Results 32,221-32,240 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

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

Leo Varadkar: I can assure the Deputy that both Enterprise Ireland and the IDA have been very active in County Kerry. Supporting balanced regional development is a core objective of the Government and of Enterprise Ireland.In 2019 4,828 people were employed in the 122 Enterprise Ireland supported firms in County Kerry and in the period 2017-2019, Enterprise Ireland paid €12.2 million to...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Remote Working (15 Oct 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As our country continues to navigate COVID-19, remote working is now more important than ever. I recognise the potential benefits that increased remote working options can bring to our society. As a primary response to COVID-19, my Department launched a new webpage dedicated to providing guidance for working remotely. This webpage is a central access point for all of the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Redundancy Payments (15 Oct 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I can confirm that Minister of State Damien English, who has responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail met with ICTU in August where they outlined proposals concerning the treatment of collective agreements. Minister English responded to ICTU on 10th September confirming that he would consider the matter with myself and Minister Troy with a view to exploring the proposal and any...

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

Leo Varadkar: I am acutely aware that restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19 continue to affect activity across many sectors. SMEs, particularly in the employment intensive non-traded sector, have been disproportionately affected by the crisis. While Multinational companies remained relatively resilient, reinforcing the importance of FDI to Ireland, international competition for FDI is...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Pharmaceutical Sector (15 Oct 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Irish pharmaceutical sector is internationally recognised as a global leader in the production of highly-regulated and complex pharmaceutical products for supply right across the world. Ireland is home to 9 of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies and the sector directly employs over 34,000 people but is also responsible for many more jobs in the economy. The sector generates...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Industrial Disputes (15 Oct 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Taoiseach, Ministers Troy and English and I have met with Debenhams employees and their union, Mandate to hear their views and concerns about the liquidation of Debenhams Ireland. I would urge all parties to reflect and resume engagement towards a fair resolution. Debenhams is insolvent and the liquidation is proceeding under the supervision of the High Court. The Government cannot...

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

Leo Varadkar: To assist business to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Enterprise Ireland is working with client companies, through the Sustaining Enterprise Fund, to support the stabilisation of their business so that they can undertake a developmental programme focused on recovery and growth. Through this fund, Enterprise Ireland provides funding for companies who have been impacted...

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

Leo Varadkar: COVID-19 has presented undeniable challenges to our ongoing efforts to sustain and grow indigenous and 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 Ireland and Enterprise Ireland engages with investors, resulting in fewer numbers of site visits and client meetings. ...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Budget 2021 (15 Oct 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I have engaged with the Minister of Finance and Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the 2021 budgetary priorities. My focus in particular on building on the measures in the July Stimulus Package. I want to help small businesses in particular to navigate the months ahead, which will be challenging, and help get as many people as possible back to work. The July Stimulus...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Brexit Supports (15 Oct 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Government is focusing on the businesses that could be worst affected by Brexit, such as those in agri-food and small exporters. This week's budget announced a series of measures and additional funding to help businesses get prepared for 1 January. We want to help them to retain their market in Britain and to open up other markets, a task that is made all the more difficult by Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Brexit Preparations (15 Oct 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Since the onset of Brexit, a key focus of Enterprise Ireland has been to assist companies prepare for Brexit by addressing key readiness issues and to support them to innovate, be competitive and to diversify their global footprint. These are key attributes required to be resilient to economic shocks, such as Brexit. In 2019 Enterprise Ireland’s client companies reported exports of...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Industrial Disputes (15 Oct 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Aer Lingus has announced their intention to restructure the business in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. I fully understand the difficulties this may bring to workers, their families and their localities, during an already challenging period. I am aware that constructive engagement with senior representatives from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection took place to...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Industrial Disputes (15 Oct 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Taoiseach and Ministers Troy and English and I have met with Debenhams employees and their union, Mandate, on a number of occasions to hear their views and concerns about the liquidation of Debenhams Ireland. The government fully appreciates how difficult the situation is for those involved and their families. All relevant state agencies are working in a coordinated way to support...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (15 Oct 2020)

Leo Varadkar: This Government places SMEs and micro-enterprises centre stage in many areas of our Programme for Government, given the critical role which SMEs and micro-enterprises have always played in the economy and will play in the recovery as the “backbone” of our economy and as key drivers of employment. Our enterprise policy gives significant attention to ensuring that our...

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

Leo Varadkar: I am acutely aware that until a COVID-19 vaccine or treatment is widely available, the necessary responses to protect public health will continue to impact economic activity. I would remind the Deputy that much has already been done to assist enterprises through the crisis. Ireland came through the initial economic shock with unparalleled levels of State intervention aimed at...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Government made the decision that from midnight on the 6th of October, all remaining counties were to be placed on Level 3 for a period of 3 weeks until midnight on 27th October 2020, at which point we will again review the situation, based on the status of the virus and public health advice. I understand that these restrictions will have a significant impact on businesses and...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Industrial Disputes (15 Oct 2020)

Leo Varadkar: AWAITING REPLY FROM DEPARTMENT.

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (15 Oct 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department and its agencies are working continuously to address the under-representation of women across the enterprise sector. Increasing female participation in enterprise is a vital way to grow the diversity and strength of our indigenous business sector. In order to optimise all available skills and talent throughout the country, Enterprise Ireland, which is under the remit of my...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 71 together. I intend to introduce an SI in early November to bring in new Biological Agent regulations in line with the European Union Directive (EU) 2020/739. These new regulations require employers to carry out a Biological Risk Assessment in locations where there is an occupational risk of exposure to SARs-CoV-2 (the virus that causes the...

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

Leo Varadkar: AWAITING REPLY FROM DEPARTMENT.