Questions

76. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his views on whether the current fast accrual pension scheme adequately reflects the acknowledged shorter healthy working lifespan of uniformed public servants; and if he will consider reforms to ensure pension equity for those required to retire before State pension age; and if he will make a statement on …

77. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of candidates in the European elections 2024 who have been reimbursed electoral expenses to date; the number of candidates whose expenses have yet to be reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17816/25]

78. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide any framework or policy he is pursuing with the aim of reducing the cost of goods and services in Ireland, in particular, in public procurement processes and any advice he has received on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17861/25]

79. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 (ISL) within his Department and its associated public bodies, including details of any ISL strategies that have been developed; and if no ISL strategy has been developed to date, the details of plans his Department has to addr…

80. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department will examine how preventative measures to address the increased risk of coastal flooding can incorporate features that also deliver positive environmental benefits, such as enhancing biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18079/25]

81. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he plans to reintroduce the increased cost of business scheme in 2025, or introduce a similar financial support package linked to commercial rates, given the ongoing challenges faced by ratepayers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17729/25]

82. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of reports of alleged improper redundancies and contract downgrading at a language school in Dublin 1 (details supplied); the enforcement mechanisms available to ensure that redundancies are not used to circumvent employment law or union engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17780/25]

83. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of concerns that new teachers at a school (details supplied) are being hired on contracts below a living wage; the measures the Government is taking to address low pay and precarious employment in the English language teaching sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17782/25]

84. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the recourse available to employees of private language schools when their employer refuses to engage with their union, and engages in practices such as changing contractual terms unilaterally or penalising workers for non-compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17784/25]

85. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of complaints received by the Workplace Relations Commission regarding late or non-payment of wages in the English language teaching sector in the past 12 months; and if any investigations are underway in relation to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17786/25]

86. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide information on the gross and net business closures across the State on a quarterly basis from 2019 to 2024 or for whichever interval is closest with the data available to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17862/25]

87. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the planned trade promotion activities, diplomatic engagements or advocacy missions his Department will undertake in the United States over the next six months in response to the tariff announcement of 2 April 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17863/25]

88. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the role of Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland in shaping the Government’s strategic response to the US tariffs announced on 2 April 2025; the resources allocated for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17864/25]

89. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has carried out a sectoral analysis to identify industries or regions in Ireland most exposed to the new US tariff measures; the outcome of any such analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17865/25]

90. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will give consideration to the issues raised by an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17944/25]

91. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 (ISL) within his Department and its associated public bodies, including details of any ISL strategies that have been developed; and if no ISL strategy has been developed to date, the details of plans his Department has to address this gap in the near future. …

92. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is supportive of the provisions of the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18027/25]

93. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cé mhéad airgead caipitil a caitheadh ar thionscadail chaipitil i scoileanna a fheidhmíonn trí mheán an Bhéarla arna miondealú de réir bliana do 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 agus 2024. [17675/25]

94. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cé mhéad airgead caipitil a caitheadh ar thionscadail chaipitil i scoileanna a fheidhmíonn trí mheán na Gaeilge arna miondealú de réir bliana do 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 agus 2024. [17676/25]

95. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education for an update on the actions being taken to ensure sufficient SNA allocation for a school (details supplied), following the SENO's recommendation to increase the allocation despite the quota being reached. [17718/25]

96. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Education to respond to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17720/25]

97. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education for an updated list of the number of special schools, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17721/25]

98. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education for an update on the number of children waiting for an appropriate school place in Dublin south central. [17722/25]

99. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education her Department’s approach to supporting democratic schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17723/25]

100. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if she will engage with an organisation (details supplied) regarding to the establishment of a democratic school in Waterford. [17724/25]