Parliamentary questions

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]

Artificial Intelligence

James Lawless

44. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a report on the implementation of the National AI Strategy: AI – Here for Good; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5512/24]

Business Supports

Alan Farrell

45. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his Department’s efforts to support the hospitality sector. [5300/24]

Industrial Development

Cathal Crowe

46. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA supported jobs in Clare at the end of 2023; how this compares to 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5562/24]

Job Creation

Peadar Tóibín

47. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new IDA, Enterprise Ireland jobs created in each county for the past ten years. [5286/24]

Business Supports

Mairéad Farrell

48. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the increased cost of business scheme will be rolled out to businesses and how local authorities will be advertising the scheme. [5665/24]

Regional Development

Barry Cowen

49. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5449/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

50. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will ensure that additional supports will be provided to local authorities and community groups to develop enterprise centres or workspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5733/24]

Export Controls

Louise O'Reilly

51. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many dual-use licences were issued to exporters to trade in dual-use items with Israel since October 2023; if he has any concern that duel use items being traded with Israel are currently being used against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Israel-Hamas war; and what actions his Department will be taking under the Control of Exports Act 2008 to end this trade if these items are being used to target civilians and civilian infrastructure. [5574/24]

Artificial Intelligence

Jim O'Callaghan

52. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the work of the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5443/24]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

53. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on his engagement with the hospitality sector in 2024. [5570/24]

Business Supports

Claire Kerrane

54. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the roll-out of the increased cost of business scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5666/24]

Business Supports

Gary Gannon

55. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has liaised with the Garda Commissioner regarding safety measures for businesses employing members of the migrant community in the city centre following rioting in Dublin. [53624/23]

Flexible Work Practices

Peadar Tóibín

56. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many remote work places exist in each county in the country, for the past five years. [5287/24]

Trade Data

Matt Shanahan

57. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment position regarding the continuing decline in Irish overall exports over the past two years; what evaluation his Department is doing to understand any and what may be the main drivers of this export drop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5745/24]

Export Controls

Martin Browne

58. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many dual-use licences were issued to exporters to trade in dual-use items with Israel since October 2023; if he has any concern that duel use items being traded with Israel are currently being used against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Israel-Hamas war; what actions his Department has taken under the Control of Exports Act 2008 to end this trade if these items are being used to target civilians and civilian infrastructure. [5674/24]

Regional Development

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

59. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the south east enterprise plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5510/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Pádraig O'Sullivan

60. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total amount of expenditure dispensed through the Red Cross to victims of flooding last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5547/24]

Business Supports

Barry Cowen

61. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in Offaly that are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grant scheme; what discussions his Department has had with Offaly County Council in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5448/24]

Business Supports

Richard Bruton

62. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has analysed to the main sources of pressure on business costs at present, and how he believes these might best be addressed. [5742/24]

Business Supports

John Lahart

63. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in South County Dublin that are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grant scheme; what discussions his Department has had with South Dublin County Council in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5450/24]

Business Supports

Aindrias Moynihan

64. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for consideration with current financial operating difficulties experienced by SMEs to expand and provide direct financial supports to domestically focused retail, personal services, professional services and construction services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5698/24]

Work Permits

Aindrias Moynihan

65. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position on the single application procedure for a combined employment and residence permit; his engagement to date with the Minister for Justice on progressing this process to be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5697/24]

National Minimum Wage

Richard Boyd Barrett

66. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given that an increasing number of employers are in breach of national minimum wage laws, but the number of prosecutions is low, how is he going to enforce minimum wage law compliance and if there will be additional penalties to employers for minimum wage law breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5797/24]

Business Supports

Pauline Tully

67. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on his engagement with the hospitality sector in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5759/24]

White Papers

Pauline Tully

68. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps his Department took to consult with Disabled Persons Organisations, in line with Article 4 (3) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCPRD), in relation to the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5758/24]

Co-operative Sector

John Lahart

69. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for the development of the co-operative sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5451/24]

Business Supports

Niamh Smyth

70. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the supports available to businesses with the rising cost of energy in running a business, particularly those in the hospitality sector which has seen a number of closures recently. [5552/24]

Work Permits

Catherine Connolly

71. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 17 of 23 November 2023, for an update on plans to remove dental nurses from the ineligible occupation list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5480/24]

Business Supports

Jim O'Callaghan

72. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in Dublin City that are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grant scheme; what discussions his Department has had with Dublin City Council in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5442/24]

Business Supports

Joe Flaherty

73. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Longford businesses that are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grant; the discussions his Department has had with Longford County Council in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5507/24]

Export Controls

Matt Carthy

74. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in light of the order of provisional measures of 26 January 2024 by the International Justice in the case of South Africa v. Israel, if he has conducted an analysis of Ireland’s legal obligations regarding the granting of export licences for dual use commercial items with military applications; if he has sought input from the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding human rights implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5743/24]

Business Supports

Matt Shanahan

75. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department is aware of the significant pressures facing business in the restaurant and hospitality sector; the steps his Department is taking to address the challenges now being experienced in these sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5747/24]

Business Supports

Robert Troy

76. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the on the implementation of the non-financial reporting directive and what supports will be available to help businesses implement same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5648/24]

Wage-setting Mechanisms

Matt Shanahan

77. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the recent round of collective bargaining has agreed a significant increase in wages across the public service sector which will guide private sector remuneration also; the reason the relative difference in average pay disparity between public sector remuneration versus SME sector remuneration in Ireland is now among the widest in the European union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5748/24]

Industrial Development

Robert Troy

78. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the awarding of a tender for the construction of an advanced manufacturing factory at Marlinstown Business Park, Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5647/24]

Job Creation

Thomas Pringle

79. 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 County Donegal in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5780/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

80. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to ensure small businesses can remain solvent given the increase in overheads including electricity, gas, insurance, wages, rates and supplies which if passed on to the customer would lead to a loss of business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5438/24]

Intellectual Property

Richard Boyd Barrett

81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what progress he is making in addressing the concerns of actors, performers, writers and directors in the film and TV industry in relation to fully vindicating their intellectual property rights under the copyright directive and copyright legislation. [5800/24]

Work Permits

Colm Burke

82. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made to date by his Department in respect of streamlining the employment permit applications process, whereby a single application process for employment permits and entry visa applications would be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5645/24]

Business Supports

Thomas Gould

83. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the increased cost of business scheme payments will be made. [5670/24]

Job Creation

Brendan Smith

184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of employment created to date since the jobs announcement in 2019; the level of State funding provided to a company (details supplied) to create employment; the up-to-date position regarding this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5778/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

185. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding allocated to areas of expenditure (details supplied) in each of the years 2018 to 2023; if an underspend existed, by year; and the funding allocated for 2024, in tabular form. [5805/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

186. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the projects under his Department that are being funded as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan that is funded under the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility, by funding and project, in tabular form. [5837/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

187. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total amount of funding provided to businesses for support digitisation over the past five years; and the funding allocated to support firms with digitisation in 2024. [5838/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

188. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the expenditure base for his Department for the years 2024 to 2027, or as far as is projected, broken down for the expenditure base for the programme expenditure under 'jobs and enterprise development', 'enterprise innovation and commercialisation', 'regulation', listing all subheads within each, in tabular form. [5869/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

189. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the expenditure base for IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Development, InterTradeIreland, Science and Technology Development Programme, Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, Workplace Relations Programme, and the Health and Safety Authority for the years 2024 to 2027, or as far as is projected, in tabular form. [5870/24]

Legislative Measures

Pearse Doherty

190. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the provisions of the Digital Services Act with respect to online platforms which platform fraudulent advertising on their channels, the requirements, obligations and sanctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5899/24]

Enterprise Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

191. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to review the key outcomes and key impacts for the LEO network in performance budgeting; his views on the introduction of key outcomes and impacts for green budgeting across all departmental programmes, as reported on in the annual Public Service Performance Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5953/24]

Enterprise Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

192. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the targets for Green for Business take up in each county for 2024 and for an update, if available, on the applications approved, training attended or completed assessments broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5954/24]

Labour Court

Bernard Durkan

193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which action is underway to meet staff shortages in the construction sector with particular reference to the need to meet such deficiencies in full in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5971/24]

Work Permits

Bernard Durkan

194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permit-related visa applications currently awaiting process with particular reference to various aspects of the economy particularly affected by staff shortages; the extent to which this issue is being addressed in the shortest time possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5972/24]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the degree to which Irish people overseas can be encouraged to return in order to meet staff vacancies throughout industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5973/24]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which employment has fluctuated in this jurisdiction over the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5974/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Bernard Durkan

197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which working from home or working through digital hubs is being optimised and progressed with a view to ensuring the optimum results for employer, employee and the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5975/24]

Trade Data

Bernard Durkan

198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which Ireland’s trade with EU countries has fluctuated over the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5976/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Bernard Durkan

199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the degree to which his Department continues to support small and medium sized enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5977/24]

Enterprise Policy

Bernard Durkan

200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether any further particular incentives are being considered to encourage the entrepreneurial skills of younger people throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5978/24]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which this country’s workforce continues to have the increased skills necessary to meet modern market requirements; the extent to which this issue continues to be examined and addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5979/24]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of job opportunities for women likely to emerge in the manufacturing or services sectors over the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5980/24]

Sustainable Development Goals

Louise O'Reilly

134. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on action 39 of the second National Implementation Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals (details supplied) regarding business engagement with the SDGs and, in particular, which existing business forum the SDGs now exist on as a fixed agenda item, an item which was due for completion in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4970/24]

Business Supports

Emer Higgins

135. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the cost of doing business grant will be available for businesses; the criteria, and how many businesses will be supported through it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5022/24]

Employment Rights

Louise O'Reilly

136. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any further orders or agreements pertaining to increased rights, pay and conditions, for workers in the security sector that he has to sign off on; and when they can expect these to be signed off. [5056/24]

Departmental Schemes

Alan Dillon

137. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will expand the emergency humanitarian support scheme to include damage caused by storms during a red alert event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5089/24]

State Bodies

Pauline Tully

138. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of WTE, by job title, working for Enterprise Ireland office based in Melbourne, Seattle and Montreal as of 24 January 2024. [5191/24]

Business Supports

David Stanton

139. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports, if any, available to persons who plan to set up counselling services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5193/24]

Official Travel

Peadar Tóibín

140. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of times he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form. [5239/24]