Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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299. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and dates of meetings held between the IDA and a company (details supplied) to discuss issues around its Drogheda plant; if his Department was informed or indeed attended any such meetings; the agenda for these meetings and the outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29902/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The recent announcement from Becton Dickinson to close its Drogheda facility over the next 2.5 years is disappointing, not least for the staff and their families who are impacted by this decision. Government will support the employees as they seek alternative employment.

The IDA remain engaged on a dynamic basis with its 1,800+ client base to support them and their presence in Ireland and to give and receive briefings on developments impacting their client's continued investments in Ireland. My Department does not generally participate in such meetings. In this regard, IDA Ireland has regularly engaged with BD on potential supports to its 4 Irish sites, including Drogheda, and will continue to engage with BD Corporate, BD UK & Ireland and BD Drogheda to support the company, and its employees, in light of this announcement. In particular, financial supports for staff training and upskilling were outlined, along with sustainability and decarbonisation initiatives. These funding schemes are intended to assist in transforming operations and staff as the sector drives towards a green and digital future.

Last week I met with Deputy O’Dowd, Deputy Nash and Senator McGreehan to discuss the announcement where I committed to personally raise the matter with the BD leadership team when I meet with them on my US Trade and Investment Mission next week.

Upon being notified of the BD Board decision to close the Drogheda site on a phased basis, IDA reiterated supports available to the company for transformation. IDA Ireland has also committed to work with BD over the course of the next 2.5 years to market Drogheda and the BD facility to potential FDI investors and highlight the skills of impacted employees with other employers in the Region.

Since the announcement, IDA Ireland has been engaging with BD to offer support to employees regarding other employment opportunities in the region, and to offer opportunities for further upskilling where required. There are a number of client companies in the northeast who are actively recruiting at the moment and IDA Ireland will provide information to BD regarding these opportunities.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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300. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses ineligible for the increased cost of business grant due to the fact they pay rates through their landlord rather than directly to the local authority, by county, in tabular form. [29904/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The figures requested are not available because businesses in such an arrangement do not need to register this with their Local Authority.

Businesses that are tenants could register for the ICOB grant as long as they are ratepayers. The legal position under section 4 of the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 as well as the amendments introduced through the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 is that tenants whose rent incorporates their rates obligation, which is remitted by the landlord, cannot be deemed to be ratepayers.

The Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate to interfere with existing commercial arrangements between small businesses and their landlords in the context of the increased cost of business scheme.

The priority has been to ensure that as many businesses as possible receive the money as quickly as possible.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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301. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address a query concerning the increased cost of business grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29909/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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My Department has received correspondence from the individual concerned and has responded directly in relation to the issue.