Written Answers Nos. 539-558
539. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if there is funding available for flood defence doors for businesses in Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38387/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a proposed Flood Relief Scheme identified for Listowel, Co. Kerry, which will be funded under the Government's flood risk investment programme of almost €1.3 billion under the National Development Plan to 2030.
While the proposed scheme in Listowel is not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed, the OPW continues to liaise closely with Kerry County Council to ensure that the programme of flood relief projects identified for Co. Kerry is kept under review, and that all projects will be commenced as soon as possible and within the timeframe for the National Development Plan.
The Clieveragh area of Listowel, Co. Kerry has experienced significant flooding, including during the recent event. Kerry County Council recently submitted a request for funding for works that exceed the threshold for the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. This proposal is currently under consideration by the OPW as possible interim works in advance of the appointment of consultants for the Listowel scheme.
Separately, it is also open to Kerry County Council to make an application under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme for funding for flood gates.
540. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) within his Department; if any section of his Department currently makes use of A.I., and if he will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; and if he has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I. [38572/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within my Department, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), which is a Division of my Department, has begun assessing AI using discussions with Industry and Academia and various secondary research. The OGCIO has deployed AI powered security tools as part of our overall security posture. The OGCIO has not engaged with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of AI. The Department does not comment on security measures, including related investment, to manage the integrity of its services.
Apart from this, the Department is not currently making use of AI in any other internal areas. The Department has taken advice from a consultancy firm in relation to an idea to explore whether or not AI could be implemented in a pensions helpdesk to streamline the volume of queries received and improve customer experience. No decisions have been made in this regard and no costs have been incurred to date.
541. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the proposed opening date for the Bailieborough District Garda Headquarters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38865/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
542. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if a vacant Garda station (details supplied) in County Kerry will be made available to the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38996/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) manages a property portfolio in excess of 2,500 properties ranging from heritage buildings, commercial office blocks, green field sites, warehouses, Coast Guard Stations and Garda Stations. As would be the norm in such a large portfolio, at any given time, there will be a number of properties being refurbished or vacant. The State will always retain a number of vacant properties for future use. As a matter of policy, no property or site is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use for that property.
The OPW’s disposal policy with regard to non-operational (vacant) State property is to:
1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments or the wider public sector.
2. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer.
3. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property, the OPW may consider community involvement (subject to a detailed written submission, which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer).
The OPW, like other State bodies, is obliged to follow central Government policies on the disposal of surplus properties. The arrangements involved are set out in the following Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR) Circulars:
Circular 11/2015: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets
Circular 17/2016: Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property
In line with the above policy, the OPW has sought an alternative State use for the former Garda station and residence in Brosna with other Government Departments and the wider public sector, including Kerry County Council, but no requirement was identified for the property.
The former Garda station and residence in Brosna will be prepared for disposal in 2024, should there continue to be no State use for the property.
543. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the OPW's plans with regard to the driver testing centre currently located in a centre (details supplied) in Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39077/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Authority currently operate from a leased premises in Tipperary town. Office accommodation in the existing State owned Government Offices off Bohercrow Road is currently being assessed for the long term use by the Road Safety Authority as a Driving Test Centre for cars in Tipperary Town.
Subject to approval of the plans submitted to the Local Authority, a decision will be taken by the OPW in conjunction with the RSA regarding the future use of the existing leased premises.
544. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 20 October 2022, if he will provide an update as An Garda Síochána remains unable to enforce the 30 kph speed limit introduced in February 2022 and is also unable to prosecute drivers for 'crossing the continuous white line' on Chesterfield Avenue to overtake cars, because the line was installed by OPW and not a council; and if he will ensure the correct legislation in place so An Garda Síochána is able to prosecute such traffic offences. [39083/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Phoenix Park is a historic landscape of international importance and one of the largest designed landscapes in any European city. The Park represents a unique natural and cultural landscape that is both a historic park and a city park and which provides a setting for a range of activities and amenities.
Following an extensive public consultation process, the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study Post-Consultation Report was published in 2021 with a number of key recommendations, including the reduction of the speed limit from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour.
The lower speed limit was introduced for public safety. There has been a reduction of speeds within the Park with a noticeable change in driver behaviour making the Park a safer place for all visitors. Studies have shown that a reduction in the speed limit to 30 kilometres per hour reduces the risk of fatalities. The 30 kilometres per hour speed limit has been adopted in many other urban areas across Europe including cities in, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden, not only for safety reasons, but to reduce noise, air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.
An Garda Síochána continues to work with the OPW in relation to all aspects of the management and operation of the Phoenix Park. The OPW continues to liaise with the Department of Transport in respect of any required legislation.
It is important to note that under Section 5(k) of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, dangerous driving (including speed) in any place, not just public, is an offence and, on conviction, a person is liable to a class A fine and/or a term of imprisonment for up to 6 months. If a person is convicted of dangerous driving causing death or serious bodily harm, they can be fined up to €20,000 and imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both.
545. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the status of the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2018. [39136/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2018 is now called the Civil Service Regulation and Public Service Management (Amendment) Bill.
The main purpose of the Bill is to amend the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956–2005 and the Public Service Management Act, 1997 to provide that disciplinary action up to and including dismissal in the Civil Service can be assigned below the level of the head of the organisation (known as the Appropriate Authority) and other miscellaneous amendments to modernise the legislation based on the General Scheme of the Bill. The legislative amendments are intended to be enabling rather than prescriptive in relation to the assignment of the disciplinary function.
As the Deputy will be aware, on 11 April 2018 the Government agreed the General Scheme and Heads of Bill. Pre-legislative scrutiny was held on 28 June 2018. The policy intention of this Bill remains as was approved in 2018.
My officials continue to work on the detailed policy considerations associated with the legal drafting, and these continue to be worked through with the objective of finalising a Bill for publication in the near future.
546. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of WTE qualified fire engineers employed by the OPW as of 4 September 2023. [39189/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOPW currently have two Fire & Security Engineers as follows - One at Grade 1 and One at Grade 2 level.
547. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an updated timeline for the delivery of the Greystones coastguard HQ considering the recent sale of the harbour site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39327/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of facilities for the Coast Guard in Greystones is a priority on the Building Programme for the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG). A site owned by Wicklow County Council (WCC) has been identified as being suitable for this purpose. Planning permission has been granted and the tender documents are being finalised. It is anticipated that the OPW will commence the tender process over the coming weeks.
The provision of the new facility is currently estimated to take approximately 14 months from construction commencement to completion.
548. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total euro investment made by IDA companies in each county in the past five years; how many jobs were created in each county by IDA companies in each of the past five years; and how many IDA company jobs are in each county in the State. [37180/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegional development remains a key priority for my Department, and for IDA Ireland and the other Enterprise Development Agencies. In that regard, the IDA is committed to the pursuit of balanced, compact regional development and is targeting at least half of all investments - that is 400 of 800 - from 2021 to 2024 to regional locations. Of the 242 investments won in 2022, more than half went to regional locations. Furthermore, a strong level of investment wins continued over the first half of 2023 with 139 investments won in the first six months of the year, 67 (48%) of which were approved for regional locations.
The strong growth in regional investment was supported by IDA Ireland’s property programme as a robust property and infrastructure ecosystem is a key differentiator in winning FDI projects.
33,000 new jobs were created in FDI companies in 2022, bringing the total number of people employed in the FDI sector in Ireland to over 300,000, which represents the highest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) employment level ever. The results illustrate the continued substantial growth in FDI in 2022 despite a difficult global economic environment.
Growth in regions also continued with employment growth recorded in every region of the country. Strongest regional performance among IDA clients in 2022 was in the Mid-East region (net change +13.6%), followed by Dublin (+10.8%) and the Midlands (+9.7%).
Job losses, which were at historically low levels in recent years, increased in the latter half of 2022 as some tech companies sought to reduce costs and employee numbers in line with reduced revenue forecasts and weakening company valuations. These layoffs, proportionate to the size of the overall portfolio, resulted in less net employment growth in 2022, giving a net increase of some 25,000 jobs year-on-year.
The 2022 figures continued the pattern of sustained, robust growth in FDI investment and FDI-related employment that had been achieved over a continuous period of more than ten years. However, at the announcement of the mid-year results in July, IDA pointed to serious global challenges and uncertainties for the global, mobile FDI sector, including the Russian war in Ukraine, inflation, international monetary policies and a range of geopolitical developments.
As requested by the Deputy, the table below details the number of new IDA jobs created by county for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. IDA do not release the value of investments made by their clients as these are commercially sensitive.
|
County |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
|
Cavan |
Number of Client Companies |
6 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
|
Total Jobs |
733 |
768 |
781 |
777 |
795 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
16 |
39 |
30 |
21 |
39 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-6 |
-4 |
13 |
-4 |
18 |
|
|
Donegal |
Number of Client Companies |
14 |
16 |
16 |
18 |
21 |
|
Total Jobs |
3,544 |
3,879 |
3,794 |
3,671 |
3,696 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
211 |
359 |
39 |
1,391 |
299 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-105 |
-24 |
-85 |
-123 |
25 |
|
|
Leitrim |
Number of Client Companies |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total Jobs |
701 |
710 |
713 |
815 |
1,011 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
12 |
14 |
40 |
130 |
196 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-1 |
-5 |
3 |
102 |
196 |
|
|
Monaghan |
Number of Client Companies |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
Total Jobs |
362 |
371 |
447 |
445 |
428 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
173 |
21 |
92 |
40 |
26 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-1 |
-12 |
76 |
-2 |
-17 |
|
|
Sligo |
Number of Client Companies |
26 |
29 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
|
Total Jobs |
2,341 |
2,425 |
2,511 |
2,650 |
2,955 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
207 |
161 |
288 |
335 |
335 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-160 |
-77 |
86 |
139 |
305 |
|
|
Dublin |
Number of Client Companies |
852 |
918 |
915 |
968 |
965 |
|
Total Jobs |
100,181 |
109,605 |
114,950 |
124,714 |
137,822 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
13,035 |
14,553 |
12,174 |
18,918 |
17,207 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-5,772 |
-5,129 |
5,345 |
9,764 |
13,108 |
|
|
Kildare |
Number of Client Companies |
31 |
32 |
34 |
37 |
39 |
|
Total Jobs |
9,215 |
9,241 |
9,594 |
9,785 |
12,174 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
813 |
354 |
957 |
616 |
2,528 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-416 |
-328 |
353 |
191 |
2,389 |
|
|
Louth |
Number of Client Companies |
30 |
31 |
36 |
37 |
36 |
|
Total Jobs |
3,980 |
4,605 |
4,344 |
4,686 |
4,485 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
300 |
813 |
361 |
614 |
415 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-202 |
-188 |
-261 |
342 |
-201 |
|
|
Meath |
Number of Client Companies |
19 |
19 |
18 |
17 |
18 |
|
Total Jobs |
1,851 |
2,086 |
2,078 |
2,128 |
2,449 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
170 |
294 |
212 |
250 |
346 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-55 |
-59 |
-8 |
50 |
321 |
|
|
Wicklow |
Number of Client Companies |
21 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
20 |
|
Total Jobs |
2,772 |
2,564 |
2,712 |
2,738 |
2,753 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
426 |
157 |
217 |
101 |
114 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-23 |
-365 |
148 |
26 |
15 |
|
|
Clare |
Number of Client Companies |
71 |
72 |
71 |
72 |
70 |
|
Total Jobs |
6,849 |
6,989 |
6,943 |
6,786 |
6,643 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
505 |
393 |
821 |
511 |
586 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-624 |
-253 |
-46 |
-157 |
-143 |
|
|
Limerick |
Number of Client Companies |
59 |
62 |
68 |
68 |
69 |
|
Total Jobs |
11,841 |
12,771 |
13,021 |
13,915 |
14,793 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
1,491 |
1,090 |
787 |
1,272 |
1,125 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-230 |
-160 |
250 |
894 |
878 |
|
|
Tipperary |
Number of Client Companies |
12 |
13 |
13 |
15 |
15 |
|
Total Jobs |
3,818 |
4,198 |
4,285 |
4,408 |
4,568 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
325 |
451 |
167 |
321 |
198 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-241 |
-71 |
87 |
123 |
160 |
|
|
Laois |
Number of Client Companies |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Total Jobs |
111 |
119 |
136 |
165 |
167 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
4 |
14 |
42 |
29 |
14 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-13 |
-6 |
17 |
29 |
2 |
|
|
Longford |
Number of Client Companies |
8 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
Total Jobs |
1,040 |
1,317 |
1,236 |
1,450 |
1,620 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
210 |
319 |
54 |
214 |
172 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-16 |
-42 |
-81 |
214 |
170 |
|
|
Offaly |
Number of Client Companies |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
Total Jobs |
1,213 |
1,194 |
1,232 |
1,240 |
1,377 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
59 |
71 |
109 |
89 |
142 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-13 |
-90 |
38 |
8 |
137 |
|
|
Westmeath |
Number of Client Companies |
23 |
24 |
26 |
27 |
27 |
|
Total Jobs |
3,495 |
3,742 |
3,834 |
4,084 |
4,501 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
491 |
269 |
179 |
320 |
466 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-44 |
-22 |
92 |
250 |
417 |
|
|
Carlow |
Number of Client Companies |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total Jobs |
1,149 |
1,200 |
1,309 |
1,469 |
1,515 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
283 |
51 |
115 |
170 |
50 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-9 |
- |
109 |
160 |
46 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
Number of Client Companies |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
11 |
|
Total Jobs |
783 |
736 |
786 |
915 |
884 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
45 |
92 |
91 |
133 |
72 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-42 |
-139 |
50 |
129 |
-31 |
|
|
Waterford |
Number of Client Companies |
38 |
40 |
42 |
46 |
46 |
|
Total Jobs |
8,342 |
8,022 |
8,293 |
8,958 |
9,461 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
481 |
569 |
449 |
874 |
881 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-155 |
-889 |
271 |
665 |
503 |
|
|
Wexford |
Number of Client Companies |
20 |
22 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
|
Total Jobs |
3,140 |
3,549 |
3,588 |
3,720 |
3,660 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
172 |
469 |
209 |
259 |
240 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-19 |
-60 |
39 |
132 |
-60 |
|
|
Cork |
Number of Client Companies |
193 |
203 |
203 |
208 |
212 |
|
Total Jobs |
39,905 |
41,658 |
44,172 |
46,658 |
50,208 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
3,696 |
3,054 |
4,034 |
4,589 |
4,320 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-1,216 |
-1,301 |
2,514 |
2,486 |
3,550 |
|
|
Kerry |
Number of Client Companies |
18 |
19 |
18 |
18 |
17 |
|
Total Jobs |
2,265 |
2,183 |
2,168 |
1,936 |
2,020 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
138 |
42 |
69 |
67 |
108 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-68 |
-124 |
-15 |
-232 |
84 |
|
|
Galway |
Number of Client Companies |
89 |
90 |
93 |
97 |
99 |
|
Total Jobs |
20,382 |
20,969 |
21,429 |
22,710 |
24,400 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
2,257 |
1,639 |
1,449 |
2,554 |
2,077 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-554 |
-1052 |
460 |
1,281 |
1,690 |
|
|
Mayo |
Number of Client Companies |
16 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
|
Total Jobs |
4,833 |
4,968 |
5,033 |
5,188 |
5,525 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
436 |
232 |
271 |
244 |
344 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-87 |
-97 |
65 |
155 |
337 |
|
|
Roscommon |
Number of Client Companies |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|
Total Jobs |
1,186 |
1,260 |
1,374 |
1,445 |
1,565 |
|
|
New Jobs Created |
126 |
114 |
120 |
97 |
126 |
|
|
Additional Jobs Created |
-79 |
-40 |
114 |
71 |
120 |
549. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total euro investment made by Enterprise Ireland companies in each county in the past five years; how many jobs were created in each county by Enterprise Ireland companies in each of the past five years; and how many Enterprise Ireland company jobs are in each county in the State. [37181/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom 2018 to 2022 Enterprise Ireland (EI) made direct payments of €777,540,964 to its client companies. In total 31.6% of these payments were made to companies based in Dublin, with 68.4% made to companies outside the Dublin region.
Over the same period there were over 90,000 jobs created by EI client companies despite the recent very challenging years faced by Irish businesses at home and globally.
At year end 2022, there were 218,178 people employed in EI client companies, following a strong year, with the creation of 19,660 new jobs and growth in net employment of 5%. This compares favourably with the latest CSO Labour Force Survey for 2022 which showed an increase of 3.4% in total employment across the economy.
The table below illustrates the figures in relation to EI investment and job creation per county for the years 2018 - 2022.
|
County |
Company Payments 2018-2022 |
Jobs Created 2018-2022 |
Total Jobs 2022 |
|
Carlow |
€12,549,154 |
1,399 |
3,815 |
|
Cavan |
€15,236,977 |
1,969 |
6,534 |
|
Clare |
€17,973,882 |
2,297 |
5,266 |
|
Cork |
€92,614,370 |
10,116 |
25,585 |
|
Donegal |
€15,264,355 |
1,725 |
4,308 |
|
Dublin |
€245,787,453 |
32,356 |
70,785 |
|
Galway |
€52,975,614 |
3,935 |
8,651 |
|
Kerry |
€32,832,807 |
1,576 |
4,874 |
|
Kildare |
€28,939,276 |
2,645 |
9,270 |
|
Kilkenny |
€24,272,445 |
2,291 |
4,908 |
|
Laois |
€14,056,552 |
965 |
1,924 |
|
Leitrim |
€3,471,015 |
247 |
834 |
|
Limerick |
€26,548,802 |
4,149 |
8,736 |
|
Longford |
€10,106,385 |
798 |
2,223 |
|
Louth |
€22,107,846 |
2,901 |
6,369 |
|
Mayo |
€14,342,267 |
2,229 |
5,288 |
|
Meath |
€16,508,141 |
3,388 |
7,943 |
|
Monaghan |
€17,663,479 |
2,077 |
6,255 |
|
Offaly |
€9,530,027 |
1,296 |
4,260 |
|
Roscommon |
€3,924,697 |
626 |
1,619 |
|
Sligo |
€7,859,133 |
866 |
2,116 |
|
Tipperary |
€26,146,257 |
2,602 |
6,542 |
|
Waterford |
€13,454,775 |
3,465 |
7,502 |
|
Westmeath |
€18,452,835 |
1,112 |
3,099 |
|
Wexford |
€18,484,130 |
1,722 |
5,580 |
|
Wicklow |
€16,438,290 |
1,417 |
3,892 |
|
Total |
€777,540,964 |
90,169 |
218,178 |
550. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total euro investment made by Local Enterprise Office-supported businesses in each county in the past five years; how many jobs were created in each county by Local Enterprise Office-supported businesses in each of the past five years; and how many Local Enterprise Office-supported businesses jobs are in each county in the State. [37182/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEOs only retain data in relation to investments made by firms relevant to a claim for direct financial grant assistance.
The below table includes the reported investment by LEO clients in relation to Priming, Business Expansion, Feasibility, TAME, Gradstart, Agile, R&D, IP Start, IP Plus and Green Start:
|
County |
2018 Investment Amount € |
2019 Investment Amount € |
2020 Investment Amount € |
2021 Investment Amount € |
2022 Investment Amount € |
|
Carlow |
429,343 |
280,566 |
406,721 |
510,711 |
479,404 |
|
Cavan |
564,923 |
232,260 |
876,546 |
1,094,907 |
870,901 |
|
Clare |
1,121,425 |
994,961 |
788,050 |
1,416,140 |
1,176,126 |
|
Cork |
1,708,369 |
1,945,962 |
2,415,957 |
2,897,899 |
2,276,597 |
|
Donegal |
947,920 |
805,036 |
704,340 |
1,205,814 |
1,415,477 |
|
Dublin |
2,803,943 |
3,460,261 |
3,757,616 |
5,464,302 |
4,458,142 |
|
Galway County/City |
905,625 |
680,748 |
856,525 |
706,609 |
707,816 |
|
Kerry |
307,090 |
514,953 |
191,712 |
625,311 |
509,400 |
|
Kildare |
773,219 |
779,713 |
951,890 |
1,763,583 |
1,335,109 |
|
Kilkenny |
503,763 |
430,344 |
609,467 |
588,572 |
492,226 |
|
Laois |
577,684 |
957,415 |
509,102 |
441,951 |
760,160 |
|
Leitrim |
312,980 |
248,511 |
468,327 |
162,882 |
348,449 |
|
Limerick |
1,029,482 |
1,480,132 |
945,091 |
2,096,199 |
1,466,421 |
|
Longford |
391,461 |
411,439 |
540,891 |
674,910 |
574,676 |
|
Louth |
625,968 |
513,853 |
485,949 |
489,165 |
673,815 |
|
Mayo |
694,993 |
862,330 |
1,138,792 |
1,298,907 |
1,196,321 |
|
Meath |
515,813 |
768,583 |
566,682 |
603,047 |
463,305 |
|
Monaghan |
598,953 |
574,372 |
288,725 |
836,603 |
739,360 |
|
Offaly |
530,289 |
504,097 |
687,347 |
1,246,650 |
794,959 |
|
Roscommon |
598,896 |
1,124,653 |
788,028 |
593,873 |
569,803 |
|
Sligo |
723,435 |
615,680 |
449,138 |
732,720 |
423,679 |
|
Tipperary |
1,600,164 |
995,908 |
1,667,476 |
1,819,483 |
1,133,173 |
|
Waterford |
647,218 |
706,160 |
648,161 |
767,464 |
462,099 |
|
Westmeath |
751,546 |
947,012 |
779,557 |
1,239,566 |
1,736,481 |
|
Wexford |
653,929 |
478,794 |
1,578,877 |
564,823 |
526,794 |
|
Wicklow |
521,838 |
659,643 |
982,811 |
857,981 |
653,565 |
|
Grand Total |
20,840,269 |
21,973,386 |
24,083,778 |
30,189,361 |
24,588,728 |
Below are the new jobs created by LEO clients per county over the past 5 years:
|
County |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Carlow |
150 |
185 |
155 |
265 |
243 |
|
Cavan |
231 |
215 |
111 |
243 |
215 |
|
Clare |
248 |
229 |
179 |
278 |
261 |
|
Cork |
807 |
802 |
515 |
628 |
727 |
|
Donegal |
360 |
303 |
226 |
262 |
309 |
|
Dublin |
1,329 |
1,431 |
863 |
1,137 |
1,290 |
|
Galway |
188 |
207 |
138 |
221 |
221 |
|
Kerry |
167 |
175 |
213 |
313 |
280 |
|
Kildare |
436 |
328 |
252 |
254 |
284 |
|
Kilkenny |
317 |
202 |
200 |
217 |
193 |
|
Laois |
125 |
129 |
83 |
106 |
111 |
|
Leitrim |
82 |
80 |
68 |
84 |
95 |
|
Limerick |
430 |
323 |
128 |
327 |
376 |
|
Longford |
133 |
127 |
158 |
191 |
183 |
|
Louth |
210 |
199 |
145 |
174 |
206 |
|
Mayo |
340 |
279 |
115 |
172 |
255 |
|
Meath |
231 |
269 |
228 |
421 |
293 |
|
Monaghan |
252 |
252 |
175 |
198 |
241 |
|
Offaly |
224 |
240 |
179 |
173 |
279 |
|
Roscommon |
219 |
95 |
109 |
208 |
219 |
|
Sligo |
160 |
180 |
132 |
212 |
160 |
|
Tipperary |
366 |
275 |
274 |
236 |
398 |
|
Waterford |
306 |
298 |
207 |
289 |
267 |
|
Westmeath |
254 |
267 |
265 |
249 |
303 |
|
Wexford |
302 |
200 |
331 |
465 |
330 |
|
Wicklow |
140 |
118 |
136 |
117 |
131 |
|
TOTALS |
8,007 |
7,408 |
5,585 |
7,440 |
7,870 |
Below are the jobs supported by LEO clients per county in the past 5 years:
Total Jobs - 2018 to 2022
|
County |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Carlow |
1,153 |
1,209 |
1,219 |
1,015 |
1,101 |
|
Cavan |
1,374 |
1,456 |
1,203 |
1,327 |
1,413 |
|
Clare |
1,270 |
1,384 |
1,283 |
1,330 |
1,353 |
|
Cork |
3,160 |
3,386 |
3,027 |
2,847 |
3,159 |
|
Donegal |
1,294 |
1,331 |
1,283 |
1,374 |
1,464 |
|
Dublin |
5,953 |
6,429 |
5,396 |
5,282 |
5,782 |
|
Galway |
1,116 |
1,182 |
1,048 |
1,187 |
1,192 |
|
Kerry |
1,295 |
1,352 |
1,135 |
1,272 |
1,248 |
|
Kildare |
1,239 |
1,195 |
1,149 |
1,156 |
1,297 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,257 |
1,128 |
1,058 |
1,059 |
1,077 |
|
Laois |
635 |
697 |
672 |
689 |
747 |
|
Leitrim |
437 |
458 |
416 |
417 |
435 |
|
Limerick |
1,926 |
1,882 |
1,754 |
1,825 |
1,815 |
|
Longford |
1,195 |
1,270 |
1,200 |
1,245 |
1,300 |
|
Louth |
982 |
971 |
884 |
898 |
913 |
|
Mayo |
1,224 |
1,327 |
1,274 |
1,164 |
1,226 |
|
Meath |
1,255 |
1,358 |
1,356 |
1,509 |
1,407 |
|
Monaghan |
1,164 |
1,188 |
1,118 |
1,050 |
1,005 |
|
Offaly |
1,063 |
1,095 |
1,049 |
1,047 |
1,196 |
|
Roscommon |
857 |
897 |
888 |
940 |
1,032 |
|
Sligo |
920 |
996 |
930 |
995 |
998 |
|
Tipperary |
1,295 |
1,379 |
1,365 |
1,345 |
1,528 |
|
Waterford |
1,447 |
1,525 |
1,252 |
1,199 |
1,222 |
|
Westmeath |
1,172 |
1,269 |
1,162 |
1,272 |
1,484 |
|
Wexford |
1,308 |
1,438 |
1,474 |
1,630 |
1,773 |
|
Wicklow |
675 |
733 |
641 |
655 |
696 |
|
TOTALS |
36,666 |
38,535 |
35,236 |
35,729 |
37,863 |
As the figures bear out, the LEOs continue to support small businesses in growing and creating new jobs across the entire country.
It is also worth noting that these tables only account for the investment and job creation that can be directly attributed to successful grant applications. The LEOs also provide significant assistance to the growth and development of small businesses through other interventions including Training and Development, Productivity and Competitiveness programmes, Mentoring and the Trading Online Vouchers.
551. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current status of full ratification of CETA. [37200/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the European Union and Canada (CETA) is a mixed agreement containing both EU and Member State competencies.
Only those parts of the agreement for which the EU has exclusive competence, which are the trade elements, have been provisionally applied, pending the completion of each Member States' ratification procedures. To date, the Agreement has been ratified by 17 EU Member States.
The Investment Court System (ICS), which provides for the settlement of investment disputes, is an area of Member State competence and has therefore been excluded from the provisional application of the Agreement.
In March 2021, Deputy Patrick Costello commenced High Court proceedings based on his view that CETA requires a referendum in order for the Agreement to be ratified in Ireland. The High Court found against Deputy Costello in its September 2021 judgment, however following an appeal to the Supreme Court, the Court ruled in favour of Deputy Costello’s appeal on 11 November 2022.
By a 4:3 majority, the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution of Ireland precludes the Government and Dáil Éireann from ratifying CETA as Irish law now stands. However, the Court also ruled by a 6:1 majority, that certain amendments to the Arbitration Act 2010, would allow ratification to proceed.
The Government remains committed to the ratification of the Agreement and is taking advice from the Office of the Attorney General with a view to informing next steps.
552. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for current expenditure running €202 million behind profile, as outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37479/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe published the Mid-year expenditure report on 19th July 2023. The report highlighted that my Department's current expenditure was running €202 million behind profile.
The main driver of this underspend in Current expenditure versus profile arises in:
• Subhead A18: TBESS: Non-Pay (€195.293m behind profile) variance relates to the difficulty in estimating uptake of the scheme.
A small number of other Subheads are running slightly behind profile due to drawdown timing issues and challenges recruiting staff in a tight labour market.
The June 2023 expenditure returns for the DETE vote excluding the once-off non-core TBESS scheme, demonstrate an underspend of 4% on core current allocation.
My department will continue to monitor the spending of its exchequer allocation across all business areas to deliver on our key strategic policy objectives.
553. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the Employment Regulation Order for security staff; and when he anticipates being able to implement same. [37485/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI signed the Employment Regulation Order for the Security Industry on 25th August 2023, with a commencement date of 4th September 2023, when approximately 16,000 workers saw their minimum rate of pay rise from €11.65 to €12.90 per hour.
The full details of the ERO have been made available to the public on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s website.
554. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what steps are being considered to protect the rights of consumers who purchase tickets for concerts or sporting events and where more reasonably priced tickets are withheld until after the initial sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37493/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraGenerally, traders in Ireland are free to set and change their prices for goods and services, based on demand, once they do so independently and in line with consumer protection law. Consumer law requires traders to provide certain information to consumers prior to purchase. This includes the total price, inclusive of taxes, allowing consumers to make the informed choice to purchase. Consumer law also prohibits businesses from engaging in a misleading commercial practice. Under the Consumer Protection Act 2007, a commercial practice is regarded as misleading if the trader does not act in good faith and misleads the average consumer into taking an action that she/he may otherwise not undertake.
When offering an item for sale or advertising a product or service, misleading practises could include claims regarding:
• the nature of the product/service
• the main characteristics, including its availability at a particular time, place, or at a particular price
• the price of the product/service, the manner in which the price was calculated or the existence and nature of a specific price advantage, and the legal rights of a consumer.
The 2007 Act also prohibits traders from making a false representation that a product is available only for a limited time, or on particular terms for a limited time, in order to elicit an immediate decision from a consumer, depriving the consumer of sufficient opportunity or time to make an informed choice in relation to the trader’s product.
Consumer rights are protected for purchasing tickets for concerts or sporting events under the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021. The Act regulates the secondary ticket market where tickets are resold after their original purchase from the primary ticket market and where tickets are more likely to be sold above their original sale price, by prohibiting the sale or advertising for sale, of tickets for price exceeding the original sale price for designated events or events taking place in designated venues.
Primary online marketplaces provide a platform where primary tickets can be purchased. Such platforms do not fall within the remit of the Sale of Tickets Act 2021. Primary tickets are allocated for sale to the platform by event partners, which includes among others, event organisers, promoters, venues, artists/performers and agents. Event partners determine the conditions around the sale, availability and release of the tickets.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), the independent statutory body that enforces competition and consumer law under the remit of my Department, continues to promote and monitor compliance with competition and consumer protection laws across all sectors of the market, including ticket sales, and to investigate potential breaches, prohibited practices and offences.
555. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on previously announced plans to introduce a scheme for business users of LPG and kerosene given that these are not eligible fuels under the TBESS, as confirmed in Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 21 March 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37525/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 6th September, I launched the Business Users Support Scheme for Kerosene to provide support to businesses that were impacted by significant increases in the cost of this fuel following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The scheme will provide eligible businesses with a payment to compensate them for half of their increased costs in the period from 1st March to 31st December 2022, compared to the equivalent period in 2021.
The implementation of this scheme delivers on a commitment that I made earlier this year to ensure that businesses that rely on kerosene for heating purposes are supported in the same manner as those that have already received support in respect of increased electricity and natural gas costs under the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme.
When designing the scheme, my Department examined available data on kerosene and LPG price trends in 2022, compared to 2021. The average price of a litre of Kerosene increased from €0.70 in 2021 to €1.32 in 2022, an 89% increase. This justified the creation of a scheme to support businesses that rely on Kerosene. The average price of LPG increased by less than 20% during 2022. It was therefore considered that the inclusion of LPG users in the scheme could not be justified.
The Business Users Support Scheme for Kerosene will be open for applications until the 31st October. Details of eligibility criteria and of how to apply are available online at bussk.ie.
556. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in recognition of the significant delays with the security ERO and the recent lifting of the High Court injunction, he will commit to getting the new ERO signed off as soon as possible; if he will provide an indication of when this will be done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37576/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI signed the Employment Regulation Order for the Security Industry on 25th August 2023, with a commencement date of 4th September 2023, when approximately 16,000 workers saw their minimum rate of pay rise from €11.65 to €12.90 per hour.
The full details of the ERO have been made available to the public on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s website.
557. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will detail in tabular form, by county (or local authority), the number of businesses that have been approved for the new energy efficiency grant; and the estimated total value of the support of the grant in each county (or local authority area). [37585/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG) was launched in May this year by the Local Enterprise Offices and provides financial support for small businesses to become more sustainable and to make a significant contribution to reducing their energy output and carbon emissions.
The EEG is available to businesses who through participation in the Green for Micro/Business, GreenStart or SEAI Energy Audit programmes, have identified technologies and equipment to make their businesses more energy efficient. The grant will cover up to 50% of the total costs up to a maximum amount of €5,000.
The launch of the EEG is a follow on to the successful Green for Micro programme, recently renamed Green for Business to reflect the broadening of the eligibility criteria to support businesses with up to 50 employees. It allows companies to avail of technical and/or advisory supports for 2 days from external experts across a broad range of activities from resource efficiency to understanding their carbon footprint to implementing a sustainability strategy. Since its launch in March 2021, 1,045 small businesses have availed of this support. Small businesses also have the option to avail of the Green Start support which is a more in-depth engagement with an expert for up to 7 days.
National and local publicity campaigns are taking place to promote the EEG and the LEOs report strong interest. To date there have been 7 approvals awarded by Carlow, Galway and Mayo LEOs with a total grant value of €17, 529.
However there is a relatively strong pipeline of applications across the country and it is expected that this figure will increase significantly over the coming weeks and months.
558. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will detail in tabular form, by county (or local authority), the number of businesses that have been supported under the Ukraine enterprise crisis scheme; and the estimated total value of support in each county (or local authority area). [37588/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo protect the confidentiality of Enterprise Ireland client companies it is not possible to state the number of companies supported at a county level as they may be identifiable due to the small number of companies involved.
|
Local Authority Area |
No of Companies |
Approvals € |
|
Cavan |
<3 |
€147,000 |
|
Cork County |
<3 |
€156,000 |
|
Donegal |
<3 |
€500,000 |
|
Dublin South County |
<3 |
€422,042 |
|
Louth |
<3 |
€500,000 |
|
Mayo |
<3 |
€500,000 |
|
Meath |
<3 |
€109,000 |
|
Offaly |
<3 |
€548,207 |
|
Sligo |
<3 |
€329,330 |
|
Waterford |
<3 |
€32,759 |
|
Westmeath |
<3 |
€500,000 |
|
Wexford |
<3 |
€92,314 |
|
Wicklow |
<3 |
€228,836 |
|
Grand Total |
17 |
€4,065,488 |
