Results 6,541-6,560 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: This is probably more a question for the Minister for Health than a question on promised legislation. We are confident that we have done enough to ensure that schools are safe. So far, the return to school has been successful but, of course, more could be done in future. The Deputy will know from the plan that was published by Government two weeks ago that ventilation is a matter to which...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I extend my condolences to the Nkencho family as well. I have spoken to them in person and to their solicitor. I have also been in contact with the Minister for Justice and the Garda about this matter. It is my strong view that there needs to be an independent inquiry into the death of George Nkencho. The way we do that is through the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Government is committed to education and to improving education in Ireland at all levels over the coming years. Education is the great leveller. It raises people up, gives them opportunities and allows them to learn more, earn more and build a better life for themselves and their children. That is why I am proud to have been a member of governments that introduced two years of free...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy. Vision is one thing. I believe everyone in this House shares a vision about education. I have gone through some of the things we have done to widen access to education and to improve education over recent years. There is, however, a difference between vision and practical action. Practical action requires more than a motion of one or two pages. If the leaving...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I am pro-European too and a big supporter of the European project and European integration, but like the Deputy I do not believe that necessarily means one cannot criticise the European Commission on occasion, and perhaps this is one of those occasions. I very much support the fact that we took the decision to adopt a common European approach. I was Taoiseach during the first wave of this...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The provision for export bans exists and Italy has started down that road. I understand there is going to be a meeting of Heads of State and Government to discuss vaccines quite soon but I do not know the date for that. Tá an clár vacsaíne faoi lán sheol. Tá an chéad dáileog faighte anois ag formhór an lucht cónaithe in ionaid chúraim...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for again raising this important matter of insurance. The Government is pursuing its action plan on insurance reform. The objective of that action plan is to make insurance more available for people and businesses and to reduce the cost of premiums charged to people and businesses for motor insurance, home insurance, public liability insurance, employers liability...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I do not speak for the insurance industry. Perhaps Deputy Doherty does. He is very keen to quote the representatives of that industry on any occasion. I do not speak for the insurance industry. Perhaps the Deputy does, but I do not. The personal injury guidelines were announced at the weekend. I do not know if the Deputy's contention that they will become law in two weeks is true....

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: S.I. No. 701 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 and S.I. No. 4 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 () clearly sets out the temporary restrictions under Level 5. A list of essential services can be found at and the list of essential retail outlets at...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (11 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. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (11 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. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Job Creation (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The table below shows employment in agency client (IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta) companies in County Cork over the period 2011-2020. Over the period 2011 to 2020, 25,792 total net jobs have been created in agency client companies in County Cork. Employment data for 2021 is not yet available. The Deputy may wish to consult CSO figures for a broader...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (11 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: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Today (March 11th) I announced that applications are now being received by Local Authorities for phase 1 of the new €60m small business assistance scheme. The aim of this scheme is to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes such as CRSS and is designed to help with fixed costs e.g rent, utilities and security. Wholesalers,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Enterprise Ireland has approved grant funding to start-up micro-breweries, alcohol enterprises and or distillery businesses as follows: 2020 2019 2018 Grand Total €1,873,843 €976,471 €609,678 €3,459,992 Local Enterprise Offices have approved grant funding to start-up...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Insurance Costs (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I recognise that the cost of insurance, particularly the impact of high claim pay outs, is a major issue for consumers and businesses. I welcome the adoption by the Judicial Council on the 6th March of the new Personal Injuries Guidelines. The Minister for Justice intends that the new Guidelines will apply to all cases that have not yet been assessed by PIAB. This approach will ensure that...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (11 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: As Irish enterprise navigates the impact of COVID-19 and Ireland’s new trading relationship with the UK, my Department’s 2021 focus will be on building a resilient enterprise base to sustain jobs and exports. With the support of our development Agencies, my Department's strategic priorities include: - Strengthening Irish enterprise to respond to market shocks and disruption...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: EU Issues (10 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I understand the Deputy may be referring to the EU Commission’s forthcoming proposal on sustainable corporate governance expected in Summer 2021. As outlined by the EU Commission this may include measures to require companies to take actions to address their adverse impacts on social and environmental matters including human rights by way of a due diligence duty. Certainly, the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: S.I. No. 701 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 and S.I. No. 4 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 () clearly sets out the temporary restrictions under Level 5. A list of essential services can be found at and the list of essential retail outlets at...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Redundancy Payments (10 Mar 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I extend my sympathies to the workers in the Rehab Group who are in danger of losing their jobs. I fully appreciate how difficult the situation is for those involved and for their families. The Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes a number of obligations on employers who are proposing collective redundancies including an obligation under sections 9 and 10 to engage in an information...