Results 31,641-31,660 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ministerial Responsibilities (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together. My Department is working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to agree the details of functions to be transferred to my Department, in line with the Taoiseach’s announcement of changes to Department structures. This will inform the delegation of functions to the Ministers of State in my Department. I will request the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Correspondence (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I understand the critical role SMEs must play in the national recovery and I welcome all suggestions and inputs such as these proposals referred to by the Deputy. The Government listens carefully to all such suggestions and will consider them as we develop responses to the crisis and put our economy on the path to recovery. Indeed, previous suggestions by this group, such as an SME and State...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I am acutely aware that COVID-19 has brought particular challenges for retailers - large and small, across the country. In order to assist businesses to address the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Government has put in place a comprehensive suite of supports for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Jul 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, the reopening of most sectors was brought forward to Phase 3, which began on Monday 29th June. This includes theatres, concert halls, music venues and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The national Return to Work Safely Protocol should be used by all workplaces to adapt their procedures and practices to comply fully with the necessary COVID-19 public health measures identified by the HSE and the Department of Health. It operates in parallel with existing statutory workplace health and safety requirements. The Protocol clearly sets out for employers and employees the steps...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 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 available at:...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Scientific Research (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Innovation 2020, the national strategy for research and innovation, recognises that for Ireland to become a Global Innovation Leader, our research and innovation system must be open with strong international collaboration links. Membership of leading international research organisations is an important mechanism for facilitating this engagement. For this reason, the Government gave a...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Support Services (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As stated in the Programme for Government, we will bring forward a July Stimulus shortly to support our economy and help restore employment. Our focus is to support the viability of the business and to get people back to work as quickly as possible in all sectors including the hospitality sector. Helping our SMEs is central to this, given their pivotal role in the economy and employment. The...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Records (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department informs me that they have been and will continue to engage with Ms Kelly on her request for information regarding her social insurance record. The most recent contact with Ms Bridget Alice Kelly was by email on Tuesday 7 July 2020. The Department will continue to engage and provide information to Ms Kelly. In the event records cannot be located, we will work with the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 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 available at:...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 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 available at:...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Health and Safety Regulations (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, stated in the answer to Parliamentary Question No. 872 of 30 June 2020, window restrictors are products that are required to be installed in dwellings where a window has an opening section through which a person may fall, (having particular regard to children under five years of age), and is more than 1400 mm above external ground...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has responded swiftly to the needs of businesses since the onset of Covid-19 earlier this year. The COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme offered through the SBCI is broadly accessible to Covid-19-impacted SMEs and small-mid caps (businesses of fewer than 500 employees). Of the approximately 3,000 eligibility applications to date, only 15 have so far been deemed ineligible. This...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Jul 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, the reopening of most sectors was brought forward to Phase 3, which began on Monday 29th June. Pubs and hotel bars operating as restaurants have been...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will know, the sector referred to in the question relates to the policy responsibility of another Minister but I am happy to outline my position on how best to assist enterprises in the current circumstances and into the future. Some of the provisions already available include: - the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment for all employees and the self-employed who have lost...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Foreign Direct Investment (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Recent global developments – both as a result of Brexit and of the COVID-19 pandemic – have undoubtedly had an impact on international foreign direct investment (FDI). The challenges presented by Brexit are well-documented. The IDA has been working hard with its client base to help address and mitigate any risks faced by overseas companies already located here. The...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: In a few short months, Ireland has gone from a position of record employment to record unemployment and faces an unprecedented challenge in terms of getting people back into employment. The Department of Finance’s Stability Programme Update (SPU) published in April indicated that employment is projected to fall substantially with approximately 220,000 jobs being lost this year. The...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Over the coming months I look forward to working with my EU counterparts both bilaterally and at meetings of the European Council of Ministers in its Employment and Social Affairs, Competitiveness, and Foreign Affairs -Trade configurations. Under the German Presidency we will debate a wide variety of topics at each Council aimed at supporting Member employment policies and enterprises,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Priorities (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department will be developing its Statement of Strategy, in consultation with its many stakeholders, in the coming months and within the required time-frame of 6-months. A core objective of the Department will be to contribute to the formation of an ambitious and effective National Economic Plan. The Department’s leadership across a number of Government strategies, including...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Since I took up the role of Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, my focus has been on preparing the July Stimulus Package which will be radical, of scale and far-reaching. Not only must we overcome the current challenges, but we must also look ahead and set our economy on the right course for the future. Already there are some welcome signs of improvement in business activity...