Results 35,961-35,980 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Policies (6 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to "request the Low Pay Commission to examine universal basic income, informed by a review of previous international pilots, and resulting in a universal basic income pilot in the lifetime of the Government". Last year I formally requested that the Low Pay Commission examine this issue. To inform its considerations, the Low Pay Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Official Travel (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I visited Saudi Arabia from 12 – 15 November 2021 as part of an Enterprise Ireland-led trade mission to the Gulf region. The trade mission was organised by Enterprise Ireland and had the participation of 60 Irish companies and organisations. Irish business-to-business interests are growing in the Gulf region. Exports by Irish companies to the UAE and Saudi Arabia in 2020, even against...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Government is committed to introducing a statutory sick pay scheme. The Sick Leave Bill is intended to provide a level of protection to workers who may have no company sick pay schemes and cannot afford to miss work. The Bill has been published and is available on my Department’s website. Taking account of the current economic climate the initial period covered by employers will...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Programmes (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: On February 9th, Minister Paschal Donohoe and I attended the launch of the Irish Innovation Seed Fund Programme in Tangent on the TCD campus. The programme will provide vital venture capital to innovative Irish companies at seed stage and is an important step in developing and growing the Irish equity ecosystem. Totalling €90 million, the programme is made up of a €30 million...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Redundancy Payments (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 67 and 74 together. My officials have been monitoring the situation carefully and have been working closely with the Department of Social Protection in order to assist affected employees during this difficult time and we will continue to be as responsive as we can to the issues as they unfold. During this period of uncertainty, I am glad to report...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: National Minimum Wage (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I acknowledge the cost of living is rising rapidly and that those on lower incomes are being disproportionately affected. In relation to the minimum wage, since its establishment in 2015, the Low Pay Commission has been responsible for making annual recommendations to Government on the appropriate rate of the National Minimum Wage. Since the establishment of the Low Pay Commission,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Brexit Issues (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 164 together. Brexit has fundamentally changed the trading relationship between Ireland and the UK and will continue to impact that trading relationship. The focus of Enterprise Ireland is on supporting clients to adapt and succeed in a post-Brexit environment, sustaining existing export sales and accelerating the diversification of Irish exports. ...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Living Wage (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has been clear in its belief that a legacy of the pandemic must be better pay, terms and conditions for everyone, but particularly for those on low pay. We are committed, therefore, to honouring the Programme for Government commitment to progressing to a living wage over the lifetime of this Government. In doing so, we need to recognise that many businesses have been badly...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: In Budget 2022, this Department allocated €31.8m to fund the Local Enterprise Offices, which represents a 5% increase in funding from 2021. The additional funding provided will allow each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices to enhance the role they play in supporting local and regional development. The Local Enterprise Office, South Dublin, has been allocated €907,798 for...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Official Travel (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 41 together. I visited Saudi Arabia from 12 – 15 November 2021 as part of an Enterprise Ireland-led trade mission to the Gulf region. The trade mission was organised by Enterprise Ireland and had the participation of 60 Irish companies and organisations. Irish business-to-business interests are growing in the Gulf region. Exports by Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Foreign Direct Investment (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: IDA Ireland’s property investment is aimed at supporting economic development and job creation across IDA’s, Enterprise Ireland and local LEO’s respective client base. It is essential that regions and counties such as Mayo have competitive, sustainable property offerings to enable the attraction and retention of investment and jobs. IDA Ireland has publicly committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Flexible Work Practices (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Government knows that many workers place huge social value on workplace flexibility, and remote working plays a central role in enabling that increased flexibility to support a better work/life balance. There has been a significant long-term shift in attitudes to remote work amongst both employers and workers throughout the country. The Government is committed to increasing remote work...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I fully appreciate the distress the situation with P&O is causing for the affected workers. Ireland has a strong suite of employment rights legislation to protect workers. It applies to workers – national and non-national - on board Irish registered ships. As I understand it, the general rule in relation to ships that are not Irish registered is the flag state, the state where...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Company Closures (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I once again extend my sympathies to all employees and subcontractors of Roadbridge who have been impacted by these developments and I know this news is very concerning for all involved. Enterprise Ireland has been in regular contact with the company including engaging in discussions with the acting CEO of Roadbridge and the Receiver to investigate whether any Roadbridge contracts can be...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Job Losses (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: In May 2021, Teva announced that Tosara Pharma located in Baldoyle would cease manufacturing at the end of 2022 with the loss of 130 jobs. Tosara Pharma has been manufacturing Sudocrem at a 33,000 sq.ft manufacturing plant, since 1984. The site activities include manufacturing, packaging, quality, and shipping of Sudocrem to global markets. Tosara Pharma manufactures a high-volume,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Projects (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy will be aware that Enterprise Ireland has to-date approved funding to 68 projects under the three calls of the Regional Enterprise Development Fund 2017 – 2020 (REDF) and a further 11 projects under the Border Enterprise Development Fund 2020 (BEDF) on behalf of my Department. I am very conscious that over the past 2 years there has been a significant increase in costs...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Energy Prices (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Rising energy prices was one of a number of factors that drove a rise in inflation since mid-2021. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked further energy price increases and brought unprecedented volatility to international energy markets. This is feeding through to retail price increases for all households and businesses. I understand that these rising costs, including fuel...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Living Wage (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I have acknowledged the pressures people are feeling as the rate of inflation and the cost of living increases. I know these costs are increasing rapidly and that those on lower incomes are being disproportionately affected. When considering increases in the National Minimum Wage during a period of inflation Government must be is conscious of the need to avoid second round effects....

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Regional Development (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The appointment of a Regional Manager for the South-East Region is an operational matter for IDA Ireland, though I understand the recruitment process for the position of IDA Regional Manager for the South East Region is currently underway. I am also informed that the IDA Team in the South-East Region is, on a temporary basis, reporting to the Department Manager- Regional Development.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Regional Development (7 Apr 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Regional development is at the centre of the IDA’s current 2021-2024 strategy, Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth. The Agency will target half of all investments (400) from 2021- 2024 to regional locations and maintain the same high level of investment as targeted in their previous strategy for each region of the country. There are currently no vacancies at Regional Director...