Results 261-280 of 3,196 for speaker:Emer Higgins

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (25 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: My Department does not provide any specific grants or supports to businesses for the refurbishment of vacant or derelict properties. I understand that several Local Authorities do offer a range of grants to businesses to encourage them to occupy vacant commercial premises within their local authority area. On the topic of vacant property more generally, the Department of Housing,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (25 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: As you will be 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. Local Authorities, funded through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, are administering the grant to qualifying businesses on behalf of the Department. Local...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (25 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: Companies operating in the circular economy looking for advice and guidance should in the first instance speak with their Local Enterprise Office (LEO). LEOs are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business. LEOs also provide a ‘signposting’ service for all...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (25 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: As you are aware, the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant scheme was announced as part of Budget 2024, as a vital measure for small and medium businesses. The scheme is a once off grant and is not a rates waiver and businesses should continue to pay their Local Authority rates as normal. In order to design the scheme officials in my Department consulted with a range of Government and...

Support for Carers: Motion [Private Members] (24 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I welcome the south Tipperary carers, who are still with us in the Gallery, and Denis and Josephine Higgins from Monaghan, who are also with us here today. I thank the Regional Group for tabling this Private Members' motion and for highlighting the fantastic work carers do throughout the country. As the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, said in her opening...

Seanad: Employment (Collective Redundancies and Miscellaneous Provisions) and Companies (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (24 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Leas Cathaoirleach for his kind remarks. I am pleased to have the opportunity to present this Bill for the consideration of the House following its recent successful passage through the Dáil, led by my predecessor, the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond. The Bill will further enhance the protection of employees in a collective redundancy in a way that does not unduly impede...

Seanad: Employment (Collective Redundancies and Miscellaneous Provisions) and Companies (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (24 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and everyone in this Chamber for their kind words of congratulations but also of welcome to Seanad Éireann. Most importantly, I thank them for their collaboration with this Bill because it is very important. Senator Seery Kearney brings many skills and expertise in this exact field to the Chamber and I very much appreciate her input and contribution as...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (24 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: Go raibh maith agat. I thank Deputy Tully for raising this issue for discussion in the House. She has been an advocate for people with disabilities and those working with them, which I really appreciate. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge the essential role section 39 community and voluntary...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (24 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Deputy again for raising this important issue. I fully appreciate what she has said about the recruitment and retention of staff. Staff in this area are vital because they provide the necessary resources and support that people like Kaitlin and her family need, and that is why the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is committed to sustainable...

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

Emer Higgins: Following review and consideration of sectoral submissions on the topic, and further consultation with the relevant stakeholders, I am informed by officials that the occupation of Sea-fisher will be made eligible for the General Employment Permit (GEP) in the coming weeks, with the relevant Statutory Instrument under consideration. It is planned that access to the GEP will be granted via...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: National Minimum Wage (23 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: The EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages includes two key areas: Minimum Wages, and Collective Bargaining. The Directive must be transposed into Irish law by 15th November 2024. My Department has received legal advice on the minimum wage elements of the Directive that Ireland’s current minimum wage setting framework, namely the Low Pay Commission, is largely already in compliance...

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

Emer Higgins: My Department supports entrepreneurs and innovators through the 31 Local Enterprise Offices, across the country. Any entrepreneur looking to start their own business should in the first instance speak with their Local Enterprise Office (LEO). LEOs are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and other supports to those wishing to start or...

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

Emer Higgins: As you are aware the ICOB grant has a budget of €257 million which is designed to assist small and medium businesses operating directly within a premises that is commercially rateable by a Local Authority. In relation to your specific query, the individual who pays rates to their Local Authority is the person who should register for the grant. A subletting issue is a matter...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (18 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: The directive on adequate minimum wages in the EU was published on 19 October 2022 and must be transposed by 15 November 2024. The directive aims to ensure that workers across the EU are protected by adequate minimum wages, allowing for a decent living wherever they work. The directive includes three sets of measures. One of its goals is to increase the number of workers covered by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (18 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: Let me be clear that Ireland is fully supportive of the principles of this directive. It will increase the number of workers covered by collective bargaining, and that is something with which we agree. It is important to remember that, even without this directive, Ireland has one of the highest minimum wage rates in the EU. Article 4 of the directive is specific to collective bargaining in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (18 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: We should not lose sight of the fact that the overall ambition of the directive relates to the national minimum wage. Ireland has the sixth highest national minimum wage of the 22 EU member states that have national minimum wages. The directive does not attempt to set the minimum wage. Rather, it is about consultation when setting new minimum wages. That is something Ireland is a leader...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Consultations (18 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: As the Deputy may be aware, it is not possible for the State to provide that a retirement age below 66 in all circumstances will be illegal. The reality is that certain roles may require a lower retirement age, often for the health and safety of the workers in question. That is especially so where people have very physically demanding jobs, for example. It is also critical for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Consultations (18 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Deputy and I agree that when it comes to certain occupations, it may not be appropriate to have indefinite periods of working life and that is what this legislation provides for. There are complexities where there are existing contracts between employers and employees, particularly in the private sector, that specify a mandatory retirement age. What we are doing here is making changes...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Consultations (18 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: I thank the Deputy for her kind remarks and I look forward to working with her. The purpose of the general scheme of the employment (restriction of certain mandatory retirement ages) Bill 2024 is to implement a key recommendation related to mandatory retirement age, which is included in the Pensions Commission recommendations and implementation plan. As recommended by the Pensions...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (18 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Labour Employer Economic Forum's subgroup tasked with the implementation of the High Level Working Group's recommendations on Collective Bargaining met on 29 June 2023 and 16 November 2023. Updates on these issues were also provided at the LEEF plenary meetings chaired by the Taoiseach on 20 November 2023 and 26 February 2024. Many elements of this report are already being...