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Dáil Éireann Vol. 999 Thursday, No. 4 15 October 2020 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 15/10/2020A00050Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 412 15/10/2020A00100Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 412 15/10/2020A00250Small and Medium Enterprises � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 412 15/10/2020A00950Sick Pay Scheme � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 414 15/10/2020B00350Flexible Work Practices� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 416 15/10/2020C00300Covid-19 Pandemic Supports � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 418 15/10/2020D00150Regional Development � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 421 15/10/2020D00825Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 423 15/10/2020D00850Covid-19 Pandemic Supports � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 423 15/10/2020E00600Pharmaceutical Sector � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 425 15/10/2020E01400Grant Payments � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 426 15/10/2020F00650Disability Services Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 428 15/10/2020G00400Small and Medium Enterprises � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 430 15/10/2020G01300Health and Safety Authority � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 431 15/10/2020H00550Covid-19 Pandemic Supports � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 433 15/10/2020J00500Covid-19 Pandemic Supports � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 435 15/10/2020J01300Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 437 15/10/2020N01000Tributes on Retirement of Captain of the Guard � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 444 15/10/2020N01400Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 445 15/10/2020T00100Financial Resolutions 2020 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 454 15/10/2020T00200Financial Resolution No� 7: General (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 454 15/10/2020FF00200Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 483 15/10/2020FF00400Financial Resolutions 2020 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 483 15/10/2020FF00500Financial Resolution No� 7: General (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 483 15/10/2020LL00100Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 488 15/10/2020LL00150Aviation Industry � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 488 15/10/2020NN01050Broadband Infrastructure � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 495 15/10/2020OO01300Agriculture Industry � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 498 DÁIL ÉIREANN Déardaoin, 15 Deireadh Fómhair 2020 Thursday, 15 October 2020 Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 10�30 a�m� Paidir. Prayer. 15/10/2020A00050Ceisteanna - Questions Note: Ministerial and Departmental titles have been updated in the Question text in an- ticipation of the relevant Government orders to give legal effect to the Taoiseach’s announce- ment in Dáil Éireann on 27 June 2020. 15/10/2020A00100Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions 15/10/2020A00200An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Question No� 1 is in the name of Deputy O’Reilly but will be asked by Deputy Quinlivan� 15/10/2020A00250Small and Medium Enterprises 15/10/2020A003001� Deputy Louise O’Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Em- ployment if his Department will consider the establishment of an Industrial Development Au- thority or similar styled body specifically to focus on microbusinesses, workers’ co-operatives, and small and medium-sized enterprises� [30000/20] 15/10/2020A00400Deputy Maurice Quinlivan: The question is about the establishment of an Irish enterprise agency� Will the Government consider the establishment of an Industrial Development Author- ity or similar body specifically to focus on microbusinesses, workers’ co-operatives, and small and medium-sized enterprises? 15/10/2020A00500Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Leo Varad- kar): The Government values the role of SMEs and microenterprises in our economy and as creators of employment throughout Ireland� Balancing our enterprise policy between foreign direct investment, FDI, export-only businesses and non-exporting indigenous firms is an im- portant policy consideration and one which was touched upon by the OECD in its 2019 report 412 15 October 2020 on entrepreneurship and SME policy in Ireland� The OECD report refers to 250,000 active enterprises in Ireland, of which 92% are very small businesses with ten employees or fewer� Such a high number presents challenges in terms of the State’s engagement with and support for enterprises� It also creates challenges in complying with the EU’s state aid rules� In terms of expanding the number of businesses eligible, the local enterprises offices, LEOs, have already started on this road with the productivity fund and business continuity voucher which targeted an expanded cohort of enterprises, namely, firms with up to 50 employees which would not customarily have qualified for funding. Enterprise Ireland is also working with a broader base of non-exporting SMEs, with the retail online scheme and the Covid-19 sustaining enterprise fund� Whatever overarching institutional framework we have for developing microbusinesses and SMEs, it is important that a benign environment is in place for SMEs to start up, scale up, access international markets and enable SMEs to become more productive and ready for the transition to a digital and green economy� In that context, I have established the SME growth task force as committed to in the programme for Government� The task force is designing a na- tional SME growth plan that will map out an ambitious long-term strategic blueprint for SMEs and entrepreneurs� It meets for the second time this Friday, 16 October and the possibility of establishing a new agency for SMEs will be part of its deliberations� The task force will also examine the recommendations of the 2019 OECD report, including the strategic framework and current delivery system for SME supports and entrepreneurship policy in Ireland� This new task force is composed of a broad range of business people with expertise in a range of sectors, as well as SME representative groups and other individuals uniquely positioned to contribute to a long-term vision for the SME sector and how best it can be supported by Government� I hope to receive recommendations from the task force in November� 15/10/2020A00600Deputy Maurice Quinlivan: I thank the Tánaiste for that response� As he said himself, almost 70% of people employed in Ireland are employed in small or medium enterprises� When speaking to those in these businesses, they often say they feel left behind and that successive Governments have preferred to focus on foreign direct investment instead of helping indig- enous industry� Foreign direct investment has been a crucial component of Irish industrial strategy and has been really important for my own area, the mid-west� Almost 90% of all the State’s exports originate from foreign-owned multinational corporations based in Ireland, and this acts as a boost to our GDP as well as being a significant job creator. SMEs however, are the lifeblood of the Irish economy and cannot be neglected� This is especially true as we face the twin crises of Brexit and Covid� There is an opportunity, however, in the midst of these crises for our SMEs and microbusinesses to capture the market share of any available opportunities which may arise due to Brexit in particular, and that is the reason we have put down this ques- tion� 15/10/2020A00700Deputy
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