Results 7,761-7,780 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future identifies a number of groups which will be led by Government in shaping the engagement of enterprise and SMEs in the formulation of the policy responses at the different stages of the recovery. The groups envisaged by the Programme for Government include an SME Growth Taskforce, to design a National SME Growth Plan that will map...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Industrial Disputes (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 75, 88 and 92 together. I extend my sympathies to the workers in Debenhams who have lost their jobs. I fully appreciate how difficult the situation is for those involved and their families. Many have been striking for over 200 days. Recently I, along with the Taoiseach and Ministers Troy and English have met with Debenhams employees and their union,...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Driver Test (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware that a number of Driving instructors recently took part in protests in Dublin and Sligo as a result of the impact of Covid-19 on instructors which restricts access to Road Safety Authority centres while students sit driving tests. While I understand the inconvenience this causes for individuals, I must emphasise that Ireland’s system of industrial relations is...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Sick Pay Scheme (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I have committed to introduce a statutory sick pay scheme for Ireland and this scheme will be designed in consultation with unions and employer groups. I have already begun discussions with these groups and I will be launching a full public consultation very shortly. I encourage employers, employees and unions to engage with this consultation and make their views known. The Government...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Flood Relief Schemes (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: On 20 October 2020, following reports of flooding caused by heavy rainfall in the South West region of the country, I announced the immediate opening of the Emergency Humanitarian Aid Relief Scheme to provide urgent funding to small businesses, community and voluntary organisations in the South West region which have been affected by flooding during the period commencing 19 October to week...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Data Centres (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: In June 2018, my Department published the ‘Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Policy’. It sets out the strategic importance of data centres to Ireland’s overarching enterprise policy and attracting foreign investment in the ICT sector. The Statement followed an agreement of the Government, in October 2017, to create a strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Company Liquidations (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Minister Damien English who has responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail and Minister Robert Troy who has responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation jointly met with employer and union representative bodies on the 4th of November to begin a discussion on the legislative provisions that deal with redundancy and insolvency from both a company law and...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Gift Vouchers (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for proposing this idea at what is a very difficult time for both consumers and businesses. I take it that the scheme referred to by the Deputy would guarantee gift vouchers issued by a business that went into liquidation or ceased trading. While the aim of enhancing consumer confidence in gift vouchers is understandable, the introduction of a scheme of this kind would...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Restart Grant Plus scheme which launched on 10 August 2020, is now closed to new applications since 31 October 2020. The scheme was aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures. The Scheme was available only to businesses operating commercially from a rateable premises within the Local...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Brexit Issues (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Brexit, in whatever shape it finally takes, will have a significant impact on the Irish economy and fundamentally change the way in which Irish businesses trade with the UK. Whatever the outcome of the EU-UK future relationship negotiations, the UK will leave the Single Market and the Customs Union at the end of December. The most immediate impact on businesses trading with Great Britain...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Company Law (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Company Law Review Group (CLRG) is a statutory advisory body charged with advising me on matters pertaining to company law. Its membership is broad and representative of key stakeholders who have expertise and interest in the area, such as employee and employer representative groups, the Revenue Commissioners, insolvency and legal practitioners and regulators. It is important to note...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Microfinance Loan Fund Scheme (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Microenterprise Loan Fund operated by Microfinance Ireland assists businesses with fewer than ten employees. It provides much-needed funding to help microenterprises meet payments for stock, working capital requirements and other overhead expenses through the provision of low-cost lending facilities. Microfinance Ireland provides vital support to microenterprises by filling the...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Brexit Preparations (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I am fully aware of the significant exposure of our exporting Food & Drinks sector in general. Enterprise Ireland is working intensively with companies in this sector to enable them respond to the challenges they may face come 1st January 2021. Since 2016, the effectiveness of these measures by Enterprise Ireland and in cooperation with Bord Bia, has reduced UK exports from 35% to...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I understand this is a difficult time for many businesses and that some firms are concerned about how they are going to continue to pay the rent due for their business premises. Throughout this crisis, the Government has been encouraging commercial tenants and landlords to engage with each other and have asked landlords to show forbearance where they can. Ultimately, it is in the best...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Section 10 (4) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 enables me as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to request the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to carry out a study or analysis of: - any issue relating to consumer protection and welfare, - any practice or method of competition affecting the supply and distribution of goods or the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Job Creation (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: County Clare continues to be a strong performer in terms of attracting both indigenous and foreign direct investment (FDI). There are now 67 IDA client companies in County Clare employing over 7,100 people with over 220 net new jobs added by foreign direct investment (FDI) firms in 2019. Clare is home to a number of particularly prominent multinationals...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Flexible Work Practices (10 Nov 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. The Programme for Government recognises that remote work can provide multiple benefits in areas such as balanced regional development, climate action and...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Local Enterprise Offices (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is working with the Local Enterprise Offices on a local media campaign to support the ‘Shop Local’ initiatives that are already very active across the country. The purpose of this campaign will be to encourage communities to support businesses in their area by shopping locally and safely. Even while under Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions, where people cannot...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: IDA Ireland (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: County Carlow has witnessed a year on year increase in employment by IDA client companies in the past five years with over 480 net new jobs added since 2015. There are now over 1,200 people employed across five IDA client companies in the County. I am determined, together with IDA Ireland, to increase these numbers further as best we can. The IDA has a strong focus on regional...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Brexit Preparations (10 Nov 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department and its agencies have put a wide range of enterprise measures in place to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and practical preparatory actions to be taken with regard to Brexit. The Local Enterprise Offices in County Cork offer grants to businesses responding to Brexit challenges including the approval of 7 Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters grant of...