Parliamentary questions

Regulatory Bodies

Pauline Tully

252. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of WTE forensic accountants working in the Corporate Enforcement Authority as of 26 February 2024; if he will provide the same figures as of 31 December 2022, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased during 2024. [10265/24]

Work Permits

Carol Nolan

253. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he will publish the results of the consultation on the work permit review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10297/24]

Departmental Properties

Matt Carthy

254. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the ground rents payable by his Department, or agencies under its remit, by named property, by name of landlord and by amount payable, in the years 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10412/24]

Work Permits

Matt Carthy

255. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current number of work permits allocated for motor/auto mechanics; if he proposes to increase that number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10578/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Brendan Smith

256. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will give urgent and detailed consideration to the issues outlined in correspondence from a business group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10696/24]

Work Permits

David Cullinane

257. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he will publish the results of the consultation on the work permit review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10775/24]

EU Funding

Holly Cairns

174. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide a breakdown of all EU funding made available to his Department which has not yet been allocated; and the purpose for which this funding has been made available by the EU. [9803/24]

Work Permits

Bernard Durkan

175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the procedure to be followed to obtain a work permit in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9897/24]

Trade Relations

Paul Murphy

37. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware that Ireland imported €5.08 billion of goods from Israel in 2022 and €2.15 billion worth in 2021 (details supplied), yet in 2020, imports were only €138 million, which was par for the course on previous years; what precipitated the jump in trade after 2020; and as a significant trading partner with Israel, what part is Ireland playing in terms of trade in the cessation of the horrific events in Palestine. [9486/24]

Work Permits

Thomas Pringle

38. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason additional payments are now required for two Chinese nationals (details supplied) who have been working in Ireland for a number of years and currently have valid work permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9619/24]

Employment Rights

Brendan Smith

170. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the deductions payable by employers when they make a statutory sick payment to an employee; the reason these differ from those payable by the State under illness benefit; if he will amend statutory sick pay criteria to align them with illness benefit in relation to PRSI, USC and employer’s PRSI deductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8621/24]

Consumer Prices

Louise O'Reilly

171. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the use of dynamic pricing models by primary ticket sellers for tickets for cultural, entertainment and recreational events (details supplied); if he will consider amending the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021 to prohibit primary ticket sellers from using dynamic pricing models; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8638/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Griffin

172. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will introduce a financial support package for small businesses and rural pubs to offset the recent increase in the minimum wage, VAT and energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8734/24]

Job Losses

Ivana Bacik

173. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has engaged with management at a company (details supplied) since it was announced that the firm would be making a portion of its workforce redundant; and if he will make a statement on job losses in the technology sector more generally. [8756/24]

Trade Data

Paul Donnelly

174. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of trade between Kuwait and Ireland in 2023. [8869/24]

Trade Data

Paul Donnelly

175. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of trade between Qatar and Ireland in 2023. [8870/24]

Export Controls

Patrick Costello

176. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a list of companies in Ireland that currently have dual-use export licences, in tabular form; the export value of each company for 2022 and 2023; the details of the products they are producing; and if he can guarantee that none of these components and weapons are being used for the purpose of the taking of human life, either directly or enabling that process. [8923/24]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

177. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in cases in which a worker is not under the provisions of the new statutory sick scheme for workers because they are deemed to be in an employer scheme which is more beneficial, if such workers now effectively have six waiting days before they can access social protection payments; if employers that operate such sick schemes have any legal obligation to pay a worker for days four, five and six under current legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9179/24]

Consumer Rights

John Lahart

178. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given some recent media highlighting of various issues, if he can make a statement in relation to a company website (details supplied) which acts as an agent for processing tax returns on behalf of individuals, and particularly the costs or charges that this company imposes; and whether consumer rights are protected in this regard. [9233/24]

Business Supports

Paul Donnelly

179. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the budget allocation in 2023 and 2024 for the innovation voucher scheme, in tabular form. [9249/24]

Employment Rights

Ivana Bacik

180. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his engagement with external stakeholders in respect of the provision of paid leave for persons who have experienced a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks' gestation, or to facilitate access to reproductive healthcare treatments; if he will list the stakeholders which have made representations to him on the matters; and the position of his Department in respect of the measure. [9311/24]

Consumer Prices

Ged Nash

181. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will request the CCPC to investigate the practices and pricing within the infant formula market under his powers in section 10 (4) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9371/24]

Export Controls

Matt Carthy

182. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 8 February 2024, if in light of concerns related to the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, he will provide additional information which would allay concerns that export licences may been issued for products or components used by military forces or for military applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9381/24]

Data Centres

Cormac Devlin

183. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the location of the data centre or centres used by his Department; the reason it was chosen; the distance it is from his Department’s offices; if he will identify the centres used by each agency under his Department’s aegis; and the distance these data centres are to their offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9387/24]

Work Permits

Mairéad Farrell

121. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if psychotherapists accredited by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy are considered under the medical professional occupation category for critical skills employment permits. [8437/24]

Trade Relations

Denis Naughten

122. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement he has had with his EU counterparts on revising the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism to ensure that any revenues generated from taxing imports would be ring-fenced to help poorer countries to scale up to less intensive carbon intensive production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8492/24]

Industrial Development

Ged Nash

123. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the timeline for completion and delivery of the planned IDA-backed advance facility in Drogheda, County Louth; the sector or purpose for which the facility will be marketed to potential IDA clients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8517/24]

Business Supports

Joe Carey

124. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the cost of business grant scheme will be open for applications; the length of time the application process is expected to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8530/24]

Business Supports

Ged Nash

125. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of the impact on the local economy of the decision made by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth to use all beds in a hotel (details supplied) in Drogheda to accommodate international protection applicants from March 2024; if he, his officials and local agencies will introduce a package of supports for local businesses to mitigate the anticipated loss of revenue to the local economy as a consequence of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8539/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Bernard Durkan

126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of help and support his Department can offer to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8584/24]

Business Supports

Niamh Smyth

241. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what supports are in place for financial assistance by way of grants for a sole trader (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7410/24]

Fire Safety

Christopher O'Sullivan

242. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any regulations surrounding fire retardancy on furniture goods sold in Ireland and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7483/24]

Employment Rights

Paul Murphy

243. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any guidelines for businesses to follow in relation to employees who are in the process of IVF; are employees provided with any protections in terms of guaranteed time off for medical appointments, job security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7498/24]

Work Permits

Niamh Smyth

244. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to review the case of a person (details supplied); to provide advice on how they can get staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8093/24]

Fire Safety

Christopher O'Sullivan

190. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the review that was set up in response to the Irish regulations surrounding fire retardancy on furniture goods sold in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7217/24]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

114. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA sponsored companies per county; and the number of jobs in IDA sponsored companies, by county, in tabular form. [6736/24]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

115. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Enterprise Ireland sponsored companies per county; the number of jobs in Enterprise Ireland sponsored companies, by county, in tabular form. [6737/24]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

116. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of LEO sponsored companies per county; and the number of jobs in LEO sponsored companies, by county, in tabular form. [6738/24]

Business Supports

Catherine Connolly

117. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many businesses in County Galway are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grant; what engagement his Department has had with Galway City and County Councils in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6740/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

118. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6758/24]

Export Controls

Matt Carthy

119. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of dual-use export licences issued in relation to Israel in 2023; the value in relation to such exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6928/24]

Export Controls

Matt Carthy

120. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of dual-use export licences applied for in relation to Israel since 1 January 2023; the number approved; if the Department of Foreign Affairs were consulted and if any concerns were expressed in relation to human rights; the value in relation to such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6929/24]

Export Controls

Matt Carthy

121. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of the statements of the Chief Financial Officer of a Japanese company (details supplied) in relation to their suspension of a memorandum of understanding with an Israeli military manufacturer and such action being taken in consideration of the ruling of the International Court of Justice of 26 January 2024 in the case of South Africa v. Israel; if he has considered suspending the granting of exporting licences to Israel in light of the judgement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6930/24]

Export Controls

Matt Carthy

122. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if in light of suspension of two export licences in relation to the export of gunpowder to Israel by the government of Wallonia, he believes that the order for provisional measures of the International Court of Justice of 26 January 2024 in the case of South Africa v. Israel may have implications regarding the issuance of export licences for dual-use items to Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6931/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

123. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when details of the increased cost of business scheme grant will be announced; the number of businesses eligible for this scheme in Cavan and in Monaghan; if his Department has engaged with local authorities in relation to this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7100/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

124. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that will be introduced to assist small and medium enterprises with increased costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7101/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

125. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if specific measures will be introduced to assist small and medium enterprises in the hospitality sector with increased costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7102/24]

Work Permits

David Stanton

250. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment with reference to the Report Stage debate of 31 January 2024 on the Employment Permits Bill 2022, the progress, if any, that his Department has made in facilitating spouses or partners of those working in Ireland under intra-company transfer employment permits to gain access to the labour market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6133/24]

Job Losses

Thomas Gould

251. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions he has taken to reduce job losses at a company (details supplied) in Cork and ensure staff are reemployed quickly. [6141/24]

Departmental Schemes

Cormac Devlin

252. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of cost-of-doing-business grants processed by his Department by 6 February 2024, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6245/24]

Enterprise Policy

Cormac Devlin

253. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to detail the pro-enterprise measures taken by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6246/24]

Industrial Disputes

Michael McNamara

254. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Ireland will make a contribution to the International Court of Justice proceedings, convened at the request of the ILO, to urgently render an advisory opinion on whether the right to strike of workers and their organisations is protected under ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association, to which the International Court of Justice has invited state parties to the Convention, such as Ireland, to submit written contributions on the question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6280/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

255. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of local enterprise applications received by county in tabular form; and the number that were successful and the number are refused in 2022 and 2023. [6299/24]

Waste Management

Róisín Shortall

256. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he plans to engage with companies providing residential waste collection services in respect of them raising the price of bin collections for households, in some instances several times in a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6531/24]

Work Permits

Patrick Costello

257. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 7 February 2024, how many applications for a general employment permit for a mechanic role have been submitted in 2023 and 2024; how many have been awarded in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6583/24]

Enterprise Policy

Alan Kelly

258. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Enterprise Ireland intends to open an office in Mexico City. [6595/24]

Industrial Development

Alan Kelly

259. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of capital funding allocated to IDA Ireland for its Regional Property Programme in 2023 and 2024, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6596/24]

Wage-setting Mechanisms

Louise O'Reilly

1. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the action plan on collective bargaining coverage to be presented to the European Commission as part of its transposition of the EU directive on adequate minimum wages. [5921/24]

Work Permits

Ged Nash

2. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for a pause in the increase to the minimum salary threshold in respect of the non-EEA general employment permit scheme for healthcare assistants; if he will consider the introduction of a JLC-ERO system to apply to healthcare assistants in the private nursing homes and home care sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5990/24]

Employment Rights

Louise O'Reilly

3. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the WRC "code of practice" on remote working. [5571/24]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what measures he is considering to ensure that workers in the film industry who are subject to multiple successive fixed-term contracts, have their rights under fixed-term workers legislation fully vindicated, and have their service to the industry properly recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5798/24]

Business Supports

Cathal Crowe

5. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many businesses in Clare are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grant; what discussions his Department has had with Clare County Council in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5563/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Alan Farrell

6. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to detail his Department’s plans to support the SME sector in Ireland in 2024. [5299/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

David Stanton

7. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the number of applications received, approved and rejected under the emergency business flood relief scheme administered by the Red Cross on behalf of his Department; the total spend to date on the scheme; the flexibility with regard to the administration of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5576/24]

Industrial Development

Joe Flaherty

8. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on progress made to acquire an IDA Ireland purpose built facility in Longford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5508/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Jackie Cahill

9. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what measures he is taking to support the SME sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5566/24]

Work Permits

David Stanton

10. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 11 and 23 of 29 June 2023, if he is considering bringing forward measures to allow labour market access to the partners and spouses of intra-company transfer employment permits holders, similar to that of partners and spouses of critical skills employment permit holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5575/24]

Corporate Governance

Catherine Connolly

11. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been brought to a recently published report (details supplied) which outlined that over half of the 50 largest companies in the Irish economy scored 30% or less on corporate uptake of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5479/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Michael Moynihan

12. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of local enterprise office supported jobs in Cork at the end of 2023; how this compares to 2022, 2021 and 2020 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5556/24]

Company Closures

Louise O'Reilly

13. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the increased level of insolvencies in 2023. [5573/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Richard Bruton

14. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for strengthening the capacity of the LEO network to give specialist support to enterprises, with varying needs and regional specialisms, within their remit and to the development of regional centres of excellence. [5741/24]

Employment Rights

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what his role is in ensuring full compliance with employment legislation and workers right in the film TV arts and audio visual sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5801/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Niamh Smyth

16. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to review correspondence (details supplied); and what supports are open from his Department to assist struggling SMEs like this. [5551/24]

Business Supports

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

17. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when is the rollout of the increased cost of business scheme going to happen and will he elaborate on the mechanics of the scheme; whether it has sufficient funding to address the crisis in small businesses and prevent a further raft of closures, especially among the hospitality businesses such as cafés and pubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5439/24]

Business Supports

Martin Browne

18. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on his engagement with the hospitality sector in 2024. [5673/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

19. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the climate action plan 2023; the proportion that are complete and the proportion that are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 climate action plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5668/24]

Business Supports

Brian Stanley

20. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for details of the increased costs of business grants announced in the budget; the amount per grant and when the scheme will begin. [5280/24]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

21. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the increased cost of business scheme will be rolled out to business. [5572/24]

Business Supports

Pádraig O'Sullivan

22. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the increased cost of business scheme will be activated as part of budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5546/24]

Job Creation

Thomas Pringle

23. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the funding and job creation measures his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have undertaken in Killybegs, County Donegal for each year of the lifetime of the current Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5781/24]

Construction Industry

Matt Shanahan

24. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Minister has highlighted developing policy to approve new modular construction design technologies that could be deployed in Ireland; if he will outline progress in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5749/24]

Business Supports

Brian Leddin

25. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline supports for the SME sector, particularly enterprises with less than ten employees, to assist with escalating operating costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5756/24]

Business Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

26. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Carlow businesses that are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grant; the discussions his Department has had with Carlow County Council in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5509/24]

Export Controls

Catherine Connolly

27. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of dual-use export licence applications in respect of end-users in Israel approved by his Department since 7 October 2023; the value of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5477/24]

Job Losses

Thomas Gould

28. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement that has taken place to support workers in VMWare in Ballincollig who face redundancy. [5669/24]

Climate Action Plan

Brian Leddin

29. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a progress update on his Department’s actions under Climate Action 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5757/24]

Regional Development

Catherine Connolly

30. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 18 of 23 November 2023, the status of the implementation of the west regional enterprise plan to 2024; the date of all meetings to-date of the steering group; to provide an update on the most recent meeting of the steering group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5481/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

31. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of supports that are available to local authorities and community groups for the development of enterprise centres or workspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5732/24]

Business Supports

Jackie Cahill

32. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many businesses in Tipperary are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grant; what discussions his Department has had with Tipperary County Council in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5565/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

33. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress to develop an approach to the retrofit of the commercial stock as outlined in the climate action plan; the progress on the commercial built action roadmap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5667/24]

Low Pay

Richard Boyd Barrett

34. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given the new information from the ESRI on low pay work, if he will consider the abolishment of sub-minimum wage rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5799/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Bernard Durkan

35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current strategy in place to assistance small businesses; whether any further initiatives are contemplated in this regard in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5675/24]

Trade Agreements

Matt Carthy

36. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his engagements regarding the Mercosur Trade Agreement. [5744/24]

Departmental Priorities

Catherine Connolly

37. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 23 November 2023, for an update on his Department’s engagement with the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to developing a new business and human rights action plan and implementation body; the number of meetings held to-date by the stakeholder forum; the dates of same; the terms of reference of the stakeholder forum; the expected timeline for the new national plan on business and human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5478/24]

Business Supports

James Lawless

38. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Kildare businesses that are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business (ICOB) grant; the discussions his Department has had with Kildare County Council in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5511/24]

Industrial Development

Alan Dillon

39. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the number of IDA and Enterprise Ireland backed jobs and companies in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5730/24]

Legislative Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

40. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the legislative programme. [3494/24]

Construction Industry

Ruairí Ó Murchú

41. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work being done in his Department to promote the use of modern methods of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5719/24]

Business Supports

Michael Moynihan

42. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of County Cork businesses that are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grant; the discussions his Department has had with Cork County Council in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5555/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Ruairí Ó Murchú

43. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will give and update on the work that is being done by his Department, with other Government Departments and State agencies; to find solutions for those who live in the North and work remotely for southern-based companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5718/24]