Results 7,121-7,140 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: Under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19, only essential retail outlets will remain open.  Further information can be found on 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...

Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes: Statements (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: This report is the story of a buried past, uncovering buried lives and a buried truth. In some respects, it confirms what was long suspected. In others, it reveals a more nuanced and more challenging narrative. The commission of investigation has spent many years finding the truth in order that we can now begin to provide some measure of healing and reconciliation, and, above all, make...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Energy Conservation (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The regulation of supermarket fridges falls under EU Regulation, namely Regulation (EU) 2019/2024 of 1 October 2019, laying down ecodesign requirements for refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function, and Regulation (EU) 2019/2018 with regard to energy labelling of refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function. The Regulations apply to refrigerators with direct sales...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Workplace Safety (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The ratification of ILO Convention C190 is a matter of priority for Ireland and we continue to work towards being amongst the first ILO member States to ratify, with plans to progress the ratification this year.  The issue of ratification by Ireland of International Labour Organisation Convention 190, Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, is being considered in...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Trading Online Voucher Scheme (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVS) was designed to encourage and support small and micro-businesses in Ireland to trade online. This scheme was developed by the (now) Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) as part of the National Digital Strategy. This Strategy set out a vision and practical actions and steps to encourage and assist more citizens and small...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Future Growth Loan Scheme was established in April 2019 for SMEs and small midcaps (up to 499 employees) seeking access to finance for long-term strategic investment. It is delivered by the SBCI through participating finance providers on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. From launch, €300m in...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Government’s Living with COVID-19 Plan recognises the need for an overall incremental approach which take account of the societal and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the varying responses required at different times. The Plan sets out how businesses should operate at five different levels. The Country is, at present, at Level 5 and within Level 5 people should work...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: There are no plans for the Government to reimburse couples arising from contracts that were privately entered into with wedding suppliers. The restrictions introduced to limit the spread of Covid-19 have led to the cancellation or deferral of many events and services, including weddings. In many cases where it is not possible to proceed with a wedding due to these restrictions, the couple...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Work Safely Protocol set out the procedures and processes to be undertaken to ensure the safe operation of workplaces in the context of COVID-19. The Protocol is applicable to all places of work, including construction sites, whether or not these construction sites are large sites or relatively small ones.  The Health and Safety Authority is the lead Agency in relation to checking...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Economic Competitiveness (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Customer Experience industry is an important sector and a significant employer in Ireland. In recent years it has evolved from traditional call centres to language and technology-based customer interaction and customer experience centres. In 2019, it was estimated that approximately 56,000 people were employed in this sector. The availability of a highly-skilled, mobile...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: IDA Ireland (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of property solutions is a key element in IDA’s marketing of Galway and the West Region.  The IDA actively promotes available buildings and land in IDA Business Parks and high-quality buildings in private ownership through our network of overseas offices. IDA Ireland does not own any land in Knocknacarra.  I am advised that IDA Ireland are aware of, and familiar...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: IDA Ireland (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together. There are 120 IDA supported companies in the West Region, employing 27,695 people in total. There are 93 IDA supported companies in Galway City and County, employing 21,428 in total. This is an increase in employment of 3% on the previous year. Ballinasloe is marketed as part of the West Region. This provides scale and scope, which...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 20 together. The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, commonly known as CETA, is one of the EU’s new generation of progressive free trade agreements. CETA is designed to benefit EU and Canadian companies through improved trade flows in support of increased employment for our citizens. The elimination of tariffs, reduced trade...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Contracts (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: I understand the Deputy is seeking details of any contracts with the company in question during the last five years. My Department has not had any contracts with the company during this period.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: As part of Budget 2021, my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and Transport, Eamon Ryan TD is introducing specific measures for taxi and hackney businesses. The Minister is providing funding to the National Transport Authority to enable it to waive annual vehicle licence renewal fees for 2021. In addition, Minister Ryan is allocating €15 million...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Construction Contracts (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Construction Contracts Act, 2013 applies to certain construction contracts entered into after the 25th July 2016. If a payment dispute arises between the parties to a construction contract covered by the Act, a party to the contract has the right to refer the payment dispute for adjudication, which will be concluded within a set timeframe. The parties may jointly agree to appoint an...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Construction Contracts (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Construction Contracts Act, 2013 applies to certain construction contracts entered into after the 25th July 2016. There are currently 29 members of the Ministerial appointed Panel of Adjudicators excluding the Chairperson, Dr. Nael Bunni. The Chairperson has made 96 Adjudicator appointments to payment disputes since the commencement of the Act to the 30th November 2020. The appointment of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The Restart Grant and Restart Grant Plus schemes were designed to help small and medium sized businesses get back on their feet after what has been an exceptionally difficult time.  The Restart Grant scheme was launched on 15 May with a budget of €250 million. The Restart Grant Plus scheme was launched on 10 August with an additional budget of €300m from the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: The COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS) is the largest guarantee scheme in the history of the State.  Its function is to add certainty to businesses that liquidity is available for working capital and investment purposes. Loans of up to €1 million are available for up to five and a half years.  Loans under €250,000 do not require collateral or personal guarantees....

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Brexit Supports (13 Jan 2021)

Leo Varadkar: To enhance the suite of loans products available to Irish businesses who will be impacted by Brexit, Microfinance Ireland (MFI) launched their Brexit Business Loan on the 23rd of November 2020. MFI and officials in my Department have developed this loan product to operate under MFI’s remit which means the loans are available to micro businesses, eg, businesses with less than 10...