Results 32,541-32,560 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Brexit Preparations (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Government’s Brexit Readiness Action Plan sets out a broad range of changes that will occur from 31 December 2020, regardless of the outcome of ongoing EU-UK negotiations. It provides clear and concise advice on steps to be taken now by businesses and individuals in order to prepare for the end of the Transition Period. Enterprise measures in place include a €20 million...

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

Leo Varadkar: As part of Budget 2021, my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and Transport Eamon Ryan TD is introducing specific measures for taxi and hackney businesses. The Minister is providing funding to the National Transport Authority to enable it to waive annual vehicle licence renewal fees for 2021. In addition, Minister Ryan is allocating €15 million...

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

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 87 together. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unparalleled impact on businesses across the economy although it is evident that the impacts have not been felt uniformly across all sectors or cohorts. The PUP data which is released on a weekly basis can assist in analysing the impact of restrictions on employment and, by proxy, business. A...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Data Centres (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Officials in my Department liaise regularly with IDA Ireland in relation to enterprise policy, including data centres. Since the publication of the ‘Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Policy’, in June 2018, IDA Ireland has been promoting regional options for data centre investments. It has identified sites throughout Ireland...

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

Leo Varadkar: It is well known that Ireland is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in the pharmaceutical sector and in the broader life sciences sector. In recognition of critical work of those Irish-based companies, in early October I convened a series of short meetings with several of IDA Ireland’s biopharmaceutical client companies to hear about the crucial role they are...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: IDA Ireland (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 76 together. Counties Meath and Westmeath continue to be strong performers in terms of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). From 2015 to 2019, the number of IDA client companies based in County Meath increased from 16 to 19 with over 350 net new jobs added during this period. In County Westmeath, the number of multinational firms increased from...

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

Leo Varadkar: Details of the enterprise measure approvals made as part of the COVID -19 and Brexit supports available are updated weekly on my Department’s website at Budget 2021 provides a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors. The measures in the Budget are in addition to those...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Job Creation (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I am acutely aware of the loss and uncertainty that is felt by individuals, their families, and whole communities associated with business closure, downsizing and job losses.  In the case of Roche, the remaining 125 employees departed the site in Clarecastle in March 2020. The company provided significant assistance to employees in respect tosourcing alternative employment and many have...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future 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. The groups envisaged by the Programme for Government include an SME Growth Taskforce, to design a National SME Growth Plan that will map...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Industrial Disputes (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 75, 88 and 92 together. I extend my sympathies to the workers in Debenhams who have lost their jobs. I fully appreciate how difficult the situation is for those involved and their families. Many have been striking for over 200 days. Recently I, along with the Taoiseach and Ministers Troy and English have met with Debenhams employees and their union,...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Driver Test (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware that a number of Driving instructors recently took part in protests in Dublin and Sligo as a result of the impact of Covid-19 on instructors which restricts access to Road Safety Authority centres while students sit driving tests. While I understand the inconvenience this causes for individuals, I must emphasise that Ireland’s system of industrial relations is...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Sick Pay Scheme (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I have committed to introduce a statutory sick pay scheme for Ireland and this scheme will be designed in consultation with unions and employer groups. I have already begun discussions with these groups and I will be launching a full public consultation very shortly. I encourage employers, employees and unions to engage with this consultation and make their views known. The Government...

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

Leo Varadkar: On 20 October 2020, following reports of flooding caused by heavy rainfall in the South West region of the country, I announced the immediate opening of the Emergency Humanitarian Aid Relief Scheme to provide urgent funding to small businesses, community and voluntary organisations in the South West region which have been affected by flooding during the period commencing 19 October to week...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Data Centres (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: In June 2018, my Department published the ‘Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Policy’. It sets out the strategic importance of data centres to Ireland’s overarching enterprise policy and attracting foreign investment in the ICT sector. The Statement followed an agreement of the Government, in October 2017, to create a strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Company Liquidations (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Minister Damien English who has responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail and Minister Robert Troy who has responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation jointly met with employer and union representative bodies on the 4th of November to begin a discussion on the legislative provisions that deal with redundancy and insolvency from both a company law and...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Gift Vouchers (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for proposing this idea at what is a very difficult time for both consumers and businesses. I take it that the scheme referred to by the Deputy would guarantee gift vouchers issued by a business that went into liquidation or ceased trading. While the aim of enhancing consumer confidence in gift vouchers is understandable, the introduction of a scheme of this kind would...

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

Leo Varadkar: The Restart Grant Plus scheme which launched on 10 August 2020, is now closed to new applications since 31 October 2020. The scheme was aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures. The Scheme was available only to businesses operating commercially from a rateable premises within the Local...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Brexit Issues (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Brexit, in whatever shape it finally takes, will have a significant impact on the Irish economy and fundamentally change the way in which Irish businesses trade with the UK. Whatever the outcome of the EU-UK future relationship negotiations, the UK will leave the Single Market and the Customs Union at the end of December. The most immediate impact on businesses trading with Great Britain...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Company Law (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Company Law Review Group (CLRG) is a statutory advisory body charged with advising me on matters pertaining to company law. Its membership is broad and representative of key stakeholders who have expertise and interest in the area, such as employee and employer representative groups, the Revenue Commissioners, insolvency and legal practitioners and regulators. It is important to note...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Microfinance Loan Fund Scheme (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Microenterprise Loan Fund operated by Microfinance Ireland assists businesses with fewer than ten employees. It provides much-needed funding to help microenterprises meet payments for stock, working capital requirements and other overhead expenses through the provision of low-cost lending facilities. Microfinance Ireland provides vital support to microenterprises by filling the...