Results 21-40 of 1,494 for speaker:Emer Higgins in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: State Bodies (14 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: To support continued growth and business opportunities regionally, Enterprise Ireland (EI) established its representative offices in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in 2020. Amid the trend towards global diversification of supply chains in the manufacturing and processing industry, Vietnam is fast becoming a surging hub for FDI inflows in recent years. The key objective of this EI office is to...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (14 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: As you are aware, as part of Budget 2024, the Government signed off on a package of €257 million for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses. As you know this scheme is now closed. Analysis has been undertaken in relation to the grant scheme. A decision will be made this week and I expect to make an announcement in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (14 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that on 30th April 2024 a General Employment Permit issued in respect of the person concerned in the details supplied.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (14 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: As you are aware, as part of Budget 2024, the Government signed off on a package of €257 million for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses. This scheme closed on the 1st of May and the ICOB portal is not live at the moment. Analysis has been undertaken in relation to the grant scheme. A decision will be made this week and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Industrial Relations (14 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: The EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages includes two key areas: Minimum Wages, and Collective Bargaining. The Directive requires Ireland to develop an action plan to enhance collective bargaining coverage by the end of 2025. The Directive must be transposed into Irish law by 15th November 2024. My Department has requested legal advice as to whether any legislative change is required...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Trade Unions (14 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Government fully supports the right of any worker to join and be active in their trade union. Employees have the right under the Constitution to form associations and trade unions. Under Irish legislation, an employee cannot be discriminated against or dismissed because they are a member of a trade union. The Unfair Dismissal Acts provide for a number of grounds under which a...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (9 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant was announced as part of the Budget 2024 package to particularly benefit small and medium sized businesses who operate from a rateable premises. The Scheme closed for registrations on 1st May. The number of businesses who have registered is 66,108 and this represents 55% of the total number of potentially eligible businesses. Business details...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (8 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) provide direct grant assistance to small businesses operating in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. Professional services including Financial Advisors are not be eligible for LEO grant assistance. Financial advisors may apply for many of the other supports available through LEOs , including the broad range of management training...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (8 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are Units within the 31 Local Authorities nationwide and act as a ‘first stop shop’ providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business. The LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service for all government supports available to the SMEs and can provide...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (8 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: In order to work in the State non-EEA nationals are required to hold either a valid employment permit from this Department or relevant immigration permission from the Minister for Justice allowing them to enter and work in the State without the requirement for an employment permit. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has responsibility for economic migration policy and the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Policies (8 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: The importance of the hospitality sector to the Irish economy and communities in every corner of Ireland is well understood. I am acutely aware that many businesses in all sectors are facing difficulties due to the cost of doing business. With this in mind, as part of the Budget 2024 package, and in order to help businesses with their increasing overheads, the Government announced the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (8 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: Placing digital transformation at the heart of enterprise policy is a priority of the White Paper on Enterprise and Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are actively engaged in supporting businesses in their twin transitions of digitalisation and decarbonisation. National campaigns, such as the ‘All in a Day’s Work’ campaign by LEOs draws attention to the benefits of making a...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: EU Directives (2 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: The EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages includes two key areas: Minimum Wages, and Collective Bargaining. The Directive must be transposed into Irish law by 15th November 2024. My Department has received legal advice on the minimum wage elements of the Directive that Ireland’s current minimum wage setting framework, namely the Low Pay Commission, is largely already in...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (2 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: As you will be aware, as part of Budget 2024, the Government signed off on a package of €257 million for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses. Local Authorities, funded through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, are administering the grant to qualifying businesses on behalf of the Department. Local...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (2 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: The latest employment survey results from Enterprise Ireland present a positive outlook for the Irish economy, particularly in the sectors under its remit. According to the Annual Employment Survey 2023, there has been a notable increase in employment levels across industrial and service companies. This growth is not just confined to the capital city but is spread across the country, with...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (1 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: This Government is committed to backing business and will continue to work closely with small businesses nationwide to support their growth and assist them in remaining competitive and resilient. As you are aware the ICOB grant has a budget of €257 million which is designed to assist small and medium businesses operating directly within a premises that is commercially rateable by...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (30 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: The occupation of Food Process Operative, which is the job category for workers involved in the processing of fish, is currently on the Ineligible Occupations List and, as such, employment permits cannot be granted for this occupation. The outcome of the most recent review of the occupations lists for employment permits was announced last December. The review comprised a public...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Correspondence (30 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: This correspondence refers to the 2021 Private Members Bill on Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) sponsored by a number of Deputies. It is a matter for the Deputies to progress the Bill. Last April, the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, met with a group of representatives of Retired Associations in...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Correspondence (30 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Government is acutely aware that many businesses in all sectors are facing difficulties due to the cost-of-living crisis. With that in mind, as part of Budget 2024, the Government signed off on a package of €257 million for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses. Local Authorities, funded through the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Brexit Supports (30 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) was allocated to a suite of measures implemented by Enterprise Ireland on behalf of the Department. These supports can be grouped under two broad headings: 1) Supports for enterprises to prepare for Brexit in order to mitigate the possible risk of impact and; 2) Supports aimed at mitigating the impact of Brexit by helping firms to compete, innovate...