Parliamentary questions

Foreign Direct Investment

Brendan Griffin

41. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the best way in which to attract further foreign direct investment jobs for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34933/20]

Data Centres

Denis Naughten

42. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions his officials have had with IDA Ireland with regard to the development of data centres in line with the policy of locating them in areas with grid capacity and only in cases in which there is an employment dividend associated with their development; if an evaluation has been conducted by his Department of the estimated impact of all 55 current data centres and the over 30 planned data centres on the cost of electricity to other commercial and industrial users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34991/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bernard Durkan

43. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he remains satisfied that the Covid-19 related supports provided are adequately addressing the negative aspects of Covid-19 on the economy and its ability to recover in the short to medium-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35094/20]

Company Liquidations

Bríd Smith

44. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his engagement with the liquidators appointed to a company (details supplied); his plans to ensure the workers currently in dispute with the company will receive a just redundancy package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35083/20]

Brexit Preparations

Michael Moynihan

45. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to support the food processing industry post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34985/20]

Local Enterprise Offices

Barry Cowen

46. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if budget 2021 has provided further support for local enterprise offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35041/20]

Programme for Government

Thomas Gould

47. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans he has to fulfil the commitment in the programme for Government of building County Cork as a viable alternative to Dublin and bringing more employment to the city. [35077/20]

Flexible Work Practices

Louise O'Reilly

48. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will be bringing forward legislation to ensure workers have a right to disconnect from their work outside of office and work hours further to the publication of Guidance for Working Remotely by his Department. [34917/20]

Flexible Work Practices

Michael Moynihan

49. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the support he is providing for digital hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34986/20]

Brexit Preparations

Éamon Ó Cuív

50. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the preparations that have been made to protect Irish businesses in the case that there is no agreement on Brexit between the EU and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34993/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

51. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide grants and supports to the self-employed and sole traders that work as taxi drivers that continue to have work related overheads despite having little or no work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35170/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

52. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if research has been carried out or is planned on the comparative effects of different levels of lockdown has had on small businesses and microenterprises. [35098/20]

Data Centres

Denis Naughten

53. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions his officials have had with IDA Ireland with regard to the development of data centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34990/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Lawless

54. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement he has had with pharmaceutical and healthcare companies in the context of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35052/20]

IDA Ireland

Johnny Guirke

55. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if investment in County Meath through IDA sponsored enterprises will be increased ensuring more IDA backed investor visits to the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34984/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Peadar Tóibín

56. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of each of the funding supports available to small and medium businesses and enterprises; and the amount each fund has drawn down to date. [34716/20]

Job Creation

Violet-Anne Wynne

57. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for creating jobs in County Clare in view of the recent job losses in the county due to plants such as a company (details supplied) closing and recent redundancies in some State bodies particularly in the west of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35179/20]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Catherine Connolly

58. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the national SME growth plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35116/20]

Industrial Disputes

Catherine Connolly

59. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of his plans for the resolution of an industrial dispute (details supplied) in view of the recent breakdown in talks at the Workplace Relations Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35114/20]

Driver Test

Louise O'Reilly

60. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the industrial relations dispute between assisted driving instructors and the Road Safety Authority over the failure to allow the use of toilet and waiting facilities when learner drivers are undertaking their driving test; and if he will engage with the trade union (details supplied) of the instructors in order to find a resolution to this industrial relations matter. [34918/20]

Sick Pay Scheme

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

61. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress in providing a right to sick pay to workers in the context of the pandemic. [35096/20]

Flood Relief Schemes

Christopher O'Sullivan

62. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that have been provided to businesses impacted by recent flooding in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35051/20]

Data Centres

Denis Naughten

63. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to implement the Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34987/20]

Company Liquidations

Mick Barry

64. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the convening of a multi-stakeholder forum on the issues regarding employee's rights in the cases of liquidation of companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35070/20]

Gift Vouchers

Catherine Murphy

65. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a consumer-focused gift voucher guarantee scheme will be introduced in order to provide a degree of consumer confidence ahead of the Christmas shopping period and into 2021. [34641/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Christopher O'Sullivan

66. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the restart plus grant will be expanded for marine based activity providers that do not pay rates but pay harbour and mooring fees to Cork County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35061/20]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

67. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he remains satisfied that Ireland's export market will continues to be accessible in the immediate aftermath of Brexit; if particular or specific challenges have been identified as potential major obstacles for Irish exporters and importers; if contingency measures have been fully decided upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35095/20]

Company Law

Catherine Connolly

68. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the expedited review by the Company Law Review Group on whether the legal provisions surrounding collective redundancies and the liquidation of companies effectively protect the rights of workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35113/20]

Microfinance Loan Fund Scheme

Catherine Connolly

69. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications received by the Microfinance Ireland Covid-19 loan scheme from businesses in County Galway; the number and value of such loans approved for businesses in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35115/20]

Brexit Preparations

James O'Connor

70. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to support the food processing industry post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35056/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Martin Browne

71. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the pressure that a number of small businesses are under from their landlords during the current restrictions; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that many of these businesses are concerned for their future as they are being faced with rent bills even though their businesses are shut; his plans to provide assistance for these businesses to pay their rents; if he has been contacted by small businesses with similar concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35106/20]

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Denis Naughten

72. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the requests that he has made under section 10(4) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 to request the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to carry out a market study in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35117/20]

Job Creation

Cathal Crowe

73. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts his Department in conjunction with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland are making to attract new companies to County Clare. [34719/20]

Flexible Work Practices

Pádraig O'Sullivan

74. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a public policy on remote working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34652/20]

Industrial Disputes

John Lahart

75. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the further engagement his Department has had with the workers of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35042/20]

IDA Ireland

Johnny Guirke

76. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA visits to counties Meath and Westmeath, respectively over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35064/20]

Local Enterprise Offices

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

77. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts that can be made to ensure that online marketing campaigns targeting consumers to support local business are actually delivering business to Irish local business. [35100/20]

IDA Ireland

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

78. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits for County Carlow in each quarter of 2020 to date; the percentage of visits in the county as a percentage of the number of visits nationally in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34718/20]

Brexit Preparations

Aindrias Moynihan

79. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of take-up of Brexit support schemes by enterprises in County Cork; if he is satisfied with the current level of readiness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35134/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Matt Carthy

80. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide additional supports to local pubs in recognition of the additional challenges faced during level 5 restrictions. [34995/20]

Departmental Strategies

Richard Bruton

81. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the innovations he plans for the upcoming statement of strategy of his Department. [34554/20]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Peadar Tóibín

82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will put in place the necessary supports to keep small to medium enterprises open. [34717/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

83. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections by the HSA of meat plants since level 5 Covid-19 restrictions were put in place; the measures taken to ensure the safety of workers in this sector and that there is no renewed outbreak or clusters in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35082/20]

IDA Ireland

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

84. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional incentives the IDA has in place to encourage foreign direct investment outside Dublin and adjacent counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35054/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Bruton

85. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work being carried out by his Department during the current level 5 restrictions to better equip sectors under his guidance to be resilient in the face of any future resurgence of Covid-19 cases in order that they can remain open safely in the face of a step-up in restrictions on social interaction. [34555/20]

Brexit Preparations

Neale Richmond

86. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his assessment on the preparedness of Irish businesses for the end of the Brexit transition period on 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34983/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

87. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that for many businesses level 3 restrictions are as financially detrimental as at level 5 restriction; his plans to protect small businesses and microenterprises in 2021 from the strategy of ongoing lifting and imposition of restrictions; and the research carried out or planned by his or another Department or agency on quantifying and segmenting the future risk to enterprises posed by continued intermittent restrictions in 2021. [35099/20]

Industrial Disputes

Thomas Gould

88. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the deal offered in relation to a company (details supplied); and if he will intervene given this clear indication that the liquidator is unwilling to enter negotiations in good faith. [35076/20]

Sick Pay Scheme

Rose Conway-Walsh

89. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of his engagement with unions on the introduction of a statutory sick pay scheme in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35177/20]

Health and Safety Inspections

Louise O'Reilly

90. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason to date the Health and Safety Authority has only carried out two return to work safely protocol inspections in educational facilities. [34919/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mick Barry

91. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures in place to ensure that companies availing of Covid-19 subsidies and schemes are using the funds to protect the income and rights of their employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35071/20]

Industrial Disputes

Louise O'Reilly

92. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will engage with the liquidators of a company (details supplied) to encourage them to negotiate a mutually agreed settlement with the workers given the recent failure of the liquidator to engage in a commensurate reciprocal approach with the workers and their trade union. [34916/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

93. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the provisions which will be made available to ensure pubs, restaurants and nightclubs will be able to survive in the likely scenario that they will not be able to open over the Christmas period. [35130/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ruairí Ó Murchú

94. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports in place for casual traders that pay a casual trading fee and remain closed due to restrictions to ensure they have a business to reopen once restrictions are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35121/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Bruton

162. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if self-employed persons aged 66 and over can qualify for the restart grant to ensure that there is no discrimination between such business operators on age grounds. [34639/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Peadar Tóibín

163. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he put in place the option of redundancy to be made available to all employees in circumstances in which no definitive time frame can be put in place for them to return to work on a permanent basis such as in the wet pub industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34650/20]

Enterprise Ireland

Matt Shanahan

164. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which he plans to increase investment and private risk capital access for domestic enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34668/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Danny Healy-Rae

165. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the recognition being given to food suppliers of restaurants, cafés and bars such as meat, fish and vegetable suppliers that have little or no outlets for their produce now; the support package available for these food suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34658/20]

Domestic Violence Policy

Mary Lou McDonald

166. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has initiated the review by his Department into the provision of a statutory entitlement to domestic violence paid leave, as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34684/20]

Trade Missions

Catherine Murphy

167. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of trade or related missions to Japan since 2016 in which at least one official or Minister from his Department attended. [34846/20]

Enterprise Ireland

Catherine Murphy

168. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Enterprise Ireland plans to open a new office in Perth, Australia. [34847/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mary Lou McDonald

169. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the decision made regarding the operation of massage therapy under level 5 restrictions; if he will engage with a representative body (details supplied) to discuss its concerns regarding these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34883/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mary Lou McDonald

170. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the detail of the advice provided by NPHET regarding the operation of massage therapy under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34884/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ruairí Ó Murchú

171. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the Christmas tree industry and the current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35189/20]

IDA Ireland

Patricia Ryan

172. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of new investment arising from IDA-sponsored enterprises in County Kildare in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35199/20]

Enterprise Ireland

Patricia Ryan

173. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of new investment arising from Enterprise Ireland grant-aided enterprises in County Kildare in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35201/20]

State Aid

Ruairí Ó Murchú

174. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Government will make a submission to the EU Commission consultation on extending state aid exemptions currently in place, detailing the plans to make greater use of the flexibility that the exemptions allow. [30138/20]

Ministerial Travel

Denis Naughten

175. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will visit Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34521/20]

Ministerial Travel

Denis Naughten

176. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to replace the job losses at a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34522/20]

Regional Enterprise Development Fund

Catherine Connolly

177. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 36 of 17 July 2020, the status of the promised review by Enterprise Ireland of the regional enterprise development fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35290/20]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement

Darren O'Rourke

178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vacant positions in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement as of 2 November 2020; the length of time each position has been vacant; the estimated cost of filling each of the posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35316/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neale Richmond

179. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the regulations which will be in place for winter 2020-2021 for the harvesting and selling of real Christmas trees that can adhere to social distancing and hygiene regulations while operating outdoors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35345/20]

Foreign Direct Investment

Bernard Durkan

180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent of employment generating foreign direct investment in the past year; his expectations for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35398/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bernard Durkan

181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of Covid-19-related supports to stabilise employment in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35399/20]

Services Sector

Bernard Durkan

182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created or lost in the services sector in the course of each of the past five years to date; the steps taken or in hand to ensure continued investment and job creation in the sector in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35400/20]

Manufacturing Sector

Bernard Durkan

183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which Covid-19 supports have sufficiently addressed job losses in the manufacturing sector; his plans for further investment in this area in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35401/20]

Brexit Preparations

Bernard Durkan

184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of access to overseas markets for Irish goods and services in the aftermath of Brexit; his plans for specific or corrective measures in the event of unforeseen difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35402/20]

Economic Policy

Bernard Durkan

185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he plans to ensure the continued attractiveness of the economy for both indigenous and foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35403/20]

Enterprise Data

Bernard Durkan

186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department have examined the manufacturing and services sectors with a view to identification of the extent to which each has suffered as a result of circumstances outside their control; his plans for specific supports or incentives in the future having particular regard to Brexit, Covid-19 or other such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35404/20]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and 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 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35405/20]

Trade Strategy

Bernard Durkan

188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which new markets for Irish manufactured goods can be or have been identified with a view to maximisation of beneficial economic impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35406/20]

Work Permits

Bernard Durkan

189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which the processing of work permits can be expedited to ensure minimum delay in their issuing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35407/20]

Departmental Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

190. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of full-time equivalent and part-time equivalent roles filled by his Department of posts at principal officer, assistant principal officer, higher executive officer, executive officer and clerical officer grades for the past five years; the cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35483/20]

Bereavement Leave

Brendan Howlin

59. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to restore the Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2019 to the Dáil Order Paper; his plans to pursue this legislation as a Government Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34199/20]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes

Ruairí Ó Murchú

60. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his engagements to date with SOLAS in regard to the termination of the safe pass card expiry date exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34276/20]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes

Ruairí Ó Murchú

61. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his engagements with representatives of the construction industry in regards liability issues for employers following the extension of validity of safe pass cards to the end of the Covid-19 emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34277/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pádraig O'Sullivan

62. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a business (details supplied) is not eligible for the 40% restart grant top up that wet pubs and nightclubs received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34398/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Lowry

63. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the restart grant scheme and restart plus scheme is available to community pharmacies whose retail business excluding dispensary and medicinal business has reduced by 25%; if clarity will be provided on the restart grant scheme and restart plus scheme for the community pharmacy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34520/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Griffin

17. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the restart grant or additional business supports can be extended to a business (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33964/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Griffin

18. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Budget 2021 for food suppliers to businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34012/20]

State Aid

Denis Naughten

19. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to change State aid rules to better support local authorities, businesses and communities in the midlands as requested by the Just Transition Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34069/20]

Grant Payments

Jackie Cahill

20. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the business restart grant application for the swimming pool that a facility (details supplied) has applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34080/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Christopher O'Sullivan

189. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a business (details supplied) that sells a mix of products can remain open with a non-essential part sectioned off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32764/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James Browne

190. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding a trade (details supplied) and the current restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32796/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Neale Richmond

191. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if those business owners in receipt of the State pension can qualify for business supports during level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32807/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

192. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if guidelines will be provided to clothing retailers for which their primary source of sales is fashion clothing (details supplied); and his views on the matter of loopholes being used by a minority of retailers to operate against the spirit of the level 5 restrictions. [33059/20]

Social Welfare Benefits

Holly Cairns

193. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 527 of 15 September 2020, the number of businesses that applied for the humanitarian assistance scheme after flooding in County Cork in August 2020; the number of applications that were successful and denied, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33114/20]

Examinership Arrangements

Denis Naughten

194. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether current legal regimes such as examinership and schemes of arrangement are fit for purpose or need to be revamped to make them more easily or widely available to distressed companies, especially with respect to the restructuring of small and medium enterprises, in view of the increased financial pressure on businesses and the consequent need for businesses to consider restructuring their finances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33193/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Róisín Shortall

195. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if essential retail outlets that also sell non-essential goods must close those departments and sections of their store that would be deemed non-essential under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33211/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Collins

196. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clarify the position in relation to small retailers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33233/20]