Written Answers Nos. 269-288
269. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been made available in 2019 for the purchase of drones for use by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3020/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. This represents an increase of over 6% over the initial allocation for 2018. Funding to An Garda Síochána for 2019 includes provision of €2.868 million for the purchase of specialised operational equipment.
Very significant capital investment is being made in An Garda Síochána, including investment of €342 million in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to deliver on reform and deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in delivering professional policing and security services for the community; investment of €46 million in the Garda Fleet over the same period; as well as considerable capital investment in addressing the deficiencies in the Garda estate.
These actions are in support of the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country, to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.
As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána do not currently use drones to aid policing. I am further informed that An Garda Síochána has no plans to purchase drones at present, but that a working group within An Garda Síochána continually assesses emerging technology and technological advances, including in relation to drones, with a view to their use in the provision of policing and security services.
270. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the actions taken to date to mitigate the impact of automation on job numbers. [2302/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra271. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the research conducted to date into the impact of automation on employment; and the projected impact on employment. [2303/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.
The Expert Group for Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) published ‘Digital Transformation: Assessing the Impact of Digitalisation on Ireland’s Workforce’ in December 2018. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of digitalisation on job roles and sectors across the economy in Ireland and to highlight the opportunities and challenges that this presents.
The study consisted of a large volume of desk research and the development of a quantitative model. This was complemented by a number of interviews with policymakers, key informants from industry, representative groups and the Regional Skills Fora, in order to gain insights for the report. The report combines all these elements to provide an assessment of the impacts of digitalisation in Ireland over the next five years, to 2023. It is available online from both the EGFSN’s website (www.egfsn.ie) and my Department’s website (www.dbei.gov.ie).
The report projects strong overall growth for the economy over the next five years. While the report predicts the number of jobs lost to the adoption of digital technologies will increase steadily over the next decade, it expects that the majority of sectors will employ more people in 2023 than they did in 2018. The report notes that the result of increased digitalisation in the economy will be a slower growth in employment growth, generating a hypothetical loss of 46,000 jobs.
The report further finds that one in three jobs in Ireland are at high risk of being disrupted by the adoption of digital technologies. Much of the disruption, however, will result in changes to job roles and tasks performed by individuals rather than job losses. This means that lifelong learning will become even more of an imperative and the report finds that there will be opportunities for many people to upskill within their current jobs.
The report highlighted how the Government is already acting to address the challenges and mitigate the negative impacts of automation on job numbers.
The report finds that Ireland has the opportunity to place itself at the forefront of digital technologies through ensuring adequate skills provision and capitalising on Ireland's significant ICT sector. It finds that that existing Government policies and initiatives currently in place provide a solid foundation for response to the expected changes from the increased adoption of digital technologies. The following table, as provided in the report, demonstrates the various ways in which the Government is acting to mitigate the impact of automation on job numbers.
Table 1 Current Policies and Initiatives in Place Addressing Five Key Areas of Focus
|
Key Areas |
Policies and Initiatives Addressing Areas |
|
Vision |
National Digital Strategy |
|
Collaboration |
R&D Technology Centres/GatewaysInnovation PartnershipsSFI Industry Fellowships |
|
Data |
National Data Infrastructure |
|
Technology |
Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund Industry 4.0 Strategy |
|
Skills |
National Skills Strategy 2025 ICT Action Plan National Digital Strategy for SchoolsSkills for Growth Initiative Spotlight on SkillsSkillnet Ireland Springboard+EXPLORE |
In addition to these measures, to ensure Ireland’s economy is well positioned to adapt and prosper in the future, the Government is launching a new economic pathway for Ireland – Future Jobs - Preparing Now for Tomorrow's Economy. Future Jobs Ireland aims to drive Ireland’s development as a resilient, innovative and globally connected economy, capable of coping with transformational changes ahead posed by automation, artificial intelligence and other forms of technological innovation. Future Jobs is a medium-term framework out to 2025 and the 2019 iteration will be published in the coming weeks.
272. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the location of each SME regional innovation and technology cluster; and the amount of funding allocated to each such cluster in 2018 and 2019, by county, in tabular form. [2403/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2019 I announced an additional €2.75m to Enterprise Ireland for the creation of new ‘Regional Innovation and Technology Clusters’ linking the Institutes of Technology with industries, sectors and skills. This new fund will help to build on existing facilities, expertise and supportive capabilities across the regions. This will support SME productivity and innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups through inter-institutional collaboration and help to build optimal sectoral clusters to scale and internationalise enterprise across the regions.
Regional Innovation and Technology Clusters will see a further scaling of the capability of the Institutes of Technology (IoTs), in a planned, internationally ambitious way, that creates centres of excellence for both, thereby generating high-levels of entrepreneurship and spin-outs in the regions supporting firm-level innovation, increasing productivity growth, scaling and globally competitive companies. This will support the Government’s drive towards transforming the enterprise potential and performance in all regions.
As this is a new initiative to help drive regional development, my Department is working closely with Enterprise Ireland to successfully roll out the initiative in the coming weeks and months.
273. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the location of each SFI research centre; and the amount of funding allocated to each such centre in 2018 and 2019, by county, in tabular form. [2404/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraScience Foundation Ireland has an established network of 17 world-leading Research Centres. Representing a commitment of over €455 million from Science Foundation Ireland and an Industry commitment of €244 million, these major funding awards link scientists and engineers in partnerships across 19 research bodies, including all seven universities, and more than 350 companies in Ireland.
In 2018 over €63.2m was allocated to 17 Research Centres by Science Foundation Ireland through each Centre’s host Higher Education Institute. In 2019 it is anticipated that over €64.4m in funding will be paid, an increase of over €1.2m on 2018.
As each Research Centre has a number of academic partners, the benefit of this funding is dispersed beyond the geographic location of the host institute.
Details of individual payments to these Research Centres by County is set out in tabular form and includes payments against the core Research Centre award plus additional supplements and Spoke awards. This will account for some of the differences between 2018 payments and 2019 profiled payments in the following table. The Spoke Programme is a vehicle to enable the addition of new industrial and academic partners and projects to SFI Research Centres, so allowing their expansion and development in line with new priorities and opportunities. The Programme will ensure that the Research Centre retains its ability to do cutting edge research and its industrial relevance, and so enhance its sustainability. The Spokes programme also provides a vehicle to link together, in a meaningful and relevant way, different Research Centres.
|
Research Centre |
Host HEI |
All Partner HEIs |
Counties |
2018 Payments € |
2019 Profiled Payments € |
|
Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research Centre (AMBER) |
Trinity College Dublin |
TCD, RCSI and UCC |
Dublin, Cork |
€3,613,336 |
€3,930,364 |
|
Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) - Interfacing Food & Medicine |
University College Cork |
UCC, CIT and Teagasc |
Cork |
€5,666,446 |
€6,028,613 |
|
Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT) |
University College Cork |
UCC and RCSI |
Dublin, Cork |
€1,744,402 |
€1,145,154 |
|
INSIGHT - Ireland's Big Data and Analytics Research Centre |
NUI Galway |
NUI Galway, UCD, UCC, DCU, TCD, Tyndall, Maynooth University, RIA |
Galway, Dublin, Cork, Kildare |
€4,691,783 |
€5,414,252 |
|
I-PIC Irish Photonic Integration Research Centre |
Tyndall |
Tyndall, UCC, CIT and DCU |
Cork, Dublin |
€1,998,517 |
€2,113,202 |
|
Marine Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI) - The SFI Centre for Marine Renewable Energy Research |
University College Cork |
UCC, CIT, UCD, UL, NUI Galway, Maynooth University |
Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Galway, Kildare |
€4,152,747 |
€2,360,665 |
|
Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC) |
University of Limerick |
UL, UCD, NIBRT, AIT, TCD, UCC, WIT and NUI Galway |
Limerick, Dublin, West Meath, Cork, Waterford, Galway |
€4,298,888 |
€3,110,961 |
|
ADAPT: Centre for Digital Content Platform Research |
Trinity College Dublin |
UCD, DCU, TCD, DIT |
Dublin |
€7,134,420 |
€4,337,942 |
|
CONNECT: The Centre for Future Networks & Communications |
Trinity College Dublin |
TCD, CIT, Maynooth University, DIT, Tyndall, UCC, DCU, WIT, UL and UCD |
Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Waterford, Limerick |
€5,928,206 |
€8,937,488 |
|
CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices |
NUI Galway |
NUI Galway, UCC, UCD, Molecular Medicine Ireland, RCSI, UL and TCD |
Galway, Cork, Dublin, Limerick |
€5,563,936 |
€4,822,075 |
|
Lero - the Irish Software Research Centre |
University of Limerick |
UL, DCU, NUI Galway, DKIT, Tralee IT, UCD, TCD, UL, UCC and Maynooth University |
Limerick, Dublin, Galway, Dundalk, Kerry, Kildare |
€4,890,702 |
€4,183,476 |
|
iCRAG – Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences |
University College Dublin |
UCD, TCD, Teagasc, NUI Galway, UCC, Maynooth University and DIAS |
Cork, Dublin, Cork, Kildare |
€4,337,320 |
€3,388,709 |
|
Bioeconomy Research Centre (BEACON) |
University College Dublin |
UCD, TCD, NUI Galway, UL and Teagasc |
Dublin, Galway, Limerick |
€1,581,650 |
€3,493,667 |
|
Confirm Centre for Smart Manufacturing |
University of Limerick |
UL, UCC, NUI Galway, CIT, Tyndall, AIT, LIT, Maynooth University |
Limerick, Cork, Galway, West Meath, Kildare |
€2,295,765 |
€5,985,254 |
|
I-Form Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre |
University College Dublin |
UCD, DCU, NUI Galway, TCD, IT Sligo and WIT |
Dublin, Galway, Sligo, Waterford |
€1,138,277 |
€2,833,820 |
|
VistaMilk Centre (co fund with Dept Agriculture Food and the Marine. DAFM co fund subtracted) |
Teagasc, Moorepark |
Teagasc, DCU, NUI Galway, WIT, Tyndall, UCD |
Dublin, Galway, Waterford, Cork, Dublin |
€3,279,265 |
€1,594,763 |
|
FutureNeuro |
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland |
RCSI, TCD, DCU, NUI Galway and UCD |
Dublin, Galway |
€911,501 |
€1,810,993 |
274. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the capital and current funding allocated to Science Foundation Ireland on an annual basis since it was established up to 2018; and the 2019 allocation for same. [2405/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Capital and Current funding allocations from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation to Science Foundation Ireland for the years 2003 – 2019 is set out in tabular form.
|
Year |
Current |
Capital |
Revised Estimates Volume allocation €000 |
Plus sanctioned Deferred Surrender (Capital Carryover) * €000 |
Supplementary Estimate ** €000 |
Total annual allocation €000 |
|
2003 |
5,114 |
65,000 |
70,114 |
70,114 |
||
|
2004 |
5,160 |
108,569 |
113,729 |
113,729 |
||
|
2005 |
10,051 |
118,200 |
128,251 |
3,000 |
131,251 |
|
|
2006 |
9,571 |
139,865 |
149,436 |
149,436 |
||
|
2007 |
10,050 |
155,722 |
165,772 |
165,772 |
||
|
2008 |
11,330 |
172,213 |
183,543 |
2,226 |
185,769 |
|
|
2009 |
10,583 |
159,941 |
170,524 |
5,500 |
176,024 |
|
|
2010 |
9,833 |
150,000 |
159,833 |
159,833 |
||
|
2011 |
14,342 |
160,800 |
175,142 |
175,142 |
||
|
2012 |
13,669 |
156,000 |
169,669 |
169,669 |
||
|
2013 |
10,050 |
145,300 |
155,350 |
7,000 |
|
162,350 |
|
2014 |
9,300 |
144,540 |
153,840 |
9,000 |
162,840 |
|
|
2015 |
9,230 |
154,000 |
163,230 |
3,000 |
5,000 |
171,230 |
|
2016 |
9,662 |
157,000 |
166,662 |
27,000 |
193,662 |
|
|
2017 |
10,131 |
162,500 |
172,631 |
|
10,600 |
183,231 |
|
2018 |
10,815 |
172,250*** |
183,065 |
8,740 |
191,805 |
|
|
2019 |
11,565 |
188,250**** |
199,815 |
6,800 |
206,615 |
*Capital carryover may be permitted from one financial year to the next and requires the formal approval of the Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform each year. As is evidenced from the table Science Foundation Ireland’s allocations were enhanced in the years 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2019 with the provision of capital carryover amounts from unspent capital moneys arising elsewhere in the Department’s Vote.
**From 2015 to 2018 additional capital monies were also provided to Science Foundation Ireland by the Houses of the Oireachtas through the approved Supplementary Estimates process.
*** The 2018 Capital allocation includes €5.5m in dedicated funding for a PhD/Research Masters scheme. This programme is administered by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and will fund postgraduate enrolments in disciplines under their remit.
**** The 2019 Capital allocation includes €15.5m in dedicated funding for PhD/Research Masters enrolment through the new Centres for Research Training. This programme is administered by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and will fund postgraduate enrolments in disciplines under their remit.
275. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 557 of 7 September 2018, if the study referenced in relation to Action 28 was completed by the end of 2018; and if not, when it will be completed. [2409/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAction 28 of the Action Plan for Jobs 2018 called for the identification of 'relevant policy issues for cohorts with low participation rates based on analysis of patterns of labour market participation'. This action was fulfilled in H2 of 2018 under the guidance of an interdepartmental steering group.
My Department understands that increasing participation rates for different cohorts has the potential to address the growing need for skills and talent. The analysis undertaken for Action 28 focussed on three cohorts: females aged 25-55, people aged over 55, and people aged under 55 with a disability. In focusing on these cohorts, the analysis identified issues for further examination.
The results of the detailed analysis of Action 28 cannot be published due to CSO stipulations around sample size and data confidentiality. However, the analysis will be a key input into Future Jobs Ireland, which will be published shortly.
276. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the process to fill the position of chief executive of InterTradeIreland; and when the position was last held. [2410/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe former CEO of InterTradeIreland (ITI), Mr Thomas Hunter McGowan, resigned on 16 October 2017. Due to the absence of the Northern Ireland Executive, it has not been possible for ITI to appoint a new CEO, as appointments to North-South bodies at this level require the approval of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).
In the interim, Mr Aidan Gough, Director of Strategy and Policy within the body, has been appointed as Designated Officer, assuming full accounting responsibilities, with the agreement of my Department and its counterpart in Northern Ireland, the Department for the Economy. Once the NMSC has reconvened, I understand that the intention is that ITI will move swiftly to appoint a new CEO.
277. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extra funding secured in 2019 for each of the State agencies under the remit of her Department for the recruitment of extra Brexit related staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2497/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's gross allocation for 2019 is €952.2m. This represents an increase of €79.2m (+9.1%) on our 2018 allocation of €871m and includes a record Capital budget increase of €65m (+11.7%) and an additional €14.2m (+4.5%) in Current funding.
The additional current funding secured in Budget includes an additional €8m package to support our Brexit Response and to expand the Global Footprint of our Agencies. Specifically, Budget 2019 will increase the current funding of the Department’s Agencies as follows:
- Enterprise Ireland +€3.0m
- IDA Ireland +€2.0m
- Health & Safety Authority +€482k
- National Standards Authority of Ireland +€400k
- Competition & Consumer Protection Commission +€360k
The increased current allocations secured in Budget 2019 follow on from specific Brexit focused increases secured by my Department in both Budgets 2017 and 2018. The additional funding has enabled the Department’s Agencies to continue to increase their staffing resources as well as fund related promotional and regulatory activities.
Aside from the additional current funding being provided in Budget 2019, additional capital funding has also been provided to the Department’s Enterprise Agencies, including IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices, Science Foundation Ireland etc to enable them to continue their preparations in Getting Business Brexit Ready.
The increased allocations secured by my Department in the last three Budgets clearly demonstrates my commitment to providing our Agencies with the necessary resources to enable them to continue to support businesses in their efforts to grow and provide employment while safeguarding against global challenges including Brexit.
278. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding allocation to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement in 2018 and 2019, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2498/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding allocation for the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) in respect of 2018 and 2019 is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Funding allocation |
€5.057m |
€6.057m |
The distribution of the funding allocations across my Department’s Vote, including that of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, is determined through the annual Revised Estimates Volume (REV) process.
279. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has applied to the EU for exemptions under EU state aid rules to allow State investment in Rosslare Europort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2589/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvestment in Rosslare Europort is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
However, in relation to State Aid, my Department and its agencies are providing extensive supports, schemes and advice to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. Officials from my Department are part of the Technical Working Group on State aid which also comprises representatives from DG Competition, 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.
280. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will publish the airline costs for her Department for 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2685/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total airline costs incurred by my Department in 2018 were €310,558.06.
Expenditure on all official travel by staff of my Department, including expenditure on flights, is governed by the Department’s Travel and Subsistence Policy. The Policy encompasses the various Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Regulations/Circulars in this area.
281. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will publish the cost of newspapers in her Department in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2702/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total expenditure on newspapers by my Department in 2018 was €17,096.32.
282. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated full year cost of recruiting an extra two full-time digital forensic specialists and two extra enforcement lawyers for the Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2801/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the estimated full year cost of recruiting additional staff in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) as requested by the Deputy are set out in tabular format.
|
Grade |
Current Salary Cost* |
Employer PRSI |
Total Cost (x2) |
|
Digital Forensic Specialist |
€66,495 |
€6,649.50 |
€146,289 |
|
Enforcement Lawyer |
€85,823 |
€8,582.30 |
€188,692.60 |
*based on the starting point of the relevant payscale
These figures do not account for the proposed pay adjustment under the Lansdowne Road Agreement due October 2019 (1.75%). The estimated cost including employer PRSI for the adjustment is €640.22 and €944.08 respectively.
The Deputy should note that, following his appointment in the latter half of 2012, the Director of the ODCE carried out a review of the ODCE’s then skills mix and operational capacity. That review, inter alia, identified certain skill deficiencies, as a consequence of which sanction was sought, and subsequently obtained, to recruit a number of additional professional staff to address the identified need.
Further to that process, the Department, through the Public Appointments Service, recruited a suitably qualified and experienced Digital Forensics Specialist and two Enforcement Lawyers to the ODCE. In addition, seven qualified and experienced forensic accountants and two Enforcement Portfolio Managers were recruited for assignment to the ODCE.
Currently, within the ODCE, there are no vacancies in these senior-level positions named by the Deputy, and in the context of workforce planning, the skills sets, competencies, roles and responsibilities associated with all senior-level positions are continuously reviewed by the Director to better reflect the organisation’s current and future resource needs.
283. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of site visits conducted by the IDA in counties Kildare and Laois in each of the past five years; and the number of these visits that were to locations in the two county towns and other areas of the counties, respectively, in tabular form. [2886/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA visits over the past 12 months; and if she is satisfied with the level of foreign direct investment in County Kildare. [2887/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra285. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA premises in County Kildare; the status of same; and if they are occupied. [2888/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra286. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA premises in County Laois; the status of same; and if they are occupied. [2889/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 283 to 286, inclusive, together.
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.
There are 29 IDA supported client companies in County Kildare, which collectively employ 8,838 people - representing an increase of 4.5% over the previous year. The County has a strong contingent of overseas firms in the Technology, Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors. IDA clients such as Intel, Pfizer, and Procter and Gamble are all located in Kildare and continue to perform well.
The IDA regularly engages with key stakeholders on the ground in Kildare and Laois, including with local authorities, public bodies, the education sector and companies from both its own client base but also from the indigenous sector. The Agency also owns sites in both counties that are actively marketed to its clients through its network of offices in Ireland and overseas. I am hopeful that this ongoing work by the IDA will lead to more investment and job creation for the wider area in due course.
Data on IDA Ireland site visits is collated on a county-by-county basis only. Information on visits to particular locations - such as to individual sites or towns - is not available for reasons of client confidentiality and commercial sensitivity.
Table A outlines the status of IDA properties in Kildare and Laois and current occupants. Table B sets out the number of IDA site visits to each county of Ireland from 2013 to Q3 2018. Figures for Q4 2018 will become available later this month.
Table A: IDA marketable land in Counties Kildare and Laois
|
County |
Town |
Business Park / Site Name |
Total Size (c.ha) |
Total Size acre |
Available (c.ha) |
Available (c.acre) |
Occupants |
|
Kildare |
Newbridge |
Newbridge Business Park |
16.8 |
41.5 |
2.9 |
7.2 |
Proctor and Gamble, Barlo Packaging Ltd, Curragh-Tintawn Ltd, Lily O'Briens, Comerford Brothers Ltd |
|
Laois |
Portlaoise |
IDA Portlaoise Business & Technology Park, Dublin Road |
18.0 |
44.5 |
9.6 |
23.7 |
OPW, Aubren, Internal Results |
Table B: IDA Ireland site visits by county 2013-Q3 2018
|
County |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
Q1 2018 |
Q2 2018 |
Q3 2018 |
|
Dublin |
180 |
205 |
242 |
284 |
327 |
69 |
72 |
68 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
|
Meath |
1 |
2 |
7 |
8 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Laois |
2 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
1 |
8 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
9 |
12 |
28 |
36 |
42 |
3 |
9 |
6 |
|
Clare |
5 |
9 |
12 |
18 |
22 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
23 |
22 |
40 |
49 |
42 |
8 |
7 |
10 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
3 |
12 |
8 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Louth |
4 |
10 |
20 |
24 |
22 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
2 |
8 |
8 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
10 |
7 |
15 |
20 |
18 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
4 |
10 |
10 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Waterford |
14 |
11 |
31 |
17 |
11 |
5 |
9 |
5 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cork |
31 |
30 |
48 |
49 |
51 |
10 |
14 |
21 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
9 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
|
Galway |
15 |
19 |
41 |
42 |
62 |
10 |
20 |
12 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
326 |
359 |
565 |
638 |
682 |
135 |
172 |
154 |
287. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding an appeal by a person (details supplied) lodged in respect of a stamp 4 application support letter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2913/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that on 10 July 2018, the named individual was refused a Stamp 4 Support Letter because the individual had not been in continuous employment in the State on a Critical Skills Employment Permit for the required minimum period of 21 months before the expiration of their employment permit. Due to the individual's commencement date of employment in the State, it was not possible for them to reach the required 21 month period without applying for a second Critical Skills Employment Permit.
As a new Critical Skills Employment Permit was required to reach the 21 month period my officials expedited a new application which had been submitted, allowing the individual to reach the required 21 month period across the two permits. This new permit was granted on 26th July 2018.
A new request for a Stamp 4 Support Letter is now required. My Department has not received a new request for a Stamp 4 Support Letter from the named individual. It is open to this person to submit such a request. Any such request will be expedited by my officials.
288. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts being made to promote Mullingar, County Westmeath as an attractive centre for regional development and in particular for IDA led investment in the context of trying to achieve the target of increased employment opportunities outside of the cities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3103/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince becoming Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, I have made regional development my top priority. Indeed, enterprise development and job creation in the regions of Ireland is a key policy priority of this Government.
We want to have a situation where all regions are enabled to realise their potential as contributors to economic recovery and growth, and thereby reduce regional disparities.
For the State as a whole, since the launch of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs (Q1 2015 to Q3 2018) there has been an increase of 258,800 people in employment, with 163,500 of these located in the regions outside Co. Dublin – that’s 3 out of every 5 jobs created.
In the year from Q3 2017 – Q3 2018, just over half (51%) of the jobs created were outside of Co. Dublin.
The Midlands has seen good progress, with employment in the region increasing by 17.6% from Q1 2015 to Q3 2018. There are 19,100 more people in employment in the region from Q1 2015, the start of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs process, to Q3 2018.
CSO figures show that the unemployment rate in the Midlands Region is currently at 7.1% (Q3 2018), which is higher than the State average of 6% and continued focus is therefore required on regional enterprise development and job creation in the Midlands.
My Department’s €60 million Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) administered by Enterprise Ireland is aimed at accelerating economic recovery in all regions of the country by delivering on the potential of local and regional enterprise strengths. To date the Fund has supported 42 support significant collaborative and innovative regional initiatives around the country to build on specific industry sectoral strengths and improve enterprise capability, thereby driving job creation.
Under the REDF first call, I was very pleased to announce that Irish Manufacturing Research CLG based in Mullingar, were approved over €2 million in funding to support the development of this important asset for the manufacturing sector in the region. A further two projects for the Midlands received an allocation under the second call, totalling just over €650,000; namely Mountmellick Development Association and Offaly Innovation and Design Centre (Birr).
The Government remains committed to achieving an overall jobs uplift of between 10 and 15 percent in each region by 2020 and to bring and/or maintain unemployment levels in each region to within at least one percentage point of the State average.
That is why in April 2018, I asked the RAPJ Implementation Committees, including in the Midlands, to refresh and refocus their plans to ensure their relevance and impact out to 2020, especially in the face of current challenges, including Brexit. This work is ongoing and I expect to launch the refreshed Regional Enterprise Plan for the Midlands next month. The Regional Enterprise Plan will continue to add value to the core mandates of the enterprise agencies by bringing together regional stakeholders to work collaboratively on projects to support enterprise development.
The Enterprise Agencies continue to work to contribute to employment and economic growth throughout all regions.
Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for 2017-2020 aims to create a further 60,000 jobs, while sustaining existing ones, which will make an important contribution to jobs and economic growth across all regions.
IDA Ireland is also committed to playing its part in the economic development of Irelands Regions. IDA meanwhile will continue to target a minimum increase in investment of 30% to 40% in each region outside Dublin to 2019.
The IDA regularly engages with key stakeholders on the ground in County Westmeath, including with local authorities, public bodies, the education sector and companies from both its own client base but also from the indigenous sector.
There are now 42 IDA supported companies based in the Midlands, employing 5,720 people in 2018. This employment figure represents a 14% increase on 2017. The Midlands Region was the highest performing Region in terms of FDI employment growth in Ireland during 2018. The Region has been successful over a number of years in mobilising inward foreign direct investment (FDI), with employment levels in IDA client companies increasing every year since 2011. County Westmeath specifically has performed well with 3,466 people employed in 2018 in FDI companies, an increase of 16.5% over the 2017 figures.
Across the Region, IDA Ireland has a portfolio of Business & Technology Parks available to support IDA and EI client companies. These flagship Business Parks in key locations, including Mullingar, have been designed and landscaped to a high standard and are occupied by many high end manufacturing and international services clients with capacity to facilitate and accommodate new international investment. IDA also works closely with the private sector to encourage and market appropriate and cost-effective building and property solutions suitable for FDI clients.
The region has an impressive range of companies across all industry sectors, with particular strengths in Life Sciences, Technology, Global Business Services, International Financial Services and Engineering. Significant ‘new name’ investments in recent years in both services and manufacturing include Aerie Pharmaceutical, Neueda Technologies (both based in Athlone), SkOUT Secure Intelligence in Portlaoise and Red Seal Cups in Longford. The largest new name project has been Centre Parcs, which is a €233m development in Ballymahon, Co. Longford that will see 1,000 people employed when fully operational in 2019.
Expansions of scale from the existing client base over recent years included projects from Ericsson and NPD in Athlone, Abbott in Longford and Avery Denison in Longford. The existing FDI base of companies enjoy strong collaborative links with the Athlone Institute of Technology and the presence of a third level Institute of scale has been key to the development of the Region.
The availability of appropriate property solutions continues to be a strategic asset supporting the winning of FDI. To support the delivery of IDA’s current strategy Winning FDI 2015-2019, a €150m property investment plan was announced in February 2015. This investment focus is on the building of Advance Building Solutions (ABS), infrastructure investment in a number of Utility Intensive Strategic site solutions and the upgrade of Business and Technology Parks within IDA's national portfolio. IDA’s property investment programme for the Midlands Region included the construction of an Advance Building Solution (ABS) in the Athlone Business & Technology Park, which facilitated Aerie Pharmaceutical in establishing a new ophthalmic production facility and the creation of 50 high jobs.
IDA’s focus over the coming two years and beyond is to build on the strengths and competencies of the Midlands Region with a particular focus on high value manufacturing, services and research and development opportunities across a number of established clusters in Life Sciences, Technology, and Global Business Services. Emerging technology trends have and will continue to create new opportunities across the region in areas such as data analytics, smart manufacturing, cybersecurity and new approaches to working such as home working and hub working.
IDA Ireland will continue to work closely with existing clients to retain and strengthen their presence through continued company transformation as well as pursuing new areas of opportunity for clients companies. IDA will continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland and its indigenous base of companies to identify synergies, enhance clusters, participate in site visits and maximise benefits for the Region.
Enhanced collaboration will be needed to align the efforts of all stakeholders and service providers to ensure that the Midlands Region continues to meet the needs of overseas companies. The delivery of necessary infrastructure and property solutions, fostering the continued development and growth of a skilled workforce and the continued development of the place-making of the Region are pre-requisites to winning continued FDI investment. Such collaboration can act as a catalyst to attracting new companies and talent to the Midlands.
The Midlands Region is very well positioned to continue to attract new FDI investment and grow employment in existing companies and IDA Ireland will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders and parties in the Region to achieve this objective under the refreshed Regional Enterprise Plan.
