Parliamentary questions

297. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits to County Offaly made in the past 18 months; the specific locations of these visits; the results to date of any such visits, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6197/25]

298. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide details of the empty buildings, by county, in his Department’s portfolio; the value of the property; the length of time they have lain empty; and the physical status of each building, in tabular form. [6228/25]

299. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide details of undeveloped sites, by county, in his Department’s portfolio; the value of the property; the length of time they have lain undeveloped; and the reason for the lack of development, in tabular form. [6246/25]

300. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within his Department in 2024 and to date in 2025; if any section of his Department currently makes use of artificial intelligence; if he will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; if he has consulted with any co…

301. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide the totality of costs in respect of the Ireland’s National AI Strategy since its inception; if he will provide a breakdown of the external companies engaged in respect of the strategy and costs of same; and his plans to continue with the 2024 refresh of the plan. [6349/25]

302. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits to County Kilkenny made in 2023 and 2024; the specific locations of these visits; the results to date of any such visits, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6392/25]

303. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits to County Carlow made in 2023 and 2024; the specific locations of these visits; the results to date of any such visits, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6393/25]

178. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to allow planning professionals from outside the EU to work in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5327/25]

179. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if any supports will be put in place for businesses affected by storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5369/25]

180. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits to County Wexford made in the past 18 months, in tabular form; the results to date of any such visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5434/25]

181. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work his Department is doing to ensure that those businesses which have not availed of the Power Up grant because of administrative difficulties will be able to do so; when these issues will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5454/25]

142. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the Companies Registration Office will enact the new Companies (Corporate Governance Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024 with regard to audit exception. [5053/25]

143. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is considering a compensation package for businesses affected by storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4866/25]

144. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on his dealings with the European Commission and the European Council regarding the Mercosur Trade Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4870/25]

145. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total annual payments by his Department to the climate action fund scheme, as required by virtue Circular 01/2020 (D/PER); an annual total of the payments in the past five years and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [4953/25]

146. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the move announced by the Department of Social Protection to commence changes in remote work practices on 1 February 2025 was solely confined to that Department; and if not, if any other Government Department issued a communication to all workers, group of workers or worker relating to changes in remote and flexi…

147. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the appeal process relative to the increased cost of business and power up grants has been finalised; and if so, the date it will open. [5048/25]

148. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when his Department will issue an instruction to Kildare County Council to allow them to open the portal for businesses to change their classifications in relation to the increased cost of business grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5181/25]

149. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the provision being made to compensate small businesses and sole traders who had their premises and businesses closed due to Storm Éowyn, incurring substantial loss of earnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5184/25]

229. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the compensation and additional supports that will be provided to employees of companies currently involved in stocking and servicing self-service tobacco and vaping vending machines, who are at risk of losing their jobs when the ban under the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2024 takes eff…

230. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the details of a scheme to assist businesses who suffered serious losses in recent storms will be published, in view of the serious losses suffered by these businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4013/25]

231. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the expected timeline for the planned development of a new national AI strategy. [4065/25]

232. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on how the process for determining eligibility for digital grants and consultancy for SMEs will be reformed, as proposed in the Programme for Government, and if business groups will be included in consultations on the planned reforms. [4066/25]

233. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline his Department’s approach to ensuring that small businesses are helped to achieve basic digital intensity, towards the target of 90% by 2030. [4067/25]

234. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how his Department plans to promote the new grow digital voucher to SMEs. [4068/25]