Results 31,381-31,400 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business sets out a framework and processes for assessing how we can keep the level of transmission of the virus as low as possible while balancing continuing restrictions proportionately with the positive social and economic benefits which can accrue from the lifting of some restrictions. The framework approach contains a range of indicative measures...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Déanaimid comhbhrón leis na teaghlaigh a fuair a ndaoine muinteartha bás ar an oileán de thoradh Covid-19. Táim ag smaoineamh ar na daoine atá ag fulaingt ón víreas, chomh maith leo siúd atá ag troid i gcoinne an víris gach lá. Bhuail an ghéarchéim ár dtír go trom. De réir mar a n-osclóimid ár...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I acknowledge that this is a very real problem and one that we want to solve. Women who went on maternity leave and are now due to return to work want to be able to avail of the wage subsidy scheme and we want them to be able to avail of it as well. I do not need to direct the Minister to do anything about this. He is already working on it. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, the Department of...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy is absolutely spot on regarding this matter. Every crisis does create opportunities, and one of the opportunities that arises out of this crisis is to provide more space on our streets for pedestrians with wider footpaths as well as more space for cyclists. We have already seen a big increase in the number of people cycling into Dublin city centre in recent years, but it is still...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The package we have put in place for SMEs is substantial. It involves a three-month rates waiver and a rates rebate of up to €10,000 to make any adaptations a business may need in order to buy new stock for reopening or to do whatever else it needs. Under the wage subsidy scheme, the Government will pay the bulk of staff wages for a period. There are also loan guarantees and credit...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: One of the things that other jurisdictions have done differently, and that we may have done differently if we had known everything that we know now, is that they did not fully close schools. In Northern Ireland and certain other parts of Europe, schools were not fully closed down but, rather, kept open for a certain number of essential workers' children and those with particular special...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I am happy to acknowledge the points the Deputy made, which are very well made. We do have a plan for reopening the economy and society. It is published and is being implemented. It is also, however, a living document that can be amended, updated and clarified as we go on. That is what is happening. Ultimately, any decisions made on reopening the country, the economy and society are made...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I cannot make those commitments in the Chamber but I will certainly give them consideration. On the €6.5 billion for business, what the Deputy said is a little misleading. That is for business and incudes the arts and entertainment sector. I appreciate that everyone in arts and entertainment is not a business but many are. It is also a huge industry and of course that €6.5...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Anyone over 66 is eligible for either the contributory State pension or the non-contributory State pension. Given the fact that some people may have dependants, many of those in receipt of the State pension, contributory or non-contributory, will actually get more than €350. That option is there for people who need it. What we are not doing is paying people the pension as well as...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: On the Deputy's first question, I do not have that date but I will see if we can find that out for him. The answer to the Deputy's second question is "No, absolutely not." On the Deputy's third question, I would have to give the matter consideration but I am not sure it is practical. It is not the approach we take in healthcare, for example, or in many parts of the public service....

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Shanahan for his remarks. In particular, I echo his words of thanks to that great Waterfordman Dan Mulhall, our ambassador in the United States, who has done a lot of work getting people safely home. As the Deputy is probably aware, my Department is made up of 150 civil servants. While they are great people, I am afraid they just do not have the wherewithal to take on the...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The funding has been released by the Department of Health to the HSE. If there is any problem with the funding, I have not been informed of it. I know there is a delay in getting the works done but I will check with the CEO of the HSE today whether there is any difficulty with the funding.

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: This is something I have spoken about before. As I understand it, the most recent advice from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is 2 m. The distance of 2 m is used in the United Kingdom and mostly across Europe as well. I see in other countries like Australia and New Zealand they are talking about 1.5 m. I see that the World Health Organization is talking about 1 m....

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I join the Deputy in welcoming the establishment of the tourism recovery task force, which is under the chairmanship of Ms Ruth Andrews, whom I worked with when I was the Minister responsible for tourism. I know she will do a really great job. I remember when I was Minister with responsibility for tourism many years ago, the sector was going through a very bad patch but recovered very...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I will have to check that.

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I read the letter that she alerted me to and I have replied. Actually, I have received many letters from parents of children with autism, with intellectual disabilities, with behavioural problems. I know they are really distressed. I am concerned about their welfare and I know they are, too. They may not have a powerful lobby, but they do have a voice at Cabinet....

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The decision made by the Government on foot of advice from NPHET back in March was that schools would close - all schools, including special schools - so I cannot give the Deputy any commitment now about them reopening. I would love to see it happening if it can be done, but it would require public health advice from NPHET and the co-operation of staff and unions. I am sure that will be...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy knows, it is my practice not to arrange meetings in the Chamber. I do not think that is fair to people who do not have a Deputy who can seek an appointment with me in the Chamber, so any request for meetings will be considered in the normal way.

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Rent supplement is means-tested. I think everyone in the House appreciates that. Rent supplement is not provided to people who can afford to pay their own rent or mortgage or buy their own home. If we were to extend rent supplement to any group that does not need it for financial reasons that would be a big policy change and an expensive one and I am not sure it would be the right course...

Covid-19 (Taoiseach): Statements (21 May 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I acknowledge that financial abuse can be part of the abuse that people who suffer domestic violence face, both men and women but mostly women. The solution is probably the urgent needs payment, which is available under the social welfare code.