Results 1-20 of 1,445 for speaker:Emer Higgins in 'Written Answers'

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...

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...

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

Emer Higgins: The Sick Leave Act which commenced on 1 January 2023 provided an initial statutory entitlement of 3 days which increased to 5 days on 1 January 2024 and this could potentially increase to 7 days in 2025 and 10 days in 2026. Payment by employers to employees for statutory sick leave days is currently set at 70% of an employee’s average gross earnings, up to daily cap of €110....

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

Emer Higgins: The 2023 Review of the Employment Permit Occupations Lists delivered comprehensive changes to the employment permits system including an increase in the occupations for which permits can be granted. Changes to the minimum salary thresholds for employment permits were also introduced in January following an internal review. The salary thresholds for the majority of employment permits had not...

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

Emer Higgins: I understand that 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 to the 2023 review of the Occupations Lists did not contain sufficient evidence to support a change in the status of Dental Nurse in respect of its...

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

Emer Higgins: The Labour Court may exempt an employer from the obligation to pay the National Minimum Wage if the employer can demonstrate financial difficulty under the provisions of Section 41 of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. If an employer cannot afford to pay the minimum wage due to financial difficulty, the Labour Court can exempt them from paying the minimum wage rate for between three months...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (18 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: Regional Development (18 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: Balanced regional enterprise development is a key focus for me and this Government as reaffirmed in the White Paper on Enterprise. My Department contributes to this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans (REP). The South-East REP is implemented at a regional level by a Steering Committee made up of...

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

Emer Higgins: Balanced regional enterprise development is a key focus for me and this Government as reaffirmed in the White Paper on Enterprise. My Department contributes to this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs). The South-West REP is implemented at a regional level by a Steering Committee made up of...

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

Emer Higgins: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 108 together. My Department, through our 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...

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

Emer Higgins: Ireland has a robust framework of legislative protections and supports for workers who are impacted by redundancy. This includes:The Protection of Employment Act 1977, as amended, which requires employers in collective redundancy situations to consult with employees’ representatives and to notify the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment before implementing redundancies.The...

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

Emer Higgins: The Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (FSPAC) is an advisory committee to the Board of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and established under Section 38 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee was established to involve all industry stakeholders in improving occupational safety and health in the Agriculture sector. Its...

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

Emer Higgins: As you are 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 (DETE), are administering the grant to qualifying businesses on behalf of the Department. Local...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (18 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 (18 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: National Minimum Wage (18 Apr 2024)

Emer Higgins: The EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages includes two key areas: Minimum Wages, and Collective Bargaining. The Directive requires Ireland to develop an action plan to enhance collective bargaining coverage by the end of 2025. 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...

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

Emer Higgins: I would recommend that anyone looking to start their own business or become self employed to first speak with their Local Enterprise Office (LEO). The Cavan LEO is located in the Cavan Innovation and Technology Centre, Dublin Road, Cavan. The Monaghan LEO is located in Unit 9, M:TEK Building, Knockaconny, Monaghan. The LEOs are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and...