Results 31,661-31,680 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 95 together. Ireland's overall export performance over the last 10 years has been marked by year-on-year growth with total exports of goods and services reaching further record levels of €366Bn in 2019. While the UK is and will remain a major market for Irish companies, expanding the Irish export footprint in markets beyond the UK is a...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Microenterprise Loan Fund (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The COVID-19 Loan, available from Microfinance Ireland (MFI), was introduced as a support to microenterprises to help them access funding arising from the COVID-19 crisis. These loans are available for eligible microenterprises responding to Covid-19-related difficulties, the negative impact of which must be a minimum of 15% of actual or projected income or profit. Loans up to...

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

Leo Varadkar: My Department through its agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, is working with manufacturing and internationally traded services companies across Ireland to build scale, innovate and expand reach - key attributes required to be resilient to economic shocks such as Brexit and COVID-19. At the start of 2020 as the Enterprise Ireland entered the final year of its strategy, client...

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

Leo Varadkar: My Department is committed to creating the environment which supports the creation of new enterprises throughout the country and thereby generating employment in every region. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of a National SME Growth Plan that will map out an ambitious long-term strategic blueprint beyond COVID-19. In that regard, I will soon be announcing the...

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

Leo Varadkar: COVID-19 has presented undeniable challenges to our ongoing efforts to sustain and grow foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ireland. The introduction of travel restrictions around the world is already, for example, disrupting the typical way in which the IDA engages with investors, resulting in fewer numbers of site visits and client meetings. The pandemic has also impacted investor confidence...

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

Leo Varadkar: As our country approaches a new normal, remote work is more important than ever. If implemented correctly, it can stimulate regional growth, support the transition to a greener economy, reduce business costs and improve employees’ work-life balance. However, for this to be possible, the necessary supports must be in place for business and employees to reap its benefits. This is...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOV) is a scheme which forms an integral part of the National Digital Strategy. In that context, my colleague, Minister Eamonn Ryan, Minister for Communications has responsibility for policy matters related to the scheme including the eligibility criteria and funding. Nevertheless, in recognition of the increased demand for the scheme as a result of...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Government has already 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, repayable advances, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs. As Tánaiste and Minister for...

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

Leo Varadkar: Brexit, in whatever shape it finally takes, will have a significant impact on the Irish economy and fundamentally change the trading environment for businesses trading with the UK. My Department undertook a 2018 report entitled "Strategic Implications for Ireland arising from changing EU-UK trading relations" which examined the implications of Brexit for the Irish economy and trade. ...

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

Leo Varadkar: I brought proposals to Cabinet yesterday, which were approved by Government, for the priority drafting of proposed amendments to the Companies Act 2014 to take account of the continuing impact of Covid-19 on our economy. The proposed amendments to the Companies Act follow extensive engagement by my Department with the Company Law Review Group (CLRG) and are designed to help companies...

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

Leo Varadkar: As stated in the Programme for Government, we will bring forward a Jobs Stimulus this month to boost our economy and help restore employment. Helping our SMEs is central to this, given their pivotal role in the economy and employment. This July Stimulus will extend, enhance and add to the existing measures totalling €12 billion in supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses already...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As stated in the Programme for Government, we will bring forward a Jobs Stimulus this month to boost our economy and help restore employment. This July Stimulus will extend, enhance and add to the existing measures totalling €12 billion in supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses already announced. The Restart Grant was launched on 22 May 2020 and is a critically important tool to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: On 5 June, the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme was extended by the then Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform to31 August 2020. Businesses re-opening, who were not previously registered for the scheme, can now apply to join the scheme, provided they meet the relevant eligibility criteria. The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme will be available to employers who keep employees on the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: In response to recognised business needs at that time, the Business Continuity Voucher (BCV) scheme was launched on 26th March last. The BCV Scheme provided up to €2,500 in consultancy costs, to develop short and long-term strategies to respond to the initial pandemic and to plan for the eventual recovery and reopening of the economy. The purpose of the scheme was to provide expert...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Company Liquidations (15 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The case in question is a court-supervised liquidation, subject to oversight of the High Court and accordingly is sub judice. The procedures for liquidations are set out in Part 11 of the Companies Act 2014. In general terms, a company is permitted to initiate a winding up where it has complied with the requirements of the Companies Act 2014. A company, both during normal operation and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government identifies a number of groups which will be led by Government in shaping the engagement of enterprise and SMEs in the formulation of the policy responses at the different stages of the recovery. These include an SME Growth Taskforce, a time limited body that will design a National SME Growth Plan mapping out an ambitious long-term strategic blueprint beyond...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government provides for measures to assist in the formulation of policy responses at different stages of the recovery. These include the formation of an SME Growth Taskforce, a time limited body that will design a National SME Growth Plan mapping out an ambitious long-term strategic blueprint beyond COVID-19. This Plan will be brought to Government for approval as part of...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 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. My Department has developed a range of proposals which I have brought to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has developed a range of proposals which I have brought to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment for consideration. These proposals, along with others from Ministerial colleagues, will be developed and adjusted further for the Government’s consideration of an ambitious stimulus package which will be announced shortly. It would be inappropriate to set...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I very much agree with Deputy Doherty that the tourism, hospitality and travel sector is a significant part of the economy. A quarter of a million more people are working in that sector, which is very dependent on travel, both international and domestic. It is a sector that was hit hardest first and will probably be affected the longest as a result of this pandemic. While people running...