Parliamentary questions

Equal Opportunities Employment

Pauline Tully

428. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in line with Action 79 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, he has plans to develop a long-term plan for the State to provide a high-quality public employment service directly to autistic people and disabled people to ensure equal availability of employment services to disabled people across the State; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57268/23]

Equal Opportunities Employment

Pauline Tully

429. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in line with Action 86 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, he has plans to ensure that all Departments and State agencies meet their targets to employ autistic people and disabled people; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57275/23]

Health and Safety

Richard Boyd Barrett

430. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what recourse an employee has when the regulations on the right to sit in SI. No. 358/1995 are not being adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57322/23]

Work Permits

Paul Kehoe

431. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the latest minimum income requirement from January 2024 for a horticulture work permit renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57377/23]

State Bodies

Catherine Murphy

432. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated full-year cost to recruit one additional WTE overseas manager and one extra WTE senior market adviser for Enterprise Ireland; and the Civil Service grades these posts are normally filled by. [1085/24]

Trade Missions

Paul Donnelly

433. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Enterprise Ireland is planning a trade mission to the west coast of the US in Q1 2024. [1131/24]

State Bodies

Paul Donnelly

434. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of WTE vacancies by job title at Health and Safety Authority as of 4 January 2024; the estimated full year cost of filling each of those vacancies; and when he expects these vacancies be filled, in tabular form. [1132/24]

Work Permits

Brendan Howlin

435. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the new minimum salary requirements for general employment permits announced by his Department will also apply to existing permit holders when they apply to renew their permits to work in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1213/24]

Business Supports

Michael Healy-Rae

436. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when details of the temporary supports package for small businesses will be announced to help with the increase to the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1217/24]

Work Permits

Paul Kehoe

437. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether the increase in the minimum salary requirement for new general employment permits to €39,000 will apply to existing permit holders when they apply for permit renewal after 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1218/24]

Work Permits

Róisín Shortall

438. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he or the Minister of State with responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail will meet with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to changes to the work permit scheme for non-EEA healthcare assistants; the steps he is taking to address the concerns raised in correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1238/24]

Departmental Meetings

Paul Donnelly

439. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he or any of officials at the grade of administrative officer and above met the CEO of a company (details supplied) in 2023. [1295/24]

European Council

Catherine Murphy

440. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the next EU Council of Trade Ministers meeting is scheduled to take place. [1358/24]

Legislative Measures

Sorca Clarke

441. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 in relation to fertility treatment and miscarriage leave. [1462/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Ring

442. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to a parliamentary question (details supplied), to issue a letter on the relevant Department headed notepaper to a person in County Mayo, confirming payment under a scheme, as this person requires this letter urgently for the bank. [1505/24]

Artificial Intelligence

David Stanton

443. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the work of the AI advisory council; to outline the scope of the council’s mandate; the membership of the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1735/24]

Workplace Relations Commission

Louise O'Reilly

444. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount in unpaid wages that has been returned to workers following workplace investigations by the Workplace Relations Commission, by sector and value of wages, in 2023, in tabular form. [1787/24]

Workplace Relations Commission

Louise O'Reilly

445. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections carried out by the Workplace Relations Commission in 2023, by NACE sector; the number of breaches detected; the types of breaches detected; and the counties in which the breaches were detected, in tabular form. [1788/24]

Workplace Relations Commission

Louise O'Reilly

446. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of cases settled in favour of workers in 2023; and the total amount of compensation awarded by the WRC to these workers. [1789/24]

Export Controls

Louise O'Reilly

447. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has investigated whether dual-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 2023 to end this trade if these items are being used to target civilians and civilian infrastructure. [1793/24]

Economic Sanctions

Louise O'Reilly

448. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what powers his Department has to enact trade sanctions against Israel as a mechanism to stop the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Israel-Hamas war; what powers rest at EU level; if he will give a breakdown of the powers that he has and the powers the EU has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1794/24]

Work Permits

Éamon Ó Cuív

449. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits issued by his Department in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1807/24]

Work Permits

Paul McAuliffe

450. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to work permits for the home care sector, the number of work permit applications received since the scheme opened in January 2023; the number of work permits issued; the number of applications returned at initial applications pre-check stage; the number of other applications rejected and the number of applications currently in processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1833/24]

Departmental Data

Jim O'Callaghan

451. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA-supported jobs in each county at the end of 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1868/24]

Departmental Data

Jim O'Callaghan

452. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Enterprise Ireland-]supported jobs in each county at the end of 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1869/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Jim O'Callaghan

453. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Local Enterprise Office supported jobs in each county at the end of 2023, in tabular from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1870/24]

Business Supports

Colm Burke

454. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the increased cost of business scheme announced as part of Budget 2024 will be made available to businesses along with the criteria for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1932/24]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

455. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the provision of State supports for businesses damaged and affected due to the riots in Dublin on 23 November 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1950/24]

Departmental Strategies

Cormac Devlin

456. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to detail the calendar of events proposed for the duration of Ireland's chairmanship of the D9+ Group and the plans to involve Ireland's telecommunications, data and data centre sector in the running of events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1997/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Jim O'Callaghan

457. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the key supports his Department is providing for the SME sector. [2096/24]

Departmental Schemes

Mairéad Farrell

253. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how an SME can apply for the increased cost of business scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55849/23]

Constitutional Amendments

David Stanton

254. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on plans to hold a referendum on the Unified Patent Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55887/23]

Work Permits

Colm Burke

255. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 19 October 2023, to provide an update in respect of the legal drafting of provisions for a seasonal employment permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55888/23]

Work Permits

Colm Burke

256. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 19 October 2023, the progress made to date in respect of the Employment Permits Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55889/23]

Industrial Development

Alan Kelly

257. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of WTE staff, by job title, working in the IDA office based in Dubai and Sydney, as of 6 December 2023; and if he will provide the same figures as of 31 January 2022, in tabular form. [55900/23]

Industrial Development

Alan Kelly

258. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of WTE staff, by job title, working in the Enterprise Ireland office based in San Francisco and Vietnam, as of 6 December 2023; and if he will provide the same figures as of 31 January 2022, in tabular form. [55901/23]

Departmental Bodies

Rose Conway-Walsh

259. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total funding provided to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission each year since 2006; the number of people employed by the CCPC since 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55920/23]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Éamon Ó Cuív

260. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [55993/23]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Éamon Ó Cuív

261. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56013/23]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Éamon Ó Cuív

262. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 20% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56031/23]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Éamon Ó Cuív

263. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo an céatadán 20% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56049/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

264. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56106/23]

Industrial Development

Rose Conway-Walsh

265. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the proposed industrial park for Ballina, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56203/23]

Enterprise Policy

Jim O'Callaghan

266. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extra supports provided to local enterprise offices since the current Government was formed in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56207/23]

Regional Aid

Jim O'Callaghan

267. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the implementation of each of the Regional Enterprise Plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56208/23]

Business Supports

Colm Burke

83. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what options are under consideration by the Government to help energy intensive industries with energy costs following his decision to join the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland and The Netherlands in asking the EU Commission that the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework not be extended beyond 31 December 2023. [55463/23]

Business Supports

Colm Burke

84. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Government’s response to the European Commission proposal to extend the crisis element of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework to 31 March 2024, at the request of the German and French governments. [55464/23]

Business Supports

Colm Burke

85. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many companies based in Ireland have availed of the support under section 2.4 of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, and the amounts involved. [55465/23]

Business Supports

Colm Burke

86. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department would consider supporting energy intensive industries in quarter 1 2024 using the crisis provisions of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, despite the joint letter signed by the Minister asking that said provision not be extended beyond 31 December 2023. [55466/23]

Legislative Measures

Brian Stanley

87. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department is considering the introduction of further legislation to support the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to detect bid rigging in public procurement processes. [55595/23]