Results 1,361-1,380 of 1,995 for speaker:Joe Flaherty

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: With regard to pricing, supermarkets are geared towards driving prices down. What are the prices like this year in comparison to last year's? Have the supermarkets acknowledged the increased challenges as regards labour and energy costs or have they persisted with the incessant downward pressure on prices?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: How much of an increase has there been in percentage terms?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: They are 5% off where they need to be.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: That is 5% off viability, is it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: We are in single digits like that and down to about 100 growers. With a move of one or two percentage points more, we would probably lose a lot of growers, would we not?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: Has Mr. McCormack seen anything in the strategy for horticulture that gives him comfort with regard to price or the involvement of supermarkets?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I have one final question. Will growers be able to access the minimum wage-related supports for small businesses announced in the budget?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: It is based on a rebate of rates, similar to what was offered through the Covid supports.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I apologise for not being here earlier. I had to go the Chamber. I have two questions and Ms Robinson may have already answered them. The IFA flagged something related to the horticultural support scheme. What was the rationale for the exclusion of the white mushroom producers and a large number of the strawberry producers from the scheme?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I can appreciate that but the growers who were before the committee tell us that their viability is very much challenged and that they are only a certain percentage points off viability. Is there an opportunity to revisit this policy or is it set in stone?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: What monetary supports do the fruit producers get?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: And the strawberry producers then specifically?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: Thank you.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: On Mr. McCormack's staff, he probably brings in the same people every year. Will he give us a bit of background information on his staff situation?

Investment in Healthcare: Statements (19 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: In discussing health and the health budget 2024, it is important we stand back from the media spin and the claims of the Opposition. Spin has never cured a patient and will not aid any recovery. The reality is we have seen unprecedented investment in health. The budget for 2024 will be €22 billion, up 80% on the €13.2 billion in 2015. It is an extraordinary increase by any...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (19 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: 140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the total allocation of capital grants (devolved capital grant and the further education capital grants) to the Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45529/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (19 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: 154. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way his Department is acting to support the workforce and talent development of Irish SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45530/23]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Business Supports (24 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: 237. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will examine a bespoke scheme for the challenged horticulture sector as we move to the increased €12.70 minimum wage (details supplied). [46668/23]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (24 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: 238. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update and timeline for the seasonal work permit scheme, given its introduction is crucial to the horticulture sector as Ireland moves to the €12.70 minimum wage. [46669/23]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (24 Oct 2023)

Joe Flaherty: 356. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who was forced to stop working 20 years ago, now aged 61 years and in receipt of a local authority pension of €294 per week is eligible for the household benefits package. [46240/23]