Written Answers Nos. 181-200
181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which targets in respect of public expenditure for the year 2024 remain in line with expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5988/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s approach to public expenditure policy is set out in the Medium Term Expenditure Strategy (MTES). The objectives of the MTES are twofold, to ensure that the level of core expenditure growth is sustainable in the long-term and that investment in expenditure protects and delivers improvements to public services. This framework must be responsive to the economic landscape and is reviewed annually as part of the whole of year budget process including the Summer Economic Statement and the Estimates process.
Managing the delivery of services within budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and measures are in place to help ensure that budgetary targets are met. The ongoing dialogue between my Department and line Departments is part of the monitoring process for existing levels of service provision and any emerging pressures. My Department ensures that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal parameters and the drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is monitored against the published expenditure profiles. There is regular reporting to Government and information in relation to voted expenditure is published monthly with the Exchequer Returns.
In seeking to smooth the impact of higher prices on public services and supports, Government sought to strike a balance in Budget 2024 between protecting investment in public services and helping to mitigate the cost of living pressures while also ensuring sustainability of the public finances. The Revised Estimates for 2024 provided €96.3 billion in gross expenditure to Departments. These amounts will form the basis of monitoring throughout 2024. The overall Government expenditure ceiling is €96.7 billion, €0.4 billion of which is unallocated.
Since the publication of REV 2024, proposals for a new public service pay agreement – Public Service Agreement 2024 to 2026 - were finalised at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on 26th January. Public service unions and associations can be expected to ballot on these proposals in the coming weeks. The Revised Estimates for 2024 provided for an allocation of €700 million in respect of a future public service pay agreement, which was being negotiated at that time. The additional €400 million, upon ratification of the agreement, will be provided to departments as required through supplementary estimates later in 2024.
In addition, as part of the Government’s fiscal strategy Budget 2024 announced the establishment of two new reserve funds; the Future Ireland Fund and the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund. These reserves will help to future proof our economy and public finances by enabling us to maintain our investment plans and expectations over the longer term. Investing windfall corporation tax receipts now will also help us meet any potential future fiscal challenges.
Finally the Government, through updates from the Minister for Finance, continues to monitor the macroeconomic situation including labour market trends and inflation levels.
182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform whether he remains satisfied that levels of public expenditure here are adequately proofed to ensure best outcome for the Exchequer and taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5989/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s approach to public expenditure policy is set out in the Medium Term Expenditure Strategy (MTES). The objectives of the MTES are twofold, to ensure that the level of core expenditure growth is sustainable and that investment in expenditure protects and delivers improvements to public services. This framework must be responsive to the economic landscape and is reviewed annually as part of the whole of year budget process including the Summer Economic Statement and the Estimates process.
The ongoing dialogue between my Department and other Departments and Offices is part of the monitoring process for existing levels of service provision and any emerging pressures. Managing the delivery of services within budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and measures are in place to help ensure that budgetary targets are met with the drawdown of funds from the Exchequer being monitored against the published expenditure profiles. There is regular reporting to Government and information in relation to voted expenditure is published monthly with the Exchequer Returns.
Budgetary and expenditure reforms remain a key feature of public expenditure management throughout all Departments. This important goal has been fully embedded across the system of Government and is progressed in a number of ways including the day-to-day management of resources, regular engagement across Departments on cross cutting issues and through the public service reform programme. It is also progressed through a range of core budgetary reform initiatives including, but not limited to:
• Performance Budgeting;
• Equality Budgeting;
• Green Budgeting
• Well-being budgeting; and
• The Spending Review Process.
These reforms and processes broaden the approach to how public expenditure is appraised, implemented and reviewed. They govern not only how and where the money is spent but also the impact of public expenditure across different cohorts of society and the different categories of expenditure. They work in tandem with broader initiatives, such as the establishment of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES), to develop capacity and enhance the role of economics and value for money analysis in public policy making.
Additionally, my Department engages in international fora, including OECD working parties and committees. These discussions focus on spending reviews, budgetary reform and other areas that strengthen the public sectors’ ability to promote systemic change as way to respond to economic, social and environmental challenges.
While each reform may be considered in isolation, it is important to recognise that each represents one part of the overall reform process. Together, these expenditure reforms aim to provide a more comprehensive and thorough insight into how public services are supporting the Irish population.
It is with this more complete understanding that policymakers can work towards the achievement of value for money objectives in the context of the entire budgetary process, ensure responsiveness to emerging opportunities and trends where appropriate, and enhance the impact of policies and programmes on the lives of people in Ireland.
183. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when he will publish legislation to modernise and update the Freedom of Information Act and ethics in public office legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5994/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy’s question highlights a commitment that we made in the 2020 Programme for Government to “reform and consolidate the Ethics in Public Office Legislation”. To action this commitment my Department undertook a review of the statutory framework in advance of bringing new proposals for reform to Government. This Review was completed in December 2022 and its Report submitted to Government. The Government approved the publication of the Report and agreed to the preparation of draft legislation to reform the regime informed by the outcome of the review.
The Report's recommendations focus broadly on five key themes:
• the legislative framework for Ethics should be underpinned by a set of overarching integrity principles;
• there should be new specific statutory prohibitions, including on the use of insider information;
• disclosure requirements should be strengthened to improve transparency and examining whether the regime should encompass more office holders;
• a strengthening of SIPO; and
• any post-term employment restrictions contemplated for elected officials/public servants should seek to address matters not already covered by lobbying regulation and should align closely with that legislation.
To further progress the Programme for Government commitment, my Department is now preparing a draft scheme for legislative reform in consultation with relevant Ministers and informed by the outcome of the Review. Drafting of Heads of Bill is significantly advanced, with the ultimate goal of creating a fit-for-purpose, easy to understand and user-friendly ethical framework that contributes to the quality and efficacy of our public administration.
Alongside this work, a review of the FOI regime has also been undertaken and is nearing completion.
The review process has been an open and collaborative one, taking in the views of a wide range of stakeholders. It commenced with a scoping process which sought the views of stakeholders across all sectors in setting the direction of the review. Approximately 1,200 responses were received at this stage of the process from individuals, organisations, and public bodies.
In addition, a customer satisfaction survey was undertaken, which sought the views of both requesters and the staff of public bodies involved in processing requests. 1,100 further responses were received in this project.
Based on key themes identified in the previous stages of information gathering, a full public consultation was undertaken, with 60 further responses received. In order to further tease out particular issues, a series of focus group sessions and interviews were carried out with key stakeholder groups.
This process of engagement was accompanied by a review of international approaches to FOI, seeking to identify best practices and innovations globally.
A progress update was issued to stakeholders at the end of 2022, which summarised key findings in the information gathering process to date, and set out in broad terms the matters under consideration.
There are three main strands. Firstly, a more coherent approach to information governance and access. Secondly, supplementing formal FOI requests with less bureaucratic and more direct ways of achieving transparency, including proactive publication of information. Finally, the review addresses various issues and proposals for improving the FOI request process.
The process of preparing the final review report commenced in mid-2023. This has been undertaken in close collaboration with the Office of the Information Commissioner, but also other policy-holders in related areas, such as the National Archives. The report is now nearing completion. It is intended that the recommendations arising from the review will inform the preparation of amending legislation.
My Department aims to bring both the Heads of Bill for the Ethics Reform and the FOI final review report to Government for approval to publish in the coming months.
184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of employment created to date since the jobs announcement in 2019; the level of State funding provided to a company (details supplied) to create employment; the up-to-date position regarding this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5778/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe company in question is at an early stage of development and is being supported by Enterprise Ireland to explore business opportunities both in China and across the wider nutritional powders market. There are currently a small number of full time workers employed on site with an expectation that employment numbers will increase as the business develops.
For reasons of commercial sensitivity, it would not be appropriate to provide details of funding received by an individual company.
185. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding allocated to areas of expenditure (details supplied) in each of the years 2018 to 2023; if an underspend existed, by year; and the funding allocated for 2024, in tabular form. [5805/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being collated by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is finalised.
|
Allocation |
Underspend (Y/N) |
||||||||||||
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Digital Transition Fund (The Digitalisation Voucher and Digital Marketing Capability Scheme fall under the DTF) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
€10m |
€16m |
€10.5m (subject to DPENDR approval) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Y |
Y |
|
European Digital Innovation Hubs |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
€3m |
€6m |
€4.879m (subject to DPENDR approval) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Y |
N |
|
Trading Online Voucher |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
€4.785m |
€14.292m |
€3m |
€3.261m |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N |
Y |
Y |
|
Digital for Business |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
€934.7k |
€1.138m |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Y |
|
Online Retail Scheme |
0 |
€1.6m |
€10m |
€10m |
€9.3m |
€3.4m |
0 |
n/a |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
|
Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund |
N/A |
€20m |
€32.8 |
€32m |
€67m |
€61m |
€42.5m |
N/A |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
186. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the projects under his Department that are being funded as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan that is funded under the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility, by funding and project, in tabular form. [5837/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s National Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is the largest component of the European Union’s €800 billion NextGenerationEU recovery instrument and Ireland is in line to receive almost a billion Euro in grants over the lifetime of the Facility. In order to access this funding, Ireland developed the National Recovery & Resilience Plan which has been approved by the European Union.
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan outlines how Ireland intends to utilise an initial allocation of €915 million in grants from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. The overall objective of Ireland’s Plan is to contribute to a sustainable, equitable, green and digital recovery, in a manner that complements and supports the Government’s broader recovery effort.
My Department has responsibility for 3 National Recovery and Resilience Plan Investment Projects and Reform Measures, which are set out in tabular form in the attached document.
187. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total amount of funding provided to businesses for support digitisation over the past five years; and the funding allocated to support firms with digitisation in 2024. [5838/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the National Digital Strategy, Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework, published early in 2022, Government has committed to driving a step change in the digitalisation of enterprise in Ireland. Growing the use of digital technologies by businesses will help to build the resilience of our enterprise base as we look to future-proof our economy. For businesses, investment in digitalisation brings increased efficiencies, easier access to and better services for customers, and greater cybersecurity and scalability. A number of different schemes are in place, administered by Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices to support businesses of all sizes on their digital journey.
Details of the funding allocated to enterprise digitalisation are set out below.
The Digital Transition Fund is an €85m fund under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), running from 2022-2026 funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The fund is administered by EI, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta through a range of schemes to boost uptake of digital technology. Draw down to date is €4.2 million. The provisional allocation for 2024 is €10.5 million, subject to approval by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR).
Part-funded by the RRF and the Digital Europe Programme, are Ireland’s four European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs). EDIHs are an EU-wide network providing digitalisation advice at low or no cost to SMEs and public sector organisations to support uptake of technologies including AI and data analytics and to enhance their cybersecurity and digital skills. The Irish EDIHs drew down €7m in the period 2022-2023. The provisional allocation for 2024 is €4.9 million, subject to DPENDR approval.
The Network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) support small businesses to attain basic digital intensity to help them to save time, money, and energy. Supports for digitalisation available through LEOs include the Trading Online Voucher (TOV), a voucher of up to €2,500 with 50% co-funding by the applicant, and Digital for Business , for businesses with up to 50 employees in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors to prepare and implement a plan for the adoption of digital tools and techniques.
Funding to business by the LEOs under the TOV scheme between 2020 and 2023 amounted to €20.8m. This includes a provisional figure of €3.1m for 2023. Digital for Business has seen payments of €573K in 2022 and a provisional figure of €985K assigned to 2023. Figures associated with 2023 are currently provisional for both schemes, and subject to the completion of an exercise to verify them. For both the Trading Online Voucher and the Digital for Business scheme, the 2024 allocation will be determined when the LEO Budget is presented and approved by the Enterprise Ireland Board.
Enterprise Ireland runs a number of schemes to support digitalisation of business. The Online Retail Scheme administered since 2019 supports Irish retailers in developing a more competitive online offer increase their customer base and build a more resilient business in the domestic and global marketplace both online and offline. Payments from 2019-2023 amount to €10.3 million. Future funding under this scheme is currently under review. The Digitalisation Voucher has seen payments of €2.04 million in 2022 and €0.46 million in 2023. Payments under the Digital Marketing Capability Scheme from 2019-2023 totalled €4.59 million.
The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) , established in 2018, is one of four National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027 funds, and is aimed at encouraging collaboration and innovation in the development and deployment of disruptive technologies on a commercial basis, in order to tackle national and global challenges. It is managed by the Department and administered by Enterprise Ireland. Although not exclusively focused on digital technologies, the fund encourages projects that complement the priority enterprise policy objective on digital transformation as set out in the White Paper on Enterprise. There is a particular focus on SMEs, with SME participation a mandatory requirement for each collaborative project. Six DTIF calls for projects have been held to date, ranging in value from €8 million to €95 million, with a total of €365 million allocated to 103 collaborative projects to date.
188. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the expenditure base for his Department for the years 2024 to 2027, or as far as is projected, broken down for the expenditure base for the programme expenditure under 'jobs and enterprise development', 'enterprise innovation and commercialisation', 'regulation', listing all subheads within each, in tabular form. [5869/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe below table details the expenditure base for the programme expenditure under 'jobs and enterprise development', 'enterprise innovation and commercialisation' and 'regulation' for 2024 as published in the Revised Estimate Volume 2024.
|
Subhead |
Subhead Description |
Current Allocation |
Capital Allocation |
Total Allocation |
|
€,000 |
€,000 |
€,000 |
||
|
|
Jobs and Enterprise Development |
|
|
|
|
A.1 |
Administration Pay |
€15,570 |
|
€15,570 |
|
A.2 |
Administration Non-Pay |
€3,287 |
|
€3,287 |
|
A.3 |
Agency Legacy Pensions |
€41,117 |
|
€41,117 |
|
A.4 |
InterTrade Ireland |
€2,725 |
€8,900 |
€11,625 |
|
A.5 |
IDA Ireland |
€61,520 |
€204,473 |
€265,993 |
|
A.6 |
NSAI |
€10,564 |
€500 |
€11,064 |
|
A.7 |
Enterprise Ireland |
€92,920 |
€120,253 |
€213,173 |
|
A.8 |
Local Enterprise Development |
€11,981 |
€44,816 |
€56,797 |
|
A.9 |
Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme |
|
€8,000 |
€8,000 |
|
A.10 |
Matching Funding for PeacePlus |
|
€464 |
€464 |
|
A.11 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations |
€5,900 |
|
€5,900 |
|
A.12 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
€201 |
|
€201 |
|
A.13 |
Legal Costs and Other Services |
€130 |
|
€130 |
|
A.14 |
SBCI Loan Schemes |
|
€1 |
€1 |
|
A.15 |
Humanitarian Relief Scheme |
|
€1 |
€1 |
|
A.16 |
Micro Finance Ireland |
|
€1 |
€1 |
|
A.17 |
National Design Centre |
|
€1 |
€1 |
|
A.18 |
Increased Cost of Business Scheme |
|
€257,000 |
€257,000 |
|
B.1 |
Administration Pay |
€9,876 |
|
€9,876 |
|
B.2 |
Administration Non-Pay |
€2,878 |
|
€2,878 |
|
B.3 |
Intellectual Property Office of Ireland |
€3,714 |
|
€3,714 |
|
B.4 |
Science and Technology Development Programme |
€6,218 |
€152,914 |
€159,132 |
|
B.5 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations |
€470 |
€26,216 |
€26,686 |
|
B.6 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
€1 |
|
€1 |
|
B.7 |
Legal Costs and Other Services |
€130 |
|
€130 |
|
B.8 |
Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund |
€42,500 |
€42,500 |
|
|
C.1 |
Administration Pay |
€16,096 |
|
€16,096 |
|
C.2 |
Administration Non-Pay |
€4,385 |
|
€4,385 |
|
C.3 |
Workplace Relations Programme |
€23,605 |
€23,605 |
|
|
C.4 |
Grants for Trade Union Education and Advisory Services |
€900 |
|
€900 |
|
C.5 |
Health and Safety Authority |
€30,710 |
€30,710 |
|
|
C.6 |
Trade Union Amalgamations |
€60 |
|
€60 |
|
C.7 |
Corporate Enforcement Authority |
€11,101 |
|
€11,101 |
|
C.8 |
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission |
€25,701 |
|
€25,701 |
|
C.9 |
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
€499 |
|
€499 |
|
C.10 |
Companies Registration Office |
€8,550 |
|
€8,550 |
|
C.11 |
Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority |
€1,902 |
|
€1,902 |
|
C.12 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations |
€1,866 |
|
€1,866 |
|
C.13 |
Commissions, Committees and Special Inquiries |
€317 |
|
€317 |
|
C.14 |
Legal Costs and Other Services |
€1,055 |
|
€1,055 |
|
C.15 |
Low Pay Commission |
€516 |
|
€516 |
|
C.16 |
Digital ,Services Co-ordinator |
€6,009 |
|
€6,009 |
The allocations for 2025 -2027 will be determined as part of the respective Estimates process for each of those years.
189. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the expenditure base for IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Development, InterTradeIreland, Science and Technology Development Programme, Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, Workplace Relations Programme, and the Health and Safety Authority for the years 2024 to 2027, or as far as is projected, in tabular form. [5870/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe below table details the expenditure base for IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Development, InterTrade Ireland, Science and Technology Development Programme, Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, Workplace Relations Programme and the Health and Safety Authority for 2024 as published in the Revised Estimate Volume 2024.
|
Subhead |
Subhead Description |
Current Allocation |
Capital Allocation |
Total Allocation |
|
|
|
€,000 |
€,000 |
€,000 |
|
A.4 |
InterTrade Ireland |
€2,725 |
€8,900 |
€11,625 |
|
A.5 |
IDA Ireland |
€61,520 |
€204,473 |
€265,993 |
|
A.7 |
Enterprise Ireland |
€92,920 |
€120,253 |
€213,173 |
|
A.8 |
Local Enterprise Development |
€11,981 |
€44,816 |
€56,797 |
|
B.4 |
Science and Technology Development Programme |
€6,218 |
€152,914 |
€159,132 |
|
B.8 |
Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund |
|
€42,500 |
€42,500 |
|
C.3 |
Workplace Relations Programme |
€23,605 |
|
€23,605 |
|
C.5 |
Health and Safety Authority |
€30,710 |
|
€30,710 |
The allocations for 2025 -2027 will be determined as part of the respective Estimates process for each of those years.
190. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the provisions of the Digital Services Act with respect to online platforms which platform fraudulent advertising on their channels, the requirements, obligations and sanctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5899/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Digital Services Act (DSA) is an EU Regulation that introduces new obligations on providers of online intermediary services, which include online marketplaces and social media platforms. It is designed to improve online safety in a variety of ways, such as improving transparency of services, giving users more control over how they receive those services, addressing risk and requiring mitigations, and making it more likely that illegal content online, which may include fraudulent advertising, will be found and removed.
The DSA covers any type of advertising, from digital marketing to issues-based advertising and political advertising.
The DSA does not define what illegal content is, this is set out in other national and European Laws.
However, the DSA places an obligation on providers of hosting services to put in place notice mechanisms that allow users to notify them of the presence on their service of specific items of information that the user considers to be illegal content.
The provider is obliged to review the notice and make their decision, in a timely, diligent, non-arbitrary and objective manner. in respect of the information to which the notices relate.
Depending on the decision made by the provider it may remove or restrict the content if it is illegal. This may involve any of the following:
• Removal of the content, disabling access to the content, demoting the content.
• Suspension, termination or other restriction of monetary payments.
• Suspension or termination of the provision of the service in whole or in part.
• Suspension or termination of the recipient of the service's account who posted the content.
• Once the provider becomes aware of the presence of illegal content on its service, then the provider becomes liable for the illegal content unless it acts expeditiously to remove or to disable access to this content.
• Furthermore, online platform providers are obliged under the DSA to provide a complaints mechanism through which users can contest the decisions taken by a provider with respect to a notice submitted.
• Users will also have the option to achieve resolution of a disputed decision through an out-of-court dispute settlement body or seek redress before the Courts.
• The Digital Services Co-ordinator, which for Ireland will be Coimsiún na Mean, will have powers to investigate providers in instances where they suspect they have not adhered to the aforementioned obligations. Coimisiún na Meán will also have powers to impose administrative sanctions up to a max of 6% of the providers turnover if they find that the provider has contravened any of these DSA obligations.
• If the contravention is not ended by the provider, then Coimisiún na Meán will issue further notices seeking that the provider comply with their obligations under the DSA. Where the contravention relates to illegal content that has not been moderated by the provider, then this may result in Coimisiún na Meán seeking an order via the Courts to have the content blocked.
• Furthermore, if during such an investigation Coimisiún na Meán considers that the suspected illegal content poses a risk of serious harm, then they may impose an order on the provider to take immediate measures to address the issue prior to the investigation being completed. Failure by the providers to comply with such measures may also result in an administrative financial sanction of up to a maximum of 6% of the providers turnover being imposed by Coimisiún na Meán on the provider.
• Thus, the DSA will have the effect that where fraudulent advertisements are presented on platform services and these advertisements are deemed illegal under national or EU laws, providers must remove them or face severe financial consequences.
191. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to review the key outcomes and key impacts for the LEO network in performance budgeting; his views on the introduction of key outcomes and impacts for green budgeting across all departmental programmes, as reported on in the annual Public Service Performance Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5953/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being collated by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is finalised.
192. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the targets for Green for Business take up in each county for 2024 and for an update, if available, on the applications approved, training attended or completed assessments broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5954/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Green for Business scheme forms part of a suite of Lean, Green and Digital supports offered by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) to enable small businesses to be more efficient, productive, and sustainable. It is a free programme that helps small businesses take the first step towards becoming more sustainable.
It is also a necessary requirement for businesses to undertake in order to avail of the Energy Efficiency Grant, as it helps to identify potential projects that can be undertaken to reduce energy usage and make businesses more efficient.
The LEO network's overall target metrics for programmes, including Green for Business, are agreed when the LEO Budget is presented to the Board of Enterprise Ireland for approval. After this, the Enterprise Ireland Centre of Excellence (CoE) will indicate to individual LEOs their budget allocation to fund these schemes for the coming year. The Green for Business target is a total figure across the LEO network. As this process has not yet been completed, the 2024 target is not yet available.
For the benefit of the Deputy, below are the latest preliminary figures on the number approvals for the scheme in 2023. The 2023 target for the Green for Business scheme had been set at 550 approvals nationally which has been achieved, based on these preliminary figures.
|
LEO |
Clients Approved - for Green for Business 2023 |
|
Carlow |
42 |
|
Cavan |
16 |
|
Clare |
13 |
|
Cork City |
19 |
|
Cork North & West |
13 |
|
Cork South |
24 |
|
Donegal |
21 |
|
Dublin City |
33 |
|
Dublin Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
23 |
|
Dublin Fingal |
34 |
|
Dublin South |
21 |
|
Galway County/City |
19 |
|
Kerry |
18 |
|
Kildare |
42 |
|
Kilkenny |
13 |
|
Laois |
15 |
|
Leitrim |
7 |
|
Limerick |
14 |
|
Longford |
12 |
|
Louth |
11 |
|
Mayo |
13 |
|
Meath |
16 |
|
Monaghan |
15 |
|
Offaly |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
17 |
|
Sligo |
10 |
|
Tipperary |
12 |
|
Waterford |
15 |
|
Westmeath |
18 |
|
Wexford |
15 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
|
Total |
553 |
193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which action is underway to meet staff shortages in the construction sector with particular reference to the need to meet such deficiencies in full in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5971/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough the Housing for All strategy, and specifically the strategy’s Industry Capability Working Group, my Department is working with a range of partners across Government to ensure that the skills needs across all construction activities – housing new builds, infrastructural development, and retrofit – are fully addressed and we deliver on the targets set out in Housing for All, Project Ireland 2040 and the National Retrofitting Programme.
The Working Group is chaired by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, which is responsible for construction related training, including apprenticeships, across the Further Education and Training and Higher Education sectors. The Working Group’s focus is on leading initiatives associated with innovation and productivity, skills and labour, enterprise support, standards and compliance, and sectoral engagement.
Its skills planning is framed by the Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofitting 2023-2030, which was commissioned and published by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in late 2022.
My Department’s chief contribution towards addressing our construction sector skills needs is through the facilitation of international recruitment, which is being progressed by the Housing for All International Recruitment subgroup, and specifically the recruitment of non-EEA construction workers through the employment permits system.
In 2022, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment issued 1,474 employment permits for roles within the construction sector, an increase of 142 per cent on 2021 levels. In 2023, 1,349 employment permits were issued for roles in the sector. These increases have come as a result of comprehensive changes to eligibility criteria for employment permits made by the Department since April 2019.
The result is that most construction occupations, including those key to the delivery of the National Retrofitting Programme, are now eligible for an employment permit. Those roles eligible for a critical skills employment permit include: Architect, Architectural Technologist, Civil Engineer, Construction Project Manager, Electrical Engineer, Façade Designer, Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers with BIM expertise, Quantity Surveyor, Setting out Engineer, Site Manager, and Structural/Site Engineer.
Those roles eligible for a General Employment Permit include: Architectural Technician, Bricklayer, Carpenter and Joiner, Civil and Structural Engineering Technician, Construction and Building Trades Supervisor, Construction Safety Manager, Construction Safety Officer, Crane Driver, Draughtsperson, Electrician, Floorer and Wall Tiler, Foreman, Furniture Makers and other Craft Woodworkers, Glazier, Window Fabricator and Fitter, Mason, Painter and Decorator, Plasterer, Plumber and Heating and Ventilating Engineer, Roofer, Roof Tiler and Slater, Scaffolder, Stager and Rigger, Sheet Metal Worker, Shuttering Carpenter, and Welding Trade.
My Department will continue to be responsive to demonstrated skills needs across construction activities, through the timely and efficient operation of our employment permits system.
All of these efforts have been delivering real results and there are growing numbers of people employed in the construction sector. The CSO labour force survey of Q3 2023 shows when compared with pre-covid levels of Q3 2019 the total employment in the sector has grown by 17,600.
194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permit-related visa applications currently awaiting process with particular reference to various aspects of the economy particularly affected by staff shortages; the extent to which this issue is being addressed in the shortest time possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5972/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that as of 2nd February, the number of applications awaiting processing is 3,991. Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order.
The current processing dates as of 2nd February 2024 in respect of each permit type are as follows:
• Standard New Applications - 27 December 2023
• Trusted Partner Applications – 16 January 2024
• Standard Renewal Applications – 4th December 2023
• Trusted Partner Renewals – 12th January 2024
• Standard Critical Skills Employment Permits – 27th December 2023
• Trusted Partner Critical Skills Employment Permits – 17th January 2024
• This information is published on the Department's website at Current processing dates - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)
• January 2024 was a particularly busy period for Employment Permits applications. The Department received 5366 Employment Permit Applications (the number for the same period in 2023 was 2554). This was due to a range of factors, including changes to the employment permit system that were announced in December.
195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the degree to which Irish people overseas can be encouraged to return in order to meet staff vacancies throughout industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5973/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and its Embassy network, as well as other Departments, to implement the Government’s Diaspora Strategy, Global Ireland – Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025, which was launched in late 2020. The effective coordination of the implementation of this strategy across Government is carried out through the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad, chaired by the Minister for the Diaspora, and Officials from my Department participate in this Committee. The Department of Foreign Affairs leads on the implementation of this strategy.
Global Ireland sets out a number of actions to strengthen our connections with diaspora communities and to harness the contribution from the diaspora to support our economy, including through promoting and facilitating the return of Irish emigrants.
The strategy recognises how returning emigrants bring with them skills and knowledge gained abroad that can help develop both the national and local economies. To support this, the Government also recognises the need to minimise the challenges faced by individuals and families returning to Ireland. The strategy commits to a number of actions to support the return of members of the diaspora.
These include monitoring barriers to return and adopting measures to remove them where possible; the negotiation of reciprocal agreements with countries that are home to significant Irish diaspora communities, such as double taxation and social security agreements; improvement of the provision of information on returning to Ireland and providing information for Irish citizens living overseas, including the dissemination of information on skills needs; and the expansion of mutual recognition and the portability of academic or professional qualifications earned overseas.
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which employment has fluctuated in this jurisdiction over the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5974/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the most recent employment figures from the CSO’s Labour Force Survey, total employment in Ireland stood at 2.66 million people in the third quarter of 2023. This represents an increase of 14%, or an additional 329,000 jobs, compared to the same period in 2019, when total employment stood at 2.33 million. The employment rate in Ireland was 74% in the third quarter of 2023, up from 70% in 2019. There are now more people at work in Ireland than ever before.
The increase in the rate of female employment since 2019 has been particularly striking, increasing from 64% in Q3 2019 to 70% by Q3, 2023- a record high- while the employment rate for men has also increased from 75% to 78% during this time.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a disruptive impact, with employment reaching a low of 1.77 million in the second quarter of 2020 according to the CSO’s COVID-19 adjusted estimates. The post-pandemic recovery in employment has nevertheless been very strong and highlights the resilience of the Ireland’s labour market.
Government policies aimed at creating an attractive environment for both indigenous enterprise and foreign direct investment and enhancing the availability of talent to employers have resulted in record-breaking levels of job creation being achieved in the context of ongoing international economic and geopolitical turbulence, while initiatives such as Pathways to Work are helping to create a more inclusive labour market.
If this momentum is to be maintained, it will be essential that more people-particularly those in cohorts traditionally more distant from the labour market- are given the support they need to enter employment, ensuring in turn that Irish enterprise continues to have access to a pool of high-quality, adaptable and flexible talent.
To meet the demand for skills and to continue increasing participation in employment, there is close collaboration across Government, in particular between the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, its agencies and my own Department, as well as between Government, industry, and the education and training system more broadly, in order to continue building a highly skilled and inclusive workforce.
197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which working from home or working through digital hubs is being optimised and progressed with a view to ensuring the optimum results for employer, employee and the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5975/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government published Making Remote Work, the National Remote Work Strategy, in January 2021. The Strategy identified 15 actions to be undertaken to ensure that remote work from homes and hubs is a permanent feature of the Irish workplace in a way which maximises its economic, social and environmental benefits for employers, employees and the taxpayer.
My Department led the development and implementation of the Strategy through the Remote Work Interdepartmental Group (IDG) during 2021 and 2022. All actions outlined in the Strategy have been delivered. The Remote Work IDG continues to meet to coordinate remote working policy across Government.
Actions delivered by various Government departments and agencies include the following:
- Legislating for the right of all workers to request remote working, and the right of parents and carers to request other flexible working arrangements, through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.
- The legislation was signed into law on the 4th of April 2023 and will be commenced as soon as practicable following approval of the relevant Code of Practice recently drafted by the Workplace Relations Commission.
- The publication of the Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect by the WRC in April 2021.
- The introduction of an enhanced income tax deduction for people working from home amounting to 30 percent of heat, electricity and broadband expenses announced in Budget 2022.
- The launch of Ireland’s National Hub Network, and the ConnectedHubs.ie platform in May 2021, underpinned by ongoing investment of over €150 million in Ireland remote working and hub infrastructure from a variety of funding streams managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and my Department. There are currently 343 facilities across the country onboarded to the online platform.
- The development of Ireland’s first national Hub Strategy. Work on the Strategy is being led by the DRCD, together with my Department, in consultation with hub managers, local authorities, communities and other stakeholders. The Strategy is expected to be brought to Government this year. The Strategy will inform the future strategic direction of the National Hub Network and ensure the strategic development and sustainability of Ireland’s Hub Infrastructure.
- Ongoing remote work promotion, guidance, enterprise engagement and skills training from a variety of organisations including my own Department, the Health and Safety Authority, Enterprise Ireland, the IDA, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Western Development Commission, LEOs, Skillnet Ireland and local ETBs.
An Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) research paper, published in 2022, examined the impact of remote working on several key policy areas, finding that remote work can have positive effects on productivity, the environment, regional development, public and private finances, and labour market participation.
Remote work can help achieve greater work-life balance and flexibility for employees while providing firms with increased pools of talent to choose from, enhancing competitiveness and labour market performance overall. Remote working is an important mechanism for achieving the Government’s employment targets, helping those most distant from the labour force into work, while contributing to achieving Ireland’s ambitious climate targets. For example, remote and hybrid working has been identified as a contributor to achieving Ireland’s record-breaking rates of female employment, which stood 70% in the third quarter of 2023 according to CSO figures.
Overall, the Government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of new ways of working are fully realised to the benefit of employers, employees and taxpayers in all parts of Ireland.
198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which Ireland’s trade with EU countries has fluctuated over the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5976/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) compiles statistical data in relation to Goods Exports and Imports.
According to the CSO, the value of our goods exports to EU27 was €81 billion in 2022, €62 billion in 2021 and €64 billion in 2020. The value of our goods imports from EU27 was €43 billion in 2022, €35 billion in 2021 and €30 billion in 2020. The figures for goods exports to, and goods imports from, EU27 in 2023 will be released by the CSO later this month.
The value of our services exports to EU27 was €109 billion in 2022, €95 billion in 2021 and €77 billion in 2020. The value of our services imports from EU27 was €62 billion in 2022, €44 billion in 2021 and €37 billion in 2020. Statistics for services exports and imports to EU27 in 2023 are not yet available.
199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the degree to which his Department continues to support small and medium sized enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5977/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to backing business and will continue to work closely with SMEs nationwide by supporting their growth, helping them to find new markets and stimulating job creation.
I know that at present, SMEs are facing several challenges, due in particular to rising energy costs, inflation, and a tight labour market as well as measures which are aimed at improving working conditions.
While I am acutely aware of the pressures affecting SMEs in Ireland, it is worth mentioning that the most recent and forthcoming changes to improve working conditions are a necessary step in ensuring that workers in Ireland can avail of the same conditions as in many of our main trading partners.
Furthermore, it is important to recognise the range of supports that Government has made available to small businesses in recent years to deal with shocks ranging from Brexit to COVID-19, to supply change disruption and to rising energy costs associated with the war in Ukraine.
The recent announcement by the Minister for Finance to make significant changes to the Tax Debt Warehousing scheme with a reduction in the interest rate applying to warehoused tax debt to 0% is a very welcome update.
In terms of ongoing plans, my Department secured over €257m for the Increased Cost of Business Grant which will provide targeted refunds to around 143,000 businesses operating from a rateable premises, or 95% of all commercially trading business premises nationwide. The ICOB grant will be targeted at small and medium businesses operating directly within a premises that is commercially rateable by a Local Authority.
My Department and its agencies also support SMEs through a number of initiatives. These include providing access to advice, training, mentoring and direct financial grants as well as working to ensure an adequate supply of credit to SMEs through State-backed loan schemes and equity investment schemes.
Enterprise Ireland supports Irish SMEs in the development of global markets through a comprehensive range of supports. The support offered by Enterprise Ireland varies from direct financial assistance through grants, loans, and equity investments. Enterprise Ireland also provides market research and export development assistance, as well as funding and mentoring for Innovation and Research.
Additionally, the Local Enterprise Offices offer excellent advice and support as the first stop shop for anyone looking for general business advice including on financial management and business planning.
Finally, alongside Ministers Coveney and Calleary, I attend the SME and Entrepreneurship Taskforce. Over the past number of years their work and efforts have strongly contributed to developments such as the launch of a range of new instruments to improve access to finance and digitalisation and reducing regulatory burden on small businesses through the rollout of the SME Test.
200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether any further particular incentives are being considered to encourage the entrepreneurial skills of younger people throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5978/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), play a key role as part of a supportive ecosystem to foster entrepreneurship within towns and communities across the country.
They are the ‘first stop shop’ providing expert advice and guidance, financial assistance, and offer a ‘signposting’ service for all Government supports available to business owners throughout the country.
The LEOs promote and celebrate entrepreneurial activity nationally through a number of programmes and campaigns throughout the year, which include the National Enterprise Awards, National Women's Enterprise Day, and the Student Enterprise Programme.
The Student Enterprise Programme is run by the LEOs in partnership with second level schools to give students the opportunity to set-up and run their own businesses, with the support of their local LEO. This is the largest enterprise programme for secondary schools in Ireland and its success is based on a collaborative approach between state bodies, Government Departments, local government, school management teams and teaching professionals. Over 25,000 students have taken part in the programme since the programme's inception.
My Department in collaboration with the LEOs is developing a new programme called Ireland's Best Emerging Entrepreneur. This programme will focus on encouraging new entrepreneurs, including young entrepreneurs. Inclusive entrepreneurship will be a key feature of this new programme.
Finally, I would recommend any prospective entrepreneur to get in touch with their Local Enterprise Office and avail of the assistance the LEOs can provide.
