Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

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]

Health and Safety Inspections

Bríd Smith

197. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of onsite inspections by HSA personnel of construction sites since the announcement of level 5 restrictions; the findings of these onsite inspections in relation to Covid-19 protocols and guidelines; the number of complaints to the HSA regarding workplaces and breaches of Covid-19 guidelines since level 5 restrictions were put in place [33317/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Holly Cairns

198. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to ensure that the purchase of children’s clothes is classified as essential retail under levels 4 and 5 of the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33319/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Holly Cairns

199. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the purchase of children’s clothes, underwear and winter jacks can be classified as essential retail under levels 4 and 5 of the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33321/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Claire Kerrane

200. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the closure of retail is causing difficulties for new parents who cannot go into a shop to buy baby clothes; if these restrictions will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33435/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

201. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the regulations regarding essential retail outlets and the sale of non-essential items in these retail outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33604/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul Murphy

202. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the regulations made in relation to the items supermarkets and other shops may sell during the operation of level 5. [33711/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Steven Matthews

203. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if retailers, including supermarkets, are permitted to sell children's clothes and shoes under level 5 restrictions. [33895/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Steven Matthews

204. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if industry specific supports have been considered for those who rely heavily on weddings as their primary source of income (details supplied). [32319/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Crowe

205. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if window cleaners are allowed to operate under the current level 5 restrictions in view of the lack of social contact in their work. [32350/20]

Health and Safety Inspections

David Cullinane

206. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of HSA inspections at bookmakers each month since February 2020; the number found non-compliant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32373/20]

Company Registration

Louise O'Reilly

207. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Companies Registration Office extension for annual company filings, which expires on 31 October 2020, will be extended. [32379/20]

Company Registration

Louise O'Reilly

208. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will make efforts to help struggling SMEs and microbusinesses, in addition to tax agents and accountants, with their annual company filings to the Companies Registration Office in view of the list of deadlines that exist for business owners and small companies in October 2020 alone (details supplied). [32380/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Whitmore

209. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if dog groomers and dog training can still operate under level 5; if so, the guidelines for the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32510/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Sherlock

210. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if pest control services are allowed to operate under level 5. [32531/20]

Enterprise Support Services

Cathal Crowe

211. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if funds or plans are in place to provide for innovation enterprise digital hubs to facilitate remote working clusters and small businesses in medium to large sized towns. [32581/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neale Richmond

212. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if animal caring centres that operate in a crèche manner service are permitted to remain open under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32604/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neale Richmond

213. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if window cleaning services are permitted to operate under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32605/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neale Richmond

214. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if hotels that host a wedding reception for the permitted 25 persons can host those 25 guests overnight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32588/20]

Product Labelling

Neale Richmond

215. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is requirement for businesses selling goods online to display the country of origin of the goods; if not, if he has given it consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32629/20]

Remote Working

Pádraig O'Sullivan

216. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan 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. [32709/20]