Alan Dillon

We are absolutely committed on this side of the House to moving to recycle more plastic in Ireland. We need to be honest about the current reality that the waste management sector, including plastic recycling, operates in a global market and that a large part of the plastic recycling collected, including under the deposit return scheme, is traded internationally, based on volume and quality and on…

I would challenge the figures the Deputy outlined. In 2024 alone, Re-turn collected up to 12,000 tonnes of PET plastic, 34% of which was processed by Irish companies, and, separately, Repak funded the recycling of more than 8,300 tonnes, which represented 42% of reprocessing in Ireland. Is it enough? No, it is not. We are well aware we need to make a significant step forward. We fully recognise th…

District heating can play a key role in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Government policy is supportive of the expansion of district heating to contribute to the diversification of fuel supply to decarbonise the heat sector. A district heating steering group was established to support the development of district heating in Ireland. The steering group report, whic…

We are currently actively working to enhance the support scheme for renewable heat to better support district systems. Included in that is ensuring we have industrial waste heat from sectors like pharmaceutical manufacturing and data centres. The SEAI, which administers the scheme, has already completed its 2024 annual review. That made clear recommendations on adapting the scheme for large-scale …

I suggest Deputy Ó Murchú write formally to the Department about the specifics of the scheme he is interested in. We will certainly get a response to him. To add to Deputy Byrne's point, we are building momentum in this regard and we can see there are practical realities on the ground in many communities. He talked about the large-scale operation in south Dublin. There is also one in Blanchardsto…

It is a Government Bill.

I thank all the Deputies who contributed to this considered debate. I would like to respond to some of the matters raised. Deputy Guirke asked about what is currently being done to support workers where a company is an insolvency. The State has always been to the fore in providing a safety net for employees in the event that their employer enters insolvency. Where the employer is unable to pay, t…

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment pursuant to Standing Orders 103(2)(b) and 188(1).

I welcome the opportunity to discuss Government's position on Second Stage of this Private Members' Bill, the Trade Union Recognition Bill 2021. The Bill aims to establish a legal mechanism for trade union recognition for workers, who constitute at least 20% of employees in an employment or any category within that employment. It also proposes criminal sanctions for employers who fail to recognise…

The Government is committed to promoting positive working conditions in Ireland and ensuring access to high quality jobs. However, it is also important to maintain a regulatory environment to allow businesses to remain viable and indeed to thrive. The programme for Government outlines a strong, forward-looking enterprise and fiscal framework, prioritising economic and employment growth. The Deputy…

I appreciate where the Deputy is coming from on the issue she has raised. However, Government is very conscious of the cost of doing business with the increases in the minimum wage over the past number of years. Since 2022 we have seen a 32% increase up to the current rate of €13.50. However, Government is committed to continuing to increase the minimum wage but over a longer period. We sought app…

To clarify, this Government is committed to the introduction of a living wage. That will happen over an extended period. Again, we are committed to taking the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission on board once we receive its report. That will inform the discussions in preparation for the budget later this year. Our Department takes the conditions of workers very seriously. We are guided by e…

I thank the Deputy for his question. My Department has made significant progress in recent years in improving the employment permits processing system to ensure the service is responsive to business needs and prevailing economic conditions. Following a significant increase in demand in 2021 and 2022, the Department implemented an action plan, which increased resources to introduce effective method…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Back in December 2022 the Government made a decision to implement a single application process for employment permits while also ensuring that the immigration permissions are developed in tandem with that. The new system that has been introduced and is currently live provides technology similar to that currently in place within the Department o…

I look forward to the Deputy's support in the implementation of this new system. It is reflective of the success of the Irish economy with over 2.8 million people currently employed. We have skills deficits in certain areas of expertise. Not just the general work permits but also the critical skills employment permits are essential to meet our future needs. The system has now been enhanced. Last y…

My Department’s report on the assessment of the cumulative impact of proposed measures to improve working conditions in Ireland published last year highlighted that many of the recent cost increases for business were related to Government imposed regulatory changes. Business groups have also recently highlighted the impact of the overall regulatory burden and the administrative burden on business.…

From having spoken to many businesses that have applied for ICOB grants 1 and 2 and the power up grant, I am aware they were essential grants and have been hugely beneficial across all sectors. The Department approved an overall budget of €257 million as part of the ICOB scheme. Some €246 million of that was expended on the scheme in 2024. On ICOB, this week my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Burk…

I acknowledge some of the matters raised by the Deputy. The Government has made significant progress on the national enterprise hub, which has been established with a key focus on supporting business around training and grant applications. More than 250 supports are available online and are readily accessible for many SMEs and businesses. The hub covers more than 29 Departments and agencies. It i…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 16, 20 and 24 together. I thank the Deputy for submitting his question. It is probably the most topical one on the Question Paper. The increased cost of business scheme was introduced back in March 2024 and the power up grant was introduced in October of the same year. Both schemes are now closed but, in total, more than €400 million in grant aid was successfu…

Regarding the Deputies' supplementary questions, we can go back and forth. To answer Deputy Ward's questions on the steps that are now required, it was important that the Government this week approved the appeals process. We will now engage with the local authorities to map out the extent of those businesses that were eligible for ICOB 1 and, therefore, applied for ICOB 2 but were unsuccessful. IC…

I thank the Deputies for their contributions as regards the announcement this morning. Regarding the scheme and Deputy McGrath's point, the scheme was not perfect. There is an acknowledgement that it was reflective of the 2023 rates. Many businesses had to engage with local authorities about up-to-date rates and a rates repayment plan to bring them up to speed. We want to enhance potential furthe…

I thank the Deputy. A well-functioning labour market and good working conditions are essential components of sustainable and inclusive growth. As part of the efforts to maintain this, the Government operates an employment permits system that is highly responsive to the labour market. I recognise the valuable role migrant workers play in Irish society, particularly in critical areas such as healthc…

I understand the issues about migrants the Deputy is raising. We have heard some of the stories and I have engaged also with the migrant refugee representative body to ensure their members are listened to and are front and centre in any enhancements we can make to the scheme. We have looked at how the granting of reactivation permits is in one sense supported. We want to work with the Department o…

I thank the Deputy for his input. We are open to any suggestions or proposals and will work through any enhancements needed within the system. I do not think it should be a rigid system. It should be agile and flexible to meet the needs of our current labour market. If the general work permits or critical skill work permits are required, we actively update the needs analysis regarding which sector…

I thank the Deputy. As she will be aware, I, as the Minister of State at the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for small business and retail, have responsibility for ensuring that emissions in the commercial built environment are reduced in line with climate action targets. Achieving these targets will mean that many owners of commercial properties will have to ca…