Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment

Minister Peter Burke announced the appointment of Carolan Lennon as Co-chair of the Balance For Better Business (B4BB) initiative. B4BB is an independent review group established by Government in 2018 and supported by the Department, tasked with improving gender balance in senior business leadership in Ireland. For our Department, this work is central in building a more competitive, resilient and future-focused economy. 🔊 “Gender balance is critically important in order to forge a stronger future for Irish businesses. From better meeting talent needs, to creating a stronger performance, more balanced organisations are better equipped with the capabilities and perspectives to drive future growth and competitiveness. As the incoming Co-chair of the initiative, Carolan has the right skills and experience to support Irish businesses on their gender balance journey and ensure we maintain the positive momentum achieved in recent years." Minister Burke Carolan will succeed outgoing Co-chair Carol Andrews and work closely with sitting Co-chair Bernard Byrne. A special thanks to Carol Andrews for her work over the last 3 years. 👏 Find out more about the work of B4BB 🔗https://www.betterbalance.ie/about-us/ #B4BB #Leadership #GenderBalance #Inclusion

Reducing energy use helps businesses cut costs. The good news is that many changes are simple, low cost and deliver savings straight away. Reducing energy use is one of the quickest ways for businesses to cut costs, improve competitiveness and be more sustainable. ✅ Get help in managing your costs with Government support for Irish businesses at ▶️https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/reduce-energy-use.html #SavingEnergySavesMoney #ReduceYourUse #EnergySupports

New €750,000 scheme to support businesses affected by Waterford fire to help business continuity and limit potential job losses. “The Government has responded rapidly to this devastating fire. I have received agreement to develop a new €750,000 scheme that will help these small businesses get back on their feet and start trading again. The scheme will provide for up to €30,000 in funding, of which up to €5,000 will initially be made available to businesses impacted while the scheme details are being finalised. The Tycor Business Centre was a hugely important part of the local economy and was home to a variety of businesses and community groups where up to 200 people worked." Minister Peter Burke Read more ▶️ https://enterprise.gov.ie/djei/en/news-and-events/department-news/2026/may/20260515.html

📊Labour markets in Ireland and Northern Ireland show strong alignment, particularly across skills priorities, sectoral needs, and education trends. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) has published a new Skills Insights Note, Cross Border Skills and Commonalities between Ireland and Northern Ireland, which examines labour market developments across the two jurisdictions with a particular focus on cross border workers, sectoral #employment trends, #education profiles and shared skills priorities. Minister Peter Burke, welcomed the publication: “This Skills Insight Note provides valuable analysis of the labour market links and shared challenges between Ireland and Northern Ireland.... Understanding these cross border dynamics strengthens our ability to plan effectively for enterprise growth, employment and long term competitiveness.” Read more about the report's findings ➡️ https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/news-and-events/department-news/2026/may/20260514.html

As part of #EuropeDay, Minister Peter Burke and Hungarian Ambassador Gergely Bánhegyi met with students involved in the Blue Star Programme yesterday to view their projects, discussing the role of the EU and the opportunities it brings. The Blue Star Programme teaches primary school pupils about European cultures and the EU through creative activities and projects, to foster better knowledge of Europe and how it affects our daily lives. As Ireland prepares to take on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union later this year, Europe Day is a timely moment to reflect on the importance of working together to support prosperity and opportunity across Europe. 🤝 #EuropeDay2026 Curious about how the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment works with the EU and Single Market? Click here: 🔗https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/eu-internal-market/ @irishforeignministry @europeanmovementireland

Have your say on the future of tourist accommodation in Ireland! 🏠 Tourist accommodation is vital to supporting sustainable tourism, regional balance, and vibrant local communities. Our Department is developing a new Tourist Accommodation Strategy to ensure Ireland has a diverse, and future focused mix of accommodation that supports the long-term development of the tourism sector. Your input to this public consultation will help shape a framework that meets the needs of visitors, businesses, and communities while safeguarding long term sustainability in the sector. Deadline 📅 29 May. #Tourism Find out more ▶️ https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/consultations/public-consultation-on-tourist-accommodation-strategy.html @govie @deptrcdg @deptcee @local_enterprise_offices @failte_ireland

Today we mark Europe Day, which commemorates the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950 - the beginning of an unprecedented era of cooperation that laid the foundations for today’s European Union. 🇪🇺 Europe Day is an opportunity to recognise the shared values and collaboration that continue to strengthen Europe, including through the Single Market, which supports enterprise, innovation, job creation and connectivity, alongside Ireland’s tourism and employment sectors. As Ireland prepares to take on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union later this year, Europe Day is a timely moment to reflect on the importance of working together to support prosperity and opportunity across Europe. 🤝 #EuropeDay2026 Find out more about our work with EU and Single Market 🔗https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/eu-internal-market/

The Student Enterprise Awards showcased the young entrepreneurial talents from across Ireland who are bound to be the next driving force of our #enterprise ecosystem. Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing these awards to life and especially to the winners that Minister @alan_dillon was lucky to present their awards to. 👏 The overall winners were ⬇️ Senior - GloHurling from Mungret Community College Intermediate - Smart Shovel from St Patrick's Classical School in Navan Junior - I Can from St Mary's CBS in Portlaoise #MakingItHappen #StudentEnterprise @local_enterprise_offices Find out more about the Student Enterprise Programme 🔗 https://www.studententerprise.ie/

A newly upgraded visitor centre at Dún Aonghasa on Árainn offically opened yesterday where a €1.6 million investment strengthened Aran Islands tourism and heritage experience. This strategic investment delivered in partnership between the Office of Public Works, @failte_ireland , and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage funded a new immersive visitor experience and enhanced year-round visitor offering to support sustainable tourism on the Aran Island. Perched on a dramatic 100-metre-high Atlantic cliff edge, Dún Aonghasa is one of Ireland’s most iconic prehistoric sites and is a flagship destination along the Wild Atlantic Way. "This project strengthens the site’s role as a hub for exploring the rich network of national monuments across Árainn, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr.” Minister @peter.burke.fg #Ireland #Tourism Read more ▶️https://www.failteireland.ie/Utility/News-Library/%E2%82%AC1-6-million-investment-in-upgraded-visitor-centre.aspx

A provisional agreement has been reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the Digital Omnibus on Artificial Intelligence. 🤝 "The Digital Omnibus on AI strikes a balance by simplifying and clarifying the EU AI Act, while maintaining clear and predictable safeguards. By reducing unnecessary barriers to investment and innovation, we can unlock the growth opportunities created by rapid technological change.” Minister Peter Burke These targeted updates aim to ensure a clear, proportionate and effective framework for AI across the EU. #AI Find out more: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/news-and-events/department-news/2026/may/20260507.html

Ahead of the upcoming Irish Presidency of the EU council, Jean Carberry, Assistant Secretary of our Digital Division, represented Ireland in a roundtable discussion on digital tech sovereignty at the Europe as a Task conference in Prague this week. She shared the upcoming Presidency priorities, underlining Ireland’s commitment to drive an ambitious agenda to strengthen the EU’s high-tech capabilities and deliver a more connected Europe in an increasingly challenging geopolitical context. The conference provided a valuable opportunity to connect with industry experts and European colleagues. Thanks to Alan Gibbons, Irish Ambassador to the Czech Republic, and Eadaoin O’Connor from the Irish Embassy for facilitating Ireland’s participation and for such a warm welcome. Find out more about our Departments work around AI and digital transformation: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/innovation-research-development/artificial-intelligence/

At this year’s Enterprise Ireland 'Start-Up Day' in Dublin, Minister Alan Dillon recognised the success of Irish startups in 2025 and highlighted the supports for Irish founders to start, scale and internationalise in order to secure Ireland’s economy both nationally and internationally. It was announced today that Enterprise Ireland invested €32.9 million in 198 start-ups across Ireland in 2025, supporting early-stage business development through the High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) and Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF) programmes. They also announced the establishment of a new National Accelerator Programme, with a budget of €21 million over the next three years. This initiative will focus on specialist sectors, expanded regional reach and supporting AI-native innovation. The programme forms a key component of the Government’s broader strategy to strengthen Ireland’s competitiveness and productivity, supporting the continued growth and global ambition of Irish-owned enterprises. Find out more: /en/news/over-32-million-invested-in-irish-startups-in-2025 #Startups #Innovation #EnterpriseIreland