Results 21,961-21,980 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Other Questions: Brexit Supports (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: The Brexit loan scheme is a loan guarantee scheme for eligible businesses with up to 499 employees that need relatively short-term credit to address working capital challenges brought about by Brexit. It enables eligible Irish businesses to overcome temporary cashflow issues that might otherwise have adverse effects in the long term. The purpose of the scheme is to support businesses...

Other Questions: Brexit Supports (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: As already stated, there have been 151 applications to the SBCI. Some 132 applications have been deemed eligible to seek loans under the scheme. They can proceed to one of the participating finance providers, which as I said are Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank and AIB. Approval of loans is subject to the finance providers' own credit policies and procedures. To date, ten loans have been...

Other Questions: Consumer Protection (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I will take some of it.

Other Questions: Brexit Supports (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: The work carried out by the Government on preparedness at all levels and all outcomes is well advanced, focusing, in particular, on trade with Britain. Brexit presents the most significant economic challenge of the past 50 years for businesses in all parts of the country and my Department and its agencies are working hard to ensure firms that potentially will be impacted on are taking the...

Other Questions: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Data (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: Organisational reforms in the ODCE were commenced in 2012 by the current Director of Corporate Enforcement upon his appointment in order to enhance the capability of the office to investigate complex breaches of company law and to ensure a more efficient and effective use of its resources.  These reforms include reorganising the structure of the office and recruiting additional...

Other Questions: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Data (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: On the report into the shortcomings identified by Judge Alymer, my Department sought the advice of the Attorney General on this document. My Department is considering that advice and it is important that the account is in line with fair procedures, due process and natural justice. I intend to publish the account very shortly. On the funding of the ODCE, the funding allocation in 2017...

Other Questions: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Data (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: To which Bill did Deputy Quinlivan refer?

Other Questions: Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Data (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: Work is under way on these Bills and I expect that the legislation in question will be forthcoming in the near future. We are doing much work to tackle white-collar crime and it is important that this work is done. We have taken a range of measures and the Government is committed to ensuring that this new ODCE agency will be created in keeping with international best practice, including its...

Other Questions: Economic Growth (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: The reports to which the Deputy refers help inform us to support our enterprise base and help it grow. I prefer to talk about the benefits of a strong all-island partnership. The national development plan contains a full chapter on that. It is a question of building partnership. It is not a question of barriers or using language that inflames. I am from the Border area and I can tell the...

Other Questions: Economic Growth (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: The economies of Ireland and Northern Ireland are closely connected. An open border has allowed industries of all types to develop in both jurisdictions without constraints. I have had the privilege on a number of occasions during the past year of meeting with some of the enterprises that operate smoothly and successfully on an all-Ireland basis. We know how important the ease of this...

Other Questions: Economic Growth (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I emphasise the Government is fully committed to the Good Friday Agreement, the principle of consent and the institutions that were established at that time. The need to address economic business development matters on the whole island was recognised and resulted in the establishment of InterTradeIreland, the cross-Border trade and development body. InterTrade Ireland is one of the six...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for his question. Ireland’s overall competitiveness performance remains positive. Our improved fiscal position and increased cost competitiveness have contributed to Ireland’s improved international competitiveness. This improvement is reflected in a range of metrics, notably economic growth, increased employment, falling unemployment and a strong trade...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I am conscious of the issues relating to competitiveness. We are at full employment, the public finances are stabilised and Ireland is the fastest growing economy in Europe but we cannot become complacent. We need to ensure that companies are competitive and that their productivity levels are high. The foreign companies here invested in research and development and innovation and their...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Economic Competitiveness (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: Rebuilding Ireland is working. The total number of new homes built in 2017 increased significantly to 14,500, an increase of 46% on the previous year. This figure continues to rise. The CSO confirms that 75% more homes came on the market at the end of 2017 than at the end of 2015. In the first quarter of 2018, approximately 3,500 homes were built. This report is in regard to Dublin but,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Labour Market (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: We are developing apprenticeship schemes in all areas of the economy and there have been a huge number of calls in respect of different sectors. In fact, I am familiar with a number of cases where industry has come together with the education sector to develop the apprenticeship courses that are required. They start off with traineeships and then develop into full apprenticeships. These...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. On his question about why a portion of his question was sent to another Department, I cannot answer that and I do not know. I presume it was a decision made in the Ceann Comhairle's office. Co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-departmental co-ordination structures chaired by the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: EI and InterTradeIreland Brexit advisory clinics focus on priority areas for contingency action in financial and currency management, strategic sourcing, customs, transport and logistics. There is also a customs and logistics component of EI's Brexit: Act On Initiative, which involves the provision of independent consultants to client companies for two half-day sessions. This is designed to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: As I said, contingency planning across Government for a range of Brexit scenarios is well advanced. Co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-departmental co-ordination structures chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Contingency planning for a no-deal or worst case outcome is well advanced and is focused on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Labour Market (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Access to a high-quality, innovative and adaptable talent pool is critical for the sustainable growth of the Irish economy and keeping Ireland competitive. While skills policy is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Skills, my Department supports the work of the expert group on future skills needs, EGFSN, which plays a key role...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Labour Market (10 Jul 2018)

Heather Humphreys: There are nine regional skills fora across the country. They are engaging with industry to ascertain the needs. With regard to the work permits, which are the responsibility of my Department, I need evidence before we can issue them for certain sectors. In the area of agriculture, the horticulture sector was issued with 500 permits. The meat-processing sector got 250 permits and the...