Parliamentary questions

Business Supports

Joe Flaherty

72. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois, respectively, that have registered for the increased cost of business Grant to date; when payments under the grant will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16881/24]

Business Supports

Niamh Smyth

73. 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. [16698/24]

Business Regulation

Pádraig O'Sullivan

74. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for a range of measures to reduce red tape and the administrative burden on business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16940/24]

Work Permits

Christopher O'Sullivan

75. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what communication took place with the food processing sector around the introduction of the changes to the work permit legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17069/24]

Export Controls

Catherine Connolly

76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 27 of 8 February 2024, 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. [16847/24]

Employment Rights

Darren O'Rourke

77. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the number of statutory sick days will increase as per the timeline of seven days from January 2025 and ten days from January 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16987/24]

Employment Rights

Louise O'Reilly

78. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the paper from a report by an organisation (details supplied) ‘Challenging Myths and Improving Working Conditions in a Strong Economy’. [16750/24]

Insurance Industry

James Lawless

79. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his response to the Central Bank report that shows a large decrease in the cost of settling insurance claims through the Injuries Resolution Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16910/24]

Business Supports

Michael Moynihan

80. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Cork and Kerry, respectively, that have to date registered for the increased cost of business grant; when payments under the grant will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16931/24]

Work Permits

Catherine Connolly

81. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 341 of 20 March 2024, for an update on plans to remove dental nurses from the ineligible occupation list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16846/24]

National Minimum Wage

Louise O'Reilly

82. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the possibility of the State providing supports for businesses in meeting their obligations as regards a living wage, where the business in question has taken a case to the Labour Court under section 41 of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. [16751/24]

Artificial Intelligence

Jim O'Callaghan

83. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his response to the recent approval of AI legislation by the European Parliament; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16888/24]

Business Supports

Thomas Gould

84. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if business in Cork have received payment under the increased cost of business scheme. [16993/24]

Insurance Industry

Jim O'Callaghan

86. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his response to the recent Supreme Court ruling in relation to the personal injuries guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16889/24]

Employment Rights

Pauline Tully

87. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of a campaign (details supplied) being run by organisations; if he will meet with the four unions in relation to the campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17019/24]

Employment Rights

Aindrias Moynihan

88. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the Assessment of the Cumulative Impact of Proposed Measures to Improve Working Condition in Ireland; his plans for implementing the recommendations of this assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17028/24]

Business Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

89. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford that have registered to date for the increased cost of business, ICOB, grant; when payments under the grant will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16879/24]

Regional Development

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

90. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the implementation of the south-east regional enterprise plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16880/24]

Regional Development

Michael Moynihan

91. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a report on the implementation of the south-west regional enterprise plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16932/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Fergus O'Dowd

92. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will meet with the local business community and stakeholders in Drogheda to discuss their significant concerns on employment and trade within the town of Drogheda, the largest town in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16860/24]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

93. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how he is ensuring that workers in the technology sector facing redundancies are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17048/24]

Business Supports

Holly Cairns

94. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that will be make available for small businesses struggling with the increased cost of operating a business. [17042/24]

Poverty Data

Brian Stanley

95. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the scale of in-work-poverty, where, according to CSO data, the rate stands at 5.9%; and the role that a living wage plays in combatting this. [16835/24]

Farm Safety

Alan Dillon

96. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the farm safety partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8377/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

97. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress to date in implementing the measures to assist businesses to meet additional costs, as announced in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16981/24]

Consumer Prices

Bernard Durkan

98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the causes of inflation, both internal and external, and their effects on business, trade and enterprise; the efforts to date in identifying the causes of possible remedies, with particular reference to remedial action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16934/24]

Business Supports

Pádraig O'Sullivan

99. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the first payments under the increased cost of business grant will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16939/24]

Trade Data

Catherine Connolly

100. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total value of Ireland’s imports from Israel since 7 October 2023; the total value of Ireland’s exports to Israel since 7 October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16848/24]

Enterprise Policy

Bernard Durkan

101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to remain satisfied that any threats to enterprise, trade and employment continue to be adequately monitored in order to ensure provision is made, insofar as is possible, for both foreseen and unforeseen eventualities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16933/24]

Business Supports

Catherine Connolly

102. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps being taken by his Department to assist businesses in Ireland to decarbonise, particularly in light of the findings of a report (details supplied) which found that 86% of businesses reported that they had no set commitments or targets in relation to carbon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16849/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

103. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that will be implemented to assist businesses, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors, and also small-scale manufacturing, to meet additional costs and protect employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16980/24]

Business Supports

James Lawless

104. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Kildare, Wicklow, Meath and Louth, respectively, that have registered for the increased cost of business grant to date; when payments under the grant will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16883/24]

National Minimum Wage

Louise O'Reilly

105. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he intends to bring forward new legislation to transpose the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages; and if he will meet with four unions (details supplied) in relation to a campaign and the transposition of this directive. [16845/24]

Co-operative Sector

Louise O'Reilly

106. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether employee-owned businesses and workers co-operatives offer a solution to succession crises, where they arise, among family-owned businesses; and if he will expedite the delivery of the co-operative societies Bill, inclusive of the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment. [16753/24]

Business Supports

Niamh Smyth

107. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what supports are in place for financial assistance by way of grants for the self-employed; what agencies offer these supports in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16699/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Fergus O'Dowd

108. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will organise urgent meetings with officials within his Department to formulate a dedicated plan to provide employment in Drogheda, with consideration of the very significant number of workers commuting from the town daily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16859/24]

Business Supports

Jackie Cahill

109. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Tipperary, Limerick and Clare, respectively, that have registered for the increased cost of business grant to date; when payments under the grant will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16884/24]

Insurance Industry

Jackie Cahill

110. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform measures that fall under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16885/24]

Business Supports

Mairéad Farrell

111. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide the most up-to-date information regarding the increased cost of business scheme; if the scheme is open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16768/24]

Regional Development

Joe Flaherty

112. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the progress being made to acquire an IDA Ireland purpose-built facility in Longford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16882/24]

Insurance Industry

John Lahart

113. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if new mediation measures are providing a significant step change for resolving insurance claims nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16887/24]

Business Supports

Pearse Doherty

114. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider supports for businesses facing increased labour costs through the PRSI system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17062/24]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

115. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to improve job quality and pay in the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17046/24]

Employment Rights

Holly Cairns

116. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his Department’s plans to implement the statutory sick pay scheme. [17043/24]

Business Supports

Cathal Crowe

117. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will give positive consideration to introducing supports to struggling small and medium-sized businesses to meet the increased costs they are facing. [16694/24]

Referendum Campaigns

David Stanton

118. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the current situation with respect to the proposed referendum on the Unified Patent Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17004/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Ged Nash

119. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his position on the planned referendum on the United Patent Court ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17053/24]

Business Supports

Darren O'Rourke

120. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on progress on industrial heat decarbonisation; the supports available for industry to decarbonise; his plans to increase these supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16988/24]

National Minimum Wage

Brian Stanley

121. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of times the Labour Employer Economic Forum subgroup on collective bargaining has met in 2024; and if he can provisionally indicate when 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 will be published. [16834/24]

Legislative Process

Bríd Smith

122. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will ensure the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021 will progress through Committee Stage; if not, how he will ensure the rights of retired workers are protected when their pensions are being altered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17047/24]