Written Answers Nos. 345-359
345. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application for permission to reside here made by persons (details supplied) on 16 June 2016; when a determination will be made on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31049/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the applications for a certificate of naturalisation from the first and fifth named persons referred to by the Deputy, is ongoing. On completion of the necessary processing the applications will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
There is no record of a current application for a certificate of naturalisation from the other named persons referred to by the Deputy. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, which governs the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, as well as the relevant application forms, is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. The website also contains guidance on the completion of an application for naturalisation and an on-line naturalisation residency calculator which individuals may find of assistance in establishing if the statutory residency requirements are met.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
346. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of public sector jobs offered as internal competitions or restricted to existing civil service or public service staff in his Department in 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31552/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAppointments to positions in the civil service are made from open, interdepartmental and internal competitions. Policy on the use of panels available to fill positions is set centrally by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Further to the query raised by the Deputy, competitions for interdepartmental and internal panels are restricted to existing civil servants and the table below outlines appointments made from these panels in my Department and offices under its aegis in 2017 and to date in 2018.
|
2017 |
2018 |
|
|
Department of Justice & Equality |
93 |
32 |
|
Garda Civilian |
74 |
17 |
|
Courts Service |
74 |
38 |
|
IPS |
41 |
0 |
|
Legal Aid Board |
5 |
2 |
|
GSOC |
7 |
6 |
|
IHREC |
1 |
0 |
|
Policing Authority |
2 |
1 |
Appointments to the rank of Sergeant and Inspector are a matter for the Commissioner under section 14 of Garda Síochána Act 2005. Promotions to the rank of Sergeant or Inspector within An Garda Síochána are subject to the conditions set out in the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations 2006. Promotion competitions for these ranks are restricted to eligible serving Garda Members and are not subject to open competition. I am advised by the Commissioner that there is currently a competition in train for promotion to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector with the aim of bringing the strength to 300 and 2,000 respectively as agreed under the Employment Control Framework.
The following table sets out the strength of the Inspector/Sergeant ranks in An Garda Síochána as of 31 May 2018.
|
Rank |
Strength |
ECF |
|
Inspector |
251 |
300 |
|
Sergeant |
1,845 |
2,000 |
347. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if increased specific grants will be offered to home-grown business start-ups to contribute to an innovative, research led economy and reduce over-reliance on foreign direct investment. [30983/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny one of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), located in the Local Authorities nationwide is your ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports if you intend to start or grow your own business.
In the first instance, the LEOs provide 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. The LEOs can also offer advice and guidance in areas such as Local Authority rates, Public Procurement and other regulations affecting business.
The LEOs can offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs can provide financial assistance within three main categories: Feasibility Grants (investigating the potential of a business idea); Priming Grants (to part-fund a start-up); and Business Development Grants for existing businesses that want to expand. (It should be noted that the LEOs do not provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services, construction/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses). In addition, there is a Technical Assistance Grant available for eligible micro-exporter applicants who are seeking to explore alternative markets for their product or service.
For anyone interested in starting or growing a business, the LEOs may be able to offer ‘soft’ support in the form of training (e.g. a Start Your Own Business course); a mentor to work with the business proposer; or targeted programmes such as Lean for Micro (to help boost business productivity and competitiveness).
Micro-enterprises may also avail of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVS) from the LEOs. The Scheme offers the opportunity for businesses to develop their website or digital marketing strategy by availing of vouchers of up to €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure.
Anyone with a viable business proposal can also use the LEO to make an application to MicroFinance Ireland, which offers support in the form of loans of up to €25,000 to start-ups with viable business propositions that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by the banks. Successful applicants can avail of a more favourable interest rate from MFI if they make their application through the LEO.
The LEO Capital budget was increased by four million in 2017 and was retained this year, bringing the total Capital funding to €22.5m.
Enterprise Ireland supports companies in regional and rural areas to start, innovate and remain competitive in international markets, now and into the future. Enterprise Ireland provide a range of financial and non-financial supports for home-grown business start-ups to scale and succeed in international markets, these supports are tailored to a company’s stage of growth and level of ambition.
Enterprise Ireland’s focus for 2018 is to help clients, including homegrown business start-ups 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:
- launched a new Market Discovery Fund to incentivise companies to research viable and sustainable market entry strategies in new geographic markets; and
- launched a new fast-track Agile Innovation Fund which gives companies rapid access to innovation funding to enhance processes and adapt products for new markets.
- Providing supports such as The Be Prepared Grant and the Act On consultancy grant to assist companies, such as homegrown business start-ups.
Enterprise Ireland will continue to work with homegrown business start-ups to assist them scale and succeed in international markets.
I should also draw your attention to the ‘Supporting SMEs’ Online Tool, which is a cross-governmental initiative to help start-ups navigate the range of Government business supports for which they could be eligible. The tool is available at www.supportingsmes.ie. By answering the eight questions in the Online Tool, a small business will, in one location, be able to:
- find out which of the over 170 Government business supports from 27 different Government Departments, Agencies and Initiatives are available to them;
- obtain information on the range of Government supports for accessing credit;
- identify their nearest Local Enterprise Office where they can discuss the outcomes of the guide further;
- download all these filtered results into a document for their further use.
348. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department has identified laws which are dependent on or in place as a consequence of Article 41.2 of the Constitution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30093/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no legislation under the remit of my Department that is dependent on, or in place as a consequence of, Article 41.2 of the Constitution.
349. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the cost of travel expenses for her and those who travel with her since her appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30504/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of my expenses since my appointment are available on my Department's website, www.dbei.gov.ie. Officials who accompany me are paid the normal travel and subsistence rates as provided for under the terms of Circulars 05/2017, 06/2017 and 07/2017.
350. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of times she has met her officials regarding Project Ireland 2040 since its launch; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30545/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 29 June I, along with Ministers Halligan and Breen, launched Project 2040: Investing in Business, Enterprise and Innovation 2018-2027. This report outlines the role of my Department in delivering Project Ireland 2040.
One of the ten strategic outcomes of Project Ireland 2040 is the development of a strong economy, supported by enterprise, innovation and skills. A large part of the work of my Department is relevant to the achievement of this goal including, for example, supporting small and medium enterprises; facilitating entrepreneurship; investing in research, development and innovation; attracting foreign direct investment and investing in regional growth potential.
I meet with officials of my Department on all of these issues on an ongoing basis.
351. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of FOI requests her Department has received since January 2018; the number of refusals; the number that have been appealed and that are ongoing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30562/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of FOI request received by my Department and its Offices to date in 2018 are set out in the following table. The table also provides details of FOI requests that were refused and where the final decision was the subject of appeal. Finally, details of requests currently on hand are set out in the table.
FOI Requests Received by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and its Offices to date in 2018
|
Number of FOI requests received since 1st January 2018 |
Number of FOI requests refused |
Number of FOI decisions appealed |
Number of FOI requests currently being processed |
|
153 |
11 |
1 |
25 |
352. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of vacancies on State boards under the remit of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30579/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table details the number of vacancies currently on each of the State Boards under the aegis of my Department.
|
Agency |
Number of Vacancies |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
1* |
|
Health and Safety Authority |
0 |
|
IAASA |
0 |
|
IDA |
3** |
|
NSAI |
0 |
|
PIAB |
3*** |
|
SFI |
0 |
|
WRC |
0 |
* One member retired from the EI Board in mid-2017. Following his retirement, significant consideration has been given to what additional experience and skills would most benefit the EI Board at this time. It is expected that the process for appointing a new board member will be concluded by the end of Q3 2018.
**The Public Appointment Service (PAS) recently completed a selection campaign on behalf of the IDA, two candidates have been selected and appointments are imminent.
*** With regard to the PIAB, two candidates were recently selected following a campaign administered by the Public Appointment Service (PAS). Both candidates will take their place on the Board with effect from 1 August 2018. The third vacancy is designated under the PIAB legislation to Insurance Ireland to nominate a member to the Board. PIAB are awaiting their nominee.
Details of all appointments and vacancies on the State Boards under the aegis of my Department are available on the State Boards website at www.stateboards.ie.
353. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to identify areas in which there are particular labour shortages; the measures she is taking to address these shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30689/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra354. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to identify the reason for labour shortages in particular sectors; if she has examined measures to address these shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30690/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 354 together.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, the Secretariat to which is based in my Department, is an independent, non-statutory body. The Group has a broad sectorial membership including representatives from the business community, education and training providers, trade unions, and a small number of Government Departments and agencies.
The Group’s mandate is to carry out research, analysis and horizon scanning in relation to emerging skills requirements at thematic and sectorial levels. This analysis can include the identification of any reasons for shortages or barriers to participation in particular sectors. Its follow up work involves engagement with the Department of Education and Skills, Higher Education Authority, SOLAS and other relevant bodies to produce an agreed action plan to address the skills needs identified.
Recently completed and ongoing work being undertaken by the EGFSN includes analyses of skills needs or skills implications relevant to the food and drink sector, design, high level ICT, trade related skill sets in the context of Brexit and digitalisation.
As part of the new national skills architecture, the EGFSN presents its findings to the National Skills Council, chaired by the Minister for Education and Skills, which, together with additional skills and labour market intelligence provided by the Regional Skills Fora, Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) in SOLAS, and information on employment permit trends, provides a mechanism for mediating demands on resources in a manner that facilitates the prioritisation of investment in identified skills needs, and enhancing the responses by education and training providers to provision and delivery of those needs.
The research of the EGFSN and the SLMRU also informs my Department’s Economic Migration Policy Unit. This Unit has the responsibility for the employment permits system which is managed by the operation of the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List and the Ineligible Categories List. The employment permits regime is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA migrants to fill skills shortages. The objective is balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and the shortage is a genuine one. The rationale underpinning the inclusion or omission from the occupation lists is informed by EGFSN, the SLMRU and is augmented by a consultation process that includes calls for submissions. This process is regularly reviewed to ensure that it is operating efficiently.
The analysis of the Expert Group on Future Skills has been reflected in the overarching strategies for the education and training system published in recent years. These include Ireland’s National Skills Strategy 2025, and the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019, including its associated annual implementation plans, both of which have been developed by the Department of Education and Skills.
This analysis has also informed the development of my own Department’s framework policy for enterprise policy, Enterprise 2025- Ireland’s National Enterprise Policy 2015-2025, its recent refresh, Enterprise 2025 Renewed, and the instrument for the annual implementation of the objectives set out in Enterprise 2025, the Action Plan for Jobs, which seeks to create the optimum conditions for job creation within the economy, including through ready availability of relevant skills and talent.
355. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on whether it is acceptable that a publicly funded body refuses to implement the recommendation of the Labour Court in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30762/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, I must emphasise that Ireland’s system of industrial relations is, essentially, voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers, rests with the employer, the workers and their representatives.
For its part, the State provides the industrial relations dispute settlement mechanisms i.e. the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court, to support parties in their efforts to resolve their differences. These bodies are independent in the delivery of their quasi-judicial functions, in which I as Minister have no role. This approach has served Ireland well over the years and in a large number of high profile disputes.
I understand that the case in question relates to a redundancy payment situation that was heard by the Labour Court on 23 March 2018 and that the Court recommended a payment in excess of the statutory redundancy payment amount.
The Labour Court engages with parties in industrial relations disputes in which resolution of issues at local level has not proved possible. In such instances, the dispute can be referred to the Court for an opinion in the form of a recommendation of the Court.
However, in line with the voluntary nature of industrial relations in Ireland, it is the case that recommendations of the Labour Court are not binding on the parties although of course it is expected that Labour Court recommendation are given serious consideration by the parties involved.
356. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the actions she is taking in view of the announcement by a company (details supplied) to close its assembly facility in Kanturk, County Cork, in September 2018; if she will request the IDA to prioritise this area for investment and job creation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30783/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe announcement by Fullwood Packo that it is to close its assembly facility in Kanturk is very disappointing, both for the firm's hard-working employees and for local area. The Government’s immediate concern is for those workers and their families that are directly affected by this announcement. Every relevant State support will, of course, be made available to these employees.
The IDA will also be working with the company to complete a skills audit on the current employee base which will be shared with local enterprise in the region. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection is aware of the situation as well and we will be collectively, across Government, doing our utmost to help these workers transition and find new employment opportunities.
While this news in respect of Fullwood Packo is deeply regrettable, it is important to emphasise that the overall trend in terms of job creation in Ireland is very positive. 2017, for example, was another record year for the State in terms of FDI-driven employment and investment, and strong employment growth is expected to continue in 2018.
The Government is committed to supporting job creation in the regions and 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. The employment situation on the South West, which covers Cork and Kerry, has been steadily improving in recent years. IDA Ireland client companies in Cork alone now employ over 35,000, representing an increase of 48% since 2010.
357. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which potential challenges or threats to the development and expansion of trade and marketing for Irish goods have been identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30995/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is an open, highly developed and well-connected economy that is dependent on international trade and investment for sustainable growth. With a small domestic market, further expansion in other markets is essential to our continued economic growth.
I am well aware of the shifting and evolving global challenges which may affect us in the future. No open economy like ours can be fully shielded against global impacts. Brexit has profound implications for our companies that depend heavily on trade, and intricate, interwoven, supply chains with Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. Research commissioned by my Department estimates significant exposure to Brexit in our Agri Food, Pharmaceutical, Electrical Machinery, Wholesale and Retail and Air Transport Sectors.
There are, of course, other challenges too, such as the imposition by the US of tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium to the US, including from the EU.
In the context of these challenges, I believe that we have the right policies to build resilience where possible and firmly strengthen our competitiveness and innovative capacity, thus ensuring the economy is properly positioned to meet any external challenges. "Enterprise 2025 Renewed" and "Building Stronger Business; Responding to Brexit by Competing Innovating and Trading" are part of that policy mix.
Last month the Government formally launched the “Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025” initiative which will double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period to 2025. Global Ireland 2025 will support Ireland’s efforts to grow and diversify export markets, inward investment and tourism. It will ensure that Ireland is better positioned to build the alliances necessary to advance its interests and defend its positions in a post-Brexit EU, while also helping to secure our deep and positive relationship with the UK and its constituent parts into the future. Global Footprint 2025 envisages further increases in our enterprise agency global footprint and Embassy network.
The Government’s Trade Strategy, ‘Ireland Connected: Trading and Investing in a Dynamic World’, supports an extensive programme of Ministerial-led trade missions, as part of a major drive towards market diversification. This includes markets that are growing and have scale as well as markets where we are already well established but with potential for further growth.
The Government’s Enterprise 2025 Renewed strategy published in March 2018 sets out targets for export growth and diversification within the indigenous exporting base, with ambitions to increase exports as a percentage of total sales of Irish owned companies from 52 percent to between 55 and 60 percent by 2020 and increase Enterprise Ireland client exports beyond UK markets from €14.1 billion to €17.4 billion by 2020. The strategy also targets a 50 percent increase in the number of FDI investments from non-US markets by 2020.
In 2017, Enterprise Ireland launched its Eurozone Strategy as a key element of its supports to help companies diversify their export markets. In particular, it aims to increase exports to the Eurozone by €2bn per annum by 2020, equivalent to 50 percent increase. This would represent one of the most significant shifts in Enterprise Ireland supported client exports into the Eurozone and is particularly important in the context of Brexit.
As well as the global efforts supported by our Enterprise Agencies, key to our success has been our commitment to trade liberalisation in order to open new markets for our indigenous sectors. The EU suite of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with third countries help to open new markets, break down barriers and provide new opportunities for Irish based firms. Brexit has reinforced the importance of accelerating the delivery of EU trade deals with leading economies and regional blocs. We continue to support the EU’s ambitious programme of negotiating new Free Trade Agreements giving Irish based firms expanded market access and a predictable trading environment in third countries, including SMEs. To this end, my Department has commissioned a major examination of the economic opportunities and impacts for Ireland arising from EU Free Trade Agreements which will be available later this year. The objective is to deepen our understanding of how Ireland can best take advantage of these opportunities, and ensure that our businesses are prepared to access new markets.
358. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied that Irish products on world markets remain sufficiently attractive in view of the various international challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30996/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra360. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she will take to enhance efforts in the course of the promotion and sale of Irish goods overseas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30998/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra361. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which business and enterprise here continue to avail of modern technology and innovation to facilitate the promotion of Irish products on world markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30999/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which she continues to promote, generate and support Irish business at home and abroad in view of challenges on the horizon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31000/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 360 to 362, inclusive, together.
Competitiveness is key to success in international markets, to job growth and as a means of achieving sustainable improvements in living standards. Improving competitiveness performance is a core focus for Government, and as part of this work my Department, its agencies and the National Competitiveness Council are continually engaged with relevant stakeholders on the particular policy needs required to strengthen our international competitiveness.
In its 2017 Competitiveness Challenge Report, the Council has identified a range of threats to Ireland’s competitiveness, including the potential impact of Brexit, the concentration of our export markets and the range of products and services exported.
At firm level, Enterprise Ireland (EI) actively supports firms to develop new products and services for new and existing markets. EI’s Strategy 2017-20 “Build Scale-Expand Reach” looks to increase the reach of its client company exports, with two-thirds of exports going beyond the UK. To broaden the export footprint across the globe, the EI Strategy focuses on training and supports to enhance management capability, leadership and productivity, marketing/sales skills, innovation and R&D, access to funding to help companies to build market share and create new market opportunities.
Sustaining and growing jobs and diversifying the export base is a challenge when aligned with the key objective of reducing the overall dependence on the UK market as a percentage of overall exports. Therefore, my Department has allocated additional funding in both 2017 and 2018 to enable EI achieve its objectives.
Extra staff has been placed in EI’s overseas offices with sectorial knowledge and expertise such as in engineering, food, life sciences and construction. This will drive export growth to international markets where there are known opportunities and reduce reliance on the UK.
There is now a major focus on directing resources and expertise to the Eurozone markets where EI sees opportunities, targeting a 50% increase in exports by 2020. A new ‘Irish Advantage’ communications campaign is targeting Eurozone buyers to buy Irish innovation in key Brexit impacted sectors.
There are also significant opportunities in various other international markets for quality Irish goods and services. The future relative importance and forecasted growth rates of China, India, the South-East Asian countries, the Gulf States, Latin America and Africa combined with the scale of these markets means we will support Irish companies to continue to work to build exports in these markets. In January of this year, EI launched its new Market Discovery Fund to help more Irish companies accelerate their market diversification efforts.
EI is undertaking 200 international and domestic trade events in 2018 to accelerate the number of EI clients diversifying into new markets, beyond the UK and into the Eurozone and global markets. The number of trade events being undertaken represents a 50% increase on 2017, reflecting the serious challenge that Brexit poses for Irish businesses.
A more diverse export base can reduce exposure to external demand shocks, exchange rate fluctuations and instability in export earnings and enhance growth and jobs. I will continue to work with my Department and EI to ensure Irish-based exporters, particularly in exposed sectors such as traditional manufacturing and agrifood, will continue to be supported to scale and diversify sustainably and strategically.
Innovation remains at the forefront of any business to ensure that they grow and expand to ensure they are at a level to compete on the EU and global markets effectively. Innovation involves helping companies improve competitiveness by developing new processes, products or services or by modernising and adapting current processes, products or services to bring them to a standard that will allow the company to enter new and existing markets internationally. Innovation is an essential component in a company’s ability to maintain a competitive edge in overseas markets. EI has a suite of supports available to assist client companies innovate and develop their enterprise. These supports help new and existing companies to develop new and improved products and services which serve as the basis for sustainable export growth.
359. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which business expansion can rely on innovation as a means of improving efficiency and competitiveness in the global marketplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30997/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra367. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which innovation remains an integral part of Ireland's campaign to maximise its industrial impact in terms of effective trading, efficiency and modernisation with particular reference to competing on EU and world markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31006/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 367 together.
Enterprise Ireland drives innovation in Irish industry by developing in-company capabilities and by leveraging all external assets, such as the higher education system, the investor community, the Foreign Direct Investment Multinational base and international funding/expertise to support company innovations.
Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) are essential components in a company’s ability to maintain a competitive edge in global markets. Supporting research and innovation will therefore continue to remain an integral part of Ireland’s campaign to maximise impact in EU and global markets. Enterprise Ireland’s support for research, development and innovation involves helping companies improve their competitiveness through the development of new processes, products or services or by modernising and adapting current processes, products or services to bring them to a standard that will allow the company to enter new and existing markets internationally.
Enterprise Ireland's core objective is to help companies start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets and there are financial and non-financial supports available at every stage of that journey to the point where companies are in a position to export to new markets. Enterprise Ireland supported clients have grown and achieved total exports of over €21bn per annum and achieved the benefits of same such as increased profits and company growth. Enterprise Ireland’s strategic aim is to increase this figure to €26bn per annum by 2020.
In terms of innovation, more specifically, Enterprise Ireland supports and de-risks RDI by supporting companies to do RDI in-house, by supporting collaboration with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs); or by sourcing/licensing new technologies from HEIs which can provide a step change in their innovative capabilities. At the same time Enterprise Ireland has supports in place to help companies maximise the funding they can receive from the European Union through programmes such as Horizon 2020. These supports all help new and existing companies to develop new and improved products and services which serve as the basis for sustainable economic growth.
Brexit is forcing Irish companies employ RDI in a bid to protect their current exports in the UK and to explore different markets and innovation will continue to play a central role in this regard. Enterprise Ireland’s annual business results survey shows that companies that invest in innovation are higher performing in terms of employment, export sales and are more sustainable through recessionary and other economic shocks such as Brexit. It is essential that Irish companies produce products and services that are more novel than their competitors, better performing, more efficiently delivered, and cost effective for their customers.
There are a wide range of Enterprise Ireland RD&I Programmes available to companies and they all contribute hugely to company development, growth and expansion, some of which are outlined below:
In Company RD&I
In Company RD&I supports the development of new or substantially improved products, services or processes which will have a competitive advantage in their target market. The Agile Innovation Fund launched in Quarter 4 2017 now facilitates fast track approval of such awards.
Commercialisation Fund
The Commercialisation Fund is aimed at improving the competitiveness of Irish industry through both the creation of technology-based companies and through the development of licenses. It is available for projects that address a gap or need in the market by developing innovations that will ideally be ready for licensing to Irish industry or may form the basis of a new start-within 5 years.
Innovation Vouchers
The Innovation Voucher initiative provides vouchers worth €5,000 to small businesses to introduce them to research, development and innovation, linking them with a network of knowledge providers, North and South of the border.
Innovation Partnerships
The Innovation Partnership programme helps industry to engage in collaborative research projects with Irish universities and Institutes of Technology to develop new products and services.
Technology Gateways
The Technology Gateway Programme provides Business Development resources to the Institutes of Technology to help them interact with industry on a local, regional and national basis.
Technology Centres
Technology Centres are organised to respond rapidly to industry defined needs and conduct market-relevant R&D in partnership with collaborating groups of companies.
Campus Incubators
Enterprise Ireland funding has supported the development of a national network of business innovation centres and specialist bio-incubation facilities. Incubators now exist on every university and Institute of Technology Campus in the country. Such facilities are internationally recognised as an important element of public assistance for technology intensive start-ups. They are also an important driver of regional development with the majority of companies remaining in their region after they have completed their incubation period.
EU Funding
Enterprise Ireland continues to lead the Horizon 2020 National Support Network in order to secure as much Irish engagement with this funding programme as possible. This assistance available from the European Union for new enterprises, is the instrument which supports collaborative R&D in Europe and provides an important source of non-exchequer funding for companies. Irish companies that compete successfully for funding from Horizon 2020 will boost their innovative capability and competitiveness which in turn will deliver strong national economic impacts, including job creation, exports and sales.
The Horizon 2020 SME Instrument is available and is specifically for single or groups of highly innovative SMEs with international ambitions, determined to turn strong, innovative business ideas into winners on the market. The instrument provides full-cycle business innovation support from the stage of business idea conception and planning over business plan execution and demonstration to commercialisation.
The research and innovation supports provided by Enterprise Ireland and other agencies of my Department will be complemented by the Government’s new €500 million Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund . This new Fund is specifically targeted at game-changing innovations that will have a significant impact on the ability of companies in Ireland to compete in global markets. Expressions of Interest are now invited from consortia wishing to apply for funding under this new Fund. The type of projects that will receive funding will be:
- Collaborative enterprise-driven partnerships that will develop, deploy and commercialise disruptive technologies to transform business;
- Impactful projects focused on “industrial research” and seeking at least €1 million in funding over 3 years and involving enterprises and research partners;
- Projects with at least one SME partner – this is an essential requirement in every consortium.
