Results 821-840 of 4,715 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wage-setting Mechanisms (12 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: We can set a new order for that sector as soon as January. It was six months in previously. I encourage employers and employees to get around the table and start working towards that. These SEOs are done with the full co-operation of employers and employees and their representative bodies. Both sides come to the table and work out something and these work very well in the large majority...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Regional Development (12 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: I very much welcome the ambition set out by the independent Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce in their Final Report. The Taskforce’s vision for an Atlantic Green Digital Corridor, developing from the Shannon Estuary and stretching from Cork to Donegal is more than an energy strategy; it is also about reshaping the Irish economy very fundamentally, and it offers a tangible opportunity...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (12 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: Ireland operates a managed employment permits system, maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term. The Occupational Lists (Ineligible Occupations List...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: EU Directives (12 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: To ensure minimum wages are set at adequate levels, the Directive requires countries with statutory minimum wages to put in place clear and stable criteria for minimum wage setting, indicative reference values to guide the assessment of adequacy, and regular and timely updates of minimum wages. The development of policy in this area must be mindful of the fact that Ireland has one of...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (12 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together. The Employment Permits Section of the Department has provided the following figures for the number of employment permits granted between 2018 and 2023: Year of Issue Issued 2018 13,387 2019 16,152 2020 16,361 2021 16,278 ...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Policy (12 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: This government is committed to supporting companies who are experiencing cost increases. My Department , through Enterprise Ireland (EI) is funding the the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. EI works in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. In this way, they support sustainable economic...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Small and Medium Enterprises (12 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: The Local Enterprise Offices act as a ‘First Stop Shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and offer a ‘signposting’ service for all government supports available to business owners throughout the country. The Local Enterprise Offices offer an extensive suite of supports to businesses and entrepreneurs. These include direct financial grants as...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Staff (12 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: There is nothing in law to preclude employers employing or continuing to employ persons over the age of 65 on either a full or a part-time basis and no legislative or policy change is required to enable them to do so. With regard to employment in Government Departments, the terms and conditions for members and staff of almost all public service bodies are a matter for my colleague, the...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (11 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: Following the changes announced by my department in December 2022 to address the skills shortages in Ireland's home care sector, a quota of 1,000 general employment permits in respect of care workers and home carers was established. The number of employment permits issued and refused in this category since January 2023 is set out below. Month of issue Number issued ...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (11 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that a Critical Skills Employment Permit application for the person concerned in the details supplied was received on 29thSeptember 2023. The application concerned is currently awaiting processing. As of 6thOctober 2023, the Employment Permits section are processing new applications in respect of standard employers received on...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (11 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: The processing dates for employment permits in respect of non-EEA nationals are set out below (information collated on 6 October). New employment permit applications in respect of standard employers - 11 September 2023. New employment permit applications in respect of trusted partner employers - 14 September2023. Renewal applications in respect of standard employers - 12September 2023....

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Flexible Work Practices (11 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: The right to request remote working will be available to all employees under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Under the Act, flexible working arrangements such as adjusted working patterns or reduced hours, will be available to parents and carers. Under the Act, employers will be obliged to have regard to a Code of Practice when considering applications for...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (11 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: Ireland operates a managed employment permits system, maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The regime is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term. In framing policy, consideration is given to other...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Industrial Relations (11 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: Firstly, my thoughts are with all employees facing job losses and I fully appreciate how difficult this situation can be. Ireland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation to protect and support workers in collective redundancy situations. The Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes certain legal obligations on employers proposing collective redundancies. These obligations...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (10 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: I thank the Senator for introducing this extremely important topic as a Commencement matter. I am pleased to take it on behalf of my senior colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys. As the Senator will be aware, the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act principally amends and extends the Civil Registration Act 2004 and the Act itself was signed into law on 4 December...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (10 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: The commencement of section 6 will provide an opportunity for all fathers' names to be recorded on the register of births. While this anomaly affects a small number of people, I do not for a second underestimate how important it is, not just to fathers but also to mothers and indeed children. It is the Government's view that where possible, all children should have the rights to know the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flexible Work Practices (10 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: I will outline my absolute support for the Act. I am not just saying that as a politician. In my daily life, we talk a lot about being at effective full employment. It is a nice thing to say and it shows the power of the economy but for employers that means a very tight labour market. One thing I was boosted by in the first half of this year was that when the unemployment figures again...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flexible Work Practices (10 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: I take an element of the Senator's criticism as fair but I have to reject some of it because this has to be got right. We have tasked the relevant people in the WRC, and people who are trusted both within the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and IBEC and who have experience to make sure that code of conduct is done correctly. I am not just going to put a set date on it because if we set a...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Industrial Relations (10 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: Firstly, my thoughts are with all employees facing job losses and I fully appreciate how difficult this situation can be. Ireland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation to protect and support workers in collective redundancy situations. The Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes certain legal obligations on employers proposing collective redundancies. These obligations...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (10 Oct 2023)

Neale Richmond: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 167 together. Following the Department of Justice Report on the Review of the Atypical Working Scheme for non-EEA Crew in the Irish Fishing Fleet, the Implementation Group to address the Report's recommendations was established. This Group includes representatives from the three Government Departments along with representatives from sector...