Results 221-240 of 3,425 for speaker:Emer Higgins

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Economic and Social Research Institute (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Sick Leave Act 2022 provided an initial statutory entitlement to up to 3 days’ employer-paid sick leave in 2023. This increased to 5 days on 1 January 2024. The sick leave entitlement could potentially increase to 7 days in 2025, reaching 10 days in 2026. A Ministerial Order to give effect to any decision to vary the number of sick leave days is not required to be made before 1...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: In December 2022, changes to the employment permits system were announced to help address the skills shortages in Ireland’s Transport sector. These changes included the introduction of a quota of 1,500 General Employment Permits in respect of Bus and Coach drivers. The Employment Permits section of my Department informs me that as of the 17thof July 2024 there have been a total of 314...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: State Bodies (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) play an extremely important role at local level, as part of a supportive ecosystem, providing their services direct to small businesses and promoting entrepreneurship within towns and communities across the country. LEOs are the first stop shop for every business in the country. LEOs provide a signposting service for all government supports available to the SME...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Policy (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: Balanced regional development is a priority for me and this Government as affirmed in the Government's White Paper on Enterprise. My Department contributes to this agenda in a number of ways including through the nine Regional Enterprise Plans, each of which includes strategic objectives or actions on maximising the potential of hubs in their regions. Enterprise hubs play a vital role in...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: In January 2024, the then Minister of State with responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond, met with the organisation referred to to discuss the changes announced to increase the employment permits minimum annual remuneration (MAR) threshold for health care assistants. A principal rationale for the proposed increase to the thresholds was to ensure that permit holders...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: This Government recognises the important role that our small businesses play in contributing to the Irish economy, not only in their own towns and villages nationwide, but to the country as a whole. My department through the enterprise development agencies are working to create a better business environment, one that encourages entrepreneurs to start-up and grow into exporting entities that...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Policy (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: As the Deputy may be aware, I launched the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) on the 10th of July. The NEH is a new all-of-government service, staffed by expertly trained advisors and is focused on helping businesses access a range of government supports. The hub brings together information and resources on over 180 government supports from 19 different departments and state agencies which can be...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: Enterprise Ireland (EI) provided payments to 139 companies in County Wicklow in the five-year period from 2019 to 2023. Total payments to these companies over the relevant period amounts to €15.9 million. A list of the 139 companies in receipt of payment is available below. Additionally, two infrastructural clients of EI, the Arklow Business Enterprise Centre and the Clermont...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Industrial Development (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) undertake their annual employment survey in Q4 each year, these results are then reported to the Department and published the following January. In 2023 the LEOs financially assisted a portfolio of 7,167 small businesses, that account for 38,726 jobs across the country. This is the highest recorded number since the establishment of the LEOs and represents a...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: Enterprise Ireland's employment survey results for 2023 present a positive outlook for the Irish economy, particularly in the sectors under its remit. According to the Annual Employment Survey 2023, there has been a notable increase in employment levels across industrial and service companies. This growth is not just confined to the capital city but is spread across the Country, with 68% of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Policy (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: Balanced regional enterprise development is a key focus for me and this Government as set out in the White Paper on Enterprise. My Department contributes to progress this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs). The REPs are collaborative plans bringing together a range of stakeholders, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: As I have previously outlined, following engagement with the Department of Health - which has policy responsibility for the dental sector - the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy concluded that the Irish Dental Association's submission received to the 2023 review of the occupations lists did not contain sufficient evidence to support a change in the status of Dental Nurse in...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Policy (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: Stakeholder engagement is an integral part of developing the second national plan. Following the public consultation process last year, a stakeholder forum was created bringing together representatives from Government, civil society, academia, trade unions and business. The stakeholder forum has met on two occasions so far. The first meeting took place in December 2023 to draw out common...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Job Losses (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: My Department, in partnership with the enterprise development agencies, plays a significant role in fostering economic growth in County Louth and Drogheda and provides a range of services to local enterprises. My Department also oversees implementation of nine regional enterprise plans (REPs), including for the North-East which covers counties Cavan, Louth and Monaghan. The REPs are driven by...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Expenditure (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) promotes the commercial development of Irish designers and makers, stimulating innovation, championing design thinking, and informing Government policy. Its activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment through Enterprise Ireland (EI). A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is in place between EI and the DCCI. This...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: 676.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the current demand versus supply of student placements in schools located in Dublin mid-west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31947/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: 677.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of free schoolbooks distributed to schools in Dublin mid-west over the past year and for the semester ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31948/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: 678.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of additional teachers employed in schools in Dublin mid-west in the past academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31949/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (23 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: 679.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new SEN classes opened in schools in Dublin mid-west to accommodate increasing student numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31950/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Film Industry (11 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: In relation to the Deputy's specific question around legislation in this area, it will be in the context of the sharing of royalty payments between producers and performers of recorded music. I recently sought and received Government approval to address this matter by amending the primary copyright legislation. Accordingly, drafting will proceed on the relevant Bill shortly. As the...