Results 10,021-10,040 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (9 Dec 2021)

Damien English: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 172 together. Applications for Employment Permits have seen a significant increase over the course of the year. As of the end of November, some 24,058 applications were received, representing a 62% increase over the same period in 2020 (14,846) and a 40% increase on 2019 (17,101), which itself represented an 11 year high in applications. My...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (9 Dec 2021)

Damien English: The Government has worked to support businesses through these challenging times with a wide range of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, business continuity and trading online grants, COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, the Future Growth Loan Scheme, commercial rates waivers and warehousing of tax liabilities. Details of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (9 Dec 2021)

Damien English: My Department, through Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices, offers extensive assistance to new start-ups. In the first instance the Local Enterprise Offices act as a ‘first stop shop’ providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business. The Local Enterprise Offices provide a...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (9 Dec 2021)

Damien English: The Government has worked to support businesses through these challenging times with a wide range of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, business continuity and trading online grants, COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, the Future Growth Loan Scheme, commercial rates waivers and warehousing of tax liabilities. Details of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Job Creation (9 Dec 2021)

Damien English: While the past two years has taught us that the future is unpredictable, this Government is working at both national and regional level to ensure that enterprises are well positioned to benefit from opportunities that will arise over the next five years. I recently visited the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Kildare, and I was encouraged by the variety of industry within the county,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Dec 2021)

Damien English: Universal and equitable access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines, diagnostics and treatments is crucial in the global fight against COVID-19. International Trade is a competence of the EU under the Treaties and in exercising that competence, the European Commission engages fully with the Member States, including Ireland, through a variety of Committees and Working Parties/Groups,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (14 Dec 2021)

Damien English: The Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that a General Employment Permit application in respect of the individual (details supplied) was received on 30thNovember 2021. Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order. Employment Permits Section are currently processing standard applications received on 17th August 2021. Applicants can keep track of current...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Consultations (14 Dec 2021)

Damien English: The Government has agreed to a timed amendment to the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021. This will allow time, as has been outlined on the floor of the Dáil, to examine the issues carefully and to ensure that all stakeholders are consulted. A consultation process will commence as soon as possible and will involve engagement...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Job Losses (14 Dec 2021)

Damien English: The Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes a number of obligations on employers who are proposing collective redundancies, including an obligation under section 9 and 10 to engage in an information and consultation process with employees’ representatives and to provide certain information relating to the proposed redundancies. Section 11A of the Act provides that, where an employee...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (14 Dec 2021)

Damien English: In March 2020, an Employment Permit COVID 19 Contingency Plan was implemented, with the Employment Permit Section moving seamlessly to a totally remote working environment. Conscious of the impact of COVID 19 on enterprises, my officials have endeavoured to be as flexible as possible within the legislative framework of the employment permit system. The feedback received from enterprise...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (14 Dec 2021)

Damien English: On 14 June 2021, following a review of the employment permit occupation lists, changes to the employment permit system were announced, to address skills and labour shortages in the healthcare and nursing home sector. Following this review the occupation of Nursing Auxiliary or Assistant (Health Care Assistant) in hospital/nursing home settings became eligible for an employment permit from...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Industrial Relations (14 Dec 2021)

Damien English: The Government agreed to a timed amendment to the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021. This was to allow time, as has been outlined in the Dáil, to examine all the issues carefully and to ensure that stakeholders - including retired workers themselves, trade unions, employers, industrial relations bodies, the Departments of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (14 Dec 2021)

Damien English: In order to work in the State all non-EEA nationals require a valid employment permit or relevant immigration permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality which allows them to reside and work in the State without the requirement for an employment permit. Applications for employment permits, including renewals, may be submitted online via the Employment Permits Online System...

Seanad: TRIPS Waiver: Motion (15 Dec 2021)

Damien English: I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this motion. I thank Senator Higgins and her colleagues for tabling the motion on the TRIPS waiver. I know it is something the Senator has genuinely worked on for a long period. I recognise that and it is well recognised around the House that her work on this matter is genuine. We can see from the support shown by her colleagues right across the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Public Sector Pensions (15 Dec 2021)

Damien English: The Government agreed to a timed amendment to the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021. This was to allow time, as has been outlined in the Dáil, to examine all the issues carefully and to ensure that stakeholders - retired workers, including retired ESB workers, trade unions, employers, industrial relations bodies, the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Public Sector Pensions (15 Dec 2021)

Damien English: The Government agreed to a timed amendment to the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021. This was to allow time, as has been outlined in the Dáil, to examine all the issues carefully and to ensure that stakeholders - including retired workers themselves, trade unions, employers, industrial relations bodies, the Departments of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Dec 2021)

Damien English: The Government continues to support businesses and employers through these challenging times and recognises the impact that the new measures will have on sectors, in particular, sectors such as hospitality, the arts and entertainment, and the night-time economy. With this in mind, on Friday the 3rdof December we announced a package of financial interventions for the hospitality, events and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Dec 2021)

Damien English: The Government continues to support businesses through these challenging times and recognises the impact that the new measures will have on sectors, in particular, sectors such as hospitality, the arts and entertainment, and the night-time economy. With this in mind, on Friday the 3rdof December we announced a package of financial interventions for the hospitality, events and entertainment...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Dec 2021)

Damien English: Universal and equitable access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines, diagnostics and treatments is crucial in the global fight against COVID-19. International Trade is a competence of the EU under the Treaties and in exercising that competence, the European Commission engages fully with the Member States, including Ireland, through a variety of Committees and Working Parties/Groups,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Health and Safety (16 Dec 2021)

Damien English: Between the 1January 2021 and the 10December 2021, the Health and Safety Authority completed 253 inspections of meat processing plants, of which 250 inspections were unannounced. Health and Safety Authority inspections are predominantly made without prior notification, however in some exceptional circumstances prior notification may be appropriate, for example, in support of Public Health...