Results 7,341-7,360 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Brexit Issues (17 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: In accordance with the Global Ireland 2025 objective of Strengthening Team Ireland’s presence abroad and accelerating diversification of export markets, my Department has appointed four senior officials to our Embassies since 2019. The Counsellor post in the Embassy in Washington is designed to reflect the increasing importance of Ireland’s strategic trade and investment...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (17 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: We know the significant effects on business of the current Level 3 restrictions. Budget 2021 provides a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors. It is in addition to the July Stimulus measures, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, Restart Grant Plus, cash for businesses,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Economic Competitiveness (17 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Access to high quality broadband, a well-educated labour force and a well-functioning housing market were recently highlighted by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council in its Competitiveness Challenge 2020 Report. The Council is an independent body that operates under the aegis of my Department. These factors were seen by the Council as critical elements for a successful...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (17 Dec 2020)

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: Foreign Direct Investment (17 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: While COVID-19 is the most significant challenge to our ongoing efforts to sustain and grow foreign direct investment in Ireland, Brexit remains a significant challenge for our economy. IDA Ireland has been working hard with its client base, over several years, to help mitigate Brexit-related risks that could impact on foreign direct investment in Ireland and to help their clients here...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Regional Enterprise Plans (17 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Enterprise Ireland Regional plan, “Powering the Regions” was developed within the context of the EI Corporate Strategy “Build Scale Expand Reach 2017 – 2020”, and places the regions at the heart of economic growth in Ireland. The Regional plan identifies new “National Initiatives” which are impactful and will develop regions of scale. The...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (17 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I am keenly aware that businesses are making a massive sacrifice to protect their communities and I am committed to ensuring that the Government offers as much assistance and support as possible. A comprehensive range of measures is in place for manufacturing and service firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Economic Policy (17 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The National Economic Plan will set out the Government’s policy objectives for economic recovery post Brexit and Covid-19 and a pathway and to shape and build a renewed economy for the future. A two-pronged approach will be pursued to underpin economic recovery encompassing a renewed focus on domestic SMEs, which is critical to a broad-based jobs-led economic recovery, whilst...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Brexit Issues (16 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As both Ireland and the UK are Contracting Parties to the ADR (UN European Agreement on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) and this will not change following Brexit. ADR driver training certificates that are in conformance with ADR 8.2.1 and issued in accordance with ADR 8.2.2.8 are mutually accepted by competent authorities across ADR Contracting Parties. Thus, ADR driver...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I am keenly aware that businesses are making a massive sacrifice to protect their communities and I am committed to ensuring that the Government offers as much assistance as possible. It is important to note that all decisions taken by Government on the timing of any lifting of restrictions will be guided by advice received from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). The...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Company Liquidations (16 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Joint provisional liquidators have been appointed by the High Court to four Irish operating companies, that are part of the UK fashion group Arcadia. It is important to note that a provisional liquidator does not take steps to wind up the company but rather preserves and secures the company’s assets pending appointment of an official liquidator. As such, the employees of Arcadia...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Funding (16 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has invested in the development of enterprise/co-working hubs in every region. Under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, the Border Enterprise Development Fund, the Community Enterprise Centre Scheme, and the Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme, Enterprise Ireland has invested over €180 million in these infrastructures. Based on Enterprise Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: From my Department's perspective, the information which the Deputy is seeking is available, on a by-county basis, for programmes of the following bodies: - The Local Enterprise Offices - The Local Authorities who administer the Restart Grant and Restart Grant Plus schemes - The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland - Microfinance Ireland - Intertrade Ireland. The information is contained...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge (16 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Tháinig 3ú Scéim Teanga mo Roinne don tréimhse 2019-2022 i bhfeidhm ar an 18 Feabhra 2019. Ullmhaíodh an Scéim de réir forálacha Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus bhí sí ceadaithe ag an Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta. Leagann an Scéim amach a mhéid is atá na seirbhísí ar fáil faoi...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Foireann Roinne (16 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Níl aon fholúntas reatha taobh istigh mo Roinn faoi láthair a bhfuil cumas Gaeilge riachtanach faoi leith. Mar gheall ar éileamh íseal ar sholáthar seirbhíse do chustaiméirí trí Ghaeilge i mo Roinn, níor aithníodh aon phost ainmnithe ina bhfuil cumas Gaeilge mar réamhriachtanas. Tá 993 bhall foirne fostaithe i mo Roinn faoi...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge (16 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Tá mo Roinn go hiomlán tiomanta chun a chinntiú gur féidir le custaiméirí ar mian leo a ngnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge é sin a dhéanamh. Ar an iomlán, tá leibhéal an éilimh an-íseal sa Roinn ar sheirbhísí trí Ghaeilge. Tá an méid teagmhála faighte as Gaeilge, i scríbhinn, ar an...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I am keenly aware that publicans are making a massive sacrifice to protect their communities. I am committed to ensuring that the Government offers as much assistance as possible. A comprehensive range of measures is in place for firms of all sizes, including the wage subsidy scheme, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities and is available on my...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Budgets (16 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department plays an important role in communicating to business owners the grants, low cost loans, advice and training available to them to help grow their business or meet challenges they face. This role is particularly important in 2020 and 2021 as we face the twin challenges of Brexit and COVID-19. My Department has an overall communications and advertising budget allocation of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Remote Working (16 Dec 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As our country continues to navigate Covid-19, remote working has become more important than ever before. This is reflected in the Programme for Government, which contains commitments aimed at facilitating remote work across Ireland. These include a mandate for public sector employers, colleges and other public bodies to move to 20% home and remote working in 2021 and the development of a...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Dec 2020)

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. Approximately €650m under the restart grant schemes will be allocated by the end of the year. The purpose of the schemes was to help with the cost of reopening or adapting business premises so that normal...