Results 7,001-7,020 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Scientific Research (26 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Based on indications received from CERN, the cost of Ireland’s full membership at current prices would be circa €13.6m annually. To become a full member, a country must go through an obligatory ‘associate membership in the pre-stage to membership’ phase for a minimum of two and maximum of five years. The initial contribution shall be at least 25% of full membership...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Agencies Funding (26 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The annual budget allocations for my Department's offices and agencies are set out in the annual Revised Estimates Volume. The total allocations for 2018 and 2019 are set out in the table below; Revised Estimates Volume Allocations 2018 Allocations(€,000) 2019 Allocations(€,000) Offices of the Department Companies Registration Office(Including the Registry of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Bodies Data (26 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The number of persons employed by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA (Ireland) are set out in the table below. Agency Headcount Full Time Equivalents Notes Enterprise Ireland 736 721 Total includes locally recruited overseas staff IDA (Ireland) 313 303.75 Total includes locally recruited overseas staff

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Work Permits Applications (26 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: As the economy improves and we approach full employment my Department has experienced a high volume of employment permit applications which has led to some delays in processing applications. At the end of May 2019 there was a 16% increase in the number of applications received (7,407 applications received) over the same period in 2018. At the same time there has been a 53% increase in the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Data (26 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: While the nature of the UK's departure from the EU still remains to be determined, Brexit continues to represent a significant challenge for businesses in Ireland. That’s why my Department and its agencies have put in place extensive supports, schemes and advisory resources to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. While we cannot yet know the form that Brexit will take, these...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Supports (26 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The €300 million Brexit Loan Scheme provides relatively short-term working capital of 1 to 3 years, to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees to help them innovate, change or adapt to mitigate their Brexit challenges. Businesses can confirm their eligibility with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and if deemed eligible, can apply to one of the participating...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: IDA Ireland Site Visits (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to congratulate Deputy Kelleher on his election to the European Parliament. It has been a pleasure to work with him in a very constructive way since I took up this position. I wish him the very best in the European Parliament. I have no doubt he will make a significant contribution there also. Regional development remains a key priority for me and my Department. We understand...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: IDA Ireland Site Visits (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I have a very strong focus on the regions. Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland have increased the number of jobs created outside Dublin. A couple of months ago, I launched nine regional enterprise plans, which are focused on supporting enterprise and driving job creation in the regions. As part of that programme of launches, I visited places such as the Hive in Carrick-on-Shannon,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: IDA Ireland Site Visits (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I cannot comment on that specific site but I will raise it with the IDA. If there were no available properties in the region, IDA-owned or otherwise, this would significantly diminish the agency's capacity to attract and win new investments. The IDA has just had its half year results which are the best ever. The IDA has been doing great work and we know that it punches above its weight...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Supports (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: The €300 million Brexit loan scheme provides relatively short-term working capital of one to three years for eligible businesses with up to 499 employees to help them to innovate, change or adapt to mitigate their Brexit challenges. Businesses can confirm their eligibility with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, SBCI, and, if deemed eligible, can apply to one of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Supports (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy knows, we have a wide range of supports in place across Departments and agencies to help businesses to prepare, but, ultimately, they have to decide for themselves whether they want or need to avail of these supports. In the case of the Brexit loan scheme, it is important to remember that it is a loan which, as the Deputy said, businesses have to pay back. Understandably,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Supports (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I have not received any complaint about the Brexit loan scheme. I have met the heads of the three pillar banks and explained to them how important the scheme is. They are rolling it out through their own offices. Again, if there are issues with the scheme, I ask Deputies to bring them to my attention. There is a €200,000 rescue and restructuring scheme available. I have met the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I welcomed the publication last week of the Climate Action Plan 2019. The plan was published following intensive engagement between my officials and officials from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment on the actions proposed for delivery by enterprise and my Department. I also met the Minister for Communications,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: This morning I launched the corporate social responsibility check for 2019, Towards Responsible Business: Ireland's National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility 2017-2020. There is a major focus on climate change now and how companies can embrace it. It is also attractive for companies that have a good corporate social responsibility set-up because. These companies find that people who...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Many of the companies I visit are conscious of their carbon footprint and are continually taking measures to improve. The Deputy about Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. They have committed to upgrading their environmental offerings and to helping companies make the transition. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland provides the excellence in energy efficiency design programme for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Schemes (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The DTIF is a €500 million fund established under Project Ireland 2040 and forms a key part in the delivery of the pillar 1 goal of future jobs Ireland to embrace innovation and technological change. In December 2018, a total of 27 collaborative projects were approved for funding under the first call of the fund. The DTIF will result in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Schemes (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: When I announce funding, I want it spent. In this case, this is a new fund. Ireland is one of the first countries in the world to have a fund like this in place. This makes Ireland an innovation leader globally. There is a great deal of collaboration on the projects between colleges, multinationals, SMEs and public research bodies. There is a lot of money at play, with €75 million...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Schemes (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Well done.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The long-term response to Brexit is for companies across all sectors to become more competitive, more innovative and to diversify their export footprint into more international markets. The agencies under my Department have a wide range of supports available to enable companies to consolidate market share within the UK, and to become more resilient...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (27 Jun 2019)

Heather Humphreys: Deputy Jan O'Sullivan is correct that food products form a significant part of our exports to the UK. Enterprise Ireland has been working closely with the food companies in terms of looking at new markets for their products, improving their processes and new products. For example, mozzarella cheese is something that is being developed in Carbery. That is a new product to get away from the...