Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

148. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide data associated with his Department’s air travel and air travel associated with agencies under the aegis of his Department (details supplied) from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4245/23]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

149. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations for Programme B, Enterprise Innovation and Commercialisation, in the budget 2023 expenditure report will be provided, in tabular form. [4469/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The table following details the current and capital budget allocations to my Department across Programme B – Enterprise, Innovation and Commercialisation as published in the Revised Estimates Volume 2023.

Programme B – Enterprise, Innovation and Commercialisation

A number of the Department’s Agencies also generate own Resource Income from activities that they undertake, which subject to the approval of the Minister for Public expenditure and Reform they may retain for use on programme activity.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

150. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations for Programme C, Regulation, in the budget 2023 expenditure report will be provided, in tabular form. [4470/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are no capital programmes funded under the Regulation Programme, Programme C, of my Department’s Vote. The table following sets out the current funding allocations to this Programme for this year as per the 2023 Revised Estimates published last December.

Programme C – Regulation  

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

151. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will specify the breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations of €14.8 million for IDA AMC, Regional Property Programme, National Institute of Bioprocessing Research and Training in the budget 2023 expenditure report, in tabular form. [4472/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government in its 2023 Budget and Estimates decisions allocated an additional €13 million in current expenditure and an extra €23 million in capital expenditure to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment compared to the 2022 allocation.

The increased capital allocation will support the Department and its Agencies in building on the progress made in delivering supports to indigenous businesses, promoting regional development, attracting high quality FDI, and supporting innovation.  Full details on the allocation of the Vote’s 2023 resources across spending areas is set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV).

This 2023 allocation will allow the Department to continue to position Ireland as a competitive, innovation-driven location in which to do business, to promote entrepreneurship, to develop a strong indigenous enterprise base, to target future inward investment and to grow exports in existing and fast-growing markets and to promote the benefits of international trade.

€14.8 million capital funding was allocated to the IDA Regional Property Programme, the IDA Digital  Manufacturing Ireland (rebranded from Advanced Manufacturing Centre), and the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, (NIBRT), as set out under Programme A in the budget 2023 Expenditure Report with breakdown as follows:

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

152. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will specify the breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations of €10 million for EI Open Call for Brexit Impacts in the budget 2023 expenditure report, in tabular form. [4473/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can confirm that the €10 million fund in respect of the open call for Brexit Impacts referred to in the Budget 2023 Expenditure Report is allocated solely to capital expenditure.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

153. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will specify the breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations of €12 million for EI Green Transition and Digital Transitions Funds in the budget 2023 expenditure report, in tabular form. [4474/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can confirm that the €12 million in respect of the EI Green Transition and Digital Transition Funds referred to in the Budget 2023 Expenditure Report is allocated solely to capital expenditure.  In that regard, each fund has been allocated €6 million.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

154. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will specify the breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations of €4 million for local enterprise offices for the roll out of the plus-ten employees' framework and small firms' investment in energy efficiency scheme in the budget 2023 expenditure report, in tabular form. [4475/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Budget 2023 allocation to the Local Enterprise Office network includes an additional €4 million in capital expenditure to pilot both the extension of the LEOs mandate to firms with over 10 employees and the introduction of the Small Firms' Investment in Energy Efficiency Scheme (SFIEES).  This additional allocation is broken down evenly across both supports with each measure receiving €2 million in 2023.

The pilot extension of the Local Enterprise Offices' mandate is intended to provide grant aid to firms with more than ten employees in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors thereby fulfilling a programme for Government commitment.  In so doing, it builds on the new Enterprise Ireland strategy which sets out a commitment to ensure companies of all sizes in those sectors will have access to assistance as appropriate to their stage of development and internationalisation ambition.

The Small Firms Investment in Energy Efficiency Scheme (SFIEES), also announced in Budget 2023, is intended to support capital investment by firms to undertake energy efficiency projects. The rationale of the scheme will be to support companies to reduce their carbon emissions and overall energy costs by accelerating the adoption of low carbon technologies or processes.

Taking into account national policy and in consultation with the LEO network, Enterprise Ireland is developing guidelines and eligibility criteria for the rollout of the new programme by each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices. A budget of €2m has been allocated nationally and it is planned to launch the scheme in Q1 2023.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

155. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will specify the breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations of €5 million for the new credit guarantee scheme in the budget 2023 expenditure report, in tabular form. [4476/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme will provide up to €1.2 billion in lending facilities to businesses impacted by increasing costs arising from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.  Primary and secondary legislation was delivered at a rapid pace to facilitate this important assistance to businesses at a time they have only just begun their path to recovery in the wake of Covid.

The scheme has been developed with the assistance of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, who will act as the operator. Loans under the scheme will be provided by individual financial institutions. Loans will be available, under the scheme, to SMEs, farmers, fishers and small mid-caps until the end of 2024. The loans will have reduced interest rates, have no security requirements for loans of up to €250,000 with a maximum loan amount of €1 million and a maximum term of 6 years. Bank of Ireland is due to launch its loans under the scheme on the 30th of January with more lenders to follow subsequent to the open call which closed on 27 January.  

€5 million has been allocated to the budget line entitled "Temporary Loan Guarantee Scheme" for 2023. This sum is a capital allocation. It includes the allocation for the Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme, the Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme and the original Credit Guarantee Scheme. While the Ukraine scheme is the only scheme currently open to new loans, there are costs associated with each scheme. Claims in respect of loan defaults in 2023 will primarily be realised on the Covid-19 scheme, which saw €708 million in loans to over 9,850 businesses in just 21 months of operation.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

156. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will specify the breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations of the €7 million for Science and Technology Programme, including European Digital Innovation Hubs, in the budget 2023 expenditure report, in tabular form. [4477/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Science and Technology and Development programme provides funding for Enterprise Ireland's Ireland’s (EI) Research, Development and Innovation programmes.  These programmes support direct and indirect research, development and innovation supports for indigenous companies and supports the commercialisation of State funded research.

For 2023 the Science, Technology and Development programme has been allocated €158.1m in funding, just over €6m of this total is current funding for the central resource in EI to manage and facilitate its RD&I activities. 

Of the €158.1m in funding an additional €7million in capital funding was allocated in 2023 for the following schemes:

- €3m for the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) bringing the 2023 funding for EDIHs to €6m. The EDIHs will be “one-stop-shops”, with a research performing organisation  or higher education institution based lab at the core, to help companies (notably SMEs) and public sector organisations become more competitive in their business/production processes, products or services by providing access to research infrastructure, technical expertise and experimentation, so that these organisations can “test before invest”.

- €2.5m for High Potential Start Ups (HPSUs) and Enhanced Pre-seed support as well as covering the extension of the Technology Gateway Programme and the Knowledge Transfer Ireland Technology Transfer Strengthening Initiative.

- €1.5m for the Construct Innovate Construction sector Technology Centre and for innovation & productivity support to the domestic construction residential sector.

Further additional capital funding was also allocated in 2023 to the programme for the following measures:

- €15.656m for the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Projects - KT (Knowledge Transfer) Boost Initiative, the new Technology Gateways Programme and the Needs Led Training Initiative. The three programmes will drive collaboration with our Higher Education Institutes, increase commercialisation and promote the formation of HPSUs.  

- An additional €0.5m was allocated from the Housing for All Fund on a once off basis to support the Construction Technology Centre.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

157. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown for the current and capital budget allocations for each subhead of the Revised Estimates for 2023. [4478/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The tables following detail the breakdown for the current and capital budget allocations for each subhead of my Department as published in the Revised Estimate Volume 2023.

Programme A – Jobs and Enterprise Development

A number of Agencies of the Department also generate Own Resource Income from activities that they undertake, which subject to the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform they may retain for use on programme activity.

A discrete number of Agencies also receive funding for their activities from levies/fees imposed on entities that are subject to regulation by them.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

158. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total budget 2022 allocation for the National Smart Specialisation Strategy for Innovation 2022-2027; the percentage difference compared to the budget 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4479/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Smart Specialisation is an innovation policy concept developed by the European Commission which aims to boost regional innovation, contributing to growth and prosperity by helping and enabling regions to focus on their strengths.

While Smart Specialisation involves radical innovation, it also involves innovating in traditional fields, through developing and applying new business or organisational models, and adapting or exploiting innovations deriving from tacit knowledge and experience in these areas. 

The preparation of Ireland’s National Smart Specialisation Strategy for Innovation 2022-2027 (S3) was an essential prerequisite for Ireland to access European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) moneys under Policy Objective One: A Smarter Europe, through innovation, digitisation, economic transformation and support to small and medium-sized businesses.

Ireland’s total allocation under the 2021-2027 programming period of the ERDF is €396 million, of which more than €200 million will be allocated to programmes which support innovative and smart economic transformation under Policy Objective One. This will be supported by national co-financing, rendering the total amount available for Ireland under the ERDF at €853 million. This funding is new and additional to exchequer allocations for mainstream programmes.

My Department will deliver four programmes supported by ERDF under Policy Objective One: A Smarter Europe, that are aligned with S3. These are: Technology Gateways; Technology Transfer 'KT Boost'; Needs-led Innovation Training; and Smart Regional Enterprise Innovation. ERDF will also support Research, development, integration and innovation and Accelerating Research Commercialisation (ARC) labs through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and these are also of relevance to S3 delivery.

Ireland's ERDF regional programmes were adopted by the Commission in 18th November 2022, and the first annual budgetary allocations towards the relevant DETE Schemes were made in 2023. The total capital allocation for 2023 is €17.109 million, across the four programmes administered by Enterprise Ireland. The administration aspect of these schemes is managed by Enterprise Ireland's general current funding and is not accounted for separately.

The design of these four DETE programmes are informed by Ireland's S3 and will include programmes to: bridge the knowledge transfer gap between industry and academia; provide dedicated staff to the Technological Universities who work with industry to articulate company problems in a manner that can be addressed by the established expert base in each Technological University; build on existing international and national best practice in immersive-based, needs-led innovation training programmes connecting on multiple levels with the industry sector clusters in a particular region; and to address regional innovation ecosystem gaps, informed by the work of the Regional Enterprise Plans.

I am keen to get this funding under these Schemes out to the regions as soon as possible and my officials are working with Enterprise Ireland on their development and roll-out.

Finally, it should also be noted that Ireland's Smart Specialisation Strategy will also inform continued roll-out of a range of frameworks and programmes already in place in my Department.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

159. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total budget 2023 allocation for the National AI Strategy, AI - Here for Good; the capital, current and total budget 2022 allocation for the National AI Strategy, AI – Here for Good; the percentage difference compared to the budget 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4480/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland's National AI Strategy, “AI - Here for Good”, provides a high-level direction to the design, development, deployment and governance of AI in Ireland. It presents an integrated framework to manage the expected beneficial socio-economic opportunities that AI presents.

Our vision is for Ireland to become a leading country in using AI to the benefit of our citizens, through a people centred and ethical approach to AI adoption and use. The Strategy helps define how Ireland can ensure a responsible and inclusive approach to developing, applying and adopting AI, and how to harness the potential benefits of AI for both businesses and society. 

While my Department leads on the implementation of the Strategy overall and is responsible in particular for driving the adoption of enterprise by businesses, this is a whole of Government Strategy and therefore is not solely focussed on enterprise aspects.  

Under both Budget 2022 and Budget 2023, the National AI Strategy was not directly allocated funding for its implementation. The Strategy is a whole of Government Strategy and therefore the funding of initiatives contained under the eight Strands fall under the relevant individual Departments and Agencies. 

For example, through the €85 million Digital Transition Fund, we will increase digitalisation of businesses across products, processes, supply chains and business models. This will bring about productivity gains, access to new markets, increased innovation and improved competitiveness - including through technology such as AI. 

In addition, the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund is a €500 million challenge-based fund established under Project Ireland 2040. In Calls 1 to 3 for the Fund, there was an AI element in 31 of the 72 projects, with €103m awarded. 

Furthermore, CeADAR, the EI/IDA Technology Centre for Applied Data Analytics and Machine Intelligence, will become Ireland's National AI Hub as part of the European Digital Innovation Hub network with a funding allocation of €1.9 million per annum. CeADAR will focus on meeting industry needs in the areas of data analytics and AI. It will demystify these concepts and appeal to a non-technical audience along with explaining how AI can be applied in practice.  CeADAR is already experienced in assisting companies across a wide range of industry sectors in adding value through use of AI and has an existing established programme of formal training in AI.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

160. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total budget 2023 allocation for the National Digital Strategy; the capital, current and total budget 2022 allocation for the National Digital Strategy; the percentage difference compared to the budget 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4481/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Harnessing Digital - the Digital Ireland Framework reflects Ireland’s ambition to continue to be a digital leader at the heart of European and global digital developments.  As the National Digital Strategy, it sets out a roadmap to drive and enable the digital transition across Enterprise; Infrastructure; Skills; and Public Services, in line with the EU’s Digital Decade. It complements work towards achieving Ireland’s climate targets.

Implementation of the Strategy is driven via cross-government coordination structures, reporting to the Cabinet Committee on the Economy and Investment. This includes regular engagement between the Senior Officials Group on Digital Issues and the Digital Regulators Group.

Government published a Progress Report in December 2022 which highlighted significant progress including a new Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum, an €85 million Digital Transition Fund; a new Digital Strategy for Schools, and new Digital Connectivity Strategy to 2030; and the development of a new Digital Healthcare Framework 2023-2027.

Harnessing Digital also re-enforces our firm commitment to a modern, cohesive, well-resourced regulatory framework to effectively oversee and enforce digital regulations.

Recent progress in this regard includes the Government’s decision to designate the new Coimisiún na Meán (Media Commission) as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator, under the Digital Services Act. Work is ongoing to ensure the Media Commission (which will create a regulatory framework for online safety), and our Digital Services Coordinator are in place, and operating effectively as quickly as possible.

Harnessing Digital is a whole of Government Strategy and therefore there are initiatives underway across various Government Departments and Agencies. Under both Budget 2022 and Budget 2023, the National Digital Strategy was not directly allocated funding for its implementation.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

161. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total budget 2023 allocation for the National Remote Work Strategy; the capital, current and total budget 2022 allocation for the National Remote Work Strategy; the percentage difference compared to the budget 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4482/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department published the National Remote Work Strategy on 15 January 2021. The strategy identified 15 actions to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises its economic, social and environmental benefits.

My Department led the development and implementation of the Strategy’s actions during 2021 and 2022 through the Remote Work Interdepartmental Group (IDG) which includes representatives of thirty Government Departments, State Agencies and other relevant public bodies. The IDG will continue to meet in 2023 to drive and coordinate remote working policy across Government.

The delivery of specific actions and initiatives to facilitate remote working are led by individual Departments and Agencies and in this context, there is no single, dedicated budget allocation relating to the National Remote Work Strategy.

Budget 2023 set out allocations for 2023 for all Departments. The Revised Estimates Volumes published in December 2022 sets out further details on the specifics of these allocations. Any costs related to remote working policy would fall within these allocations. The management of resources in this regard is a matter for each individual Department and Minister.

I would however highlight the following examples of the significant investments made in facilitating remote working across the country by Departments represented on the Remote Work IDG:

- My Department has invested in the development of enterprise/co-working hubs in every region of the country through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) and Border Enterprise Development Fund (BEDF) with approximately 40 Enterprise Centres/hubs having secured funding through those funds.  These projects are at various stages of development.

Enterprise Centres and hubs are key infrastructure which provide affordable physical workspace for businesses across the country, spaces for start-ups, training and collaborative spaces as well as delivering training and soft supports to their tenants and other companies in their locality.  Many of these hubs also provide co-working / remote working space though that is not their only purpose.

In 2022, €5 million was allocated to the REDF and a further €12 million in funding was sanctioned to assist with the completion of projects under the REDF and BEDF, for projects that have been delayed or interrupted due to increased construction and construction-related costs in 2022 and 2023. 

- In May 2021, the National Hub Network and ConnectedHubs.ie platform were launched by the Western Development Commission.  As part of this, the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) provided approximately €14 million in funding through the Connected Hubs Calls (€8.9 million in 2021 and €5.1 million in 2022) to upgrade Ireland’s hub and remote working infrastructure.  The DRCD is currently awaiting the results of impact assessment which will inform future funding calls.

- To date, a total of approximately €100 million in funding has been provided through funding streams managed by the DRCD and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) to develop Ireland’s hub and remote working infrastructure to ensure that communities across the country are able to benefit from the opportunities presented by increased remote working.

- The Deputy may wish to note that my Department and the DRCD will lead on the development of a National Hub Strategy which will bring together in a single strategy the various national policies and schemes into a coherent and over-arching development strategy and identify opportunities to further leverage the National Hub Network as an enabler of enterprise, regional job growth, sustainable and resilient communities and as a contributor to achieving to Ireland’s climate action goals

The Strategy, which will be published towards the end of 2023, will examine, amongst other things, the distribution, sustainability and impact of enterprise centres and hubs across all regions of the country.

- An important objective outlined in the National Remote Work Strategy has been to accelerate the delivery of the National Broadband Plan (NBP). While the Plan was negatively impacted by COVID-19, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications is continuing to engage National Broadband Ireland, and the project has been building momentum and month on month, momentum which will continue into 2023. The cost of the NBP in 2022 was €177.3 million, and the budget allocation for 2023 is €212.2 million.

The cross-Government investments outlined above are making a very significant contribution to realising the objectives of the National Remote Work Strategy, particularly in terms of promoting balanced regional, rural and community development both now and into the future.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

162. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total budget 2023 allocation for the National Space Strategy for Enterprise 2019-2025; the capital, current and total budget 2022 allocation for the National Space Strategy for Enterprise 2019-2025; the percentage difference compared to the budget 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4483/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Space Strategy for Enterprise 2019 – 2025 sets ambitious goals for how Ireland intends to develop an economically sustainable and expanding space-active industry, delivering quality jobs for the economy of tomorrow. Funding for the space sector in Ireland is not specifically allocated to the National Space Strategy rather, funding is allocated on the basis of our investment in the European Space Agency (ESA) programmes. It is noted however that the National Space Strategy contains a key action to increase public and private investment in ESA by 50% by 2025 - which we are on track to achieve. 

The funding allocated to the ESA in 2022 and 2023 as well as the percentage difference are outlined in the following table:

In fact, we have increased the overall base allocation to ESA by 7% in 2023 and our continued commitment to invest in Irish space active companies was demonstrated by Ireland's confirmation at the ESA Ministerial Council meeting in November 2022 that we intend to invest €125 million in funding to ESA for the period up to 2027.

Through increased funding of ESA over recent years we have seen the number of Irish based companies engaged with the ESA increasing by 39% since the publication of the Strategy, growing from 70 in 2019 to 97 in 2022. In 2021 16 start-up companies secured ESA contracts and Industry co-investment also increased from €3.3 million in 2020 to over €4.6 million in 2021.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

163. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total Budget 2023 allocation for the Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026; the capital, current and total Budget 2022 allocation for the Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026; the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4484/23]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Further to the commitment in the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan 2021, as well as the Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, the Government adopted the new Trade & Investment Strategy 2022-2026: Value for Ireland, Values for the World in March 2022. 

The goal of the Trade & Investment Strategy is to see Ireland grow sustainably, diversify export markets and provide for Ireland’s continued economic wellbeing. The Strategy addresses not only trade and investment issues but also climate and sustainability by setting out a principled and holistic approach to trade policy.  The Strategy includes seven priority actions aimed at advancing Ireland’s trade and investment goals, diversifying markets, and strengthening supply chains.

There is no specific budget allocation for the Strategy. The funding of any initiatives related to implementation of the Strategy will be addressed as they arise as part of normal expenditure arrangements and the estimates process.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

164. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total Budget 2023 allocation for the Ireland’s Industry 4.0 Strategy 2020-2025; the capital, current and total Budget 2022 allocation for the Ireland’s Industry 4.0 Strategy 2020-2025; the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4485/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Industry 4.0 Strategy 2020-2025 does not have a budget allocation over the years 2022-2023.

Delivery of the strategy is structured over six thematic areas over 18 actions. The primary mission of the strategy is to raise awareness and to support the drive towards digital transformation and the uptake and deployment of digital technologies within Ireland's manufacturing sector. This strategy aligns with the refreshed strategies of the enterprise agencies, IDA Ireland - Driving Recovery And Sustainable Growth 2021-2024, and Enterprise Ireland - Leading in a changing world. Strategy 2022 2024. Digital transformation of our industry sectors and enterprise base in a national strategic priority and is being advanced through a series of policy and strategy initiatives. This includes, Ireland's National Industry 4.0 Strategy 2020-2025, Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework 2022, National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024, AI: Here for Good, A National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Ireland, 2021, National Smart Specialisation Strategy for Innovation 2022-2027 . 

Delivery of the action items of the Industry 4.0 Strategy 1-18 are being implemented through Government Departments; DETE and DFHERIS and the agencies of these departments: IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and Science Foundation Ireland, NSAI, and LEOs. Funding of these actions are carried by existing budgets of said agencies. Future Manufacturing Ireland is supported by the administration budget of DETE. 

Additional measure's which assist the digital and related sustainability agenda are supported through funding under the Green Transition Fund and the Digital Transition Fund. 

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

165. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total Budget 2023 allocation for the National Enterprise Strategy: Enterprise 2025; the capital, current and total Budget 2022 allocation for the National Enterprise Strategy: Enterprise 2025; and the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4486/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Enterprise Strategy: Enterprise 2025 was reviewed in 2017 leading to the publication of Enterprise 2025 Renewed (2018) with targets set out through to 2020. Many of these targets have now been met, or surpassed. Enterprise 2025 Renewed was subsequently superseded by Future Jobs Ireland 2019 and the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan, 2021 and more recently the Government’s White Paper on Enterprise. 

In 2022, my Department undertook a review of national enterprise policy which included a significant public consultation exercise. On foot of this, the Government’s White Paper on Enterprise was launched in December 2022 and sets out Ireland`s enterprise policy for the period to 2030, building on Ireland`s economic strengths of an open economy with strong trade and foreign direct investment, a vibrant innovation hub, and a resilient labour market.

In line with previous enterprise strategies including Enterprise 2025, the White Paper on Enterprise does not have a specified budget allocation. The White Paper will, however, inform the allocation of enterprise related expenditure in the period to 2030.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

166. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total Budget 2023 allocation for the DETE People Strategy 2021-2024; the capital, current and total Budget 2023 allocation for the DETE People Strategy 2021-2024; the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4487/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department’s Human Resources and Learning and Career Development teams are responsible for delivery of the DETE People Strategy 2021-2024.

Delivery of actions under the DETE People Strategy in 2023 are funded by current expenditure which comes under the Administration section of the Department's Budget. Expenditure is incurred in respect of the staffing resources of the Human Resources and Learning and Career Development Unit, and learning and career development activities funded in the Department.

The Department’s Learning and Career Development budget for 2023 is €450,000. This fund supports strategic development programmes including the Advance Payment of Fees Scheme for third level study, the Department’s Induction programme, Coaching and Mentoring, Information Sessions, webinars, in-class and online staff training, and more.

Staff resources in the Human Resources and Learning and Career Development units are responsible for a wide range of responsibilities, including implementation of the DETE People Strategy 2021-2024, and are funded as part of the Departments overall pay budget. The resources currently serving in the Unit are as follows:

Staff resources within the Unit and across the whole Department are regularly reviewed as part of strategic workforce planning.  Staff of the Department are paid in accordance with the relevant public service pay agreements, currently 'Building Momentum’, and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform approved pay scales.

There is no capital allocation under Budget 2023 for delivery of the DETE People Strategy.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

167. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total Budget 2023 allocation for his Department’s internal ICT Strategy 2020-2025; the capital, current and total Budget 2022 allocation for his Department’s internal ICT Strategy 2020-2025; the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4488/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 2023 budget allocation for core ICT services in my Department in 2023 is €5,173,000. The equivalent allocation for 2022 was €4,173,000. The 2023 allocation represents an increase of €1 million on the 2022 allocation, or 24%. The additional allocation is to fund a significant increase in business systems development activity in 2023, as well as to meet more general cost increases. The increase in business systems development addresses a number of goals in my Department’s ICT Strategy 2020-2025.

However, it should be noted that the totality of spending on ICT service delivery in my Department is greater than this core ICT service allocation. Each of the Offices under the aegis of my Department has its own budget allocation, and some of those funds are allocated to ICT business systems development and maintenance. Those Offices are the Workplace Relations Commission, the Labour Court, the Companies Registration Office, and the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland. This approach to funding allows the budget of each Office to be more reflective of the total cost of service delivery. This spend can vary from year to year, depending on the timing of individual initiatives. When this additional spend is taken into account, the total spend on the delivery of ICT services in my Department in 2021 was €7,035,672. The data in respect of 2022 is currently being compiled.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

168. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a breakdown of the capital and current budget allocations for Programme A Jobs and Enterprise Development of Budget 2023 Expenditure Report will be provided, in tabular form. [4489/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The table below details the current and capital budget allocations to my Department across Programme A – Jobs and Enterprise Development as published in the Revised Estimates Volume 2023.

Programme A – Jobs and Enterprise Development

The table reflects the allocation as published in the 2023 Revised Estimates Volume.  It does not include capital monies allocated from the €54.5 million in unspent capital appropriations which were carried over from 2022 for use in 2023 in accordance with the provisions of Section 91 of the Finance Act, 2004.

A number of the Department’s Agencies also generate own Resource Income from activities that they undertake, which subject to the approval of the Minister for Public expenditure and Reform they may retain for use on programme activity.