Results 1-20 of 10,553 for speaker:Niamh Smyth

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 4. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to review the correspondence (details supplied); if he will expedite the passport application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36291/25]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Consumer Protection (2 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission CCPC is the competent authority for the Platform to Business Regulation (P2B). This Regulation aims to provide a fair, transparent and predictable business environment for businesses who use platforms to conclude a contract with their consumers online. This may include property websites. The P2B Regulation includes requirements that...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Bodies (1 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: On establishment in 2022 the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) had 36 civil service staff members and 10 members of An Garda Síochána on secondment. The CEA has effectively doubled in size since then. The CEA now has 89 sanctioned positions (including one temporary post) and an approved complement of 16 seconded members of An Garda Síochána. The CEA has seen a...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Policies (1 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: The EU Digital Services Act (DSA) is an EU regulation under the remit of my Department, that introduces new obligations on providers of online intermediary services, including online social media platforms, to protect users and consumers of online services. The DSA is designed to provide better protection of fundamental rights; more control and choice over online experiences; stronger...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Consumer Protection (1 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) provides information and education on consumer rights and personal finance. The Deputy will understand that the CCPC cannot give legal or financial advice to individuals, however the CCPC has provided my officials with relevant consumer rights information and some suggested next steps. The CCPC has advised that the correspondence...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Correspondence (1 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 393. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be reviewed; if an additional special needs assistant support will be allocated to a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36036/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (1 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 680. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35270/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Procedures (1 Jul 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 683. To ask the Minister for Health for an urgent update on a referral (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35280/25]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Consultations (26 Jun 2025)

Niamh Smyth: The Government acknowledges the rising cost of groceries and its impact on consumers. Businesses in Ireland are generally free to set their own prices, once they do so independently and in compliance with consumer protection law. My department has maintained ongoing engagement with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) particularly in light of recent economic...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Corporate Governance (25 Jun 2025)

Niamh Smyth: Currently, at EU level, there is a particular focus on regulatory simplification and burden reduction, with a view to improving EU competitiveness and avoiding disproportionate burdens on business, particularly SMEs. This is articulated in the Letta and Draghi Reports and has informed the European Commission’s recently published Work Programme which proposes a series of...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (24 Jun 2025)

Niamh Smyth: 704. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review correspondence (details supplied); her views on the proposal, and any potential supports or avenues of engagement that may be available to assist with its development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34214/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Business Supports (19 Jun 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputy for his question on the National Enterprise Hub which was established on 10 July 2024 and since then, the NEH has handled more than 6,000 inquiries from businesses. Monthly numbers have increased consistently and 773 were received in May alone. The primary goal of the NEH is to improve access to Government supports for businesses. We also want to simplify access and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Business Supports (19 Jun 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputy. As I said at the outset, the National Enterprise Hub not only gives the information but it is collecting the data too which gives the Government a laser sharp focus on the type of policy, grant aid and supports we need to offer to get to the critical crux of what businesses need to support, grow and scale. The figures I gave out on the inquiries it has had so far are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Business Supports (19 Jun 2025)

Niamh Smyth: In my short few months in the Department, the Minister, Deputy Burke, has been relentless on the theme of lighter, faster and simpler with what the Deputy is talking about and providing opportunities for businesses to apply for those grants and make it easier and quicker and not as onerous or burdensome. As we all know and we hear it at meetings ourselves, business people ask is it worth the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Industrial Development (19 Jun 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputy for his very important question. I am happy to tell him that the Government and I, as Minister of State with responsibility for trade promotion, digitalisation and AI, are committed to developing Ireland's enterprise base across all regions over the next five years. This ranges from backing small businesses and start-ups to scaling up indigenous firms and enhancing our...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Industrial Development (19 Jun 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I thank the Deputy for the very legitimate concerns he has raised. On the first piece around planning, he will agree that the Planning and Development Act passed by the previous Government has gone a huge way towards trying to address that. Whether we are in opposition or government, we all know this country has been choked and almost had its development stifled due to planning. We are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Industrial Development (19 Jun 2025)

Niamh Smyth: Point taken. It is a very reasonable observation to make. Procurement is a language of its own. We all know that from filling in procurement applications for grants for communities, for example. There is a language and that can sometimes be off-putting, make it difficult and create further challenges for business. However, we are in the business of creating business. We are in the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Job Creation (19 Jun 2025)

Niamh Smyth: My Department is committed to supporting businesses to start-up, grow and create sustainable employment in towns and villages across the country. The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in County Meath provides enterprise and entrepreneurship support services, business information and advisory services, and contributes to the Local Enterprise Development Services in County Meath. In 2024,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (19 Jun 2025)

Niamh Smyth: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 24 together. Balanced regional enterprise development is a key focus for my Department and for the Government. I appreciate the important role of enterprise centres and remote working hubs throughout the country. They enable people to live and work in their local communities and provide a range of services to support companies and entrepreneurs to...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Human Rights (19 Jun 2025)

Niamh Smyth: As the Deputy is aware the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and my Department established a dedicated Business and Human Rights Stakeholder Forum with the participation of individuals with relevant expertise and responsibilities from key organisations across business, civil society, trade unions and academia to assist with the development of the second National Action Plan on Business...