Written Answers Nos. 173-192
173. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the capital investment strategy, and the new business and tourism initiatives that he has recently announced. [1846/26]
View answerFollowing the review of the National Development Plan, my Department published our Sectoral Capital Plan 2026–2030 on the 7th January. The Plan sets out how the Department will spend €4.7 billion in capital investment over the next five years to strengthen Ireland’s enterprise and employment base, attract foreign direct investment, promote innovation and support tourism development across all regions.
The funding being provided through the Sectoral Plan will be key in delivering on strategic priorities, including implementing the Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity and the Action Plan on Market Diversification.
The Plan focusses on helping businesses to start, grow and scale attracting and sustaining cutting edge inward investment, boosting tourism competitiveness, growth and market diversification, developing our innovation economy and decarbonising our enterprise base
In terms of specific business and tourism investments, the Plan will provide funding of €1.12 billion to help businesses start, grow and scale - of which €355 million will be provided to Enterprise Ireland Grant Programmes, €350 million will be provided for Local Enterprise and Regional Development, €250 million will be provided to the Seed & Venture Capital Investment Programme and €100 million will be provided for Scaling.
Funding of €1.29 billion will be provided to attract and sustain cutting edge inward investment. Funding to IDA Ireland will support development of Next Generation FDI Sites, IDA Regional Property Programme and IDA's Grants Programme.
A further €1.33 billion of funding will be provided to developing our innovation economy, with €190 million allocated to Enterprise Ireland Technology Centres, €170 million for the European Space Agency, €196 million to the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund and investment of €120 million to Important Projects of European Common Interest.
€400 million in funding is being provided to boost tourism competitiveness, growth and market diversification, including €77 million for overseas marketing to target new markets and €200 million for product development to enhance visitor experiences and regional tourism infrastructure.
The investments through our Sectoral Capital Plan over the next 5 years will ensure that we can continue to have an economy that is competitive and that our businesses can thrive, innovate and compete globally as well as ensuring that we can continue to attract cutting-edge FDI, and attract more visitors to our shores, and delivering upon our commitments in the Programme for Government to balanced regional development across all regions of our country.
174. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if the level of in-work poverty in the State has been brought to his attention; if he will consider an increase in the minimum wage as an effective means to reduce in-work poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1527/26]
View answerI am aware of the level of in-work poverty in Ireland, and this is an issue that Government takes very seriously.
The cross-Government poverty reduction strategy, the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020–2025, aims to reduce consistent poverty to 2% or less and to make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive countries in the EU.
Recognising that poverty is multi-dimensional and requires a whole of Government approach, the Roadmap contains commitments from across Government Departments focused on reducing poverty and improving social inclusion. These 81 commitments focus on groups most at risk of poverty, including workers or people in employment who experience poverty, with commitments in relation to income supports and employment.
The Department of Social Protection is currently developing a successor to the Roadmap, due to be published in the first half of 2026. To inform its development, a public consultation took place in 2025, which received almost 500 responses, including in relation to the issue of in-work poverty.
The Government is aware that, despite overall progress in recent years in reducing poverty rates, there are too many households in Ireland continuing to experience poverty, including in-work poverty.
This is why we are very focused on targeting supports to those most in need, and Budget 2026 reflected this.
In 2026, the Government will invest €28.9 billion in social welfare, with significant across the board increases in primary social protection weekly rates, and over €1.15 billion of new measures targeted to assist households.
The combined effect of these measures will work to support people who are experiencing poverty in communities across Ireland.
Government is aware that income supports alone are not enough to tackle in-work poverty. We need continued and targeted action in other key areas such as housing and employment. These cross-Government actions that are required to reduce in-work poverty will be outlined in the successor to the Roadmap for Social Inclusion and in the successor to Pathways to Work, the national employment strategy, which is also due to be published in 2026.
There have been substantial increases in the National Minimum Wage over the last few years. The minimum wage has increased by 64%, from €8.65 to €14.15 per hour, since the establishment of the Low Pay Commission in 2015. Since 2020, the minimum wage has increased by 40%, from €10.10 to today’s rate of €14.15 an hour.
In 2024, there was a significant uplift of 12%, or €1.40, and in 2025 the minimum wage increased by 80c, an increase of over 6%.
As part of Budget 2026 Government agreed to increase the National Minimum Wage by 65 cent. This increase came into effect on 1st January and brought the minimum wage to €14.15 per hour and represents an increase of 4.8%.
This increase of nearly 5% in the minimum wage is ahead of projected inflation, meaning workers will see a real rise in their pay. The National Minimum Wage has increased ahead of inflation over the past few years, ensuring workers feel the benefits of their hard work.
175. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department is concerned about the rising rate of long-term unemployment, and youth unemployment, which stands at nearly three times the average unemployment rate, according to the CSO; the measures his Department is taking to find the cause and address these issues in the labour market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1736/26]
View answerIt is important to stress that the Irish labour market saw sustained employment growth, rising labour force participation, and record job numbers last year, indicative of a resilient performance. In total, over 2.8 million people are now employed in Ireland with employment up 61,500 on average in the first 9 months of the year, with the pace of job creation slowing slightly as the year progressed. This reflects both the resilience of the economy, and the success of government policies aimed at supporting job creation, fostering innovation, and providing opportunities for all sectors. Ireland’s labour market performance also compares very favourably with our European counterparts.
In respect of unemployment, numbers remain low although the monthly unemployment rate trended slightly upwards over the course of the year. Our unemployment rate remains broadly consistent with full employment. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 5.0% in December (148,700 persons), unchanged from November. The youth unemployment rate (persons aged 15-24 years) was 14.0% in December (50,700 persons) up from 13.7% in November (49,400 persons).
These monthly figures while timely are subject to revision, so it preferable to focus on the quarterly labour force survey data. The latter showed that the there has been an increase in youth unemployment, with 54,800 unemployed in Q3 2025, relative to 45,300 a year previously. In percentage terms, the rate has increased to 14.1%, from 11.5% a year previously. However, it appears that there is a significant demographic effect at play here with high inflows in the quarter of younger persons. Interestingly, other measures, such as the self-reported Principal Economic Status basis, for those aged 15-24 years, shows little change over the course of the year. The same holds for live register data. Furthermore, Ireland’s youth unemployment rate is well below our European peers with rates of 15.2% in the EU and 14.8% in the euro area.
In relation to long-term unemployment, the numbers here remain low with just over 34,000 persons out of work for more than a year, less than half of its historical average.
Beyond CSO data, other data sources are consistent with a slight easing in labour demand, which is not surprising given geopolitical uncertainties/conditions. The recent increases in unemployment demonstrate to a softening in economic activity but it is important to stress that the economy is continuing to add jobs at a very, healthy rate and that labour supply is also a factor (people want to work and people are moving here).
It is also the case that both the Department of Finance and the Central Bank anticipate that unemployment will remain around 5% on average in 2026 and 2027, which again is close to full employment conditions.
More generally, it is not unusual for youth unemployment rates to be higher than those of older cohorts. This can be due to a lack of relevant work experience among younger workers, skills mismatches, or difficulties experienced moving between education and employment, with clear seasonal and demographic patterns. However, many of these factors are temporary in nature as young people widen their professional networks and gain broader work and life experience their employment prospects improve.
That said, we are continuing to monitor the unemployment rate and several of this Government’s initiatives will be central in this regard – not least our ambitious investment plans and the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, that I published last year. The Government remains fully committed to improving our competitive position to add more jobs in the future and the Action Plan has a range of measures to address and build a more resilient economy. Another important document will be the successor strategy to Pathways to Work 2021-2025, which is overseen by the Department of Social Protection. In fact, the Department has concluded a public consultation on this as we look to develop a new strategy. The Programme for Government was clear in our ambitions here, that is to create 300,000 extra jobs by 2030.
176. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the assessment his Department has made of the estimated 6% decline in visitor numbers nationally in 2025, as reported by tourism industry bodies; the specific impact this decline is having on tourism businesses and employment in Galway east and county; and the measures being taken to support the tourism sector and to reverse this downward trend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1458/26]
View answerOverall tourism performance in 2025 remained strong, albeit at a slightly lower level than the exceptional highs reached in 2024, but on par with 2023. Encouragingly, the latest Central Statistics Office data shows a return to growth in overseas visitor numbers and expenditure towards the end of the year. The CSO reports that 460,300 overseas visitors completed a trip to Ireland in November 2025, representing an increase of 13% compared with November 2024 and 3% compared with November 2023. This is the fourth consecutive month of 2025 to show growth in visitor numbers compared to 2024 and this is very encouraging.
Visitor expenditure in November 2025 amounted to €347 million (excluding fares), up 10% compared with November 2024 and 4% compared with November 2023. This improvement in both visitor numbers and spending is encouraging and strengthens the outlook for growth in 2026. It is estimated that Ireland’s tourism sector accounts for 3.7% of all tax revenue with employment in tourism industries estimated at 229,400 in August 2025, compared with at 228,800 for the same period in 2024.
The Government acknowledges the significant challenges the tourism and hospitality sector has faced in recent years, including rising operational costs and other economic pressures. Supporting small businesses and sustainable employment remains at the heart of this Government’s economic strategy. Budget 2026, introduced targeted measures to reinforce the sector, including a reduction in the VAT rate for hospitality services from 13.5% to 9%, effective July 2026. This is particularly significant for small and family-run businesses operating on tight margins.
In December 2025, my Department published the National Tourism Policy Statement, A New Era for Irish Tourism. This five-year strategy provides a clear framework to 2031, aligning tourism more closely with enterprise, trade and employment policy, while supporting sustainable and inclusive growth across all regions. The policy places strong emphasis on competitiveness, productivity, innovation, skills development, digitalisation, the green transition and improved connectivity. By 2031, it aims to increase overseas tourism revenue by 50%, grow domestic tourism revenue to €5.8 billion, achieve total tourism revenue of €14.8 billion, and support employment of at least 250,000 people across the sector.
A total of €71.4m is being provided in Budget 2026 to the Overseas Tourism Marketing Fund. Aligned with the new Action Plan on Market Diversification which I launched in 2025, this level of funding will allow Tourism Ireland to seize fresh opportunities for growth by expanding strategic source markets and attracting value adding visitors.
As an island destination, air access is vital, accounting for 90% of overseas inbound connectivity. Tourism Ireland, as part of its market diversification strategy, will establish a new Strategic Air Access Fund designed to maximize the opportunities created by new direct routes to Ireland from both established and new markets where there is inbound tourism potential. This fund will stimulate demand in partnership with air carriers through cooperative initiatives, ensuring that these routes deliver strong returns and support broader economic activity.
As part of the Overseas Tourism Marketing Fund in Budget 2026, €4 million has been allocated for the Regional Co-operative Marketing Access Programme. The Programme maximises the opportunities presented by new and existing regional air and sea access to drive increased visitor numbers to the regions of Ireland by stimulating demand through cooperative marketing campaigns with airlines and sea carriers. The Programme complements Tourism Ireland’s overall marketing strategy of inspiring visitors to visit the island of Ireland while sustainably supporting local economies and communities through increased direct bookings to the regional ports and airports across Ireland.
Tourism Ireland will continue to invest strongly in Great Britain to build year-round, regionally balanced demand, while implementing a new strategy for mainland Europe following a comprehensive market appraisal. In North America, the organisation will build on its expanded West Coast presence and enhanced resources in Canada, supported by a growing network of direct services. New routes form North will further extend Ireland’s reach. Tourism Ireland will also pursue agile global partnerships in markets without a permanent presence, ensuring all business opportunities for growth are realised.
In response to the ongoing challenges around pay and job quality in the tourism and hospitality sectors, my Department, together with Fáilte Ireland, continues to support businesses in developing the talent and skills needed to remain profitable, competitive, and resilient.
A central priority is to encourage the adoption of high-quality employment practices, ensuring that the sector is regarded as an attractive and rewarding career choice. This includes enabling individuals working within tourism and hospitality to enhance their expertise, broaden their skills, and build sustainable long-term careers.
Fáilte Ireland plays a key role in this work, providing comprehensive support for tourism jobs nationwide through training programmes, targeted funding, regional development initiatives, and measures that promote inclusive and high-quality employment.
Together, these measures will help ensure a stronger, more resilient tourism sector that offers quality employment and continues to contribute meaningfully to Ireland’s economy and communities.
County Galway is included in Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands Regional Tourism Development Strategies 2023–2027. Galway City and the west coast are positioned along the Wild Atlantic Way, while the east of the county forms part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
To activate these regional brands, Fáilte Ireland has established a series of Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDPs). These are five-year sustainable tourism development plans that bring together public and private partners to prioritise tourism projects and maximise their delivery. The DEDP process is highly collaborative, with agreed action plans assigning responsibility across stakeholders. The East Galway DEDP commenced in 2025, with the first working group meeting held in November. The process will continue throughout 2026, and it is anticipated that the draft plan will be ready later this year. East Galway is firmly positioned within the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand.
Fáilte Ireland’s consumer marketing strategy is anchored by the Keep Discovering campaign, which encourages Irish and Northern Irish consumers to rediscover Ireland while showcasing compelling reasons to book now. The campaign runs year-round, with increased emphasis during off-peak periods to support season extension and year-round tourism.
Galway is promoted through a range of annual campaign initiatives. These include a dedicated Galway sting as part of Fáilte Ireland’s sponsorship of the RTÉ Weather, reaching an average of 1.6 million viewers per week over a two-week period, supported by RTÉ Player and RTÉ.ie. Galway also features in the Wild Atlantic Way Keep Discovering television advertisement, broadcast in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, complemented by social and digital activity. Additional Wild Atlantic Way advertising ran during summer 2025 across major broadcasters and high-profile events, including international rugby and GAA championships. A targeted 30-second YouTube advertisement promoted Galway to audiences living within a two-hour drive of the destination.
Galway also featured in digital partnerships with Lovin.ie, Joe.ie and HerFamily.ie, highlighting experiences such as Irish-language activities and indoor attractions. Consumer PR activity in 2025 included high-profile media features and influencer visits showcasing both Connemara and East Galway, resulting in national coverage across print, online and social platforms.
Fáilte Ireland is working closely with Galway County Council and tourism businesses to develop a connected network of experiences in East Galway. A tourism highlights map is currently in development and will be launched ahead of the 2026 holiday season.
177. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps his Department has taken to promote tourism in east County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1407/26]
View answerAt the outset, it is important to note that regional tourism promotion is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, working in collaboration with local authorities and tourism stakeholders. County Galway is included in Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands Regional Tourism Development Strategies 2023–2027. Galway City and the west coast are positioned along the Wild Atlantic Way, while the east of the county forms part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
To activate these regional brands, Fáilte Ireland has established a series of Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDPs). These are five-year sustainable tourism development plans that bring together public and private partners to prioritise tourism projects and maximise their delivery. The DEDP process is highly collaborative, with agreed action plans assigning responsibility across stakeholders. The East Galway DEDP commenced in 2025, with the first working group meeting held in November. The process will continue throughout 2026, and it is anticipated that the draft plan will be ready later this year. East Galway is firmly positioned within the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand.
Galway is promoted through a range of annual campaign initiatives. These include a dedicated Galway sting as part of Fáilte Ireland’s sponsorship of the RTÉ Weather, reaching an average of 1.6 million viewers per week over a two-week period, supported by RTÉ Player and RTÉ.ie. Galway also features in the Wild Atlantic Way Keep Discovering television advertisement, broadcast in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, complemented by social and digital activity. Additional Wild Atlantic Way advertising ran during summer 2025 across major broadcasters and high-profile events, including international rugby and GAA championships. A targeted 30-second YouTube advertisement promoted Galway to audiences living within a two-hour drive of the destination.
Fáilte Ireland is working closely with Galway County Council and tourism businesses to develop a connected network of experiences in East Galway. A tourism highlights map is currently in development and is due to be launched ahead of the 2026 holiday season.
In December, I launched A New Era for Irish Tourism, the new National Tourism Policy Statement, which prioritises support for tourism SMEs and balanced regional development. This is complemented by my Department’s Sectoral Capital Plan under the National Development Plan 2026–2030, which aims to attract an additional one million overseas visitors annually, with a particular focus on less mature destinations through targeted investment, marketing and product development.
178. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the reason for the large increase in workplace fatalities in 2025; the actions being taken to ensure a reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1749/26]
View answerOn 5th January 2026 the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) published provisional data showing that 58 people died in work-related incidents in Ireland in 2025. This is an increase on 36 work-related fatalities recorded in 2024. The average fatality rate in 2025 was 2.1 per 100,000 workers, which is an increase from 1.3 per 100,000 in 2024. However, despite the increase recorded in 2025, the average number of work-related fatalities in Ireland continues to trend downwards, with 2.3 deaths per 100,000 workers recorded in 2016.
The agriculture sector continues to account for the highest number of work-related fatalities in Ireland, with 23 deaths in 2025. This represents 40% of total fatalities from a sector employing approximately 4% of the workforce. The construction sector recorded 10 fatalities in 2025, compared to 5 in 2024, while 5 fatalities were recorded in the manufacturing sector, compared to none in 2024.
Leading causes of work-related fatalities in 2025 were being hit or crushed by falling objects, incidents with machinery or vehicles, and falling from a height. Nineteen of the 58 victims in 2025 (33%) were aged 65 or over, with the oldest victim aged 88. A total of 23 victims (40%) were self-employed.
The Health and Safety Authority continues to collaborate with stakeholders across Ireland to ensure maximum impact from regulatory activities, especially in high-risk sectors, and to amplify prevention and guidance activities. In the coming year, the HSA will deliver a comprehensive programme of risk-based, evidence-led workplace health and safety inspections across all sectors of the economy. Those sectors that pose the highest health and safety risks will be targeted with a range of enforcement, compliance and awareness-raising interventions, as well as targeted public communications campaigns.
179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his plans to grow and support indigenous businesses; his views on an expanded role for local authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1718/26]
View answerThere are a wide range of significant supports provided by Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) designed to support and grow small and medium-sized businesses across all sectors.
The Programme for Government and the Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity both recommit to supporting balanced economic development across all regions of the country. In line with this, my Department supports a number of programmes and initiatives, including through Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Office Programme, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Smart Regions Innovation Scheme Programme, the Regional Enterprise Development Funds and the Regional Enterprise Plans.
For example, my Department will invest over €250 million in the Local Enterprise Office Programme over the next 5 years. The 31 LEO offices around the country are key to driving the development of local enterprises and promoting local, micro and small businesses.
The LEO Policy Statement 2024 – 2030 sets out the role of the LEO network and outlines how the future direction of the LEOs to give effect to the relevant areas in the White Paper on Enterprise within their remit. The Policy statement also outlines how the LEOs will work in collaboration with their Local Authority colleagues to carry out the local economic development and business support functions of Local Authorities.
Enterprise Ireland's Strategy 2025–2029, titled "Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally" seeks to accelerate sustainable Irish business to start, compete, scale and connect. The strategy outlines a comprehensive plan to support small and medium-sized enterprises through a combination of financial, policy, and strategic initiatives. Accelerating the development of sustainable Irish business is the long-term ambition.
Local Authorities are one of the key stakeholders in the nine Regional Enterprise Plans; employing the REP Program Managers in each region and also playing a key role in the Steering Committees and Working Groups of the REPs working to deliver the objectives and actions of the plans. Furthermore, DETE engages regularly with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) in the oversight and delivery of the REPs and representatives from these bodies play a crucial role in the REP National Oversight Group. This year, my Department will publish a new Regional Enterprise Policy Statement, facilitating better alignment with the core activities of other stakeholders including the Local Authorities.
180. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the position regarding any engagement he has had with the major supermarkets in relation to significant price increases on many of the essentials they sell; if he proposes any direct action to reduce the impact of the cost-of-living on their customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1400/26]
View answerIn general, businesses in Ireland are free to set their own prices, so long as they do so independently and in compliance with consumer protection law. There are no requirements in law limiting the prices a business can charge, or the amount by which it can increase its prices, nor any obligation on businesses to determine their prices based on a specific markup of their costs.
Consumer protection law covers, among other areas, certain aspects of price display and related practices including requiring traders to provide key information in advance of a transaction, including the total price—taxes and charges included—so that consumers can make an informed decision.
The CCPC is the independent statutory body which enforces these rules and can act against any non-compliance. Any consumer who feels they have been misled or subjected to unfair pricing practices can contact the CCPC.
In August 2025, following a meeting with Minister Dillon, the CCPC published an update to its June 2023 paper on the High-level analysis of the Irish Grocery Retail Sector. This analysis confirms that, while food prices have increased significantly in recent years in Ireland, there is no evidence that competition is not working in the Irish grocery retail sector. Notably, food price increases have generally remained below the European average, which coincides with increasing competition in Ireland.
Through its enforcement actions and public guidance, the CCPC ensures that businesses compete fairly, consumers are treated honestly, and the market remains open and dynamic. It continues to promote and monitor compliance across all sectors, including food retail, and where appropriate, investigates suspected breaches and takes enforcement action when sufficient evidence is found.
My Department maintains ongoing engagement with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), which forms part of broader efforts to ensure fair competition and robust consumer protection in the retail sector.
181. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps been taken by the IDA and his Department to increase the number of visits by prospective companies in County Laois to utilise and bring to use the lands that the IDA holds in Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1720/26]
View answerRegional 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 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.
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. In this respect, IDA Ireland’s property strategy aims to address regional market failure through investment in enterprise-focused property solutions that meet the needs of multinational companies and domestic clients in support of winning investments.
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. 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 Ireland client companies generally prioritise the availability of property and talent when carrying out their initial assessment of a potential investment location. Once Ireland has been successfully selected, IDA will present several locations that match the client’s business needs. The client will assess these locations and then choose the locations it wishes to visit. Clients will have other criteria that are specific to their requirements such as proximity to a large urban centre, proximity to transport infrastructure (Airport and Seaport) or to be located close to a customer. These factors, and many more, make up the business needs of the client who makes the final decision on where to visit and where to invest.
IDA Ireland has a team dedicated to the delivery of investments to the Midlands, including Co. Laois, who work closely with colleagues overseas. The IDA team also continues to work closely with key stakeholders in the region, including County Councils and skills and education providers to promote the region as a destination for foreign direct investment 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.
I can assure the Deputy that the IDA continues to do its utmost to promote all locations in Ireland, including Laois, but must stress that, ultimately, individual investors decide which counties to visit, and where to locate their investments.
There were two IDA facilitated visits to County Laois in 2024 and five in 2025 to the end of quarter three. It should also be noted that site visits are only one measure of a company’s interest in a particular location and naturally, year-on-year, the number of visits to any location will vary. Furthermore, site visits may not necessarily be a true measure of the overall level of FDI activity in a region or county.
182. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has been consulted on the potential impact of proposed measures to make family reunification more difficult for migrant workers on labour shortages in key sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1620/26]
View answerMy department has responsibility for the employment permits legislation which provides permission to take up employment in the State subject to the grant of immigration permission to enter for that purpose by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. Queries relating to family reunification permissions and thresholds should be addressed to that department.
The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration completed a comprehensive review of the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy and the final report was published in November last year. The review sets out how Irish citizens and most residents may bring non-EEA family members to join them in Ireland and the report provides a number of considerations and conclusions of the review.
My department participated in the detailed engagement and consultation process conducted by DJHAM during the review, including at a senior official level through the Strategic Migration Policy Group. This group also includes the Departments of Social Protection, Housing, Further and Higher Education, Finance, Education, Health and the Department of the Taoiseach.
The Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR): Outcome of the Roadmap Review Report published by my Department at the end of last year also contributed to the Family Reunification Policy review. The report indicates that the changing MARs for employment permits will also be taken into account in the context of annual adjustment to the family reunification thresholds. The review concluded that the levels of income thresholds for lower paid sponsors should be viewed in the context of the sustainability of wage growth, as opposed to lowering income thresholds below the level of eligibility for Working Family Payment. The report goes on to say that "the annual revision of the policy in future, in terms of uprating financial thresholds, will provide an opportunity for this issue to be kept under ongoing review in terms of the changing levels of both the MAR and the WFP."
183. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the new rules that will apply for short-term letting from May 2026; if the short-term let register has been launched; if it is open for registrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1741/26]
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. The register has not yet been launched and thus is not yet open for registrations. Drafting work on the legislation is ongoing in my Department in tandem with development work on the registration system in Fáilte Ireland.
From 20 May 2026, all STL hosts offering accommodation for periods up to and including 21 nights will be obliged to register each STL Unit with Fáilte Ireland, the competent authority, 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.
When registering, Hosts will need to submit their name, address and PPSN for identification purposes, the precise address of their STL unit and state whether it is part or whole of their primary or secondary residence, provide details on the maximum guest and bed place capacity in the unit and provide confirmation of compliance with building, fire and planning requirements by self-declaration.
There will be a legal requirement for STL hosts to clearly display, once issued, the STL registration number on any online platform where their STL unit is listed e.g., Airbnb, Booking.com or Expedia.
Following registration, Fáilte Ireland will verify the details provided by the STL Host and will have the power to suspend registration numbers where incorrect or false information has been provided.
My Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have and continue to engage with all stakeholders through roundtable meetings, online webinars and stakeholder engagement meetings, the most recent on 29 April and 30 June respectively. These meetings are held to ensure all stakeholders are aware of the new STL registration requirements in advance of their introduction from 20 May this year and to provide information on the National Planning Statement for Short-term letting.
To ensure all accommodation providers and intermediaries who advertise accommodation (platforms) are aware of the registration and reporting obligations from next May, my Department launched a communications campaign on 28 October. Phase two of this campaign will launch in the coming weeks.
My Department has also developed a webpage where information is easily accessible for the sector and this is available at: enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/the-business-environment/tourism/short-term-letting/
Fáilte Ireland has estimated that, based on data for October 2025 which has been screen scraped from publicly available STL listings across four major booking platforms, there are c.34,020 STL properties in the State currently being advertised online and up to 64% of these properties are advertised as “entire” houses and apartments. The research points to a 26% increase from an estimated 26,960 units listed in October 2022. This highlights the need for effective legislation to regulate, support and sustain the sector.
184. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps been taken by his Department and the IDA to get a replacement industry for a factory (details supplied) in Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1721/26]
View answerMy Department and the enterprise agencies remain committed to balanced regional development. Under its “Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally” Strategy (2025–2029), Enterprise Ireland (EI) targets employment growth in client companies to 275,000, with a strong focus on regional job creation and scaling indigenous businesses nationwide. EI partners with Irish businesses and the Food FDI sector to support growth from Ireland.
The company in question has announced plans to cease manufacturing at its Portlaoise facility in the second half of 2026. EI supported the site’s establishment and maintained engagement but was not informed of closure plans before the announcement. Since then, EI and IDA Ireland have engaged with the company on potential facility reuse. EI has met the company and offered activation of the Local Response Team, in line with the State’s job loss protocol, to assist affected employees and ensure a coordinated, streamlined approach across agencies.
Supports available through the Local Response Team include:
• Outplacement and training services
• Skills profiling and availability timelines
• Recruitment connections with local and regional employers
• DSP/Intreo-led welfare and employment support sessions
• Access to further education and training
• Entrepreneurship supports
• Onsite Jobs Fair
The Company has indicated that enhanced redundancy packages and career transition supports will be provided to affected employees. Redeployment opportunities may also be available at other company locations.
My Department is working with IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Laois County Council, and other regional stakeholders to identify alternative investment opportunities for the site and to support broader economic development in the area. The facility remains a strategic asset within the National Enterprise Park at Junction 17.
My Department’s agencies will continue to support businesses in Laois and across the wider midlands region to succeed. Latest figures show that, as of 2024, there were 2,060 people employed in Enterprise Ireland client companies based in Laois, a 4.1% increase on 2023.
IDA Ireland enjoys close working relationships with key stakeholders across the Midlands region and is heavily involved in a significant number of initiatives to improve the value proposition for FDI including Just Transition, the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan, and the Regional Skills Forum.
185. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the actions he is taking to reduce the cost of doing business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1742/26]
View answerThe Government recognises that the cost of doing business has been an issue for firms in recent years, arising from both the wider inflationary trends and Government mandated changes in the form of improvements to working conditions across a range of areas. It is important to note that costs for firms, as measured through the CSO’s Wholesale Price Index, are declining, and are down 5.3% in the 12 months to November 2025.
My Department has taken action to address fiscal and regulatory issues, including the establishment of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum (June 2025), and the publication of the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity (September 2025).
Both of these actions deliver on the Programme for Government commitments to support Small Business, Enterprise and Industries and to develop Government policy which focuses on the economic areas that fall within our domestic sphere of influence.
The Cost of Business Advisory Forum’s purpose is to critically examine issues that can lead to higher costs for business in Ireland and review associated regulatory and infrastructural issues that merit a changed approach. At present there are twenty-four member organisations who represent a broad section of Ireland’s enterprise sector (including SMEs and MNC’s), who regularly contribute to the work of the Forum, alongside active engagement and dialogue with a variety of State Agencies, Regulators, and Government Departments.
Forum members adopted a comprehensive thematic workplan in June 2025 and since then have met to consider a series of themes: Energy Costs and Security of Supply; Insurance Costs; Planning and Infrastructural Delivery; and Water Services and Wastewater. There are a number of remaining meetings scheduled for Q1 2026 and these will focus on Legal Costs; and Regulation: Reporting and Compliance.
The Forum is in the process of drafting the final report, with an indicative date to present the report to Government in Q1 2026.
186. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the status of the research his Department is carrying out to assess the economic impact of data centres in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1235/26]
View answerData centres play a critical role in supporting Ireland’s digital economy, and it is essential that any policy decisions we make in this area are grounded in solid evidence.
That is why my Department has engaged with independent consultants to undertake a comprehensive study on the economic value of data centres in Ireland.
The purpose of this research is to provide a detailed and robust evidence base for policy development relating to data centres. This includes mapping out the data centre landscape in Ireland and estimating the economic value of data centres across several key strands.
These strands include:
• The economic value associated with the construction and operation of data centres;
• The economic value associated with activities across sectors in Ireland that are enabled by data centres; and
• The economic value of data centres as it relates to attraction and retention of foreign direct investment (FDI).
In addition, the study will also look at the wider economic benefits as well as other impacts associated with data centres. It will also consider the potential consequences for Ireland if we do not continue to develop this infrastructure beyond 2030, and will outline the challenges and opportunities that further development of the data centre landscape in Ireland may present.
The findings of this research will provide an important evidence base for informing future policy on data centres. This work is well underway and is expected to be completed in Q1 2026.
188. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if a new mid-east regional enterprise plan is forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1530/26]
View answerBalanced 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 (REPs). These are bottom-up plans developed and led by regional stakeholders, which focus on collaborative initiatives to strengthen the enterprise ecosystem in each region.
The REPs had been extended for one year to end 2025 with agreement from the Regional Enterprise Plans National Oversight Group at its meeting of 25 April 2024. This extension provided an additional year for continued implementation of the current plans and time to review the REP initiative and consider the best approach to the future of the REPs.
In this context, my Department commissioned an independent review of the Regional Enterprise Plan initiative in 2025. A Steering Group made up of REP stakeholders and Department officials oversaw the review. The review included significant engagement with regional enterprise stakeholders, in-depth analysis of the plans and their implementation progress reports, and consideration of international approaches to regional enterprise development. The review also included recommendations and options for the future of the REPs.
I will be considering the complete review along with the Final Progress Reports for the Regional Enterprise Plans 2022-2025 due this month, in planning for the future approach to the REPs.
189. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the concrete measures his Department is taking in 2026 to reduce cost pressures on SMEs, particularly energy, insurance and labour costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1726/26]
View answerThe Government recognises that the cost of doing business has been an issue for firms in recent years, arising from both the wider inflationary trends and Government mandated changes in the form of improvements to working conditions across a range of areas. It is important to note that costs for firms, as measured through the CSO’s Wholesale Price Index, are declining, and are down 5.3% in the 12 months to November 2025.
My Department has taken action to address fiscal and regulatory issues, including the establishment of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum (June 2025), and the publication of the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity (September 2025). Both of these actions deliver on the Programme for Government commitments to support Small Business, Enterprise and Industries and to develop Government policy which focuses on the economic areas that fall within our domestic sphere of influence.
The Cost of Business Advisory Forum’s purpose is to critically examine non-pay related issues that can lead to higher costs for business in Ireland and review associated regulatory and infrastructural issues that merit a changed approach. At present there are twenty-five member organisations who represent a broad section of Ireland’s enterprise sector (including SMEs and MNC’s), who regularly contribute to the work of the Forum, alongside active engagement and dialogue with a variety of State Agencies, Regulators, and Government Departments.
Forum members adopted a comprehensive thematic workplan in June 2025 and since then have met to consider a series of themes: Energy Costs and Security of Supply; Insurance Costs; Planning and Infrastructural Delivery; and Water Services and Wastewater. There are a number of remaining meetings scheduled for Q1 2026 and these will focus on Legal Costs; and Regulation: Reporting and Compliance.
The Forum is in the process of drafting the final report, with an indicative date to present the report to Government in Q1 2026.
190. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps his Department is taking to aid IDA Ireland in securing new foreign direct investment for Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66677/25]
View answerForeign Direct Investment is a key element of our economic strategy, with investments by IDA Ireland client companies consistently generating highly skilled jobs nationwide. My Department works closely with IDA Ireland and other stakeholders to ensure a strong pipeline of foreign direct investment into Ireland.
Regional development is a key element of the Government's enterprise policy, as set out in the White Paper on Enterprise, and is a key focus of the work of my Department and IDA Ireland. In 2025, IDA Ireland reported its highest number of projects on record to date, securing 323 new projects, reflecting a 38% increase on 2024. These projects are expected to create more than 15,300 jobs.
Balanced regional investment is at the core of IDA Ireland’s new strategy, Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025-29. Under this strategy, IDA Ireland will target 1,000 investments, with 550 in regional locations outside Dublin. This ambitious target reflects IDA Ireland’s ongoing commitment to supporting transformation and growth in the regions.
Maximising regional development is also a government priority for Kildare, along with the counties of Meath and Wicklow which comprise the Mid East Regional Enterprise Plan. This Plan was developed and led by regional stakeholders and focuses on collaborative initiatives to strengthen the enterprise ecosystem in the region.
There are 126 IDA client companies in the Mid-East Region, comprising counties Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and Louth, employing 20,284 people. The FDI performance in the region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 5%. 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.
My Department continues to support IDA Ireland in marketing County Kildare as a location for Foreign Direct Investment, leveraging assets within the County such as the impressive client track record, Maynooth University, Kildare Innovation Campus, Millennium Business Park and IDA’s own land in Littleconnell (Newbridge). Key clients in the county include, Intel, Pfizer, American Fruits and Flavours (Monster), Keurig Dr. Pepper, MGS and Nikon.
The Government is fully aware of the competitiveness challenge the country faces as it competes for foreign direct investment. We are taking the necessary steps to position Ireland for the future, and we will continue to place costs, planning, energy and R&D at the centre of our forward-looking policy making – all reflected in policy commitments in the new Programme for Government and the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity.
191. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the status of the review of the critical skills occupations list and ineligible occupations list; whether the review will take into consideration the availability of housing in addition to the needs of the labour market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1240/26]
View answerIreland operates a vacancy-led employment permits system designed to maximise the benefits of economic migration and minimise the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. Access to employment permits is prioritised through the occupations lists identifying in-demand, highly skilled occupations (Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL)) and those for which a ready source of labour is available (Ineligible Occupations List (IOL)). Roles that are not contained on either of these lists are eligible for a General Employment Permit.
The lists are periodically reviewed to ensure that the system is responsive to changes in Ireland’s economic circumstances and labour market conditions. The review process is overseen by the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy which facilitates an integrated approach to addressing and assessing labour and skills shortages in the longer term.
My department works with other Government Departments through the IDG and discussion is mindful of our current economic climate, the tight labour market, and the potential impact changes to eligibility for permits may have on wages in the sector. More broadly, through leadership of this group, my department considers the implications of widening the scope of the Employment Permits System, and the impact that would have on issues including the ongoing accommodation crisis, cost of living crisis, and constraints across healthcare, childcare and other public services. Consideration is also given to other demographic pressures, key Government priorities, the green transition, and sustainable management of non-EEA national’s economic migration to Ireland.
Migration is a vital, and increasingly important pillar of Irish society and Irish workplaces. The Employment Permit System facilitates the employment of workers from outside of Ireland, the UK, and the EEA, in eligible roles, at a Minimum Annual Remuneration. However, employment permit policy is only part of the response to addressing skills deficits which exist and are likely to continue into the medium term. It is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of up-skilling the State’s resident workforce, with an emphasis on the process of lifelong learning, and on maximising the potential of EEA nationals to fill our skills deficits.
My officials are currently drafting the review report with final recommendations to be submitted for my consideration in Quarter 1, 2026.
192. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to outline the Government’s plans for implementing the EU directive on adequate minimum wages and collective bargaining; the way in which it will strengthen collective bargaining coverage in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1744/26]
View answerThe EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages, published on 19 October 2022 and transposed in Ireland on 15 November 2024, seeks under Article 4 to promote collective bargaining on wages across the EU. Member States with coverage below 80% must establish enabling conditions and adopt an Action Plan by end-2025.
Ireland's Action Plan to promote Collective Bargaining was launched on the 5th of November 2025, transposing the Adequate Minimum Wages Directive in full. The Action Plan reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening the industrial relations framework and enhancing the quality of working life in Ireland. The Action Plan has been developed by my Department in close consultation with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and Ibec. It sets out 22 targeted actions across five key pillars. These are:
1. Understanding the impacts of collective bargaining through enhanced research and data collection.
2. Empowering and Encouraging participation via capacity-building programmes and recognition initiatives.
3. Promoting awareness and best practices without legislative overreach.
4. Protecting the rights of workers and trade union representatives through legal reviews and safeguards.
5. Supporting the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court with digital innovation and institutional strengthening.
At this early stage, it remains unclear whether legislative changes will ultimately be required for some action items. A scoping exercise is currently underway to assess available resources and identify key stakeholders for the delivery of each action item contained in the Action Plan.
The Social Partners will be actively engaged throughout all stages of implementation via structured and regular consultations.
The Action Plan will be implemented in phases, with a mid-term review in 2028 to ensure responsiveness to evolving labour market conditions. A robust monitoring framework will track progress and measure impact.
