Parliamentary questions

Company Registration

Matt Shanahan

236. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a derogation of the standing sanction of mandatory audit of accounts for two years to SME businesses that fail to file their annual returns to the Companies Registration Office on time has been considered for those companies that had to file for 31 October 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33754/20]

Data Protection

Mary Lou McDonald

237. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of data protection breaches identified within his Department in 2019. [33842/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

26. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he expects the level 3 restart grant of 30% top-up to be operational in County Louth to help local businesses following the recent upgrading from level 2 to 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32123/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Noel Grealish

27. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will respond to the concerns of office workers by indicating the best safety precautions that they and their employers can put in place to mitigate contraction while in their offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32196/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Seán Sherlock

28. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will introduce supports for businesses that have been impacted by Covid-19 disruptions but are not rate payers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32255/20]

Employment Rights

Darren O'Rourke

17. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the redundancy situation regarding travel agency workers whose employer may not be insolvent, but in view of the cash flow problems in the sector may have to make some staff redundant; the impact workers who have been placed on various State income support schemes or who have already been temporarily laid off earlier in 2020 could have on this; if he will provide clarity in this area for workers in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31888/20]

Employment Rights

Jackie Cahill

18. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position in relation to the case of an employee who pre-Covid-19 was on maternity leave then worked from home and is now being told they have to return to the office to work but feels this is unsafe and during the current situation are capable of working from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31993/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Joe Carey

19. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an anomaly in the restart grant and restart plus grant will be rectified in which group self-catering businesses are not eligible for same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32029/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Cormac Devlin

20. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to international news reports of Covid-19 public health breaches at a location (details supplied); if the issue will be referred to the HSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32030/20]

Health and Safety Authority

Richard Bruton

21. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied that the Health and Safety Authority has the necessary enforcement powers to ensure business premises are safe. [31783/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jackie Cahill

22. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if manufacturing industries will be allowed to continue to operate if Ireland goes to level 5 restrictions as some of these manufacturers would have overseas contracts to fulfil with strict timeframes attached to these contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31791/20]

Employment Rights

Marian Harkin

23. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position of non-essential workers travelling from a number of different counties, including across the Border who wish to work from home but whose employers are refusing; the protections in place for such employees whose employer is insisting on employees working in their workplace or they may face being laid off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31929/20]

Legislative Measures

Róisín Shortall

125. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No, 189 of 6 October 2020, if he will consider legislative measures so that workers are not at a loss in terms of light, heat and waste bills due to having to work and study at home in view of such a scheme in Spain (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30949/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jackie Cahill

126. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the financial supports available to persons that are pub owners and the sole employee of the pub in view of the increase to level three Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31037/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Bruton

127. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has received a submission from a body (details supplied) seeking relaxation on deadlines and compliance rules due to the exceptional pressures created by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31113/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Verona Murphy

128. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court are bringing parties from other counties to Dublin during level 3 restrictions for face-to-face hearings in view of the fact that these bodies have the facilities to convene such hearings remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31116/20]

Tax Rebates

John Brady

129. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to restore the employer statutory redundancy rebate, which was abolished in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31118/20]

Appointments to State Boards

Catherine Murphy

130. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the post of head of administration at the Labour Court will be filled; and the length of time this post has been vacant. [31178/20]

Workplace Relations Commission

Catherine Murphy

131. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost in 2021 of recruiting seven additional HEO inspectors and 35 EO inspectors for Workplace Relations Commission. [31179/20]

Health and Safety Authority

Louise O'Reilly

132. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the allocation of €4 million in budget 2021 for Health and Safety Authority pay is for pay restoration; if it is additional and new moneys; if so, the measures the funding will be used for; the number of additional HSA inspectors it will be used to take on; and the permanent standing HSA workforce expected after the funds have been used by grade group and category. [31292/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Louise O'Reilly

133. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 28 of 13 October 2020, if he will provide a breakdown of each NACE sector compliance with Covid-19 protocols, in the manner in which the CSO or EUROSTAT further break down these sectors into more detailed individual subsections (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31324/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Patricia Ryan

134. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to incentivise construction companies to engage apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31446/20]

Health and Safety Authority

Gerald Nash

135. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of HSA inspectors hired since the beginning of July 2020; the additional resources that have been provided to the HSA from budget 2021; his plans to hire additional HSA inspectors in 2020 and 2021 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31487/20]

Departmental Offices

Holly Cairns

136. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces assigned to his Department in percentage and absolute terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31746/20]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Louise O'Reilly

1. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will consider the establishment of an Industrial Development Authority or similar styled body specifically to focus on microbusinesses, workers' co-operatives, and small and medium-sized enterprises. [30000/20]

Sick Pay Scheme

Catherine Murphy

2. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of his work in relation to the introduction of a statutory sick pay scheme here; the level of stakeholder engagements he has embarked on; and if he has been contacted by persons opposed to such a scheme being introduced. [30805/20]

Flexible Work Practices

Louise O'Reilly

3. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will undertake the necessary legislative and tax changes to ensure that remote working and-or home working are recognised as forms of work that require specific safeguards, protections and allowances for workers. [30001/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mattie McGrath

4. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the specific measures he will provide to SMEs and the self-employed in the event of further restrictions to combat Covid-19. [30838/20]

Regional Development

Marian Harkin

5. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he will take to ensure the viability of businesses and SMEs in the regions post-Brexit that will deliver a fair distribution of investment in jobs in the regions. [30478/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bernard Durkan

6. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied that the budget of 2021 sufficiently addresses the unemployment issues arising from Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30551/20]

Pharmaceutical Sector

Cathal Crowe

7. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a site (details supplied). [25953/20]

Grant Payments

Christopher O'Sullivan

8. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the deadline for the restart grant plus can be extended past the end of September 2020; and if the extended deadline of October 2020 for bed and breakfast establishments is open to businesses which are not registered with Fáilte Ireland. [25955/20]

Disability Services Provision

Michael Moynihan

9. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the role his Department plays in promoting disability inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30595/20]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Verona Murphy

10. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the SME growth task force and explain the long-term vision for supports for SMEs here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30111/20]

Health and Safety Authority

Paul Murphy

11. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied with the level of funding allocated to his Department for its responsibilities regarding the welfare of workers, for example through the Health and Safety Authority, HSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30563/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

12. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he intends taking to support trade, enterprise and employment during the current pandemic, particularly in those sectors worst hit by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30261/20]

Legislative Measures

Gino Kenny

13. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to introduce legislation to allow for a mechanism for workers to be prioritised as creditors in the event of a liquidation in the future; if legislation that stops workers seeking redundancy in certain circumstances will be ended or extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30568/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

14. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to support indigenous industries that cannot return due to Covid-19. [25616/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pearse Doherty

15. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and value of loans that have been approved to date under the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30094/20]

Brexit Preparations

Rose Conway-Walsh

16. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department expects Brexit to have a disproportionate impact on employment and business in rural Ireland; the specific mitigation strategy in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30602/20]

Departmental Schemes

Paul McAuliffe

17. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for allowing taxi drivers and other self-employed persons access more support schemes similar to other SMEs from which they are currently excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29973/20]

Foreign Direct Investment

Neale Richmond

18. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps taken to attract more foreign direct investment to Ireland post Brexit and to increase existing investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30518/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John Lahart

19. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps being taken to address urgently the crisis facing businesses and traders in Dublin city as a consequence of significantly reduced customer footfall, an absence of tourists and the operation of a remote working regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25954/20]

Redundancy Payments

Louise O'Reilly

20. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has had any further engagement with the workers of a company (details supplied) and their trade union representatives regarding the ongoing pursuit of the workers to receive their redundancy rights and entitlements. [30364/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

21. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the newly opened Microfinance Ireland fund pursuant to the Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Act 2020; the number of applications received; the number and value of loans approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25976/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Bruton

22. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied that there are adequate frameworks in place to assist enterprises to undertake restructuring necessitated by Covid-19 or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29713/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

23. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps taken to support the conferencing and events industry to recover from the closure of its livelihood owing to restrictions imposed due to the pandemic; and when he will announce a roadmap to recovery for the industry. [30086/20]

Arms Trade

John Brady

24. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of arms export licences granted per year since 2015; the value of licensed arms exports per year; and the breakdown of the type of arms exported and the destinations of arms exports from Ireland. [29079/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul Murphy

25. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the level of discretion afforded to employers at the different levels of the Living with Covid-19 plan in deciding if work on site is necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30562/20]

Industrial Development

Brian Stanley

26. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider the establishment of a similar-styled body to the Industrial Development Authority to focus specifically on microbusinesses, workers' co-operatives and small and medium-sized enterprises. [29988/20]

Departmental Functions

Dara Calleary

27. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an early warning system for large-scale redundancies is in operation within his Department; and the way in which it operates. [25949/20]

Job Losses

Denis Naughten

28. 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. [29715/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

29. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on a report (details supplied); the analysis undertaken by his Department regarding the disproportionate effect on levels of employment as a result of Covid-19 in the north west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25980/20]

Enterprise Support Services

Jim O'Callaghan

30. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the targeted policy measures being taken by his Department to help young persons secure employment or start businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25951/20]

Job Creation

Denis Naughten

31. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he will take to support job creation in locations outside the cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29718/20]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

32. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a programme of financial assistance will be made available for the development of digital hubs in smaller towns to assist in job creation at local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30590/20]

Health and Safety Inspections

Pearse Doherty

33. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Health and Safety Authority, HSA, inspections of meat and food processing plants that have been carried out for compliance with Covid-19 regulations since March 2020; if he will provide a breakdown of these; if the workplace was compliant or not; the number that were unannounced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30093/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Peadar Tóibín

34. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a grant to cover the fixed costs of enterprises that have been forced to close due to the Covid-19 pandemic will be provided. [29969/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Niamh Smyth

35. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports for sectors most affected by Covid-19 in particular the hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30564/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

36. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the closing date for the original restart grant was brought forward three weeks without warning; if in view of the severity of the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, he will ensure that all eligible businesses will be paid both the restart grant and the restart plus grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30262/20]

Aer Lingus

Louise O'Reilly

37. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the flagrant breaches of workers’ rights by a company (details supplied) in its refusal to complete employer declarations for its workers in order to access social protection payments; and if he will write to the company to request that it cease engaging in this practice of obfuscation and delay. [30363/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

38. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the credit guarantee scheme can be used for the refinancing of current term commercial loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29997/20]

Budget 2021

John McGuinness

39. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports his Department is providing for the SME sector through budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30592/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Thomas Gould

40. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to support taxi drivers. [30553/20]

Foreign Direct Investment

Bernard Durkan

41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he remains satisfied that Ireland remains attractive as a location for foreign direct investment; if in recent months there has been a fluctuation in Ireland's position in that regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30550/20]

Economic Policy

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

42. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current economic situation and risks of further insolvencies in view of the circumstances surrounding closure of a company (details supplied); his views on the recommendations of the Duffy Cahill report; and his plans for the implementation of the recommendations of the report. [25975/20]

Enterprise Support Services

Matt Carthy

43. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the mechanisms of support available to a person seeking to establish a new business. [29980/20]

Departmental Reviews

Brendan Griffin

44. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will carry out an immediate review of performance of all relevant State agencies under his remit in respect of the activities of each in County Kerry; if so, if consideration will be given to the outcome of such a review with a view to improving the levels of economic activity and investment in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29604/20]

Remote Working

Joe Carey

45. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to develop remote working opportunities further and improve the facilities and conditions to encourage remote working especially in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25945/20]

Redundancy Payments

Paul Murphy

46. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has discussed proposals by unions (detail supplied) to establish a fund to safeguard the redundancy entitlements of workers in the event of a liquidation. [27550/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pa Daly

47. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the sectors of the economy his Department has identified as needing indefinite support measures. [25982/20]

Pharmaceutical Sector

James Lawless

48. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a report on any recent engagement he has had with the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland. [30599/20]

Industrial Disputes

Thomas Gould

49. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will intervene in the dispute of workers (details supplied). [30552/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Alan Farrell

50. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the sustainable enterprise fund; the further considerations being given to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29945/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Dara Calleary

51. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the strategy changes introduced by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in view of international travel restrictions as a consequence of Covid-19. [25947/20]

Budget 2021

Pádraig O'Sullivan

52. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he will take in budget 2021 to support the small and medium enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29721/20]

Job Creation

Denis Naughten

53. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he will take to support job creation in regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29717/20]

Brexit Supports

Brendan Smith

54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if programmes of assistance will be made available to small and medium enterprises in the Border region that will be adversely affected by Brexit and that are heavily dependent on the Northern Irish and British markets as export destinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30591/20]

Brexit Preparations

Neale Richmond

55. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy to diversify the destination for Irish exports post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30517/20]

Industrial Disputes

Paul Murphy

56. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has made contact with a company (details supplied) and the trade unions to discuss the difficulties staff are having with the company. [27549/20]

Industrial Disputes

Mick Barry

57. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the contacts he has had with a company (details supplied) and trade unions regarding an ongoing dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29994/20]

Enterprise Support Services

David Stanton

58. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to establish a national agency for small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30101/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pádraig O'Sullivan

59. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for further measures to assist the business sectors negatively impacted by Covid-19, bearing in mind that the virus will remain a threat for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29720/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Aindrias Moynihan

60. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to support businesses following the announcement of level 3 Covid-19 restrictions in view of the fact that additional measures of support are available for counties Donegal and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29850/20]

Job Losses

Denis Naughten

61. 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. [29716/20]

Industrial Disputes

Gino Kenny

62. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has discussed a dispute (details supplied) with the Minister for Finance; if so, if he has discussed the proposal that the State and the Revenue Commissioners stand aside as creditors to allow the liquidators prioritise former workers in order to achieve a resolution of the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30567/20]

Job Creation

Denis Naughten

63. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he will take to support existing levels of employment in regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29719/20]

Enterprise Support Services

Alan Farrell

64. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to encourage and support greater numbers of women entering the enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29946/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brian Stanley

65. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to amend the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to make workplace outbreaks of Covid-19 notifiable by workers to the Health and Safety Authority. [29987/20]

Job Losses

Brendan Griffin

66. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on recent job losses (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will consider addressing the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29605/20]

Brexit Supports

Marian Harkin

67. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he plans to introduce or that are in place to support the sectors most exposed by Brexit and workers in those sectors. [30479/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Seán Canney

68. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to provide specific support to the taxi industry in circumstances in which many taxi owners cannot trade and their revenue streams are depleted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25989/20]

Trade Agreements

Neale Richmond

69. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the EU trade deals being negotiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25944/20]

Health and Safety Inspections

Louise O'Reilly

70. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of HSA inspections of meat and food processing plants that have been carried out for compliance with Covid-19 regulations since March 2020; the locations of each; if the workplace was compliant or not; the number that were unannounced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30002/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gino Kenny

71. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will respond positively to calls from nurses and other healthcare professionals to reinsert the requirement that infectious diseases, including Covid-19, are reported by employers to the Health and Safety Authority as infectious diseases in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23678/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ruairí Ó Murchú

72. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports he plans to provide for those working in the drinks and hospitality industry; the supports to the sector to ensure these jobs are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30136/20]

Enterprise Support Services

Ruairí Ó Murchú

73. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports in place to help businesses that have no income to alleviate the pressures of commercial rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30137/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

74. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional supports provided by his Department to Dublin businesses since the city and county entered level 3 under the living with Covid-19 framework. [30597/20]

Trade Missions

Joe O'Brien

75. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of trade or related missions to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain since 2016 in cases in which at least one official or Minister from his Department attended. [30717/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jackie Cahill

76. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if friendly societies that are compelled to hold AGMs will be exempt in 2020 in view of the additional challenges of holding AGMs during the Covid-19 pandemic. [30729/20]