An Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation leads joint Enterprise Ireland / IDA Ireland trade and investment mission to Singapore and Japan with 60 client companies.

Tánaiste, Frances Fitzgerald T.D., Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, will commence a five-day joint Enterprise Ireland / IDA Ireland trade mission to Singapore and Japan today (Monday 25^th September 2017).

The objectives of the trade mission include; supporting participating Irish companies to further their relationships with new and existing customers in Singapore and Japan, deepening relationships with existing IDA clients to secure further investments for Ireland, positioning Ireland as a post-Brexit solution for Asian companies, and promoting the potential of EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, particularly from a ‘new opportunities for Irish companies’ perspective.

An Tánaiste will have bilateral meetings with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and Minister for Trade and Industry, Lim Hng Kiang, during which she will underline Ireland’s commitment to the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, exchange views on the global and regional impact of Brexit on trade, and outline the opportunities for Singaporean firms to expand their markets in the EU using Ireland as a hub.

A number of the Enterprise Ireland client companies participating on the trade mission will announce partnerships and new business in the market.

During her visit to Japan, An Tánaiste will highlight the opportunities for Ireland arising from the EU Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. Last year saw growth of 19% in Enterprise Ireland client exports to Japan with further strong growth projected.

Speaking prior to her departure, An Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald TD said: “I am delighted to be leading this trade and investment mission to Singapore and Japan. Trade Missions are vital in helping us expand into new and emerging markets across the world. Following the UK’s decision to leave the EU, I am working closely with the agencies in my Department who have intensified their efforts on increasing the export market penetration and diversification of Irish companies into alternative markets.”

“This visit will strengthen our existing economic ties with Singapore and Japan and raise awareness of what Ireland can offer, both as a potential location for companies from the Asia-Pacific region and as a source of high-quality, innovative products and services. I look forward to engaging with key decision makers at the highest levels in Government and industry to promote Ireland as a source of world-class products and services across the healthcare, engineering, education, aerospace and digital sectors.”

Exports from Irish companies to Singapore are increasing and now many of these wish to push further into Asia.

Speaking prior to her departure for Singapore, Julie Sinnamon, CEO Enterprise Ireland said, “This mission is one of over 40 international trade visits planned for this year as part of Enterprise Ireland’s effort to grow our total client exports to €26Bn by 2020. The Asia-Pacific region delivered double-digit growth with an impressive 16% year-on-year gain making it the second-fastest growing region for our clients in 2016. This trade mission, with 60 participating Enterprise Ireland clients, is designed to build on that growth and increase our clients global reach winning more lucrative export business in Japan and the ASEAN region. As Singapore is the gateway to the wider Asia-Pacific region, Enterprise Ireland is delighted to be expanding our resources in Singapore over the coming months to further support our clients’ business ambitions”.

Martin Shanahan, CEO IDA Ireland said “A critical strategic focus for IDA is its commitment to win more investment from the Asia – Pacific region.  IDA Ireland has significantly increased its team in this market in recent years and we are 16% ahead of target at the midpoint of our ‘Winning: Foreign Direct Investment 2015-2019’ strategy in terms of investment wins from the Growth Markets region.”

IDA Ireland considers Ireland an excellent fit for companies in this region looking to locate part of their business in Europe.  As a committed member of the EU, Ireland has excellent mix of talent, track record and a pro-business environment to offer potential and existing client companies, across a number of sectors. 

We use these opportunities to meet with clients in their own headquarters where we can deepen existing relationships and hopefully attract new business to Ireland.”

During the trade mission, Án Tánaiste will promote Ireland and its world-class companies during a series of high level business engagements, including an address to Keidanren, Japan’s largest business association with over 1,600 members, covering Ireland’s Economy, Trade & Investment, the Japan-Europe Economic Partnership Agreement and Brexit, and a networking event hosted by the Irish Ambassador to Singapore for the Irish Diaspora and wider Irish Community.

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New Junior Cycle specifications for Irish, Modern Foreign Languages and Visual Art launched in Coláiste Bríde

Local TD and Tánaiste, Frances Fitzgerald TD this morning welcomed the new Junior Cycle specifications for Irish, Modern Foreign Languages and Visual Art and the introduction of the new Junior Cycle Wellbeing programme. The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD visited Coláiste Bríde, Clondalkin to mark the occasion.


Speaking about the new specifications launched today Fitzgerald commented; “The strengthening of Irish is a core goal of the Government’s 20 year strategy on the Irish Language. The introduction of new specifications for Junior Cycle Irish represents a significant change from existing approaches to the teaching, learning and assessment of Irish at junior cycle level.

“The new Junior Cycle specifications for Irish will place a strong focus on the spoken language. Emphasis will be put on Irish as the language of learning and communication in classrooms as well as an emphasis on the skills required to communicate effectively with other users of the language. Communication, opportunities for use and interaction are central to classroom tasks. It is particularly pertinent that this new specifications are being launched here in Clondalkin, which has a strong community of Gaeilgeoirí based around Aras Chronain.

€20,000 Government Funding For Local Tourism Projects in Lucan and Clondalkin

 

Frances Fitzgerald, Tánaiste and Local TD, has today welcomed funding for two local projects in Lucan and Clondalkin under the Governments’ 2017 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

The funding is part of a €11million scheme for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and the maintenance, enhancement and promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in Ireland.

Speaking about the announcement today, Fitzgerald commented “I am delighted to welcome funding of €20,000 for the provision of signage to two local tourism projects in Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan and the Camac Greenway, Clondalkin. This funding encapsulates the diversity of work that is ongoing across the country to provide high quality recreational infrastructure for visitors and locals alike.   

“Recreational tourism is growing year on year and so it is crucial we continue to improve facilities and encourage more visitors. Figures from Fáilte Ireland show that the hiking and cycling tourism markets are worth approximately €1.2 billion to the Irish economy.

"Aside from the obvious tourism benefits, it’s also hugely important that we maintain and develop our outdoor infrastructure to encourage everyone to keep fit and live a healthy active lifestyle.

“Eighty per cent of each project is funded by the Government grant, with South Dublin County Council making up the difference. The Council in conjunction with local communities have spent significant time and effort developing the project proposals over the last number of months and I am very happy the Government is able to provide the financial resources necessary to support so many projects across the country.

“I want to commend the Council for their consistent focus on enhancing the tourism prospective in the County. The Round Tower Interpretative Centre in Clondalkin has just opened recently and is seeing fantastic results in attracting tourists to the area. I firmly believe that the continued development of our recreational infrastructure will not only support our tourism potential, but will also provide a diverse range of recreation options for local communities to support their own health and fitness and enjoy the outdoors with their families.”

ENDS

 

Fitzgerald welcomes proposals to increase National Minimum Wage by 30c

Local TD and Minister for Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald has today announced that the Low Pay Commission is recommending an increase to the minimum wage of 30 cents, bringing it to €9.55 per hour. 

In its report to the Minister Fitzgerald, the Low Pay Commission sets out the range of data it has considered in recommending the increase, including risks to the economy and international comparative research.  The Commission also sought submissions from interested parties and consulted directly with workers and employers in relevant economic sectors.   

Speaking after Cabinet discussed the matter today; Fitzgerald said “I warmly welcome the recommendation to increase the National Minimum Wage by 30c. Increasing the minimum wage is just one tool in a wider Government programme to help the lower paid and incentivise people into work. New childcare subsidies are coming on stream in September and I am progressing a set of new proposals to address zero hour contracts, low hour contracts, banded hours and related matters to help combat the issues of so-called precarious employment in a balanced way. 

Increased numbers of SNA’s for local schools

Local TD and Tánaiste, Frances Fitzgerald has today (Wednesday) welcomed the provision

of over additional Special Needs Assistants to schools in Dublin for the coming year.

The allocation is part of a national provision of 975 additional Special Needs Assistants which will be available for allocation to schools over the period September to December 2017, a 7.5% increase, in order to meet the level of assessed demand.

Fitzgerald said: “This increase reflects the growing participation of children with special educational needs in our local schools and will support their full participation and progression within the educational system.

“Today’s announcement reflects the Government’s commitment to ensure that all children with special educational needs can maximise their potential. I am in regular discussion with my Cabinet colleague, Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton, highlighting the need for extra supports for children with special needs in local schools.

“The extra posts announced today will ensure that every child that needs access to SNA support in schools across Lucan, Palmerstown, Clondalkin and the Four Districts can receive this support.