Results 5,001-5,020 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Skills Development (8 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) is the independent body tasked with advising the Government on the current and future skills needs of the Irish economy. Its Secretariat is based in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. As part of its 2021 work programme, the EGFSN undertook a study on the nature and quantity of skills required between now and 2030 to deliver on...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to speak about Covid-19 and the recently-announced new restrictions. This is only my second time to address the Twenty-sixth Seanad. I am pleased to do so, and look forward to doing so again soon. When I spoke here last, in April, we were reopening the economy after a very difficult start to the year following the very severe Alpha wave....

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: It states, "Vote Emer Currie No. 2"

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Senators for their contributions. Storm Barra was mentioned at the outset and the Government has been informed that a number of businesses incurred water and wind damage as a consequence of the storm. Most companies will be covered by their insurance but where companies were not able to get insurance, they will be eligible for financial aid from my Department. We have restructured...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: -----rather than saying we are not doing enough here maybe to do the same in Northern Ireland. That might help to take away some of the arguments for a better scheme here south of the Border. On the tips Bill, the intention is we will have transparency on service charges. Restaurants or anybody imposing a service charge will have to say what is done with it and whether it goes to staff or...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Foreign Direct Investment (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together. IDA Ireland continues to retain a freehold interest in the property referenced above, located at Knockanrawley, Tipperary Town. I am advised that the IDA was recently made aware that activities being carried out at the property may be in breach of the user clause contained within the 999-year leasehold interest which formed part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Protected Disclosures (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: In the period 2018 to 2020 five issues have been raised with my Department under The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 in relation to my Department or bodies under its aegis as protected disclosures. The matters raised were dealt with in accordance with my Department's Protected Disclosures Policy, including referral to other Government Departments where appropriate. In accordance with section...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Social Enterprise Sector (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: My Department does not provide funding for the social enterprise sector. Funding matters in respect of the social enterprise sector are a matter for my colleague Ms. Heather Humphreys TD., Minister for Rural and Community Development.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Schemes (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: This Government is committed to introducing a statutory sick pay scheme and work is well underway in this regard. Any move to introduce a statutory sick pay scheme must be balanced with the need to support the viability of the business and enterprise sector, thereby protecting jobs. My Department undertook a full public consultation, reviewed international best practice, and formed an...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (7 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware the public health response to COVID-19 is constantly monitored, including approaches to testing, contact tracing, isolating, outbreak management, surveillance and sequencing. From the outset of Covid-19, many employers have taken the initiative, in line with subsequent requests from the Government, to be as flexible as possible in allowing staff time off to look...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I will certainly take it up with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. We may well need to expand the capital budget of Irish Water so it can get more work done around the country. It has been expanded already. Initial indications suggest that Irish Water will underspend its capital budget by...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I received a briefing about it a week or so ago, but it is probably out of date at this stage. I will certainly talk to Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte about it, as she is the Minister of State with responsibility in this area. I will ask that she takes whatever necessary action is required to maintain and retain these important...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I am not an expert in the field at all, but what the Deputy said is concerning. The pattern of development in Dublin is unusual. It is almost as a low-rise city in the centre and it is increasingly becoming high-rise city around the M50 ring, which runs through the Deputy’s constituency and mine. Logic would suggest that some of the equipment would be in the M50 area to the west of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I have not yet sent my letter, a Cheann Comhairle. On the Deputy’s question, I want to give him an assurance, and an assurance to the families and children of Ireland, that this matter is in hand. Santa, his wife and his staff are fully vaccinated and they will be exempt from any travel restrictions that have to be imposed between now and then. My Department will leave no stone...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: On Deputy Munster's query, there are ongoing delays at the Passport Office that we are all familiar when it comes to the processing of passports. The Department of Foreign Affairs is taking on additional staff, although there are some issues with people working from home, which is making a little bit more difficult. However, additional staff are being taken on to speed the process up. We...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I want to acknowledge that even though the Government has not closed any hospitality businesses, hotels, restaurants or bars, nor have we advised against international travel, the reality is that the public health advice has caused people to behave in a certain way, which is the way we have asked them to behave. I hate the word "behave"; perhaps "act" is a better word. That has had a...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The EWSS may not be the best way to do it, but we will do something for sure.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: What has happened is that people have heeded the advice they received from the CMO and the Government. They are reducing their social contacts and, as a result, they are cancelling bookings in restaurants and pubs, attendance at events in bars and travel. In many ways, that sector, which has been the worst, hardest and longest hit, is now, once again, taking a hit for the team. That is why...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: We need to make sure there is no dead weight and that is what we are working on at the moment.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Dec 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I can do so. There is an initial allocation in the budget of €40 million for next year and, if that is needed and spent, then more can be found. We are not going to have a situation whereby we set up a scheme in the first few months of next year, get it up and running in the spring and summer and then tell people in the autumn it is being suspended. That is not going to happen. If...