Pa Daly
Question:9. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to detail jobs supported by Enterprise Ireland between 2020 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21587/25]
View answerJob Creation
Questions (9)
Written answers
Enterprise Ireland recently published its 2024 jobs results which show that EI supported companies recorded jobs growth for the third year in a row, despite what was a challenging year for some sectors of exporting Irish businesses.
Employment in companies supported by EI increased to a record level of 234,454 in 2024 with 15,741 new jobs created, an increase of 3% on the 2023 outturn. Employment increased across EI’s three core economic sectors - Technology & Services, Industrial and Life Sciences and Food and Sustainability.
This growth translates into a net increase of over 6,000 jobs in 2024. Balanced regional development is being achieved in terms of both new jobs created and total employment, with 64% of EI supported new jobs based outside Dublin and all nine regions recording jobs growth.
This compares to the 2020 position, when Enterprise Ireland supported companies employed 220,613 people. Employment figures declined to 207,894 in 2021 due to the significant impact of COVID on the business environment. The record numbers of people that are now employed in Enterprise Ireland supported businesses is a testament to the continued resilience of the Irish enterprise community given the many significant challenges that have been faced in recent years.
Enterprise Ireland's strategy for the 2025 - 2029 period sets a target of 275,000 jobs in EI supported companies by 2029 and outlines the actions that EI will take to support the sustainable growth and development of Irish businesses during this period. I have full confidence in the capability of Irish owned businesses to continue to grow and meet the challenges they face in the years ahead.
Questions Nos. 10 to 14, inclusive, answered orally.
Departmental Bodies
Questions (15)
Barry Ward
Question:15. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the establishment of a small business unit in his Department, as set out in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21738/25]
View answerWritten answers
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Small Business Unit has been established in my Department. This is a commitment in the Programme for Government and a recognition of the importance that the Government places on small businesses.
The Unit has been tasked with ensuring that the needs and issues of small businesses have a dedicated focus and are recognised and acknowledged across Government. There are a number of tools this Unit and my Department will use to enable its work.
First, through the rigorous implementation of the SME Test. The SME Test tasks policy makers to consider the impact that any new policy, legislation, or regulation, may have on SMEs, and to mitigate against those impacts where appropriate. Through the SME Test, we are driving home the importance of the “think small first” principle across Government.
Second, we have simplified access to grants and support programmes through the National Enterprise Hub. The NEH is hosted and operated by Enterprise Ireland and has over 250 different supports for businesses from 29 Departments and agencies. The NEH is staffed by a team of expert advisers who are on hand to offer advice directly to businesses. Since its launch, the NEH has had contact with over 4,300 businesses. My Department is working on how to improve the NEH further with a greater emphasis on simplification.
Third, we are ensuring the Local Enterprise Offices are properly resourced to help small businesses. The LEOs have a mandate to support small businesses with up to 50 employees and I have made changes to their grants and schemes to ensure more businesses are eligible.
Let me assure the Deputy that the Government and my Department are committed to backing businesses and will ensure the actions aimed at supporting small businesses in the Programme for Government are implemented in an effective and timely manner.
Question No. 16 answered with Question No. 11.
White Papers
Questions (17)
Catherine Connolly
Question:17. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the implementation plan 2025-2026 of the White Paper on Enterprise has been published; the progress made to support indigenous enterprises since the publication of the white paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20529/25]
View answerWritten answers
The White Paper on Enterprise was published by Government in 2022 and focused on enabling Irish-based enterprise to succeed through competitive advantage founded on sustainability, innovation and productivity, delivering rewarding jobs and livelihoods.
The White Paper Implementation Plan 2023-2024 was subsequently developed in May 2023, and focused on ensuring the commitments set out in the White Paper on Enterprise were realised, identifying a portfolio of 40 key initiatives across all seven policy priorities detailed in the White Paper. Progress on the implementation of these 40 key initiatives has been monitored through biannual update reports, where three update reports have been published by my Department to-date.
The fourth and final update report, covering the period H2 2024, was developed during Q1 of this year and will be published in the coming weeks. The latest report indicates that out of the 93 activities which underpin the 40 initiatives set out in the 2023-2024 Implementation Plan, over 90% of these are now complete or on track for completion. This is a testament to the hard work and collective efforts across whole-of-Government in ensuring the White Paper’s vision was ultimately realised.
Since the launch of the White Paper, significant progress has been achieved in expanding the scale and depth of supports for our indigenous enterprise base. These span across the seven pillars of the White Paper and include a multitude of supports for indigenous firms in the areas of: decarbonisation, digitalisation, entrepreneurship and start-ups as well as scaling and exporting. The expansion of the LEO mandate to develop the export potential of Irish businesses, bridging the gap in supports for companies with 10-50 employees, was also a commitment ultimately realised. An additional range of support packages have also been rolled out to SMEs during this period, helping to bolster the resiliency and sustainability of Irish enterprise within an increasingly challenging global economy.
Key metrics for the implementation of the White Paper on Enterprise also indicated a significant strengthening of our domestic sector, including enhanced performance in areas such as: digital intensity of SMEs, indigenous enterprise productivity and number of exporting firms. Metrics related to greater regional balance through increased investment and job creation outside of Dublin have also been met.
The 2025 Programme for Government includes a commitment to publish a new enterprise strategy, Enterprise 2035, as a long-term ambition for enterprise growth and job creation over the coming decade. This policy will supersede the White Paper on Enterprise, maintaining a focus on building on Ireland’s strengths as an open economy with strong trade and foreign direct investment, a vibrant innovation ecosystem and a resilient labour market, while also adapting to new challenges in an increasingly uncertain world.
Industrial Relations
Questions (18)
Sinéad Gibney
Question:18. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps his Department is taking to strengthen the right to collective bargaining in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21700/25]
View answerWritten answers
It has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments to promote collective bargaining through the development of an institutional framework supportive of a voluntary system of industrial relations that is premised upon freedom of contract and freedom of association.
There is an extensive range of statutory provisions designed to back up the voluntary bargaining process. The right to freedom of association and the right to organise and bargain collectively are also guaranteed in a number of international instruments which the State has ratified and which it is, therefore, bound to uphold under international law.
Article 4 of the EU Adequate Minimum Wage Directive, Promotion of Collective Bargaining on Wage Setting , aims to promote collective bargaining on wages in all Member States. The Directive requires Member States in which the collective bargaining coverage rate is less than 80%, as in Ireland, to provide “for a framework of enabling conditions for collective bargaining” and to publish an Action Plan to promote collective bargaining by the end of 2025.
The Programme for Government contains the commitment to finalise the action plan and I am committed to working towards this with the social partners.
A technical working group has been established with Department officials and the social partners, to consider the content of Ireland’s Action Plan. The working group is meeting regularly.
On 14th April 2025, my Department launched a public consultation process to obtain the views of interested stakeholders across the wider enterprise and employment sectors on the possible content of the Action Plan. The outcome of the consultation process will help guide my Department in finalising the proposals, both legislative and administrative, which may be considered for inclusion. The closing date for submissions is the 12th of May and it is publicly available on my Department’s website.
An update on Collective Bargaining and Ireland’s Action Plan was provided to the social partners at the LEEF meeting chaired by the Taoiseach on 4th April 2025, and is on the agenda for my meeting with the social partners at the LEEF Subgroup on Enterprise and Employment to be held before the summer recess.
State Bodies
Questions (19)
Tony McCormack
Question:19. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the status of IDA land bank acquisitions in County Offaly, particularly in light of his recent visit to the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21571/25]
View answerWritten answers
A core objective of IDA Ireland includes delivering a competitive property offering which promotes national economic investments, supports winning Foreign Direct Investment, and the growth and expansion of indigenous client companies within the Enterprise Ireland or LEO portfolio. In this regard, the IDA keeps its land holdings under constant review and, in doing so, seeks opportunities to partner with Local Authorities and the private sector to deliver solutions in many regional locations across the country.
The success of the IDA Business and Technology Park in Tullamore is a testament to this approach. Investment wins from notable clients such as Steris, Sennheiser, Integra Life Sciences, and Zoetis highlight the effectiveness of IDA's property offerings.
While details on specific land purchases are commercially sensitive until an acquisition is completed, IDA Ireland is fully committed to securing additional lands in the Midlands Region. By aligning land acquisitions with investor needs, IDA aims to provide serviceable site solutions that support both initial and long-term investment plans.
Moreover, the IDA’s Regional Building Programme 2025+ will deliver 12 new buildings throughout the country, as well as 11 Advance Planning Permits over the period to 2027, including a partnership with Offaly County Council for the delivery of an advance planning permit for an Advanced Technology Building in Tullamore to support the location for investment from an attractiveness perspective. To this end, the IDA are actively seeking to identify the appropriate site with the aim of securing the relevant Planning Permission during the currency of its new Strategy.
I am confident that the Midlands and Offaly will remain an attractive location for inward investment underpinned by the IDA's Property Programme and the Agency's proactive and constructive engagement with existing and prospective clients and wider stakeholders in the region.
Question No. 20 answered with Question No. 11.
Living Wage
Questions (21)
Louis O'Hara
Question:21. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the decision to delay the introduction of a living wage will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20784/25]
View answerWritten answers
This is a complex matter and there are a lot of considerations to be taken into account.
First, it is important to highlight the very real progress we have made in raising the national minimum wage in recent years by way of substantial increases.
Second, I fully expect the National Minimum Wage to increase further over the coming years. I want to ensure that the National Minimum Wage increases in a sustainable way, and that further increases are managed in a way that does not threaten employment or competitiveness.
I will work hard to find a balance between a fair and sustainable rate for low-paid workers and one that will not have significant negative consequences for employers and competitiveness.
As part of a suite of measures to bolster business resilience and support competitiveness, Government has agreed to adjust the implementation timeline for the living wage to 2029.
The independent Low Pay Commission will continue to make annual recommendations to me on the appropriate rate of the National Minimum Wage, and Government will consider these recommendations in the context of prevailing economic conditions and as part of discussions on the budget, as we do each year.
The Low Pay Commission must consider a range of statutory criteria when making its recommendations to me, including the cost of living, employment and competitiveness.
The important role of the Low Pay Commission is reflected in the Programme for Government which notes that “this Government will recognise the work of the independent Low Pay Commission, ensuring fair wages whilst also supporting the viability of small and medium-sized enterprises.”
With the Government agreement to adjust the implementation timeline of the living wage to 2029, we are doing just that. We are recognising that the original timeline of 2026 was proposed in very different economic conditions.
Given the more challenging and uncertain international environment I believe the adjustment of the living wage implementation timeline is the correct thing to do.
Finally, it’s important to remember that this decision should be seen in the context of the recent substantial increases in the National Minimum Wage which have brought about real wage increases for lower-paid workers. In addition, we have also introduced a range of other measures to assist workers including statutory sick pay, the right to remote work and an additional public holiday. So context is central to this.
These significant increases show Government’s continuing commitment to fair wages for the lowest paid workers in our economy.
Official Engagements
Questions (22)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:22. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his recent engagement with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21535/25]
View answerWritten answers
Intel is a significant employer in Ireland, with Ireland being Intel’s centre of manufacturing excellence in Europe.
As a major employer, I, and my officials, have met with representatives from Intel on a number of occasions - both in Leixlip and in California. I have a further meeting with Intel today.
I note the publication of Intel’s Q1 financial results last week and the reported comments from the Intel CEO that they were ‘a step in the right direction’. The comments confirming that there will be a reduction in Intel’s workforce globally, are, of course, very concerning. While no specifics around the number or location of job cuts were flagged, the company have said they plan to reduce operating costs by $500m this year and $1 billion next year, and stated this will include a reduction in the workforce, particularly in management and non-core engineering roles. It is likely to be several weeks before detail is available on the impact of these cost reduction measures.
While we await further specifics on potential downsizing, which is an incredibly anxious time for Intel’s staff, it is positive that the company have stated that they will continue to focus investment on their core business, the manufacturing of semiconductor products. This is the primary activity in Ireland. It is also worth noting that Intel has completed the construction of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility in Europe in Fab 34, in Leixlip which can be central to Intel’s growth recovery strategy.
My Department and I, along with IDA Ireland, will continue to keep in touch with local management. While my thoughts remain with staff and their families, many of whom are extremely concerned, I am also focused on ensuring the continued development of the semiconductors sector in Ireland. It is of strategic importance to Ireland and Europe. Following the Government's consideration last Tuesday, I will launch Silicon Island – Ireland's National Semiconductor Strategy next month to ensure the sector continues to grow and diversify, securing its future and supporting our highly skilled workforce.
Industrial Development
Questions (23)
Aisling Dempsey
Question:23. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs in IDA supported companies in Meath at the end of March 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21403/25]
View answerWritten answers
Latest figures available from the Annual Employment Survey indicate that there were 3,047 people employed in IDA supported companies in County Meath in 2024, across 16 client companies, an increase of 19% on 2023. There has been a 54% increase in employment in FDI clients in County Meath over the period of IDA’s last strategy, 2021-2024, resulting from a strong investment performance including expansions and in Research Development & Innovation investments.
Recent investments in the county include PCI’s announcement in June last year to construct a new pharmaceutical packaging facility in Stamullen and MSD’s opening of its first biologics facility in Dunboyne in September 2023. IDA is actively engaged with client companies in County Meath, focusing on supporting existing operations as well as new investment opportunities.
The availability of property and infrastructure solutions can be the key differentiator in winning Foreign Direct Investment projects as well as investment by Irish owned companies. IDA has Business and Technology Parks with available lands in Navan (65 acres) and Drogheda (8 acres) and the strong FDI performance in the county will be leveraged as IDA continues to market Meath as a location for further FDI investment utilising its global network of overseas offices.
In its new Strategy, the IDA’s Regional Building Programme 2025+ will deliver 12 new buildings in total throughout Ireland as well as 11 Advance Planning Permits over the period to 2027, including a partnership with Meath County Council for the delivery of an advance planning permit for an Advanced Technology Building in Navan to advance the location from an attractiveness perspective.
I am confident that Meath will remain an attractive location for inward investment building on the proactive and constructive engagement between IDA Ireland and Meath County Council, the work of the County's third level education and research providers, and the skills available to potential investors by the talented Meath people.
Question No. 24 answered with Question No. 11.
Question No. 25 answered with Question No. 14.
Business Supports
Questions (26)
Joe Neville
Question:26. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the schemes in place to encourage businesses to set up in our towns and villages; and if he has plans to introduce more schemes to ensure the longevity of towns and villages. [20751/25]
View answerWritten answers
There are a wide range of supports in place to support anyone who wants to start a business and the Government is committed to supporting entrepreneurs who want to set up in any of our towns and villages countrywide.
The Deputy will be aware of the work of the network of Local Enterprise Offices across the country. The LEOs provide training and advice on entrepreneurship and helping businesses to start, grow and deal with challenges of running a business. LEOs support job creation and provide accessible high-quality supports for small businesses.
The LEOs provide business advice, training and mentoring supports to anyone looking to start a business, including the Start Your Own Business programme.
LEOs also offer start-up grant assistance to small businesses, with priority given to enterprises in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors who have the potential to export. There are thousands of small businesses who have benefited from a business expansion, priming or feasibility grant, through their LEO.
LEOs also provide a wide range of training and mentoring supports, as well as digital and green supports through free consultancy from the Digital and Green for Business, and grant supports such as the Energy Efficiency Grant and Grow Digital Voucher
Aside from business supports, LEOs contribute to the development of economic strategies such as the Local Economic and Community Plans and ensure that an enterprise perspective is brought to bear on various Local Authority and regional plans and frameworks.
LEOs also act as a catalyst for economic development by driving collaboration with the broader enterprise ecosystem at the local level.
Balanced regional development is a Government priority and a central component of the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 is to support balanced regional enterprise development. My Department and its agencies contribute to this agenda in several ways, including through the nine Regional Enterprise Plans. These are bottom-up plans developed and led by regional stakeholders which focus on collaborative initiatives to strengthen the enterprise ecosystem in each region.
Weather Events
Questions (27)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:27. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the creation of an extreme weather event assistance scheme relevant to the business sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21630/25]
View answerWritten answers
Government is acutely aware of the significant challenges that the impacts of Storm Éowyn caused for business owners since 24th January. Following the immediate damage caused by the storm, many businesses were impacted by subsequent outages in relation to power, water, and communications networks.
The situation in relation to Storm Éowyn and its impacts on the business community have been closely monitored through regular updates from the National Emergency Coordination Group and updates from Local Enterprise Offices in the counties with the most significant and prolonged impacts.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, through the National Emergency Coordination Group, are leading a cross-government review of the response to Storm Éowyn. My officials are engaging in this review and it is expected to be completed by the end of June. This review will inform consideration of any potential extreme weather event assistance scheme for the business sector.
With regard to the issue of losses arising from Storm Éowyn, I would in the first instance encourage businesses to seek recourse through their insurance providers to cover any losses incurred. I have been engaging directly with the insurance federation and my understanding is that most losses incurred by businesses, such as property damage, loss of earnings and spoilage of stock, fall within standard insurance cover and the damage caused by the storm is a standard insured peril for insurance policies.
In the past, my Department has operated a targeted Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme in response to specific flooding incidents. These schemes are specifically targeted to providing a contribution to small businesses of up to 20 employees as well as community, voluntary and sporting bodies who have experienced damage as a result of flooding and to help them get back up and running. A condition of eligibility for these schemes is that the businesses must not have been able to secure flood insurance through no fault of its own.
Human Rights
Questions (28)
Catherine Connolly
Question:28. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 20 February 2025, if the action plan on business and human rights has now been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20528/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and my Department established a dedicated Business and Human Rights Stakeholder Forum with the participation of individuals with relevant expertise and responsibilities from key organisations across business, civil society, trade unions and academia to assist with the development of a second National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
The Stakeholder Forum has met on two occasions so far which has proved invaluable in shaping the draft Plan. At the second Stakeholder Forum meeting, officials outlined the draft action points forming the basis of the new Plan. Following this meeting, stakeholder members provided written feedback to be further considered. This feedback continues to be reviewed across all relevant Government Departments to ensure the actions are deliverable during the lifetime of the plan.
As many of the suggested actions relate to the work of other Government Departments, we await their agreed inputs to move forward with a set of actions that are feasible, actionable and specific in place. This work and engagement are ongoing. Once a final set of actions is agreed with other Government Departments, it can then be presented to the Stakeholder Forum.
Nearly all of the actions under Pillar I and Pillar II have been agreed or are being finalised, the majority of which are being brought forward by my Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, officials continue to engage with relevant Departments to agree and finalise actions under Pillar III, Access to Remedy. There was a clear call from stakeholders for meaningful actions to be included under this pillar and we are striving to reflect this in the Plan.
While it has taken longer than expected to complete this work, I do think it is important that time has been taken to ensure we can present an ambitious plan with clear, deliverable actions. The updated actions will be presented at the third Stakeholder Forum, which is expected to take place in the coming months.
The finalised plan will cover a multi-annual timeframe and will reflect new developments in the international understanding of business and human rights, including new EU instruments. It will have key performance indicators which will have assigned responsibilities and timelines to adhere to. I expect this approach to bring human rights considerations to the forefront in how Irish enterprises conduct their business affairs, in a manner that can demonstrate conscientious and responsible performance, in line with the values and expectations of Irish people.
Work Permits
Questions (29)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:29. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when persons (details supplied) wishing to work for a Cork haulage company will receive their work permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21401/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Employment Permits Unit has informed me that the applications referenced have been assigned to processors and it is expected that they will be processed shortly.
The Department has made significant progress in recent years in improving the employment permits processing system to address increasing demand. The average current wait time in respect of a new employment permit is between 1-2 week. From time to time certain applications can require additional checks and this can lead to an unavoidable delay. The Employment Permits Unit has informed me that as the WRC inspection that was requested in respect of this company has been completed, they can now process the applications.
Joint Labour Committees
Questions (30)
Sinéad Gibney
Question:30. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps his Department is taking to review and strengthen the effectiveness of the joint labour committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21702/25]
View answerWritten answers
Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) are provided for under the Industrial Relations Act 1946 and were reformed by the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act, 2012. A JLC is comprised of equal numbers of representatives of employers and workers in a sector. JLCs meet regularly, under an independent Chairperson to discuss proposals for terms and conditions to apply to specified grades or categories of workers in the sector.
In 2023, a Review of the JLCs was conducted by the Labour Court, in line with the requirements of the 2012 Industrial Relations Act which requires a review of the JLCs at least every five years. The Review recommended maintenance of the nine JLCs already in existence. The former Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond TD, approved the recommendations of the Labour Court Review and made an Order giving them effect. Details are available here: www.labourcourt.ie/en/publications/joint-labour-committees-reviews/.
Any further changes to the JLC system will be considered in the context of the development of Ireland’s Action Plan on collective bargaining, as required by Article 4 of the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages. The Programme for Government commits to publishing the Action Plan by the end of 2025. I remain strongly supportive of the state’s collective bargaining and wage setting mechanisms, and the important work of the JLCs in setting EROs.