Written Answers Nos. 391-411
391. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide an update on the installation of eco-toilet facilities in the Phoenix Park for public use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63692/25]
View answerThe Office of Public Works is developing an approach to “off-grid” toilet solutions for the areas of Phoenix Park which would benefit from added toilet facilities. The OPW recognises particularly the benefits they would provide over the current temporary toilet arrangement at the Papal Cross.
The procurement process is due to progress to tender stage by end of Q4 2025. Assessments will be carried out in Q1 2026 with the view to have appointed contractors on site in Q1/Q2 2026 for site works and installation to follow soon after.
392. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to publish the cost-benefit analysis carried out for the Cork housing and transport elements of the National Development Plan, and to confirm the date of the most recent review. [63985/25]
View answerThe review of the National Development Plan (NDP) published in July represents the largest capital injection in our economy in the history of the State. As part of the NDP Review, Government agreed substantive annual sectoral allocations for 2026 to 2030 and overall Government capital ceilings to 2035. The Review sets out total public capital investment of €275.4 billion to 2035. This comprises €202.4 billion in Exchequer Voted capital expenditure from 2026 to 2035.
Of this, €102.4 billion is being allocated for the next five years – an additional €24 billion on what was previously allocated in the NDP in 2021. A further €10 billion in equity and fund releases is being provided for strategic megaprojects in water, energy and transport. This brings the total additional capital investment to €34 billion for the period to 2030.
In addition to setting multi-annual capital expenditure ceilings for Departments through the NDP process, my Department is responsible for the Infrastructure Guidelines, which set the value for money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing Exchequer-funded capital projects. A cost-benefit analysis would, dependent on the specific appraisal requirements, be a component of this process.
While my Department maintains this framework, the management, appraisal and delivery of investment projects and public services within allocation and within the national frameworks is ultimately the responsibility of the individual Approving Authority and Accounting Officer. They have responsibility for ensuring the Strategic Assessment and Preliminary Business Case, the Final Business Case, the Project Completion Report and the Ex-post Evaluation Report are published as soon as possible, in particular after the decision to approve the proposal at the relevant stage has been taken.
To ensure value for money and to allow for greater scrutiny and clarity, major capital projects over €200 million must also be reviewed through the External Assurance Process (EAP) and Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG) at Approval Gate 1 (AG1). These review process are overseen by my Departments.
The Preliminary Business Case for BusConnects Cork underwent this MPAG process, prior to its recent submission to Government for consent for approval at AG1. MPAG review notes are published online by my department, subject to commercial sensitivities.
393. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the reasons all permit applications, both new and renewal, are currently on hold, as indicated by Departmental correspondence; to outline what those circumstances are, when normal processing of applications are expected to resume; the interim measures in place to support affected applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63136/25]
View answerIreland operates a managed employment permits system designed to address skills and labour shortages in the economy while ensuring that opportunities for Irish and EEA nationals are protected. The system is governed by the Employment Permits Act 2024 and associated regulations, which set out the conditions under which permits may be granted.
A key requirement under the legislation is the “50:50 rule,” which provides that at least 50% of an employer’s workforce must be EEA nationals before any new employment permits can issue. This requirement is intended to ensure that the recruitment of non-EEA nationals supplements, rather than substitutes, employment opportunities for EEA nationals.
The company referred to in the question is currently in breach of the 50:50 rule. Accordingly, no new employment permits can be granted to this employer until such time as they return to compliance with this legislative requirement.
Employers are reminded to familiarise themselves with their legal obligations under employment legislation before offering roles to prospective employees.
394. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the residential construction productivity levels recorded in 2023 and 2024; how these compare to EU averages; and the measures planned to increase productivity to meet the housing targets. [63924/25]
View answerA recent analysis of Residential Construction Productivity levels, including for the years 2023 and 2024, is contained in the Central Statistics Office web publication (September 2025): Productivity Construction: A National Accounts Perspective 2024. Here, labour productivity is calculated as output per hour worked, where output is measured as Gross Value Added (GVA) in constant prices. The latest available data shows that labour productivity for the Construction sector as a whole was €43.5 per hour in 2024, marginally higher than €43 per hour in 2023. In 2024, 324 million hours of work were estimated for the construction sector, an increase of 10.4% on 2019 (pre-COVID), when 293.5 million hours were worked. Quoting latest Eurostat comparative data in the same publication, the CSO reports that in terms of labour productivity in the construction sector, Ireland was ranked 7th in the EU-27 in 2023. Construction productivity data is not currently available for the residential construction sector.
One of the actions in the Government's recently published Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity published by my Department in September 2025, is to prioritise increased construction sector productivity in national infrastructure and housing programmes, through further embedding supply and demand-side initiatives at design and procurement stages and strengthening industry capability through initiatives such as Enterprise Ireland’s 'Built to Innovate' and the Construct Innovate Technology Centre, and development of the national MMC Demonstration Park at Mount Lucas; maintaining a focus on digitalisation, sustainable practices, lean processes and adoption of MMC.
My Department, working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and other relevant stakeholders, is progressing work to increase innovation and delivery capacity in the residential construction sector, including through promoting the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). This is a strong focus in the Government's new Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
MMC is an umbrella term used to capture a range of innovative construction processes that includes 2D panelised housing systems and 3D volumetric/modular pod systems. More widespread adoption of MMC can help increase productivity in home building; cutting construction times and helping in the faster delivery of high-quality, sustainable, and more-affordable housing.
Initiatives led by my Department to support construction innovation and MMC adoption include:
• The establishment of Construct Innovate, an industry led technology centre, bringing together research and industry that focuses key construction challenges, particularly in housing;
• Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Built to Innovate’ package of innovation and productivity supports to the domestically focused residential construction sector that to has to date made grant support of over €6.5 million in total available to 45 companies in the residential sector to drive adoption of efficient construction practices, digitalisation, and the use of MMC; and
• National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) working to enhance Ireland’s Agrément system that enables innovative construction products and systems be brought into use in compliance with Irish building regulations.
The Government's new Housing Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 contains a range of actions to increase skills and support MMC. Some key actions include:
• Use MMC in at least 25% of all new social and affordable homes built during the lifetime of the Plan.
• Scope potential for the development of an Irish Standard for Light Gauge Steel.
• Promote opportunities for MMC manufacturers to use ISIF backed funds to support new and existing factories.
• The Local Authority Accelerated Delivery Programme, which continues to deliver at least 1,500 MMC units across Local Authorities.
• Increase the use of 3D Volumetric via funding and support for pathfinder projects in Limerick and Wexford.
Finally, my Department chairs the MMC Leadership and Integration Group, which promotes a cross-government approach to enable greater levels of MMC adoption in housing delivery.
395. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the assessment that has been carried out on the potential impact of the Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill 2025 on small-scale rural tourism enterprises, particularly those operating as part of farm diversification strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62726/25]
View answer396. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which the Tourism Policy Framework 2025–2030 supports the development of agritourism as a tool for rural regeneration; if specific funding or policy measures are being considered to promote this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62729/25]
View answer397. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if the Tourism Policy Framework 2025–2030 includes provisions to support the adaptive reuse of protected structures, such as thatched cottages, for tourism purposes; if exemptions or incentives are being considered to ensure their viability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62730/25]
View answerOn 15 April, Government approved the General Scheme for the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill. This Bill, when enacted, will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of regulatory controls including a register for Short Term Lettings (STL) in Ireland, to be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland from 20 May 2026, ensuring compliance with the new EU Short Term Rental Regulation, which was adopted on 11 April 2024.
The decision to introduce a register for Short term letting has been broadly welcomed by the tourism sector.
From 20 May 2026, all STL hosts offering accommodation for periods up to and including 21 nights will be obliged to register with Fáilte Ireland via a digital system and confirm their compliance with planning requirements. The registration process will take just 5 minutes to complete and will result in a unique registration number being issued for each STL unit registered. This number must be displayed when listing the STL unit on any online platforms.
Fáilte Ireland has estimated that, based on data for September 2025 which has been screen scraped from publicly available STL listings across four major booking platforms, there are c.34,680 STL properties in the State currently being advertised online and up to 65% of these properties are advertised as “entire” houses and apartments. The research points to a 25% increase from an estimated 27,720 units listed in September 2022. It is important, in such a fast-growing area, that we have oversight and data on where this growth is happening.
The new Housing policy, proposed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne T.D., and approved by Government on 15 April is to generally preclude new planning permissions for STLs in large towns and cities. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is working to give effect to this decision. This involves a review of current Planning Acts with a view to remove references to Rent Pressure Zones in respect of short term lets and to enable local authorities have discretion to develop policies for other locations having regard to relevant local criteria to be set out in planning guidance. Minister Browne will progress any necessary legislative changes to implement the new Planning requirements. The planning guidance on short-term letting will be by way of a National Planning Statement which will be published in advance of the final enactment of the STLT Bill to provide clarity for the tourism sector.
Tourism is an important economic driver that supports one in 10 jobs in Ireland, and I am acutely aware of its importance and the concerns of the tourism industry, in particular short-term letting accommodation providers based throughout rural Ireland, including in agri-tourism. I am mindful of concerns in both rural and major tourism regions where Short Term Lettings provide much needed accommodation for visitors. These concerns are being addressed through continued engagement with all stakeholders.
I and my Department will consider the full implications for the Tourism sector as we await the publication of the National Planning Statement for short term letting by the Minister Browne.
398. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the role agritourism is expected to play in achieving the goals of balanced regional development and sustainability outlined in the Tourism Policy Framework 2025–2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62731/25]
View answer399. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the total annual funding received by local enterprise offices in each local authority area in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62748/25]
View answer400. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures his Department is taking to create jobs in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62749/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 398 to 400, inclusive, together.
Regional development is a key element of our national enterprise policy, as set out in the Programme for Government and the White Paper on Enterprise, and is a key focus of the work of my Department and its agencies.
As of 2024 there were 2,060 employed in EI client companies based in Laois, a 4.1% increase on 2023. Payments to Laois based companies within Enterprise Ireland’s portfolio totalled €2.7 million between 2023 and 2024.
Kirby Group Engineering has officially opened its new off-site manufacturing (OSM) facility at Junction 17 National Enterprise Park in Portlaoise, Co Laois. The €8m development is set to create 50 jobs and will be key to the continuing growth of the company as it manufactures a range of components for projects across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.
Midland Steel have invested €16 million state of the art facility will create 62 jobs over the next three years. The job creation includes top-quality engineering positions, robotic technicians, estimators, BIM modellers, mechanical and electrical technicians, and steel fixers all functioning in a fully automated environment. The Midland Steel manufacturing facility is the first of its kind in Ireland. The SMART facility represents a major investment in full automation of the rebar cutting and bending process, providing off-site manufacturing of a finished product ready for concrete placement.
Enterprise Ireland is an active member of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan (REP) Steering Group with partners including the Local Authorities. The plan includes projects and initiatives across the four Midlands counties (Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly).
Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs) are developed by regional stakeholders and focus on undertaking collaborative initiatives that can help deliver enterprise growth in each of the nine regions in Ireland. The REPs aim to bring added value and increased impact through regional actors working collaboratively to address challenges and foster new enterprise development opportunities.
The Midlands REP covers Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly and was launched in 2022. It works to leverage the established strengths of the region in relation to transitioning to a net zero carbon economy, smart specialisation and digitalisation, and placemaking. It is overseen and monitored by a Steering Committee made up of representatives from the public and private sector.
There are 52 IDA client companies in the Midlands Region, comprising Laois, Westmeath, Offaly, and Longford, employing 8,045 people. The FDI performance in the region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 26% and there is a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Life Sciences, Technology, Global Business & Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies. Laois is home to 5 IDA-supported companies employing 145 people. Over the last IDA strategy, IDA has supported three significant FDI investments for Laois. In July 2021 N’Ware Technologies, a Canadian software firm, announced the opening of its new sales and services centre in Mountrath, with the creation of 25 jobs. In July 2020, Greenfield Global officially opened its new €30m EU manufacturing headquarters in Portlaoise, to be supported by 75 employees, and in 2018 Barracuda (previously known as Skout), a U.S. cybersecurity firm based on the IDA Business Park in Portlaoise announced the creation of 30 jobs.
The Portlaoise Business and Technology Park is maintained as part of IDA Ireland’s property portfolio and is available to accommodate investment and development by IDA and Enterprise Ireland clients. For example, Aubren, an Enterprise Ireland client is located on the IDA there. There is c.33.39 hectares of lands available for marketing in the park, in a landscaped and serviced environment, suitable for both manufacturing and international services clients and IDA continues to proactively market the available lands. IDA will also continue to work closely with the private sector in the Midlands to secure the provision and marketing of appropriate and cost-effective building and property solutions for client companies. IDA’s focus over the coming years is to build on the strengths and competencies of the region with a particular focus on high value manufacturing, services and research and development opportunities across a number of established clusters in Life Sciences, Technology, and Global Business Services.
In 2024 the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Laois approved over €200k in direct grant assistance to start-ups and existing businesses under the Feasibility, Priming and Business Expansion Grants. These supports enable entrepreneurs and small businesses to start, sustain, and scale operations which contributes to job creation within the county.
Last year LEO Laois also delivered the Start Your Own Business (SYOB) programmes to 143 aspiring entrepreneurs. This programme guides clients through the various aspects of business and business planning. It highlights the importance of planning ahead when setting up a new venture and assists entrepreneurs in honestly assessing their business idea, its viability and help them decide if they should proceed or take a step back. A further 134 have participated in 8 Start Your Own Business Courses delivered this year. The participation numbers in the SYOB can be seen as an indicator for the likely pipeline of new businesses that will start up over the course of the following year.
I continue to emphasise the importance of regional development and the role of my department’s agencies in driving economic growth in the regions. I want to highlight the efforts of EI, IDA and the LEOs to provide businesses with the resources and support they need to thrive, particularly in areas outside the capital. By focusing on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, my Department aims to create a more resilient and competitive business environment in the Midlands region.
401. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of registered overnight serviced accommodation, by type and by county in each of the years 2021 to 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62750/25]
View answerMy Department provides funding, through through Enterprise Ireland, to the 31 Local Enterprise Offices. The level of funding is allocated based on a distribution model where 70% of the funds are divided equally among the 31 Local Enterprise Offices and the remainder is distributed proportionately, based on the banding of the Local Authorities.
Capital funding is used to support enterprise development through Measure 1 (direct grant aid) and Measure 2 (capability training and development) interventions, while the Department also provides current funding to the Local Authorities for the administrative costs of running the LEOs.
Table 1 attached sets out the funding allocation, both capital and current, received by the Local Enterprise Offices in each of the past 5 years. Funding in 2020 increased considerably due to the impacts on businesses of the Covid-19 pandemic and associated response from Government. In the subsequent years, funding stabilised and since 2022 has increased again due to policy changes and an expanded remit of the LEOs.
402. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to outline all capital investment made by the IDA in County Laois since 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62752/25]
View answer406. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of foreign direct investment (FDI) jobs in County Laois in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; the number of FDI jobs created and lost respectively in County Laois in the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62934/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 406 together.
Regional Development is a key focus of our Programme for Government and is central to the work of my Department and our enterprise development agencies. In this regard, regional development is one of four key strategic objectives of IDA Ireland's 2025-2029 strategy, "Adapt Intelligently" with a commitment to secure 550 investments, 55% of its total investment target, outside Dublin, including a target of 40 investments in the Midlands.
There is a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Life Sciences, Technology, Global Business & Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies in the Midlands region. There is a total of 52 IDA client companies in the region, employing 8,045 people, including 145 people employed across 5 IDA client companies in County Laois. Recent significant investments in Laois include N’Ware Technologies' announcement in 2021 of the opening of its sales and services centre in Mountrath, and Greenfield Global's official opening of its €30m EU manufacturing headquarters in Portlaoise in 2020.
As requested, the number of jobs in IDA client companies in County Laois in the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and the number of jobs created and lost respectively is set out in tabular form below. The 2025 figures will be available in January 2026.
|
Laois |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Number of IDA Client companies |
5 |
6 |
5 |
|
Total Jobs |
163 |
180 |
145 |
|
New Jobs Created |
+13 |
+30 |
+21 |
|
Job Losses |
-15 |
-13 |
-56 |
|
Net Change |
-2 |
+17 |
-35 |
As the Deputy is aware, a robust property and infrastructure ecosystem can be the key differentiator in winning FDI projects. The availability of suitable property and strategic sites is a critical component of the regional value proposition and to the winning of investments into the regions from both new-name clients and from the existing client base.
IDA, through its Regional Property Programme aims to address regional market failure through investment in land, buildings and essential infrastructure in regional locations as required by current and prospective clients of IDA as well as those of Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. In this regard, the IDA has invested over €4.5m in County Laois since 2022 on property as set out below:
|
Laois |
Capitalised Sum (since 2022) |
|
Total |
€4,504,000 |
The IDA Business and Technology Park in Portlaoise, Co. Laois is maintained as part of IDA Ireland’s property portfolio and there is c.33.39 hectares of lands available for marketing in the IDA Park to suit both manufacturing and international services clients, in a landscaped and serviced environment. In that regard IDA continues to proactively market the available lands to suitable qualifying client companies and is committed to the continued promotion of the lands for development for employment generating uses consistent with its development brief.
Under the IDA’s new property programme, the agency will partner with Laois County Council for the delivery of advance planning permits as well as complete upgrade works on the IDA Industrial or Business Park in in Portlaoise. IDA will also continue to work closely with the private sector in the Midlands to secure the provision and marketing of appropriate and cost-effective building and property solutions for client companies.
As to Grant payments to IDA Clients in Laois over the 2022 to 2024, the figure is set out below. I would note however that Grants paid in a particular year are not necessarily linked to either investments, or jobs created in that 12-month period. Grants are generally drawn down over the lifetime of a project, typically three to five years. Some investments which result in job creation may not be grant aided and some well-established firms may no longer be receiving grant payments.
|
Laois |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Grant Payments |
€401,212 |
€0 |
€86,321 |
IDA Ireland works effectively with national and local stakeholders to ensure that each region has the necessary conditions in place to foster enterprise and innovation and attract investment and talent. IDA enjoys close working relationships with all key stakeholders across the 4 counties and is heavily involved in a significant number of initiatives across the region to improve the value proposition for FDI – Just Transition, Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Committee, ICT Network and ATIM Cluster Steering Committee, and the Region Skills Forum etc.
IDA’s focus over the coming years is to build on the strengths and competencies of the region with a particular focus on high value manufacturing, services and research and development opportunities across a number of established clusters in Life Sciences, Technology, and Global Business Services. Emerging technology trends have and will continue to create new opportunities across the region in areas such as data analytics, smart manufacturing, cybersecurity and new approaches to working such as co-working hubs.
403. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has examined the impact of payment delays on community, voluntary, and non-profit organisations funded through State grants or reimbursements; and his views on whether such delays undermine service delivery, local employment, or the financial sustainability of these organisations. [62831/25]
View answerMy Department recognises the vital role that community, voluntary, and non-profit organisations play in delivering essential services, supporting vulnerable groups, and contributing to local economies across the country, and that many of these organisations rely on State grants or reimbursements to sustain their operations.
My Department's and the State bodies under its aegis strive to ensure that administrative processes are efficient and responsive, thus cutting out delays where possible. This is not to say that delays may occur for example where issues arise due to incomplete documentation or ensuring compliance and eligibility requirements are being met for specific schemes.
If the Deputy is aware of any instance where a particular body or organisation is having difficulties receiving funded payments from my Department or its State bodies, then please do contact me or my Department directly and we will do our utmost to ensure a speedy resolution.
404. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration has been given to extending the 15-day prompt payment framework to include all categories of payments and reimbursements made by Departments and public bodies to community and voluntary organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62832/25]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring that payments to suppliers and service providers are made promptly, in line with the 15-day prompt payment requirement introduced to support cash flow and financial stability, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Prompt Payment obligations apply only to payments to suppliers on receipt of a valid invoices. These obligations are an extension of the legislation in this area (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012. A commercial transaction is “a transaction between undertakings, or between an undertaking and a public authority, which involves the delivery of goods, or the provision of services, for remuneration.”
In March this year Government agreed new measures to support and encourage effective delivery of the Public Sector’s obligation to pay its bills within 15 days. Officials from my Department have established a Prompt Payment Officer network with representation from each Government Department. The programme of work includes reviewing how improvements might be made to current processes including the system of reporting.
I acknowledge the importance of ensuring timely payments and reimbursements to community and voluntary organisations, many of which deliver essential services on behalf of the State and operate with limited financial flexibility.
However, it is important to note that payments to such organisations are generally made across a wide spectrum of Government departments and agencies, under specific programmes and schemes, each of which has defined eligibility criteria. In order to safeguard public funds and ensure compliance with these criteria, funding bodies must be afforded sufficient time to carry out appropriate due diligence, verify eligibility, and engage with applicants where necessary.
The introduction of a blanket 15-day prompt payment requirement could significantly constrain the ability of funding bodies to complete these necessary checks, potentially undermining the integrity of the funding process.
These funding arrangements differ in nature to contractually agreed payments for commercial transactions where the delivery of goods and services has been completed and for which a valid invoice has been submitted, against which the 15-day prompt payment framework may be more readily applied.
405. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which employment and income-support policies will be aligned with Pillar Two (Employment), including measurable targets for workforce participation, employer engagement, and reduction in disability-related poverty under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. [62874/25]
View answerMy Department's responsibility under Pillar Two of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People centres on employer engagement. It is a priority for my Department is to establish a ministerial-led forum that will provide a platform for a more structured engagement with employers on disability and to raise awareness of the various supports that are available to employers in this regard.
Income supports in relation to the employment of disabled people are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.
The First Programme Plan of Actions 2025 -2026 is currently being developed. It will set out how the key priority actions under each commitment will be delivered on, by whom, the timeframe for delivery, and relevant Key Performance Indicators. Reporting or updating on Programme Plans will be carried out every six months.
407. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of vacancies which arose at principal officer level for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 in his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department; the number of these vacancies filled between internal and external methods; the number of vacancies each year at principal officer level filled by mobility; the number of internal competitions for principal officer grade run by his Department since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63023/25]
View answerThe detail in relation to the number of vacancies at Principal Officer Level in my Department and the Agencies under its remit in the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 is set out below in a series of tables.
Vacancies at Principal Officer Level in my Department
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
12 |
13 |
15 |
15 |
Vacancies at Principal Officer/Equivalent Level in Agencies under remit of DETE
|
Agency |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission |
2 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
|
Corporate Enforcement Authority |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
7 |
2 |
7 |
9 |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
1 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
|
Health and Safety Authority |
4 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
|
Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
IDA Ireland |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Injuries Resolution Board |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
11 |
11 |
10 |
4 |
Methods used to fill Principal Officer vacancies in my Department
|
Method |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Internal |
8 |
10 |
12 |
8 |
|
External |
2 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Mobility |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
Number of internal competitions for Principal Officer run by my Department since 2010
|
2010 |
1 |
|
2011 |
0 |
|
2012 |
0 |
|
2013 |
0 |
|
2014 |
1 |
|
2015 |
0 |
|
2016 |
0 |
|
2017 |
1 |
|
2018 |
0 |
|
2019 |
1 |
|
2020 |
0 |
|
2021 |
0 |
|
2022 |
1 |
|
2023 |
1 |
|
2024 |
0 |
|
2025 |
0 |
408. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update regarding the recommencement of work on the Greystones Media Campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63154/25]
View answer409. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide details of any penalties imposed by the IDA on the company that is developing the Greystones Media Campus for failure to adhere to the terms and conditions of the lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63155/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, IDA Ireland sold a site at Greystones Business Technology Park, County Wicklow, under a 999-year lease dated 21 April 2022 to Greystones Media Campus Owner Ltd., using its authority under the Industrial Development Acts. The use of the lands is restricted to manufacturing and/or internationally traded services in line with the relevant Industrial Development (Service Industries) Order 2010. The lease required the tenant to substantially commence development within a set timeframe, extendable upon request with written approval from the IDA, which cannot be unreasonably withheld.
The company also secured a 10-year planning permission for a film studio media campus from Wicklow County Council (Planning Ref 20620) in 2020.
While detail of the IDA’s engagement with client companies is commercially sensitive, I can again assure the Deputy that the IDA is engaging regularly with the company regarding project progress and their lease obligations.
410. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide details of IDA site visits to Wicklow, including location, for each year between 2020 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63156/25]
View answer411. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide details of all job creation strategies for Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63157/25]
View answerRegional development is a key element of our national enterprise policy, as set out in the Programme for Government and the White Paper on Enterprise, and is a key focus of the work of my Department and its agencies.
Enterprise Ireland launched its new strategy “Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally (2025–2029)” earlier this year. This strategy prioritises regional enterprise development, innovation, and sustainability and building the capability of Irish companies to grow in world markets. Over 60 percent of all EI client company employment is outside Dublin.
Enterprise Ireland is an active member of the Mid-East Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Group with partners including the Local Authorities. The plan includes actions across the three Mid East counties (Kildare, Wicklow, and Meath).
The Mid-East Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024 (and extended to 2025) highlights strategic objectives and actions across a number of sectors for Wicklow as follows:
• Developing Wicklow / East Coast as a hub for the screen content creation sector through actions such as building the Content Creation Enterprise Hub (Clermont) and establishing a Crew Development Hub to organize and deliver skills and talent initiatives for crew roles in the screen industry. Wicklow County Council is also developing a Wicklow Screen Sector Development Strategy to support the growth of the industry across the region. This strategy is currently being developed in conjunction with industry stakeholders.
• Development of a Food Incubation Development Hub in County Wicklow arising from the Wicklow County Council Food & Drink Strategy. A Feasibility Study carried out for WCC recommended the establishment of a food hub and incubation units for the county with a focus on development and support of food businesses in Wicklow.
• Establishment of Marine Enterprise Facilities by developing Marine Enterprise Hubs at Wicklow and Arklow harbours to service the offshore wind industry and other marine services such as aquaculture.
Regional development is one of four key strategic objectives of the IDA 2025–2029 strategy, "Adapt Intelligently" with a commitment to secure 550 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects outside Dublin - 55% of all planned investments. Additionally, the overarching goal is to create 75,000 new jobs nationwide and generate a projected €250 billion in economic impact with the IDA having set ambitious targets for every region in Ireland.
There are 121 IDA client companies in the Mid-East Region, Comprised of Louth, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, employing 20,470 people. 22 of these are in Wicklow, employing 2,695.
The FDI performance in the region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 10%. The Mid-East has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies. It has also won significant investment in the Food and the Film sub-sectors.
A robust property and infrastructure ecosystem can be the key differentiator in winning FDI projects. The availability of suitable property and strategic sites is a critical component of the regional value proposition and to the winning of investments into the regions from both new-name clients and from the existing client base. IDA, through its Regional Property Programme aims to address regional market failure through investment in land, buildings and essential infrastructure in regional locations as required by current and prospective clients of IDA as well as those of Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. In this regard, the IDA has 24.4 ha of land at its Arklow Business & Technology Park, Ballynattin, Co. Wicklow with 12.88 ha available for marketing.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), located in the 31 Local Authorities, are a key partner for small businesses in Ireland, helping them to identify and tackle their controllable costs. The LEO in County Wicklow is actively engaged with their local business community, working to promote a suite of supports designed to assist small businesses to reduce their costs and become more productive and more competitive.
In 2024 LEO Wicklow approved €731,913 in direct grant assistance to start-ups and existing businesses under the Feasibility, Priming and Business Expansion Grants. These supports enable entrepreneurs and small businesses to start, sustain and scale operations which contributes to job creation within the county.
Last year LEO Wicklow also delivered the Start Your Own Business (SYOB) programmes to 144 aspiring entrepreneurs. This programme guides clients through the various aspects of business and business planning. It highlights the importance of planning ahead when setting up a new venture and assists entrepreneurs in honestly assessing their business idea, its viability and help them decide if they should proceed or take a step back.
I continue to emphasise the importance of regional development and the role of my department’s agencies in driving economic growth in the regions.
