Written Answers Nos. 150-171
150. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 104 of 6 December 2022, his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62017/22]
View answerThe operation of all immigration stamp permissions, including the Stamp 1G and the conditions applying to the Third Level Graduate Programme, are the policy responsibility of the Department of Justice. A Stamp 1G is granted for 12 months only, except for those individuals who have completed a master’s degree programme, when a further 12 months can be provided subject to conditions. If an individual wishes to continue working after the expiry of a Stamp 1G permission they may seek a job which requires the issuance of an employment permit. In the case of a General Employment Permit application it is a requirement of the prospective employer to undertake a Labour Market Needs Test. The requirements in relation to the Labour Market Needs Test are set out in employment permit regulations and as such must be fully adhered to as the current legislation provides no discretion where there is a failure to carry it out correctly. Information concerning the Labour Market Means test is set out clearly on the Department’s website Labour Market Needs Test - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)The Government’s policy is that employment opportunities should, in the first instance, be offered to suitably skilled Irish and other EEA nationals and should only be offered to non-EEA nationals where no suitable candidate emerges from within the EEA to fill the vacancy. This policy fulfils our obligations under the Community Preference principles of membership of the EU.
151. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will detail by date all of the meetings that he has had with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA since he took office in tabular form. [62079/22]
View answerDetails of my meetings with EI and IDA, since taking office, are set out in tabular form below. This does not include client company events such as job announcements nor trade missions at which EI/IDA officials and I may have been present amongst the general attendance.
|
|
Meeting IDA |
Meeting EI |
|
2020 |
|
|
|
2nd July |
IDA Mid-year results |
|
|
8th July |
IDA Mid-year results |
|
|
7th October |
Enterprise Forum - Brexit |
Enterprise Forum - Brexit |
|
2nd December |
Enterprise Forum - Brexit |
Enterprise Forum - Brexit |
|
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
6th January |
IDA Strategy Launch |
|
|
23rd June |
|
Release of EI Export Results |
|
7th July |
|
EI Board Meeting |
|
12th July |
IDA Mid-Year Media Statement |
|
|
27th November |
IDA Draft Strategy Meeting |
|
|
20th December |
IDA Annual Results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
11th January |
|
Release of EI End of Year Statement 2021 and Strategy 2022-2024 |
|
10th February |
IDA Board Meeting |
|
|
13th April |
|
EI Board Dinner |
|
25th April |
Strategy Session – The 2030 Industrial Development Agenda – DAVOS |
|
|
6th July |
IDA Mid-Year Results |
|
|
12th December |
Annual Results |
|
152. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of Ireland’s economic activity with Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57628/22]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office compiles statistical data in relation to exports and imports of goods and services. CSO Statistics show that in 2021 our total goods trade with Canada was worth almost €2 billion, comprised of goods exports to Canada valued at €1.3 billion and goods imports from Canada valued at €665 million. The value of our exports of goods to Canada has more than doubled in the last 10 years, with Organic Chemicals and Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Products largely driving that growth.
In 2021 Ireland's total services trade with Canada was worth €3.9 billion, comprised of services exports to Canada valued at €2.88 billion and services imports from Canada valued at €976 million. The value of Ireland's exports of services to Canada has grown more than fourfold since 2010.
There are in the region of 75 Canadian companies with a presence in Ireland and these companies employ over 15,000 people in total. Over 400 Irish companies have a presence in Canada employing around 6,000 people. This demonstrates the importance of the ongoing economic activity between Ireland and Canada.
153. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the promised humanitarian assistance fund for those who were affected by flooding in Cork on 16 October 2022. [56452/22]
View answerFollowing reports of flooding caused by heavy rainfall in Cork city and Co.Wexford, I announced the opening of the Emergency Humanitarian Aid Relief Scheme to provide urgent funding to small businesses, community and voluntary organisations in the affected areas which have been affected by flooding during the period 16 October 2022 to 9 November 2022.
This Scheme provides funding to small businesses (up to 20 employees), sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations in the region which could not secure flood insurance and have premises that have been damaged by recent exceptional weather events. It is a contribution towards the costs of returning premises to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock where relevant.
The scheme, in line with previous flooding relief schemes, is administered by the Irish Red Cross on behalf of my Department and consists of two stages. The first stage provides a contribution of up to €5,000, depending on the scale of damages incurred. It is anticipated that this will meet the needs for the majority of those affected.
In the event that the premises has incurred damages above €5,000, the second stage will provide further assistance following a detailed assessment by the Red Cross. The total level of support available for both stages combined is capped at €20,000.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 2 January 2023.
155. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if financial supports or grants are available for a young person who wishes to establish a milk recording business in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62255/22]
View answerI thank the Deputy for raising this matter and would firstly advise that the young person in question makes contact in the first instance with their Local Enterprise Office in Tipperary to discuss the potential for support and advice for their business idea.
As you are aware, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) promote entrepreneurship, foster business start-ups, and develop existing micro and small businesses to drive job creation by providing accessible, high-quality supports.
The LEOs provide training and advisory programmes to small businesses, as well as acting as a ‘first stop shop’ for all firms to direct them to assistance available from Government Departments and agencies.
Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs can offer direct grant aid to businesses operating in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors following the business lifecycle of Pre-Start, Start and Grow. However, it should be noted that they cannot provide direct grant-aid to sectors such as retail, personal services, local professional services, construction/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses in the locality.
The LEOs also provide high-quality business and management development programmes including the successful Start your Own Business Programme which assists entreprenuers in assessing the viability of their business idea and helps them decide if they should proceed or take a step back. Whether it is a new start up or growing an existing business there is something suitable for anyone exploring self-employment as an option or for those who are currently operating a business.
156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to monitor the impact of rising energy prices on the retail sector; the extent to which Government decisions in budget 2023 have assisted on the sector; the degree to which further assistance is warranted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62298/22]
View answerI am very aware of the difficulties that businesses, including retailers, are facing due the current energy crisis.
Businesses now need help with their energy bills and that is why the Government introduced a significant package in the Budget to help businesses.
The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme designed to support eligible businesses that have experienced a significant increase in their electricity and/or natural gas costs. Qualifying businesses will be entitled to claim a Temporary Energy Payment amounting to 40 per cent of eligible cost. Generally, a monthly cap of €10,000 per trade or profession will apply but this may increase to €30,000 for businesses that operate from more than one location and incur energy costs at each. This scheme is being run by the Revenue Commissioners and is now open and taking applications.
The reduced rate of VAT on gas and electricity from 13.5% to 9% has also been extended until the 28th February 2023.
We are introducing a €1.2 billion State-backed Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme to assist the wider business sector with liquidity and to invest in energy efficiency. A new State-backed Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme will also be launched next year.
Specific guidance to retailers about the current government schemes and supports in relation to energy costs and sustainability can be found on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s website enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/energy-and-sustainability-government-schemes-and-resources-for-retailers.html.
I chair the Retail Forum and the agenda, driven by Forum Members, will continue to address issues impacting on the sector.
This is an evolving situation, and the Government will keep it under review to ensure a targeted response for business
157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated total number of jobs believed to have accrued from foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62299/22]
View answerOn Monday 12 December, IDA Ireland reported strong annual results for 2022, recording a substantial increase in growth in foreign direct investment-linked employment on 2021. I am proud to say that numbers employed as a result of foreign direct investment are now at the highest ever level.
Employment growth in 2022 raised the number of people employed in the FDI sector in Ireland to over 300,000. IDA’s results show continued substantial growth in FDI in 2022 despite a difficult global economic environment.
The 2022 figures continue the pattern of sustained growth in FDI investment and FDI-related employment that has 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. It is now evident that the global economy faces serious headwinds in 2023 with the outlook dependent on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, inflation, monetary policy and geo-political developments.
To ensure Ireland remains an attractive investment location and a great place to do business, the Irish Government will continue to work with IDA Ireland to strengthen Ireland’s FDI value proposition.
159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the degree to which IDA assistance remains available to the manufacturing sector throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62303/22]
View answerManufacturing is the backbone of the Irish economy and is of strategic national importance to Ireland. It accounts for approximately 270,000 jobs (80% outside of Dublin), €100bn in exports, and contributes more than €30bn in local spend with a capital expenditure of €7bn. In the ICT, agri-food, engineering and life sciences sectors, Ireland is home to wealth of world leading manufacturing corporations as well as a thriving ecosystem of indigenous sub-suppliers and innovative specialist providers. Government remains steadfast in its support of this sector and has put in place appropriate resources to ensure its longevity.
Over the last decade Ireland’s manufacturing sector has witnessed an unprecedented surge in the uptake and deployment of digital technologies. To enable the digital transformation of the entire Irish manufacturing sector, the Government of Ireland published its National Strategy for Industry 4.0 in 2020. This strategy indicated a series of strategic actions to support the development and digital transformation of the sector. This commitment has again been underscored in the White Paper on Enterprise recently published by my Department.
In recognition of the importance of the sector for Ireland, IDA Ireland works to support the manufacturing sector by way of a series of interventions. In 2022, IDA launched the Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC) in Co. Limerick.
The AMC is an independent industry-led centre that will enable Irish based discrete manufacturers to access, adopt and accelerate digital technologies at scale. Supported by DETE and Exchequer funding of €10.6m to date (across 2021 and 2022), the AMC will support the Irish manufacturing base to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies across their value chains, positioning them to drive digitally enabled business process transformation across their workforces, technology assets and manufacturing operations in a sustainable manner.
By enabling the digital transformation of Ireland’s manufacturing sector, Ireland will sustain and enable the future resilience of this economically critical sector.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which diversification throughout the manufacturing and services sectors has resulted in increased employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62304/22]
View answerWhen we launched the Economic Recovery Plan in June 2021, we set a goal of achieving 2.5 million people in employment by 2024. The Plan not only aimed to recover employment lost during the pandemic but to promote new employment opportunities through increased labour market activation and by accelerating the provision of training, reskilling and upskilling opportunities.
According to the latest available national employment figures, from the Central Statistics Office’s Labour Force Survey, employment levels reached 2.55 million in Q3 2022. We now have more people employed in our country than ever before, while the quarterly unemployment rate stands at 4.5% - levels not seen since 2005. The rate of employment growth since the beginning of the pandemic has been remarkable. Since Q1 2020, the number of people in employment has grown by 207,100 (8.8%).
This additional employment has been spread across several sectors, including information and communication, industry, education, human health and social work activities, and professional, scientific and technical activities.
These recent labour market dynamics reflect longer-term trends, with Ireland’s labour market experiencing significant sectoral reallocation over the past decade. This diversification of our enterprise base is a result of concerted government action in recent years. In 2019 Future Jobs Ireland set the ambition of diversifying our enterprise to ensure that the Irish economy is more resilient and adaptable. Key deliverables of the plan included strengthening the capacity of Local Enterprise Offices, to provide a comprehensive suite of supports for indigenous Irish Businesses and increasing the take-up of supports among SMEs to improve competitiveness and enhance innovation.
Since the plan was launched in March 2019, there is evidence of a continuing structural change in agency-assisted companies towards Services sectors, particularly in the foreign-owned sector. According to the Annual Employment Survey 2021, full-time employment in all Industrial sector companies increased to 240,737 in 2021, up from 229,303 in 2020 (a rise of 11,434 or 5.0%), while Services employment increased to 211,208 in 2021, up from 193,733 in 2020 (a rise of 17,475 or 9.0%). In the Industrial sector, Irish-owned companies accounted for 52.0% of full-time employment in 2021, while in the Services sector, this share was 29.5%.
The newly published White Paper on Enterprise, 2022-2030, reaffirms Government commitments to strengthening the Irish-owned enterprise base while continuing to advance Ireland’s Foreign Direct Investment and trade value proposition. Amongst the targets included in the White Paper are a 50% increase in the number of large Irish exporting companies by 2030; 2,000 additional Irish-owned exporters by 2030; and over two-thirds of Enterprise Ireland assisted new jobs between 2022 and 2024 to be created outside of Dublin.
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to liaise with both the manufacturing and services sector with a view to continued identification of the problems they face with the objective of averting some of the challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62305/22]
View answerAfter public consultations including direct engagement with industry representatives - both manufacturing and services - among others, on 7th December, I published the Government's White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 - which is available on my Department's website at white-paper-on-enterprise-2022-2030.pdf.
The White Paper sets out an ambitious vision for Ireland’s enterprise policy, to protect Ireland’s strong economic position, and to respond to challenges and opportunities that have emerged as a result of the pandemic, wider economic and geo-political developments, digitalisation and an increased urgency to decarbonise industry. The White Paper vision is for a sustainable, innovative and high-productivity economy, with rewarding jobs and livelihoods in the period ahead.
To achieve the White Paper vision and address the current challenges facing the enterprise community, Government is focussing on seven priority enterprise policy objectives. These seven priorities are:
1. Integrating decarbonisation and net zero commitments where our targets are a 35% emissions reduction from Industry by 2030 and 45% emissions reduction from Commercial Built Environment by 2030.
2. Placing digital transformation at the heart of enterprise policy where our target is that 90% of SMEs are at basic digital intensity by 2030.
3. Strengthening the Irish-owned exporting sector where we are targeting 2.5% average annual growth in Irish-owned enterprise productivity by 2024, a 50% increase in the number of large Irish exporting companies by 2030, 2,000 additional Irish-owned exporters by 2030, and over two-thirds of Enterprise Ireland assisted new jobs between 2022 and 2024 will be created outside of Dublin.
4. Enabling locally trading sectors to thrive where our target is a 1% average annual increase in multifactor productivity growth in domestic sectors of the economy by 2025.
5. Advancing Ireland’s FDI and trade value proposition with targets of a 20% increase in IDA client expenditure in Ireland by 2024, and at least half of all FDI investments between 2021 and 2024 to be located outside of Dublin.
6. Stepping up enterprise innovation such that Gross Expenditure on R&D will increase to 2.5% of Gross National Income by 2030 and the Number of High-Potential Start-Ups is increased by 20% by 2024.
7. Building on strengths and opportunities where our targets are five national cluster organisations funded under a new National Clustering Programme by 2025 and unemployment not to exceed one percentage point of national unemployment rate in any region.
Implementation of the White Paper will be regularly reported on to Government through a monitoring and tracking of progress against identified targets through biennial Implementation Plans. Accordingly, my Department and our Enterprise Development Agencies will remain fully engaged with industry - and other - representatives on the challenges and opportunities that present for the Enterprise Sector.
162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to monitor trade between here and Northern Ireland; the degree to which any particular indicators have emerged in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62306/22]
View answerI am happy to assure the Deputy that my Department monitors trade with Northern Ireland on an on-going basis.
Trade in goods with Northern Ireland reached a record value of €7.8 billion in 2021. Goods exports to Northern Ireland increased by 56% from the previous year to reach a value of €3.8 billion, and goods imports from Northern Ireland increased by 69% compared to 2020, to reach a value of €4 billion. Since 2016 the value of goods exports has grown by 95% and imports by 162%.
Medical and pharmaceutical products are the top category of both goods exports and imports, accounting for 11% of exports and 16% of imports in 2021.
Significant growth in trade continues in 2022, with the latest data showing that exports to Northern Ireland were worth €3,605 million in the period January to September 2022, an increase of €892 million (+33%) on the same period in 2021. Imports from Northern Ireland in the period January to September 2022 increased by €884 million (+30%) to €3,810 million when compared with January to September 2021.
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which the manufacturing and services sectors grew in County Kildare in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62307/22]
View answerTable 1 below shows employment in manufacturing and services in County Kildare for enterprise agency client companies, that is, clients of IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Udaras na Gaeltachta, for the years 2019-2021. 2021 is the most recently available data for all agency client companies.
Table 1: Employment, County Kildare
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
|
Services |
3,995 |
3,641 |
4,012 |
|
Manufacturing |
13,855 |
14,186 |
14,485 |
Source: DETE Annual Employment Survey
In the manufacturing sector employment rose by 2.4% for the year 2019 to 2020. This was followed by a subsequent increase of 2.1% from 2020 to 2021, resulting in a total increase of 4.5% for the 3 years from 2019 to 2021.
In the Services sector employment decreased by 8.9% from 2019 to 2020. In 2020 to 2021, the sector increased by 10.2%, resulting in an overall increase from the years 2019 to 2021 of 0.4%.
164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to liaise with both the manufacturing and services sectors to identify with the concerns of both employers and employees with a view to ensuring ongoing and increased opportunity and retention of existing positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62308/22]
View answerAfter public consultations that involved extensive engagement with industry representatives - both manufacturing and services - among others, on 7th December, I published the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 which is available on my Department's website at white-paper-on-enterprise-2022-2030.pdf and which sets out our strategy for Enterprise Policy to 2030.
The White Paper sets out an ambitious vision for Ireland’s enterprise policy, to protect Ireland’s strong economic position, and to respond to challenges and opportunities that have emerged as a result of the pandemic, wider economic and geo-political developments, digitalisation and an increased urgency to decarbonise industry. The White Paper vision is for a sustainable, innovative and high-productivity economy, with rewarding jobs and livelihoods in the period ahead.
To achieve the White Paper vision, Government will focus on seven priority enterprise policy objectives which will positively impact increased opportunity and retention of existing positions as identified by Deputy Durkan. These seven priorities are:
1. Integrating decarbonisation and net zero commitments where our targets are a 35% emissions reduction from Industry by 2030 and 45% emissions reduction from Commercial Built Environment by 2030.
2. Placing digital transformation at the heart of enterprise policy where our target is that 90% of SMEs are at basic digital intensity by 2030.
3. Strengthening the Irish-owned exporting sector where we are targeting 2.5% average annual growth in Irish-owned enterprise productivity by 2024, a 50% increase in the number of large Irish exporting companies by 2030, 2,000 additional Irish-owned exporters by 2030, and over two-thirds of Enterprise Ireland assisted new jobs between 2022 and 2024 will be created outside of Dublin.
4. Enabling locally trading sectors to thrive where our target is a 1% average annual increase in multifactor productivity growth in domestic sectors of the economy by 2025.
5. Advancing Ireland’s FDI and trade value proposition with targets of a 20% increase in IDA client expenditure in Ireland by 2024, and at least half of all FDI investments between 2021 and 2024 to be located outside of Dublin.
6. Stepping up enterprise innovation such that Gross Expenditure on R&D will increase to 2.5% of Gross National Income by 2030 and the Number of High-Potential Start-Ups is increased by 20% by 2024.
7. Building on strengths and opportunities where our targets are five national cluster organisations funded under a new National Clustering Programme by 2025 and unemployment not to exceed one percentage point of national unemployment rate in any region.
Implementation of the White Paper will be regularly reported on to Government through a monitoring and tracking of progress against identified targets.
165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that will be taken to ensure the availability of sufficient personnel to take up positions in the workplace; the extent to which staff shortages can be filled through non-EU sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62309/22]
View answer170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to assist the augmentation of the labour force here through the use of work permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62315/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 170 together.
Ireland’s employment permits system is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill skills and labour gaps for the benefit of our economy, in the short to medium term, but this objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.
It is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of up-skilling the State’s resident workforce, with an emphasis on the process of lifelong learning, and on maximising the potential of EEA nationals to fill our skills deficits.
The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine roles that are either highly skilled professional roles in critical short supply or are ineligible for an employment permit where evidence suggests there is sufficient availability of those skills in the domestic and EEA labour market.
In order to ensure the employment permits system is aligned with current labour market intelligence, these lists undergo regular, evidence-based review. These reviews are guided by relevant research and a public/stakeholder consultation. The views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group and relevant policy Departments are also taken into consideration.
Account is taken of upskilling and training initiatives and other known contextual factors, such as the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis, and their impact on the labour market.
Changes to the employment permit occupations lists are made where there are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available, development opportunities are not undermined, a genuine skills shortage exists, rather than a recruitment or retention problem, and Government education, training and economic development policies are supported. Sectors are also required to engage structurally with the public employment service of the Department of Social Protection.
The Department works with other Departments to promote an integrated approach to addressing labour and skills shortages being experienced in the economy. The Department continues to keep the employment permits system under review in light of changing labour market circumstances and the timing of the next Review of the Occupational Lists is being kept under consideration.
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the incentives currently available for small and start-up enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62310/22]
View answerThe Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) located within the 31 Local Authorities promote entrepreneurship, foster business start-ups, and develop existing micro and small businesses to drive job creation by providing accessible high-quality supports.
The LEOs provide training and advisory programmes to small businesses, as well as acting as a ‘first stop shop’ providing signposting for all firms to find out about assistance available from government departments and agencies.
Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs can offer direct grant aid to businesses operating in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors following the lifecycle of Pre-Start, Start and Grow.
The extension of the LEO mandate, developed in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, will allow them to target new exporters by providing direct grants to firms operating in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors with more than ten employees.
The LEOs also provide a wide range of high-quality business and management development programmes, including the very successful Start your Own Business Programme which assists entrepreneurs in assessing their business idea, its viability and helps them decide if they should proceed or take a step back.
As set out in the recently published White Paper on Enterprise Policy the LEOs will continue to enhance their advisory services to help businesses improve productivity, particularly around digitalisation and reducing energy and carbon emissions, which will have positive effects on the wider economy.
Scaling and growing the export and start-up base continues to be a key priority for Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland helps SMEs with business planning, mentoring and development advice, feasibility funding and finance.Enterprise Ireland’s new three-year strategy, launched earlier this year, sets out strategic ambitions for Irish enterprise over the period 2022-2024 and beyond. This includes initiatives to diversify export markets, increase the number of start-ups by 20% and to improve our productivity. The Government is taking a coordinated approach to ensuring the long-term productivity, competitiveness and growth of our SME sector. The SME and Entrepreneurship Growth Plan, which was published last year, provides us a blueprint, directly from the business community, on how to create a better business and regulatory environment for our SMEs and entrepreneurs.
167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which new markets for Irish exports overseas are being sourced on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62311/22]
View answerGlobal Ireland 2025 was launched in 2018 with the aim of doubling the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period to 2025. This initiative has led to Enterprise Ireland expanding its office presence in overseas markets and to indigenous Irish industry growing its exports globally.
In parallel, the Trade & Investment Strategy for 2022 to 2026, Value for Ireland, Values for the World, sets out our principled and holistic approach to international trade policy and aims to expand Ireland's global trade links and enhance our competitiveness as a top location for business and talent.
Enterprise Ireland has expanded its global presence through the opening of eight new offices internationally in Munich, Lyon, Manchester, Copenhagen, Montreal, Seattle, Melbourne and Ho Chi Minh City. These offices are being embedded into the Enterprise Ireland overseas network; and will help to build new buyer relationships in markets where growth opportunities have been identified.
Enterprise Ireland continues to scale its international export marketing campaign 'The Irish Advantage', a digital export promotion campaign focused on stimulating awareness of Irish products and services in international markets and encouraging buyers to source from Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland also has a programme of trade missions, trade fairs and knowledge events that give clients the opportunity to connect with existing and new customers, access key decision makers, increase sales in international markets and exchange ideas.
Diversification has been a key focus of Enterprise Ireland’s work in recent years, and considerable progress is being made on the market and sectoral diversification of Irish-owned enterprises.
In 2021 Enterprise Ireland saw exports by Irish owned companies that it supports, increase by 12% to a record €27.29bn. This is the highest ever level of growth for Enterprise Ireland-backed companies in export value and growth was experienced across all territories. Exports by Enterprise Ireland client companies to the Eurozone increased by 10% last year, totalling €6.04bn and accounting for over one-fifth (22%) of total exports. The next largest market was North America, which saw a 14% increase, bringing total exports to €4.87bn and this market now accounts for 18% of total exports from Enterprise Ireland supported companies. Despite the uncertainty caused by the changed trading relationship between the UK and Ireland, exports by Enterprise Ireland client companies to this market totalled €8.43bn. This was an increase of 15%, with the UK accounting for almost one-third (31%) of the export trade of Enterprise Ireland client companies.
168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department can encourage the return of Irish immigrants currently based abroad with a view to meeting the workplace shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62312/22]
View answerMy Department is working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and its Embassy network, as well as other Departments of State, to implement the Government’s Diaspora Strategy, Global Ireland- Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025, which was launched in late 2020. 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 the promotion 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.
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to address issues arising from Brexit with particular reference to both the manufacturing and services sectors; the extent to which he continues to ensure that Irish exporters impacted to the least possible extent by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62314/22]
View answerThe Government is continuing to monitor closely the impact that Brexit is having on Irish business. We will continue to help companies diversify, discover new markets and reap the benefits of free trade agreements, and we will work with them to adapt to new realities, including those arising from Brexit.
Our export-led sector has demonstrated considerable dexterity and resilience when faced with ongoing challenges in the global trading environment coupled with the aftermath of Brexit.
The Central Statistics Office compiles statistical data in relation to goods exports and imports. According to the CSO, in 2020 our total goods exports were valued at €162bn. Goods exports to the UK were valued at €14.7bn (of which €12.3bn was exported to Great Britain and €2.4bn to Northern Ireland).
In 2021, our total goods exports were valued at €165bn, an increase of €3bn over 2020. Goods exports to the UK in 2021 were valued at €18.1bn (of which €14.4bn was exported to Great Britain and €3.7bn to Northern Ireland).
There are a number of current challenges that are potential obstacles to international trade such as the war in Ukraine, supply side problems, access to talent, Brexit, inflation and the response mechanisms of different countries. The Department and its agencies are working closely together to try to mitigate against challenges for companies through programmes that improve competitiveness, enhance digital capability and through assisting companies to access new opportunities in overseas markets.
171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of work permits issued to non-EU applicants in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62316/22]
View answerIreland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for an employment permit where there is a surplus of those skills in the domestic and EEA labour market.In order to maintain the relevance of the lists to the needs of the economy and to ensure the employment permits system is aligned with current labour market intelligence, these lists undergo evidence-based reviews which are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) of my Department, SOLAS and by a public consultation.Account is taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives and their impact on the labour market. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by my Department and of the relevant policy Departments represented on the IDG.
The table below shows the total number of employment permits that have issued to non-EEA applicants in the past three years up to the 8th of December 2022.
As can be seen from these figures, there has been a significant increase in the number of applications received between January 2020 and to date in 2022.
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2 022 |
|
Permits issued |
16,361 |
16,278 |
38,464 |
