Written Answers Nos. 185-192
185. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his position with the ongoing public sector discussions regarding a potential reversal of the previous financial decision to reduce the daily rate of payment for former members of the public service appointed to public sector interview boards for their expertise and experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6891/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rates payable to retired Public Servants for serving on Interview Boards are in place since 1 July 2013. The rate payable is determined by the grade an individual served at the time of retirement. The Table below sets out the rates which are under review by my Department.
|
Secretary General |
€377 per day |
|
Deputy Secretary |
€295 per day |
|
Assistant Secretary |
€200 per day |
|
Principal Officer |
€150 per day |
|
Assistant Principal |
€130 per day |
|
Higher Executive Officer and below |
€110 per day |
186. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the supports available to new businesses established in 2024 and not eligible for the increased cost of business scheme or the associated Power Up grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6838/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the Programme for Government, Government has committed to developing Ireland’s enterprise base by backing small businesses and start-ups, scaling up indigenous firms and enhancing our attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment
In the first instance, I encourage any small business owners looking to avail of government support to consult the National Enterprise Hub (NEH), which launched in July 2024. The NEH has been designed as an entry point to aid business owners find relevant supports and help for their business.
The hub brings together information and resources on over 250 government supports from 29 different departments and state agencies which can be accessed through the new online hub or by speaking to a member of the team of advisors by phone or via live chat. The NEH is called out in our new programme for Government as an important tool for businesses that we will continue to support.
I would also recommend that such businesses contact their Local Enterprise Office (LEO) and seek the advice of a business advisor. The LEOs play an extremely important role at local level, as part of a supportive ecosystem, providing their services direct to small businesses and promoting entrepreneurship within towns and communities across the country. The LEOs are the first stop shop for every business in the country, they act as a ‘signposting’ service for all government supports available to the SME sector and can provide information/referrals to other relevant bodies under agreed protocols.
LEOs offer direct grant assistance to small businesses. However, it should be noted that grants that are specifically designed for growth or exporting are aimed at those in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors.
The LEOs provide consultancy and grants to small businesses across all sectors of the economy in the areas of Green, Digital and Lean. These grants are focused on providing capital to assist in implementation of recommendations to digitalise or decarbonise a business. These grants will also enhance the productivity and improve the competitiveness of small businesses.
The LEOs also provide a wide range of high-quality business and management development programmes that are tailored to meet specific business requirements. Whether it is a new start up or growing an existing business there are programmes that are suitable for anyone exploring self-employment as an option or for those who are currently operating a business and wish to learn more.
Over the course of the next five years Government will ensure the LEOs are resourced to help local businesses and adjust Enterprise Ireland’s mandate to better support small indigenous exporters.
187. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses refused the Power Up grant due to not being rates compliant for 2023, as per the increased cost of business criteria. [6886/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn total, the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) and Power Up grant schemes paid out over €400 million to SMEs right across the country.
Both grant schemes were administered by the Local Authorities on behalf of my Department. One of the eligibility requirements for both schemes was that businesses must be rates compliant or in a performing rates plan agreed with their Local Authority.
Determining rates compliance was a matter for the Local Authorities. My Department does not have details of businesses who were not rates compliant. The final eligibility decision rested with the Local Authority who had specific information in relation to rate paying businesses.
188. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of migrant workers on employment permits who have changed employer while remaining on their employment permit since the provision to do so was introduced as part of the Employment Permits Act 2024. [6914/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that the provision to allow migrant workers to change employer while remaining on their employment permit was introduced in September 2024. The section does not currently have the facility to track the numbers of permit holders who have applied to change employer, this will be introduced when the new Employment Permits ICT system is launched in the first half of this year.
189. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps his Department is taking to safety proof the electricity system from future extreme weather events; the amount spent on mitigating against power outages; if his Department has conducted any analysis on the amount of underground versus overground electricity cables in Ireland in comparison to other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6940/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment I have no role in respect of the development of the electricity grid or steps required by its operators to increase its resilience.
Of course I am very conscious of the disruption to many businesses across the country in the wake of Storm Éowyn, and mindful of critical role energy infrastructure has in the operations of enterprises big and small across the country. I have been engaging directly with impacted businesses, and through our network of local enterprise offices. I and my officials also work closely with the Minister and Department of Climate, Environment and Energy and the bodies that own and operate the electricity system on topics such as those raised by the Deputy.
My colleague, Minister Darragh O'Brien T.D., as Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, has recently requested a full review by ESB Networks and CRU, as part of the Sixth Annual Price Review (PR6) decision-making process, of the planned grid enhancement having particular regard to the damage caused by Storm Éowyn, with specific additional projects and investments identified to future proof Ireland’s energy grid and to adapt to the challenges of climate change.
Minister O'Brien also met with representatives from the CRU and ESB Networks on the 31 January to discuss the Storm Éowyn response and the impact on customers, and Government has requested that a number of actions be taken including an enhanced Winter 2025 Grid Resilience Plan. This will be developed and will be implemented by ESB Networks between March and October to enhance the resilience of the grid in the most vulnerable locations for the upcoming winter.
I must stress that Government does not have any direct role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure. This is a matter for EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, and ESB Networks, as Distribution System Operator, who are independent in the exercise of their respective functions. Both entities are overseen by the independent regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies. It is for system operators to determine the appropriate means of delivery of infrastructure.
More broadly, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to an Extreme Weather Event Assistance Scheme, designed to support affected households, farms and businesses. This initiative predates Storm Éowyn and is a strategic policy action for delivery within the time-frame of the current Government.
190. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Government plans to hold a referendum on the Unified Patents Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6968/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe international Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA) was signed by twenty-five EU Member States during Ireland’s EU Presidency in 2013, with a view to establishing the Unified Patent Court (UPC). The UPC is an International court set up by participating EU Member States to deal with the infringement and validity of Unitary Patents.
Government has committed that a local division of the UPC will be established in Ireland if the State ratifies the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA), under which the UPC is established. A successful Constitutional referendum will be required to allow for the transfer of jurisdictional powers from our Courts to the new international Court in cases of patent litigation.
Ireland sees many benefits to the ratification of the UPC including increased competitiveness for the small and medium enterprise sector, cost benefits, support for innovative R&D, and enhancement of Ireland’s overall competitiveness in a rapidly- evolving global economy.
To date, more than 30% of unitary patents applied for by European companies were filed by SMEs. The UP and UPC offers SMEs an efficient, cost-effective and simplified way to protect and enforce their patents across multiple European countries.
The previous Government reaffirmed its commitment to ratifying and participating in the UPC system and had scheduled a referendum for 7 June 2024, to coincide with the European Parliament elections. On 16th April 2024, it was decided to defer the date for the referendum to a future date in order to facilitate greater public discourse and more informed debate on the matter. The timing of the Referendum is under review.
191. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of new businesses established in 2024; and the number established in rateable and non-rateable premises. [7062/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information available to my Department relates to the number of companies incorporated with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). My Department does not have data in relation to the premises used by such companies including the rateable valuation, or otherwise, of such premises. I have been informed by the CRO that there were 23,652 new company incorporations in 2024.
192. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how he plans to balance the need for Ireland to be at the forefront of AI innovation while also developing a policy for responsible AI use; what he considers to be the main obstacles to the implementation of his Department’s AI policy; to provide a progress update on his strategy to address these challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7104/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Refresh of Ireland's National AI Strategy was published in November 2024. This refresh takes account of the significant developments in AI technology and regulation since the original Strategy was published in 2021.
The National AI Strategy sets out a whole of government approach to putting the necessary enablers in place, including a supportive innovation ecosystem, a secure data and connectivity infrastructure, and policies to ensure that the workforce is prepared for the impact of AI.
My Department has a particular focus on enterprise digitalisation and AI adoption, guardrails, and building public trust.
While the benefits of AI are clear, there are also important ethical and societal implications that must be considered. Issues such as privacy, security, and changes to the world of work are just a few of the policy considerations that must be proactively addressed by Government to ensure that AI is used for the betterment of society.
That is why building public trust is a priority focus of the Government’s AI Strategy.
I would note in particular the aggressive timeline for implementation of the EU AI Act. We met the first deadlines on identifying national public authorities which supervise or enforce the respect of obligations under Union law protecting fundamental rights, including the right to non-discrimination, in relation to certain high-risk uses of AI systems, specified in the Act.
Given the rapid development and potential opportunities of this technology, my Ministerial colleagues are fully aware of the importance of the implementation of the strategic actions included within the Refresh. As AI is a rapidly evolving technology, we will continue to review and refresh the strategy on a periodic basis to reflect this.
