Results 141-160 of 5,844 for speaker:Alan Dillon

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Legislative Measures (28 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: The Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 was published on 1 April 2025. The Bill will deliver a new employment right by providing that, in general, an employer may not enforce a contractual retirement age which is below the State Pension Age (age 66) if the employee does not consent to retire. The Bill completed Second Stage in the Dáil on 8 April 2025. The timeline...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Funding (28 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: Microfinance Ireland (MFI) did not receive any Exchequer funding from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in either 2023 or 2024. No funding from the Department has been allocated for 2025. In the most recently published financial statements for MFI, as of 31 December 2023, closing capital and reserves stood at approximately €30.2 million, with €18.4 million...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Workplace Relations Commission (28 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services. The WRC is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function, and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (28 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together. My Department does not collect data on the percentage of SMEs that export. Officials in my Department have consulted with the Central Statistics Office, who have advised that data on the percentage of SMEs that export services is not currently available.  To achieve sustainable, diversified growth, and enhanced economic...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (28 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) are independent in their functions and I have no role in relation to the negotiation of a proposal for an Employment Regulation Order (ERO). Under legislation, my role in the ERO process is clearly defined. As soon as practicable after receiving a copy of the proposal for an ERO from the Labour Court, where I am satisfied that Sections 42A and 42B of the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (27 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: As of the 20th May 2025 out of the quota of 600 permits allocated in respect of the above occupations 370 have been issued under soc code 5229. There are currently no plans to review these quotas. However, where a sector wishes to have a quota extended, or a role fully removed from the ineligible occupations list (i.e. not subject to a quota), the sector should make an evidenced-based...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (27 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: A well-functioning labour market and good working conditions are essential components of sustainable and inclusive growth. As part of the efforts to maintain this, the Government operates a managed employment permits system which is responsive to labour market needs. I recognise the valuable role migrant workers play in Irish society, particularly in critical areas such as healthcare and ICT....

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (27 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: My Department is aware of the ongoing challenges in the haulage sector and has taken measures to support the industry. Most recently, in April 2025, the quota for HGV/Bus Mechanics was extended by 200 permits in direct response to identified labour shortages. Ireland’s economic migration policy prioritises sourcing labour from within the State and the EEA. Where persistent...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Qualifications Recognition (22 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: In order to be granted a General Employment Permit in respect of the role concerned, there is a requirement under the Employment Permits legislation that the vacancy concerned should be advertised for a minimum of 28 days on an online platform. This is a legal requirement, known as the Labour Market Needs Test. I note that the application concerned was only advertised for 18 days. In the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (22 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: It is important to note that the Plan of Action on Collective Redundancies following Insolvency represents Government policy in this area. The Cahill-Duffy report was in response to particular terms of reference which were quite narrow and specific and do not address the generality of redundancies that arise in insolvency situations. Following extensive engagement with the social partners,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Generation (21 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: I thank Senator Lynch for raising this important topic, which is particularly important for her constituency in Cork. It is an important issue. I recently attended the all-Ireland summit on the bioeconomy. This was a really important summit that brought together key industry partners, academia and those working in the bioeconomy, the biomethane sector and the circular economy. There was...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Generation (21 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: Priority deliverables under the biomethane strategy include the development of planning guidelines. Many communities, not just that of the Senator's in Cork, deserve the right to engage in the planning process so that there is extensive consultation, they have oversight of any environmental assessments being undertaken and that in respect of this engagement between the local authority and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (20 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: My department commenced the Employment Permits Act 2024 in September last year, representing the biggest reform of employment permits legislation in over a decade. The 2024 Act allows for a more modern, flexible employment permits system as well as ensuring employee rights are maintained. The 2024 Act updated the labour market needs test (LMNT) process by eliminating the need for hard...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (20 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 to 387, inclusive, together. Ireland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising disruption to Ireland’s labour market. The system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages required to develop and support...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (20 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 390 together. Ireland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising disruption to Ireland’s labour market. The system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages required to develop and support enterprise for...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (20 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: The Seasonal Employment Permit (SEP) is a new short-term employment permit. This year, a pilot scheme is operating to test its long term viability. The SEP allows third-country nationals to work in Ireland for three to seven months in a twelve month period. SEP holders must leave Ireland for five months before returning. The SEP pilot launched earlier this year, with an initial focus on...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (15 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: The attraction and retention of recent graduates in the labour market is an important facet of ensuring Ireland continues to foster a highly skilled workforce. This topic was raised by many of the respondents to the recent ‘Consultation on Increases to Employment Permit Minimum Annual Remuneration Thresholds’. Input on this matter was received from representatives of both third...

Trade Union Recognition Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (14 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: I welcome the opportunity to discuss Government's position on Second Stage of this Private Members' Bill, the Trade Union Recognition Bill 2021. The Bill aims to establish a legal mechanism for trade union recognition for workers, who constitute at least 20% of employees in an employment or any category within that employment. It also proposes criminal sanctions for employers who fail to...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (14 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: My Department launched a new online Employment Permits System on 28th April. The new system is designed to deliver an improved customer experience and a more efficient and responsive service. This new system introduces a portal space with separate and individual accounts for both employers, employees and agents, making it easier to get up-to-date information on the status of applications. ...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (14 May 2025)

Alan Dillon: A well-functioning labour market and good working conditions are essential components of sustainable and inclusive growth. As part of the efforts to maintain this, the Government operates a managed employment permits system which is highly responsive to labour market needs. I recognise the valuable role migrant workers play in Irish society, particularly in critical areas such as healthcare...