Results 6,381-6,400 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: In March 2020, the Employment Permits Section of my Department implemented a COVID-19 contingency plan to ensure that the employment permit regime could continue to operate throughout the crisis. Since 30th March, the employment permit system has been operating fully remotely and online. Operational practices have been adjusted to replace the paper-based elements of the service to allow for...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Future Growth Loan Scheme (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Future Growth Loan Scheme makes lending available to SMEs and small mid-caps (up to 499 employees) seeking financing for long-term strategic investment, including in response to the impacts of Brexit and COVID-19. The scheme was launched in 2019 and initially provided for up to €300m in long-term lending, however in July of 2020 it was expanded by €500m to make a total...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I understand this is an incredibly difficult time for families and businesses across the country and I would like to thank them for their efforts at this difficult time. By each of us following the spirit of the rules and working together we can hopefully ease some restrictions soon. S.I. No. 701 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) Regulations...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Public Holidays (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The legislation which provides for public holidays is the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. This Act provides that certain days may be prescribed as public holidays. At present, there are nine public holidays. An extra holiday has implications of a broad nature in terms of costs and productivity and has cross-government issues to be explored. Any proposal for the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Foreign Direct Investment (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together. IDA Ireland’s overseas teams and office network are vital to support the agency’s efforts in winning new Foreign Direct Investment across the world. From time-to-time IDA seeks to expand its global network of offices and teams. Many firms are looking to expand into new markets and Ireland is a proven location for global...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on businesses right across the country. It is a difficult time for Business owners, employees and their families. With this in mind the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS),...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Projects (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: My Department and I understand the importance of flexible working, which can encompass a wide variety of practices, including part-time, job sharing, remote working and compressed hours. Such solutions allow for tangible benefits for employees including improving their work/life balance. Flexible working also assists in the development of an inclusive society. My Department has not conducted...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Co-operative Sector (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is preparing a general scheme of a Co-operative Societies Bill. This Bill will consolidate and modernise the existing Industrial and Provident Societies legislation and provide an effective and robust legislative framework for the diverse range of organisations using the co-operative model in Ireland, including worker co-operatives. The Bill will support the co-operative ethos...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: IDA Ireland (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: IDA Ireland’s overseas teams and office network are vital to support the agency’s efforts in winning new Foreign Direct Investment across the world. From time-to-time IDA seeks to expand its global network of offices and teams.Many firms are looking to expand into new markets and Ireland is a proven location for global companies to grow and serve their customer base in the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I understand this is an incredibly difficult time for families and businesses across the country and I would like to thank them for their efforts at this difficult time. By each of us following the spirit of the rules and working together we can hopefully ease some restrictions soon. S.I. No. 701 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) Regulations...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Company Registration (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Registrar of Companies is a statutory role and the Registrar has administrative independence in the exercise of this function. I am informed by the Registrar that final figures are not yet available for February and March 2021. The revenues (€) received from company documents purchased for the other months requested are set out in the following table. December 2019 ...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Company Registration (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Registrar of Companies is a statutory role and the Registrar has administrative independence in the exercise of this function. I am informed by the Registrar that the amount paid to suppliers for the CRO digital Transformation project is €2,930,100, including VAT. I understand that the CRO receives a large volume of contacts and queries through a central helpline and also...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Company Registration (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Registrar of Companies is a statutory role and the Registrar has administrative independence in the exercise of this function. I am assured by the Registrar that the difficulties relating to the new IT system have now been addressed with the exception of a small number of issues which are being resolved on a prioritised basis. These include occasional issues arising for users who do...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together. I am acutely aware of the difficulties that these necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on all businesses right across the country. Business owners are making sacrifices in order to protect their communities. As you are aware, the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Legal Cases (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: There have not been any instances of litigation or the threat of litigation arising from the inclusion of social clauses in public procurement contracts by my Department during the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on businesses. With that in mind, the Government has put in place an unprecedented package to help businesses, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme, low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I am keenly aware that businesses are continuing to make massive sacrifices to protect their communities. With this in mind the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Small Business...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Local Enterprise Offices were created as a “first-stop-shop” for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports such as training and mentoring to those wishing to start or grow their own business. The LEOs offer direct grant aid to microenterprises, up to 10 employees, in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which, over time,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Economic Policy (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 187, inclusive, together. The Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor initiative is a collaborative project led by a network involving eight local authorities, North and South of the border, Dublin City University and Ulster University. I was pleased to have had the opportunity to take part in the launch of this initiative on 24 March along with the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Pharmaceutical Sector (31 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The COVID-19 Products Scheme was developed jointly by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland under the European Commission Temporary Framework that allows additional aid to be granted by EU Member States to companies that are developing or producing medicinal products and equipment used in the fight against COVID-19. Grant-aid under the scheme is available to eligible companies and IDA...