Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment leads in advising and implementing the Government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which enables employment creation and sustainability. The Department is also charged with promoting fair competition in the marketplace, protecting consumers and safeguarding workers. Through its Offices and Agencies, the Department’s remit covers a wide range of activity including: • Leading on helping entrepreneurs and businesses create and sustain high quality employment across all regions of our country, by developing a strong indigenous enterprise base, attracting Foreign Direct Investment and increasing trade. • Promoting quality employment, positive workplace relations, well-functioning dispute resolution mechanisms and a safe working environment. • Creating a strong entrepreneurial culture. • Assisting enterprise with their research and development needs to maintain and create new jobs and contribute to building a better society. • Identifying the future skills needs of enterprise and working across Government to develop policies to meet these needs, including through upskilling. • Leading a whole-of-Government approach to developing a competitive environment for investment, productivity and sustainable jobs. • Ensuring our business regulation facilitates investment and development, competition in the market place, high standards of consumer protection and corporate governance, and provides Ireland with a competitive advantage in the global market. • Working ambitiously across Government with our EU and international partners to achieve progress in EU and International fora, across a wide range of interests, including Brexit.