Parliamentary questions

127. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will provide an update on the IDA’s application for planning permission for a factory on its green-field site at Creagh, Ballinasloe; the expected timeline for approval and the works to make the site investment-ready; and the further steps that are planned to attract enterprise investment once permission is sec…

128. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current position regarding the IDA-owned lands at Ballingarrane in south Tipperary, including the extent to which IDA Ireland is actively promoting the site following the recent grant of planning permission for an advance building; the marketing and investor engagement strategy now being pursued, including int…

129. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the initiatives he or his Department or associated State agencies have taken to encourage prospective new owners to establish a business at the former factory (details supplied) at Carrickmacross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30067/26]

130. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the assessment his Department has made of the impact of recent fuel price increases on small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly in transport, construction and agri-related sectors; and if he will outline any targeted supports under consideration. [30164/26]

131. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which his Department is ensuring that small- and medium-sized enterprises can move from AI awareness initiatives into measurable productivity gains from AI adoption; the changes that are required on current schemes to ensure sufficient scale and design; and if he will make a statement on the matter. …

132. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his assessment of the likely impact of current aviation challenges on the number of overseas visitors to Ireland in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30451/26]

133. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his assessment of the recent escalation in retail crime, including theft, organised shoplifting and related antisocial behaviour; the impact this is having on small and family-run retailers, particularly in terms of financial loss, increased operating costs and staff safety concerns; the specific measures, support…

134. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment given that many SMEs are being disproportionately affected by the spike in fuel prices, and with businesses across the retail and hospitality sectors facing particularly heavy energy bills, the plans he has in place to help address these challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30074/26]

135. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment following on from his announcement of a €250 million allocation to a seed and venture capital programme helping Irish enterprise, the way in which this money will be allocated to SMEs; his views on the growth projections possible within companies who obtain this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter.…

136. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures being taken by his Department to support existing enterprise hubs and to encourage the development of new enterprise hubs in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30464/26]

137. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the workings of the Cost of Business Forum; the recommendations that have been made to date to assist businesses with their costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29604/26]

138. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department is concerned by the statements by the RTÉ Director General with regard to the import of 'expertise' from the British production market, for which trade unions have highlighted concerns on the possibility to undermine the domestic labour market; and if his Department will take active measures to su…

139. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his plans to review the work visa arrangements for persons in high demand roles, such as in the STEM area, in particular, the rule that an employer must employ at least 50% of non-national workers from the EEA. [30075/26]

140. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which Enterprise Ireland is supporting the Action Plan on Market Diversification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30500/26]

141. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his assessment of the prospects for tourism in Ireland in 2026, especially in relation to visitors from North America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30059/26]

142. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he plans to expand training and consultancy supports to organisations wishing to embrace remote first operating models; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30426/26]

143. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will outline the support being offered to businesses to decarbonise and become more sustainable, especially in light of global fuel market disruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30440/26]

144. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the action his Department is taking together with the Department of Social Protection to address the barriers to participation in employment faced by disabled persons, given that Ireland has one of the lowest rates of employment among disabled people in Europe standing at 32.6% in comparison with the EU average of 51.…

145. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the initiatives that are being taken to increase the contribution of indigenous enterprises to Ireland's exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30515/26]

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]

147. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current status of IDA Ireland lands in Mell, Drogheda, County Louth; the actions being taken by his Department and the IDA to unblock, service and activate these lands to enable further industrial and employment-generating investment in Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30452/26]

148. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he has any plans to introduce a new Power Up scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30033/26]

149. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will report on the Enterprise Ireland initiative to financially back new flour mills in Ireland; the criteria to qualify for support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30521/26]

150. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department is giving consideration to the introduction of a hotel bedroom charge, to be levied by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30518/26]

151. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the progress of the Strategic Air Access Fund and new tourism initiatives in the UAE and Indian markets to support the "A New Era for Irish Tourism" strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30506/26]