service and process innovation within companies and working with businesses to diversify their trade with the world.
The following is a list of supports available to Irish enterprises, especially those who are highly dependent on the UK market as the destination for their exports. These supports will help alleviate the impact of Brexit on their businesses:
€300m Brexit Loan Scheme
In March 2018, the Government launched a new Brexit Loan Scheme for eligible businesses with up to 499 employees. Loan amounts range from €25,000 up to €1.5m, for terms of up to 3 years and a maximum interest rate of 4%. The Scheme will provide much-needed finance to eligible business impacted by the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. It will make a real difference to firms, enabling them to adapt, change and innovate. This, in turn, will help them to become more competitive, a fundamental trait in any resilient business.
SME Scorecard Online Tool
Any business can quickly self-diagnose whether they are ready for Brexit. This Enterprise Ireland (EI) scorecard is a first step in developing a robust Brexit plan. It will help to stimulate thinking about the key areas that may be impacted in your business and to self-assess your level of preparedness. www.prepareforbrexit.ie
Awareness Sessions & Advisory Clinics
There are a range of awareness sessions and Advisory Clinics being convened by EI, InterTrade Ireland (ITI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to provide information and support to companies all around the country on actions to address exposure to Brexit. The key focus of advisory clinics are Financial and Currency Management, Strategic Sourcing and Customs, Transport and Logistics.
Be Prepared Grant
For businesses that need external support in planning for Brexit, Enterprise Ireland offers up to €5,000 to assist client companies develop a plan.
EI Market Discovery Fund
Diversifying to new markets is one option for many businesses in preparing for Brexit. EI supports businesses to research viable and sustainable new market entry strategies.
Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs)
Brexit supports from LEOs in every county include:
LEO Brexit Mentor Programme: supporting Owner/Managers identify key Brexit exposures and develop robust strategies to address issues and maximise potential opportunities.
Technical Assistance for Micro-Exporters (TAME): Financial assistance to support market diversification in qualifying businesses to develop new and export market opportunities.
Lean for Micro: helping businesses adopt LEAN business practices to increase competitiveness.
LEO Innovation and Investment Fund (LIIF): Support for innovative developments in micro-enterprises by getting them investor ready.
InterTradeIreland (ITI) Brexit ‘Start to Plan’ Vouchers
ITI provides a Brexit Advisory Service to help businesses with practical advice, support and information on Brexit related issues. ITI also provides vouchers to enable companies to get professional advice on Brexit, including likely tariffs, currency management, regulatory and customs issues and movement of labour, goods and services.
FDI Brexit Supports
IDA Ireland offers support to client companies as they grow and diversify their Irish footprint. The IDA offers practical assistance, such as information and advice on Brexit risks and opportunities, and financial assistance across R&D, training, employment and capital investment.
Health and Safety Authority (HSA)
The HSA’s Chemicals Helpdesk provides a support service for Irish chemical companies and SMEs on meeting legislative duties and ensuring they can source chemicals and sell in the EU.
Certification, Standards and Metrology
The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) provides advice on how best to ensure businesses are certified to appropriate standards to access markets.
A number of Brexit alleviation supports are also available from Government Agencies outside of my Department that are involved in specific business sectors:
Tourism and Hospitality
Fáilte Ireland offers a suite of supports for hospitality and tourism businesses, including an online Brexit Readiness Check, to assess Brexit risks and to respond to current challenges.
Bord Bia Brexit Barometer
Bord Bia’s Brexit Barometer is designed to help businesses assess their readiness for Brexit and also provides information on supply chain, currency, customs and international market diversification opportunities.
My Department is leading on a range of Brexit research projects, which will provide an extensive evidence base and valuable analysis to inform and guide Ireland’s position within the EU-27. The Department’s actions are set out in more detail in the publication Building Stronger Business: Responding to Brexit.
121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans and the plans of the State's industrial promotion agencies to assist in 2018 in the maintenance of existing employment and in job creation throughout County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16998/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans and the plans of the State's industrial promotion agencies to assist in 2018 in the maintenance of existing employment and in job creation throughout County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16999/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together.
The North East/North West Regional Action Plan for Jobs is a key policy response for supporting employment growth in the Border region. The Plan is stimulating job creation across the region, including Counties Cavan and Monaghan, by facilitating collaborative initiatives between the public and private sector, and through the provision of new competitive funds, awarded through Enterprise Ireland (EI) to support regional enterprise projects. The North East/North West Regional Action Plan for Jobs is a key policy response for supporting employment growth in the Border region. The Plan is stimulating job creation across the region, including Counties Cavan and Monaghan, by facilitating collaborative initiatives between the public and private sector, and through the provision of new competitive funds, awarded through Enterprise Ireland (EI) to support regional enterprise projects.
The core objective of the Action Plan is to have a further 28,000 at work in the region by 2020. We are aiming to ensure the unemployment rate is within the 1% of the State average.
Sectors targeted as part of the plan include traditionally strong sectors for the region like agri-food, manufacturing/engineering and tourism. The Local Authorities, enterprise agencies, and other key public and private sector stakeholders in Counties Cavan and Monaghan have been strongly involved in, and are key drivers of the Action Plan.
The third progress report on the implementation of the Action Plan, covering the period from June-December 2017, is being finalised and shows that good progress is being made. The progress reports are available on www.regionalapj.ie.
Some 12,000 jobs were created in the Border region since the regional Action Plans for Jobs initiative was launched in January 2015 while the unemployment rate in the region has fallen since then and now stands at 6.5% according to the CSO.
Furthermore, Live Register numbers have fallen in County Cavan by 16.1% and in County Monaghan by 15.3% in the past 12 months. There is of course always room for improvement but the latest CSO figures are testament to the Government’s efforts to help create jobs and reduce unemployment.
In May 2017 Enterprise Ireland launched the Regional Enterprise Development Fund with funding of up to €60m, designed to support the ambition, goals, and implementation of the Regional Action Plans for Jobs. The first call under this Fund concluded last August, with results announced on 11th December and 21 projects were successful, totalling €30.5m in aggregate grant support. The second call which was launched this past Monday, will fund projects from the remaining balance of the €60m budget available.
Monaghan County Enterprise Fund is one of the 21 collaborative projects that secured funding under Stream 3 which is designed to support Local & Community Enterprise Development Projects with grants of €50,000 up to €250,000 per project. The project involves the development of a Regional Food Centre of Excellence and a range of Food Product development supports.
EI together with the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) play a critical role in driving and nurturing entrepreneurship all the way from an originating idea at local level, to taking-on global markets. In 2017, EI paid €2.5m to companies in Cavan and €7.2m to companies in Monaghan.
The LEOs in Cavan and Monaghan continue to provide its range of supports for the micro and small business sector in 2018 and beyond. Capital allocations of €565,001 and €583,428 were made available to LEO Monaghan and LEO Cavan respectively in 2018 to fund investment in their clients by way of grants and a range of “soft” supports, such as training and mentoring. This funding is supplemented by a further €132,000 investment fund to both LEOs under the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition – a total of 32 (Monaghan) and 31 (Cavan) applications were received this year by the closing date at the end of September.
Both LEO Monaghan and LEO Cavan are also in partnership with the LEOs in Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo in a project that was awarded funding of €175,000 in 2016 under the LEO Competitive Fund. The programme – ACCELINVEST – aims at creating a clear pathway for export focused, investment-ready regional companies to progress from the LEO Network to Enterprise Ireland. LEO Cavan is also a partner in 2 other competitive fund projects with the LEOs in Leitrim, Longford and Roscommon. The LEOs concerned were awarded almost €220,000 to collaborate on a Graduate Internship for Entrepreneurship Programme in their areas and an initiative aimed at encouraging shared learning, dynamic trade development and knowledge transfer in the creative sector.
2017 was the first year of EI’s strategy, Build Scale, Expand Reach 2017 – 2020. This Strategy is focused on:
- Assisting clients to create 60,000 new jobs by 2020 while sustaining the existing record level of jobs;
- Growing the annual exports of client companies by €5bn to €26bn per annum;
- Increasing the level of spend made by client companies in the Irish economy by €4bn to €27bn per annum by 2020; and
- Inspiring more Irish owned companies to have global ambition.
I am committed to work closely with Enterprise Ireland to drive this Strategy, to ensure that it continues to support companies in urban and rural areas to start, innovate, increase our exports and remain competitive in international markets, now and into the future. In recent months, with the support of my Department, EI has launched new measures to strengthen the rural and regional economy and to provide quicker access to innovation funding for exporting companies. This includes the new €60m Regional Enterprise Development Fund and a new fast-track Agile Innovation Fund. I launched the 2nd Call for the Regional Fund on Monday 16th April.
My priority, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, is to drive creation of high-quality and sustainable employment across Ireland, including in Cavan and Monaghan. We are making significant progress towards achieving our regional development targets, which include a 30% to 40% increase in FDI in the North East Region. There are 36 multinational companies based in this region, employing 5.007 staff.
123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which she continues to encourage start-up enterprises in all regions throughout the country; the issues to date identified as being likely to impede progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17061/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation is to drive the creation of high-quality and sustainable jobs around all the regions and counties of Ireland.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) play a critical role in supporting microenterprises in the start-up and expansion phases in all regions throughout the country.
The LEOs can offer direct grant aid to micro-enterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. The LEOs also offer ‘soft’ supports in the form of training and mentoring for anyone interested in starting or growing a business. In addition, the LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service for the micro-enterprise and SME sector in relation to other relevant State supports, for example: Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, Microfinance Ireland, Trading Online Vouchers, LEADER and Education & Training Boards (ETBs).
As you may be aware Capital allocation made available and maintained in 2018 to the 31 LEOs is €22.5m. This is an increase from €18.5 in 2016 and is being used to fund LEO clients by way of financial assistance and a range of soft supports such as training and mentoring and initiatives such as Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Competition.
I am delighted that Government funding is being put to such an excellent cause through Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur. The facts speak for themselves: including this year’s applicants, over 5,500 18-35 year old’s have applied for funding to develop their business ideas. New research now shows that the €5m we invested in IBYE has supported over 2,200 jobs and €124m in sales.
In addition, the LEOs have also delivered specific Brexit initiatives for micro-enterprises, including:
- LEO Competitive Fund for Innovative Micro Enterprises: - this new competitive initiative incentivised LEO clients to engage in innovation to develop New Product, Process or Markets.
- Technical Assistance Grants for Micro Export: Financial assistance to support market diversification in qualifying businesses to develop new market opportunities.
- The LEO’s developed a Lean4Micro offer for micro enterprise clients: Helping business clients adopt LEAN business practices to increase competitiveness.
A net total of 3,760 new jobs were delivered in 2017 by start-ups and small businesses from across the country that have been supported by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs).
This brings the total number of new jobs created by LEO-backed companies nationwide to 15,000 since the LEOs were set up in 2014.
That is an increase of 10% on 2016 - and the fourth straight year of employment growth.
Growth was evident in each area showing that each county has the potential to grow its own jobs if the right promotion, encouragement and supports are put in place.
A new client portfolio management model will be rolled out nationally this year by Enterprise Ireland to the LEOs, which will support portfolio performance and potential.
The Regional Action Plans for Jobs are also designed to encourage all the players in each region to actively support enterprise creation. There are 8 Regional Action Plans and they are underpinned by the €60m Regional Enterprise Development Fund which supports the establishment of enterprise creation initiatives such as incubators, co-working space, clustering etc. I launched the second call under the Fund on Monday 16 April 2018.
124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which she is in the course of making provision for the negative impact of Brexit with particular reference to the industries here most likely to be affected negatively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17062/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCo-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Contingency planning for a no-deal or worst-case outcome, bringing together the detailed work being undertaken by individual Ministers and their Departments on issues within their policy remit, is now well advanced. Its focus is on the immediate regulatory and operational challenges which would result from such an outcome. It assumes a trading relationship based on the default WTO rules, but also examines the possible effects on many other areas of concern. This work is therefore providing baseline scenarios for the impact of Brexit across all sectors, which can then be adapted as appropriate in light of developments in the EU-UK negotiations, including in regard to transition arrangements and the future relationship. It also takes account of the planning being undertaken at EU level by the new Commission Preparedness Unit, which is issuing information notes aimed at different business sectors.
The Government is already acting in order to get Ireland Brexit ready. Dedicated measures were announced in Budget 2018, including a new €300m Brexit Loan Scheme for Business and a €25m Brexit Response Loan Scheme for the agri-food sector as well as additional supports for capital investment in the food industry and Bord Bia marketing and promotion activities, amounting to over €50m in total. Additional capital expenditure allocation of €4.3bn over four years will also allow the State and its agencies to properly plan major infrastructure projects while ensuring that communities and businesses can plan ahead. There was also increased funding provided to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the opening of six new diplomatic missions as part of Global Footprint 2025, which will contribute to helping our exporters find new markets. Our Government’s enterprise agencies continue to work with companies, helping them to deal with Brexit – making them more competitive, diversifying market exposure, and up-skilling teams.
Longer-term economic strategies will also be critically important in addressing the challenges of Brexit, notably Ireland 2040 –the National Development Plan. "Enterprise 2025 Renewed: Building resilience in the face of global challenges" was launched on the 9th of March and sets out Ireland’s medium-term national enterprise strategy. We are also in active discussions with the European Investment Bank on a potential increase in investment in the country.
Before the summer the Government will finalise a paper, building on that published in May 2017, on our approach to the negotiations and our latest assessment of the economic and sectoral challenges posed by Brexit and our responses to them.
My own Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) plays a key role in implementing the Government’s policies to stimulate the productive capacity of the economy and create an environment which supports job-creation and jobs maintenance.
In relation to Brexit, our objective is to support firms to adapt to the challenges and opportunities Brexit presents by ensuring we have fit for purpose policies. Our strategy is to minimise risks and maximise opportunities by ensuring the growth and resilience of Irish enterprise post-Brexit working across four pillars which are:
- Helping Firms to Compete;
- Enabling Firms to Innovate;
- Supporting Firms to Trade;
- Negotiating for the Best Possible Outcome;
Several important steps have already been taken to prepare our economy, including through a range of measures announced in Budgets 2017 and 2018, as well as commitments set out in APJ 2017 and 2018 and the targets included in the Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy.
From my Department’s perspective, we are leveraging the expertise and enhancing the capacity of our Agencies to ensure that they are in the best possible position to address the needs of their clients in relation to competitiveness, innovation and trade diversification. This is being achieved through the provision of information, advice, training and other supports.
Specific DBEI actions to date include:
- We are developing proposals for a Longer-Term Business Investment Loan Scheme together with a new Business Advisory Hub service which would focus on business development to allow enterprises to position themselves for a post-Brexit environment.
- The EU Commission has approved a ‘rescue and restructuring’ scheme. The scheme can be drawn on in exceptional circumstance for a company severely affected by Brexit.
With regard to industry specific responses my Department has already outlined our Brexit Response Plan in “Building Stronger Business – Responding to Brexit by competing, innovating and trading” published last November. This sets out our response to Brexit which supports all enterprise sectors.
My Department also commissioned a report by Copenhagen Economics (CE) on the trade impacts of Brexit (published 21 February 2018) which indicates that 5 sectors account for 90% of the possible economic impact. These are Agri-food (beef, processed food and dairy), Chemicals & Pharma, Electrical Machinery, Wholesale & Retail and Air Transport. However, the impacts are felt in different ways and require different approaches.
In the case of Agri-food, Retail and Air Transport the potential impacts will be felt at the firm level, and we are engaging intensively with those sectors. For Chemicals & Pharma as well as Electrical Machinery, small impacts at firm level have a significant impact on the economy given their overall contribution to GDP in this context broad based mitigation the Government is undertaking to make our economy more resilient may be more relevant to these sectors and individual support for companies is not necessarily what is needed.
The Government has an extensive Plan of activity underway, to support the Agri-Food sector through initiatives by the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland. In the case of Retail my own Department is working with the Retail Representative organisations through the Retail Consultation Forum, which I chair.
The most effective mitigation measure the Government can undertake is to negotiate for the best possible outcome in the future relationship between the EU and the UK. This will benefit all sectors of the economy and the detail contained in the CE study will further help to inform our approach to the negotiations.
