Results 31,921-31,940 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Flood Relief Schemes (10 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: TI announced the Emergency Humanitarian Scheme at the beginning of August to provide urgent funding to small businesses, community and voluntary organisations in the South West region and other areas which were affected by flooding due to heavy rainfall caused by Storm Ellen. With the continuation of the adverse weather conditions and the arrival of Storm Francis, following a Government...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Employment Rights (10 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that on 1st November 2019 a General Employment Permit application was received in respect of the named person (details supplied). On 20th February 2020, a General Employment Permit issued in respect of the person concerned. Under the Covid-19 Employment Permits Contingency Arrangements, published by my Department on 30th March 2020,...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Employment Rights (10 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The national Return to Work Safely Protocol, introduced in May, is designed to support employers and workers to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol sets out in very clear terms for employers and workers the steps that should have been taken before a workplace reopens, and as it continues to operate. It can be used in all workplaces in...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Health and Safety Authority is the lead agency in relation to overseeing compliance with the national Return to Work Safely Protocol. Between the period 18 May to 1 September the Health and Safety Authority completed 64 inspectionsof meat processing plant facilities (11of these were revisits), which include those connected with COVID-19 outbreaks. In the month of August alone, the HSA...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Trade Fairs (10 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I recognise the adverse impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on businesses right across the country, particularly those in the trade fairs and exhibitions industry. I know that employers, employees and the self-employed in this sector want to get back to work as quickly as possible and I support them in that ambition. Unfortunately, in recent weeks there have been multiple...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Business Continuity Voucher scheme was launched on 26th March. The purpose of the scheme was to provide expert guidance and advice to SMEs employing up 50 people and enable business owners make informed decisions about what immediate measures and remedial actions could be taken at the outset of this crisis, to protect staff and sales and eventually help the business recover. The scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (15 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Emergency Humanitarian Scheme which is overseen and funded by my Department provides urgent funding to small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations which could not secure flood insurance and have premises that have been damaged by recent exceptional weather events. I am informed through our liaison with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Restart Grant Plus is a key part of the government’s July Stimulus package, a €7.4bn package of measures designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of COVID-19. The actual or estimated commercial rates paid by a business form the basis of calculating the grant, rather than being a re-imbursement for the...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (15 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table below. Number of full-time staff by Job Title working with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as of 1 September, 2020  3 x Analyst-Investigator 5 x Case Officer 1 x Chairperson 1 x Consumer Contacts Executive 3 x...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Job Losses (15 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I can confirm that a meeting of the West Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Committee took place on the 8th September as scheduled. The meeting was chaired by Mr Peter Duggan, Acting CEO, Mayo Co. Council. The meeting was attended by a range of regional stakeholders including those representing enterprise and sectoral development agencies, the LEOs, the local authorities, the third level and...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Job Losses (15 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The decision by Aptar that it will close its facility in Ballinasloe is deeply disappointing. My primary concern, as always in these situations, is for the workers and families who have been impacted by this decision. Many of these workers have been with the company for many years. The Government will make every State support available to those affected in order to help them transition and...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: IDA Ireland (15 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The availability of marketable lands in advance of demand continues to be a crucial ingredient in the IDA’s capacity to compete for mobile foreign direct investment (FDI). Not only does such a supply of properties help the Agency to secure high quality jobs but it also allows projects to begin at an earlier date by diminishing difficulties associated with land...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The July Jobs Stimulus Package was designed to help businesses which haven’t reopened yet and those struggling to do so. We have listened to businesses and responded with a package of scale and speed to meet their most immediate needs. The Restart Grant Plus is aimed at helping micro, small, and medium-sized businesses with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Local Enterprise Offices (15 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for anyone intending to start or grow a business. My Department, through the LEOs, has continued to develop a range of supports to help local businesses in preparation for the challenges of Brexit In that regard, both the Louth and Meath...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: IDA Ireland (15 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: IDA Ireland owns approximately 11 hectares of industrial zoned land on the Sligo Road in Quignashee, Ballina. Planning permission was previously obtained in 2004 for its infrastructural development, although that subsequently expired in September 2009. The site has, however, been concept master planned by the IDA to help demonstrate its potential to investors. The Agency...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: IDA Ireland (15 Sep 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 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 and has...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The development and promotion of schemes to support incomes is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands Ms. Heather Humphreys, T.D.   While every effort is being made by this government to identify and develop supports that will benefit the widest spectrum of our communities, the primary...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has authorised the reopening of pubs which do not serve food (so-called "wet pubs") on 21st September next after discussions with NPHET subject to strict regulations on social distancing and hygiene. However, given concern over the incidence of COVID-19 in Dublin, and based on NPHET’s recommendations, the Government has agreed that "wet pubs" in the County should remain...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Departmental Projects (15 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I would advise the Deputy that the exchequer funding provided through the DBEI Vote is mainly to support the activities and programmes of the Department, its Enterprise and Innovation Agencies and its Regulatory Bodies and would not normally involve expenditure of over €1 billion. The Deputy will be aware of the recently launched €2 billion COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme....

Protecting Jobs and Supporting Business: Statements (16 Sep 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I welcome this opportunity to update the House on the Government’s work to protect jobs and support business during this pandemic. This is precisely my focus as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment: to lead our country through the economic crisis and to help people to get back to work. There are no rules and no manual for this crisis. It is a public health...