Written Answers Nos. 1280-1299
1280. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her Department's expenditure on the purchase of newspapers and other media content, such as print, digital and other forms, in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34292/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure for the purchase of newspapers for my Department and its Offices, which includes the Companies Registration Office, Labour Court, Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement, Patents Office and the Workplace Relations Commission amounted to €15,713 in 2017. The 2018 Expenditure on newspapers to the end of June amounted to €7,043.
Expenditure incurred across the Department and its Offices for online access to various media content, journals and publications spanning areas such as business, intellectual property, company law, employment rights, industrial relations, health and safety, and trade amounted to €62,076 in 2017. Such expenditure to the end of June, 2018 amounted to €32,489.
1281. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of full-time equivalent press officers employed by her Department and her personally. [34309/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my Department, the Press Office coordinates and deals with all queries from the media. This office also informs the public via traditional and social media about all policies, functions and activities of the Department.
This Office is currently led by the Head of Communications - Principal Officer level – and is further supported by a staff complement of five (one Assistant Principal Officer, one Administrative Officer, one Executive Officer and two Clerical Officers).
My Department is continuously committed to maintaining and improving its commitment to, and delivery of, the highest standards of quality customer service. As a result, the staffing complement in the Press Office has increased in an effort to engage with and respond to the growing demands from the media and the general public on the wide range of Departmental policies, functions and activities.
There is one Special Adviser working in my Office, with responsibility for press-related matters. This Special Adviser acts as spokesperson for me, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, coordinates the media relations on my behalf, coordinates briefings and provides advice on a wide range of policy matters, as well as performing other functions as I may direct from time to time.
All of the above are full-time positions.
1282. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the contracts awarded by her Department to a company (details supplied) in each of the past three years; the value of these contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34353/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not had any contracts with the company in question in the last three years.
1283. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland have requested increased funding for Brexit-related matters for 2019; the amount of additional funding requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34536/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will no doubt be aware, Brexit related matters are central to my thoughts and those of my Department and its Agencies as we prepare for the 2019 Estimates process. We are closely involved with and monitoring the ongoing Brexit negotiations and continuing preparations for all eventualities. However, at this stage it is not possible to discuss specific funding requests, as all funding allocations will be determined as part of the annual Estimates processes.
1284. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the various schemes available to businesses to prepare for Brexit; the uptake for each scheme in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34617/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and its agencies are working hard to ensure that potentially impacted firms are taking the necessary steps to prepare and mitigate risks and to take advantage of potential opportunities.
A major initiative which my Department recently introduced for all Brexit impacted firms is the €300 million Brexit Working Capital Loan Scheme, under which accessible finance is made available to businesses at favourable terms. So far, 132 companies have been approved for eligibility under this scheme.
Enterprise Ireland provides a range of financial and non-financial supports to companies to prepare for Brexit. These include:
- 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.
- The Act On Programme which provides an independent consultant to companies for a course of two half day to assist them decide on specific actions to address some of the risks and opportunities from Brexit.
- The €5k Be Prepared Grant that supports the costs of SME clients in preparing a plan to mitigate risks and optimise opportunities arising from Brexit.
- The Strategic Consultancy Grant supports the hiring of a strategic consultant typically to assist the company in the development and/or the implementation of strategic initiatives. It is designed to facilitate business growth as the consultants can act as coach, mentor, facilitator, analyst for the company.
- The Market Discovery Fund specifically supports companies in their market diversification plans. The grant aims to incentivise companies to research viable and sustainable market entry strategies.
- The Agile Innovation Fund has been developed to support product, service and process innovation to build competitive advantage.
- National Brexit Roadshows to increase the awareness of Brexit amongst companies.
Enterprise Ireland Brexit Related Schemes
|
Scheme |
Uptake to date |
|
Brexit SME Scorecard |
2,351 Scorecards completed |
|
Act On Initiative |
51 Brexit Plans completed |
|
Be Prepared Grant (€5K) |
122 grants approved |
|
Strategic Consultancy Grant |
1,033 grants approved |
|
Market Discovery Fund |
59 Grants approved |
|
Agile Innovation Fund |
18 Grants approved |
The 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide have organised a range of events and initiatives to assist their client companies navigate the challenges presented by Brexit. These include:
- Technical assistance support to help micro enterprises source new markets;
- Rolling out a national Lean for Micro initiative to drive firm level competitiveness through targeted business improvement measures tailored to suit their situation;
- Brexit-focused mentoring and training initiatives;
- Local level awareness raising and information sharing seminars and workshops about Brexit, including Regional Market Diversification Seminars, and cross-border business networking;
- The provision of tailored mentoring by specialised mentor panels.
Local Enterprise Offices Brexit Related Schemes
LEO Brexit Related Mentoring from 1 st June 2017 - 31 st March 2018*
|
No. of mentoring assignments per LEO |
Mentoring assignments including an element of Brexit mentoring |
Brexit specific mentoring assignments |
No. of participants attending Brexit focused Group Events |
|
|
Total |
4,213 |
1,284 |
126 |
3,317 |
*Data in respect of Q2 2018 is currently being compiled.
Other LEO Brexit Related Schemes
|
Scheme |
Uptake to date |
|
‘Technical Assistance for Micro-enterprises’ (TAME) |
289 Projects approved in 2017 |
|
Training including on specific Brexit challenges |
30,373 participants in 2017 |
InterTrade Ireland (ITI) has a key role to play in protecting North-South trade in the context of Brexit. A key part of ITI’s Brexit work is the provision for SMEs of a Brexit ‘Start to Plan’ €2,000 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.
InterTrade Ireland Brexit Related Schemes
|
Scheme |
Uptake to date |
|
Start to Plan |
160 Vouchers |
1285. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of extra employees to be hired in her Department between now and March 2019 to prepare for a hard Brexit; the specific roles these new employees will take up; the estimated cost of hiring these new employees; the impacts on her Department's expenditure ceilings for 2018 and 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34657/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my Department, a dedicated Brexit Unit was established in 2016. This Unit is led at Assistant Secretary level within the EU Affairs and Trade Policy Division, to coordinate and represent the Departmental and Agencies response to Brexit and to support me in my position at the Cabinet Committee dealing with Brexit. The designated official, at Assistant Secretary level, is supported by a staff compliment of seven (one Principal Officer, three Assistant Principal Officers, two Higher Executive Officers and one Clerical Officer). The Unit also leads on engagement with a broad range of stakeholders to inform and validate our response to Brexit.
Given the wide mission my Department has, and the continuing impact on all policy matters, officers across all policy areas of my Department may deal with Brexit-related issues.
In this context, staff expertise has been drawn from across a number of different policy areas, and these staff have been assigned to a number of additional postings across the whole Department that have been most impacted by Brexit. We are continually prioritising the Brexit challenges and will actively keep the staffing requirements under review through workforce planning during 2018 and 2019.
1286. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of labour inspectors employed by the Workplace Relations Commission in each of the years from 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34673/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body which was established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC assumes the roles and functions previously carried out by the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), Equality Tribunal, Labour Relations Commission and the first-instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
The WRC’s core services include the inspection of employment rights compliance, the provision of information, adjudicating on complaints under employment protection, equality and industrial relations legislation and the provision of mediation, conciliation, facilitation and advisory services.
The number of workplace relations inspectors employed at the end of 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 is as follows:
|
Number of Inspectors in WRC as at year end* |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
To date in 2018 |
|
Administrative Officer Team Managers |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
HEO Inspection Team Managers |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
|
Executive Officer Inspectors: |
47 |
48 |
48 |
51 |
54 |
|
Total |
53 |
55 |
55 |
58 |
60 |
* the figures for year end 2014 are in respect of NERA.
1287. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of unfilled vacancies in her Department; the time these vacancies have been open, from when the roles were first advertised to date, for each vacancy or group of vacancies; the number of unfilled vacancies in each agency under her remit; the time these vacancies have been open, from when the roles were first advertised to date, for each vacancy or group of vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34675/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to the Civil Service Workforce Planning process and has developed a robust medium-term workforce plan which is linked to the business objectives and informed by the Statement of Strategy. This process identifies on an ongoing basis, both current and upcoming resource requirements in my Department within the context of allocated funding and with reallocation of staff across my Department as the needs of the business evolve. This will continue during 2018 and 2019 with ongoing regular review of appropriate staffing levels across the Department and its Offices in response to emerging priorities.
Considerable effort is made in my Department to manage the vacancy levels and to fill these vacancies through open recruitment and interdepartmental competitions in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, internal competitions, and the advertising of certain posts across the Civil Service offering mobility opportunities.
Currently, there are 26 vacancies in my Department, as follows:
|
Grade and Numbers |
Date Vacancy Arose |
Advertisement Date/Recruitment Panel |
|
Assistant Secretary (1) |
18/04/2018 |
01/06/2018 |
|
PO equivalent (1) |
01/06/2017 |
22/01/2018 |
|
PO equivalent (1) |
13/02/2018 |
PAS Panel |
|
AP and equivalent (3) |
10/04/2018 and 02/07/2018 |
PAS Panel |
|
HEO (3) |
Ranging from 13/02/2018 to 09/07/2018 |
PAS Panel |
|
AO (2) |
23/10/2017 and 13/02/2018 |
PAS Panel |
|
EO (5) |
Ranging from 26/02/2018 - 23/07/2018 |
PAS Panel and Internal Panel which runs to 31/08/2019 |
|
CO (2) Regional |
13/02/2018 |
PAS Panel |
|
CO (8) Dublin |
Ranging from 13/02/2018 – 23/07/2018 |
PAS Panel |
As with the Department itself, responding to individual key strategic priorities and individual workforce planning exercises, each Agency works with my Department to ensure they remains within agreed pay-budget limits.
Each Agency is provided with an overall Pay ceiling within which they have some flexibility to align their staffing resources to manage their overall operations and priorities.
In addition to the vacancies detailed in the following table, some of the Agencies have sought, or are in the process of seeking, sanction to fill a number of new posts. Sanctioning of such posts is subject to each Agency remaining within their agreed pay budget.
The HSA, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA have been unable to provide the level of information required in the timeframe given. A response will issue to the Deputy within the coming days in respect of these 3 Agencies.
|
CCPC |
||
|
Vacancy |
Date Vacancy Arose |
Date Advertised |
|
Head of Policy/Advocacy (AP) (1) |
April 2018 |
June 2018 |
|
Deputy Director of Competition Enforcement and Mergers (AP1) (1) |
New post September 2017 |
March 2018 |
|
Stakeholder Manager (HEO) (1) |
March 2018 |
Not yet advertised |
|
Legal Advisor Assistants (HEO) (2) |
New post April 2018 |
June 2018 |
|
Senior Policy Analysts (HEO) (2) |
New post June 2018 |
July 2018 |
|
Consumer Protection Executives (EO) (3) |
October 2016; July 2017; March 2018 |
June 2018 |
|
Consumer Credit Executive (EO) (1) |
July 2017 |
Not yet advertised |
|
Market Insights Executive (EO) (1) |
April 2017 |
Not yet advertised |
|
IAASA |
||
|
Vacancy |
Date Vacancy Arose |
Date Advertised |
|
Audit Inspectors (PO) (4) |
February 2015 |
Ongoing process - 9 posts sanctioned; to date 5 filled |
|
Senior Managers (PO) (3) |
June 2018 |
June 2018 |
|
ICT Executive (EO) (1) |
March 2018 |
March 2018 |
|
NSAI |
||
|
Vacancy |
Date Vacancy Arose |
Date Advertised |
|
Legal Metrology Inspectors (3) |
November 2017 |
May 2018 |
|
Head of Medical Devices (1) |
March 2018 |
April 2018 |
|
PIAB |
||
|
Vacancy |
Date Vacancy Arose |
Date Advertised |
|
Clerical Officer (1) |
February 2018 |
Not yet advertised |
|
SFI |
||
|
Vacancy |
Date Vacancy Arose |
Date Advertised |
|
Overseas Scientific Programme Manager (Level E) (1) |
New post June 2018 |
June 2018 |
|
Research Policy Overseas Scientific Programme Manager (Level E) (1) |
New post July 2018 |
July 2018 |
|
Strategic Overseas Scientific Programme Manager(Level E) (1) |
January 2018 |
Not yet advertised |
|
Scientific Programme Manager (Level E) (1) |
July 2018 |
Not yet advertised |
|
Programme Executive Assistant (Level C) (1) |
June 2018 |
Not yet advertised |
|
Accounts Payable and Procurement Executive (Level D) (1) |
June 2018 |
Not yet advertised |
1288. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the EU directives that fall under her remit not yet transposed into law; the deadline imposed by the EU for the transposition of same; and the estimated date for the transposition of those directives into law. [34703/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department accords high priority to ensuring that good performance on the transposition of Directives is consistently maintained. In that regard, transposition is monitored on a regular basis within my Department and I can report that my Department does not have any Directives overdue for transposition.
Transposition is monitored through a customised intranet database, which is used as a central management and information tool to track the implementation of Directives on an ongoing basis. This complements the central tracking and monitoring of transpositions carried out by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Status reports on the transposition of Directives are also provided regularly to the Management Board of my Department.
A total of eight Directives require to be transposed by my Department up to the end of 2020. In addition, the Department is dealing with the transposition of four codified Directives that have no deadline for transposition.
A full list of the Directives to be transposed by my Department up to end 2020, including estimated transposition dates, is included. This list of Directives is also provided on my Department’s website at www.dbei.gov.ie.
Directives/Regulations as at 12 July 2018
Directives to be Transposed by end of 2018 (Five)
|
Description of Directive |
Date of Directive |
Deadline for Transposition/Unit Responsible |
Current Position |
|
1. Directive 2017/164/EU Directive (EU) 2017/164 of 31 January 2017 establishing a fourth list of indicative occupational exposure limit values pursuant to Council Directive 98/24/EC, and amending Commission Directives 91/322/EEC, 2009/39/EC and 2009/161/EU |
31/01/2017 |
21/08/2018 Unit: Safety, Health & Chemical Policy Unit |
It is expected that Directive 2017/164/EU will be transposed by the deadline. |
|
2. Directive: 2017/1564/EU Directive (EU) 2017/1564 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2017 on certain permitted uses of certain works and other subject matter protected by copyright and related rights for the benefit of persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled and amending Directive 2001/29/EC of the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society. (Marrakesh Treaty) |
13/09/2017 |
11/10/2018 Unit: Intellectual Property Unit |
It is expected that Directive 2017/1564/EU will be transposed by the deadline. |
|
3. Directive: 2017/738/EU Directive (EU) 2017/738 of 27 March 2017 amending, for the purpose of adapting to technical progress, Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the safety of toys, as regards lead. |
27/03/2017 |
28/10/2018 Unit: Competition and Consumer Policy Unit |
It is expected that Directive 2017/738/EU will be transposed by the deadline. |
|
4. DIRECTIVE (EU) 2017/774 of 3 May 2017 amending, for the purpose of adopting specific limit values for chemicals used in toys, Appendix C to Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the safety of toys, as regards phenol. |
03/05/2017 |
04/11/2018 Unit: Competition and Consumer Policy Unit |
It is expected that Directive 2017/774/EU will be transposed by the deadline. |
|
5 DIRECTIVE (EU) 2017/898 of 24 May 2017 amending, for the purpose of adopting specific limit values for chemicals used in toys, Appendix C to Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the safety of toys, as regards bisphenol A |
24/05/2017 |
25/11/2018 Unit: Competition and Consumer Policy Unit |
It is expected that Directive 2017/898/EU will be transposed by the deadline. |
Scheduled for transposition during 2019 (Two)
|
Description of Directive |
Date of Directive |
Deadline for Transposition/ Unit Responsible |
Current Position |
|
1. Directive 2015/2436/EU Directive (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2015 to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks (Recast) |
16/12/2015 |
14/01/2019 Unit: Intellectual Property Unit |
It is expected that Directive 2015/2436/EU will be transposed by the deadline. |
|
2. Directive 2017/828/EU DIRECTIVE (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017, amending Directive 2007/36/EC in relation to the encouragement of long-term shareholder engagement |
17/05/2017 |
10/06/2019 Unit: Company Law |
It is expected that Directive 2017/828/EU will be transposed by the deadline. |
Scheduled for transposition during 2020: (One)
|
Description of Directive |
Date of Directive |
Deadline for Transposition/Unit Responsible |
Current Position |
|
1. DIRECTIVE (EU) 2017/2398 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2017 amending Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work |
12/12/2017 |
17/01/2020 Unit: Safety, Health & Chemical Policy Unit |
It is expected that Directive 2017/2398/EU will be transposed by the deadline. |
1289. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of cases dealt with by the Labour Court under the terms of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015 since the commencement of the Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34901/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Labour Court is an independent statutory body under the aegis of my Department. While the Court was established under the Industrial Relations Act, 1946, its functions have been altered and extended by subsequent legislation, including most recently, the Workplace Relations Act 2015.
In responding to the deputy’s question, I am interpreting the question as relating to cases referred to the Labour Court where the issue in dispute is whether collective bargaining is taking place in an employment and where a claim for improvement in terms and conditions of employment, including remuneration, was being sought.
The Industrial Relations Amendment Act 2015, in Part 3 amended the Industrial Relations Amendment Act, 2001 and the Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004 and allows cases to be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) by a Trade Union in these circumstances and ultimately to the Labour Court if unresolved.
The Court has received 7 cases under these terms since the commencement of the Act. The table below provides a breakdown of these referrals.
|
Year |
Total Received |
Status |
|
2015 |
Nil |
- |
|
2016 |
4 |
1 referral withdrawn Decisions issued in respect of 2 referrals 1 referral on hold by decision of the Court* |
|
2017 |
1 |
Decision issued |
|
2018 to date |
2 |
Decisions issued in respect of 1 referral 1 referral on hold by decision of the Court* |
* In some instances cases are placed on hold by the Court in the interest of progression or resolution of the matter in dispute.
1290. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide information relating to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (details supplied) for 2018 to 30 June 2018. [35122/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraProvisional figures show the number of personal injury applications received by PIAB in the first 6 months of 2018 (to 30 June) was 17, 075. Provisional figures show that the number of claims assessed by PIAB during that period was 6,388. These cases relate predominately to claims received prior to 2018.
PIAB does not settle cases. Under its statutory role, where the respondent (the person/body the claim was made against) gives consent, it carries out an assessment and makes an award which may be accepted or rejected by either party.
According to statistics published in its Annual Report, PIAB assessed claims in 2017 in an average of 7.3 months from when consent was given by the respondent (the person/body the claim was made against).
PIAB does not assess cases where the respondent does not consent to the process. PIAB releases these cases to the Courts in accordance with the PIAB Act 2003. Additionally PIAB releases other cases which are not deemed appropriate for assessment (eg wholly psychological cases). PIAB does not have any information in relation to the ultimate outcome of these cases.
The PIAB Annual Report states that in 2017, it managed 33,114 personal injury claim applications, and made 12,663 formal awards.
1291. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if a request was formally submitted by her Department to the Brexit preparedness group, under the European Commission’s task force on Article 50 negotiations with the United Kingdom, requesting that the state aid ceiling under EU Regulation No. 1407/2013 be temporally adapted as a policy response to protect companies and exporting businesses here exposed to a no-deal hard Brexit and the UK becoming a third country; and when such proposals were formally submitted. [35124/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1292. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department completed or is considering sending a formal application to DG Competition requesting that the state aid ceiling under EU Regulation No. 1407/2013 be temporally adapted as a policy response to protect vulnerable businesses that are impacted by Brexit. [35125/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1293. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of each specific EU Competitiveness Council Ministers' meeting at which she or her predecessors made the case for the need for a revision of state aid rules of EU Regulation No 1407/2013 to protect Irish enterprises and related jobs during the UK’s two-year exit phase from the EU and the subsequent transition phase; the date of every such meeting at which this was raised, in tabular form; the status of progress being made at EU level to increase current state aid thresholds to support Irish enterprises in the event of a hard no deal Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35126/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1291 to 1293, inclusive, together.
My Department is carrying out extensive work to prepare for all Brexit eventualities.
Since the Brexit Referendum, my predecessor, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, attended meetings of the Competitiveness Council on 29th September 2016, 28th November 2016 and 20th February 2017. My colleague, Minister Breen, attended the most recent meetings of the Council on 30th November 2017, 12th March, 28th May and 16th July 2018. State Aid rules did not feature on the agenda of these meetings. The Competitiveness Council is a consultative committee and is not a forum for direct representations from Member States. Nor does the Committee propose changes to State Aid rules.
Brexit has a been a central part of the discussions at meetings that both I and my predecessor, the then Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, have had with both EU Commissioners and Ministers from other Member States. This included a meeting with the EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiator, Michel Barnier, in July 2017, where the difficulties Ireland was facing as a result of Brexit were discussed.
In November 2017, the then Tánaiste met with Commissioner Vestager, the European Commissioner for Competition who has responsibility for EU State aid policy to discuss, amongst other things, the impact of Brexit on Irish businesses. An outcome from this meeting was the establishment of a Technical Working Group comprising representatives from DG Competition, the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation, Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The objective of the Group is to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with State Aid rules.
Should issues arise that require an approach that does not fit within the existing State Aid rules, this will be raised as part of the Working Group discussions.
Informed by detailed research, my Department has been putting in place a package of measures that will allow us to respond to the needs of businesses. This includes the Brexit Loan Scheme which was launched in April 2018 and which will provide affordable working capital financing to eligible businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit or will be in the future.
On 4th May 2018 the EU Commission approved an extension to the Rescue and Restructuring Scheme for Ireland to include temporary restructuring aid. This provides a further 10 million euro of State support to those companies experiencing acute liquidity needs and is in addition to the original 10m euro announced in November 2017 under the Rescue and Restructuring scheme. Together with the Brexit Loan Scheme, this temporary restructuring aid will provide valuable stabilisation to businesses as they respond to the immediate and long-term impacts of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.
My officials are also examining policy proposals for a new longer-term Business Investment Loan Scheme to support businesses to invest strategically for a post-Brexit environment and a new Business Finance Advisory Hub service which would focus on business development.
The Agencies of my Department are at the forefront in working with firms to ensure they are equipped to deal with Brexit and to enhance their performances in an increasingly competitive global trading environment through lean programmes, skills development and reducing business costs.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) has launched the 'Brexit SME Scorecard', an interactive online tool which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit. EI is also offering a 'Be Prepared Grant' of up to €5,000 to support clients to develop a Brexit Action Plan and it continues to support clients to improve their competitiveness, acquire new markets and enhance management skills.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are organising workshops, seminars and training to assist companies to better understand the challenges of Brexit and have a range of supports to help clients to respond to those challenges, to become more competitive and to source new markets.
InterTrade Ireland is also working to minimise the impact of Brexit on north-south trade.
1294. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the methodology used for job creation forecasts in Enterprise 2025 Renewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35127/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise 2025 Renewed aims to deliver opportunities across all regions and to deliver sustainable employment and higher standards of living for all.
Based on a review of Enterprise 2025, which was originally published in 2015, the employment growth potential was updated in the context of the macro-economic forecasts underpinning the 2018 Budget published by the Department of Finance in October 2017 and the latest available Labour Force Survey data (CSO). Specifically Enterprise 2025 Renewed sets the ambition to reach 2.3 million people in employment by 2020, an increase of circa 100,000 over the 2.2 million employed at Q3 2017 (Labour Force Survey). The ambition is to have an unemployment rate of no more than 5.5% by 2020.
The enterprise development agencies, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, play a key role in providing direct supports and services to export oriented enterprises. They are targeted with contributing circa 30,000 jobs to the potential private sector employment growth which will result in a total of 450,000 employed in their client portfolios - the highest ever.
Forecasting is not an exact science - and is particularly challenging for Ireland as a small open economy where it is exposed to external drivers of change. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has outperformed expectations to date, and the unemployment rate is now 5.1%.
Over a longer-term horizon, Project Ireland 2040 projects an increase in population of around 1 million people by 2040. This will require that 660,000 be created over that period.
1295. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the jobs multiplier models used for employment forecasts by her Department in Enterprise 2025 Renewed; the exact statistical forecasting model used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35128/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise 2025 Renewed was published in March 2018 and sets out the ambition for job creation that is sustainable over the longer term. Ireland's enterprise policy is premised on export-led growth, underpinned by innovation, talent and investments in developing attractive locations for business investment and for people to live and work in (place-making).
The enterprise development agencies are responsible for the attraction of foreign direct investment and for the support of start-ups and scaling enterprises that export or have the potential to do so. The exporting sector impacts on the wider economy through re-invested profits and expenditure on wages, materials and services. It also generates significant downstream effects in areas such as sub-supply and secondary employment. This impact can be calculated in terms of a multiplier. Although Enterprise 2025 Renewed does not explicitly refer to a multiplier, the analysis undertaken when the original strategy was being developed in 2015 remains valid.
1297. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the protections and recourse available to consumers from excessive ticket prices for sporting and entertainment events. [35130/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTicket prices for entertainment events are set by the performer and their representatives in consultation with the promoter. For sporting events the bodies which govern the sport set ticket prices.
While ticket prices are not governed by specific legislative provisions in Ireland, they are, however, subject to general consumer protection legislation. The Consumer Protection Act 2007 (CPA) includes a prohibition on false or misleading indications of the price or the recommended price of goods or services. It also dictates that the price displayed must be complete, and there should be no hidden charges included. The CPA protects consumers from misleading, aggressive or prohibited practices.
The EU Consumer Rights Directive (CRD) has been implemented in Ireland by the European Union (Consumer Information, Cancellation and Other Rights) Regulations, S.I. 484 of 2013 and provides consumers with increased protection when they enter into contracts either on premises, off premises (doorstep sales) or at distance with web traders based in Ireland and other EU countries. The CRD contains a range of provisions which businesses have to comply with. These provisions include bans on hidden charges, as well as an extended right of withdrawal period.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory independent body responsible for the enforcement of domestic and EU competition and consumer law in the State. If a consumer considers that his or her consumer rights have been breached he or she should contact the CCPC.
1298. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the supports being considered to help businesses with the increasing cost of doing business, including increased energy prices. [35131/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing Ireland’s cost competitiveness remains a key economic priority for Government and we continue to monitor Ireland's cost base and analyse the factors that are crucial to improving our cost competitiveness.
A range of initiatives set out in the Action Plan for Jobs 2018 are in train across Government Departments to enhance our cost competitiveness and productivity, improve the ease of doing business, reduce the administrative burden and drive greater efficiencies across the enterprise base. Through the Action Plan for Education and Pathways to Work the Government is working to ensure the pipeline of talent can meet the demand for labour to reduce labour cost pressure. The ongoing work of the Personal Injuries Commission, the implementation of the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance and the complementary work of the Cost of Insurance Working Group should help to reduce insurance costs for businesses. Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness presents a wide-ranging set of commitments to address housing supply.
Competitively priced supply of energy is vital for business and its ability to compete successfully in domestic and international markets. The openness of our economy and the high dependence on imported fossil fuels makes Ireland’s energy prices vulnerable to substantial oil price fluctuations. The Ireland’s Competitiveness Scorecard 2018 Report, which was published on 18 July by the National Competitiveness Council, found that average electricity and gas prices for business increased in the second half of 2017.
Consistent with European energy policy, the electricity and gas markets in Ireland are commercial, liberalised and competitive. The Government has no statutory function in the monitoring or setting of electricity prices, with the main thrust of Government policy on energy costs focused on ensuring a competitive market and supports for energy efficiency. The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment funds a number of incentives and supports for businesses to become more energy efficient thereby controlling their cost base. These are operated through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and are as follows:
The EXEED (excellence in energy efficient design) scheme provides advice and grant support for businesses to improve the design, construction and commissioning processes for new investments and upgrades to existing assets. The initiative is applicable to any sector or organisation and to projects of any scale or complexity. Companies participating in the pilot phase achieved average energy cost savings of 28%. Minister Naughten has increased the funding allocation for this flagship initiative from €2.5m last year to up to €10m for this year.
The Smart Lighting scheme piloted in 2017 encourages and supports businesses to upgrade to more energy efficient lights – significantly reducing their energy costs – has been rolled out nationally in 2018.
In the agricultural sector SEAI operate a scheme aimed at dairy farmers to help them upgrade equipment in milking parlours to increase efficiency and reduce energy costs. The Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme is a corporation tax incentive for companies and aims to encourage investment in energy efficient equipment. It offers an attractive incentive allowing companies to write off 100% of the purchase value of qualifying energy efficient equipment against their profit in the year of purchase.
Advice, training and supports are available from SEAI on the steps businesses can take to improve their energy management, on energy audits to identify opportunities and supports to achieve continued improvement and/or certification. These supports include free information, best practice guides and online energy management strategies tailored to different sectors and online self–assessment and training. Project assistance grants are available to help businesses developing energy performance contract (EPC) solutions to finance the delivery of energy efficiency projects.
The Better Energy Communities (BEC) Scheme is a community programme where business can access funding for energy efficiency and building fabric improvement as part of an integrated project in the local community.
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat, approved by Government in December 2017, is designed to financially support the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems with renewable energy for commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other non-domestic businesses. The scheme will consist of two types of support mechanism – an operational support (paid for up to 15 years) for biomass heating systems or anaerobic digestion heating systems; and a grant to support investment in renewable heating systems that use heat pumps. The scheme is planned to commence operation later this year subject to State Aid approval.
1299. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding member states ratifying the EU-Canada comprehensive economic and trade agreement, CETA, in their national parliaments; and if the provisional agreement would cease to exist should a national parliament vote against national level endorsement. [35132/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU–Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) entered into force provisionally from the 21st September 2017. This means that Irish companies may now take advantage of important provisions in the Agreement including the immediate elimination of 98% of tariffs on almost all key exports, access to the Canadian procurement market, the easing of regulatory - or non-tariff - barriers and more transparent rules for market access.
CETA will enter into force once approved by Canada and the EU in line with their respective internal requirements and procedures, which for the EU party includes ratification by all Member States, in accordance with their national law. In the meantime, the parts of the CETA falling within the competence of the EU are provisionally applied as provided for by Council Decision (EU) 2017/38. However, it is important to note that the provisions relating to investment protection and the Investment Court System are excluded from provisional application.
The relevant Council Statement notes that: "if the ratification of CETA fails permanently and definitively because of a ruling of a constitutional court, or following the completion of other constitutional processes and formal notification by the government of the concerned Member State, provisional application must be and will be terminated". The EU would terminate provisional application in line with EU procedures and, as required under Article 30.7.3, submit formal written notification to Canada.
Insofar as Ireland's national ratification process is concerned, given the request by Belgium for an Opinion (1/17) from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on the compatibility of the Investment Court System in CETA with the European Treaties, I have no immediate plans to progress the ratification of the Agreement.
Ireland already has a strong trading relationship with Canada which is reflected in the €3.2 billion worth of annual trade between both countries. The value of Irish exports to Canada is worth €2.4 billion whilst the value of Irish imports from Canada is worth €780 million. In that context, we have welcomed the provisional application of CETA to provide increased opportunities for new and existing Irish-based companies trading with Canada to build and develop further these relationships, providing increased economic growth and jobs.
