Written Answers Nos. 144-163
144. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question No. 356 of 30 September 2025, if additional information can be provided on the circular (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53460/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe calculation of an award of Professional Added Years (PAY) is personal to each individual and the relevant competition under which they are being appointed in accordance with the relevant PAY circular.
Circular 08 of 2005 is the basis for how Professional Added Years awarded to eligible public servants who were appointed as New Entrants (as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004) to a Professional Technical or Specialist post after 01 April 2005.
The calculation of the Gross award is included in paragraph 8 of the Appendix to the Circular. In most instances, the terms of paragraph 8(a) which includes the formula 19 + Q + E -25 are relevant:
"8. Subject to paragraph 9, the gross added years’ entitlement, before appropriate adjustment, will be calculated as follows:
(a) in any case where the required minimum qualifications and/or experience would have precluded appointment by age 25, the aggregate of 19+ Q + E - 25, where
Q = the minimum number of years in which the required qualifications can be obtained; and
E = the minimum number of years essential experience required.
Where specific experience was required but not quantified in the competition, a figure of 5 years will be taken as the experience requirement for the competition.
Experience normally gained during a period of qualification may not give rise to double counting of periods under Q and E. For example, a period of training which includes practical experience may not be counted twice for the purpose of this calculation."
Calculated in line with the terms of paragraph 8, an eligible public servant who was appointed to a Professional, technical or Specialist post via a competition which listed as an essential requirement (I) a particular degree which takes 4 years to complete, and (II) 5 years’ post qualification experience in that field, could be entitled to an award calculated as follows:
19 + Q (4) + E (5) – 25 = 3 Professional Added Years.
This gross award would then be abated in line with the subsequent paragraphs of the Circular.
In respect of transferable and prior service, abatement of the award on a year for year basis is provided for in paragraph 10 (i). Where the individual has non transferable relevant experience, this may be used to offset this abatement. How this applies, is also provided for in this paragraph:
"10. The gross added years’ entitlement (after applying the limit at paragraph 9 if necessary) will be reduced as indicated in the following circumstances: -
(i) Previous service with the body, transferred/transferable service:
where the employee concerned has
(a) pensionable service with the body before his or her appointment to the professional added years post, and/or
(b) transferred or could transfer service into the body’s pension scheme from another public sector body,
the added years award will be abated on a “year-for-year” basis by that service.
If, however, the employee’s relevant experience for the purpose of appointment to an added years post also includes non-transferable relevant experience in other employment, the abatement in respect of service at (a) and/or (b) above will be the minimum amount of relevant experience required by the competition less the amount of non-transferable relevant experience. If the non-transferable relevant experience is equal to or greater than the minimum amount of relevant experience required by the competition then no abatement will apply.
Where there are retained benefits (see (ii) following) in respect of the non-transferable service abatement will, of course, apply by reference to the value of those benefits."
In respect of retained benefits, typically pension benefits deriving from occupational pension arrangements prior to joining the public service, these are abated in line with paragraph 10 (ii). The Department's Actuarial Unit calculates the value of these benefits and the number of notional years of service which could be purchased in accordance with the purchase of notional service tables contained in Circular 4 of 2006.
Where there has been a refund of contributions, paragraph 10 (ii) also provides how these refunds are factored into an abatement calculation.
"(ii) Retained benefits:
where the employee has a retained superannuation benefit (e.g. a pension and/or lump sum entitlement, or has received a refund of superannuation contributions) from any previous employment, the added years award will be abated by the value of the retained benefit, as determined by the appropriate authority. Abatement will not apply in respect of a refund of contributions paid to the employee where the employee could not opt for preserved superannuation benefits or a transfer of service in lieu of a refund at the time of resignation, and where the amount of the refund was, if paid before 1 June 1973, less than €762, or, if paid on or after 1 June 1973, less than €762 as increased by reference to CPI increases between that date and the date of the refund."
The calculation basis for abatement in respect of career breaks, resignation/ retirement before 60, ill-health retirement limits and refunds of excess purchase notional service is contained in paragraphs 12, 13, 15 and 16 respectively.
145. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department has assessed whether publishing the estimated contract value for public procurement tenders inflates final bid prices; whether alternative approaches, such as value bands or undisclosed ceilings have been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53772/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic Procurement is governed by EU legislation and national rules/guidelines. EU Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement (goods, services and works) has been transposed into Irish Law in the form of corresponding Regulations - S.I. No. 284/2016 - European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts). My Department has published the Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services to provide a comprehensive interpretation of this legal code, to serve as national rules, and to improve consistency and promote best practice in the application of these rules.
The legal code, reflected in the guidelines, requires the establishing of a realistic estimate of the value of all phases of the goods, services or works to be procured, ensuring fair competition and transparency. Additionally, in recent case law, the Court of Justice of the European Union clarified that contracting authorities are also obliged to indicate at the outset the maximum estimated quantity and value for Framework Agreements.
Furthermore, since the implementation of eForms in 2023, a single figure only for estimated contract value can be included in the contract notice. eForms are the digital standard for European Union public procurement notices, established under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2303.
As the Deputy is aware, the European Commission is currently carrying out an evaluation pending a revision of the Procurement Directives, and Ireland is formally engaging with this process.
146. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if an impact assessment study was carried out before the decision to stop sending payslips to civil and public service pensioners, especially those who have no access to online; if so, will the findings be made available and will the Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53832/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraShared Services were created as part of Ireland’s Public Service Reform Programme from 2011. Centralising core functions like payroll and HR streamline public service delivery. I understand there was no formal impact assessment on each decision within the reform programme like issuing of payslips, however inclusion and accessibility are central to any new service provided by the Government. This is why the National Shared Services Office have a dedicated support line to deal with pension queries. This includes providing assistance with requests for printed payslips, in specific circumstances.
147. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the expected timeframe for the introduction of at least one EU digital identity wallet here in advance of the 2026 deadline. [54345/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation is leading on digitalisation of public services, which is a core component of the Better Public Service Transformation strategy. The Government digital wallet is one of a number of building blocks of the digital transition that will see all key public services becoming available online over the next five years in line with our targets under the EU Digital Decade. A public service digitalisation roadmap setting out key milestones for delivery is currently in development.
The eIDAS Regulation, originally adopted as Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 and updated by Regulation (EU) 2024/1183, establishes a comprehensive legal framework for electronic identification (eID) that supports Ireland’s aim of providing secure, seamless, and trustworthy digital services. Under this framework it is anticipated that a digital wallet will be available nationally by the end of 2026. Implementation of the updated eIDAS regulation is being progressed in a programme of work coordinated by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
In tandem with this, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) is leading on the design and testing of the national digital wallet to ensure that it meets the needs of users in a way that is simple, intuitive and technically robust. This builds on the previous work done to design and develop this technology with a group of over 500 public servants over July to October 2024, which was very well received by those involved and informed the further design and development work to be done. Further testing is planned over the course of 2025 and 2026 within specific cohorts of users to refine and enhance the national digital wallet that will be made available to all citizens next year.
148. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures his Department has in place, or plans to put in place, to protect the professional title of ‘accountant’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52935/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe title “accountant” is not currently restricted under Irish or European law. This means that individuals may use the title without being members of a recognised professional accountancy body or holding formal qualifications in accountancy. This position reflects the longstanding approach taken in Irish company law and competition policy.
There are certain accountancy-related services that may only be carried out by individuals who are members of a Prescribed Accountancy Body (PAB) and hold a current practising certificate, for example, acting as a liquidator in a company winding-up. Statutory audit services may only be performed by members of a Recognised Accountancy Body (RAB) authorised under Section 930 of the Companies Act 2014. Other accountancy services such as bookkeeping, payroll, and general financial advice, are not restricted under Irish or European law and may be provided by individuals regardless of professional membership.
Under the Companies Act 2014, oversight of the accountancy profession is provided through the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA), which supervises the regulatory functions of the PABs. These bodies maintain professional standards, codes of ethics, and disciplinary procedures for their members. However, the Act does not define or restrict the use of the term “accountant”.
Since 2006, the Competition Authority, its successor the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), my Department, and IAASA, have reviewed this issue several times, including by public consultation during the passage of the Companies Act 2014. In all cases, no evidence was found to justify recommending the introduction of legal protections to the term "accountant".
Overall, the previous Departmental-led investigations into term-protection requests found no evidence of public demand, or evidence of abuse of the term to justify the introduction of such a protection.
Any proposal to protect or restrict the term “accountant” may result in unregulated individuals adopting alternative titles, thereby arguably limiting the effectiveness of such a measure. An alternative approach could involve restricting the provision of specific accountancy-related services; however, defining and legislating for such services would be complex. Additionally, the introduction of such restrictions could also result in administrative and financial burdens on businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises. This impact would be felt by both the professionals providing the services – due to costs associated with membership of a PAB, including requirements such as professional indemnity insurance – and by the businesses availing of those services, as these costs would likely be passed on through higher fees.
At present, there are no legislative proposals to introduce restriction of the term “accountant”. However, the Department remains open to further engagement with stakeholders and will consider any new evidence that demonstrates a clear public interest in regulating the use of the term.
149. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the annual number of reported cases of sexual harassment or assault in workplaces serving the public; the number of incidents estimated to go unreported due to staff being unaware or untrained; and the statistics showing how staff training affects reporting rates or victim outcomes. [53008/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to upholding the key aims of the Dignity at Work Policy, the Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment policy for the Irish Civil Service. My Department is also committed to providing a work environment free from any form of bullying, harassment or sexual harassment. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Any complaints or issues raised in this area are treated seriously, fairly and in strict confidence. Informal resolution and the use of mediation are strongly encouraged and explored before proceeding to formal investigation, and in many instances have proved successful in resolving matters.
Protecting the health, safety and welfare of all staff and visitors to the premises occupied by the Department is of paramount importance. Depending on the specific circumstances, matters pertaining to assault and/or sexual harassment would likely require the direct involvement of An Garda Síochána.
There are various legislative requirements, policies and systems in place to underpin a safe working environment across each of the eleven buildings occupied by my Department and its Offices, which include the Companies Registration Office, the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland, the Labour Court, the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Workplace Relations Commission. These include, but are not limited, to the following:
• Under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, sexual harassment and harassment of an employee (including agency workers and trainees) in the workplace is against the law. This includes sexual harassment and harassment by co-workers; the employer; clients, customers or other business contacts of the employer. Information on the Employment Equality Acts can be found at: www.workplacerelations.ie
• The Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005 deals with a range of issues, including setting out requirements and advice to employers to guard against inappropriate behaviour on their premises. Information on this legislation is available at www.hsa.ie, the website of the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland HSA), an agency under the remit of my Department. This legislation requires employers to report any accidents and dangerous occurrences to be reported to the H.S.A. State Authorities also have a statutory requirement to report any unplanned or uncontrolled occurrence or sequence of occurrences that caused or had the potential to cause injury, ill-health, disease, and/or damage/loss to property/service to the State Claims Agency.
There are also various Civil Service codes of conduct, procedures and internal processes to protect the health, safety and welfare of staff and visitors. The Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour is an important framework within which all civil servants are expected to work, and this includes observing appropriate standards of behaviour at work. This is available at: www.sipo.ie
The Civil Service is committed to protecting and promoting dignity and respect across the organisation. The Civil Service Dignity at Work 2015 policy aims to promote respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace. Every member of staff is made aware that all forms of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment are unacceptable, and every member of staff has a duty to behave in an acceptable and respectful manner towards other staff members and visitors alike. This policy can be found at: assets.gov.ie/static/documents/dignity-at-work-policy-2015.pdf
Related to this, and at the same website, is the Civil Service Disciplinary Code, which is also underpinned by various legislative requirements. The Disciplinary Code sets out the various steps involved to investigate allegations of misconduct, which may include assault and or/sexual assault. Any disciplinary matters would be an internal matter for the HR Unit of the Department to consider.
Supplementing all of the above are internal Departmental policies such as the Department’s Health and Safety Statement; a Physical Access Policy which includes details regarding Departmental premises and a CCTV Policy. Such policies could also be used as part of any investigative requirement, either internally or with An Garda Síochána, in the event of an allegation being notified to the Department by a staff member or an external person.
My Department does not operate any public offices so the volume of members of the public onsite at Departmental premises is generally low. Nonetheless I can assure the Deputy that any allegations of assault or sexual harassment by a member of staff or of the public, would be treated with the utmost gravity and involve all appropriate mechanisms, legal and otherwise, to ensure that the matter was investigated in a thorough and proper fashion.
The specific day-to-day operations of the Agencies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for their respective Boards and Heads of Agencies. All of the legislative requirements referred to above are applicable to each Agency and the public sector codes of practice and requirements of the highest standards of behaviour expected of staff essentially mirror those of the Civil Service.
150. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of companies registered as companies limited by guarantee at the end of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53227/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of people employed directly by companies registered as companies limited by guarantee at the end of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53228/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.
I refer to Minister Burke's recent response (PQ 46366/25) on 8th September 2025 to the Deputy on this matter. As advised, there were 19,038 companies limited by guarantee on the Register of Companies at the end of 2024. The Companies Registration Office does not collect data on the number of persons employed in a company.
152. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 252 of 25 September 2025, whether he will issue guidance to employers concerning the sponsorship of employment permits for Palestinians in Gaza in particular, considering the special conditions that apply there, namely that the people of Gaza are subject to genocide, and that therefore the sponsorship of employment permits for Palestinians in Gaza may save a large number of lives. [53315/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether he will issue guidance to community and voluntary organisations concerning the sponsorship of employment permits for Palestinians in Gaza, considering the special conditions that apply there, namely that the people of Gaza are subject to genocide, and that therefore the sponsorship of employment permits for Palestinians in Gaza may save a large number of lives. [53580/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 157 together.
In order to take up employment in Ireland, non-EEA nationals require an employment permit from my Department, with a corresponding immigration permission by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. Alternatively, non-EEA nationals may be granted an immigration permission to enter and reside in the State to take up employment without the need for an employment permit. The grant of such permissions is at the discretion of the Minister of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
My Department’s Employment Permits Unit administers the employment permits system and the grant of permits to non-EEA applicants who meet the eligibility requirements. There are no restrictions on the nationalities that may be hired through an employment permit. Therefore, any employer in the state may hire from any jurisdiction, including the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Employment Permits Unit provides a range of guidance and information platforms and bulletins that are accessible on my Department’s website. These include guidance on who can apply, eligibility requirements, Frequently Asked Questions and useful checklists and updates on changes and information on increased accessibility for users applying for a permit.
My Department recently launched the new Employment Permits Online application system which is a more intuitive and user led platform making it more accessible for users to apply for and view employment permit applications and information. The Employment Permits Unit also actively engages with employers and other users to provide ongoing guidance and regularly update the user supports.
The Employment Permits Unit also provides a phone service operated by colleagues in the Workplace Relations Commission to provide general information for users on the status of an application. In addition to that, more detailed requests for information can be emailed directly to officials of Employment Permits Unit.
153. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for a full list of organisations which have been granted "Trusted Flagger" status by Coimisiún na Meán under the EU's digital Services act; if there are plans within Coimisiún na Meán to expand the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53478/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlthough the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport is the parent department of Coimisiún na Meán, I will respond to this particular question, as the Digital Services Act falls under the policy remit of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
Article 22 of the Digital Services Act (DSA) mandates that providers of online platforms shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the notices submitted by Trusted Flaggers (TF) acting within their designated area of expertise, are given priority and processed and decided upon without undue delay.
To be awarded the status of TF, an applicant must satisfy the following conditions set out in Article 22. An applicant must demonstrate:
• they have particular expertise and competence for the purposes of detecting, identifying and notifying illegal content;
• they are independent from any provider of online platforms; and,
• they carry out their activities for the purposes of submitting notices diligently, accurately and objectively.
TFs are an important component of the DSA eco-system and play a crucial role in tackling illegal content online. Since the introduction of the TF status by the DSA, 43 entities have been awarded TF status across the EU.
In Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán has to date awarded Trusted Flagger status to one entity— the Central Bank of Ireland, whose area of expertise is financial fraud and financial scams online. Currently, two applications are under assessment, with areas of expertise in property rights and hate speech, respectively.
The granting of TF status is not a scheme run by An Coimisiún. It is a status awarded based on applications received, where the applicant meets the eligibility and award conditions set out in Article 22 of the DSA. Therefore, the issue of “expanding the scheme” does not arise.
Since the transposition of the DSA, An Coimisiún has been very proactive in the TF space, mainly in two areas: stakeholder engagement and development of guidelines.
Stakeholder engagement focused on raising awareness about the TF status, providing information about the certification process and encouraging potential applicants, in particular child-protection agencies, to apply for the status. This engagement takes the form of open-door information sharing events and one to one meetings with potential candidates, and covers a broad range of stakeholders, including state agencies, civil society groups and NGOs.
The first open-door event took place in September 2024 and focused on the certification process and certification conditions. It was very well attended by approximately 30 entities, mainly across (but not exclusively) the child-protection spectrum. The next information sharing event is planned for Q1 2026, after the European Commission publishes guidelines for TFs. That event will aim to raise awareness about the TF status and the new guidelines.
In addition to open-door events, between April and October 2025, An Coimisiún has held one to one engagements with approximately 20 entities including state and non-state child protection agencies, state departments, NGOs and peer regulators. As a result of these interactions, An Coimisiún is hopeful that applications from a number of child protection agencies will be received by the end of this year.
As well as stakeholder engagement, An Coimisiún has proactively contributed to the development of guidelines for TF, at both national and European level. At European level, An Coimisiún has supported the European Commission with developing TF Guidelines, expected to be published in Q1 2026, and was part of an early group of 15 Digital Service Coordinators who developed guidelines for the certification process (February 2024). At national level, An Coimisiún developed a TF FAQ document, which sets out in plain English the TF legal provisions and provides answers to questions related to activities pre and post certification.
For additional information please see:
www.cnam.ie/industry-and-professionals/online-safety-framework/certifications-schemes/trusted-flaggers/
154. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has made a decision in a visa appeal case for a person (details supplied); and if not, the timeframe for when the applicant will be notified. [53484/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters relating to visa applications and appeals, including decisions and timeframes, fall under the responsibility of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (DJHAM). The DJHAM have responsibility for immigration and visa policy, including the processing and determination of visa applications. Therefore, any queries regarding the status or outcome of a visa appeal should be directed to the Department of Justice.
A General Employment Permit application in respect of the individual concerned was received by the Employment Permits Section on 25 August 2025 and is currently awaiting processing.
As of 01 October 2025, the Department is processing General Employment Permit applications received on 07 August 2025. Applications are assessed in the order in which they are received and will be reviewed in due course.
Applicants can check the current processing dates for employment permits on the Department’s website at the following link:
enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/current-application-processing-dates/
155. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he has updated public procurement guidelines in the context of public bodies purchasing goods and/or services produced and/or developed by Israeli companies. [53533/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question concerns public procurement policy which is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
Public Procurement is governed by EU legislation and national rules/guidelines. EU Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement (goods, services and works) has been transposed into Irish Law in the form of corresponding Regulations - S.I. No. 284/2016 - European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts).
The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation has published Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services to provide a comprehensive interpretation of this legal code, to serve as national rules, and to improve consistency and promote best practice in the application of these rules.
156. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 242 of 23 September 2025, and having regard to the confirmation therein that under Government decisions of 19 May 2009, 2 March 2011, 8 March 2011 and 28 March 2017 all public bodies subject to the 15-day prompt payment requirement must report against a defined set of fields including the number, value and percentage of payments made within 15 days, within 16-30 days, and in excess of 30 days, together with late-payment interest and compensation costs; the reason the format of his Department's consolidated "Government Departments Prompt Payment Returns" was altered from Q2 2025 onwards to exclude the value of payments within 15 days and other mandated data fields that had been reported consistently from at least 2010 to Q1 2025; if he will consider reverting to the previous format in the interest of transparency and alignment with EU open data best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53554/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the Deputy’s question regarding the format of the Department’s consolidated Government Departments Prompt Payment Returns, and the changes introduced for the Q2 2025 report.
As the Deputy notes, under Government Decisions of 19 May 2009, 2 March 2011, 8 March 2011 and 28 March 2017, all public bodies subject to the 15-day prompt payment requirement are required to report quarterly on a defined set of fields. I can confirm that my Department continues to collect and publish this data in line with the reporting template set out in the relevant Government Decisions. The Q2 2025 return for my Department includes all the mandated fields and in the interest of transparency is available on my Department’s website.
Separately, my Department on a quarterly basis compiles a consolidated report of the payment performance of all Government Departments showing payments made within 15 days and 30 days. The format of the consolidated report was changed for Q2 2025 to show only the percentage of payments made within 15 days and 30 days based on the number of invoices. The reason being that individual Government Departments report the percentage of payments made within specified periods based only on the number of invoices.
I want to assure the Deputy that my Department remains fully committed to open and transparent reporting. The full underlying data for each Department, including all required fields, continues to be published in the individual Departmental returns, which are publicly accessible on the respective Departments’ websites.
My Department established the Prompt Payment Officer Network following Government approval in March this year. Prompt payment performance reporting is a standing item on the agenda of the network. I will therefore ask my officials to consider raising this matter at the next meeting in November for discussion.
158. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when he last met the CEO of the Corporate Enforcement Authority; when he is next scheduled to meet the CEO of Corporate Enforcement Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53691/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with the Sole Member and Chairperson of the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA), Ian Drennan, on multiple occasions since assuming the role of Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, AI and Digital Transformation.
I have visited the offices of the Corporate Enforcement Authority on two occasions ( 26 February and 24 June 2025) where I met with the Sole Member and Chairperson of the Corporate Enforcement Authority and the staff.
I have also met with the Sole Member and Chairperson of the Corporate Enforcement Authority in his capacity as Chair of the Enforcement Committee of the Company Law Review Group when I met with the Chair of the Company Law Review Group and the Chairs of the different committees of the Company Law Review Group on 23 September 2025.
My colleague Minister Burke has also met with the Sole Member and Chairperson of the Corporate Enforcement Authority on 06 March 2025.
Additionally, my officials have an ongoing dialogue with the Corporate Enforcement Authority and its Sole Member and Chairperson, and meet on a quarterly basis for liaison meetings. The engagement is based on a common understanding of the objectives of the State body and the actions through which it seeks to achieve those objectives as set out under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
159. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to name all of IDA Ireland client companies with operations in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53694/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegional 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 that regard, IDA Ireland partners with client companies and key stakeholders in all regions in pursuit of its objective to maximise regional opportunities.
Under its current strategy, “Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025–29”, which I launched in February, IDA Ireland is targeting 1,000 investments, with 55% (550) in regional locations. This ambitious target reflects IDA Ireland’s ongoing commitment to support transformation and growth across all regions. In this regard, IDA is targeting 40 investments to the Border Region, up from 25 under its previous strategy, 2021–2024.
County Donegal plays a significant role in IDA Ireland’s regional investment strategy as part of the Border Region. There are currently 72 IDA-supported companies in the region, employing 10,389 people, 21 of which are located in Donegal. Over the past 10 years, the number of people directly employed by IDA supported companies in the County has grown from 3,449 in 2015 to 5,196 in 2024. This growth is attributed to investments and expansions which has bolstered job creation and economic development in the County.
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. As part of its Regional Property Programme, IDA Ireland continues to deliver advance property solutions and infrastructure improvements to support regional investment. Under the current strategy IDA will deliver an advance building solution in Letterkenny and will also partner with Donegal County Council to deliver an advance planning permit in Letterkenny.
Finally, the table below lists all IDA client companies in Donegal at 31 October 2024
|
Company Name |
2024 Emp Range |
|
VERTIV (E&I ENGINEERING IRELAND) |
501-1500 |
|
OPTUM OPERATIONS IRELAND LTD |
501-1500 |
|
TCS LETTERKENNY GLOBAL DELIVERY CENTRE |
501-1500 |
|
ABBOTT IRELAND DIABETES CARE |
501-1500 |
|
PHILLIPS MEDISIZE IRELAND LTD |
101-500 |
|
ZEUS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS (IRELAND) LIMITED |
101-500 |
|
SITA LETTERKENNY |
101-500 |
|
PGIM IRELAND LIMITED |
101-500 |
|
KN CIRCET (LETTERKENNY) |
101-500 |
|
FINTRU IRELAND LIMITED |
0-100 |
|
KIRCHHOFF IRELAND LIMITED |
0-100 |
|
OPTIBELT URETHANE BELTING LTD |
0-100 |
|
DRUVA LETTERKENNY |
0-100 |
|
VERINT SYSTEMS |
0-100 |
|
TRAVIZORY IRELAND |
0-100 |
|
MRI SOFTWARE (ORCHARD SYSTEMS) |
0-100 |
|
CONCENTRIX DONEGAL |
0-100 |
|
ELECTROROUTE LETTERKENNY |
0-100 |
|
CLADDAGH RESOURCES |
0-100 |
|
(SCIFORMA) KEYEDIN SOLUTIONS |
0-100 |
|
ASSET INTERTECH |
0-100 |
Source: IDA Ireland Annual Employment Survey 2024
160. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he is aware of differences in eligibility criteria for certain business types (details supplied) paid under the power up grant; whether they should be included in the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53768/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Increased Cost of Business scheme was introduced in March 2024 and the Power Up grant was introduced in October 2024. Both grant schemes are now closed.
As you are aware the second ICOB payment and the Power Up grant specifically targeted businesses in the retail, hospitality and beauty sectors. The Department used NACE codes to determine eligibility for those sectors. The NACE Codes is a European classification system that assigns organisations according to their business activities. Launderette businesses were not eligible for the second ICOB payment or the Power Up grant as their primary business is not classified as retail.
The Local Authorities administered both of these grant schemes on behalf of my Department and the Local Authorities decided on the eligibility of individual submissions based on the information supplied. The Local Authorities decision was final and my Department has no access to the information supplied by businesses.
161. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will support the Budget 2026 requests of an organisation (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53843/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for the question to which there are a number of parts that I can address. On the issue of the National Minimum Wage, clearly one key input is the annual report of the Low Pay Commission. I received this report, which includes their recommendation for the 2026 National Minimum Wage, in July and this is under consideration. The Commission has an evidence-based approach to arriving at its recommendations and the Programme for Government includes the commitment that this Government will recognise the work of the independent Low Pay Commission. There is clearly a balancing act between the need of workers and employers.
After careful consideration and as part of the measures designed to bolster business resilience and support competitiveness, the Government earlier this year, adjusted the implementation timeline for the living wage from 2026 to 2029. This decision was not taken lightly. Government remains committed to fair wages for all workers and I would still expect that the minimum wage will increase over the coming years, but it is important that we manage these increases in a way that does not damage employment or competitiveness.
With regards to the PRSI and VAT proposals, I would note the following commitment in the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s future, in Supporting Small Business, Hospitality and Retail:
“The Government will bring forward measures to support SMEs, in particular the retail and hospitality sectors, acknowledging the increased cost pressures on these sectors and this will entail changes to VAT, PRSI and other measures. These measures will be implemented as part of the normal budget process”
This is a very welcome commitment, which I fully support. Any decision on these measures are to be considered as part of the budgetary process and any changes to measures for the forthcoming Budget will be announced on Budget day, Tuesday 7 October 2025.
In other measures to support SME’s I have established the Cost of Business Advisory Forum, which is a Programme for Government commitment. The Forum comprises of SME & Industry representative organisations, Regulatory/State Bodies and Government Departments who jointly consider issues that can lead to higher costs for businesses at a regional and national level in Ireland.
To date, the Forum has met to examine Energy Costs and the Security of Supply and is reviewing feedback from September’s meeting on Insurance costs. The remainder of 2025 and early 2026 meetings will examine Regulatory Burden, Planning, and Infrastructural Delivery. Public Utilities: Water Costs, Legal Services, Reporting and Compliance.
The final objective of the Forum is to present a report to Government in late Q1 2026, that will outline its findings and highlight those steps that can be taken to mitigate issues arising from increased costs or any associated regulatory or infrastructural issues that merit a changed approach.
The introduction of statutory sick leave was also a key policy development. For the first time in Ireland, employees have a statutory right to employer-paid sick leave. From 1 January 2024, the number of statutory sick leave days increased from 3 to 5. The public health benefits of paid sick leave are well established and are a key part of the policy underpinning this Act. This policy is a public health measure that protects fellow employees and members of the public generally, including by reducing the risk of workplace accidents and the likelihood of infectious disease transmission in the workplace.
However, it is also important to recognise that the introduction of any new form of employer paid leave does create a burden on business. In 2024, in line with the requirements of Section 6 of the Sick Leave Act 2022, and to inform the decision in respect of the next phase in the rollout of the statutory sick leave scheme, further research was conducted by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service and my Department on the impact of sick leave to date.
This research included a comprehensive, firm-level survey and interviews to capture the views of businesses and employee representative groups. A stakeholder workshop was also held with employer representative groups, who communicated their members’ experiences and perceptions of statutory sick leave.
Following due consideration, it was decided that it was appropriate to maintain the sick leave entitlement at five days. This provides income protection for those five days in a calendar year should employees be unfit to work, paid at 70% of gross earnings, up to a daily cap of €110.
162. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will reintroduce an increased level of grant support to support Irish businesses with enhancing their online retailing capabilities, similar to the previous Enterprise Ireland online retail scheme. [53923/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTrading online is an important route for retail businesses to grow and improve. Developing digital capability with a strong online presence will assist retailers to become sustainable, increase their customer base and reduce their costs.
In 2024 a package of targeted supports for businesses, including retailers, to digitalise was developed and introduced by my Department.
One of the key initiatives is the Grow Digital Voucher, introduced by the LEOs and expanded in September 2024. The Grow Digital Voucher provides up to €5,000 in funding to small businesses with up to 50 employees, enabling them to adopt digital technologies. Eligible expenditure under the voucher includes a broad range of digital tools and services, such as e-commerce and e-invoicing software, cybersecurity solutions, analytics platforms, and AI systems. Website development subscriptions are also covered, supporting businesses in enhancing their online presence.
To access the Grow Digital Voucher, businesses must first participate in the Digital for Business consultancy scheme, also offered through the LEOs. This free consultancy service connects businesses with expert digital consultants who help assess existing digital systems, identify gaps, and develop tailored plans for adopting new or enhanced digital solutions. This preparatory step ensures that businesses are well-positioned to make effective use of the funding available through the Grow Digital voucher. The Department’s Grow Digital Portal is a key initiative showcasing digital success stories on how different (non-tech) businesses have embraced digital solutions to boost their operations.
There are currently a broad range of supports for the retail sector, including training programmes and funding, to help retailers adapt to new challenges and opportunities in retail that can be found on the National Enterprise Hub.
163. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of difficulties facing many transport companies (details supplied); if she has plans to make changes to the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53693/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
As part of the operation of the scheme, Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme.
The competitive process is conducted in accordance with the negotiated procedure under national and EU procurement legislation.
Bus Éireann has provided guidance on the process on its website at: www.buseireann.ie/contractors
Further queries and observations regarding the process should be addressed to: BESchooltenders@buseireann.ie
