Results 1-20 of 2,481 for at speaker:Dara Calleary

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (8 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: The 2023 Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), published as part of the Report on the State of the Digital Decade on 27 September 2023, showed that 85% of SMEs in Ireland have at least a basic level of digital intensity, which places Ireland 4th in the EU. Ireland's digitalisation goals and actions to achieve them are set out in the National Digital Strategy, Harnessing Digital. Our...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Data (8 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: The EU's Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), published as part of the Report on the State of the Digital Decade on 27 September 2023, shows that Ireland holds a leading position in the EU in terms of SMEs with at least a basic level of digital intensity, at 85% versus a target of 90%. The 2023 DESI also shows that 22.7% of businesses with over 10 employees are using big data (5th in...

Report of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Motion (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: ...outside the scope of the report in terms of the enterprise opportunities. MARA has been established for offshore planning and has responsibilities there. To Deputy Stanton's point on skills, that is something we are focused on. Working with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, and the team in that Department through Skillnet, we are looking to make sure we have the necessary skills in...

Report of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Motion (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: Before he goes, I thank, the chair of the joint committee, Deputy Quinlivan, the clerk, the secretariat and all the members for this comprehensive and forward-thinking report. The report set out recommendations on diverse, but connected, topics. For instance, it recommends: planning and consideration of sites for offshore renewable energy, a more integrated approach to delivering it and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Prison Service (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Justice. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, had the opportunity to attend the Prison Officers Association conference last week and spent time with the association talking about the important work prison officers do in our prisons. As the Deputy will be aware, prison environments can be very challenging but...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Prison Service (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: The Deputy will appreciate we are in very challenging circumstances at the moment and the Irish Prison Service is doing everything it can to manage the prison population in a fair and equitable manner that continues to support the rehabilitation of those in custody. To ensure we have the capacity needed to provide that safe and secure custody, we have modernised the Mountjoy complex,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Business Supports (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: I thank Deputy Andrews for raising this issue, which relates to the proposed Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024. First, I must state that under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the Minister with responsibility for planning is specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in respect of any particular planning...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Business Supports (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: I can confirm that the power with regard to this fee falls under section 262(4) of the Act, which relates to the fees payable for street furniture, which amount to €125. I would also point out that this was done in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in non-election years. The Minister will sign the regulation at the earliest opportunity. We have just completed a range of supports for small...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ceist Scoil Chiaráin a ardú inniu. As the Deputy said, a major building project to provide new accommodation for the students of Scoil Chiaráin is included in the Department of Education’s construction programme being delivered under the National Development Plan, NDP, as part of Project Ireland 2040. The major building project...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: There have been considerable changes to the design and plan of the school. The Department is aware of the current condition of the buildings at Scoil Chiaráin. It is committed to progressing the major school building project and to assist the school to maintain its existing accommodation pending the delivery. As I said, the Department is currently reviewing all its building projects...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: Go raibh maith agat. Gabhaim buíochas arís le gach Teachta as scéal Scoil Eoin a ardú inniu. On behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, I will outline how the Department and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, continue to support children with special educational needs around the country and I will deal especially with the issues raised. It...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: ..., gabhaim buíochas le gach Teachta a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht seo. Gabhaim buíochas as the constructive contributions, comments and inputs. The Tánaiste was very clear in his opening statement that this is the first of two substantial defence Bills. To address the point made by Deputy Howlin and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the second Bill will provide...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: I thank Senator Ward for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the team in the Department of Health, who are dealing with Question Time in the Dáil at the moment. I agree with the Senator that newborn infants are some of the most vulnerable patients within our health system. For any parent, having a child who is unwell and requires medical care is devastating,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: I would like to thank Senator Conway for raising this matter. The Government remains fully committed to improving services in Ennis and the mid-west region. The Minister for Health has engaged extensively with the University of Limerick Hospitals Group and the HSE. He has announced a series of measures to increase capacity and improve services across the region, including over the last 48...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: I echo the Senator's comments and tributes to the staff and management at Ennis Hospital. As Senators can see from my opening remarks, we have made significant capital and personnel investment in Ennis Hospital over the past number of years. I have no doubt that the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, will continue with his commitment to the hospital.

Seanad: Employment (Collective Redundancies and Miscellaneous Provisions) and Companies (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: I thank the Senator for his amendment. I genuinely appreciate its rationale. However, as the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, said to the Senator's colleague, Deputy O'Reilly, during the Bill's passage through the Dáil, we do not accept this amendment. It appears to require the employer or responsible person to initiate consultations with a European Works Council, where...

Seanad: Employment (Collective Redundancies and Miscellaneous Provisions) and Companies (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 May 2024)

Dara Calleary: I thank Senators Sherlock and Gavan. I acknowledge the very important role of trade unions. The Government has really put trade unions at the heart of government and has been very involved in social partnership. We have initiated a series of changes to strengthen worker protections and rights since we entered office. These are being rolled out. The plan of action on collective...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Artificial Intelligence (30 Apr 2024)

Dara Calleary: To support the implementation of the National AI Strategy, an AI Advisory Council has been established. The Council’s role is to provide independent expert advice to Government on artificial intelligence policy, with a specific focus on building public trust and promoting the development of trustworthy, person-centred AI. Its first role is providing expert guidance, insights, and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: EU Directives (24 Apr 2024)

Dara Calleary: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 46, 47 and 48 together. Ireland has consistently been supportive of the objectives of the proposed Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD). I have been seeking to ensure that the proposal has ambition while striking the right balance of providing effective protections for stakeholders and ensuring that the measures to be implemented by...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: EU Directives (24 Apr 2024)

Dara Calleary: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 50, 51 and 52 together. Ireland has consistently been supportive of the objectives of the proposed Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD). I have been seeking to ensure that the proposal has ambition while striking the right balance of providing effective protections for stakeholders and ensuring that the measures to be implemented by...