Written Answers Nos. 430-446
430. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of general employment permits issued for home care assistants working in nursing homes each year form 2019-2025 inclusive, in tabular form. [6049/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra431. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current number of workers in nursing homes employed under a general employment permit. [6050/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra432. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of general employment permits issued for home care assistants working in home care each year form 2019-2025 inclusive, in tabular form. [6051/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra433. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current number of workers in home care employed under a general employment permit. [6052/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 430 to 433, inclusive, together.
Healthcare Assistants and Care Workers play a vital role in our health and social care system. They deliver essential frontline support to older people, people with disabilities, and those with complex needs, whether in nursing homes or in the wider community. Their contribution enables those with health needs to live with dignity and independence every day, and the Government recognises the significant value they add in terms of sustaining our care infrastructure.
It is for this reason that the Government implemented measures to support recruitment in these roles including the removal of Healthcare Assistants (HCA) from the Ineligible Occupations List in 2021 and the introduction of a quota for care workers in 2022 to ensure that providers can continue to deliver safe and high quality care.
The table below provides a detailed annual breakdown distinguishing between nursing home HCAs (SOC 6141) and Care Workers (SOC 6145).
It should also be noted that while only 53 HCA General Employment Permits were issued in 2021, the Department received substantially more applications that year; however, due to the significant increase in permit applications that year, the majority were not processed until 2022. This is reflected in the significant increase in approvals in that year.
|
- |
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Soc Code |
Role |
Permit Type |
New Permit |
New Permit |
Renewal |
New Permit |
Renewal |
New Permit |
Renewal |
New Permit |
Renewal |
New Permit |
Renewal |
New Permit |
Renewal |
|
6141 |
HCAs |
General Employment Permit |
|
|
|
53 |
|
2,848 |
1 |
2,721 |
70 |
2,423 |
1,552 |
1,327 |
1,694 |
|
6145 |
Care workers and Home Carers |
General Employment Permit |
4 |
10 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
11 |
5 |
438 |
3 |
806 |
23 |
757 |
163 |
434. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment given his competency for OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, to respond to allegations of data centres located in Ireland operated by a company (details supplied) being used to facilitate genocide in Gaza. [6337/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (referred to as the Guidelines) are the most comprehensive government supported instrument for the promotion of Responsible Business Conduct. In keeping with applicable laws and internationally recognised standards, they provide non-binding principles and standards for all areas of business conduct. Areas covered by the Guidelines include due diligence in the supply chain; disclosure, human rights; employment and industrial relations; environment; combating bribery and other forms of corruption; consumer interests; science, technology, and innovation; competition and taxation.
The Guidelines provide voluntary recommendations for multinational enterprises to adhere to. I expect Irish multinationals and multinational enterprises operating here to adhere to these recommendations to ensure they operate in a responsible manner. They aim to encourage positive contributions enterprises can make to economic, environmental and social progress, and to minimise adverse impacts on matters covered by the Guidelines that may be associated with an enterprise’s operations, products and services.
Governments adhering to the Guidelines are required to set up a National Contact Point (NCP) to promote the Guidelines and related Due Diligence Guidance and to address complaints made under the Guidelines (these are referred to as “specific instances”). These complaints are addressed through a non-judicial grievance mechanism which offers parties a means to resolve issues typically through mediation. The Ireland NCP is a standalone Unit in my Department. The NCP process and decisions made by the Ireland NCP are independent. Information on complaints handled by the Ireland NCP are available the Ireland NCP webpage on the Department’s website, available here.
435. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the progress towards transposing the green transition directive; and whether he proposes to meet the deadline of 27 March 2026. [6339/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is making good progress on the transposition of the Green Transition Directive. Officials continue to engage with the office of Parliamentary Council team on the drafting of the SI and that engagement is almost concluded.
I fully expect to meet the transposition deadline of 27th March 2026 and I welcome the added protections this Directive will afford consumers as they navigate the green transition while making more informed and sustainable choices.
The EU's Green Transition Directive is one of a package of initiatives set out at EU level and follows on from the New Consumer Agenda, the Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal, which has the ambition of zero emissions by 2050, making Europe the first climate neutral continent. It works in tandem with the Green Claims Directive, Right to Repair Directive and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations.
The Directive acknowledges the importance of empowering consumers to achieve the green transition and aims to empower consumers to make more informed sustainable purchases.
Its key objectives are:
* to protect consumers against unfair commercial practices such as greenwashing, premature failure of goods, and unreliable sustainability labels. It requires traders to be honest, clear and transparent about the environmental, social and circular aspects of their products and services
* to provide consumers with clear and trustworthy information about the environmental, social, and circular impacts of products and services
When consumers have trust in the information they’re given, they’ll be able to more easily compare products, which will lead to more sustainable consumption. The Directive will also set EU-wide rules to provide consumers with more information about the durability and repairability of products before they buy.
436. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has received a notice from a company (details supplied) under the collective redundancy consultation process in the past six months; if he concerned that some employers are deliberately attempting to subvert the collective redundancy legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6469/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 12 of the Protection of Employment Acts 1977-2024 provides that an employer proposing collective redundancies must notify the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment at least 30 days before the first dismissal takes effect.
Collective redundancies arise where, during any period of 30 consecutive days, the employees being made redundant are: 5 employees where 21-49 are employed; 10 employees where 50-99 are employed; 10% of the employees where 100-299 are employed; 30 employees where 300 or more are employed.
My Department has not received a collective redundancy notification from the company referenced in the last six months.
Where redundancies occur which fall below collective redundancy thresholds, employers are still legally obliged to conduct the redundancy process fairly and to use reasonable selection criteria in selecting employees for redundancy. In accordance with the principles of fair procedures and natural justice, any such process should normally include a consultation with potentially affected employees.
If an employee believes their employer has failed to comply with collective redundancy rules or they believe their employment rights have been breached, they can make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). For most employment rights issues, complaints to the WRC must be made within 6 months of the date of the alleged breach. The WRC can extend this time period to 12 months if the employee can demonstrate reasonable cause.
437. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on planned schemes to support the development of flour manufacturing in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6474/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn behalf of the government, Enterprise Ireland has been working to develop a scheme to support enterprises seeking to establish large scale flour mill projects in Ireland.
The establishment of a commercial scale flour mill or mills in Ireland would have a number of key benefits including strengthening security of food supply and improved competitiveness and sustainability in the bakery sector. Development of the scheme was informed by a feasibility report commissioned by Enterprise Ireland, which was prepared in close consultation with industry stakeholders.
Enterprise Ireland will now engage with key stakeholders regarding the application process for the scheme.
438. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department or the WRC has examined whether the Karshan Disclosure Opportunity undermines workers’ EU-derived rights under Article 31 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Directive 2003/88/EC, in view of its exclusion of historic misclassification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6576/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra439. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if her Department was consulted prior to the launch of the Karshan Disclosure Opportunity; if it provided any assessment of its impact on PRSI entitlements or arrears; and if her Department has agreed to accept manual PRSI records generated under the scheme as valid contributions for benefit or pension purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6577/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.
In Ireland, there are a number of statutory bodies whose remit includes determining the employment status of a person. Each of these bodies make their determinations independently of each other in respect of the particular functions for which they are responsible. While Revenue has responsibility for determination of employment status of a worker for taxation purposes, responsibility for determination of employment status of a worker for PRSI purposes falls to the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
Following the Supreme Court’s judgment in ‘The Revenue Commissioners v Karshan (Midlands) Ltd. t/a Domino’s Pizza’ , I understand that the Revenue Commissioners are providing employers with an opportunity to correct any payroll tax issues in respect of 2024 and where relevant, 2025. This disclosure opportunity represents a targeted Revenue response to the Supreme Court’s clarification of employment status principles and facilitates employer compliance for the 2024–2025 period on favourable terms.
The impact of Revenue’s disclosure opportunity on PRSI contributions is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Mr. Dara Calleary, T.D., to address.
With regard to EU-derived and national employment rights, the adjudication service of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) may determine employment status as a preliminary issue when adjudicating on employment rights complaints. The WRC makes their determination independently of the other statutory bodies.
The Labour Court and the WRC are independent statutory offices under the aegis of my Department. The WRC’s functions include adjudication, mediation, conciliation, information provision, and inspection of employer records for compliance. The Labour Court is the court of last resort in industrial relations disputes and the sole appellate body in employment rights cases. Whether a person is an employee under employment rights legislation may be determined by the WRC’s Adjudication Service and the Labour Court (on appeal), as a preliminary issue, and in such cases, the current law is applied and where employment status is an issue, the Karshan ruling is one of the factors considered and applied where appropriate.
442. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 465,445,447 of 20 January 2026, whether a grace period will be provided for existing hosts to comply with new planning requirements once published, given that no compliance steps can be taken until the National Planning Statement is issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6629/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the Government's new Policy Statement A New Era for Irish Tourism, which I published last month, the introduction of regulatory controls for the Short Term Letting Sector is to ensure that the tourism sector develops in a way that recognises and is complementary to the wider needs of local communities, both economically and socially.
In April last year, I secured Government approval for the General Scheme of the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill. When enacted, the Bill will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of regulatory controls including a national register for the Short Term Letting (STL) sector. Fáilte Ireland will implement and manage this register from 20 May 2026, ensuring compliance with the EU Short Term Rental Regulation, adopted on 11 April 2024.
I am pleased that the tourism sector has broadly welcomed the introduction of a STL register.
Enforcement of registration will be in compliance with the EU Short Term Rental Regulation, the Digital Services Act and the proposed Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill.
Registration will require a person to confirm compliance with existing planning, building and fire safety requirements. My colleague, Minister Brown, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has committed to publishing planning guidance on short term letting through a National Planning Statement which will be published before the STLT Bill is enacted to provide clarity for the tourism sector. I continue to engage with Minister Browne on this matter as I am acutely aware that providers need certainty in this regard.
As we await the publication of the National Planning Statement for short term letting by Minister Browne, I and my Department continue to consider the full implications for the tourism sector.
To ensure all accommodation providers and intermediaries who advertise accommodation (platforms) are aware of the registration and reporting obligations from next May, my Department launched a communications campaign on 28 October. Phase two of this campaign will launch in the coming weeks.
My Department has also developed a webpage where information is easily accessible for the sector and this is available at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/the-business-environment/tourism/short-term-letting/ .
443. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will provide a schedule of expenditure by the Corporate Enforcement Authority in respect of external legal representation and consultation in 2024 and 2025, by company and solicitor and barrister. [6631/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra444. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the amount expended by the Corporate Enforcement Authority in respect of legal expenditure relates to the “distractions” referenced in the annual reports, protected disclosures and HR and related matters, as distinct from enforcement related legal expenses. [6632/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together.
The Corporate Enforcement Authority has provided the below schedule of expenditure in respect of external legal representation and consultation in 2024 and 2025.
2024 Return
|
Frank Crean BL |
3690 |
|
Arthur Cunningham BL |
41820 |
|
Katherine McGillicuddy BL |
1230 |
|
Christopher Mills BL |
3137 |
|
Jacqueline O’Brien SC |
23555 |
|
Arthur Cox LLP |
17478 |
|
Peter Leonard BL |
8856 |
|
Shane Murphy SC |
3690 |
|
John Biggins BL |
1620 |
|
Conor O’Doherty BL |
18819 |
|
Eoin Lawlor BL |
6765 |
|
Sub-total |
130,660 |
|
|
|
|
HIGH COURT INSPECTORS |
|
|
Sean Gillane SC |
169,740 |
|
Mr. Richard Fleck |
257,516 |
|
|
|
|
Sub total inspectors |
427,256 |
|
TOTAL |
557,916 |
2025 Return
|
Arthur Cox LLP |
175276 |
|
Arthur Cunningham BL |
5843 |
|
Cathleen Noctor SC |
9840 |
|
Des Ryan BL |
23444 |
|
Eoin Lawlor SC |
15990 |
|
Gemma Carroll BL |
554 |
|
James B. Dwyer SC |
3690 |
|
John Biggins BL |
10240 |
|
Kelley Smith SC |
3075 |
|
Lyndon MacCann SC |
24600 |
|
Mark Thompson Grolimund BL |
1292 |
|
Peter Leonard BL |
2952 |
|
Peter Ward SC |
39791 |
|
Roisin Lacey SC |
18450 |
|
Sally O’Neill BL |
5474 |
|
Ronan Kennedy SC |
43050 |
|
Michael McDowell SC |
15375 |
|
TOTAL |
398,936 |
The Corporate Enforcement Authority has advised that €348,854 related to expenditure on matters not pertaining to enforcement.
445. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the date on which a new criminal enforcement director will be recruited for the Corporate Enforcement Authority; the reason for the recruitment delay; the number and rank of gardai in the Corporate Enforcement Authority; and the number of Garda roles not filled, by rank. [6633/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe sanction approval obtained from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for the recruitment of two additional members to the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) was contingent on the suppression of two posts in the CEA at Principal Officer level.
The role of Director of Criminal Enforcement of the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) was vacant when the sanction approval was obtained (12th August 2025) and therefore this position no longer exists.
The CEA have advised that the second post will be suppressed as and when it becomes vacant through natural attrition.
The table below shows the number and rank of Gardai in the Corporate Enforcement Authority; and the number of Garda roles not filled, by rank.
|
Category |
No. of sanctioned positions |
Number of AGS secondees in situ |
Vacancies |
|
Detective Inspector |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Detective Sergeant |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Detective Garda |
12 |
8 |
4 |
446. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will provide a schedule of the model and type of vehicles in the Corporate Enforcement Authority fleet; the cost of same; and whether the fleet is leased or purchased. [6634/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Corporate Enforcement Authority that it purchased 3 vehicles in December 2022 as follows:
• 2 x KIA EV Earth at a cost of €56,429 each
• 1 x Audi Q7 at a cost of €92,589
Total cost: €205,447.
