Parliamentary questions

862. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if she will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40834/25]

863. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40878/25]

864. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific supports or funding that will be provided to Killarney Innovation Centre’s expansion to accommodate up to 100 employees and further enhance its capacity for social enterprises and start-ups in the region given the role in fostering local entrepreneurship. [40905/25]

865. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment given that the expansion of the Killarney Innovation Centre includes the integration of advanced IT infrastructure to support tech-focused businesses, the details of any Government programmes or initiatives designed to help ensure that such facilities are accessible to SMEs and tech companies within the region [40…

866. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the reason the new Fáilte Ireland destination experience development plan for County Wexford makes minimal reference to Gorey and north Wexford; if his Department regards this part of the country as a tourism destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40916/25]

867. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to outline the supports that have been provided by his Department, by Fáilte Ireland or by any other Government agency to support tourism in the Gorey and Kilmuckridge municipal districts at any stage in the period 2015 to 2024, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40917/25]

868. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment regarding the development of tourism promotion plans for the Normandy celebrations in 2027, the role that is envisioned for Ferns, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40918/25]

869. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide detailed information on the smart regions enterprise innovation scheme, launched on 13 October 2023; the number of applications received, projects approved, and funding allocated to date under the first €35 million call which closed on 31 March 2024; the breakdown, by region, project type, funding stream,…

870. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether enterprise support schemes and advisory structures within the aegis of his Department including but not limited to (details supplied) are available to co-operatives, including worker co-operatives, on an equal and non-discriminatory basis; if not, the equivalent supports that are available; and if he wi…

871. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he has assessed whether his Department and its agencies' enterprise supports and advisory structures are equally accessible and appropriate for those seeking to establish co-operatives, particularly worker co-operatives; if not, if he will consider commissioning such an assessment; and if he will make a stat…

872. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the difference in spend between the funds spent on foreign direct investment relative to expenditure given to indigenous industries for 2024; the expected balance between the funds spent on foreign direct investment relative to expenditure given to indigenous industries for 2025; and if he will make a statement…

873. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the level of exports to the US by Enterprise Ireland-backed companies in 2024; the expected level of exports to the US by Enterprise Ireland-backed companies for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40941/25]

874. 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 develop a code of practice to support the hiring of workers with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40999/25]

875. 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 bring forward an updated legal framework for the co-operative model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41000/25]

876. 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 consider the development of economic strategic development zones in the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41001/25]

877. 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 set up a cost of business advisory forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41002/25]

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]

879. 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 work with IDA Ireland to target at least half of IDA investments outside of Dublin and expand our network of advanced manufacturing facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41004/25]

880. 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 ensure that legislation and guidelines regarding the disclosure of commercial content by online influencers are up to date and effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41005/25]

881. 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 continue to ensure employers make reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41006/25]

882. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current number of work permits allocated for motor-auto mechanics; the number therein of the car mechanic quota and of the HGV-bus mechanic quota that have been issued; if he has any plans to review those quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41020/25]

883. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide the total number of grant payments issued by the Department in each of the past five years, along with the total value of those grant payments for each year, in tabular form; and to confirm whether these figures include all schemes and discretionary grant programmes administered directly by the Department…

884. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to explain how funding for Microfinance Ireland is accounted for in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2025, given that only €1,000 is assigned to MFI while it approves several million euro in loans each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41081/25]

885. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if there is any current legislation governing the operation of nail salons, including qualifications and hygiene regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41139/25]

886. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to name all of the IDA client companies with operations in Drogheda, County Louth and in Dundalk, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41283/25]