Results 2,961-2,980 of 3,425 for speaker:Emer Higgins

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...

Ceisteanna Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Government is committed to ensuring we make patents easier to obtain in this country. As the Deputy will be aware, the Taoiseach has indicated we do not intend to have any referendums between now and the general election but this is something we will continue to work on and progress in the meantime.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (15 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. Over 74,000 businesses have registered for the grant. The Local Authorities are beginning to make...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (15 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: Review and consideration of sectoral submissions on the topic, and further consultation with the relevant stakeholders has been conducted by my department to conclude the transition from the atypical working scheme and to establish the conditions governing the fishing sector's access to the employment permits system in a structured and well managed manner. I am informed by officials that...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Acting Chairperson. I would like to welcome Deputy Michael Ring and his guests, Seán and Martina. I am delighted to have the opportunity to present the Employment Permits Bill for consideration by the Seanad today. I thank my predecessors, the Minister of State, Deputy Neale Richmond, and Deputy Damien English, for their work on this important legislation. The purpose...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: These are technical amendments dealing with minor typographical corrections. I hope we can agree that without debate.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Civil Engagement Group for all of its work on this. I am aware of the Senator's passion for social justice and the rights of all workers, and I appreciate and value that. The amendment calls for a report to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas reviewing the conditions and wages of workers holding a seasonal employment permit. The Senator is correct; for such workers it...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: The amendment calls for a report to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining the labour market access available to spouses of employment permit holders. It looks in particular to the gender impact, which I appreciate is the lens the Civil Engagement Group is focusing on. I thank the Senator for the intervention. She has made an important point. Unfortunately, I cannot...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Senator very much. "No" is the answer to her question. We do not believe we are doing so. There is a lot of oversight baked into this system. I appreciate the Senator's intention, but I am not in a position to accept the amendment. The amendment seeks a report to review the terms, conditions and remuneration afforded to workers holding regular permits and seasonal permits,...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: The point Senator Black makes is a very interesting one. She is right in what she has said. It may be feasible to include a reference to the right to join a union in the employment rights information that is already being provided to permit holders. I will instruct my officials to work with Senator Black on that.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: This amendment adjusts section 8 regarding the non-application of section 7 to certain foreign nationals. Its purpose is to ensure that applicants or those who have been granted status within the meaning of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 can directly access the labour market without a requirement to hold an employment permit in the State. In effect, this...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: Amendment No. 9 also adjusts section 8. It is again on the non-application of section 7 to certain foreign nationals by amending subsection (1)(f) to ensure that family members of officials of international organisations, assigned to work in the State under the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act are exempt from the requirements of the employment permits legislation. This amendment...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: This is a technical amendment to adjust the meaning of section 8 (2).

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Senator. I understand that this issue was raised on Report Stage in the Dáil. Officials have noted that the intention of the amendment, which is to insert the contact details of both ICTU and the WRC on the permit, is already provided for in the regulation-making powers of the Bill and, therefore, the amendment would duplicate the role of regulation-making powers available...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: I appreciate where the Senator is coming from but our legal advice is that this is not a matter for primary legislation. I am happy to engage with him, outside of the legislative process, to see how we can make this happen at a practical level. This is not a matter for legislation so I will not accept the amendment.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: If the Senator sends me details of that particular case, I will look into it for him. On the issue raised by Senator Dooley, as he said, this can be dealt with by regulation. It is something that we can examine for him. We want to make sure we have an efficient and fair system but, ultimately, this always comes down to the guardrails, and the guardrails are that 50:50 rule, which is that...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2022: Committee Stage (22 May 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Senator is correct that many companies, including those in his constituency, are struggling to find employees at the moment. That is why it is so important that we make sure we have a system that is fair, quick and easily accessible to both employers and people seeking work. Thankfully, we have a very good situation in Ireland where, at the moment, we have almost full employment. The...