Results 4,861-4,880 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Government is aware of the issue. It is complicated because it depends on the contract. Some contracts allow provision for inflation and some allow claims to be made for additional cost, while others do not. We have run into an issue around school-building where contractors tendered for a certain amount, believing they could build a school for that amount and make a reasonable profit....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I do not have it in front of me but there was some revised NIAC advice today on that issue. When it comes to the third or booster dose, they are working down through the age cohorts, from 50-somethings through 40-somethings and 30-somethings and then those aged 16 to 29. We are saying to pharmacists and doctors to use common sense and discretion and, if they have...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: If this was simply a matter of money, political will or compassion, it would have been solved a long time ago. I know of the major efforts that have been made in recent years to improve the situation, whether it is sending children to Germany and England, or new theatres and additional funding. There are periods during which it has been improved, and waiting lists have been shortened, but...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I beg the Ceann Comhairle's indulgence to allow me to wish a merry Christmas, a restful break and a prosperous new year to everyone in the House, including all the staff and anyone who may be watching at home. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for his stewardship, leadership and the extent to which he has maintained order in this House in the past year. I also thank all the Members and the Houses...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I understand three new centres will commence operation in the coming weeks; Richmond Barracks, the RDS and one in Cork city centre. Drogheda is not currently on the list but I agree with the Deputy that it is a very large town. Indeed, the entire south Louth and greater Drogheda area has a population of well in excess of 50,000, if not more. Perhaps it is an appropriate place for a centre....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: It is planned to bring in a vacant property tax in the budget, so it will, in essence, be legislated for this year and will most likely be applied from 2023. Revenue is collecting data at present as part of the current revaluation to find out why places are vacant. There is not very accurate data on how many vacant properties there are or why they are vacant. They can sometimes be vacant...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. I am sorry to hear those stories. I know so many people who work in the night-time economy and they had been looking forward to a very different Christmas one where they could do their job, practise their art and maybe make a little bit of money for Christmas and for the year ahead. They now find themselves in a very difficult position. We want to make sure those...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: There needs to be some controls and some checks and balances.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: This is ultimately taxpayers' money. As the Deputy will know from the published reports, there have been very large overpayments of the PUP and there has also been fraud related to it. This is taxpayers' money and we must ensure we minimise that. Among the checks and controls is asking people to show evidence that they were self-employed. Anyone who is self-employed makes PRSI class S...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: -----but I hear what the Deputy is saying. There are people who work in the night-time economy and who have had the devastating news in the past few weeks that that sector of the economy is being shut down again until we do not know when. We need to make sure they get the money they need to get through Christmas and thereafter. I will certainly take this up with the Minster, Deputy...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. On behalf of the Government, I reiterate that reducing the scoliosis waiting list and the spinal surgery waiting list is a priority for Government. It is important to say the HSE's service plan for 2022 has not yet been approved or published. The HSE is aware of the level of priority the Government, and indeed all parties, attach to this issue. The Minister for Health...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Cognisant of what the Ceann Comhairle said, I am not going to make any particular remark about any particular company or any particular individual. What I can say in the round is that it is my view that companies that have recorded substantial profits this year or are in the position to pay substantial dividends should refund the money they received under the employment wage subsidy scheme,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. More than €6.6 billion has been provided under the EWSS comprising of direct subsidy payments of €5.729 billion to companies and PRSI forgone of just under €1 billion. It has helped to protect approximately 700,000 jobs in 60,000 companies. The legislation incorporates important safeguards to ensure that it is correctly claimed by companies....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue today. I am very conscious that in discussing this matter, there are families who have been deeply impacted and who are deeply hurting. Anyone who has read or listened to the reports on the issue is going to be shocked and upset by what has happened. Certainly, when I read about it, I was horrified that this could have happened. I even...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: As I mentioned, the Minister of State and the Government are keen to see the full report published. The HSE has taken a view that this cannot be done and that only the executive summary can be published, and that is being done today. The Minister of State is engaging with the Attorney General to see if it can be published. That is certainly our preference. If it cannot be published in...

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

Leo Varadkar: My Department does not have any function in monitoring the price of diesel and petrol products. The price of petrol and diesel is determined by a number of factors including taxation, the price of the raw materials, the prevailing exchange rates as well as the fact the different wholesalers can enter into forward contracts at different rates for the purchase of oil. The price of fuel on...

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

Leo Varadkar: The number of State Boards and the number of positions on each board under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, is set out below in tabular form. I'm informed that the Department and its Agencies do not collect data on disabilities at board level but only at organisational level. State Board/Agency Number of Positions on Board ...

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

Leo Varadkar: IDA Ireland is focused on winning investment for regional locations such as Kerry. The IDA Ireland Strategy 2021-2024 contains a target of 800 investments over the period, 400 of which will be outside Dublin. Each region has its own individual target over the strategy with the South West Region (Kerry and Cork) having a target of 118 investments. IDA Ireland has been working in a very...

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

Leo Varadkar: Central Pharma announced in December 2018 plans to establish an EMEA accredited contract packaging and supply centre at the IDA’s Advanced Technology Building in Tralee. I understand that the company subsequently experienced some delays in progressing their plans, including in relation to the Covid-19 restrictions which delayed work on the site. I am told that regulatory...

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

Leo Varadkar: IDA Ireland is committed to building a new Advanced Technology Building in Tralee. IDA is continuing to engage with stakeholders to seek a suitable site for this proposed building. Securing planning permission and the construction of the building will take time, but it is intended that the building facility will be delivered during the life of the current IDA Strategy to 2024. The advanced...