Questions

956. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has given consideration to providing additional supports that are available to small businesses in Galway east experiencing increased operating costs and labour shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58885/26]

1078. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration is being given to provide more grants targeted at creating employment or by directing investment to lesser developed areas to provide suitable employment opportunities in Galway East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59127/26]

1079. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the additional supports being considered for independent retailers in Galway East facing increased labour, insurance and energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59128/26]

1080. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to clarify the regional distribution of enterprise and employment funding under programmes announced by his Department and to prioritise providing equal funding to all areas, including Galway east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59129/26]

1081. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the criteria used by Enterprise Ireland and other enterprise support agencies in determining eligibility for enhanced grant aid or other regional investment supports based on geographic location; whether County Galway or parts thereof are excluded from enhanced funding schemes on the basis of economic indicators or regional classificat…

1082. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has assessed the extent to which regional funding classifications may disadvantage businesses located in areas that do not qualify for enhanced grant aid when competing for investment or grant aid with businesses in designated areas; whether a review of these classifications is planned; and if he will make a stat…

1083. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether he is satisfied that the geographic criteria used in the allocation of enterprise grants and regional investment supports operate fairly for businesses in County Galway; whether consideration has been given to extending enhanced supports to areas such as Galway east that may not qualify under existing classifications; and if he…

1084. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the rationale underpinning the allocation of grant aid and other financial supports by enterprise support agencies; whether eligibility for, or the level of, support available to a business is influenced by its geographic location; the areas that qualify for enhanced levels of support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59…

166. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the proposed amendments to the employment permits system, including the review of the 50:50 rule under the Employment Permits Act 2024; the timeframe for bringing forward legislative or policy changes arising from this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45637/26]

177. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current supports and investment being provided to promote tourism in east Galway under the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands initiative; the plans to enhance tourism development and visitor numbers in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45638/26]

703. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has engaged with the Galway County Council to support them in taking ownership of Dunguaire Castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42736/26]

72. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will provide a list of all capital projects and programmes including those delivered through IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Fáilte Ireland which have been completed on time and within budget in GALWAY in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35654/26]

146. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the reforms his Department is planning in relation to local enterprise offices; if he will outline any upcoming adjustments to their remit, structure, or supports available to SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30504/26]

162. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department is aware of the suggested introduction of a tourism levy or ‘bed tax’ in Galway; if any national assessment has been carried out on whether such a model would be sustainable; his views on the way in which increased tourism footfall in Galway can be supported through enhanced funding for local tourism services; and if h…

452. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he is aware of the requirement under Health and Safety Authority guidelines for farmers to undertake front-loader training at a cost of approximately €1,000; the agricultural vehicles and machinery which are subject to this requirement where the training falls under construction industry certification; whether he will seek a review o…

121. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding current waiting times for first-time Irish residence permit registration appointments, which in many cases now exceed new employees’ actual job start dates due to exceptionally high demand for appointments and limited availability …

176. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the assessment his Department has made of the estimated 6% decline in visitor numbers nationally in 2025, as reported by tourism industry bodies; the specific impact this decline is having on tourism businesses and employment in Galway east and county; and the measures being taken to support the tourism sector and to reverse this downwa…

62. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports his Department is putting in place to assist small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those without dedicated HR capacity, to prepare for the introduction of the auto-enrolment pension scheme (details supplied); if he is aware that many SMEs in areas such as Galway east have reported receiving little to no communicat…

248. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his plans to support Irish SMEs affected by the 10% tariffs now being applied to most exports to the United States; whether targeted measures are being developed to help these firms diversify into new markets or offset the increased costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37630/25]

306. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether the Government has considered expediting a targeted support plan for SMEs, particularly in rural and regional areas, to mitigate economic uncertainties if US foreign direct investment were to decline (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14222/25]

329. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which he intends to support the MedTech sector, given that the Programme for Government highlights it as a sector where Ireland has a competitive advantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14119/25]