Results 5,761-5,780 of 5,824 for speaker:Alan Dillon

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Product Labelling (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: Let us be absolutely clear that the introduction of alcohol labelling is a Department of Health function. If the Deputy wants to ask this question during oral questions to the Department of Health, she is welcome to do so. Ours is the Department of enterprise, however, and I am responsible for small businesses. As a result, I have a duty to defend the interests of Irish indigenous SMEs,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Product Labelling (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: We are very much committed to a whole-of-government approach not only to public health but also to economic sustainability. The national alcohol labelling regulation, while rooted in public health objectives, must be implemented in a way that does not jeopardise Ireland's export-led recovery. Indeed, the alcohol beverage manufacturing sector employs more than 5,500 people and is a strategic...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Work Permits (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: My Department is committed to delivering an efficient and responsive employment permit system which supports businesses and ensures that we are well positioned to maximise the benefits of economic migration. 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 the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Work Permits (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: We recognise the pressures faced by many in the licensed haulage sector. I assure the Deputy that the Government is responding to those concerns. We have made significant progress with the new online employment permit system. It is delivering an effective and responsive system to provide the maximum benefits of our economic migration system. Over the past three years, we have increased...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Work Permits (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: These are accurate figures presented by the Department.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Work Permits (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: I am not aware of the cases the Deputy raised.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Work Permits (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: If he wants to send me a note in relation to them, I will be happy to take the matter up. As stated, there is a more modern and integrated system now. We are working with the Department of Justice to try to streamline matters more. There is also a single application process for visas. We have made significant progress in relation to labour shortages in many sectors. The Minister and I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Work Permits (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: The programme for Government outlines our commitment to addressing skills shortages and supporting economic growth through a strategic migration approach. Ireland’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour from within Ireland and the EEA. To fulfil this policy, Ireland operates and manages an employment permits system designed to fill critical skills and labour shortages in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Work Permits (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: The employment permit system is demand-led and designed to respond to the real labour market needs. The occupations list is reviewed periodically. The next formal review is scheduled for the summer. It will be open to all sectors. We invite many representative bodies, Departments and NGOs to make submissions. It is evidence-based. It is reviewed and overseen by an interdepartmental...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Work Permits (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Deputy for his focus on this important area. The consultation will open shortly. We will make that announcement in due course. It will open for an eight-week period. There will be an opportunity for employers, representative bodies and Departments to make submissions. This is very much a transparent, data-driven process. It is open to all sectors. Most recently, we opened...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Enterprise Support Services (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: I thank the Deputy for his question. Balanced regional development remains a key Government priority. One central aim of the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 is to support balanced regional economic development. My Department and its agencies contribute to this agenda in several ways, including through the nine regional enterprise plans or REPs. These are bottom-up plans developed and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Enterprise Support Services (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: I agree with the points and the principles the Deputy has presented. The regional enterprise plan for the west is very much a collaborative initiative and must be focused on digitalisation and decarbonisation and on ensuring that the region itself is put to the fore. We have a good story to tell about sectoral growth in ICT, agritech and medtech. It is great to hear about the large...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Enterprise Support Services (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: -----a core element of that will be how we use digital technology to support the plans in the future.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Enterprise Support Services (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: The fact that the tourism function has moved into the enterprise Department means there is a role to expand within the agrifood and tech sector. In my county, agritech is an important sector. We have McHale Farm Machinery and Malone Farm Machinery. The west must be a focal point and have centres of excellence. It is great to hear about such positive developments such as CREW and the...

Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: I move: "That the Bill now be read a Second Time" I am delighted to bring the Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025 before the House. It is vital that we have an effective legal framework in place to support copyright and intellectual property. It is a necessity for the economic health of the creative sector, which is a significant employer in the State. This short Bill...

Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: I thank all Deputies for their engagement and comments on Second Stage of this Bill. I am delighted to see the aims of the Bill are not opposed and are supported. I reiterate what I said earlier about the importance of this Bill to ensure Ireland is fully compliant with EU and international law. The Bill sets out a new framework and process for the agreement of the division of royalties...

Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025: Referral to Select Committee (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment pursuant to Standing Orders 103 and 188.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Health and Safety (18 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: While much progress has been made over recent decades in improving workplace health and safety, the fact remains that people continue to be killed and badly hurt in work-related incidents. Last year, 34 people lost their lives due to work activity in Ireland. Since 2005, 24 workers have died as a result of work-related activity in the fishing and aquaculture sector. Although there has...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (19 Jun 2025)

Alan Dillon: Thank you Deputy for asking this important question. Our targets in these areas are to reduce industrial emissions by 35% by 2030, and in commercial buildings by 45% by 2030. Since becoming Minister of this Department I have been focused on supporting small businesses, as they are the backbone of our economy and provide much valued employment. In assisting SMEs to become more sustainable,...

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

Alan Dillon: The Government has adopted a proactive approach to supporting Irish and international businesses across multiple crises over the last number of years. It is important to acknowledge the challenges that firms have faced, including recruiting suitable staff with the right skills. Ireland’s labour market has experienced significant growth in recent years, and we now have more people...