I thank the Deputy for her question. Enhancing online safety, particularly for children and young people, is a whole-of-government priority. I recognise the important work of the committee, particularly the engagement with stakeholders from a wide range of backgrounds who informed the committee's recent report, which is an invaluable aid to understanding how online safety and participation can be improved. In considering the committee's report, it is important to note the significant body of legislation already in …

I thank the Deputy for raising these concerns. I understand the concerns being raised and the impact recommender algorithms have on children. They are valid. Certainly, the Government takes the matter seriously. This is not simple. While it might sound straightforward to just ban recommender systems in theory, it needs to be evidence-based. There are also risks of unintended consequences. Having been a member of the media committee and having listened to many of the social media platforms, I am aware that recommend…

A lot of work is being undertaken in our engagement with social media platforms. That includes age verification and working hand in hand with the European Commission. Coimisiún na Meán is central to the enforcement role. We have seen many investigations in recent times. I believe we need to focus on a more co-ordinated approach through European regulation. These are many global platforms that have a global reach. Ireland alone cannot take a central role. We have to work with our partners to try to alleviate this. W…

I thank the Deputy for his question. The Government continues to actively monitor cost developments across all sectors of the economy. The small business unit was established in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment last year, fulfilling a programme for Government commitment. There are a number of tools this unit and the Department will use to enable its work, including rigorous implementation of the SME test. The SME test tasks policy makers to consider the impact that any new policy, legislation or…

I thank Deputy Dolan for his question. I know he has been big advocate of ensuring our energy system is supported and remains resilient and sustainable. Across government, through the Department of climate and energy, we are driving the delivery of renewable energy and solar PV. Through SEAI grants we have seen a huge uptake in the number of businesses that have adopted new technology in regard to solar PV and energy efficiency measures, which is very important. The SEAI does wonderful work to engage with businesse…

The challenges around rates are always contentious for small businesses and retailers in every town and city. It is not a function of the Department of enterprise to control that. Rates are a very important revenue stream for local authorities and central to delivering the required services. Deputy Dolan knows, as a former councillor, how important it is and how contentious it is for executive management to ensure it has this income stream. However, we do need to make better utilisation of how rates are proportiona…

The Government recognises that the adoption of AI and digital technologies presents a significant opportunity for Irish businesses to enhance productivity, competitiveness and innovation across all sectors of the economy. The recently published national digital and AI strategy, Digital Ireland - Connecting our People, Securing our Future, sets out a clear roadmap for Ireland’s digital and AI adoption and development in the years ahead. One of the key priorities in the strategy is fast-tracking enterprise technology…

I thank the Deputy very much for his questions. I feel that one of the biggest barriers to AI adoption is not the reluctance to adopt the technology but is around awareness and understanding. This is why it is important that we get businesses engaged early in respect of how it can enhance their effectiveness, efficiencies and productivity. That is why we have the Grow Digital voucher, ensuring that experts can create digital plans and allow the technology to be embedded in a system. We are working on the AI observa…

I would certainly like to see more investment and I support the call made by the Deputy for having more centres of excellence in the west of Ireland around AI adoption. It is part of the Government’s policy for balanced regional development. I know the project in Dexcom, in the Deputy's area, is significant and needs to be supported. The new AI office will ensure that innovation is very much balanced and that safeguards are put in place. We are very much focused on the digital skills and talent area. We have one of…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 149 together. FDI is a key element of our economic strategy, with investments by IDA Ireland client companies consistently generating high-skilled jobs nationwide. The Department works closely with IDA Ireland and other stakeholders to ensure a strong pipeline of FDI into Ireland. In light of the rapidly evolving global landscape and given the challenging international economic and trading environment, the Government is implementing a whole-of-government response to the chal…

I thank the Deputies for their questions. I absolutely agree that competitiveness is not just for today; it is about preparing for the next decade. That is really important. That is why the Government is developing Enterprise 2035, which will be a long-term strategy focused on enterprise growth while also ensuring we have widespread job creation throughout the regions. It will be focused on skills, lifelong learning, innovation, access to finance, digital and green transitions, and building resilience against the u…

I again thank the Deputies for their questions and their support for continued investment in the regions of Offaly and Galway. The Minister is continuing to progress the next generation sites. That is important. He is progressing the west, which is important, initially. I hope we will have an announcement shortly in that regard. It is important that what we announce is serviced. There is a plan to ensure the site can be energised and there is access to utilities, critical services, etc. At Government level, that me…

I thank the Deputy very much for the question. The SME test encourages policymakers across Government to apply the principle of thinking small first, to consider the impact any measures may have on SMEs and to mitigate any impacts where possible. This approach helps small businesses by ensuring new policies are designed in a way that supports SMEs and reduces unnecessary burdens on them. In May 2024, the Government committed to ensuring an enhanced SME test would be applied to all major new measures. In October 202…

I again thank the Deputy. The Minister, Deputy Burke, and I are looking at how we streamline the application processes for a lot of businesses and SMEs that take the opportunity to apply for grants. We have undertaken a simplification process to do with the LEOs. We are also looking at more systemic reform within the LEOs to make them more accessible to small businesses across the 31 local authorities. We will ensure that we engage with businesses to make sure their feedback feeds in to the enhancement process. Tha…

As I said in my earlier contribution we have seen real, practical outcomes in regard to its implementation, such as with the Agri-Food Regulator legislation. SMEs employing fewer than 50 staff were excluded from the initial analysis in the employment permit system. Processes were simplified and digitalised and fees were made more flexible. As for regulatory thresholds, we have looked at turnover limits, which were introduced to protect small businesses from compliance costs. These are really practical and meaningfu…

Data centres represent critical digital infrastructure that is central to Ireland's modern economy. They strengthen Ireland's position as a strategic, knowledge-intensive regional hub for the ICT sector and also support broader retention and expansion of existing investment that supports billions of euro in economic value for Ireland via high-wage employment, tax receipts and the supplier ecosystem. The Government's policy is supportive of continued sustainable data centre developments that are consistent with our …

Again, we have done extensive evidence-based analysis. If the Deputy examines the Department's KPMG report, he will note it reflects the reality of Ireland being recognised as a global digital hub. I accept that the future pathway needs to be different, and that is exactly what we are implementing. We will no longer be in a position where the sector will be unmanaged. We will introduce a plan-led framework based on the large energy user action plan. That will align energy demand with renewable supply and ensure we …

I take the points the Deputy has raised. As I said, that is precisely why we have moved to a more plan-led approach under the large energy user action plan. That is in place. We predict that by the end of the decade, 30% of our energy will be focused towards digital hubs and data centres. What does that mean in practice? It means new connections will be subject to strict conditions. It will also mean that on-site or contracted renewable generation will be required. That is very much focused on a demand-led approach…

First, I congratulate Deputy Seán Kyne on his re-election to Dáil Éireann.

He is very welcome. Addressing energy affordability is a key priority for this Government. That is why, in June of last year, the Department established the national energy affordability task force, NEAT, to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewables commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The first report of the task force informed key aspects of budget 2026. That included a 15%, or €5 pe…