Parliamentary questions

331. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether his Department has examined the issue of file padding in the workplace, where employers fabricate or exaggerate disciplinary records to justify dismissal, demotion, or other adverse actions; whether such practices will be recognised as a form of workplace harassment; whether legislative measures are being co…

332. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of a dispute between workers and an employer (details supplied); if he will instruct his Department to investigate the matter and ensure workers know their rights and are receiving a fair wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14229/25]

333. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware that a business is facing the prospect of making over one thousand security officers redundant by going through the liquidation process (details supplied); if he will ensure that workers are protected in the case if redundancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14230/25]

276. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in Tipperary that applied for the Power Up grant; the number of the applications that were successful; and the total value of the grants approved. [12961/25]

277. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of copper communication lines within his Department currently in active operation and for which his Department is paying for on a monthly basis inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12983/25]

278. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress his Department has made establishing the small business unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13056/25]

279. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the stakeholders that will be included in the small business unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13057/25]

280. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the terms of reference for the small business unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13058/25]

281. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the sense checks that are in place for legislation to minimise the impact on SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13059/25]

282. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the representations he has made to the European Commission regarding ensuring the potential exposure of Irish whiskey to US tariffs is reduced; and if they, in recent months, have sought that whiskey not be an item included in the EU's retaliatory tariffs. [13144/25]

283. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has examined the issue of file padding in the workplace, where employers fabricate or exaggerate disciplinary records to justify dismissal, demotion, or other adverse actions; if such practices will be recognised as a form of workplace harassment; if legislative measures are being considered to preve…

284. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of instant payment notifications issued since they were introduced in June 2023 each year to the CRO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13163/25]

285. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of companies that have registered their beneficial ownership with the CRO; the percentage share of registered companies that have registered their beneficial ownership; the number and percentage of industrial and provident societies which had registered; and if he will make a statement on the matter…

286. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans to increase the number of work permits for HGV mechanics beyond the quota of 200, as set out under Statutory Instrument No. 680/2023, considering the cap has already been exceeded and no further permits can be issued until further action is taken by the Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter…

287. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permit applications for HGV mechanics that were refused by his Department since the quota of 200 permits, as set out under Statutory Instrument No. 680/2023, was reached; his views on whether there are now sufficient numbers of HGV mechanics in Ireland without the need to increase the quota; and if …

288. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if applications for work permits for HGV mechanics who were refused due to the quota of 200, as set out under Statutory Instrument No. 680/2023, being reached can be accepted in a future round of work permits without the employer having to re-enter the 28-day advertising period and the 90-day deadline to get the appli…

289. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of exemptions approved under the Companies Act 2014 for designated activity companies and companies limited by guarantee to not include the company-type suffix from the end of the company name under each category of exemption, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13173/25]

290. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of any secondments from consulting firms to his Department since 2020; the consulting firms involved; the purpose of the secondment; the durations of the secondments; who paid the salary of the individual seconded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13180/25]

291. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if journalists have access to beneficial ownership records held by the companies registration office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13205/25]

292. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications for information on the beneficial ownership of a company or industrial and provident society for each year for which data is available, by non-State bodies or individuals; the number of applications accepted and rejected, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [132…

293. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the status of payments made by Microfinance Ireland to farmers; the number, value and breakdown of payments made to farmers through Microfinance Ireland; the timeline of disbursements; the counties involved; and the types of farming enterprises supported from 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025, by county, in…

294. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding opportunities for social enterprises for the circular economy; to outline the application processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13247/25]

295. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding opportunities available for a community horse project; to outline the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13248/25]

296. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department, or any agency under his Department’s remit, have, since 1 November 2024, entered any contract in respect of a hotel (details supplied) or have had any discussions, or received any offers, in respect of using this premises for any reason; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the mat…

498. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the status of a national data centre policy; whether the Government is in the process of drafting it; when it is likely to be completed; and what the arrangements are for public consultation. [10844/25]