44. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to identify the actions being taken by Government to support indigenous Irish retailers operating in regional Ireland, many of whom are facing significant increases in employment and operating costs; and whether additional targeted supports will be considered in Budget 2027. [67456/26]
Parliamentary questions
Questions
TDs ask ministers questions to get answers on the record, most of them in writing. Here is every one asked in the 34th Dáil, by the department it went to and the subject heading it was filed under. How questions work
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Showing questions asked by William Aird .
56 questions match, newest first.
45. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if an assessment has been undertaken of the impact that continued increases in the living wage will have on labour-intensive sectors such as retail, hospitality and other consumer-facing industries; and if he will outline any planned supports to assist businesses in adapting to these increases. [67455/26]
46. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he has engaged with the Low Pay Commission regarding concerns that the current methodology for calculating the living wage, based on 60% of median earnings, may disproportionately reflect earnings levels in high-paying multinational and technology sectors; and whether a review of the methodology is under consideration. [67454/26]
47. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures being taken to encourage employers to recruit and retain younger workers in the retail sector; and whether targeted incentives are under consideration as part of Budget 2027. [67453/26]
48. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has carried out an analysis of the effect of rising labour costs on employment levels and investment decisions within the retail sector; and the way in which concerns regarding the future viability of jobs in regional retail businesses are being addressed. [67451/26]
49. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has carried out an analysis of the effect of rising labour costs on employment levels and investment decisions within the retail sector and how concerns regarding the future viability of jobs in regional retail businesses are being addressed. [67450/26]
50. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures are being considered in Budget 2027 to support the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of Irish-owned retailers, particularly those operating in regional towns and cities, in light of increasing labour costs and regulatory burdens. [67449/26]
224. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the total employment in IDA Client companies in Laois for each of the past five years; and the number of new jobs created in each of the past five years. [66887/26]
1012. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will review the current 50:50 employment permits rule as it applies to the nursing home sector; if he will consider introducing the necessary legislative amendments to provide greater workforce flexibility for nursing homes experiencing recruitment difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56722/26]
159. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps being taken to secure a new investor or occupier for a facility (details supplied) in Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44583/26]
71. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the preparedness of Irish industry for the implementation of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM); the supports being provided to affected sectors, particularly SMEs and energy-intensive industries, to comply with reporting and cost implications arising from the transitional phase; the estimated impact on competitiveness and…
72. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the current national targets for employment participation of persons with disabilities in the open labour market; the baseline used for measuring progress; and the most recent data available on progress towards these targets, including the way in which this is being monitored across Government departments and age…
73. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether a formal cross-departmental implementation structure exists to ensure delivery of employment activation measures for persons with disabilities; the timelines for any forthcoming strategy updates or action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44602/26]
74. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which the findings of a report (details supplied) will inform Government policy on the future development of data centre capacity under the Large Energy User Action Plan, particularly in relation to ensuring alignment with energy security, grid capacity and climate objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4…
112. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which his Department is supporting Irish small and medium enterprises looking to enter international markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38296/26]
497. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps being taken to secure a new investor or occupier for a former facility (details supplied) in Portlaoise, given its strategic importance as a major modern industrial asset, its suitability for food, pharmaceutical or advanced manufacturing use, and the risk of significant economic loss to the Laois region if the site remains i…
498. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which the proposed Consumer Protection, Competition and Enforcement Bill 2026 will enable the Consumer and Competition Protection Commission (CCPC) to act more quickly against unfair business practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30553/26]
499. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific supports that are available through Fáilte Ireland to assist in the development and promotion of tourism infrastructure in County Laois and the wider Midlands region, in order to enhance regional visitor numbers and economic activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30554/26]
500. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether consideration has been given to targeted investment or incentive schemes to support the redevelopment of large-scale vacant or underutilised industrial sites for tourism-related uses such as food tourism, visitor centres, or experimental attractions in regional areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30555/26]
223. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the preparations that are underway to implement the digital product passport under the EU Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation; the way consumers and SMEs will access and use the DPP; the supports that will be provided to businesses in priority sectors to ensure compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2755…
224. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the timeframe for the introduction of digital product passports for priority product categories, including textiles, furniture, tyres and mattresses; the enforcement mechanisms that will apply to ensure regulatory compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27555/26]
225. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to clarify the export control, sanctions compliance and due diligence mechanisms that are in place to ensure that materials processed in the State are not indirectly contributing to the supply chains of entities associated with the Russian military or the prosecution of the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter.…
226. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether any assessment has been undertaken of the ownership structure and trading activity of companies operating within the State, including those owned by entities subject to international sanctions regimes, to ensure full compliance with EU and Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27559/26]
423. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps his Department is taking to support Irish exporters in diversifying into new international markets in light of recent global economic volatility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22456/26]
424. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the schedule of planned trade missions for 2026; the sectors being prioritised; the way in which these missions will contribute to attracting foreign direct investment and supporting Irish businesses abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22457/26]