Results 5,201-5,220 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Climate Change Policy (20 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: My department is leading the transition to a low carbon green economy across the Irish enterprise base. We are integrating climate action into all aspects of the Department and its agencies’ activities. New jobs will emerge in the green economy in sectors such as renewable energies, environmental consultancy services, residential and commercial retrofitting and low carbon technology...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Universal Basic Income (19 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to ‘Request the Low Pay Commission to examine Universal Basic Income, informed by a review of previous international pilots, and resulting in a universal basic income pilot in the lifetime of the Government’. Earlier this year, I formally requested the Low Pay Commission to examine this issue. The Low Pay Commission has...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Defective Building Materials (19 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: On and from 1 July 2013, under Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 (known as the Construction Products Regulation or the “CPR”), CE marking became mandatory for all construction products placed on the market in the European Economic Area for which there exists a harmonised European product standard.  The CPR provides for Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Flexible Work Practices (19 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: My Department published ‘Making Remote Work’, the National Remote Work Strategy on January 15th, 2021. The objective of the Strategy is to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits. The report is built on three pillars which are bolstered by underpinning conditions. These pillars are:...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Industrial Development (19 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Ireland’s enterprise policy – Enterprise 2025 Renewed – was refreshed in March 2018 to ensure that policy remained robust in the face of then-emerging changes in the global landscape.  Subsequently, Future Jobs Ireland was published in 2019 setting out further enterprise policy ambitions to ensure resilient enterprises and jobs into the future with a focus on...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Offices (19 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Office space for my Department and its Offices is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by the OPW on our behalf. Therefore, my Department does not own, purchase or rent office space. My Department works closely with OPW colleagues to ensure that the provision of such office space is appropriate, fit-for-purpose and every effort...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Offices (19 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Accommodation for my Department and its Offices is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by the OPW on our behalf. The Department does not own any properties and we fully utilise the accommodation provided by the OPW. Typically, the Department and its Offices are tenants in shared accommodation, either with other Government...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Working Groups (19 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Details of groups and forums led or chaired by my Department which include representatives from private companies or industry representative bodies are set out in the attached tables.   Note that my Department does not remunerate members of the groups listed, with the exception of the Low Pay Commission whose members do receive remuneration. Civil and public service members of some...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: There is a delay, unfortunately, but it is still anticipated that approximately 60,000 homes will be passed this year. Work is happening with the contractor to try to speed up and regain lost ground over the next couple of years. There were issues with Covid and delays in getting the necessary licences for poles and ducts from local authorities. National Broadband Ireland had difficulty in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: We have not made any decision yet on the planned easing of restrictions on 22 October. We will do that during the early part of next week, probably on Monday or Tuesday. We will have more data and a better read on the epidemiological situation by then. However, no decisions have yet been made in that regard. We will have to consider matters as we see more data over the next few days. ...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I cannot confirm that, but I will see the Minister this afternoon. I will let him know that the Deputy raised the matter and ask him to revert to the Deputy directly.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: There have been many changes to and real reforms of the NAS and its service model in recent years. The service works more like a fleet now than a series of bases. Often, the ambulance that is nearest to the person is the one that is sent regardless of the distance from the base. The budget provides an additional €8.3 million for investment in the NAS. That will continue to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I would like to join the Deputy in welcoming the significant package for women's health contained in the budget, which includes real funding to implement the national maternity strategy. That is a strategy I was privileged to be part of drawing up when I was Minister for Health. A new scheme providing free contraception to women aged 17 to 25 will be set up next year. It is a start and...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I will ask the Minister, Deputy Harris, to take a look at that. This is the first student grant increase in 11 years. Not only is there an increase in the grant but the budget is making the eligibility limits bigger so that more families qualify and there is a change around the distance. I am not across the exact detail of that but I will ask the Minister to see if there is anything we can...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The legislation to outlaw fur farming in Ireland is progressing and I understand it will be brought to the Cabinet by the end of this month or perhaps early next month with a view to getting it enacted in this House before the end of the year. There is provision for compensation for the farms that are being forced to close for obvious reasons. I do not have any more information on that but...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I do not have an update on that. I have not seen the report and it has not come to the Cabinet yet but I will make enquiries with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and get back to the Deputy with a further answer later in the week.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I confirm that is the intention of Government but we need primary legislation to put a new scheme on a statutory footing. If we cannot get that done in time we intend to continue the existing arrangements on an administrative basis if possible. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to confirm that but that is my understanding of the position.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: This issue is ongoing. It has been going on for too long at this stage and is causing difficulties for a lot of people. Unfortunately I do not have an update on it but I will ask the Minister for Finance to talk directly to the Deputy and brief him on the state of play.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Sure.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Oct 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I am afraid I do not know but I will ask the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to contact the Deputy directly on that. It is welcome that the budget made another specific allocation to hospice and palliative care, which will be welcomed by all of the House. That money will be paid before the end of the year.