Results 61-80 of 260 for speaker:Tony McCormack

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Oct 2025)

Tony McCormack: I again thank Ms Finn for her contributions, and to all the other witnesses today.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (30 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: 14. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy will next meet. [46860/25]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (30 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: The SEAI better energy warmer homes scheme is crucial for tackling climate change and energy poverty but in Offaly and across the country families are waiting up to two years for works to be completed - 12 months for a BER assessment, 14 months for a survey and further delays for retrofitting. Could the Taoiseach outline what steps are being taken, be it increasing the number of assessors...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: Earlier this year, I raised concerns regarding the capitation grant and was told it would be considered in the upcoming budget. With the budget approaching, I want to return to the issue. I have been speaking with school leaders across County Offaly, including St. Broghan's National School, Scoil Mhuire in Tullamore and Offaly School of Special Education. They are managing rising costs...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (30 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: 121. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding allocated to transport projects in County Offaly in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51421/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (30 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: 180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve public transport services in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51420/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: 301. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out his policy on improving public transport in rural areas; and if he will outline any planned investments or service expansions. [37624/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Industrial Development (25 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: 8. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to ensure that County Offaly does not fall further behind neighbouring counties in attracting IDA Ireland investment and securing employment opportunities; if his Department will commit to increasing the number of IDA Ireland site visits and targeted investment in Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Industrial Development (25 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: In the past ten years, IDA Ireland has made 240 site visits to Westmeath but only 45 to Offaly. That is a more than a five to one imbalance between two neighbouring counties in the midlands. IDA Ireland is also overnighting most of these itineraries in Athlone, where it wines and dines potential clients and, therefore, has a better chance of landing them in the area. The people of Offaly...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Industrial Development (25 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: I thank the Minister of State for the offer of a meeting. Unfortunately, when I have had meetings with IDA Ireland, I get very little information because it is withheld due to it being of a sensitive nature. IDA Ireland-supported employment in the midlands fell last year by 0.45%. Offaly’s only IDA Ireland business park is already full. We need another park. Without new sites and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Industrial Development (25 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: 36. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions being taken by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to promote County Offaly as a location for investment; if consideration will be given to strengthening infrastructure and supporting skills development to make the county more attractive to employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50723/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Schemes (25 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: 114. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to increase the top-up payment for participants on CE, TÚS, and the rural social scheme, in recognition of the important work they do in local communities. [50748/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (25 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: 143. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans for increased flexibility in local community employment, TÚS, and rural social schemes to retain participants for longer when it benefits both the individual and the community. [50747/25]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (25 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: 249. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the Government’s strategy to support small and medium-sized businesses; and if he will provide details of any new financial or policy measures planned. [37625/25]

Auto-Enrolment: Statements (24 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: I welcome the introduction of auto-enrolment and the new My Future Fund. This is an important reform, as too many workers today have no pension savings beyond the State pension. People deserve peace of mind that, when they retire, they will not face a big drop in their standard of living. With contributions from employees, employers and the State, auto-enrolment is a fair way to achieve...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: I thank the witnesses for their contributions. In a country like Ireland, where we have 5.4 million people and our competitiveness is so important to us, our natural resources are mainly our agriculture and our people. After that we will have a sharp focus on wind energy in the coming years, but at the moment it is not there. Looking specifically at my area in Offaly, we have lost a number...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: Mr. Gibbons talks about the countries we are competitive with right across Europe, but there are also other countries coming into that competitiveness process with us that have a lower cost base.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: No, but what I am asking Mr. Gibbons is how we can have wage increases that do not affect our competitiveness. In what way can we go about it? I know the witnesses have spoken about productivity and building on productivity but I do not think that is the only answer.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Tony McCormack: Those other competitive countries have natural resources that we do not have, such as an oil and gas, so we have to be very careful with the way we go about this and that we do not price ourselves out of the market. As I said, our natural resources are our people, our agriculture, and hopefully in the future, wind energy. I suppose fishing was in the past, but it is not as big as it was.