Results 61-80 of 3,591 for speaker:Damien English in 'Dáil debates'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Employment Rights (15 Sep 2022)

Damien English: I thank Deputy O'Reilly for raising this issue. It is important to ensure that workers are correctly classified in a way that matches the reality of the relationship between the worker and the business. Therefore, we take very seriously any bogus employment. The Tánaiste is very clear on that and has set up a working group on the matter. In Ireland, mechanisms exist for the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Employment Rights (15 Sep 2022)

Damien English: -----but we are absolutely clear that, regardless of whether public money is involved or not, the rules of the State must be followed.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Employment Rights (15 Sep 2022)

Damien English: I have no doubt but that the Deputy is well plugged into that group. It is representative of all parts of society. It is important we continue to focus on the area to see if we can enhance and strengthen our legislation and our regime. Part of the work of that group over recent months has been to assess the situation at the moment and the numbers that we believe are in this sector and to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Employment Rights (15 Sep 2022)

Damien English: To be very clear, the State does not facilitate it. The State expects anybody who is in employment to have the full protection of our employment legislation, and we are very clear on that. There are two agencies, Revenue and the Department of Social Protection, that do a well-recognised good job in this area. Our regime in Ireland is well recognised for protection of employees. It is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Work Permits (15 Sep 2022)

Damien English: In response to Deputy Carey, first of all, the permit regime change we made for the healthcare assistant is of major assistance to nursing homes and we work closely with them around that. Close to 2,000 permits have been issued. We have streamlined our process and we focus in, whether it be on home-care assistants or chefs, at different times of the year when there is a high priority. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Work Permits (15 Sep 2022)

Damien English: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which is at the forefront of our minds as Deputies in each area trying to support those who need care in the home. Ireland's employment permits system is managed through the operation of the critical skills and ineligible occupations lists, which determine roles that are either in critically short supply or are ineligible for an employment permit....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Work Permits (15 Sep 2022)

Damien English: The Deputy raised two important issues. The first is the reform of the overall system. In recent years, especially in working closely with the Tánaiste and the Department over the past year, we put extra resources and staffing into that area. The number of staff available to work through the backlog in permits has nearly trebled. Thankfully, the processing time has been reduced. We...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services (15 Sep 2022)

Damien English: We are trying to reach all of these companies through our various agencies. A lot of effort has gone in but our focus through the Department in the past couple of years is how we can fix relationships with Enterprise Ireland and the local enterprise offices to capture all of those companies. Very often, the gap that is presented to us and, no doubt, to the Deputy, is that when companies go...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services (15 Sep 2022)

Damien English: Again, the ambition and the focus has to be to work with companies and to encourage more and more companies to take on international markets. That is the win-win for Ireland and that is where we can create more sustainable jobs. In any of our policy interventions, and I think most businesses get this, we have to also recognise there is a displacement issue. If there are four or five...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Enterprise Support Services (15 Sep 2022)

Damien English: I thank Deputy O'Reilly for the question. The Government and we as a Department recognise that domestically traded sectors account for a significant number of firms in Ireland and, more importantly, for a high proportion of employment across retail, construction, accommodation and food, play and leisure and many other sectors also. They contribute to the economic and social fabric of towns...

Sick Leave Bill 2022: From the Seanad (13 Jul 2022)

Damien English: As amendments Nos. 1 and 2 are grouped, I will speak to both amendments. Amendment No. 1 makes a minor but useful change to the Minister’s power to set the number of sick leave days by order. As originally formulated, it would have required the Minister to specify the number of additional days to which employees will be entitled. The amendment means that an order can now simply...

Sick Leave Bill 2022: From the Seanad (13 Jul 2022)

Damien English: On Report Stage in the Dáil, the Tánaiste accepted an amendment that removed the power of the Minister to reduce the number of statutory sick leave days by regulation. These are consequential, technical amendments made in the Seanad and they reflect the change in policy, in that the number of sick days can only be increased. This formed part of the debate in this House and the...

Sick Leave Bill 2022: From the Seanad (13 Jul 2022)

Damien English: I thank Opposition Members and all the parties for their co-operation on all stages of the Bill in both Houses over the past 18 months. While there were different amendments and slight disagreements, generally we were all supportive of the Bill and how important it is for Ireland to have a statutory sick pay scheme. I thank Members for their help and support and the Tánaiste for his...

Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Damien English: There is plenty of space here.

Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Damien English: I move: That Dáil Éireann, pursuant to Article 29.5.2° of Bunreacht na hÉireann, approves the terms of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, signed by the Government of Ireland on 27th January, 1967, and laid before Dáil Eireann on 30th June, 2022. ...

Irish Corporate Governance (Gender Balance) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (7 Jul 2022)

Damien English: I am delighted to have the chance to thank Deputy Higgins for this Bill, which has allowed us all to focus on a policy priority of the Government. It addresses a very important issue and one I know the Deputy is dedicated to. As with all the work she does, it is extremely well researched and based on evidence. I thank her and her team, some of whom are here, for their work on bringing...

Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022 [Seanad]: Second Stage (7 Jul 2022)

Damien English: I thank the House for its support. I thank the contributors to the debate on this very important matter. It is very clear from all of the contributions from the members of the different parties that there is great support for the hospitality sector and acknowledgement of its importance and that of all of those who work extremely hard in it. Many of us have worked in the sector over the...

Our Lady's Hospital Navan Emergency Services: Motion [Private Members] (21 Jun 2022)

Damien English: I am glad to have a chance to say a few words in relation to Navan hospital, which we are all proud of and lucky to have in Navan. As a Navan person who attended the hospital many times in my years growing up, I have no doubt that we are lucky to have it and it has saved thousands of lives. The people in it are excellent and provide a top-class service in many areas. However, we have to...

Our Lady's Hospital Navan Emergency Services: Motion [Private Members] (21 Jun 2022)

Damien English: I also recognise there are medical suggestions here and people telling us differently. I listened to Gerry McEntee. Most of the Teachtaí Dála here last week listened to him. Most people believed him and were concerned. We will all differ on what the solutions are. I will differ with Gerry McEntee on some of that and row with him, but I do not doubt his medical opinion and his...

Our Lady's Hospital Navan Emergency Services: Motion [Private Members] (21 Jun 2022)

Damien English: On numerous occasions we have said "No" to the HSE. These proposals are not new. They have changed but over many years we have always said "No" and that the place is not ready for it yet. That conversation is still going on. There is extra capacity in Drogheda. We have to ask ourselves if that is enough. I am not convinced it is enough to deal with the patients who might not be able to...