Questions

249. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to outline the Government’s strategy to support small and medium-sized businesses; and if he will provide details of any new financial or policy measures planned. [37625/25]

248. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of employers in the hairdressing and barber sector related to increased operational costs that pose a risk to their long-term viability, particularly for smaller businesses; the actions he will take to engage with this sector on these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter.…

213. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment following recent Cork Chamber survey findings that 41% of businesses face significant challenges in international trade, the supports being provided specifically to SMEs in Cork city and county; the number of firms in Cork that have availed of Enterprise Ireland export assistance schemes in 2024-2025; and the additional measures are pla…

669. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the breakdown of the total number of business closures recorded in the State since 1 April 2025, disaggregated by industry sector and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44886/25]

670. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific supports financial or otherwise that have been introduced by the Government since March 2025 to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality and retail sectors facing closure; and if any further emergency measures are being considered in light of recent data indicating over 3,250 business closures to date in…

671. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has received representations or data from representative bodies (details supplied) in relation to the closure of over 200 cafés and restaurants in 2025; and what the Government’s response has been to these concerns. [44888/25]

672. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether the Department has undertaken any economic impact assessment of SME closures in the hospitality and retail sectors in 2025, and to publish the findings of any such analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44890/25]

673. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will provide a sectoral impact assessment of the new 15% US tariffs on Irish goods; to identify which Irish industries, including agri-food and pharmaceuticals, are most exposed to this trade development; and the contingency supports being considered for vulnerable SMEs with export exposure to the United States. [44913/25]

674. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department intends to conduct a review of the Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Act 2022, with particular regard to its effectiveness in protecting low-paid hospitality workers; if he has engaged with the Minister for Finance regarding the taxation of tips under the current legislation; if he will examine the fea…

675. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department is tracking the rate of business closures in the independent retail and hospitality sectors in Cork city since January 2025; if he will provide a breakdown, by business type; and the supports or crime prevention initiatives being developed to assist small business owners affected by cost pressures and anti-social behav…

738. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports available to SMEs to meet new cyber security and NIS2 obligations; the number of firms assisted in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47517/25]

878. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update as of July 2025 on the programme for Government commitment to conduct a comprehensive review to assess the cost structures for SME and family-owned businesses to identify areas where costs can be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41003/25]

941. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the progress made in establishing the new small business unit within his Department; the anticipated functions and staffing level of the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43340/25]

407. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the status of the SME unit; if not yet implemented, the timeline for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38810/25]

9. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will outline his strategy to address the rising cost of doing business, particularly for small and medium enterprises; if he will detail any planned interventions aimed at improving cost competitiveness in areas such as energy, insurance, labour and regulatory compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33207/25]

10. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the further steps the Department is taking to support small and medium enterprises to reduce the cost of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32906/25]

16. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the additional supports being provided to SMEs to address rising costs and staffing challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33029/25]

20. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the financial supports he will put in place to assist SMEs reduce their greenhouse emissions in line with Government targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32784/25]

33. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific timelines and performance indicators that will be used to measure the effectiveness of the recently announced small business unit, in simplifying access to grants and supports, ensuring SME input into legislation through the SME test, and enhancing Local Enterprise Office resourcing; and if he will make a statement on the m…

41. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the implementation of an appeals system for the power-up scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32907/25]

46. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of SMEs which have closed in the State in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32561/25]

48. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the targeted supports he is considering to help small and local businesses remain viable in rural towns and areas like Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33214/25]

58. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures his Department is taking to support the economic rejuvenation of towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33030/25]

59. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the emergency measures being considered to assist SMEs in the continuing threat of US tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33217/25]

69. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the mechanism his Department is using to measure the success of grants offered to SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33035/25]