Results 1-20 of 6,063 for speaker:Alan Dillon

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Redundancy Payments (9 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: The Redundancy Payments Act 1967, as amended, provides that all eligible employees are entitled to a statutory payment on being made redundant. The statutory redundancy payment is 2 weeks' pay for every year of service plus 1 additional week's pay. This payment is capped at €600 per week. By law, it is the employer's responsibility to pay statutory redundancy. My officials have done...

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: Budget 2026 is about securing Ireland's future, supporting families, protecting jobs and investing in infrastructure that is much needed. This is a budget of more than €9.4 billion, with €8.1 billion in spending and a €1.3 billion tax package. That is a 7% increase in total spend. We are prioritising those who need it most. We are looking after pensioners, carers and...

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Budget Statement 2026 (7 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: It was in the programme for Government.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Recycling Policy (7 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: Provisions relating to review of the operation and scope of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) are set down in the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations (S.I. No. 33 of 2024) and within the approval issued to Re-turn as scheme operator. Specifically, Regulation 7 provides for a review of Re-turn's Approval by the end of the second quarter of the third year after the grant of...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (7 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: The Waste Management (Tyres and Waste Tyres) Regulations 2017 were introduced to ensure environmentally sound management of tyres placed on the Irish market throughout their lifecycle. At that time, tyres within the agricultural, bus and truck, construction and industrial categories were granted a temporary derogation from the prescribed environmental management cost (EMC). The Waste...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (7 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: Since the funding announcement earlier this year, successful recipients of 2025 funds have already availed of funding and will continue to drawdown funds until year end. While the allocation of funding is currently only available in aggregate form, funds have been provided to support a range of important circular national initiatives this year including the Circular Economy Innovation...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (7 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: I am pleased to confirm that the 2025 funding round of the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS) was launched on 10 September last. The CEIGS is designed to support innovative circular economy projects led by social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations, and small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Since its launch in April 2021, the scheme has awarded...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (7 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE) 2020-2025 established an ambitious suite of measures to continuously improve Ireland’s waste management systems, minimise waste and improve resource efficiency. The WAPCE will be updated in 2026 to ensure that it aligns with and drives the delivery and implementation of the new Circular Economy Strategy which will be published...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (7 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 157 together. In order to take up employment in Ireland, non-EEA nationals require an employment permit from my Department, with a corresponding immigration permission by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. Alternatively, non-EEA nationals may be granted an immigration permission to enter and reside in the State to take up...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (7 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: Matters relating to visa applications and appeals, including decisions and timeframes, fall under the responsibility of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (DJHAM). The DJHAM have responsibility for immigration and visa policy, including the processing and determination of visa applications. Therefore, any queries regarding the status or outcome of a visa appeal should be...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Public Procurement Contracts (7 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: I refer to the Deputy’s question regarding the format of the Department’s consolidated Government Departments Prompt Payment Returns, and the changes introduced for the Q2 2025 report. As the Deputy notes, under Government Decisions of 19 May 2009, 2 March 2011, 8 March 2011 and 28 March 2017, all public bodies subject to the 15-day prompt payment requirement are required to...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (7 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: Trading online is an important route for retail businesses to grow and improve. Developing digital capability with a strong online presence will assist retailers to become sustainable, increase their customer base and reduce their costs. In 2024 a package of targeted supports for businesses, including retailers, to digitalise was developed and introduced by my Department. One of the...

Seanad: Growing and Building Resilience in Ireland’s Small Business and Retail Sector: Statements (2 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Members of the House for the opportunity to attend today to discuss the important work programme of the Department. I will speak about a matter of profound importance to our economy, communities and national resilience, which is the future of Ireland's small businesses and the retail sector. I will apprise the House of the work undertaken to ensure maximum possible resilience is...

Seanad: Growing and Building Resilience in Ireland’s Small Business and Retail Sector: Statements (2 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: I thank Senators Scahill, Crowe and Ryan for their valuable contributions. It is great for me to be here in the Seanad to discuss our departmental work across government but also to outline how we can continue to support and build resilience within our SMEs and retail sector. I appreciate the valuable contributions and the matters raised. Our Department plays a crucial role along with...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management (1 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: The Public Consultation in question was carried out to inform a comprehensive year-long independent study which is examining the factors contributing to our plateaued recycling performance and assessing the current waste collection model and its role in supporting the delivery of national and EU circular economy and waste targets. The consultation garnered significant engagement,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (1 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: In April 2025, my Department launched a public consultation to obtain views of interested stakeholders across the wider employment and enterprise sectors on the possible content of the action plan on the promotion of collective bargaining. In total, 80 responses were received, including from members of the public, employer representatives, trade unions and academic institutions.The responses...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (1 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: The employment permit system is designed to support businesses across the State in addressing skills and labour shortages that cannot be met through the Irish or EEA workforce. By facilitating access to talent from outside the EEA, the system enables companies to remain competitive, sustain operations, and continue delivering essential services. Since 2015, a high volume of employment...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Flexible Work Practices (1 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: A total of 56 cases have been taken to the WRC under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 in the category of the right to request remote work/ the right to request flexible work as of the 26th September 2025. In 2024, the WRC received a total of 33 complaints, 28 of which have now been closed. 1 complaint was upheld and 10 were rejected. 14 complaints were withdrawn...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Flexible Work Practices (1 Oct 2025)

Alan Dillon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 57 together. The right to request a remote working arrangement for all employees was commenced through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 on 6 March 2024. Under the Act, employers are obliged to consider such a request having regard to their needs, the employee’s needs, and the requirements of the Code of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (30 Sep 2025)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Deputy for articulating the case for Scoil Mochua and the challenges it faces. It is no different than any other constituency. Indeed, I have faced many challenges regarding families and children deserving and demanding access to resources. There is a challenging environment. I acknowledge the particular circumstances the Deputy mentioned. When one engages with the NCSE, it...