Results 601-620 of 4,707 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Forestry Sector (30 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I reiterate that the Government takes very seriously the need to make sure that all trees planted are contributing to the shared national vision for trees and forests, while delivering public good for the benefit of all people across the country. I wish to assure the Deputy that there is a robust and comprehensive assessment and public consultation process in place to ensure that all...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (30 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: The Deputy raises an interesting point. I think all of us have had a case or cases across our desk, or even had family exposure to such cases, involving cancer or orthopaedic care of treatment. It is always so much tougher when it is a treatment for a young person or child. Every day people leave the State to go for treatment. Many of them leave the State with the support of the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Forestry Sector (30 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank the Deputy for this topical question, which I will take on behalf of the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, who has responsibility for forestry. I appreciate this opportunity to also give an overview of the forestry licensing process. While I am not in a position to comment on individual applications for which the licensing process is ongoing, my understanding is that the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (30 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: The Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that the applications concerned have been returned to the applicant, together with a full refund of the application fee, as the documentation submitted did not comply with the legislative requirements. It is important to note that an application for an employment permit can only be submitted when the Labour Market Needs Test has...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Joint Labour Committees (30 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) are independent in their functions.If a JLC adopts proposals for an Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for a sector, it will submit them to the Labour Court for consideration. The Labour Court will then make a decision on the adoption of the proposals. If the Court decides to adopt the proposals, a copy is presented to me and, if I consider it appropriate to do...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (30 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: Over the last six years Enterprise Ireland has had to write off €54.2 million of equity investments.Enterprise Ireland have confirmed that the amounts recommended for write-off have been identified as uncollectable following Enterprise Ireland’s due diligence procedure. Traditionally, uncollectable amounts stem from company liquidation or dissolution. A subset arises from...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (30 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together. I will answer PQ's 4193/24 and 4194/24 together. The Employment Permits Section of the Department has provided the figures below showing the number of employment permits granted in 2022 and 2023 by nationality. This information is also available on the Department's website through the following link: Statistics - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Legislative Measures (25 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: In May 2022 a letter of formal notice was adopted by the European Commission in relation to Infringement INFR(2022)4021: Non-conformity of Irish legislation with the European Works Councils Directive 2009/38. The complaint alleged that rights under the Directive cannot be effectively enforced in Ireland. My Department responded to the case by meeting with the Commission and replying in...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (25 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: The Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that the General Employment Permit held in respect of the person concerned (in the details supplied) is due to expire on 14th November 2024. Renewal applications may be submitted 16 weeks prior to the expiry of the permit (in this case 14th November) or within the period of 1 month after the expiry date. It is important to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Consumer Prices (24 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank Senator Moynihan for raising this vitally important issue. I am through the gap of needing baby formula in our household, but it was not long ago that I absolutely empathised with those parents who are seeing the prices rise and rise. The Senator has raised some key issues that require a direct response, and I will get to that. Before I do, I will talk more generally about grocery...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Consumer Prices (24 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: We can definitely dig in a bit more on the general use of supermarket vouchers. I could easily have given her the response that just went into the merits of breastfeeding over formula, but apart from the fact that my wife would kill me-----

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Consumer Prices (24 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: -----I do not think that is any use to the discussion we are having. I do not think it realises the lived experience, for want of a better phrase, for many people. I think the issue of low-cost, generic formula may be teased out in parallel to this. The Government is obviously not going to get into the business of producing baby formula. However, the Senator is right that more than...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Business Supports (24 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I am grateful that Senator Cummins raised this matter. I appreciate his constant support and championing of businesses across the city and county of Waterford. It is understandable that many of those businesses are concerned about rising costs at the moment. At present, small businesses are facing several challenges due to rising energy costs, inflation and a tight labour market, which the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Business Supports (24 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: Dialogue has already started with local authorities on the increased cost of business scheme. The Department of housing and local government has been working with the Department since the budget was agreed to make sure the scheme is fit for purpose. I fundamentally agree with the Senator that a massive communications campaign is needed beyond the political narrative. We will ensure that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: Those are the statistics.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Bodies (23 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: The Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, Senator Seery Kearney, can share her notes with me if she likes. I thank Senator Malcolm Byrne, not only for raising this issue this morning but for doing so consistently throughout his time in the Upper House. The Senator is dead right. This is a really important issue for Irish businesses and inventors and so many people in Ireland and beyond who will...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Bodies (23 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: I think we were both involved in canvassing for the fiscal stability treaty in 2012 when we were fresh-faced councillors. I remember the research from that referendum. The two biggest issues of concern that came up were in respect of the fiscal compact treaty were abortion and conscription into an EU army. Those were of absolutely no relevance to the question being put to the people but...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (23 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: The 2023 Review of the Employment Permits Occupation Lists has delivered comprehensive changes to the employment permits system, with changes to 43 occupations eligible for either a General Employment Permit or a Critical Skills Employment Permit. A report which summarises the changes introduced following the review of the occupations lists can be found on the Department’s website....

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Industrial Disputes (23 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: At the outset, it is important to emphasise that Ireland’s system of industrial relations is essentially voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes between employers and workers rests in the first instance with the employer, the workers and their representatives. This dispute is essentially a matter for the company and its employees to resolve. I,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Flood Relief Schemes (23 Jan 2024)

Neale Richmond: The Emergency Humanitarian Flooding scheme is available to businesses with up to 20 employees, (whole-time equivalents), community, voluntary and sporting bodies that through no fault of their own cannot secure flood insurance. For the purpose of this scheme a small business is defined as one with up to 20 employees (whole-time equivalents). The business premises must have been damaged by...