Ivana Bacik
Ceist:133. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if a climate action unit has been established in his Department. [55387/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Functions
Ceisteanna (133)
Freagraí scríofa
A Climate Action Unit was established in the Department of the Taoiseach in 2019 to support the Taoiseach and Government in dealing with the challenges of climate change and making the necessary transition to a climate-neutral economy.
The Climate Action Unit is part of the Economic Division of my Department.
The Unit plays an important role in ensuring a whole-of-government response to the climate crisis, including strengthening governance and oversight of the implementation of climate policy.
The work of the unit includes monitoring and driving implementation of Climate Action Plans, as well as supporting the Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change and the Climate Action Delivery Board.
Departmental Bodies
Ceisteanna (134)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:134. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings that have taken place to date in 2022 of the climate action delivery board; and the number scheduled for the remainder of 2022. [56201/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Climate Action Delivery Board has met three times this year, on the 28th of January, the 8th of April and the 22nd of July.
I anticipate that the next meeting of the Delivery Board will be scheduled shortly for later this year. This is in keeping with commitments under the Climate Action Plan 2021 for the Delivery Board to meet quarterly.
Work Permits
Ceisteanna (135)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:135. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the appeals of persons (details supplied) can be accepted based on extenuating circumstances where an IT glitch played a role in their late submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56172/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that on 28th September 2021 the two applications (in the details supplied) were refused.
When an employment permit application is refused, a refusal letter is issued to the applicant outlining the refusal reasons. The applicant is informed of their right to request a review of the refusal decision within 28 days of issue of the refusal letter. A request for a review of a refusal decision must be completed on the prescribed review form and this is available on the Department’s website through this link: enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/publication-files/review-of-decision-form-rod002-18.pdf
Under Section 13 (2) of the Employment Permits Act it is not possible for appeals to be considered if they are not submitted within 28 days from the date the decision is notified to the applicant. As the appeal requests in both of the cases in the details supplied were received on 16th March 2022 they could not be considered as they were received outside the 28-day timeframe. On 29th March 2022 correspondence was issued in both cases informing the applicant of this.
The applicant is again advised to seek 90% refund of the fees paid in each case by completing and returning the mandate form issued with the refusal decisions to facilitate the processing of the refund.
In order to obtain employment permits for the non-EEA nationals concerned the employer is required to submit new General Employment Permit applications in each instance after carrying out a valid Labour Market Needs Test for an employment permit. As indicated in my earlier response on this matter, the role of horticultural worker is subject to a quota and therefore the employer is advised to submit new applications at their earliest convenience. While there is still some availability remaining in this quota, a sizable number of permits for horticulture workers have already been allocated. Once the quota for horticulture workers has been filled, no new permits will issue in respect of this role.
A checklist document has been prepared to assist applicants when applying for a General Employment Permit specifically for the role of a horticultural worker and this document can be accessed on the Department’s website through the following link: enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/publication-files/checklist-for-horticultural-meat-dairy-general-employment.pdf
Industrial Development
Ceisteanna (136, 137)
Michael McNamara
Ceist:136. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown of the number of site visits hosted by IDA Ireland in counties Galway, Clare and Limerick to date in 2022, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56330/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael McNamara
Ceist:137. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new IDA Ireland jobs created in counties Clare, Kerry and Limerick in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56331/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.
IDA Ireland's results for 2021, showed that total employment in IDA client companies in Ireland now stands at 275,384, up 16,826 on 2020, the highest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) employment level ever. Employment growth was recorded in every region of the country.
IDA has worked hard to create a welcoming environment for FDI in all parts of the country and the strong regional spread of jobs and investment in the latest IDA results demonstrates Government's commitment to regional development. Over half of FDI investments in 2021 went to regional locations. Regional development is at the centre of IDA’s current strategy: Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021-2024, whereby IDA Ireland is targeting half of all investments from 2021- 2024 to regional locations.
IDA Ireland published their mid-year results in July and despite the challenging global environment, the results demonstrated significant additional foreign direct investment wins for the first half of 2022. In the first half of this year, investment levels have exceeded 2021 mid-year results by 9% and 2019 mid-year results by 10%. IDA Ireland won 155 investments up to the end of the second quarter this year. Notably, 73 of these new investments went to regional locations. These investments have an associated employment potential of over 18,000 jobs.
The number of new IDA jobs created in Counties Clare, Kerry and Limerick for 2020 and 2021 are available as part of the Department’s Annual Employment Survey which is published on the Department’s website at the following link: enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/publication-files/annual-employment-survey-2021.pdf. The 2022 figures will be available at the end of the year.
In response to Covid, IDA migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms during 2020. The use of digital platforms by IDA staff has contributed to an enhanced digital engagement with existing clients and allowed the Agency to host e-site visits with potential new investors. As with in person visits, several locations can be marketed within an e-visit.
There were 16 in-person visits and 7 e-visits to Galway to Quarter 2, there were 10 in-person and 2 e-visits to Clare. The figures for Limerick are 15 in-person and 13 e-visits.
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 client companies.
Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 136.
Business Supports
Ceisteanna (138)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:138. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports in place for small businesses to support them with increasing costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56482/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government is very aware of the difficulties that businesses are facing due the current energy crisis and with the associated rise in cost of doing business.
The Government has introduced a significant package of assistance in Budget 2023 to help businesses over the coming months with their energy bills.
The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme is being designed to support eligible businesses that have experienced a significant increase in their electricity and/or natural gas costs. It will apply to trades, professions and 'new businesses' and will be finalised as part of the Finance Bill which is progressing through the Houses.
The new €200 million Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme was recently launched for manufacturing and internationally traded firms. It will provide up to €500,000 per firm to ensure there is sufficient liquidity available in the markets and up to €2 million per firm for energy intensive business.
A new €1.2 billion State-backed Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme will assist the wider business sector with liquidity and to invest in energy efficiency. Government approval has been received to publish the legislation to underpin this which will be brought through the Oireachtas in the coming weeks. A new State-backed Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme will also be opened next year.
The reduced rate of VAT on gas and electricity from 13.5% to 9% has also been extended until the 28th February 2023.
Government will keep the energy situation under constant review, and we will continue to examine what measures are possible to manage the impact of rising energy prices.
Work Permits
Ceisteanna (139)
John Lahart
Ceist:139. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits that have been applied for in Dublin for bus drivers in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56494/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There was one employment permit application submitted for the role of Bus Driver/Coach Driver in Dublin in 2021. No applications were received of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 or to date in 2022.
The role of bus driver is currently listed on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits, positions in respect of which an employment permit shall not be granted.
In order for an occupation to be removed from the Ineligible List of Occupations, there would need to be a clear demonstration that recruitment difficulties are solely due to labour market shortages across the EEA and not to other factors such as salary and/or employment conditions. Organisations in the sector would need to submit a detailed business case, to provide the necessary evidence to substantiate their position.
To ensure that the Employment Permits system is responsive to changes in economic circumstances and labour market conditions, it is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and the Ineligible Occupations Lists which are subject to twice yearly reviews. These reviews are evidence based and are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) in SOLAS, a public consultation process, input from the relevant Government Departments, the Economic Migration Inter-Departmental Group and is chaired by my Department.
The Department continues to keep the employment permits system under review in light of changing labour market circumstances and the timing of the next Review of the Occupational Lists will be kept under consideration.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (140)
Johnny Mythen
Ceist:140. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there will be an emergency humanitarian support scheme provided for Clongeen and Folksmills in south County Wexford, which have been devastated by the recent tornado; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56550/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is currently in the process of finalising details of its Emergency Humanitarian Support Scheme to small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations, unable to secure flood insurance, as a result of the recent flooding event in Co Wexford.
In relation to damage to property which has been caused by this event, property owners should in the first instance get in touch with their insurance companies as businesses that suffer damage or loss of property from severe weather events should ordinarily have insurance against that risk.
More generally, there are a number of existing emergency humanitarian support schemes that are operated by different Departments for other sectors including households and farms which may be impacted by severe weather events.
These include the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection, which provides financial assistance to households which are not able to meet costs for essential needs immediately following flooding or severe weather events. It is designed to alleviate hardship rather than provide full compensation for damage. The scheme is activated by the Department of Social Protection in response to a severe weather event and is administered by the Community Welfare Service.
The Department of Agriculture also operate Flood Damage Relief Measures for farms affected by flooding events.
Job Losses
Ceisteanna (141)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:141. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the person or body he has met to date within the tech sector to discuss specifically the threat to Irish tech sector jobs; the person or body he has met with within companies (details supplied) to discuss saving jobs in Ireland; and the plan he has for enterprise to grow the indigenous tech sector and general enterprise sector. [56588/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On Monday 7th November, senior officials from IDA Ireland briefed myself, and Ministers of State Damien English and Dara Calleary on the emerging situation in the global tech sector. This followed a series of direct contacts by my office and the agencies with the companies involved.
My foremost concern is for the staff and their families who will be affected by re-sizing in certain tech companies in Ireland. We will assist any employees affected as they seek alternative employment or other opportunities. We have ongoing engagement with major tech employers through the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, and the Government has asked the agencies to intensify this engagement.
The technology FDI sector plays an important role in the Irish economy and has developed a strong presence in Ireland over the past 40 years. The sector will continue to grow in line with increased digitalisation and the emergence of new technologies such as AI, cloud computing and automation. It is also the case that the tech sector, while significant, operates alongside a number of other sectors which are equally important to the Irish economy, such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and the food and drink industry. At Government level we are focused on competitiveness and strengthening our FDI value proposition to ensure that Ireland is the best place in Europe to invest and grow for the future.
We have never taken our economic prosperity for granted. In March I received Government approval to develop a White Paper on Enterprise to articulate what needs to be done differently to realise our aspirations for our economy in 2030 and beyond.
To inform the paper, extensive consultation with the public, stakeholders, academia and other interested parties took place over the summer, as well as holding a Symposium on the project in October. It is scheduled for publication in December this year.
The Paper will set out the risks we face, the policy choices and, importantly, the trade-offs we will need to consider. It will also seek to confirm what elements of the ecosystem are working well, what should be continued or adapted in the context that Ireland’s enterprise and industrial policy has, to date, served us well. Entrepreneurship, innovation, scaling companies, the twin transitions of digital and green, investment in skills and education, competitiveness, and a continuing commitment to successful FDI attraction, among other issues, will be covered in the White Paper.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (142)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:142. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur competition will recommence following its suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic; if not, the reason (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56705/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to thank the Deputy for raising the matter of Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur competition, which ran successfully for 5 years between 2015 and 2019. In that time, over 600 young entrepreneurs received funding in excess of €8million, as well as a wide range of vital training and mentoring to support them on their entrepreneurial journeys. The investment fund in 2019 amounted to €1,650,000, comprised of €50k for investments by each of the 31 LEOs across three prize categories, with another €100,000 for investment at national level.
I would like to assure the Deputy that I and officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are examining the future of the IBYE competition, which was suspended in recent years largely due to the onset of COVID-19 and the significant additional work asked of the LEO offices to support businesses through that crisis.
These discussions will also involve engaging with all the IBYE stakeholders including past winners of the competition to learn first-hand how their businesses have benefited from taking part in the competition.
The OECD has recently completed a report on inclusive entrepreneurship on behalf of the Department, and the findings of this report will also feed into future initiatives, including IBYE, to support young entrepreneurs in Ireland.
The network of Local Enterprise Offices continues to transform the environment for entrepreneurship, increasing participation and survival rates of start-ups and positioning Ireland as a location of choice to start and grow your own business.
In 2021 the Local Enterprise Offices approved 242 Priming Grants, which assist businesses in the first 18 months of start-up. The flagship Start Your Own Business programmes helped 5,854 aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas and assess their viability, helping them make informed decisions about whether, and how, to proceed. The Local Enterprise Offices also provided Mentoring assignments to over 14,000 individual business managers and owners.
Local Enterprise Offices support youth entrepreneurship through the Student Enterprise Programme which encourages and nurtures the next generation of business owners and leaders. 23,970 students from 427 secondary schools took part in the 2020/2021 Programme.
Enterprise Ireland also has a number of programmes to support entrepreneurs such as HPSU Feasibility, the New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme, mentoring grants, Pre-seed start fund and the Competitive Start Fund.
Enterprise Ireland, through their LEO Centre of Excellence, are delivering the ‘Entrepreneurial Education Programmes’ to primary schools across Ireland, enriching the school curriculum by introducing entrepreneurial skills to primary school pupils from an early age.
Trade Missions
Ceisteanna (143)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:143. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are plans to have a trade and investment mission to Australia early in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56723/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Each year, Enterprise Ireland offers a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment.
In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led Trade Missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represented the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These Trade Missions have focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and lifesciences.
My Department is currently working closely with Enterprise Ireland with a view to developing a Ministerial-led Trade Mission Programme for 2023. There are no plans to have a trade and investment mission to Australia early in 2023 as discussions are still ongoing and no decisions have yet been made in relation to the final Trade Mission Programme. In the meantime, my Department will continue to work closely with its agencies to assess opportunities to help Irish companies to access new markets and to increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland, including in markets in the Asia-Pacific region such as Australia.