Results 31,501-31,520 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Co-operative Sector (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department supports co-operatives in the same way as it supports other enterprises. Worker co-operatives set up prior to 2019 cannot be definitively identified on the Register of Friendly Societies as worker co-operatives so it is not possible to give a definitive position in relation to any funding provided to such entities. Since 2019, no co-operatives have been registered under the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Farm Safety (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The agriculture sector remains one of the most high-risk sectors in terms of workplace fatalities and injuries and this is a matter of concern to both myself and to the Health and Safety Authority. So far this year, of the total twenty- seven workplace fatalities which have been reported to the Health and Safety Authority twelve have been in the that sector and, tragically, three of these...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The National Return to Work Safely Protocol is the primary guide for businesses in making their assessments and adapting their workplace procedures and practices to comply fully with the COVID-19 related public health protection measures. It sets out in very clear terms for employers and employees the steps that they must take firstly before a workplace reopens, and then while it continues...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The National Return to Work Safely Protocol is a useful guide for businesses in making their assessments and adapting their workplace procedures and practices to comply fully with the COVID-19 related public health protection measures. It sets out in very clear terms for employers and employees the steps that they must take firstly before a workplace reopens, and then while it continues to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: On Friday, May 15th, 2020 the Government announced details of the new €250m Restart Grant providing direct grant aid to micro and small businesses. The grant is a contribution towards the cost of re-opening or keeping a business operational and re-connecting with employees and customers. To avail of the Restart Grant, applicants must be a commercial business and be in the Local...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: On 19thJune, the Government, having considered the expert public health advice provided by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), approved the rephasing of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. Apart from some exceptions, most sectors have been brought forward to Phase 3, which began on Monday 29 June. Cinemas are among the businesses permitted to reopen on 29thJune,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has introduced a €12bn package of supports for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, the pandemic unemployment payment for the self-employed, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs. Full details on all COVID19 supports for business are...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has introduced a €12bn package of supports for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, the pandemic unemployment payment for the self-employed, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs. Full details on all COVID19 supports for business are...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: On 19June, the Government, having considered the expert public health advice provided by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), approved the rephasing of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. Apart from some exceptions, most sectors have been brought forward to Phase 3, which began on Monday 29th June. Pubs and hotel bars operating as restaurants can open from 29th...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trading Online Voucher Scheme (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy will be aware that the Trading Online Voucher scheme is delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) on behalf of the former Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment as part of the national digital strategy.  On 8 April, the then Government announced amendments to the scheme, to address the challenges posed by Covid 19, intended to boost the numbers...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 employers have specific duties to ensure the safety, health and welfare at work of all employees. These duties include the employee’s workspace where employees are required to work from home and includes managing and conducting all work activities to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare those...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: IDA Ireland (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I understand that the Deputy is referring to a site that was sold - on the basis of a 999-year lease - by IDA Ireland to Continental Promotion International Limited in 1998. The company subsequently constructed a building on the site before it was dissolved in January 2016. The IDA retain the underlying residual freehold title of this site which...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has introduced a €12bn package of supports for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, the pandemic unemployment payment for the self-employed, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs. Full details on all COVID19 supports for business are...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 359 together. COVID-19 is already a reportable disease under various statutes. In the first instance, it was included as a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Diseases Regulations 2020. Any infectious disease pandemic is first and foremost a matter of public health, for which a legal basis already exists in Irish law under...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) will continue to be the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for anyone intending to start or grow a business.  The LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant State supports available through agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, Revenue, the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The National Return to Work Safely Protocol is the primary guide for businesses in making their assessments and adapting their workplace procedures and practices to comply fully with the COVID-19 related public health protection measures.  It sets out in very clear terms for employers and employees the steps that they must take firstly before a workplace reopens, and then while it...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Staff (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department’s HR policies and practices are governed by Circulars and guidance set centrally by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (DPER), including employment terms and conditions, and also Circular 4 of 2003 which promotes e-working in the Civil Service. During the current Covid-19 pandemic my Department is closely following the guidance that all those who...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Workplace Safety (30 Jun 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Health and Safety Authority has responsibility for the occupational health and safety of workers and those who may be affected by a work activity. The Authority is the lead agency in relation to the Return to Work Safely Protocol and in encouraging and checking compliance with the Protocol. In addition, as part of the whole of Government approach and to supplement the efforts of the...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Order for Second Stage (7 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (7 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to bring forward the Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020. This is the first Bill introduced into this House by the new Government. It is important legislation and forms part of the Government's efforts to help our smaller enterprises meet the enormous challenge presented by Covid-19. The purpose of the Bill is...