Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Employment Rights

Louise O'Reilly

59. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a new Employment Regulation Order for workers in the security sector is under discussion; if there is engagement at JLC level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24227/24]

Employment Rights

Willie O'Dea

60. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he intends to sign the new draft ERO for security officers into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24244/24]

Employment Rights

Niall Collins

61. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24246/24]

EU Directives

Seán Haughey

179. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will work for the strongest possible transposition into Irish law of the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages, with a view to encouraging and supporting collective bargaining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23529/24]

Wage-setting Mechanisms

Michael McNamara

180. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he intends to sign the new ERO for security officers into law, which would increase the wages of thousands of low paid security officers and alleviate some of the most painful consequences of this cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23539/24]

Wage-setting Mechanisms

Violet-Anne Wynne

181. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he plans to sign the new draft ERO into law given the considerable delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23552/24]

Employment Schemes

James Browne

182. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Enterprise Ireland-supported jobs for 2019 and 2020 in County Wexford, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23566/24]

Budget Targets

Louise O'Reilly

183. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding allocated to any measure falling under the National AI Strategy for 2023; the projected funding for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23586/24]

Departmental Funding

Louise O'Reilly

184. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will engage with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science regarding funding for a new national supercomputer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23587/24]

Education and Training Provision

Louise O'Reilly

185. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding provided by his Department, either directly or through a State agency, for upskilling, reskilling, and further education of the workforce in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and to date in 2024, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23588/24]

Trade Promotion

Louise O'Reilly

186. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding provided for the trading online voucher in 2023; the cost for the State to provide 90% funding based on 2023 data, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23589/24]

Wage-setting Mechanisms

Paul Donnelly

187. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the delays in bringing forward the ERO for security officers in 2024. [23672/24]

Work Permits

Paul Murphy

188. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether the abrupt implementation of substantial salary hikes for employment permits (details supplied) without adequate transitional measures for existing permit holders has plunged them into upheaval and despair, given that employers may not accommodate these increases, numerous families face the devastating prospect of job losses and being forced to uproot their lives in Ireland; if he will reconsider this change in thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23768/24]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

189. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses, broken down by each local authority area in the State, that registered for the increased cost of business grant by close of scheme, as a percentage of all eligible or estimated eligible businesses, to date, in tabular form. [23785/24]

Business Supports

Darren O'Rourke

190. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the supports available from his Department for businesses to decarbonise; if he will provide a breakdown of schemes; the amount of funding available to be drawn down per scheme ; the amount of funding drawn down per scheme; the number of grants awarded per scheme; the average amount awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23844/24]

Economic Policy

Niamh Smyth

191. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he plans to publish the next report on the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce. [23846/24]

Business Supports

David Cullinane

192. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) relating to the payment of the increased cost of business grant where rates are paid via a landlord; if he will permit payment in such situations; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24032/24]

Employment Rights

Marian Harkin

61. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the ERO for the security sector for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23315/24]

Business Supports

Niamh Smyth

62. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the supports available to businesses with the rising cost of energy in running a business, particularly those in the hospitality sector, which has seen a number of closures recently. [22978/24]

EU Directives

Paul Murphy

64. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what he intends to do to increase collective bargaining coverage as specified under the EU Directive on minimum wages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23303/24]

Personal Injury Claims

Jim O'Callaghan

65. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the Injuries Resolution Board’s mediation service for public liability personal injury claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23057/24]

Work Permits

Pádraig O'Sullivan

66. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he last reviewed the critical skills list; if his Department has plans to address the national skills shortages in science, engineering, healthcare and social care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23170/24]

Industrial Development

Cathal Crowe

67. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide details on the efforts his Department, in conjunction with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, are making to attract new commerce and industry to Ennis, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23047/24]

Artificial Intelligence

David Stanton

68. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on Ireland’s national artificial intelligence strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23264/24]

Artificial Intelligence

Matt Shanahan

69. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will acknowledge the continuing momentum around artificial intelligence generation has the potential to create seismic challenges for both the public and private business sectors; if he is considering any developments around specific agency development to support public and private sector navigation of these challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23238/24]

Living Wage

Bríd Smith

70. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is planning to delay the introduction of a living wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23305/24]

Export Controls

Catherine Connolly

71. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 76 of 18 April 2024, the number of dual-use export licence applications in respect of end-users in Israel approved by his Department since 7 October 2023; the value of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23073/24]

Trade Data

Catherine Connolly

72. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 18 April 2024, the total value of Ireland’s imports from Israel since 7 October 2023; the total value of Ireland’s exports to Israel since 7 October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23075/24]

Departmental Strategies

Louise O'Reilly

73. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the development of a National Industrial Life Sciences and Health Technology Strategy, similar to the departmental strategy for artificial intelligence. [23112/24]

Business Supports

Mairéad Farrell

74. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the general supports available for small businesses currently struggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22991/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Griffin

75. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how the recent package of supports for business will impact on business owners; to provide up-to-date county breakdowns of take-up of the ICOB scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23279/24]

Work Permits

Catherine Connolly

76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 18 April 2024, for an update on plans to remove dental nurses from the ineligible occupation list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23074/24]

Trade Agreements

Matt Carthy

77. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his engagements regarding the Mercosur trade agreement. [23277/24]

Artificial Intelligence

Richard Bruton

78. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has assessed the opportunities, constraints and challenges for Ireland to take a leadership position in the development of artificial intelligence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23312/24]

Personal Injury Claims

Jim O'Callaghan

79. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the initial response to the introduction of mediation for workplace accident claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23058/24]

Industrial Development

Brendan Griffin

80. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the IDA's plans to proceed with providing a new advance technology facility at Kerry Technology Park in Tralee, County Kerry; what progress has been made on the plan over the past four years; if the target in respect of this facility, as set out in the IDA's own plans, will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23278/24]

Enterprise Policy

Jackie Cahill

81. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the progress made under the Mid-West Regional Enterprise Plan; the plans for its future funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23063/24]

Employment Rights

Mark Ward

82. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the new rate of pay of €12.90 per hour for security guards, proposed by the Labour Court, has taken effect; if so, when this took effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23280/24]

Industrial Development

Joe Flaherty

83. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the latest developments in acquiring an IDA Ireland purpose-built facility in Longford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23102/24]

Business Supports

Pádraig O'Sullivan

84. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in each of Cork city, Cork county and Kerry registered for the increased cost of business grant before 1 May 2024; how many more in each county have registered since the application process reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23169/24]

Workplace Relations Commission

Brian Stanley

85. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Workplace Relations Commission on-site inspections carried out in 2024, in tabular form, by month and sector, with compliance rate and reasons for non-compliance included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22903/24]

Personal Injury Claims

Willie O'Dea

86. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his response to the recent Supreme Court judgment in the Delaney case in relation to personal injuries guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23059/24]

Employment Rights

Thomas Gould

87. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he agrees with a Government proposal to delay the introduction of paid sick leave. [23340/24]

Employment Rights

Ruairí Ó Murchú

88. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work being carried out by his Department to combat bogus self employment in the building trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23171/24]

Business Supports

Bríd Smith

89. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is planning to issue grants to small and medium enterprises in the retail and hospitality sectors through the increased cost of business scheme based on their profitability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23307/24]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

90. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the innovation voucher will be amended to allow SMEs purchase digital equipment and machinery for their business. [23114/24]

Business Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

91. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in the counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford registered for the increased cost of business grant before 1 May 2024; how many more in each county have registered since the application process reopened last week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23090/24]

Business Supports

Cormac Devlin

92. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in each of the four Dublin local authority areas registered for the increased cost of business grant before 1 May 2024; how many more in each area have registered since the application process reopened last week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23103/24]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

93. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is planning to delay the expansion of the sick pay scheme to workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23306/24]

Departmental Functions

Matt Shanahan

94. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views regarding his Department's activity with respect to the national training fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23237/24]

Business Supports

Catherine Connolly

95. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications received for the cost of business support grant in Galway City Council, the number granted and the cost of same; the number of applications received for the cost of business support grant in Galway County Council, the number granted and the cost of same; the timeline for when all successful applicants will receive the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23072/24]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

96. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses, broken down by each local authority area in the State, that have registered for the increased cost of business grant by close of scheme, in tabular form. [23113/24]

Business Supports

Matt Shanahan

97. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the application rates his Department has seen in relation to the ICOB scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23234/24]

Business Supports

Robert Troy

98. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will be taking any further measures to bolster and support small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23099/24]

Business Supports

Catherine Connolly

99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 18 April 2024, the status of his Department’s decarbonisation Roadmaps for Ireland’s manufacturing industry and for Ireland’s commercial built environment; the timeline for publication of the two roadmaps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23076/24]

Personal Injury Claims

Seán Haughey

100. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether mediation can address a broader range of issues than those currently considered in the Injuries Resolution Board’s assessment service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23062/24]

Personal Injury Claims

Willie O'Dea

101. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he will commence legislation to provide for mediation for motor liability personal injury cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23060/24]

Business Supports

James Lawless

102. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Kildare, Wicklow, Meath and Louth, respectively that registered for the increased cost of business grant before 1 May 2024; how many more in each county have registered since the application process reopened on 15 May 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23056/24]

Enterprise Policy

Barry Cowen

103. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a report on the progress made under the midlands regional enterprise plan; the plans for the future funding of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23093/24]

Enterprise Policy

Bernard Durkan

104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his office continue to attract employment generating and trade benefiting enterprises to this country via foreign direct investment or indigenously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23228/24]

Official Engagements

James Lawless

105. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the major gathering of EU Digital Ministers hosted in Dublin recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23055/24]

Artificial Intelligence

Barry Cowen

106. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the AI Act at EU level and his plans for the enactment of same in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23092/24]

Business Supports

Robert Troy

107. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has any plans for the introduction of an export credit guarantee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23098/24]

Enterprise Policy

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

108. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a report on the progress made under the south east regional enterprise plan; the plans for the future funding of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23091/24]

Regional Development

Louise O'Reilly

109. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for ensuring greater economic regional development, specifically in the mid-west region. [23115/24]

Business Supports

Pauline Tully

110. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider reopening and readvertising the increased cost of business scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23294/24]

Employment Rights

Cathal Crowe

111. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the implementation of the ERO for security officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23046/24]

Health and Safety

Brian Stanley

112. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Health and Safety Authority on-site inspections carried out in 2024, in tabular form, by month and sector, with the non-compliance rate and reasons for non-compliance included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22902/24]

Industrial Development

Niamh Smyth

113. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the IDA’s efforts to attract inward investment to Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22979/24]

Labour Market

Alan Farrell

114. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on his Department's efforts to address labour shortages in the hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22754/24]

Artificial Intelligence

Cormac Devlin

115. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a report on the role and work of the AI Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23104/24]

Legislative Process

Paul Murphy

116. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what specific date in early June is the National Minimum Wage (Equal Pay for Young Workers) Bill 2022 is to be reread the second time, as promised by the Minister (details supplied); when can we expect to receive the Low Pay Commission’s report on sub-minimum wage rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23304/24]

Business Supports

Ruairí Ó Murchú

117. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding that is being provided to support small and medium enterprises with the increased cost of business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23172/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

118. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on industrial heat decarbonisation; the measures he is taking to decarbonise industrial heat; the supports he is providing for industry to decarbonise their heat sources; to report on the level of reduction of emissions reached to date given the target of 20% by 2025 and 45% by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23296/24]

Departmental Data

Richard Bruton

119. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of business start-ups and business closures, both companies and unincorporated businesses; if he has considered a review of policy tools in the area of start-up, and early-stage resilience and survival of enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23313/24]

Insurance Industry

Seán Haughey

120. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform measures within the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23061/24]

Business Supports

Brendan Smith

121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he is taking to help small-scale manufacturing, retail and hospitality businesses meet the challenge of cost pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23087/24]

Trade Agreements

Alan Farrell

122. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on how the EU-New Zealand trade agreement will benefit Irish businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22753/24]

Work Permits

Matt Shanahan

167. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he would acknowledge that a large number of SMEs in Ireland are struggling to meet demand because they cannot recruit or retain employees with the necessary skillsets within Ireland; to confirm the number of overseas employees over the past five years who have been recruited in managerial and customer facing rolls, in tabular form; the plans his Department has to work with SMEs to alleviate these difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23262/24]

Work Permits

Matt Shanahan

168. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has any concerns regarding the costs trajectory on business as a result of the proposed roadmap for increasing minimum annual remuneration thresholds for employment permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23261/24]

Employment Rights

Joe Carey

169. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the Employment Regulation Order in relation to security workers (details supplied) will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23323/24]

Employment Rights

Catherine Connolly

170. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of plans to bring forward a new Employment Regulation Order for security officers in 2024, in light of the ongoing low wages for these workers; if he has received a proposal from the Labour Court in relation to a new ERO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23325/24]

Employment Rights

Pádraig O'Sullivan

171. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has examined the provision of statutory bereavement leave; if so, the estimated the costs associated with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18136/24]

EU Directives

John Lahart

172. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Government's position on measures in relation to the new EU Directive on the minimum wage, which unions regard as critical (details supplied). [23409/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

173. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23443/24]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which the services and manufacturing services have improved and recovered, given the existence of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23497/24]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which the job retention and creation effort continues to be made in the manufacturing sector throughout Ireland and in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23499/24]

Trade Data

Bernard Durkan

176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which Irish-manufactured products continue to compete on world markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23500/24]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department continue to ensure an even spread of job creation investment throughout the country, with a view to ensuring the availability of an increasing number of job opportunities in those areas previously not experiencing this, with consequent benefits in respect of road transport, traffic congestion and journeys to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23501/24]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which the level of investment in jobs here continues to keep pace with other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23502/24]

Business Supports

Bernard Durkan

179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which assistances towards small- and medium-sized enterprises here continues to equate with those available in other EU and non-EU jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23503/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Bernard Durkan

180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which the concept of working from home or via digital hubs is being progressed, with a view to ensuring the optimum results for employer, employee and the taxpayer; the extent of recent progress in this area; the extent to which the need for flexibility can be recognised by all parties within working from home arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23504/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department continue to liaise with the educational sector in order to ensure the ready supply of suitably qualified employees for a competitive workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23505/24]

Trade Data

Bernard Durkan

182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the countries whence he sees the greatest competition for Ireland over the next five years in respect of the manufacturing and services sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23506/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

Noel Grealish

61. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has been consulted with and provided observations on proposals to raise the legal age for smoking, particularly given concerns expressed by retailers on the workability of have differing age limits applying to the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products. [23037/24]

Departmental Priorities

Catherine Connolly

62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 18 April 2024, for an update on his Department’s engagement with the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to developing a new business and human rights action plan and implementation body; his plans for independent oversight of the implementation of the new action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23077/24]

Work Permits

Aindrias Moynihan

63. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the up-to-date position on the introduction of a single permit system for work permits and visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23082/24]

Business Supports

Aindrias Moynihan

64. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if supports are being considered for SMEs in the use of AI technologies for their businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23083/24]

Job Creation

Aindrias Moynihan

65. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures being considered in increasing the current number of IDA-supported jobs for the mid Cork region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23084/24]

Employment Rights

Marc MacSharry

66. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any legislative measures in existence or planned to provide for employment rights for contract workers within the film industry where substantial tax incentives are provided to boost profitability, yet many workers and service providers are only being provided with temporary and/or rolling contracts with no employment rights or benefits as would normally accrue such as social insurance, pension, sick leave, holiday pay and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23142/24]