Results 36,621-36,640 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Jobs Data (27 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: In the first half of 2022, IDA Ireland, the inward investment agency of the Irish Government reported significant investment growth, returning FDI employment creation plans to above the pre-pandemic 2019 record levels, despite a continuing challenging global environment. 155 investments were won, with associated employment potential of over 18,000 jobs, up 9% on the same time in 2021. 73 were...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Trade Relations (27 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: In the course of my role as Minister, I frequently meet with other Ministers for Trade, either bilaterally or at Trade Councils. I met Ambassador Tai to discuss trade matters in a bilateral virtual meeting that took place in May 2021 in advance of a meeting of the EU Trade Council. USTR Tai also attended the aforementioned Trade Council via videoconference in May 2021 where an informal...

Financial Resolutions 2022 - Financial Resolution No. 6 – General (Resumed) (28 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on budget 2023. I am sharing my time with the Ministers of State, Deputies English and Calleary. This is my third budget as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. In these three years, we have experienced many ups and downs. From Brexit to Covid restrictions to soaring inflation, we live in interesting...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Cybersecurity Policy (28 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Driving the digital transformation of enterprise, and in particular among SMEs is a central objective of the National Digital Strategy, Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework. Digital technologies have the power to transform small businesses, opening up new opportunities, increasing productivity and efficiency, and building resilience. In line with the National Digital...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It is one that is of enormous importance to thousands of families across the country. I think all of us will know from our constituency services of cases of people and children who have had to wait a very long time for their assessment of need. I am sorry to hear of the case the Deputy raised and hope Uisneach is getting the support he needs now....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I absolutely guarantee that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is leading the way on this and is committed to working with the Government as a whole to make improvements in this area. There are a lot of additional financial resources for disability. The total budget for the year coming is going to be €2.4 billion, with €11 million or €12 million being provided...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: It is disappointing it seems to be the Deputy's approach to anything, rather than coming up with a solution or ideas and detailing them to set out what he would actually do.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: Instead, the solution is just Sinn Féin.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: It is pretty narcissistic.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I acknowledge that the housing shortage is an enormous challenge facing our country and people of all age groups, but particularly young people. It is the case that Ireland is a country with high homeownership. Some 60% or 70% of people own their own homes. That is a good thing. However, that is not the reality for people in their late 20s and early 30s, when it used to be. Probably only...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I have heard suggestions or allegations that there are still quarries producing defective materials. If that is the case, it needs to be dealt with, but the relevant authorities will need evidence of that. I am not sure if that is being provided to the relevant authorities. As the Deputy knows, any criminal prosecutions are not a matter for Government. We are a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy mentioned in his contribution, the moratorium on disconnection applies to the end of February for the vast majority of customers and to the end of March for the most vulnerable. Ideally, it should apply to everyone. Thinking through the Deputy’s question, it is difficult to know how one would apply that in the case of pay-as-you-go customers just because of the nature...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy makes a fair point. It is something that I can undertake to examine in conjunction with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys. We need to find a mechanism to protect pay-as-you-go customers. It is gas bills in particular that will present a difficulty over the next few months. We...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Harkin for raising this important question and raising SUH again in the Dáil. She has raised this matter many times in the House and has spoken to me offline about it as well. According to the HSE this morning, there are seven patients on trolleys in the emergency department in Sligo, but it has been much higher on other and, indeed, in recent days. I acknowledge the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. As I mentioned in my earlier reply, a winter plan is being developed. There will be a bespoke winter plan for Sligo, taking into account not only the hospital but also the community services in the wider area. Diagnostics can help quite soon. I know from bitter experience, both as a doctor and Minister for Health, that patients very often must wait a long time in...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Sep 2022)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. When I think about this issue, I do not just think about the financial scandal; I also think about the human impact of it, the 16,000 families affected and particularly the 25 families who have lost their homes. What we see today is a €100 million fine, the largest ever imposed on any bank, in addition to €180 million paid in compensation by the bank. To...