Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the support his Department is providing to the Climate Transition Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52653/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSustainability and energy efficiency must become integral to the strategic planning of all businesses. As previously announced in the Revised NDP, we will provide €10 million in funding to help businesses decarbonise and prepare for the future. This is designed to kick start new areas of economic growth, providing long-term, future-proofed jobs.
Provision has been made in Budget 2022 for establishing a Scheme as part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Fund to assist in carbon abatement in the enterprise sector and building further capacity to address emerging climate change issues. Over the period 2022-2026 a total amount of €55 million has been allocated to this fund including a €10 million allocation for 2022.
My Department is currently developing the funding scheme along with our agency Enterprise Ireland addressing the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to a low carbon and sustainable economy.
42. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the value of all-Ireland trade in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the specific initiatives taken by his Department to boost all-Ireland trade and enterprise. [52012/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the start of 2020, we have faced unprecedent challenges on our island. With these challenges, however, has come opportunities.
The NI Protocol presents a unique opportunity for Northern Ireland, with access to the UK internal market and the EU Single Market of more than 450 million people. We have already seen the benefits of Northern Ireland’s unique position in the significant increase in cross-border trade.
In 2020 the value of goods exported from Ireland to Northern Ireland was over €2.3 billion. From January to August 2021, the value of goods exported from Ireland to Northern Ireland was approx. €2.2 billion. This represents a 47% increase over the equivalent period in 2020.
On the imports side, in 2020 the value of goods imported into Ireland from Northern Ireland was almost €2.4 billion. From January to August 2021, the value of goods imports to Ireland from Northern Ireland was €2.5 billion. This represents a 61% increase over the equivalent period in 2020. Statistics for services exports to, and services imports from, Northern Ireland for 2020 and to date in 2021 are not yet available.
My Department is engaged in assisting cross-border trade and business collaboration, principally through the funding of InterTradeIreland. ITI works to grow trade across the border and to help businesses in dealing with the joint impacts of Brexit and the pandemic. The work of ITI is helping to build and strengthen the business and commerce between North and South.
Through its range of programmes, the Body continues to assist and develop cross-border trade and businesses as they face the challenges that have emerged in recent years. Their Brexit Advisory Service works to provide a focal point for SME’s working to navigate the changes in cross border trading relationships brought about by Brexit. The Acumen trade programme is designed to support businesses by funding a part-time or full-time sales salary support to develop cross-border trade. By early 2022 a new Trade Information Service will be launched, where they will offer a complete information service that provides informational support on all areas of trade and reach the wider audience of 44,000 cross border traders.
This work is particularly important in the context of the Government’s Shared Island Initiative. Under the National Development Plan, we have doubled the Shared Island Fund to €1 billion out to 2030. With this fund, the Government will work to develop and deliver joint and coordinated investments to build a more connected, sustainable all-island economy. These investments will help to grow business and employment opportunities both North and South.
43. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 17 December 2020, if Enterprise Ireland’s draft disability inclusion strategy, supporting entrepreneurship, has been approved by the Enterprise Ireland senior management team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53184/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2021, Enterprise Ireland established a Diversity & Inclusion Steering Group to oversee the development of the agency’s Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) vision and strategy. To date this group has completed the first stage (Insight Gathering & Scoping) and is at an advanced stage of developing a D&I Vision and Strategy/Charter to align with EI's forthcoming new corporate strategy.
A critical component of this strategy is specific to supporting entrepreneurship & self-employment for people with a disability. The continued aim is to complete the development of the strategy by year end 2021.
In addition, as part of Enterprise Ireland’s wider strategy development 2022-24, a specific ‘Balance & Inclusive Enterprise Development’ working group was established. The group presented recommended strategic options to EI’s Senior Leadership team in Q3 2021, and D&I will be a specific pillar that will be presented to EI’s Board in Q4 2021, outlining strategic options for the delivery of EI’s 2030 ambition on ‘Balanced and Inclusive Enterprise Development’, and as part of the Enterprise Ireland’s new strategy (2022-2024).
Throughout 2021, a number of virtual events (Virtual Ability Series) for EI clients and enterprises, including: Recruit for Ability; Inclusive Recruitment podcast; and DesignAbility - Innovation through Inclusion webinar. Content is hosted on eiLearn portal and is available to all enterprises nationally (e.g. https://eilearn.ie/designability/).
Enterprise Ireland is also reassessing opportunities for greater employer engagement across their range of enterprise leadership and capability programmes, including Leadership 4 Growth, Attracting and Retaining Talent and Spotlight on Skills. The latter two programmes specifically explore employers’ current and future skills needs, and help develop talent attraction strategies, including diversity. Enterprise Ireland has a close working relationship with the Regional Skills Fora, in particular in the implementation of programmes such as Spot Light on Skills programme. This review will be completed by year end 2021.
44. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of funding provided in 2020 and to date in 2021 to local enterprise boards. [52009/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2020 the Local Enterprise Offices were in receipt of approximately €77m (€76,992,462) in funding from my Department.
The initial budget of €33.5m was understandably increased to provide sufficient funding to allow the LEOs to assist businesses from all sectors to deal with the issues that COVID presented. This included the provision of €27.4m to the Business Continuity Vouchers Scheme which offered businesses with up to 50 employees, across all sectors, a voucher of up to €2,500 in third party consultancy costs to help mitigate the impact of COVID -19 and plan for their recovery.
In 2021, the core budget for the Local Enterprise Offices was set at €48m which included a provision of €6m set aside for COVID -19 measures, plus an additional €10.2m in capital carryover to meet liabilities from the Trading Online Voucher Scheme which transferred into my department in January this year.
The Local Enterprise Offices have thus far received just over €39m (€39,089,260) of this funding.
46. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the new Work Safely Protocol; and his plans for updating the protocols. [53137/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra76. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether the review of the Work Safety Protocol presented on 19 October 2021 is still valid in view of current situation with Covid-19; if a further review is being undertaken or scheduled to be presented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53109/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 76 together.
On 19th October 2021, the Government, taking account of the latest developments with regards to the incidence and behaviour of COVID-19, and the progress in the roll out of vaccinations, announced further steps in reopening of society, to take effect from 22nd October 2021.
The announcement made clear that important and necessary Public Health guidance currently in effect will remain in place after 22nd October 2021. In parallel with the reopening, an updated Work Safely Protocol was published on the 22nd of October to reflect the latest Public Health advice and the Government decision.
The Work Safely Protocol continues to apply in full, setting out the minimum Public Health infection prevention and control measures required to be taken by employers and workers, in every place of work, to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The updating of the Protocol followed discussions and agreement at the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) oversight group, which is a forum for high-level dialogue between Government, Trade Union and Employer representatives, in addition, LEEF issued an updated guidance note to cover the period after 22nd October 2021.
As Public Health advice and interventions change due to new and emerging evidence and the lessons learnt from the implementation of Public Health interventions, employers and workers should ensure that they keep up to date with and follow the current Public Health advice available on HPSC/HSE website. The Work Safely Protocol will continue to be updated and revised as necessary to reflect Public Health advice and Government decisions.
47. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of additional support that Budget 2022 will provide for local enterprise offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52579/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2022 sets out to help businesses get back on their feet as we reopen the economy and society. Funding allocated to this in Budget 2022 comes on top of the measures announced in the National Economic Recovery Plan, which sets out how the Government plans to help get more people than ever working in long-term, future-proofed jobs.
The Local Enterprise Offices will receive an additional €2m under Budget 2022, which represents an almost 5% increase in funding for the Local Enterprise Offices. This additional investment will allow each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices to enhance the role they already play in supporting local and regional development including the launching of the Regional Enterprise Plans.
The revised NDP sets out a strategic ambition of 15,000 net jobs through the Local Enterprise Offices, targeting the strategic priorities of entrepreneurship, competitiveness and digitalisation, sustainability, innovation and exporting.
The additional funding provided in this Budget will be focused on the dual challenges of digitalisation of micro and small companies and addressing the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to a low carbon and sustainable economy. Initiatives such as Green for Micro and LEAN for Micro benefit businesses by increasing cost savings, improving resource efficiency, reducing environmental impacts and enhancing competitiveness and productivity.
The ongoing success of the Trading Online Vouchers Scheme will be built upon by continuing to assist enterprises on their digital journey as well as developing further awareness and training programmes to encourage micro-enterprises to think digital first.
48. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 94 of 13 October 2021, the status of the current review of the critical skills and ineligible occupations lists; when the final report of the review will be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52892/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.
The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations. The lists are reviewed twice a year to ensure their ongoing relevance to the State’s human capital requirements. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by my Department and of the relevant policy Departments including the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
The outcome of the most recent Review was announced on 28 October. A press release is available on my Department’s website. The key features of the announcement were
- Most construction sector jobs now eligible for a General Employment Permit
- Quota to be removed for HGV driver work permits
- 350 General Employment Permits for hospitality managers
- Social Workers to be eligible for Critical Skills Employment Permit
- Dispensing Opticians to be eligible for General Employment Permit
- New General Employment Permit quotas for 1,000 Horticulture Operatives, 500 Meat Deboners, 1500 Meat Processing operatives and 100 Dairy Farm Assistants; with a strategic review of labour attraction and retention in the sector to follow
- New General Employment Permit quota of 100 for Work Riders
PQ 94, referenced by the Deputy, related to the hospitality sector. I have decided to open a quota of 350 permits to address an immediate need at management level. The quota will be subject to a framework requiring a recognised third level qualification and five years’ experience in a management role. At the same time, I am aware that the industry has not fully re-opened and that the impact on the sector is still difficult to establish. Along with officials in my Department, I will continue to review the situation to make any adjustments necessary.
49. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the increased supports that are being provided for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53169/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CCPC has a statutory function under the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 to promote competition and to promote and protect the interests and welfare of Irish consumers. In pursuit of these functions, the CCPC enforces competition and consumer protection laws. They also provide advice to the Government and other public bodies on issues relating to competition and consumer welfare.
The allocation of financial resources to the CCPC has increased considerably in recent years consistent with the rapid expansion in its responsibilities for new competition and consumer protection legislation and the impact of Brexit on consumers in Ireland following the end of the transition period in December 2020. Their efforts to encourage Irish consumers to get ready for Brexit coincided with severe impacts which consumers encountered due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The total Exchequer allocation for the CCPC in 2021 is €16,736 million. The Exchequer allocation for the CCPC in 2020 was €13,836 million. A sum of €18,323 million is being provided by the Government for the CCPC in 2022. The CCPC is seeing a total increase of 32.43% in its budget allocation over the period 2020 to 2022. This significant increase in resources is enabling the CCPC to meet the considerable demands it faces in supporting consumers both during Brexit and the pandemic and preparing for the introduction of civil fines for companies who contravene competition law. The CCPC is required to expand its current remit to meet the challenges it is facing in the coming period to apply new provisions which are contained in the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2021 and the Consumer Rights Bill 2021. The CCPC has also assumed responsibility for the EU Regulation on Platform to Business (P2B).
My department is keeping the matter of adequately resourcing the CCPC under constant review to ensure that there is a proper fit between their statutory remit and the adequacy of resources required to enable them to meet those statutory obligations.
50. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date by the Joint Labour Committee that he and the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail established to examine pay and conditions in the early years sector; when he expects the process to reach a conclusion; the way that the Government will support the process and ultimate outcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48445/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June of this year I made an Order establishing the Early Years’ Service Joint Labour Committee 2021. Following the making of the Order, I appointed a Chair and Deputy Chair to the JLC. This was done on the 8 July 2021.
In accordance with the Fifth Schedule to the Industrial Relations Act 1990, the Court is required to appoint such number of employer representatives as it thinks fit to the Joint Labour Committee who in the opinion of the Court represent employers in relation to whom the committee is to operate. The Court is further empowered to appoint an equal number of worker members who in the opinion of the Court represent workers in relation to whom the committee is to operate.
A Division of the Court is currently in the process of doing this.
Proposals for an ERO are formulated in the first instance by a JLC where it is satisfied that such proposals would promote harmonious relations between workers and employees.
The Labour Court then considers whether or not to adopt the proposals of a JLC. If the Labour Court is satisfied that the proposals are in a suitable form for adoption, the Labour Court adopts the proposals and submits to me. If I am satisfied that the relevant legislative requirements have been met and it is appropriate to do so, I will then give effect to the proposals through the making of an Employment Regulation Order.
51. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which vacancies remain to be filled throughout the various economic sectors; the extent to which particular causes have been identified as being central to the vacancy difficulty; the proposals to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52710/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which efforts are being made to facilitate sectors of industry having difficulty filling staff vacancies; the degree to which particular sectors have been severely affected by this issue; when it is expected that there might be a resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52709/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 77 together.
The past 18 months have been difficult for most businesses, and some sectors have been more severely impacted by public health restrictions and for a more prolonged period. Throughout the pandemic my Department and its enterprise agencies have engaged with and supported businesses within their remit, and in recent months there has been the start of a recovery in employment across the economy. According to the latest Labour Force Survey, published by the Central Statistics Office, on a seasonally adjusted basis employment increased by 212,200 in the year to the second quarter of 2021, with employment standing at 2.35 million.
102,600 of this increase was accounted for in the second quarter of 2021 alone. This came at a time when public health restrictions had started to ease and Ireland’s vaccination programme was being rolled out. This highlights the importance of the Government’s efforts to help workers and businesses throughout the past 18 months, especially those wage supports which helped businesses maintain a link to their staff.
In its ongoing engagement with enterprise, my Department and its enterprise agencies have nevertheless been made aware of labour shortages in certain sectors. My Department has worked to signpost businesses towards the training and labour market activation programmes and supports, available through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, its agencies, and the Department of Social Protection, in order to address their staffing needs.
Some of these staffing shortfalls are due to pre-existing structural shifts in the economy, which have been accelerated by the impact of the pandemic. The twin decarbonisation and digital transitions, and their associated behavioural changes, are significantly altering the economy and will continue to do so in the coming years, leading to permanent changes in our labour market and business models. As we recover from the pandemic not all previous jobs will return- but embracing these transitions will also open up substantial new opportunities for businesses and jobs, as well as potential skills mismatches as these opportunities emerge.
The Government’s Economic Recovery Plan, published earlier this year, commits to supporting the transition of Ireland’s economy and workforce to the new Green and Digital economies. It has an overarching objective of having 2.5 million at work by 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. It aims to realise this goal through ongoing support for people and businesses in making a full return to work. The Plan commits to further strengthening Ireland’s skills framework to ensure skills mismatches are minimised, and people are supported in securing and remaining in sustainable and quality employment, in areas of identified skills needs for business.
As the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is phased out, helping people back to work and reducing the risk of labour market scarring and entrenched long term unemployment is also a priority. This will be achieved through a combination of significant upskilling and reskilling opportunities and increased labour market activation interventions through Pathways to Work 2021-2025. A jobs led recovery will also be supported through creating the right environment for employment creation, through measures to boost the resilience, agility, competitiveness and innovation of enterprises across the economy.
This will also be supported through ensuring a balanced and inclusive recovery, through strategic investment in infrastructure and reforms that enhance our long-term capacity for growth, balanced regional development and by improving living standards. In moving towards the goal of having 2.5 million people in work by 2024, the focus will be on recovering differently, with more productive, innovative, resilient and importantly more secure and valued employment across the economy.
52. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether he can deliver on his commitment made earlier in 2021 to enact paid sick leave by the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53106/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to introducing a statutory sick pay scheme and work is well underway in this regard. Any move to introduce a statutory sick pay scheme must be balanced with the need to support the viability of the business and enterprise sector, thereby protecting jobs. Therefore, appropriate examination of all implications and consultation with stakeholders is essential to the development of the scheme. We do not want to jeopardise jobs by placing a cost and/or admin burden on business without working through all of the implications and potential solutions. This is why my Department undertook a full public consultation, reviewed international best practice, and formed an interdepartmental group – to ensure that all views and issues were properly considered in the development of the scheme. Department officials are currently finalising the draft Heads of Bill in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. It will also be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny which is to be carried out by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, following which the Bill will need to pass through both houses of the Oireachtas.
I have asked the Joint Oireachtas Committee to proceed with their pre-legislative scrutiny as quickly as possible. Once this is complete, I will be in a position to seek Government approval to present the Bill to the Houses.
As I said to the Deputy in response to his parliamentary question of 15 September, I am committed to having legislation in place for 2022.
53. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the availability online of tickets for sale for the Ireland versus Portugal football match on 9 November 2021 which is a sold out event despite the practice of the banning of reselling tickets above face value being banned after the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021 was brought into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53122/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provisions of the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021 came into effect on 31st July, 2021. At that time, the Statutory Instrument putting into place the designation process for venues and events was also signed and the application forms made available on my Department’s website.
All operators of venues with a capacity of more than 1000 and sporting organisations, major event organisers and concert promoters were written to, both by my officials and by me on separate occasions to advise them that the legislation was in operation and designation application forms available.
For the legislation to operate as intended, the relevant venue operator or event organiser needs to apply for venue or event designation. It is the intention of the Act, and indeed it is my preference, that venues would be designated under the Act rather than a multitude of separate events as this would be less administratively burdensome and would ensure clarity for the live events sector as well as consumers. The purpose of permitting event designation was to ensure that once-a-year events or special one-off events would also be covered by the legislation.
To date, six venues and eighteen events have been designated under the Act and a designation register is available at: Register for Designation of Venues and Events - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)
As noted in recent media coverage, I can confirm that the Aviva Stadium is now designated as a venue for all events that will take place there, with effect from 28 October. This means that the Ireland V Portugal match taking place on 11 November falls within the scope of the law.
Section 15 of the Act, with specific exceptions, prohibits a secondary ticket seller from selling or advertising for sale or causing the advertisement for sale of a ticket or ticket package for a relevant event for a price exceeding the original sale price. A relevant event is defined as an event taking place in a designated venue or a designated event, therefore, above original price secondary reselling is unlawful for such events or venues that are designated under the legislation.
54. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the progress of the actions contained in the National Remote Work Strategy; the status of outstanding actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53103/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra58. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the remote working strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52576/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 58 together.
My Department published the National Remote Work Strategy on January 15th, 2021. The objective of the Strategy is to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits.
My Department is leading the implementation of the Strategy’s 15 actions through an Interdepartmental Group which meets every quarter. At these meetings it has been demonstrated that all actions have been achieved to date or are currently underway.
Progress to date includes:
- The publication of the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect in April 2021 by the WRC.
- A public consultation was held on the Right to Request Remote Work. Informed by this and by a review of international best practice, the drafting of the General Scheme of the Bill has commenced. Originally targeted for legislation in Q3, I will be seeking Cabinet approval for the drafting of Heads of a Bill in Q4 2021.
- ConnectedHubs.ie- Ireland’s first national digital hub network- was launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development at the end of May 2021. ConnectedHubs.ie will ultimately link over 400 hubs throughout the country.
- The Connected Hubs Call has awarded funding of €8.9m to 117 remote working hub projects in July to upgrade Ireland’s remote work infrastructure.
- The National Broadband Plan has been impacted negatively by COVID-19. However, mitigations are being pursued by the contractor, National Broadband Ireland, to address delays. These include hastening the eir “make-ready” programme and bringing in additional resources.
- The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have been working with employers across the Civil and Public Service to develop a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service. This Framework focuses on the longer-term approach to remote working in the sector and can assist in providing a consistent approach across the wider public sector. The Framework will be finalised over the coming months, following engagement with employee representatives and approval by the Civil Service Management Board.
- My Department is currently developing new Regional Enterprise Plans to 2024 in which there will be a focus on promoting remote working opportunities and investing in infrastructures across the nine regions.
- In October, over €9.3 million in funding was awarded to projects around the country through Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme, with successful applicants including hubs and enterprise centres throughout the country.
- In Budget 2022, an enhanced income tax deduction for people working from home was announced. It amounts to 30 percent of the cost of vouched expenses for heat, electricity and broadband.
55. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the review of the retail sector will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52619/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing an open competition on e-tenders, KPMG Future Analytics were commissioned by my Department to carry out a research study to identify and analyse the key factors that have impacted the retail sector in recent years and the likely future trends, opportunities and challenges facing the retail sector.
The Study will provide an evidence-based foundation for ongoing engagement with retail sector stakeholders and will identify retail sector policy options for consideration by my Department and by Government.
Research will be carried out:
- To define the retail landscape in Ireland
- To identify the immediate issues facing the retail sector in Ireland
- To identify the likely future trends, opportunities and challenges facing Ireland’s retail sector.
Consideration will also be given to what is happening in other important policy areas where the retail sector features such as the Town Centre First Initiative, Night-time Economy Policy, the Experience economy, Climate policy, and the Digital/AI Policy.
The research will also include a Literature Review, the focus of which, will be on available international and domestic information and data.
Case studies will be undertaken and an examination of international retail activity to understand the driving factors changing international retail trends.
A draft set of recommendations will be prepared for my Department on policy approaches to the developmental priorities and needs of the retail sector across the regions in Ireland, with a view to increasing productivity and innovation and with a specific focus on aligning these with existing policy objectives in relation to digitalisation, climate change and skills.
I understand that currently, as part of the research, engagement with stakeholders in a number of ways is ongoing, including via an online survey and through the conducting of key informant interviews. Online workshop with stakeholders will also be held later this year.
I also have been informed that the online survey for retail businesses is still available and can be completed by contacting my officials at retail@enterprise.gov.ie.
This study is an important piece of work to understand the retail landscape in Ireland and to inform how policy interventions can best work to ensure the future success of Ireland’s retail sector.
The research is due to be completed by the end of Q4 2021.
56. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the reported 59% fall in foreign investment in 2020 to €28 billion; and the response his Department has taken to reverse this decrease. [52010/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI note that the Deputy is referring to a report from MoneyTransfers.com, published last August. The report is based on OECD data on foreign direct investment inflows. However, the figure referred to by the Deputy includes the movement of finances within companies and so it does not accurately reflect FDI flows which have an impact on the economy. For this reason, IDA Ireland’s success in attracting meaningful FDI is measured by the number of greenfield investments it wins and the jobs created through those investments.
There is positive evidence of Ireland’s continued attractiveness as a destination for FDI, and investors’ confidence in Ireland remains strong, as evidenced by the flow of investment projects over recent months and years. In 2020, IDA Ireland won 246 investments and the number of people directly employed in the multinational sector in Ireland grew to 257,394. The pipeline of investment in the year-to-date has been extraordinarily strong considering the continued uncertainty in the global operating environment. IDA Ireland’s mid-year results for 2021 show 142 investments won to the end of Q2, 62 of which were new name investments. These investments provide employment potential of over 12,500 jobs, close to the record levels of 2019. It is also encouraging to see that during the first half of 2021 investment continued to be spread across the country with 68 regional investments, amounting to 48% of the total investments.
Despite these very positive results there are challenges ahead including trade protectionism, Brexit, the increasingly competitive global market for FDI and the need to keep pace with digitalisation, disruptive technology, new business models and the future of work. To maintain and enhance Ireland’s competitiveness and reputation as a good place to do businesses, my Department will work across Government and with IDA Ireland to improve Ireland’s value proposition. My Department will continue to support IDA Ireland to partner with multinational companies to drive economic recovery and sustainable growth in the coming years. IDA Ireland’s strategy, Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth, launched in January this year, is an ambitious but pragmatic strategy for 2021-2024. This Strategy aims to ensure that FDI can make a significant contribution to the recovery and future growth of the economy. A formal review of this strategy at its half-way point next year will enable IDA Ireland to make any necessary adjustments as the economic outlook and risks for future years become clearer.
57. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies or organisations the IDA has discussed with visits to County Kerry during 2021 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52995/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland staff across the globe are conscious of the importance and impact of winning investments to locations such as Kerry and other regional locations. The Agency has been operating in a very challenging environment over the past 15 months with little or no international travel globally due to the Covid 19 pandemic. IDA has been operating virtually and hosting companies on virtual site visits with some successes during this time.
IDA Ireland is committed to winning opportunities for Kerry. Of the 400 investments targeted for outside of Dublin over the life of IDA Ireland's Strategy 2021-2024, the South West Region (Kerry and Cork) has the largest target of any region outside Dublin, with 118 investments.
IDA Ireland have publicly committed to build a new (second) Advance Technology Building in Tralee to support winning a new office or industrial investment given the flexible nature of IDA building solutions. The site selection process is underway on this and while it will take time to secure planning permission and construct the building, it is a strong statement of continued commitment to Kerry to support the winning of new investments. It is intended that this building solution will be delivered during the life of the current IDA Strategy 2021-2024.
In addition, there is a strong focus on supporting existing companies to minimise downsizings or closures. While some industry sectors are performing well, others have been impacted significantly because of the pandemic and/or a downturn on certain markets served by IDA client companies.
IDA continues to engage with new companies on promoting Ireland as a location for their business utilising virtual site visits as opposed to physically visiting the county. Up to and including Q3, 2021, IDA Ireland hosted one virtual site visit showcasing Kerry for a potential investment. I am assured that IDA will continue to position Kerry for virtual site visits over the rest of 2021 and beyond.
59. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding which is being set aside by his Department in 2022 for Covid-19 related measures which come under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52768/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Budget 2022 allocated a total of €6.8 billion to fund Covid-19 related measures next year. Of this, €2.8 billion was included in the 2022 allocations provided to Departments to ensure the continued availability of vital measures such as the EWSS. In addition, €300 million is being held in reserve specifically to deal with pressures that may emerge in Health and Education. The Budget also provided for a contingency of €2.8 billion to ensure that the Government can respond to challenges posed by any deterioration of the situation with the virus with a further €0.9 billion also held in reserve specifically to respond to risks to the labour market in the event of any significant resurgence of the virus next year.As regards my own Department, Budget 2022 allocated a total of €898 million to fund our programmes next year. This included additional Covid funding of €17 million. This will ensure that the IDA and Enterprise Ireland can continue to fund vital projects under the Covid Products Scheme as well as providing additional backing for the Covid Credit Guarantee Scheme which is a key access to finance measure enabling businesses to secure finance at reasonable rates thereby helping them to navigate their way out of the pandemic.In addition to the aforementioned €17 million allocated in Budget 2022, it is my intention to use some €80 million in savings from this year to ensure that commitments arising in relation to a number of my Department’s Covid Schemes can be met in 2022. The totality of almost €100 million in discrete Covid funding will ensure that business will still be able to access important Schemes such as the Sustaining Enterprise Fund and the Covid Products Scheme in 2022.It is also my intention to engage with the Minister for Public Expenditure Reform to seek funding from the Covid Contingency Fund announced in the Budget, if required, for any further measures that might be needed by business as they continue to emerge from the pandemic in 2022. In particular, I intend to explore the possibility of expanding the suite of access to finance measures to ensure that long term lending products can be made more readily accessible by business to allow them to make the strategic investments and transformations necessitated by the impacts of the pandemic. It should also be appreciated that aside from the aforementioned discrete Covid measures, my Department and our Agencies continue to offer a suite of core schemes and initiatives which undoubtedly will continue to be key supports for enterprise in 2022 and beyond. My Department has secured an increase of over 20% in capital funding for these core programmes in 2022.This increase in our core funding together with the discrete allocated and contingent Covid monies announced in the Budget 2022 will allow the Department and our Agencies to build on the progress made in promoting indigenous businesses and regional development, attracting high quality FDI, and stimulating innovation as well incentivising businesses to actively embrace the transformations required by the challenges of Climate Change and Digitisation.
60. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the role his Department is taking in the planned refurbishment of the Butter Exchange in Shandon, Cork city to be used as a hub for start-up businesses and entrepreneurs. [53167/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland, through its Cork Regional team, has assisted the Recreate Shandon group to explore opportunities and options for the Butter Exchange building and has provided this group with feasibility funding under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, in order to develop a sustainable business plan that identifies the best options to maximise opportunities and attract new start-ups and entrepreneurs to the facility.
The Feasibility fund helps promoters investigate the viability of Regional and Sectoral Development projects and prepare final submissions for consideration. My Department, through EI, continues to work with the Recreate Shandon group to investigate possible sources of funding to further develop their business plan and objectives for the region.
