Written answers

Friday, 16 December 2016

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Enterprise Ireland Funding

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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522. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total capital expenditure expended in 2016 and allocated in 2017 on Enterprise Ireland in tabular form, in view of the programme for Government commitment in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40798/16]

Photo of Mary Mitchell O'ConnorMary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The capital allocations made to Enterprise Ireland through my Department’s Vote for 2016 and 2017 are set out in the following table:

EstimatesAmount
2016 Revised Estimates Volume€173.6 million
2017 Revised Estimates Volume€185.0 million
Total Exchequer Capital Provision to Enterprise Ireland through the Department’s Vote in 2016- 17€358.6 million

In addition to the capital allocation as set out in the table above, each year Enterprise Ireland is also provided with sanction to retain and utilise Own Resource Income to support enterprise and innovation activities across the country.

In 2016 the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform provided Enterprise Ireland with a sanctioned Own Resource Income level of €68.7 million.

The 2017 level of Own Resource Income has not yet been determined but it is envisaged that a similar amount will be available to Enterprise Ireland next year.

In the context of the Programme for Partnership Government commitment to regional jobs, I would inform the Deputy that since my appointment as Minister in May of this year I have secured an additional €100 million in funding for my Department’s Vote for use in 2016 and 2017.

It means that the Department will expend over €1.1 billion in capital supports in 2016 and 2017 for enterprise development, including supporting the regional jobs commitment, as well as supporting a range of innovation activities.

As I outlined to the Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on 1stDecember 2016 the consequence of the Department’s Supplementary Estimate which was agreed in Dáil Éireann last Thursday 8thDecember, sees the Department’s capital ceiling this year rising by €45 million to €548 million.

In 2017 the Department’s capital ceiling is rising from the €503 million capital base as published in the 2016 Revised Estimates Volume to €555 million next year.

This is the highest capital amount ever secured by the Department and is a €52 million (10%) increase on the 2016 Revised Estimates Volume allocation of €503 million.

I have also secured an additional €3 million in Pay for 2017 for additional Brexit specific posts for the Department, Offices and Agencies, including Enterprise Ireland.

The additional €100 million that I have secured in 2016 and 2017 is strong evidence of delivering on the Government’s regional jobs commitment.

Responsibility and the relating funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta falls to my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

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