Results 35,321-35,340 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to speak about Covid-19 and the recently-announced new restrictions. This is only my second time to address the Twenty-sixth Seanad. I am pleased to do so, and look forward to doing so again soon. When I spoke here last, in April, we were reopening the economy after a very difficult start to the year following the very severe Alpha wave....

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: It states, "Vote Emer Currie No. 2"

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Senators for their contributions. Storm Barra was mentioned at the outset and the Government has been informed that a number of businesses incurred water and wind damage as a consequence of the storm. Most companies will be covered by their insurance but where companies were not able to get insurance, they will be eligible for financial aid from my Department. We have restructured...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: -----rather than saying we are not doing enough here maybe to do the same in Northern Ireland. That might help to take away some of the arguments for a better scheme here south of the Border. On the tips Bill, the intention is we will have transparency on service charges. Restaurants or anybody imposing a service charge will have to say what is done with it and whether it goes to staff or...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Foreign Direct Investment (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together. IDA Ireland continues to retain a freehold interest in the property referenced above, located at Knockanrawley, Tipperary Town. I am advised that the IDA was recently made aware that activities being carried out at the property may be in breach of the user clause contained within the 999-year leasehold interest which formed part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Protected Disclosures (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: In the period 2018 to 2020 five issues have been raised with my Department under The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 in relation to my Department or bodies under its aegis as protected disclosures. The matters raised were dealt with in accordance with my Department's Protected Disclosures Policy, including referral to other Government Departments where appropriate. In accordance with section...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Social Enterprise Sector (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: My Department does not provide funding for the social enterprise sector. Funding matters in respect of the social enterprise sector are a matter for my colleague Ms. Heather Humphreys TD., Minister for Rural and Community Development.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Schemes (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: This Government is committed to introducing a statutory sick pay scheme and work is well underway in this regard. Any move to introduce a statutory sick pay scheme must be balanced with the need to support the viability of the business and enterprise sector, thereby protecting jobs. My Department undertook a full public consultation, reviewed international best practice, and formed an...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware the public health response to COVID-19 is constantly monitored, including approaches to testing, contact tracing, isolating, outbreak management, surveillance and sequencing. From the outset of Covid-19, many employers have taken the initiative, in line with subsequent requests from the Government, to be as flexible as possible in allowing staff time off to look...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Research Funding (8 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Government established the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) in 2018 as one of four National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027 Funds under Project Ireland 2040. It is aimed at encouraging collaboration and innovation in the development and deployment of disruptive technologies, on a commercial basis, targeted at tackling national and global challenges. It is managed by my...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Research Funding (8 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) was established in 2018 to encourage collaboration in the development and deployment of disruptive innovative technologies, on a commercial basis, targeted at tackling national and global challenges. It is managed by my Department with administrative support from Enterprise Ireland. DTIF focuses on the ability of Irish enterprises to drive...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Skills Development (8 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) is the independent body tasked with advising the Government on the current and future skills needs of the Irish economy. Its Secretariat is based in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. As part of its 2021 work programme, the EGFSN undertook a study on the nature and quantity of skills required between now and 2030 to deliver on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for her question. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 here in March 2020, the Government has sought to save as many lives and as many livelihoods as possible. The early introduction of the temporary wage subsidy scheme, TWSS, and its longer term successor, the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, provided immediate assistance. This was followed by many targeted measures for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I will certainly examine that. If more resources and staff are needed, we will provide them. I accept the Deputy's point that it can be difficult for people to work through the redundancy process. Some of us have experience of it, but it is more complicated than people may think. The Deputy's point is well made in that regard. On the number of people on the PUP, at its peak there were...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I will certainly talk to the Secretary General at the Department about that and see if it can be done. One might say that what is happening in the economy is a bit peculiar. We are facing a pandemic, yet in the face of that pandemic the economy is growing very rapidly. There are 2.4 million people at work. We think that next year there will be more people at work in Ireland than ever...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Wholesale and retail energy costs, electricity and natural gas, have risen significantly over the past year, primarily driven by the market price for natural gas internationally. The global natural gas price appears to be rising because of a combination of international geopolitical factors, lower than usual reserves and regional supply chain and weather issues. Increased oil prices are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I do not recall seeing that particular email but I will ask my private secretary to pull it out for me and I will take a look at it today or tomorrow. That is a huge increase from 6 cent to 25 cent. For any business facing that sort of increase in energy costs it will be very serious and very severe. I will take a look at it. Obviously responsibility for energy and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I draw the attention of the Deputy and businesses to the new climate toolkit for business which we will launch tomorrow. It is a toolkit that will highlight the help available from the Government, financial educational training and expertise. Assistance is available from local employment offices, Enterprise Ireland, the SEAI, Irish Water, the EPA, IDA Ireland and others to help businesses...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I think I said I was sceptical as to the need for additional restrictions, particularly ones that would impact on family life and businesses and so on. I will maintain a healthy scepticism around that as Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment. I hate to see any business being closed or being restricted. As Minister for employment I very much hate to see anyone...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: In fairness, anybody who takes part in these engagements will say that there are very valuable. We do them in different ways. There is the hospitality and tourism forum, which is co-chaired by me and the Minister, Deputy Martin. It very much engages with the representative bodies in that sector and there are many of them. Unions are also represented there, as they should be. The Minister...