Results 10,501-10,520 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Foreign Policy (21 Jun 2022)

Damien English: The IMS-EUMS Directors' General Conference referred to by the Deputy was held on 10 June 2022. Meetings between NATO International Military Staff and the European Military Staff are attended only by the staff of the respective institutions. Members States do not participate directly. The Military Staff is part of the General Secretariat of the Council. It is composed of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (23 Jun 2022)

Damien English: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that, on 11 January 2022, a General Employment Permit application for the person concerned (in the details supplied) was received. On 25 May 2022 the application was refused. The refusal reasons included the following: The manner in which the advertisements were placed on the Department of Social Protection/EURES Employment...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Government Reform (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: I am glad to have a chance to address Senator Victor Boyhan on the important issue raised today around increasing the participation of women and diversity in local government. It is essential and I am delighted to be able to respond on behalf of Minister of State, Deputy Burke, who successfully brought his proposal through Cabinet yesterday in relation to maternity leave, which should have...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Government Reform (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: As I described, a range of measures are being taken to promote gender balance and diversity in local government, including supports through local authorities for women’s caucuses and political parties. Like the Senator, I recognise all those who have been involved in promoting this, whether in the Department, local government, the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, or any of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Employment Rights (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: I thank the Senator for the opportunity to provide an update on the position regarding a letter of formal notice that was adopted by the European Commission on 19 May 2022. The case concerns European works councils and the transposition of the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act 1996. The 1996 Act provides for the establishment of a European works council, or other...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Employment Rights (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: The question as set out asked me what departmental processes are involved in this. The Department's involvement with the EU Commission is a process and that is exactly what I have updated the House on. To be very clear again, the Department's position is that the provisions of the 1996 Act, as amended, meet the requirements of the directive. That is our opinion as a Government and a Department.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Employment Rights (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: There is currently no evidence to support an assertion that the rights afforded to special negotiating bodies and European works councils under the statutory provisions mean there is a lack of access to justice or an absence of dispute resolution mechanisms concerning their rights. However, we will engage with the European Union, as we do. Departmental officials will continue to engage with...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: It is good to be back in the House again to discuss this important legislation. I thank the Cathaoirleach for facilitating the debate. The issue of the definition was discussed in both Houses on a number of occasions previously. I understand the concerns that have been raised, and the Senator's amendment reflects those concerns. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, also raised the...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: Amendment No. 3 makes a minor but useful change to the Minister's power to set the number of sick leave days by order. As originally formulated, it would have required the Minister to specify the number of additional days to which employees would be entitled. This amendment means that an order can now simply specify the overall number of days of statutory sick leave. This reduces the risk...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: I thank Senator Gavan for giving me the opportunity to have this conversation and discuss the issue again. Others have also tabled amendments. The Senator quoted what Deputy Bruton said on Committee Stage. I participated in that debate and we had a good lengthy discussion on many amendments and the Bill. It was a worthwhile discussion and we teased through the issues. We introduced some...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: This legislation is not just because of Covid. Certainly, Covid is forced on our minds in the context of the Bill. One of the first discussions I had when I became a Minister of State was on a Bill of this nature. It has been recognised for a long number of years that Ireland does not have a statutory sick pay scheme. Therefore, Covid or no Covid, it is an important move in the right...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: I understand the general purpose of the amendment and the case put forward by the Senator in the context of his son. Amendments Nos. 6 and 7 aim to alleviate the financial strain on lower-paid employees who do not benefit from having a medical card or a GP visit card. However, while I understand the intent of the amendments, it is important that there are safeguards for employers. With...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: That is something on which we want to work. According to the Senator, Ireland is a low-pay economy. That is not true or reflective. I accept that approximately 7% or 8% are on the minimum wage.

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: We are committed to moving to a living wage, as are some of the Senator's colleagues. A move towards a living wage is provided for in the programme for Government. That will be a positive journey but, again, it is a cost that will affect the creation and protection of jobs. We have to get that balance right, too. It is important to recognise that, in the context of the minimum wage and a...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: I did acknowledge the example put forward by the Senator in respect of his son. We have had plenty of discussion on this in both Houses. I ask him to acknowledge that the Government is bringing in a new statutory sick pay scheme. Today, a worker who is sick may not get payment. People go to a doctor for more than one reason. They do not just go there to get a medical certificate; they...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: I remind the Senator that what we are starting here is a payment for three days. It kicks in after that. It will move to ten days in the next couple of years, as committed to by my party and the other parties in government. I am not sure what Sinn Féin would do. It has a very different view when it comes to creating and sustaining jobs. I will not go into that today. The Government...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: I hope the Senator’s son is better. I hope he is not still sick. To be very clear on this - there is no sick pay legislation in place at the moment. There is no statutory sick pay scheme. I ask the Senator to perhaps acknowledge that we are improving the situation. It is not the case that there is no financial gain and there is only a loss on the first day. That is not true.

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: The Senator quoted the prices charged by GPs. The cost involved in attending a GP or obtaining a medical certificate differs throughout the country. I do not agree with the Senator at all that somebody is at a loss on the first day. That is his assertion, and it is reflected in the figures he is putting forward. New new employment legislation has been brought forward, which is a positive...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: In case there is any doubt, the point made by Senator Burke is that this legislation is beginning of a statutory sick pay scheme. It is not and cannot be about access to or the cost of health services. That is a separate discussion. We both agree that there is improvement needed in respect of access and the cost of health services, but that is completely separate from the debate on this...

Seanad: Sick Leave Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 Jun 2022)

Damien English: I will try to cover most the points raised. I had a note on some of the points made earlier but, for the life of me, I cannot find it, so if I do not answer some of the Senators' points, I ask them to throw them back at me and I will try to come back on them. I do not where I put my note. Before turning to the amendments, an issue was made earlier of amendments not being accepted by the...