Results 8,721-8,740 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Enterprise Support Services (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As stated in the Programme for Government, we will bring forward a July Stimulus shortly to support our economy and help restore employment. Our focus is to support the viability of the business and to get people back to work as quickly as possible in all sectors including the hospitality sector. Helping our SMEs is central to this, given their pivotal role in the economy and employment. The...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Records (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department informs me that they have been and will continue to engage with Ms Kelly on her request for information regarding her social insurance record. The most recent contact with Ms Bridget Alice Kelly was by email on Tuesday 7 July 2020. The Department will continue to engage and provide information to Ms Kelly. In the event records cannot be located, we will work with the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has introduced a €12bn package of supports for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, the pandemic unemployment payment for the self-employed, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs. Full details on all COVID19 supports for business are available at:...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has introduced a €12bn package of supports for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, the pandemic unemployment payment for the self-employed, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs. Full details on all COVID19 supports for business are available at:...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Health and Safety Regulations (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, stated in the answer to Parliamentary Question No. 872 of 30 June 2020, window restrictors are products that are required to be installed in dwellings where a window has an opening section through which a person may fall, (having particular regard to children under five years of age), and is more than 1400 mm above external ground...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has responded swiftly to the needs of businesses since the onset of Covid-19 earlier this year. The COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme offered through the SBCI is broadly accessible to Covid-19-impacted SMEs and small-mid caps (businesses of fewer than 500 employees). Of the approximately 3,000 eligibility applications to date, only 15 have so far been deemed ineligible. This...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: On 19thJune, the Government, having considered the expert public health advice provided by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), approved the rephasing of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. Apart from some exceptions, the reopening of most sectors was brought forward to Phase 3, which began on Monday 29th June. Pubs and hotel bars operating as restaurants have been...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will know, the sector referred to in the question relates to the policy responsibility of another Minister but I am happy to outline my position on how best to assist enterprises in the current circumstances and into the future. Some of the provisions already available include: - the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment for all employees and the self-employed who have lost...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Foreign Direct Investment (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Recent global developments – both as a result of Brexit and of the COVID-19 pandemic – have undoubtedly had an impact on international foreign direct investment (FDI). The challenges presented by Brexit are well-documented. The IDA has been working hard with its client base to help address and mitigate any risks faced by overseas companies already located here. The...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: In a few short months, Ireland has gone from a position of record employment to record unemployment and faces an unprecedented challenge in terms of getting people back into employment. The Department of Finance’s Stability Programme Update (SPU) published in April indicated that employment is projected to fall substantially with approximately 220,000 jobs being lost this year. The...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Over the coming months I look forward to working with my EU counterparts both bilaterally and at meetings of the European Council of Ministers in its Employment and Social Affairs, Competitiveness, and Foreign Affairs -Trade configurations. Under the German Presidency we will debate a wide variety of topics at each Council aimed at supporting Member employment policies and enterprises,...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Priorities (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department will be developing its Statement of Strategy, in consultation with its many stakeholders, in the coming months and within the required time-frame of 6-months. A core objective of the Department will be to contribute to the formation of an ambitious and effective National Economic Plan. The Department’s leadership across a number of Government strategies, including...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: Since I took up the role of Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, my focus has been on preparing the July Stimulus Package which will be radical, of scale and far-reaching. Not only must we overcome the current challenges, but we must also look ahead and set our economy on the right course for the future. Already there are some welcome signs of improvement in business activity...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Relations (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 95 together. Ireland's overall export performance over the last 10 years has been marked by year-on-year growth with total exports of goods and services reaching further record levels of €366Bn in 2019. While the UK is and will remain a major market for Irish companies, expanding the Irish export footprint in markets beyond the UK is a...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Microenterprise Loan Fund (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The COVID-19 Loan, available from Microfinance Ireland (MFI), was introduced as a support to microenterprises to help them access funding arising from the COVID-19 crisis. These loans are available for eligible microenterprises responding to Covid-19-related difficulties, the negative impact of which must be a minimum of 15% of actual or projected income or profit. Loans up to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Industrial Development (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department through its agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, is working with manufacturing and internationally traded services companies across Ireland to build scale, innovate and expand reach - key attributes required to be resilient to economic shocks such as Brexit and COVID-19. At the start of 2020 as the Enterprise Ireland entered the final year of its strategy, client...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Industrial Development (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is committed to creating the environment which supports the creation of new enterprises throughout the country and thereby generating employment in every region. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of a National SME Growth Plan that will map out an ambitious long-term strategic blueprint beyond COVID-19. In that regard, I will soon be announcing the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Foreign Direct Investment (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: COVID-19 has presented undeniable challenges to our ongoing efforts to sustain and grow foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ireland. The introduction of travel restrictions around the world is already, for example, disrupting the typical way in which the IDA engages with investors, resulting in fewer numbers of site visits and client meetings. The pandemic has also impacted investor confidence...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Schemes (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: As our country approaches a new normal, remote work is more important than ever. If implemented correctly, it can stimulate regional growth, support the transition to a greener economy, reduce business costs and improve employees’ work-life balance. However, for this to be possible, the necessary supports must be in place for business and employees to reap its benefits. This is...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jul 2020)

Leo Varadkar: The Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOV) is a scheme which forms an integral part of the National Digital Strategy. In that context, my colleague, Minister Eamonn Ryan, Minister for Communications has responsibility for policy matters related to the scheme including the eligibility criteria and funding. Nevertheless, in recognition of the increased demand for the scheme as a result of...