Results 1-20 of 8,016 for speaker:Peter Burke

International Workers’ Day: Statements (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: As Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, I am extremely proud to address Dáil Éireann today on International Workers’ Day to recognise the important role of workers to Ireland’s success and their value to the economy. This country, its workers and its businesses, have come through a series of deep crises over the past number of years - Brexit, Covid, the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Company Registration (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 25 together. I thank the Deputy for his questions. Companies can be struck off the companies' register on either a voluntary or involuntary basis. Voluntary strike-off is proceeding as normal, with companies meeting the criteria being struck off on an ongoing basis by the Companies Registration Office. Involuntary strike-off by the CRO arises...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Company Registration (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: I wish to clarify that legal obligations still remain on the part of companies. We received approximately 560,000 submissions last year, so any company that is not complying with the Companies Act will be prosecuted. I want to be very clear on that; their obligations still remain. Regarding how it happened, as far as I understand, it was noted when the CRO was going through an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy McAuliffe and I absolutely agree with him. We are doing that through our new semiconductor strategy, which clearly calls out the role Enterprise Ireland will have in advice and financing access to these projects. One thing I will say is one of the big projects we have had is from Analog Devices which has approximately a €630 million investment through the projects...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy who is quite right; it is an area of huge opportunity. As a country, in the past we have not done enough in this area and having only one project speaks volumes. That is why we are reframing the narrative in connection with this and working with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA to try to ensure companies have the capacity to access these very significant projects. We know...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Official Engagements (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: I have had no meetings, interactions or correspondence with the business owner in question since my appointment as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment last year in connection with any of my work, and nor has my Department.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Official Engagements (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: My actions demonstrate that we have supported employment and workers throughout our economy. We are committed to achieving a living wage. We are about 3.5% away from it under one metric, which is the survey data for the labour force. Second, we are on it in the CSO data relating to the structure of earnings. I pointed out clearly the number of improvements we have made. We are committed...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Official Engagements (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: We have banned zero-hour contracts. We have worked to bring in tips and gratuities legislation to protect the most vulnerable workers. We have introduced a sick pay scheme that is ever-present. We were clear in our manifesto before we went into government that, at this point in time, we did not feel we could extend it any further. We have commissioned a review of employment legislation....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Official Engagements (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: It is a fact that the Government committed to an action plan on collective bargaining in its first three months in office. It is a fact that we are commencing auto-enrolment on 1 January.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Official Engagements (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: It is a fact that we have commenced a review of all employment legislation. It is a fact that the Government has worked to protect the most vulnerable workers.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Official Engagements (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: It is a fact that we have significantly increased the minimum wage in the years since the establishment of the Low Pay Commission.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Official Engagements (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: It absolutely is. I have quoted the figure of an increase of 29% since 2022. That is a fact. Of people who are 15 to 19 who are entitled and legally able to work, only a quarter are earning sub-minimum rates. It is a very small number of people. Critically, we have to look at barriers of entry to education, which is very important. The evidence I have behind that has not been available...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy McAuliffe for this important question. It is a matter that will pave the way for a significant future in Ireland for semiconductors and other areas. Important projects of common European interest are becoming increasingly important as a means to enhance the competitiveness of the EU and its member states. The new programme for Government contains a commitment to "Boost...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Minimum Wage (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: I am not picking sides. I am ensuring that we have valuable employment and strong businesses. Anyone who says we have not improved workers' conditions is not backing that statement up with evidence. Auto-enrolment will be introduced on 1 January. There is a right to request remote working. Tips legislation to protect vulnerable workers has been introduced. Zero-hour contracts were...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Minimum Wage (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for his very important question. I acknowledge and thank the 2.8 million workers going to work today on what is International Workers' Day. I look forward to addressing the House in that respect later. I am committed to improving the pay of low-paid workers and the Government’s track record on this is beyond question. Since 2020, the national minimum wage has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Minimum Wage (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: The Government has committed to achieving the living wage in the current Administration. The increases of 12% and 10% we have had in recent number years are significantly above wage growth in economy which is 3.5%. They are also above the inflation rate relating to our economy, which has now tapered down to about 1.75%. My key issue is to make and ensure that any increases are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Industrial Development (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy for his question. The IDA has a landholding of 20 ha at Ballingarrane science and technology park in Clonmel, County Tipperary, and, in partnership with Tipperary County Council, has lodged a planning application for a 10,000 sq.m advanced building solution on a site area of approximately 3.4 ha. This application is currently proceeding through the planning process. IDA...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Industrial Development (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: I will point out that we have seen a significant increase in IDA activity and employment in the mid-west region - approximately 16% over the past five years. The Deputy will know of very important client companies in his region, including Boston Scientific and Waystone, where there has been a new investment of 100 jobs. Working very closely with my colleague, Michael Murphy, we are doing a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Industrial Development (1 May 2025)

Peter Burke: To be absolutely clear, the figures I gave for the IDA's marketing in the mid-west region are for Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, which are categorised together. The Deputy will see the results I pointed out. There are 27,000 jobs in that sector. There is also a very significant investment in the capital fund, where we have our advanced factory units, and where the IDA part the Deputy...