Written Answers Nos. 10-29
10. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to research and develop the hydrotreated vegetable oil market in Ireland, in view that HVO fuel could be substituted for diesel in diesel cars, which could lead to an immediate reduction in carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17017/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) is a drop-in bioliquid which can replace fossil diesel up to 100%, with GHG reduction benefits. When used in transport HVO is referred to as biofuel. Renewable transport fuels will remain an important transition measure in transport decarbonisation in the coming years as the shift to electrification and further increases in public transport and active travel are fully realised. Sustainable renewable transport fuels, including HVO, provide immediate climate-change mitigation utilising the existing vehicle fleet. For example, under the European Clean Vehicles Directive, a vehicle with an internal combustion engine using 100% unblended HVO is considered as a ‘clean vehicle’ within the parameters of the directive.
Since 2010, the supply of renewable energy in transport consumption has been incentivised through a national mandate, the renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO), on fuel suppliers - which is currently set at a rate of 21% by energy of renewable transport fuel as a proportion of total road transport fossil fuel supply. The renewable transport fuel policy is the pathway to incentivise the supply of renewable fuel in transport through annual increases in the RTFO rate to 2030, and is the means of achieving national and European targets for renewable transport fuel supply and transport decarbonisation within the transition from fossil fuels.
HVO used in transport which fulfils EU criteria for sustainability and GHG reduction is eligible for RTFO certificates, which can be counted against the obligation. Additionally, in 2023, I made regulations authorising the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) to issue additional RTFO certificates per megajoule of renewable transport fuel supply, to incentivise the supply of certain renewable transport fuels, for use in different transport sectors, including HVO and co-processed HVO.
My Department published the Biofuel Study Report in 2022 which estimated that between 570-730m litres of biodiesel/HVO supply could be required to meet the Climate Action Plan biofuel target by 2030. The Study indicated potential to meet this estimated future supply through industry plans for scaled-up indigenous production of these biofuels. The study notes, however, the likely continued reliance on imported feedstock supply to support this level of estimated future production.
11. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter in relation to EV charging (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16790/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
It should be noted that price setting by electricity suppliers is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned, rather than the Department of Transport. Each such company has its own different approach to pricing decisions over time, in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base.
As such, any changes to the cost of charging are subject to the pricing models implemented by charge point operators in the case of public EV charging.
There are no current plans to introduce regulation on charging costs within the EV charging sector.
If the majority of charging can be done at home, then EVs are significantly less costly to run than petrol or diesel cars. The Government EV charging strategy prioritises home and neighbourhood charging for this reason, and public charging is then used as a "top up" charge.
12. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the barriers to student bodies establishing a carpooling scheme for travel to a university campus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16797/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The TFI Smarter Travel is a national behavioural change programme, led by the National Transport Authority (NTA), which supports employers and third level institutions to implement voluntary Travel Plans. These plans focus on promoting and encouraging staff and students to sustainably and actively commute and beyond, and for organisations to consider flexible working arrangements. Campuses are also encouraged to promote Smarter Travel as part of the curriculum and through student projects.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility for this programme, I have forwarded the Deputy's question regarding the Smarter Travel Campuses to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
13. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the action taken by his Department in response to important information given in a letter to the then Minister in relation to loans to a company (details supplied). [16800/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra14. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he has concerns about a non-bank lender being supplied with State funds, given allegations reported in the media of its involvement in lending money to an apparent front organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16802/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra15. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund divested from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16803/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 15, inclusive, together.
As regards the letter referenced by the Deputy I understand that, in the time available, a review of my private office’s correspondence system and a Department wide request for sections to review correspondence received has not sourced a copy of the letter referenced in Parliamentary Question 16800/24. I also understand that the Department has received no protected disclosures related to this matter. Therefore, I cannot comment on any potential actions taken in the absence of the receipt of the letter referenced by the Deputy.
As regards the disposal of its investment in Finance Ireland, as Minister for Finance, I have no role in relation to individual investment decisions made by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF).
I am advised by the National Treasury Management Agency that ISIF’s sale of its shareholding in Finance Ireland in July 2022 was a commercial decision in line with its double bottom line mandate.
16. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he has considered the proposal submitted to him in March 2024; if he intends to extend the VAT exemption to counsellors and psychotherapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16821/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra17. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the campaign by a group (details supplied) that seeks to draw attention to requests to review the VAT exemption to include counsellors and psychotherapists; if this is under consideration within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16840/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra18. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the VAT exemption to counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland, which would create equity of treatment and parity of esteem for mental health professionals providing psychotherapy and counselling services with those who deliver physical healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16870/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra19. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to extending the VAT exemption to counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland (details supplied). [16878/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra22. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance to address the inconsistency in VAT regulations and extend the VAT exemptions to psychotherapists and counsellors providing services and to ensure equal treatment with other professionals working in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17016/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 16 to 19, inclusive, and 22 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under our legislation the provision of medical care services by recognised medical professionals are exempt from VAT. This includes health professionals registered under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, and those engaged in a regulated profession designated under Section 4 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005.
Statutory Instrument No. 170 of 2018 (Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (Regulations 2018)) of 2 July 2018 designates psychotherapists and counsellors as a regulated profession and establishes the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board. Professional counselling and psychotherapy services provided by persons registered by this Board are exempt from VAT from the date of their registration. Where such services are supplied by a person who is not so registered (including where the services are provided by a person in advance of their being so registered) then the supply of the service is liable to the reduced rate of VAT, currently 13.5%.
Psychologists are listed as designated professionals in the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, although the register of psychologists envisaged by that legislation has not yet opened. I am advised by Revenue that, because the supply of services by psychologists were exempt from VAT for many years prior to the 2005 Health legislation, that pre-existing exemption has been maintained pending commencement of the Psychologists register.
On 27 February 2019, the then Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, confirmed the establishment of and appointment of members to the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board, under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (amended) to regulate the professions of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. The thirteen members of the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board were appointed with effect from 25 February 2019.
Questions on the establishment of the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board and their progress in opening their register are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health.
I understand that officials in my Department have engaged with their counterparts in the Department of Health in relation to this matter and have advised them that the VAT exemption in question will apply from the date of registration by the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board.
20. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue raised from restricting the employers' PRSI exemption for share-based remuneration to micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16899/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the additional revenue associated with the removal of the existing employer’s PRSI exemption, that may apply to share-based remuneration schemes operated by employers, is now estimated to be in the region of €235 million for all employers. This latest estimate is based on 2022 data, being the most recent year in respect of which Revenue has full data for.
A complete breakdown of this €235 million figure by employer size is not available. However, a breakdown by employer size for share based remuneration that has been reported through payroll is now available. The total PRSI exemption in respect of this cohort is estimated to be €169.6 million, approximately €145 million relates to large enterprises and €24.1 million relates to micro, small and medium enterprises.
As I committed to last year, a comprehensive review of share based remuneration is now underway, incorporating the responses received to a public consultation completed in January. The review will include an examination of all current administrative and legislative underpinning of Irish Share schemes, including a review of the employer’s PRSI exemption.
21. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer in 2024 of not proceeding with scheduled increases in excise duty on marked gas oil on 1 April 2024, 1 August 2024 and 9 October 2024. [16904/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that increases to the rate of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) on marked gas oil in 2024 are scheduled for 1 April, 1 May and 1 August 2024. The following table sets out the estimated yield from these increases. This yield will not accrue if these increases do not proceed as scheduled.
|
Date of Increase |
MOT €m |
VAT €m |
Total €m |
|
01-Apr-24 |
10.0 |
0.6 |
10.6 |
|
01-May-24 |
12.2 |
0.7 |
12.9 |
|
01-Aug-24 |
4.9 |
0.3 |
5.2 |
|
Overall Total |
27.1 |
1.6 |
28.7 |
23. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance if consideration would be given to reclassifying hydrotreated vegetable oil as a home heating fuel, in view that it is currently rated as a transport fuel and is therefore more expensive to purchase than diesel and kerosene; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17018/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, while taxation contributes to the final retail cost of fuels, there are a number of factors affecting the final retail price including international energy market dynamics, exchange rate fluctuations, wholesale contracts, transport costs and individual retail pricing policy.
Excise law provides that the excise duty rate which applies to a fuel depends on the use to which it is put, as well as the particular type of fuel involved. Higher excise rates apply to a fuel when it is used for propelling a motor vehicle than when it is used for non-propellant purposes such as heating. Also, under the law biofuels (such as HVO) are subject to lower rates of excise than the rates applicable to fossil fuels such as diesel and petrol. Of course, excise, and indeed Value-Added Tax (VAT), only partially contribute to the retail price of any fuel; the price is also affected by the cost of producing the fuel and getting it to market, and this can vary considerably between different fuel types.
Finance Act 1999 provides for an excise duty in the form of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) to apply to liquid fuels used for motor or heating purposes. MOT comprises a carbon component, or carbon charge, which is usually referred to as carbon tax. MOT also comprises a non-carbon component which is often referred to as “excise” or “fuel excise/tax/duty”. It is important to note that both components of MOT are excise.
As previously outlined to the Deputy, in response to question 334 on 18 January 2023, MOT law provides for differentiated MOT rates for fuels used for propellant and non-propellant purposes. Liquid fuels used for propellant purposes, such as for powering motor vehicles, are subject to standard rates of MOT. Fuels used for other purposes, such as heating, are subject to reduced MOT rates. Under MOT law, fuels used for heating, including hydrogenated/hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), are not treated as transport fuels, nor are they subject to the significantly higher standard rates of MOT that apply to transport fuels. MOT rates are published on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/excise/excise-duty-rates/energy-excise-duty-rates.pdf.
In addition to the reduced MOT rate applicable to heating fuels, Section 100(5) of Finance Act 1999 provides that all biofuels are fully relieved from the carbon component of MOT. This means that liquid biofuels, which are made from biomass, are subject to the MOT non-carbon component only and a carbon tax rate of zero applies. Where hydrogenated/hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), or any other biofuel, is used for heating or other non-propellant purposes, it attracts the MOT rate for marked gas oil, minus the carbon component. The table below summarises current propellant and non-propellant MOT rates for petrol, diesel, kerosene and biofuels.
MOT rates per 1,000 litres effective from 1 April 2024
|
Fuel type/use |
Non-carbon component |
Carbon component |
Total MOT |
|
Petrol |
€509.32 |
€129.59 |
€638.91 |
|
Biofuel substituted for petrol |
€509.32 |
€0.00 |
€509.32 |
|
Auto-diesel/propellant kerosene |
€401.33 |
€149.89 |
€551.22 |
|
Biofuel substituted for auto-diesel/propellant kerosene |
€401.33 |
€0.00 |
€401.33 |
|
Marked Gas Oil used for non-propellant purposes |
€32.49 |
€131.47 |
€163.96 |
|
Kerosene used for non-propellant purposes |
€0.00 |
€122.83 |
€122.83 |
|
Biofuel used for non-propellant purposes |
€32.49 |
€0.00 |
€32.49 |
As the rates above indicate, biofuels such as HVO that are used for heating benefit from significantly lower MOT rates than those on transport fuels - €32.49 per 1,000 litres for HVO used for heating, compared to €551.22 per 1,000 litres for auto-diesel. The carbon tax relief is intended to promote a higher level of biofuel usage and supports the Government’s commitment to incentivising more environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuels. As biofuels are not subject to carbon taxation, they are not impacted by the ten-year carbon tax trajectory introduced in Finance Act 2020. As carbon tax rates increase annually, the MOT rate differential between biofuels and fossil fuels will continue to widen, further incentivising biofuel uptake.
In relation to VAT, motor fuels such as petrol, including bio-ethanol petrol blends, and auto-diesel are liable to VAT at the standard rate, currently 23%. HVO used as heating fuel is liable for the reduced VAT rate of 13.5%, which again is a more favourable tax treatment than that applicable to transport fuels.
24. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will urgently examine the situation whereby some RTÉ employees are being forced to make punitive payments to the Revenue Commissioners in respect of bogus self-employment contracts wrongly issued by their employer over many years; if settlements by RTÉ entered into with Revenue have also covered these individuals; if so, if the individuals continue to make payments to Revenue in respect of already settled cases; if, in the event that these individuals' cases were not settled by RTÉ, the reason therefor, as it would be the responsibility of the party issuing the bogus self-employment contract to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17067/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that Revenue is precluded under Section 851A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 from commenting on the tax affairs of an individual, person, organisation or other legal entity. Revenue is, therefore, unable to provide information on the tax affairs of the organisation the Deputy’s question refers to or provide information on any tax settlements that might have been entered into by that organisation with Revenue.
As you are aware from my previous reply to you under Parliamentary Question No. 32 of 28 February 2024, Revenue’s role in respect of the misclassification of employment is to determine the employment status of an individual for income tax purposes. Responsibility for PRSI classification rests with the Department of Social Protection and matters relating to workers’ rights fall within the remit of the Workplace Relations Commission, which operates under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
I am advised that Revenue has always sought to address instances of bogus self-employment. Revenue’s determination to tackle misclassification of employment from an income tax perspective is borne out by the recent Supreme Court judgement in the “Karshan” case. Revenue has publicly encouraged all businesses which currently engages contractors, sub-contractors, or other workers on a self-employment basis (i.e. where that worker is not treated as an employee of the business for income tax purposes) to review the nature of any such arrangement(s) in light of that judgment and to consider any implications the judgment may have for the business in terms of applying the appropriate income tax treatment to any such individuals.
Except in the limited circumstances in which an employee holds a PAYE Exclusion Order, it is an employer’s duty and responsibility to deduct and submit PAYE, PRSI and USC from its employees in respect of that employment income.
On 28 June 2023, Dáil Éireann passed a motion permitting the Committee of Public Accounts (PAC) to examine RTÉ’s expenditure, and commercial arrangements entered into by the broadcaster and its presenters from 2017 to date, which have impacted on, and relate to, the expenditure of public moneys. On 5 March 2024, the Committee of Public Accounts published its final report on this investigation entitled “Examination of the appropriation of public moneys to RTÉ, and its expenditure of same”. Section 6 of this report discusses matters of current expenditure, including matters arising from the report prepared by the law firm Eversheds Sutherlands on misclassification of employment within RTÉ. Section 6.5 of the PAC’s report states:
“The Department of Social Protection’s Scope investigation unit launched a separate investigation, reviewing PRSI arrangements at RTÉ over a period of time that could date back to the 1980s. The investigation is looking at a total of 695 individuals, of which 149 had been reported on at the time of the Committee’s meeting on 12 October 2023. RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst told the Committee at that meeting that the broadcaster had set aside a figure of less than €20 million as a potential liability to the Department”.
Recommendations 15 and 16 of the PAC report are related to this issue. Recommendation 15 states:
“The Committee recommends that RTÉ provides the Committee with an update in June 2024 with regard to the investigation by the Scope section at the Department of Social Protection into the historic PRSI classification of workers at RTÉ, and any revisions to the estimated liability to the Department, including any settlements made to it.”
Recommendation 16 states:
“The Committee recommends that RTÉ keeps it informed on a quarterly basis regarding any further settlements with Revenue, in relation to the classification of workers at the broadcaster or any moneys paid to former members of staff.”
As noted above, the details of individual cases or settlements cannot be provided by Revenue under a response to a Parliamentary Question due to legislative restrictions on disclosing confidential taxpayer information. Under the above PAC recommendation however, information will be provided by RTÉ to the Public Accounts Committee on a quarterly basis in respect of any settlements with Revenue in relation to the classification of workers.
25. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is concerned about the ruling of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission requiring a bank to make €500 million in new funding available to an organisation (details supplied) in light of allegations reported in the media and in a letter sent to his Department that the organisation lent money to a front organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16805/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra26. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action taken by his Department in response to important information given in a letter to the then Minister in relation to loans by an organisation (details supplied), a body financed by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, to a company. [16806/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 26 together.
I note that the Deputy refers to correspondence to the Office of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, however the information supplied does not provide detail of any such correspondence.
My officials contacted the Deputy's office for clarification on the matter. However, there is no record of receipt in my Department of the correspondence referred to. The Deputy may wish to provide the detail referenced.
In the meantime, my officials contacted the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) who advised that in May 2022 the CCPC cleared, subject to a number of legally binding commitments, the proposed acquisition by the Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland (Bank of Ireland) of certain assets and liabilities of KBC Bank Ireland plc (KBC).
CCPC officials confirmed that Bank of Ireland is committed to the following remedies:
In support of the growth of non-bank lenders in the Irish mortgage market they will make €1 billion in total funding available to certain non-bank lenders through the purchasing of securities issued by them, to increase their funding capacity and reduce their cost of funding; and,
To assist innovation in the Irish mortgage market, they will make €1 million in funding available for distribution to companies involved in developing innovations relevant to the market for the provision of mortgages in the State; and
To address the effects of the transaction on KBC mortgage customers, Bank of Ireland will adopt measures, including:
• honouring the fixed rate included in the existing terms and conditions of KBC fixed rate mortgages for the remainder of the fixed term,
• honouring the 0.2% discount in mortgage rate of every KBC customer eligible for that discount at the date of mortgage transfer to BOI, for as long as their transferred mortgage is held with BOI, without being required to hold a BOI current account, and,
• offering the variable rate equivalent to that of KBC migrated variable rate customers, as well as BOI fixed rate options, to fixed rate KBC mortgage customers on their first roll-over post-migration.
Lastly, my officials have been advised that the CCPC has monitored Bank of Ireland’s compliance with these commitments since May 2022, and is satisfied that Bank of Ireland has complied with the commitments.
27. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 149 of 7 February 2024, to provide an update on the implementation of the White Paper on enterprise; the status of the second update report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16897/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe White Paper on Enterprise was published in December 2022 and sets out the Government’s approach to enterprise policy for the period to 2030. The vision set out in the White Paper is for Irish-based enterprise to succeed through competitive advantage founded on sustainability, innovation and productivity, delivering rewarding jobs and livelihoods.
My Department is responsible for the development of consecutive two-year Implementation Plans of cross-government activity to implement the policy direction set out in the White Paper. The first Implementation Plan, covering the period 2023-24, was published in May 2023. It identified a portfolio of 40 key initiatives across all seven policy priorities detailed in the White Paper on Enterprise. These 40 initiatives, while not exhaustive, reflect the range and depth of activities planned and underway in my Department, our enterprise agencies, and across Government.
Since the White Paper’s launch, significant work has been undertaken on a whole-of-Government basis to advance the vision it sets out and considerable progress has been made. Progress on the Implementation Plan is reported on every six months to the Cabinet Committee on Economy and Investment, through a series of update reports.
The first Update Report was developed over the course of Q3 2023 and was published in November 2023. This report details the progress made during Q1 and Q2 2023 on the 40 key initiatives that were identified and agreed as part of the 2023-2024 Implementation Plan, and showed significant strides already being taken towards implementation, with the majority of actions underway and on track. The second update report, which was developed by my Department during Q1 of this year, is currently being finalised and will be published in the coming weeks . This second update report details progress on implementation of the White Paper on Enterprise during Q3 and Q4 2023.
The Update Reports gives an overview of the range and depth of activity completed and underway to realise the objectives of the White Paper on Enterprise . These activities are largely driven by the Department and its enterprise agencies, with other relevant Government Departments and public bodies also responsible for a number of key deliverables. The Update Report also provides updates regarding the progress made against the 15 key targets set out in the White Paper on Enterprise, where data are available.
28. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many businesses in each of counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon, Mayo and Galway have to date registered for the increased cost of business grant; when payments under the grant will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16908/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will be aware that, as part of Budget 2024, the Government signed off on a package of €257 million for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses.
Local Authorities, funded through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, are administering the grant to qualifying businesses on behalf of the Department.
Local Authorities have written to all rate paying businesses with details of how to register for the grant and it is a very simple process for businesses to verify their details through an online portal.
The grant has been open for registrations since 14 March. The closing date for registrations for the ICOB grant is 1 May 2024. I urge all eligible businesses to register for this grant as soon as they receive a letter from their Local Authority. The sooner a business registers the sooner their details will be verified and the grant will be paid out. Payments will be made to eligible businesses in the coming weeks.
In relation to the uptake of the scheme for the counties referred to in the question, the latest figures as at Tuesday 16th April are as follows:
Cavan has 325 registrations which is 15% of businesses notified
Monaghan has 569 registrations which is 30% of businesses notified
Donegal has 926 registrations which is 22% of businesses notified
Leitrim has 232 registrations which is 26% of businesses notified
Sligo has 437 registrations which is 30% of businesses notified
Roscommon has 540 registrations which is 27% of businesses notified
Mayo has 1169 registrations which is 28% of businesses notified
Galway City has 983 registrations which is 31% of businesses notified
Galway County has 941 registrations which is 35% of businesses notified
29. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a report on the implementation of the north-east regional enterprise plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16909/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraBalanced regional enterprise development is a key focus for me and this Government as reaffirmed in the White Paper on Enterprise. My Department contributes to this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs).
The North-East REP is implemented at a regional level by a Steering Committee made up of stakeholders from Cavan, Louth and Monaghan. Richard Hanlon is Chair of the North-East REP Steering Committee which last met on 15 September 2023. The Programme Manager position in the North-East has been vacant for over a year which has impacted implementation. My officials are engaging with the local authorities in the region to resolve this as a matter of priority.
My Department oversees implementation of the REPs at the national level. A meeting of the National Oversight Group for the REPs with Steering Committee Chairpersons is planned for Thursday 25 April, where implementation across all REPs will be discussed.
Nine REP Mid-Term Progress Reports were recently published, which document implementation to the end of Q3 2023 for each plan, including the North-East. These reports were prepared by each regional Steering Committee and are available on my Department’s website.
Some highlights detailed in the Progress Report include:
• a successful cross-border collaboration among five local authorities, securing funding from the Shared Island Initiative to foster heightened ambition and cross-border cooperation.
• €50,000 was secured under the Regional Enterprise Innovation Scoping Scheme (REISS) feasibility grant to assess the challenges and opportunities faced by enterprises across the region in the transition to a low carbon economy.
• Dundalk Institute of Technology, utilising its affiliation with the North-East REP, developed a Level 7 Diploma in Operational Excellence for Supply Chain Management.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has secured up to €145 million for the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme to support projects aligned to the REPs. This builds on the €126 million my Department has already allocated in regional enterprise funding. The North-East has performed very well under these funding schemes securing over €22 million in approved funding for 13 innovative enterprise projects.
The first call of €35 million under the new scheme, which is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund, is now open on the Enterprise Ireland website. I expect that there will be up to four calls under this fund over the coming years and I encourage innovative projects from the North-East to apply.
