Louis O'Hara
Question:51. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his Department's efforts to promote tourism in east County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11993/26]
View answerTourism Promotion
Questions (51)
Written answers
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 Connemara & Islands on 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.
Approximately €1.2 million has also been allocated through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking Scheme, funded by the Government and the EU Just Transition Fund, to support eight projects across the East Galway area.
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.
EU Regulations
Questions (52)
Malcolm Byrne
Question:52. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures in place to ensure that materials from labour camps in Xinjiang in China are restricted for entry to Ireland and the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8208/26]
View answerWritten answers
Regulation (EU) 2024/3015 prohibits the placing and making available of products made with forced labour on the EU market, as well as their export from the EU, regardless of the origin, sector, or company involved. The Regulation entered into force in December 2024 and will apply from December 2027. Ireland is fully committed to implementing this Regulation and is actively preparing to meet its obligations under the new framework.
Under the Regulation, the European Commission will lead investigations into products suspected of being made with forced labour outside the EU, while National Competent Authorities in each Member State will be responsible for cases within the EU.
My department, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, is leading preparations for implementation. This includes collaboration with relevant bodies to ensure effective enforcement at the border and within the internal market.
This includes the designation in December 2025, under the European Union (Prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market)(Designation of Competent Authorities) Regulation 2025, of Ireland's National Competent Authorities under the regulation, the Workplace Relations Commission and relevant Market Surveillance Authorities. They will have primary responsibility for enforcing the prohibition on products made with forced labour in this country.
My Department and the Workplace Relations Commission are also providing Ireland's representation on the EU's Union Network against Forced Labour Products, which is meeting on an ongoing basis to prepare for the regulation's full implementation.
Work Permits
Questions (53)
Brendan Smith
Question:53. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of permits for dairy farm assistants that have been processed in counties Cavan and Monaghan since the start of 2026; if the process can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13175/26]
View answerWritten answers
A new quota for Dairy Farm Assistants was introduced in December 2025, with 850 permits made available. This measure was announced to address workforce pressures in the agri-food sector ahead of the peak calving period.
Since the beginning of 2026, my Department has processed 135 employment permit applications for Dairy Farm Assistants. Of these, 121 permits have been issued. Approximately 51 applications are currently awaiting a decision, the majority of which are renewal applications.
With respect to Counties Cavan and Monaghan:
• Monaghan: 1 permit has been processed
• Cavan: 1 application has been processed, and 1 further application remains under consideration.
Following the introduction of the new quota, my Department has taken steps to ensure that applications in this sector are progressed efficiently. These measures are designed to support timely processing during a particularly busy period for dairy employers, while ensuring that applications are assessed in accordance with the legislation
My Department remains committed to processing all employment permit applications as efficiently as possible. While every effort is made to expedite decisions, processing times depend on the completeness and quality of documentation submitted, the overall volume of applications, and the need to ensure full compliance with the Employment Permits Acts. These safeguards are essential to ensuring fairness and consistency across all sectors.
Employment Rights
Questions (54)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:54. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he is planning to amend employment legislation to improve employment rights and job security of film workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13125/26]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister of of State for Small Business, Retail and Employment, I have responsibility for a robust suite of employment rights legislation that protects all workers, including those employed in the film and audiovisual industry. It is important to note that all employers, regardless of sector, are responsible for ensuring that their employees receive the protections afforded to them under employment legislation.
There is no exemption or separate category under Irish employment law for individuals working in the film sector. Employment rights legislation, including the National Minimum Wage, Payment of Wages, Organisation of Working Time, Employment Equality Acts, Health and Safety, Terms of Employment (Information) Act and Unfair Dismissals Act (in certain circumstances), apply horizontally across all sectors.
The Deputy will be aware that work in the film sector is often project based. As such, workers are often hired on fixed-term contracts for the duration of a project.
The Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Workers) Act 2003 provides for the improvement of the quality of fixed-term work by ensuring the application of the principle of non-discrimination (i.e. fixed-term workers may not be treated less favourably than comparable permanent workers). The Act transposes EU Directive 1999/70/EC concerning the Framework Agreement on Fixed-term Work into Irish law.
The Act also provides for the establishment of a framework to prevent abuse arising from the use of successive fixed-term employment contracts. If an employee has worked on two or more fixed term contracts, the combined duration of the contracts is limited to a maximum of four years. After this, if the employer wishes the employee to continue in its employment, the contract will be deemed to be on the basis of a contract of indefinite duration unless the employer has objective grounds for renewing the contract of employment again on a fixed-term basis.
Robust mechanisms exist within the State for the determination of the employment status of individuals or groups. A revised ‘Code of Practice on Determining Employment Status’ was published in October 2024 by the Minister for Social Protection. The Code is the key guidance document for employers and workers and others in relation to deciding the employment status of a worker. It was revised to take account of newer labour market developments, including platform work and the October 2023 Supreme Court ruling in relation to Domino’s pizza delivery drivers.
The Workplace Relations Commission is an independent body set up to adjudicate in individual cases. If an employee in the film sector has a query about their employment status or believe they may not be receiving all of the protections they are entitled to, the WRC is there to help, through the provision of information as well as an adjudication service. The WRC also operates a labour inspection service to ensure compliance with employment legislation.
Employment Data
Questions (55)
John Connolly
Question:55. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of jobs supported by Enterprise Ireland in Galway in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12895/26]
View answerWritten answers
My Department remains committed to driving balanced economic development across all regions of the country. Enterprise Ireland supports over 4,300 Irish companies, creating opportunities across every region and county in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland supported companies are delivering direct and indirect job creation, developing innovative solutions for global challenges, strengthening communities and regions, and improving quality of life nationwide. Over 60 percent of all Enterprise Ireland client company employment is outside Dublin.
Total employment in Enterprise Ireland supported companies in Galwaay was 9,679 in 2025, with 653 new jobs created during the year. There were a number of major jobs announcements in EI client companies in Galway in 2025, including by leading companies in the region such as Aerogen, MBRYONICS, Neurent Medical and ICS Medical.
Enterprise Ireland has also supported a number of key actions and initiatives in Galway and the West region including:
• The 2025 New Frontiers programme for the West attracted 66 participants in phase one, which supports startups to research and test the market potential of a business idea. Thirteen startups were selected to participate in phase two, which assists companies to further develop and validate business propositions.
• Enterprise Ireland funded 17 startups in the West region in 2025 through High Potential Start Up (HPSU) and Pre-Seed Funding, including 10 in Galway.
• Nine projects in the West region were approved for funding through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, of which 8 are based in Galway.
• A further 9 projects in the West region have been approved for funding under the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Initiative, of which 6 are in Galway.
• Platform 94, an innovation hub for scaling companies that has received investment through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund and Smart Regions, has this week announced a new international partnership with Sister, Manchester’s £1.7bn innovation district. This will establish a dedicated Manchester base for Irish scaling companies to enable a streamlined pathway for Irish companies scaling into the UK.
Enterprise Ireland’s focus on regional development not only boosts local economies but also ensures a more balanced economic growth across the country. Its strategy of supporting ambitious, globally focused Irish companies continues to drive job creation and economic resilience, particularly in areas outside the capital.
Tourism Policy
Questions (56, 79)
Joe Cooney
Question:56. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his plans to encourage much-needed private investment into the serviced tourism accommodation sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12773/26]
View answer
Brian Brennan
Question:79. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether he plans to introduce any measures or supports to increase the viability of construction of hotels in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13327/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 79 together.
This Government recognises the central importance of tourism to Ireland’s economy and to the vitality of communities across the country. A strong, sustainable and regionally balanced accommodation base is fundamental to that success. Accommodation not only underpins the visitor experience and perceptions of value for money, but also strengthens the competitiveness of the wider tourism ecosystem and enables businesses of all sizes to grow and thrive.
Reliable, comprehensive data is essential to effective policy development and long-term planning. Fáilte Ireland maintains accommodation registers under the Tourist Traffic Acts and through the National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF), providing an established evidence base for the sector. Currently, 225,577 tourism bedspaces are recorded across these registers, reflecting the scale of the industry and providing a solid platform for strategic development.
To further strengthen the data landscape, a statutory register for all Short-Term Letting (STL) accommodation will be introduced this summer. This measure will significantly enhance transparency and visibility across the full accommodation spectrum, ensuring a more complete and robust dataset to inform tourism policy and investment decisions.
In parallel, Fáilte Ireland has developed a Tourism Accommodation Capacity and Pipeline Monitor. This strategic tool tracks existing capacity and monitors developments as they progress through planning, construction and opening phases. It enables early identification of supply constraints, provides insights into regional and sectoral trends, and supports evidence based decision making by policymakers and industry stakeholders.
The forthcoming Tourism Accommodation Strategy, a key commitment under A New Era for Irish Tourism, will establish a clear framework to strengthen, diversify and expand Ireland’s accommodation offering. Particular emphasis will be placed on unlocking development in areas with significant untapped tourism potential, supporting balanced regional growth and delivering sustainable, year-round economic benefits nationwide.
Drawing on enhanced statutory data, the new STL register and the capacity and pipeline monitor, the Strategy will take an integrated, data-driven approach to long-term accommodation planning.
This will ensure that Ireland’s tourism infrastructure evolves in line with changing consumer preferences and global travel trends, safeguarding the resilience and competitiveness of the sector into the future.
Business Supports
Questions (57)
Erin McGreehan
Question:57. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which the funding for local enterprise and regional development in his Department’s Sectoral Capital Plan 2026-2030 will support businesses in Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13132/26]
View answerWritten answers
My Department’s Sectoral Capital Plan 2026-2030 will sustain economic growth, strengthen competitiveness, and deliver balanced regional development while addressing global challenges such as climate action, digital transformation and technological disruption.
The Capital Plan includes a total investment of €4.7 billion to 2030. This investment will enable my Department to deliver under the strategic pillars of Enterprise Growth, Innovation & Technology, Enhancing Ireland’s global tourism offering, Regional Development and Climate Action.
The Sectoral Capital Plan outlines how Government will invest over €250 million in the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Programme through to 2030. The funding being provided will enable the LEOs within each of the 31 Local Authority areas, including County Louth, to continue to support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the local economy . The LEOs will continue to assist small businesses to establish and grow and will support them in meeting the specific challenges of decarbonisation, digitalisation and export development.
Balanced regional development is a Government priority. The Sector Capital Plan outlines how my Department will support a number of programmes/initiatives in the area of regional development, including the aforementioned Local Enterprise Office Programme, as well as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Smart Regions Innovation Scheme Programme, the Regional Enterprise Development Funds and the Regional Enterprise Plans. Also in the area of regional development, IDA Ireland will continue to provide property solutions to attract regional investments through its Regional Property Development Programme.
Enterprise Policy
Questions (58)
Brendan Smith
Question:58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if specific additional financial supports will be introduced in 2026 to assist in the development of enterprise centres in view of their importance in providing workspace for start-up businesses and SMEs, and the contribution from same to the overall economy particularly in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13174/26]
View answerWritten answers
Balanced regional enterprise development remains a priority for my Department and for Government, as set out in the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030. I acknowledge the valuable role played by enterprise centres and hubs throughout the country. These facilities support people to live and work in their own communities and provide vital assistance to entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs. Considerable investment has been directed toward developing these facilities and the Government remain strongly committed to supporting the sector.
My Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht continue to work closely together to develop the first strategy for the National Hub Network following consultation with key stakeholders. I expect that the draft strategy will be brought to Government shortly. It will include actions to support the expansion of services at hubs and further promotion of their role and benefits.
The Deputy will be aware that, since 2017, my Department has allocated in excess of €150 million to support regional enterprise development initiatives, including enterprise centres and hubs, throughout the country via Enterprise Ireland schemes such as the Regional Enterprise Development Fund and the Border Enterprise Development Fund.
The Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, co-funded through the European Regional Development Fund and administered by Enterprise Ireland, is currently open for applications. The scheme consists of four streams, supporting the development of key local enterprise infrastructure, such as enterprise hubs, clusters and consortia, programmes that help SMEs foster innovation, and feasibility and priming grants.
The schemes mentioned have already played a significant role in supporting and developing enterprise hubs nationwide, including the delivery of over 60 pieces of physical infrastructure. Government will, through my Department and Enterprise Ireland, continue to support collaboration with local authorities and other stakeholders to deliver innovative projects.
Employment Data
Questions (59)
Colm Burke
Question:59. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of people employed in State-supported companies (companies that are client firms of state agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta) at the beginning of 2026; whether this represents an increase since the beginning of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13144/26]
View answerWritten answers
My Department collects data annually on employment in the enterprise agency client companies being clients of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
The survey asks enterprise agency clients for their employment on the 31st of October each year. The latest results for 2025, which were published by my Department last week on 12th February, finds that employment in client companies of the agencies is now at the highest ever level, at over 554,608 jobs. This is an increase of 7,636 total jobs in 2025 compared to 2024. The figures for 2026 will be collated later this year.
Employment in agency client firms now represents 20% of total employment in Ireland. These results demonstrate the continued resilience of our export oriented firms in Ireland.
Further detail on the annual employment survey can be found on my Department’s website at the following link:
enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/annual-employment-survey-2025.html
Online Safety
Questions (60)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:60. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps his Department is taking to ensure that social media artificial intelligence tools cannot be used by sexual predators to generate naked images of people, including child abuse imagery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3863/26]
View answerWritten answers
This is a very serious issue and the Government has been clear from the outset that the sharing of non-consensual intimate images is illegal, the generation of child sexual abuse material is illegal and the use of AI to generate illegal material or to cause harm is unacceptable.
Coco's Law, the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act, creates a serious offence of distribution or publication of an intimate image without consent with intent to cause harm to the victim.
Under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act the production, possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, whether offline or online, whether generated by AI or otherwise, is illegal and attracts a sentence of up to 14 years imprisonment.
Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the European Commission is responsible for the oversight of very large online platforms, like X, which are required to assess and mitigate risks that their services may create in relation to the proliferation of illegal content online and the protection of minors.
An urgent cross-Government response was mobilised in response to this issue when it arose in January, including the relevant Ministers and the Attorney General as well as Coimisiún na Meán to ensure a full understanding of the significant legislative and regulatory framework that already exists and provides protections in relation to this issue and how it was being applied.
Coimisiún na Meán is Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator under the DSA and has engaged intensively with the European Commission since the initial reports on this serious issue. Nationally, Coimisiún na Meán has met with the Assistant Commissioner for Organised & Serious Crime, the heads of the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau and the Online Child Exploitation Unit as well as separately with both Hotline.ie (Ireland’s national reporting centre) and the Data Protection Commission.
An Garda Síochána have stated their full commitment to supporting victims and have numerous investigations underway to determine if there have been breaches of the law.
On 26 January the European Commission announced the commencement of an investigation into X and the use of Grok to generate and disseminate illegal content, under the Digital Services Act. Coimisiún na Meán collaborated closely with the Commission in their preparation and are formally associated to the investigation. The DSA puts responsibility for facilitating the dissemination of harmful content where it belongs, with the online platforms.
The Government also welcomes this week’s announcement by the Data Protection Commission that it has commenced a large-scale inquiry which will examine X’s compliance with some of their fundamental obligations under the GDPR in relation to the matters at hand.
It is important now to respect the independence of the relevant national authorities and the European Commission who are responsible for enforcement of the relevant laws and regulations and allow their investigations to be carried out independently and in accordance with procedural safeguards.
In addition to these ongoing investigations, the Attorney General and the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration are examining and will consider whether further legislative measures are needed in the area of non-consensual intimate images. Work is also underway in the Department of Justice to transpose the EU Violence Against Women Directive which provides new protections in this area.
My own Department is liaising with the European Commission and Member States to advocate for adding the use of AI systems for the generation of such images to the list of prohibited AI practices under the EU AI Act.
Online safety is a core pillar underpinning the new National Digital and AI Strategy 2030 and a priority for Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union. These measures reinforce Government’s commitment to enhancing online safety, in particular for children and young people, as a whole-of-Government and European priority.
Work Permits
Questions (61)
Ryan O'Meara
Question:61. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the maximum quota for general employment permits for workers in farming and the food industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12954/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Employment Permits System is kept under continuous review to ensure that it remains responsive to verified labour market needs while maintaining appropriate protections for the domestic and EEA labour force. As part of this approach, a number of roles in the farming and food production sectors are subject to maximum quotas under the General Employment Permit framework.
For the farming sector, the current maximum quotas are as follows:
Dairy Farm Assistants – 850 permits
Pig Farm Assistants – 250 permits
Pig Farmers – 250 permits
Horticulture Operatives (General Category) – 1,000 permits
Turning to the food industry, the maximum quotas in place are:
Bakers and Flour Confectioners – 250 permits
Butchers – 350 permits
Meat Processing Operatives – 1000 Permits
These quotas are designed to target sectors where ongoing and well-documented labour shortages exist, ensuring that the Employment Permits System remains evidence-based and balanced. They also work in parallel with initiatives across Government and industry aimed at strengthening workforce planning, training, and improved employment practices within these sectors.
My Department continues to monitor labour market conditions closely, and these quotas will be reviewed as necessary to ensure that they remain effective and appropriately aligned with Ireland’s economic and labour-market needs.
Artificial Intelligence
Questions (62)
Cormac Devlin
Question:62. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will be recommending that the State explore publicly owned AI resources and technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12957/26]
View answerWritten answers
I welcome the Deputy's question and understand that the Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence has recommended that the State explore publicly owned AI resources and technologies.
Examples of "publicly owned AI resources", include CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI which is funded by Enterprise Ireland and IDA . CeADAR works with a range of organisations, including startups and scaleups, established businesses, government and public sector, research and academia to enable them adopt and leverage the value of AI and machine learning. The State also makes significant investments in in the research ecosystem through Research Ireland. Under the EU AI Act, the AI Office of Ireland will be established as an independent statutory body, with €1.5 million in start-up funding. This Office will act as Ireland’s national focal point for the promotion and adoption of transparent and safe AI, and will play a central role in governance, coordination and innovation to ensure that Ireland fully harnesses AI for economic and societal benefit.
The Department of the Taoiseach will soon publish Ireland's new national AI & Digital Strategy. This will have a whole-of-Government approach covering key pillars including the delivery of public services, enterprise, digital infrastructure and skills. As AI is a cross-cutting technology, the recommendations have implications across a broad range of policy responsibilities spanning relevant line Departments.
When it comes to the exploration of publicly owned AI technologies, I believe this falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
Foreign Direct Investment
Questions (63)
Michael Cahill
Question:63. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of jobs the IDA supported in Kerry last year; the plans for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13374/26]
View answerWritten answers
Foreign Direct Investment is a key element of our economic strategy, with investments by IDA Ireland client companies consistently generating highly skilled jobs nationwide. In this context, I launched IDA Ireland's current strategy, ‘Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025-29', in February last year and central to the IDA’s strategy is an emphasis on partnering with existing clients to identify opportunities to safeguard and strengthen long-term investment in Ireland, alongside attracting new investment to Ireland in FDI growth drivers including digitalisation and AI, semiconductors, health, and sustainability.
Supporting job creation in all regions is central to the work of my Department and our enterprise development agencies. In this regard, IDA client-company employment increased to 312,400 in 2025 and there are currently 169,967 people employed in IDA client companies outside Dublin, with FDI employment in every region and every county of Ireland. This represents 54% of all FDI employment nationally.
The South-West Region, comprising counties Cork and Kerry, is home to 245 IDA client companies, employing 53,535 people. There is a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies in the region. Referring specifically to Kerry, there are 2,110 people employed by 17 IDA client-companies. Additionally, there were 5,360 people employed in EI client-companies in 2025.
The FDI performance in the region has been strong over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 12%. The South-West has won significant investment across a range of sectors over a sustained period which has contributed significantly to employment growth and positive economic impacts on other sectors of the economy.
Recent developments in Kerry include the commencement of construction by Astellas Ireland of its new €330 million, state-of-the-art facility at Kerry Technology Park, Tralee. Furthermore, in July 2025, Aenova, a leading pharmaceutical Contract Development & Manufacturing Organisation with a location in Killorglin announced a significant expansion of their Killorglin facility enabling the company to develop innovative drug delivery systems in the future. This expansion will create approximately 10 new highly skilled roles in the areas of R&D, Pharmaceutical Technology and Analytics in addition to the existing workforce.
Under its current strategy, IDA is targeting 550 of a total 1,000 investments to regional locations, including 155 in the South-West (Cork and Kerry). The first year of this strategy, 2025, saw IDA Ireland achieving the highest ever number of investments, 323, a 38% increase on 2024, which are expected to create over 15,300 additional jobs in the coming years. 183 investments, 57% of all investments in 2025, were in regional locations.
A competitive property offering can be a key factor in investment decisions and is a core objective of IDA, delivered through its Regional Property Programme to support Foreign Direct Investment and the growth and expansion of indigenous clients of both Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Office clients. Under its Regional Property Programme 2025-2029 will deliver 12 new buildings in total throughout the country as well as 11 Advance Planning Permits, including a partnership with Kerry County Council for the delivery of a second advance planning permit for an Advanced Technology Building in Tralee.
With a clear focus on regional development, a strong pipeline of investment, and collaborative local partnerships, IDA Ireland is positioning the South-West Region as a competitive and attractive destination for global investors. These efforts are central to shaping Ireland’s economic future. IDA Ireland is committed to winning further opportunities for Kerry and will continue to work with all stakeholders to achieve this.
Regional Development
Questions (64)
Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Question:64. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when a new south-east regional enterprise plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12894/26]
View answerWritten answers
Balanced regional development is a Government priority and a central component of the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 is to support balanced regional enterprise development. My Department and its agencies contribute to this agenda in several ways, including through the nine Regional Enterprise Plans (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 South-East REP covers the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford and its Steering Committee includes representatives from the enterprise agencies, local authorities, the Southern Regional Assembly, higher education institutes and industry who work collaboratively to drive implementation of the REP. There has been a lot of activity under the South-East REP with its thirty-two actions under five strategic objectives, which cover areas including supporting entrepreneurship, green energy, and innovation. The last steering committee meeting was held on 24 November 2025. A permanent REP Programme Manager for the region is now in place, hosted by Waterford County Council.
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.
The Final Progress Reports for the latest REPs are due to be published in the coming months; these reports, along with the findings and recommendations of the REP Review, will feed into our decision-making on the future approach to regional enterprise development.
Artificial Intelligence
Questions (65)
Paul Murphy
Question:65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the reasons the proposed Oifig Intleachta Shaorga na hÉireann, or the AI Office of Ireland, has been placed under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13312/26]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has primary responsibility for advancing Ireland’s digital economy, fostering technological innovation across enterprise, skills and regulatory readiness, and representing Ireland's interests in EU digital policy, including the implementation of the EU AI Act.
My Department led on negotiation of the AI Act, and is now leading across Government on the national implementation of the AI Act. My officials are working closely with colleagues in other departments to devise the optimal configuration of national competent authorities for the Act to ensure comprehensive, robust and efficient implementation in Ireland.
Government agreed to adopt a distributed model of competent authorities, leveraging the State’s established sectoral regulatory authorities to carry out supervisory and enforcement roles for the purposes of the AI Act.
While the AI Act provides scope for national implementing measures to establish a regulatory regime to supervise and enforce the AI Act, there is an obligation all Member States to establish a Single Point of Contact for the purposes of the Regulation, in order to increase organisation efficiency on the side of Member States and to set a single point of contact vis-à-vis the public and other counterparts at Member State and Union levels.
To that end, the Government also agreed to establish a new statutory independent body – Oifig IS na hÉireann or the AI Office of Ireland - under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, to act as the Single Point of Contact and central coordinating authority for the implementation and enforcement of the EU AI Act in the State. In January 2026, Government approved the priority drafting of the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026, on the basis of the General Scheme prepared by my Department.
The Government recognises the importance of Ireland’s reputation as a trusted, agile, forward-looking Digital Regulatory Hub and of ensuring our regulators are independent and adequately resourced.
My Department is working with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the priority drafting of domestic legislation that will provide for the implementation and enforcement of the EU AI Act at national level, including the establishment of the AI Office as an independent statutory entity. The AI Office will be established with its own legal personality, an independent Board and a Chief Executive Officer both appointed through an open and transparent Public Appointments Service process.
The CEO will lead the Office in the carrying out and management of its functions, and report to an independent Board that provides governance and oversight.
The Office will be required to prepare a statement of strategy, annual work programmes and annual reports. Its accounts will be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General with the CEO accountable to the Public Accounts Committee and other Oireachtas Committees as required.
The statutory status and governance structure of the AI Office of Ireland reflects that of established regulator bodies and is in line with the Government’s Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
While the AI Office will be the central coordinating authority for the regulation of AI in Ireland, our distributed sectoral model leverages the apparatus, resources and expertise across a number of competent authorities, many of whom are established, experienced independent regulators of scale.
My Department, through the National AI Office Unit are currently acting as the Single Point of Contact to ensure Ireland meets its legal obligations and will continue to perform this this role on an administrative basis, pending the formal establishment of the statutory office by 2 August 2026.
This transitional period has allowed us build robust foundations – including securing €1.5 million in start-up funding through Budget 2026, scoping the Office’s initial structure and functions, and prioritising legislative drafting with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel – with enactment targeted ahead of the August 2026 deadline for full operationalisation of competent authorities under the AI Act.
My Department’s has a proven track record in successfully establishing independent agencies in areas such as consumer protection and digital policy, with strong governance, clear accountability and the capacity to scale effectively as their governance roles evolve.
The independence of the AI Office of Ireland, at the centre of Ireland's established sectoral regulatory model, will ensure a consistent and high level of protection of health, safety, fundamental rights as set out by the EU AI Act to promote the uptake of human centric and trustworthy AI.
Question No. 66 answered with Question No. 29.
Enterprise Support Services
Questions (67)
John Lahart
Question:67. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the funding allocated in his Department’s NDP to support home-grown enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13079/26]
View answerWritten answers
The revised National Development Plan (NDP), which was published last July, provides my Department with an increased total capital envelope of €3.68 billion to fund our capital programmes over the period of the Plan from 2026 out to 2030.
This allocation will be significantly augmented by an additional €1 billion in income that a number of Agencies of my Department expect to generate from equity and related investments over the period of the NDP. In total my Department expects to invest €4.7 billion in the future of Ireland’s enterprise, innovation and tourism over the next 5 years.
As committed to in the NDP, my Department published our own Sectoral Capital Plan last month which set out the details of the areas that the Department will invest in for the period 2026 to 2030.
The Sectoral Plan is essentially centred around the following themes
• Helping Enterprise to Start, Grow and Scale
• Attracting and Sustaining Inward Investment
• Tourism Development and Promotion
• Enterprise Innovation and commercialisation
• Enterprise Decarbonisation
Whilst each of the themes include measures to support home-grown enterprise, the majority of the specific measures to support and grow our indigenous enterprise base will be supported under Helping Enterprise to Start, Grow and Scale theme, including specific investments in the Local Enterprise Office Programme, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Smart Regions Innovation Scheme Programme, the Regional Enterprise Development Funds and the Regional Enterprise Plans.
In terms of the Local Enterprise Office Programme, my Department will invest over €250 million in capital funding in the LEO programme over the next five years. The network of LEO offices around the country are key to driving the development of local enterprises and promoting local, micro and small business throughout our towns and villages.
The Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme supports development of local enterprise infrastructure, innovation clusters, innovation services to SMEs and early stage feasibility and priming research.
The Regional Enterprise Development Fund will focus on providing essential enterprise infrastructure and associated supports to benefit regions across the country. This investment will ensure that economic opportunities are evenly distributed and aligned with the objectives of the Regional Enterprise Plans and the National Smart Specialisation Strategy for Innovation.
Ireland’s economy has shown remarkable resilience in recent years, achieving record employment and export growth despite global uncertainty. My Department's Sectoral Capital Plan provides a strategic framework to ensure Ireland remains a leading location to work, do business and visit. It aligns fully with the Programme for Government, the Department’s Statement of Strategy 2025–2028, and the Action Plans on Competitiveness and Productivity, Market Diversification and Tourism.
Artificial Intelligence
Questions (68)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:68. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the legislative measures he is planning to implement to ensure that artificial intelligence adaptation does not lead to job loses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13129/26]
View answerWritten answers
Harnessing the benefits of AI is essential to future-proof industries and maintain our global competitiveness.
I am acutely aware of the concerns regarding the impact of AI on jobs. Historically, every significant technological advance brings changes to the labour market and leads to the emergence of new types of roles. Artificial Intelligence will be no different in that regard.
The development of new capabilities and capacities in the workforce will be necessary. Government’s main focus is to ensure that workers are supported to adapt to technological change and to make the most of the new opportunities that AI will create.
Recent research from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) reports that AI adoption in Ireland is accelerating, with demand for AI roles and usage doubling since 2023, highlighting strong labour-market dynamism. It found that Ireland is relatively more exposed to AI-related disruption than other advanced economies, with exposure and complementarity to AI increasing in line with educational attainment, and female workers and younger workers more likely to work in exposed roles. The research states that Ireland’s enterprise sector and workforce are adapting rapidly to AI, with strong demand for AI skills matched by solid supply. While the report finds that AI is likely to augment many existing roles, it also notes that the overall impact on employment levels is less clear-cut, and continued monitoring is essential.
Last week Government published an updated National Digital and AI Strategy, setting out a clear roadmap for Ireland’s digital and AI adoption. It includes a priority to support workers in managing the impacts of potential job displacement by ensuring access to agile, high-quality upskilling and reskilling opportunities.
A key proposal within the Strategy is the establishment of a National Skills Observatory by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It is envisaged that this will transform our skills intelligence landscape and provide a more joined up approach to data gathering and use. The Observatory will act as a central repository for labour market and skills information in Ireland, facilitating improved workforce planning, stronger policy and decision-making, and improved lifelong learning and workforce reskilling, among other benefits.
This new resource will provide valuable insights into AI-related labour market trends and skills needs, supporting the development of effective national AI and jobs policy in the years ahead.
Legislation is not considered to be an effective approach to the potential risk of job displacement, given the dynamic nature of technological change and the potential unintended consequences for innovation, competitiveness and ultimately job creation.
Business Supports
Questions (69)
James O'Connor
Question:69. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his strategy to address the rising cost of doing business, in particular for the SME sector; his plans for 2026 that will aim at improving cost competitiveness in areas such as energy, insurance, labour and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13247/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Government fully recognises that small and medium enterprises have faced significant cost pressures in recent years, driven by higher energy prices, global supply chain disruptions and international economic developments. Despite these ongoing challenges, progress is being made to support SMEs, with the Government taking proactive steps to implement multiple measures to reduce business cost and ease regulatory pressures. The Government is pleased to note, there are emerging signs of improvement, with the CSO’s Wholesale Price Index showing a 6.4% decrease in the year to December 2025.
My Department is delivering on the Programme for Government with two priority commitments, to improve the business cost environment with the establishment of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum in June 2025 and strengthen Ireland’s competitiveness position with the publication of the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity in September 2025.
Since mid-2025, the Cost of Business Advisory Forum has served as a central platform for business representative groups - alongside Government Departments, State Agencies and Regulators - to examine a series of agreed thematic areas, which included energy costs and security of supply, insurance costs, planning regulation and infrastructural delivery, and legal costs. In early 2026, two remaining meetings are scheduled to discuss regulatory costs and payment, banking and financial services.
With the findings and feedback from the Forum, work is underway to present a final report, with recommendations which identify practical actions that can reduce the cost burden on SMEs and support a more competitive business environment. The Forum expects to present this report to Government, with an indicative time frame in H1.
In addition, Budget 2026 was a pro-enterprise Budget and was framed in consideration of the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity and the Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future. The Budget included a range of new tax measures, alongside changes to existing measures, to support the SME sector. These included:
• A reduction in the Hospitality VAT rate from 13.5% to 9%, which will be introduced from 1 July 2025. This reduction will apply specifically to food/catering and hairdressing and addresses concerns raised by the sector about business viability.
• The Employer PRSI threshold was increased to ensure that employers do not pay the higher rate of PRSI for full-time workers earning the minimum wage.
• The lifetime limit of the Revised Entrepreneur Relief was increased from €1m to €1.5m, which provides a significant potential benefit for scaling companies. The relief applies a CGT rate of 10% on gains from the disposal of chargeable business assets, a reduction on the standard rate of 33%.
The Action Plan, reflects a whole-of-Government approach, which addresses drivers of domestic competitiveness and firmly focuses on areas within our domestic control. The Action Plan contains a total of 85 actions, across six themes. The fourth theme is ‘Regulating for Growth and Controlling Costs’ – which has 5 priority actions addressing the costs of doing business in Ireland. These are set out across three distinct areas: “Better Regulation”, “Legal Costs”, and “Competition and Costs”. Specific actions include:
• The Department of the Taoiseach to coordinate a range of actions aimed at regulatory reform across Government Departments, including the establishment of a central Economic Regulators Forum.
• The introduction of a “Red Tape Challenge” across Government to significantly reduce regulation for SMEs.
• The implementation of the outstanding recommendations from the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice: Review Group Report.
Ireland's enterprise agencies also continue to play a key role in working with companies to address costs and strengthen competitiveness. In particular, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), based within the 31 local authorities, assist small businesses across all sectors. The National Enterprise Hub, administered by Enterprise Ireland, offers businesses access to information on more than 250 Government supports for which they may be eligible. The National Enterprise Hub, operated by Enterprise Ireland, provides access to information on more than 250 Government supports available to businesses.
The Government remains committed to building on this progress, and the forthcoming Enterprise 2035 strategy will set out a long-term vision for enterprise growth, competitiveness and job creation over the next decade.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (70)
Paula Butterly
Question:70. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on progress in the development of a new national life sciences strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13198/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Life Sciences sector is one of the strongest drivers of our economy, fuelling both growth and exports. It combines a thriving indigenous enterprise base with some of the world's largest multinational companies, underpinned by a continually advancing world-class research ecosystem. Today, the sector employs over 100,000 people across the length and breadth of the country.
The Programme for Government, has committed to the development of a National Life Sciences Strategy to ensure this important sector remains competitive, as well as adopting a coherent and ambitious approach to future opportunities.
Governance structures have been put in place to underpin the development of the Strategy. A High Level Inter-Departmental Steering Group, chaired by my officials and comprising of senior officials across several key Government Departments, has been established to support the development and implementation of the strategy.
A dedicated working group, also chaired by my officials, with wider representation from Government Departments and relevant agencies will lead on the drafting of the Strategy.
The Strategy is being developed through extensive engagement with key stakeholders across the Life Sciences ecosystem to ensure that it is evidence-based, ambitious and responsive to emerging opportunities.
A broad programme of stakeholder engagement is currently ongoing. This includes a Public Consultation which closed in December. Submissions were received from across Irish society including from industry & medical professionals, pharmaceutical, MedTech and HealthTech companies, representative organisations, non-governmental organisations, and public bodies. These responses are currently being analysed.
In addition, my officials are hosting a series of Consultative Forums to enable a more in-depth engagement with key stakeholders to inform the development of the National Life Sciences Strategy. The first Consultative Forum was held last week with over 70 delegates from industry, Government Departments, agencies, research centres and academia participating in discussions focused on driving growth in the sector through innovation and investment.
Further Consultative Forums will examine other key pillars such as patient access, regulation, talent and skills. I look forward to seeing how these important fora will shape our first Life Science Strategy.