Results 101-120 of 1,718 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Emer Higgins

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]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (11 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: Ireland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages in the State required to develop and support enterprise for the benefit of our economy. ...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (11 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: The Determination of Employment Status Working Group was established on foot of a recommendation made at the Labour and Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) in late 2021. This Group is comprised of representatives from ICTU, Ibec, the Construction Federation of Ireland and ISME as well as officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Revenue Commissioners, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (11 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: Minister Higgins approved the new ERO for the Security Industry on 13 June 2024 and it commenced on 1 July 2024. It is currently available to the public on the Department’s website: No further legislative changes to the rates of pay and work conditions for security officers in the security industry are under consideration. Under legislation, the JLC may submit proposals to revoke...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Trade Unions (11 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: I am aware of the Respect at Work campaign which is seeking new protections for workers seeking to organise in their workplaces. These proposals will be considered in the context of Ireland’s publication of an Action Plan to promote collective bargaining as required by the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages. Article 4 of the Directive, Promotion of Collective Bargaining...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (11 Jul 2024)

Emer Higgins: The employment of people with a disability is an area that we need to improve in Ireland. The National Disability Authority notes that, in cross-country comparisons using European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), Ireland had a disability employment gap of 37% in 2022, which is higher than the average across the European Union, which is 21%. In terms of the...