Written Answers Nos. 156-170
156. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of regional aid that has been allocated to counties Laois and Offaly in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18722/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn March 22nd, the European Commission approved a Regional Aid Map for Ireland for the period 2022-2027. The Regional Aid Map identifies the areas where Regional Aid can be granted. Regional Aid is a form of state aid provided to enterprises to encourage investment and job creation in areas of relative economic disadvantage. Granting authorities in Ireland, in particular Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, are now in a position to grant Regional Aid to eligible enterprises under the new Map, which will apply up to December 2027.
It is important to note that Regional Aid is not the only form of aid available to Irish enterprises. Only approximately 7.4% of Ireland’s State Aid is in the form of Regional Aid. For example, irrespective of their location, enterprises may still avail of Research, Development and Innovation Aid, Environmental Aid, Training Aid and Consultancy Aid, under the General Block Exemption Regulation. Aid, for small amounts in terms of financial assistance, is also available under the De Minimis Regulation.
The Regional Aid Map is only applicable to Regional Aid or to any other aid that makes a specific reference to assisted areas designated by the Regional Aid Map.
A total of €7,939,343 was granted in Regional Aid by the Agencies of my Department, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to enterprises in County Laois for the period 2016 – 2021, while a total of €1,899,625 was granted to enterprises in County Offaly for the same period. In comparison, the overall aid granted to enterprises in County Laois was €14,303,139 for the period 2016 – 2021, while €12,626,884 was granted to enterprises in County Offaly for the same period.
A full breakdown of payments by enterprise agency for Counties Laois and Offaly can be found in the table below.
Regional Aid Payments 2016 - 2021
Enterprise Ireland
|
County |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
Laois |
€88,072 |
€40,875 |
€19,500 |
€310,544 |
€2,181,314 |
€5,299,038 |
€7,939,343 |
|
Offaly |
€288,428 |
€440,435 |
€553,981 |
€336,328 |
€59,125 |
€30,328 |
€1,708,625 |
|
Total |
€376,500 |
€481,310 |
€573,481 |
€646,872 |
€2,240,439 |
€5,329,366 |
€9,647,968 |
IDA Ireland
|
County |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
Laois |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Offaly |
€91,000 |
€0 |
€100,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€191,000 |
|
Total |
€91,000 |
€0 |
€100,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€191,000 |
Overall Payments 2016 - 2021
Enterprise Ireland
|
County |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
Laois |
€892,958 |
€345,759 |
€561,312 |
€1,060,064 |
€4,505,634 |
€6,878,112 |
€14,243,839 |
|
Offaly |
€920,548 |
€1,408,973 |
€1,031,220 |
€1,233,817 |
€3,015,361 |
€1,936,531 |
€9,546,450 |
|
Total |
€1,813,506 |
€1,754,732 |
€1,592,532 |
€2,293,881 |
€7,520,995 |
€8,814,643 |
€23,790,289 |
IDA Ireland
|
County |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
Laois |
€5,000 |
€24,500 |
€24,850 |
€0 |
€4,950 |
€0 |
€59,300 |
|
Offaly |
€355,450 |
€960,089 |
€201,335 |
€1,195,208 |
€0 |
€368,352 |
€3,080,434 |
|
Total |
€360,450 |
€984,589 |
€226,185 |
€1,195,208 |
€4,950 |
€368,352 |
€3,139,73 |
157. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the salaries and pensions paid out to special advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department in 2020 and 2021, broken down by Minister in tabular form. [11393/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe tables below set out the gross salary rates for the Special Advisers to Ministers and Minister of State in my Department at year end 2020 and year end 2021. In respect of the records held by my Department, there were no pensions paid out to the Special Advisers during 2020 or 2021.
32 nd Dáil – dissolved on 27 th June 2020
|
Office of the Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation Heather - Humphreys, T.D. |
Year end 2020Gross Salary Rate |
|
Special Adviser 1 |
€94,487 |
|
Special Adviser 2 |
€101,114 |
|
Office of the Minister of State for Training, Skills, Research & Innovation - John Halligan , T.D. |
Year 2020 Salary paid |
|
Special Adviser – on D/Education payroll for duration of employment |
Records held with D/Education |
33 rd Dáil – Formed on 27 th June 2020
|
Office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment – Leo Varadkar, T.D. |
Year end 2020Gross Salary rate |
Year end 2021 Gross Salary rate |
|
Special Adviser 1 |
€100,044 |
€105,463 |
|
Special Adviser 2 |
€103,106 |
€105,463 |
|
Office of the Minister of State for Business, Employment & Retail – Damien English, T.D. |
Year end 2020Gross Salary rate |
Year end 2021 Gross Salary rate |
|
Special Adviser |
€77,411 |
€81,593 |
158. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of commissions of investigation under the remit of his Department currently ongoing in the State; the cost of each commission to date; and the projected costs of each in tabular form. [12559/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no currently ongoing commissions of investigation under the remit of my Department.
159. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a list of the grants given to businesses during the Covid crisis; the amount issued under these grants; the amount of follow up assessments that took place to make sure the amount that was spent as per grant guidelines, and the level of auditing that took place to ensure money spent matched money issued in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18959/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been a wide range of measures taken by government to provide support for business during the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic including the provision of grants for businesses. A range of detail is set out in tabular format for the Deputy.
In addition to the information contained in the table, I can advise that the Restart Grant Scheme was operational through the 31 local authorities during 2020 and approved 108,489 successful applications with payments of some €632 million. Upon final closure of the Scheme, in line with the provisions of the Scheme Service Level Agreements, an independent audit was commissioned to provide reasonable assurance as to the implementation, monitoring and control of the Scheme and reasonable assurance as to the appropriate administration, disbursement and reconciliation of the funding provided by the Exchequer for the Scheme. This is expected be concluded very shortly.
The C&AG included the Restart Grant in their ‘Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2020’ recognising the conditions of the Scheme and the proposed independent audit, and this in turn was also considered by the PAC who also noted the Scheme provisions, delivery context and the proposed audit. As the Scheme was delivered through the Local Authorities, it has been subject to the appropriate public sector operational and financial management procedures, and an ‘Overview of the Restart Grant and Restart Grant Plus Schemes’ report was produced in October 2021 by the VFM Unit of the Local Government Audit Service.
The Restart Grant independent audit is currently underway and, following completion of this, an evaluation of the Scheme will be carried out. The evaluation will also examine the contribution of grants towards preventing permanent business closure and preserving employment during the Covid pandemic, along with and any lessons for how any similar business assistance schemes could be designed and administered in the event of a future emergency.
The audits of the Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid (SBASC) by the C&AG and an independent auditor are currently ongoing. An independent evaluation of the scheme may take place at a later date.
The Comptroller and Auditor General publish annual audit opinion on the accounts and funds administered by my Department to ensure that public funds have been managed to good effect and that expenditure and receipts for are properly accounted for.
While we are responding to a very dynamic situation to address the challenge of getting the right assistance to firms and workers at the right time, all schemes of my Department and agencies include appropriate governance and oversight in the administration of advisory and funding schemes.
160. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are available for small business owners to offset the costs arising from the new February bank holiday, be they loss of income from closure of business or the payment of double time wages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18968/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom next year the Government is introducing a new permanent public holiday in celebration of Imbolc/St. Brigid’s day. This will be the first Monday in every February, except where St. Brigid’s day, the 1st day of February, happens to fall on a Friday, in which case that Friday 1st February will be a public holiday. The Governments want to ensure that the public holiday provides for a long weekend. The first St. Brigid’s day public holiday will be Monday 6th February 2023.
This will raise the public holidays in Ireland to 10, bringing us more into line with other member states where the numbers range from 8 to 15 days. While there are costs involved, there is no compensation for employers for any public holidays. However, there are also many benefits to the economy, as an additional public holiday helps to stimulate spending throughout the country, particularly in businesses operating in the tourism, entertainment, recreation and hospitality sectors.
161. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the rights or options open to a worker who commenced working in the State under a stamp 4EUFAM in 2017, in circumstances (details supplied); if there other avenues are open to persons to retain their job without the need for a general employment permit in cases in which the employment does not qualify as a critical needs employment; if such a worker can avail of any form of alternative permit arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18988/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Employment Permit Acts in order to work in the State all non-EEA nationals require a valid employment permit or relevant immigration permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality which allows them to reside and work in the State without the requirement for an Employment Permit. The Irish State’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the European Union and other EEA states. However, where specific skills prove difficult to source within the EEA, an employment permit may be sought in respect of a non-EEA national who possess those skills.
All applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006 and are dependent on a job offer from an Irish registered Employer for an eligible occupation. The State's employment permit system is ordered by the use of occupation lists which determine which employments are in high demand and which are ineligible for employment permits. These lists are reviewed on a twice-yearly basis.
Non-EEA nationals holding valid immigration permission, who have been offered employment in an eligible occupation will be allowed to apply for an Employment Permit whilst already legally resident in the State. The non EEA national must hold a valid immigration stamp namely, Stamps 1, 1A, 2, 2A and 3 immigration permissions. Holders of Stamp 4 immigration permission do not require an employment permit to enter employment in the State. It is advised that in respect of the person concerned (provided in the details) who is currently the holder of a Stamp 4 should in the first instance apply to the Department of Justice with a view to changing their permission. If however an application for an employment permit is submitted, the application will be considered.
If the occupation of the person concerned is an eligible occupation for an employment permit but it is not listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List or the annual remuneration is less than €64,000 based on a 39 hour working week, it will not be possible to meet the criteria for a Critical Skills Employment Permit. In such circumstances, a General Employment Permit application may be submitted on behalf of the person concerned but it will be necessary for a valid Labour Market Needs Test for an employment permit to be carried out prior to submitting the application.
To assist applicants when applying for a General Employment Permit a checklist document has been prepared and it is available on my Department's website and can be accessed through this link:- General-Employment-Permits-Checklist.pdf (enterprise.gov.ie).
Full information on the current eligibility criteria in relation to employment permits can be found on my Department’s website at www.dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/.
My Department also has a Frequently Asked Questions on its website which aims to answer the majority of the frequently asked questions we receive from applicants for employment permits, and it is available at dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/FAQs/.
Online employment permit applications may be submitted at epos.djei.ie. A user guide to assist with online applications is available at the following link epos.djei.ie/EPOSOnlinePortal/UserGuide.pdf.
162. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 673 of 7 February 2017, if he will provide the full list of companies that received payments under the succeed-in-Ireland initiative operated by Connect Ireland from the date of its establishment to when it was closed with payments by recipient company (details supplied); the number of jobs created per company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18998/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI'm informed that the only company which received payments from IDA Ireland under the Succeed-in-Ireland initiative was Connect-Ireland Initiative Limited (“Connect Ireland”). That company was paid a total of €2,270,000 (excluding VAT) in respect of 575 jobs created, in accordance with the contract between IDA Ireland and Connect Ireland relating to the Succeed in Ireland Initiative.
In addition, Connect Ireland was paid a termination payment of €1,750,350 in accordance with the contract for 398 jobs approved under the initiative which had not been created at the date the contract terminated (26th March 2017). A further €150,000 (excluding VAT) was paid to Connect-Ireland Initiative Limited in respect of marketing support.
It is my understanding that a dispute between IDA Ireland and Connect Ireland regarding the operation of the Succeed-in-Ireland initiative is currently in arbitration.
I have asked my officials for more information and to report back to me about the matter.
163. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff within his Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities that are presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19031/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 9 staff within my Department who are working with the European Union in Brussels. *In addition there is 1 staff member - a seconded national expert - seconded to the European Commission, in Washington D.C. The tables below set out the number of staff, their present roles and responsibilities and also the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016:
Table 1 - Officers seconded to the Department of Foreign Affairs to work on behalf of my Department at the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels:
|
Number of currently in post |
Number of staff in post on23 June on 2016 |
Role |
Responsibilities |
|
1 |
1 |
PO Counsellor, Competitiveness Council |
Competitiveness, Industry, SMEs, State Aid, Data, Chips Act, Artificial Intelligence, Space, Foreign Subsidies |
|
1 |
1 |
AP Attaché, Competitiveness Council |
Competition, Single Market, Better Regulation, Standardisation, Intellectual Property, Digital |
|
1 |
1 |
AP Attaché, Competitiveness Council |
Consumer, Company Law, Chemicals, Workplace Health & Safety, Technical Harmonisation |
|
0 This posting transferred to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Science as part of the transfer of functions in 2021. |
1 |
AP Attaché, Research and Innovation |
Furtherance of the Department’s Research and Innovation agenda |
|
1 |
1 |
PO Counsellor, Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) |
Ensuring Ireland’s position on individual trade and investment matters are promoted, secured and protected. |
|
1 |
No AO/HEO Attaché post in place in 2016 |
AO Attaché, Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) |
Ensuring Ireland’s position on individual trade and investment matters are promoted, secured and protected. |
|
1 |
No AP Attaché post for this agenda in 2016,this post was created in 2020 |
AP Attaché, Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) |
Furtherance of the Department’s Employment / Labour Affairs agenda |
Table 2 – Seconded to the European Commission, Brussels to work as Seconded National Expert (SNE). There were no staff of my Department seconded to the European Commission, Brussels as SNEs in 2016
|
Number of Staff current in post |
Role |
Responsibilities |
|
1 |
Seconded National Expert - DG - TRADE-G-5 - |
Trade Defence matters |
|
1 |
Seconded National Expert – DG Budget – |
Financial / EU Budgetary matters |
|
1* |
Seconded National Expert - DG Trade (delegation) based in Washington D.C. |
Policy Analysis, monitoring and co-ordination |
Table 3 – On EU special leave to work in the European Commission, Brussels as per D/Finance Circular 33 of 1991:
|
Number of Staff currently in post |
Number of staff in post on 23 June on 2016 |
|
1 |
1 |
I can also confirm that there are currently no vacant posts.
165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which the services and manufacturing services have improved and recovered given the existence of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19099/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the latest quarterly national accounts data from the Central Statistics Office[1], the Irish economy continued to recover in the final quarter of 2021, with preliminary estimates indicating that GDP in volume terms increased by 13.5% for the year 2021. GNP showed an increase of 11.5% in 2021 over 2020, while the deglobalised measure, Modified Domestic Demand (MDD) increased by 6.5% over the year.
The industrial sector, which is dominated by manufacturing activities, increased by 24% in 2021 compared to the previous year, and activity in this sector is now significantly higher than pre-pandemic. The ‘’modern manufacturing sector’’, which is dominated by pharmaceutical and other MNEs, performed strongly throughout the Pandemic. Meanwhile, production in the ‘’traditional sector’’ is gathering pace and performed solidly in the final quarter of 2021 compared to the previous three months.
The performance and recovery of the services sector in the aftermath of the COVID-19 shock has been more diverse than the manufacturing sector due to the customer facing and labour-intensive nature of certain service sectors. While the Information and Communications sector has performed exceptionally well, other services sectors such as Arts and Entertainment are only beginning their path to full recovery.
The labour market has also shown considerable resilience with the total number of persons in employment in Q4 2021 reaching 2,506,000[2] , compared to 2,276,800 persons in employment in Q4 2020, and 2,357,300 in Q4 2019, before the onset of COVID-19. The total numbers employed in the industrial sector are now 27,800 higher than before the pandemic began, once again highlighting the strength of this sector. Since 2019, total employment in the manufacturing sector in enterprise agency client companies has increased by 5.1%, or 11,534 jobs, to reach 238,038 jobs in 2021.
The outcome for employment in the services sector is more mixed, with the total numbers employed in Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities, and Financial, Insurance and Real Estate Activities higher in the final quarter of 2021 compared to the same quarter in 2019. However, the total numbers in employment were lower in the Accommodation and Food Service Activities sector. During the two year period spanning the pandemic from 2019 to 2021 total employment in the services sector in enterprise agency client companies has increased by 10.8%, or 22,262 jobs, to reach 229,301 in 2021.
Given the heightened global uncertainty surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the ESRI[3] revised slightly downward their forecasts for the Irish economy in 2022, but the outlook still remains positive. The ESRI now expect Irish GDP to increase by 6.2% in 2022 and modified domestic demand to grow 5.0%. The ESRI also anticipate continued improvements in the labour market, with unemployment set to average 6.3% in 2022.
[1] GDP by Sector - CSO - Central Statistics Office
[2] Employment - CSO - Central Statistics Office
[3] Quarterly Economic Commentary, Spring 2022 | ESRI
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which extra investment in jobs continues here notwithstanding the lingering effect of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19100/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Economic Recovery Plan, published on 1 June 2021, set out renewed supports, investments and policies to underpin economic recovery and transition. The Plan includes the overarching ambition of having 2.5 million people in work by 2024, a target which has already been exceeded according to the latest figures released by the CSO’s Labour Force Survey in February this year. The plan outlined renewed supports to help businesses deal with the direct impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as outlining the Government’s medium- term approach to creating the right environment for a jobs-led recovery and crucially to ensure that these jobs are more productive, innovative, resilient and in new areas of opportunity.
The Plan is about the sustainable rebuilding and renewal of our economy, across four pillars: helping people back into work with supports, intense activation and accelerated reskilling and upskilling opportunities, through Pathways to Work 2021-2025, which includes provisions to invest in and increase the number of training and education opportunities to assist people without jobs and those in employment to retrain and reskill; re-building sustainable enterprises by future-proofing enterprise to be more resilient, innovative, and productive; a balanced and inclusive recovery through strategic investment in infrastructure and reforms that enhance our long-term capacity for sustainable growth, balanced regional development and by improving living standards; and ensuring sustainable public finances.
The Plan is underpinned by a range of investment supports including funding to support the extended labour market and enterprise supports as well as the multi-billion strategic investment through the National Development Plan (NDP), which sets out a total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030.
Projects funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) are integrated into the Economic Recovery Plan, and reinforce the Government’s approach, which is focussed on supporting recovery and job creation, advancing the green transition, and accelerating and expanding digital reforms and transformation. The initial allocation under the NRRP is €915 million, with a further allocation to be made in 2023. The NRRP projects are focussed on addressing the twin decarbonisation and digitalisation transition and associated behavioural changes which will profoundly alter the economy. Embracing these transitions also is expected to open substantial new opportunities for businesses and support significant job creation.
Supporting indigenous SMEs, which account for over two thirds of total employment in Ireland, to innovate and become more productive will be critical to sustaining economic recovery and our ambition for resilient employment into the future. The Government is pursuing a two-pronged recovery approach; a focus on domestic SMEs, whilst leveraging and reinforcing the enormous strength and resilience of the Foreign Direct Investment sector in Ireland and its indispensable contribution to communities across the country. Through the delivery of IDA Ireland’s new strategy, Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021-2024 and complementary trade initiatives, Ireland will enhance its value proposition for FDI and aim to win 800 total investments to support job creation of 50,000 across the country, as well as strengthening linkages between FDI and domestic SMEs.
Progress on the wide range of deliverables and workstreams across the four pillars of the Economic Recovery Plan, towards the plan’s overall ambition is being overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment and related sub-groups and Senior Official Groups and progress towards the various targets including employment and job creation will continue to be monitored carefully.
167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which work permit-related visas continue to be issued in line with the requirements of those seeking such visas, if a quick turnaround can be managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19101/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department experienced a significant increase in applications for employment permits in the past year, impacting on processing times. From the start of January to the end of December 2021, some 27,666 applications were received, representing a 69% increase over the same period in 2020 (16,293) and a 47% increase on 2019 (18,811), which itself represented an 11 year high in applications.
My Department issued 16,275 employment permits in 2021, and processed a total of 17,968 applications which represents a significant volume of activity. In addition, the extension of categories of employment permits following the latest Review of the Occupational Lists has increased the availability of employment permits.
My Department and I recognise the impact delays on the processing times for employment permits has for businesses and their workers and the Employment Permits team are committed to reducing these times.
A plan of action is being implemented by officials in the Employment Permits team. It has increased resources and implemented more efficient methods of processing applications, including removing hundreds of doctors from the permits system. The processing team has trebled in size and daily output has tripled compared to 2021 levels.
Since the implementation of this plan, the Employment Permits section has made positive progress to reduce the current backlog reducing the number of applications awaiting processing from 11,181 in January 2022 to 8,773 at the end of March 2022. Officials expect to see a further significant improvements in this backlog by the end of Q2 of 2022.
Waiting time for Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEPs) have been more than halved in the past seven weeks. The Department plans to maintain processing times for all CSEP applications at approximately six weeks for all of Q2, on the assumption that demand remains at current levels. The waiting time for other permit types will fall considerably in Q2.
168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which job retention and creation effort continues to be made in the manufacturing sector throughout Ireland and in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19102/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department compiles data on the enterprise development agencies and their client companies (Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Udaras na Gaeltachta). During the two year period spanning the pandemic from 2019 to 2021 total employment in the Manufacturing sector in enterprise agency client companies has increased by 5.1%, or 11,534 jobs, to reach 238,038 jobs in 2021. In County Kildare, employment in the Manufacturing sector has increased by 4.4%, or 610 jobs, during the same two year period. These results show the resilience of the Manufacturing sector in Ireland despite the immense challenges posed by the pandemic.
Total Employment in Manufacturing sector for agency client companies, 2012-2021
Source: DETE Annual Employment Survey, 2021
These employment numbers include those that were on the TWSS and EWSS as employed and exclude those who were on the PUP.
The enterprise agency client companies are a subset of the total economy focused on the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. From the CSO Labour Force Survey, I understand that total employment in all Industry activities in Ireland was 314,100 in Q4 2021, up 9.7% or 27,800 jobs since Q4 2019.
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which job expansion and retention continues to be made in the services sector throughout Ireland and in County Kildare, the expectations in this regard for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19103/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department compiles data on the enterprise development agencies (Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Udaras na Gaeltachta). During the two year period spanning the pandemic from 2019 to 2021 total employment in the Services sector in enterprise agency client companies has increased by 10.8%, or 22,262 jobs, to reach 229,301 in 2021. In County Kildare, the Services sector has increased by 0.4%, or 17 jobs, during the same two year time period.
Total employment in Services sector for enterprise agency client companies, 2012-2021
Enterprise Agency Client Companies
Source: DETE Annual Employment Survey, 2021
These numbers include those who were on the TWSS and EWSS as employed and exclude those who were on the PUP.
The enterprise agency client companies are a subset of the total economy focused on the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. From the CSO Labour Force Survey, I understand that total employment in all services activities in Ireland was 1,919,400 in Q4 2021, up 6.0% or 108,500 jobs since Q4 2019.
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which Irish-manufactured products continues to compete on world markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19104/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to working to make Ireland a "world-leading" location to start and scale a business and make Irish firms’ global leaders by investing in skills, digitalisation, climate and innovation working towards promoting Irish companies on world markets.
To assist companies dealing with Covid-19 and working through our agency Enterprise Ireland the Sustaining Enterprise Fund approved €183.1m in funding to 740 companies sustaining 30,000 jobs; 8,000 companies benefited from advice and guidance. As we emerge from Covid–19 we have provided companies with assistance through the Accelerated Recovery Fund to assist companies to recover and embrace new opportunities.
My department also provides companies access to overseas markets through our network of 40 offices around the world. The export performance of Irish companies during the pandemic was robust despite the challenges, with exports growing by 0.3% to €25.486bn. In 2020, sales and export growth of Enterprise Ireland’s clients during the year were 0.7% and 0.3% respectively, that is in sharp contrast to average contraction of 6.8% across the EU. During an exceptionally challenging year, Ireland was the only economy in the European Union (EU) to grow in 2020.
In 2021, Enterprise Ireland client companies saw strong employment growth in 2021 and the highest increase in net jobs created in a single year, at 11,911. Employment increased across all economic sectors with an additional 1,375 overseas contracts won and 184 companies assisted to enter new markets, despite the pandemic-related restrictions.
CSO Merchandise Trade Statistics for January 2022 show that the value of Irish exports was 23% higher than they were in January 2021 and volume of exports were 12% higher.
Enterprise Ireland also launched a new three-year strategy this year which aims to create 45,000 new jobs over the next three years. It also plans to increase exports by clients to €30bn through the continued growth of export focused Irish firms across all regions.
Official statistics on the impact of the Ukrainian crisis will be revealed over the coming weeks by the CSO, but relative to our global competitors we believe Irish manufacturers are well placed to recover and continue to grow following two very challenging years.
